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Dr. McLaughlin received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Duke University and his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. He completed his surgical internship at Shands Teaching Hospital, College of Medicine at University of Florida, where he also completed his residency in radiation oncology. Dr. McLaughlin also holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Central Michigan University.
Dr. McLaughlin is board-certified in radiation oncology. In his spare time, he enjoys sports, travel, gardening, boating, martial arts and reading.
Intraoperative Radio Therapy (IORT)
Specialties
Radiation Oncology
Education & Training
Medical College of Georgia-Augusta University
Degree
Doctor of Medicine
Residency
University of Florida
Certifications
American Board of Radiology - Rad/Oncology
Hospital Affiliations
Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
Wellstar Cobb Hospital
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
Wellstar North Fulton Hospital
Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital
Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
Wellstar Douglas Hospital
Languages spoken
English
Patient Reviews
Overall patient rating
4.8
Based on 325 patient ratings
I'd recommend this provider to family and friends
Treated me with courtesy and respect
Shared easy to understand information
Listened to me carefully
Earned my trust
Shared the right amount of information
All reviews have been submitted by patients after seeing the provider.For more information about the review system, check out this Learn more about our review system.
Patient Reviews
5
Very good and caring doctor!
April 18, 2025
5
Excellent
April 18, 2025
5
Delay was due to an emergency room visit by another patient
April 17, 2025
5
You need additional patient parking space at this facility.
April 4, 2025
5
It was definitely an extraordinary, wonderful, and gratifying experience for me to have been treated by the team of people from the Oncology Department at this hospital.
March 28, 2025
5
We were very impressed with our visit. The doctor was very good and we really appreciate it.
March 26, 2025
5
Thank you Dr. McLaughlin!
March 21, 2025
5
Always a pleasure to come here for Dr. McLaughlin and his team even though it's a bit of a drive from where I live (but I enjoy the scenery, so no big deal). Team has always worked with me to get me in as early as possible so that I can get to work before my noon start time (I work from home). I really, really, really like Dr. McLaughlin's no-nonsense approach and factual info/recommendations/etc. He's also courteous, as is his whole team. Great job!
March 21, 2025
5
Good team they care dr McLaughlin very knowledgeable
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent facility, staffed by extremely friendly professionals. Dr. McLaughlin was great
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin was great to deal with. Gets to the point, explains things so I can understand, and feel he truly has my best interests at heart . A standout in the medical community today !!!!!!!
March 15, 2025
5
The facility is very pleasant and all the staff are professional and courteous
March 21, 2025
5
Overall, it was as always an exceptional visit. A couple of things that I would really like to see is being able to schedule appointments with Dr. Mclaughlin via MyChart, as well as being able to get the visit notes and the visit summary on MyChart. The scheduling is a big issue. I would really like to be able to do that and oftentimes, I don't get the ability on MyChart to get the visit summary or the visit notes. That's it. Thanks.
March 21, 2025
5
Every thing went well
March 21, 2025
5
My original appointment was for 11:30. I got a text message saying that my appointment had been changed to 11:15 without consulting me whether that would be OK or not. And even after I got to the appointment on time for 11:15, I still wasn't called back until 11:45. So what was the point of changing the appointment time? Thank you very much. Bye bye.
March 21, 2025
5
They are very professional, very good, excellent service.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent team. Excellent experience.
March 21, 2025
2
Very impressed.
March 21, 2025
5
My appointment, I had to wait quite a while. I was about 45 minutes. But I understand that they were very, very busy. So normally it would have been a four. But in the case of yesterday, it was a little bit - it wasn't so good. But I understand, and it wasn't an inconvenience. And I really, really like the facility, and you do a wonderful job. Thank you.
March 21, 2025
5
Very informative and friendly.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent
March 21, 2025
5
Thanks for promptly setting up this call to discuss my situation
January 16, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin and staff are the best. Available by phone and MyChart for timely information and treatment . All are patient and courteous and extremely professional. Dr McLaughlin especially responsive for updates and concern on treatment progress
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin is an excellent physician. I would strongly recommend him and his staff. I received treatment from the cyber knife equipment at Wellstar. I am grateful to have had access to this state of the art technology and outstanding professional treatment. We are fortunate to have Dr McLaughlin available in the metro Atlanta area.
March 21, 2025
5
Always enjoy talking with Dr. McLaughlin. He is very thorough and look forward to talking with him in the future.
December 7, 2024
4
This was a tele-visit.
October 25, 2024
2
As there was no visit but rather a phone call 30 minutes past the agreed time (now I am cooking on a hot stove and he calls...) and he is not prepared to discuss my case but rather fumbles thru my files and ask me particular items that are in front of him in my files. I was not aware I would need to be logged into MyChart to provide information for my "visit". I understand he has many patients and needs to have a "visit" often with said patients. It would be very nice if the "visits" were reflected in MyChart and a summary of the "visits" as I believe Dr. McLaughlin was to send a request to another doctor for a test which I do not see in MyChart.
October 19, 2024
5
Dr. McLaughlin is the best. I absolutely adore him. He is one of the rare doctors that treats his patients like a person. Takes time to listen, explain and answer any questions.
October 17, 2024
5
Dr McLaughlin answered all my questions and gave me a good report via phone call visit.
October 4, 2024
5
As has been accustomed to the call was significantly later than scheduled.
August 27, 2024
5
Very good and caring doctor!
April 18, 2025
5
Excellent
April 18, 2025
5
Delay was due to an emergency room visit by another patient
April 17, 2025
5
You need additional patient parking space at this facility.
April 4, 2025
5
It was definitely an extraordinary, wonderful, and gratifying experience for me to have been treated by the team of people from the Oncology Department at this hospital.
March 28, 2025
5
We were very impressed with our visit. The doctor was very good and we really appreciate it.
March 26, 2025
5
Thank you Dr. McLaughlin!
March 21, 2025
5
Always a pleasure to come here for Dr. McLaughlin and his team even though it's a bit of a drive from where I live (but I enjoy the scenery, so no big deal). Team has always worked with me to get me in as early as possible so that I can get to work before my noon start time (I work from home). I really, really, really like Dr. McLaughlin's no-nonsense approach and factual info/recommendations/etc. He's also courteous, as is his whole team. Great job!
March 21, 2025
5
Good team they care dr McLaughlin very knowledgeable
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent facility, staffed by extremely friendly professionals. Dr. McLaughlin was great
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin was great to deal with. Gets to the point, explains things so I can understand, and feel he truly has my best interests at heart . A standout in the medical community today !!!!!!!
March 15, 2025
5
The facility is very pleasant and all the staff are professional and courteous
March 21, 2025
5
Overall, it was as always an exceptional visit. A couple of things that I would really like to see is being able to schedule appointments with Dr. Mclaughlin via MyChart, as well as being able to get the visit notes and the visit summary on MyChart. The scheduling is a big issue. I would really like to be able to do that and oftentimes, I don't get the ability on MyChart to get the visit summary or the visit notes. That's it. Thanks.
March 21, 2025
5
Every thing went well
March 21, 2025
5
My original appointment was for 11:30. I got a text message saying that my appointment had been changed to 11:15 without consulting me whether that would be OK or not. And even after I got to the appointment on time for 11:15, I still wasn't called back until 11:45. So what was the point of changing the appointment time? Thank you very much. Bye bye.
March 21, 2025
5
They are very professional, very good, excellent service.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent team. Excellent experience.
March 21, 2025
5
My appointment, I had to wait quite a while. I was about 45 minutes. But I understand that they were very, very busy. So normally it would have been a four. But in the case of yesterday, it was a little bit - it wasn't so good. But I understand, and it wasn't an inconvenience. And I really, really like the facility, and you do a wonderful job. Thank you.
March 21, 2025
5
Very informative and friendly.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent
March 21, 2025
5
Thanks for promptly setting up this call to discuss my situation
January 16, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin and staff are the best. Available by phone and MyChart for timely information and treatment . All are patient and courteous and extremely professional. Dr McLaughlin especially responsive for updates and concern on treatment progress
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin is an excellent physician. I would strongly recommend him and his staff. I received treatment from the cyber knife equipment at Wellstar. I am grateful to have had access to this state of the art technology and outstanding professional treatment. We are fortunate to have Dr McLaughlin available in the metro Atlanta area.
March 21, 2025
5
Always enjoy talking with Dr. McLaughlin. He is very thorough and look forward to talking with him in the future.
December 7, 2024
5
Dr. McLaughlin is the best. I absolutely adore him. He is one of the rare doctors that treats his patients like a person. Takes time to listen, explain and answer any questions.
October 17, 2024
5
Dr McLaughlin answered all my questions and gave me a good report via phone call visit.
October 4, 2024
5
As has been accustomed to the call was significantly later than scheduled.
August 27, 2024
4
This was a tele-visit.
October 25, 2024
2
Very impressed.
March 21, 2025
2
As there was no visit but rather a phone call 30 minutes past the agreed time (now I am cooking on a hot stove and he calls...) and he is not prepared to discuss my case but rather fumbles thru my files and ask me particular items that are in front of him in my files. I was not aware I would need to be logged into MyChart to provide information for my "visit". I understand he has many patients and needs to have a "visit" often with said patients. It would be very nice if the "visits" were reflected in MyChart and a summary of the "visits" as I believe Dr. McLaughlin was to send a request to another doctor for a test which I do not see in MyChart.
October 19, 2024
2
Very impressed.
March 21, 2025
2
As there was no visit but rather a phone call 30 minutes past the agreed time (now I am cooking on a hot stove and he calls...) and he is not prepared to discuss my case but rather fumbles thru my files and ask me particular items that are in front of him in my files. I was not aware I would need to be logged into MyChart to provide information for my "visit". I understand he has many patients and needs to have a "visit" often with said patients. It would be very nice if the "visits" were reflected in MyChart and a summary of the "visits" as I believe Dr. McLaughlin was to send a request to another doctor for a test which I do not see in MyChart.
October 19, 2024
4
This was a tele-visit.
October 25, 2024
5
Very good and caring doctor!
April 18, 2025
5
Excellent
April 18, 2025
5
Delay was due to an emergency room visit by another patient
April 17, 2025
5
You need additional patient parking space at this facility.
April 4, 2025
5
It was definitely an extraordinary, wonderful, and gratifying experience for me to have been treated by the team of people from the Oncology Department at this hospital.
March 28, 2025
5
We were very impressed with our visit. The doctor was very good and we really appreciate it.
March 26, 2025
5
Thank you Dr. McLaughlin!
March 21, 2025
5
Always a pleasure to come here for Dr. McLaughlin and his team even though it's a bit of a drive from where I live (but I enjoy the scenery, so no big deal). Team has always worked with me to get me in as early as possible so that I can get to work before my noon start time (I work from home). I really, really, really like Dr. McLaughlin's no-nonsense approach and factual info/recommendations/etc. He's also courteous, as is his whole team. Great job!
March 21, 2025
5
Good team they care dr McLaughlin very knowledgeable
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent facility, staffed by extremely friendly professionals. Dr. McLaughlin was great
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin was great to deal with. Gets to the point, explains things so I can understand, and feel he truly has my best interests at heart . A standout in the medical community today !!!!!!!
March 15, 2025
5
The facility is very pleasant and all the staff are professional and courteous
March 21, 2025
5
Overall, it was as always an exceptional visit. A couple of things that I would really like to see is being able to schedule appointments with Dr. Mclaughlin via MyChart, as well as being able to get the visit notes and the visit summary on MyChart. The scheduling is a big issue. I would really like to be able to do that and oftentimes, I don't get the ability on MyChart to get the visit summary or the visit notes. That's it. Thanks.
March 21, 2025
5
Every thing went well
March 21, 2025
5
My original appointment was for 11:30. I got a text message saying that my appointment had been changed to 11:15 without consulting me whether that would be OK or not. And even after I got to the appointment on time for 11:15, I still wasn't called back until 11:45. So what was the point of changing the appointment time? Thank you very much. Bye bye.
March 21, 2025
5
They are very professional, very good, excellent service.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent team. Excellent experience.
March 21, 2025
5
My appointment, I had to wait quite a while. I was about 45 minutes. But I understand that they were very, very busy. So normally it would have been a four. But in the case of yesterday, it was a little bit - it wasn't so good. But I understand, and it wasn't an inconvenience. And I really, really like the facility, and you do a wonderful job. Thank you.
March 21, 2025
5
Very informative and friendly.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent
March 21, 2025
5
Thanks for promptly setting up this call to discuss my situation
January 16, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin and staff are the best. Available by phone and MyChart for timely information and treatment . All are patient and courteous and extremely professional. Dr McLaughlin especially responsive for updates and concern on treatment progress
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin is an excellent physician. I would strongly recommend him and his staff. I received treatment from the cyber knife equipment at Wellstar. I am grateful to have had access to this state of the art technology and outstanding professional treatment. We are fortunate to have Dr McLaughlin available in the metro Atlanta area.
March 21, 2025
5
Always enjoy talking with Dr. McLaughlin. He is very thorough and look forward to talking with him in the future.
December 7, 2024
5
Dr. McLaughlin is the best. I absolutely adore him. He is one of the rare doctors that treats his patients like a person. Takes time to listen, explain and answer any questions.
October 17, 2024
5
Dr McLaughlin answered all my questions and gave me a good report via phone call visit.
October 4, 2024
5
As has been accustomed to the call was significantly later than scheduled.
August 27, 2024
5
Very good and caring doctor!
April 18, 2025
5
Excellent
April 18, 2025
5
Delay was due to an emergency room visit by another patient
April 17, 2025
5
You need additional patient parking space at this facility.
April 4, 2025
5
It was definitely an extraordinary, wonderful, and gratifying experience for me to have been treated by the team of people from the Oncology Department at this hospital.
March 28, 2025
5
We were very impressed with our visit. The doctor was very good and we really appreciate it.
March 26, 2025
5
Thank you Dr. McLaughlin!
March 21, 2025
5
Always a pleasure to come here for Dr. McLaughlin and his team even though it's a bit of a drive from where I live (but I enjoy the scenery, so no big deal). Team has always worked with me to get me in as early as possible so that I can get to work before my noon start time (I work from home). I really, really, really like Dr. McLaughlin's no-nonsense approach and factual info/recommendations/etc. He's also courteous, as is his whole team. Great job!
March 21, 2025
5
Good team they care dr McLaughlin very knowledgeable
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent facility, staffed by extremely friendly professionals. Dr. McLaughlin was great
March 21, 2025
5
The facility is very pleasant and all the staff are professional and courteous
March 21, 2025
5
Overall, it was as always an exceptional visit. A couple of things that I would really like to see is being able to schedule appointments with Dr. Mclaughlin via MyChart, as well as being able to get the visit notes and the visit summary on MyChart. The scheduling is a big issue. I would really like to be able to do that and oftentimes, I don't get the ability on MyChart to get the visit summary or the visit notes. That's it. Thanks.
March 21, 2025
5
Every thing went well
March 21, 2025
5
My original appointment was for 11:30. I got a text message saying that my appointment had been changed to 11:15 without consulting me whether that would be OK or not. And even after I got to the appointment on time for 11:15, I still wasn't called back until 11:45. So what was the point of changing the appointment time? Thank you very much. Bye bye.
March 21, 2025
5
They are very professional, very good, excellent service.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent team. Excellent experience.
March 21, 2025
2
Very impressed.
March 21, 2025
5
My appointment, I had to wait quite a while. I was about 45 minutes. But I understand that they were very, very busy. So normally it would have been a four. But in the case of yesterday, it was a little bit - it wasn't so good. But I understand, and it wasn't an inconvenience. And I really, really like the facility, and you do a wonderful job. Thank you.
March 21, 2025
5
Very informative and friendly.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin and staff are the best. Available by phone and MyChart for timely information and treatment . All are patient and courteous and extremely professional. Dr McLaughlin especially responsive for updates and concern on treatment progress
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin is an excellent physician. I would strongly recommend him and his staff. I received treatment from the cyber knife equipment at Wellstar. I am grateful to have had access to this state of the art technology and outstanding professional treatment. We are fortunate to have Dr McLaughlin available in the metro Atlanta area.
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin was great to deal with. Gets to the point, explains things so I can understand, and feel he truly has my best interests at heart . A standout in the medical community today !!!!!!!
March 15, 2025
5
Thanks for promptly setting up this call to discuss my situation
January 16, 2025
5
Always enjoy talking with Dr. McLaughlin. He is very thorough and look forward to talking with him in the future.
December 7, 2024
4
This was a tele-visit.
October 25, 2024
2
As there was no visit but rather a phone call 30 minutes past the agreed time (now I am cooking on a hot stove and he calls...) and he is not prepared to discuss my case but rather fumbles thru my files and ask me particular items that are in front of him in my files. I was not aware I would need to be logged into MyChart to provide information for my "visit". I understand he has many patients and needs to have a "visit" often with said patients. It would be very nice if the "visits" were reflected in MyChart and a summary of the "visits" as I believe Dr. McLaughlin was to send a request to another doctor for a test which I do not see in MyChart.
October 19, 2024
5
Dr. McLaughlin is the best. I absolutely adore him. He is one of the rare doctors that treats his patients like a person. Takes time to listen, explain and answer any questions.
October 17, 2024
5
Dr McLaughlin answered all my questions and gave me a good report via phone call visit.
October 4, 2024
5
As has been accustomed to the call was significantly later than scheduled.
August 27, 2024
5
As has been accustomed to the call was significantly later than scheduled.
August 27, 2024
5
Dr McLaughlin answered all my questions and gave me a good report via phone call visit.
October 4, 2024
5
Dr. McLaughlin is the best. I absolutely adore him. He is one of the rare doctors that treats his patients like a person. Takes time to listen, explain and answer any questions.
October 17, 2024
2
As there was no visit but rather a phone call 30 minutes past the agreed time (now I am cooking on a hot stove and he calls...) and he is not prepared to discuss my case but rather fumbles thru my files and ask me particular items that are in front of him in my files. I was not aware I would need to be logged into MyChart to provide information for my "visit". I understand he has many patients and needs to have a "visit" often with said patients. It would be very nice if the "visits" were reflected in MyChart and a summary of the "visits" as I believe Dr. McLaughlin was to send a request to another doctor for a test which I do not see in MyChart.
October 19, 2024
4
This was a tele-visit.
October 25, 2024
5
Always enjoy talking with Dr. McLaughlin. He is very thorough and look forward to talking with him in the future.
December 7, 2024
5
Thanks for promptly setting up this call to discuss my situation
January 16, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin was great to deal with. Gets to the point, explains things so I can understand, and feel he truly has my best interests at heart . A standout in the medical community today !!!!!!!
March 15, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin is an excellent physician. I would strongly recommend him and his staff. I received treatment from the cyber knife equipment at Wellstar. I am grateful to have had access to this state of the art technology and outstanding professional treatment. We are fortunate to have Dr McLaughlin available in the metro Atlanta area.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent
March 21, 2025
5
Dr McLaughlin and staff are the best. Available by phone and MyChart for timely information and treatment . All are patient and courteous and extremely professional. Dr McLaughlin especially responsive for updates and concern on treatment progress
March 21, 2025
5
Very informative and friendly.
March 21, 2025
5
My appointment, I had to wait quite a while. I was about 45 minutes. But I understand that they were very, very busy. So normally it would have been a four. But in the case of yesterday, it was a little bit - it wasn't so good. But I understand, and it wasn't an inconvenience. And I really, really like the facility, and you do a wonderful job. Thank you.
March 21, 2025
2
Very impressed.
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent team. Excellent experience.
March 21, 2025
5
My original appointment was for 11:30. I got a text message saying that my appointment had been changed to 11:15 without consulting me whether that would be OK or not. And even after I got to the appointment on time for 11:15, I still wasn't called back until 11:45. So what was the point of changing the appointment time? Thank you very much. Bye bye.
March 21, 2025
5
They are very professional, very good, excellent service.
March 21, 2025
5
Every thing went well
March 21, 2025
5
Overall, it was as always an exceptional visit. A couple of things that I would really like to see is being able to schedule appointments with Dr. Mclaughlin via MyChart, as well as being able to get the visit notes and the visit summary on MyChart. The scheduling is a big issue. I would really like to be able to do that and oftentimes, I don't get the ability on MyChart to get the visit summary or the visit notes. That's it. Thanks.
March 21, 2025
5
The facility is very pleasant and all the staff are professional and courteous
March 21, 2025
5
Excellent facility, staffed by extremely friendly professionals. Dr. McLaughlin was great
March 21, 2025
5
Good team they care dr McLaughlin very knowledgeable
March 21, 2025
5
Always a pleasure to come here for Dr. McLaughlin and his team even though it's a bit of a drive from where I live (but I enjoy the scenery, so no big deal). Team has always worked with me to get me in as early as possible so that I can get to work before my noon start time (I work from home). I really, really, really like Dr. McLaughlin's no-nonsense approach and factual info/recommendations/etc. He's also courteous, as is his whole team. Great job!
March 21, 2025
5
Thank you Dr. McLaughlin!
March 21, 2025
5
We were very impressed with our visit. The doctor was very good and we really appreciate it.
March 26, 2025
5
It was definitely an extraordinary, wonderful, and gratifying experience for me to have been treated by the team of people from the Oncology Department at this hospital.
March 28, 2025
5
You need additional patient parking space at this facility.
April 4, 2025
5
Delay was due to an emergency room visit by another patient
April 17, 2025
5
Excellent
April 18, 2025
5
Very good and caring doctor!
April 18, 2025
Publications and Articles
Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center Opens New Comprehensive Cancer Center
Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems, announced the grand opening of the Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center on the Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center campus in Roswell, Georgia on March 27. The Center will serve as one of only two locations in metro Atlanta featuring state-of-the-art CyberKnife® technology for radiation therapy, a noninvasive treatment for cancerous and non-cancerous tumors and other conditions where radiation therapy is needed.
The Cancer Center will now offer comprehensive cancer services, including medical oncology; radiation oncology; imaging and many medical specialties from nationally recognized, expert and experienced physicians all in one convenient location.
“With this beautiful new $12 million state-of-the-art Comprehensive Cancer Center, we can offer people in our community some of the most advanced cancer treatments close to home,” said Jon-Paul Croom, president of Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. “People will be able to come to the 12,000-square-foot Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center for almost all aspects of diagnosis, staging and treatment, with surgery across the way at the hospital.”
Wellstar team members and the Roswell community celebrated the official opening of the Cancer Center last week with a ribbon cutting ceremony following ten months of construction. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the facility and Wellstar’s second CyberKnife system, newly housed at the Cancer Center.
Wellstar first began using the CyberKnife System at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in 2006 to treat conditions throughout the body and can be an alternative to surgery or for patients who have inoperable or surgically complex tumors. CyberKnife can reduce radiotherapy timelines from the traditional eight weeks to as little as one to five days.
“We are committed to providing the best treatment options for our patients and are proud to bring the CyberKnife system to this community,” said Dr. Mark McLaughlin, radiation oncology medical director for Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. “With the state-of-the-art CyberKnife technology, we can deliver high precision radiation in fewer radiotherapy sessions with the goal of making treatment easier and improving outcomes for patients. We look forward to continuing to help patients beat cancer and celebrate their futures.”
The multidisciplinary team of cancer experts onsite will offer patients a high level of knowledge and expertise, along with compassion and hope. The multi-disciplinary physician experts at Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center include:
STAT Clinic for Head & Neck Cancer Care Comes to North Fulton
Wellstar now offers advanced care for people with head and neck cancer—a complex disease that is often aggressive and requires coordination amongst multiple cancer experts. The new STAT Clinic for Head & Neck Cancer opened on the campus of Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center on August 11, 2022.
People with all types and stages of head and neck cancer have access to expert care and advanced treatments that are typically only available at academic centers. Treatments available in North Fulton include complex excision and reconstruction with microvascular free tissue transfers as well as CyberKnife radiation treatments.
Technologically advanced CyberKnife care close to home
In Wellstar’s STAT Clinics—short for Specialty Teams and Treatments—patients can see multiple cancer subspecialists to be diagnosed, have questions answered and finalize a treatment plan in a single day. This reduces the need to drive to different locations and helps the patient start treatment faster.
“The concept of multidisciplinary care is tried and true and shown to be effective for cancer patients,” said Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, the head and neck cancer surgeon who co-founded the North Fulton STAT Clinic for Head & Neck Cancer. “This model decreases the time to proceed and receive care.”
First, a group of medical specialists including a head and neck cancer surgeon and facial plastic surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a pathologist and a neuroradiologist review the patient’s pathology and imaging as a group to diagnose, stage and create a personalized treatment plan.
Next, the patient and their family meet one-on-one with the head and neck cancer surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist. This is an opportunity for the patient to learn about the recommended treatments and ask questions.
“Traditionally, patients must drive to several different appointments to learn the stage of their cancer, meet with different specialists and make decisions,” said Dr. Nagender Mankan, the dedicated medical oncologist in the new STAT Clinic. “At that point, four to five weeks have gone by. In STAT Clinic, we are expediting the complicated decision-making process.”
The patient also meets with a nurse navigator. This specialized nurse helps coordinate many aspects of care for the patient including scheduling appointments and connecting patients with support team members, such as a registered dietitian, a speech therapist or a dentist who may help relieve irritation in the mouth and throat.
Why STAT Clinic is good for patients, and what to expect
When a STAT Clinic patient needs surgery, Dr. Sokoya is one of only a few surgeons in the region to perform complex excision and reconstruction with microvascular free tissue transfers.
“North Fulton has now become a destination center for head and neck cancer treatment because of our ability to offer advanced surgical care,” he explained. “The launch of this STAT Clinic is exciting, and it’s going to bring very advanced, high-level care to this area.”
Hundreds of patients travel to Roswell each year to seek Dr. Sokoya’s expertise from Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
Patients from all over the Wellstar system are seeing Dr. Sokoya for complex head and neck cancer management,” said Dr. Mark McLaughlin, a Wellstar radiation oncologist who co-founded the STAT Clinic.
Adding the new clinic allows us to invite those patients to come to North Fulton for evaluation and discussion of treatment options. Then we can work with their hometown doctors.”
Technologically advanced CyberKnife care close to home
Patients of the STAT Clinic who are candidates for radiation therapy have access to the latest CyberKnife technology at Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center. The CyberKnife radiation suite is one of just two in the entire metro Atlanta area.
People with complex head and neck cancer such as large or recurrent tumors often benefit from CyberKnife radiation therapy. The technology minimizes radiation exposure to healthy tissue and limits side effects while shortening treatment courses. Normally patients receive five to eight weeks of radiation therapy. In many situations, they can complete their radiation course in as few as one to five treatments with CyberKnife.
“This highly advanced technology treats advanced head and neck cancers,” Dr. McLaughlin said. “You don’t have to go all the way into Atlanta.”
STAT Clinic for Head & Neck Cancer at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center is located at 4500 Hospital Blvd, Suite 120 in Roswell, Georgia. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the nurse navigator at (770) 751-2556.
Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center to Open Comprehensive Cancer Center
Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems, announced yesterday it will open the Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center in early 2023 on the Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center campus in Roswell, Georgia. The Center will also serve as one of only two locations in metro Atlanta featuring state-of-the-art CyberKnife® technology for radiation therapy.
Located at 4500 Hospital Blvd., the Cancer Center will offer comprehensive cancer services, including nationally-recognized, expert and experienced physicians; medical oncology; radiation oncology; imaging and many medical specialties all in one convenient location. Oncology surgery will continue to be performed at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, on the same campus.
“Wellstar North Fulton has been delivering expert, compassionate cancer care and support to North Metro Atlanta residents for many years,” said Jon-Paul Croom, president of Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. “Our expansion of cancer services enables patients to receive the most advanced and robust offering of treatments available to beat cancer – close to home.”
