WellStar’s William Mayfield, M.D. Plays Major Role in National Lung Cancer Screenings

Over six years ago, WellStar joined the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP), an international research study designed to determine the cure rate of lung cancer when diagnosed through screening as compared to usual care.  Leading the charge during this controversial time was William Mayfield, M.D., WellStar chief surgical officer, WellStar Surgery Network.

“We joined this effort at a time when screening using low dose CT scanning was not the norm,” explained Dr. Mayfield.

WellStar’s participation in the I-ELCAP trial was discontinued and screening was made available in a community setting after the National Cancer Institute (NCI) released the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) in 2010. The NLST compared the effectiveness of low-dose CT with standard chest X-ray in detecting lung cancer in a limited population of current and former smokers. The results showed that participants on the CT arm had a 20 percent lower risk of dying from lung cancer than those receiving the chest X-ray.

In spite of this $250-million study of more than 50,000 people with the most profound results in history, the issue of lung cancer screening and reimbursement failed to move forward due to lack of a positive recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
As one of the leading screening centers in the nation, WellStar, in collaboration with the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), has been working to advocate for national screening guidelines and USPSTF validation. This collaboration has resulted in the development of National Framework for Excellence in Lung Cancer Screening, a publication of guidelines, which is being used by screening centers across the country to ensure safe, responsible care.

“Dr. Mayfield is one of the most dedicated and patient focused doctors we work with throughout the country,” explained Laurie Fenton Ambrose, Lung Cancer Alliance President & CEO. “He has been a leader in the field of lung cancer and has worked tirelessly to bring screening to those who need it most. Besides all of that, he is down to earth and very fun to be around. Working with him has been entirely our pleasure and his work is truly saving lives.”

In April 2013, Dr. Mayfield was called upon by United States Senator, Dianne Feinstein, Calif., and United States Senator, Saxby Chambliss, Ga., to be a part of an expert panel during a Senate Education Hearing on lung cancer screening. The panel discussed the importance of the NLST as a national standard and urged Washington to put pressure on the USPSTF for a recommendation. As of Tuesday, July 30, 2013, that recommendation was released and gives lung cancer screening a Grade B rating. Translated, this means there is sufficient evidence to indicate a benefit and that providers should offer the service. Which marks another milestone in the tenacious battle to bring lung cancer screening to the forefront.

“We feel like we’ve really moved the ball,” explained Dr. Mayfield. “This wasn’t something WellStar had to do or be a part of, but with the support of senior leaders, the program became a reality.”
Currently, the draft recommendation has been posted for public comment on the Task Force website at www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org. Comments can be submitted through August 26, 2013 at www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm.

After the 30-day comment period has ended, the Task Force will review the comments and make a formal recommendation. If approved and published, the screenings could be covered by Medicare and Medicaid with commercial insurers following suit. However, not all insurers are waiting on the USPSTF. WellPoint, the largest insurer in the nation, announced coverage reimbursement for high risk members long before the July announcement.

“WellPoint should be commended for covering screenings for the past two years,” shared Dr. Mayfield. “They didn’t wait.”

WellStar has screened more than 1,000 patients, diagnosing 22 cancers, 18 of those lung.  Of the lung cancers detected through screening, 80 percent are in stage one or two. Early detection is key to lung cancer survival.

“Dr. Mayfield’s role with the NLST & LCA are a true testament to progressive and preventive medicine that helps our System stay ahead of the curve,” said Robert Jansen, M.D., executive vice president, WellStar Medical Group president & chief administrative medical officer. “Through his leadership and dedication to this effort, Dr. Mayfield is making an impact on not only a local level, but a national movement.”

To learn more about the LCA, visit www.lungcanceralliance.org.  To read more about WellStar’s screening program, visit wellstar.org. 

Cobb Family Medicine First to Go Live on WellStar Connect

Cobb Family Medicine Team Members

Neil Armstrong: first man on the moon.  Alexander Graham Bell: first man to talk on the telephone. Cobb Family Medicine: first WellStar Medical Group practice to go live on WellStar Connect.

Within the world of WellStar, this “first” is as epic as these other universally famous milestones. Because this inaugural use of WellStar Connect heralds a new and exciting chapter in our System’s history.

Cobb Family Medicine will go live on Sept. 3, two weeks before everyone else at WellStar. Thomas Gearhard, M.D., and his 24 team members are excited – and a little nervous.

“I’ve been involved with the development of WellStar Connect from the beginning, and, as we roll out, I want it to be as smooth as possible for all practices,” explained Dr. Gearhard, a member of the WellStar Board of Trustees and a WellStar Connect physician champion. “I’m hoping we can work out the bugs before it hits Systemwide.”

Dr. Gearhard, who has served the community for more than 27 years, said, “Our System has never experienced anything this big before. WellStar Connect will completely change the way we treat patients. We are putting them at the very center – with regard to safety, satisfaction and convenience.”

Dr. Gearhard is most excited about the “one patient record” concept. “Charts will follow patients through our whole System – no matter what WellStar office or hospital they visit,” he explained. “They can even access their medical record from home. No more inconveniencing patients by asking them over and over again for the same information.

“Though no one likes change, I’m certain the benefits of WellStar Connect will far outweigh any negatives.”

Barry Echols agrees. “I’ve been a patient of Dr. Gearhard’s for seven years,” he said. “As a cancer survivor, I have a number of WellStar doctors, and I’ve found it frustrating to keep up with all my medicines and treatments. WellStar Connect will be very useful to me – it will be great to have my medical record at my fingertips.”

Cheryl Stephens, Cobb Family Medicine’s office manager and a 28-year team member, said nurses and providers also will appreciate the medication reconciliation aspect of WellStar Connect.
“We’ll be able to see office notes from other practices, and specifics like allergies will automatically update,” she said. “This will help us provide better, safer care.”

Though Cobb Family Medicine’s computer equipment is not changing, the software will be new. All team members will participate in rigorous training classes on every aspect of WellStar Connect. Computers in each exam room will enable providers to document important information as they interact with patients.

“I know some providers are concerned about the computer taking away one-on-one patient time,” said Dr. Gearhard. “But it absolutely doesn’t diminish the patient experience – I still look my patients in the eye and connect with them. You can lose contact with a paper chart, too – it’s all about learned behavior and making the patient experience very good.”

“We’ve always been the type of office to embrace change,” said Stephens. “We’re all excited to be the first ones to get up and going – it’s a new day for WellStar and for healthcare.”

Watch a WellStar Connect Roving Reporter Video on Cobb Family Medicine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smZq22CaXk8&feature=youtu.be

WellStar Connect Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)

With implementation of WellStar Connect, all orders will be placed electronically into our Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) system.


We will have the ability to place verbal orders in a limited number of situations. The policies governing when it will be appropriate to utilize verbal orders and how to monitor and execute these policies will need to be developed by our medical staff. 

At go-live, it will make common sense to use verbal orders instead of CPOE when:

• Computer access is unavailable such as when you are in the car or scrubbed in the Operating Room or doing a procedure
• Middle-of-the-night calls from a nurse for simple medication orders such as Tylenol
• Emergency situations

Benefits of using CPOE versus verbal orders:

• Standardized best practices proven to be safer than non-CPOE orders
• Meaningful Use compliance and reimbursement tracking
• Consistency of order-set entry
• Patient safety, correct dosing and legibility

CPOE will be the preferred method of order entry. Verbal orders will still be possible but their use will be discouraged except in specific situations.

WellStar’s Guillermo Pierluisi, M.D., Helps Raise the Bar for the Georgia Army National Guard’s Medical Readiness

One of WellStar’s own is the highest ranking medical officer in our state’s Army National Guard. Guillermo Pierluisi, M.D., vice president of Medical Affairs for WellStar Paulding and Douglas hospitals, is the state surgeon for the Georgia Army National Guard (GAARNG), responsible for keeping more than 10,000 citizen-soldiers healthy and ready to serve.
In 2011, the GAARNG achieved the highest level of medical readiness ever in the history of the Army Guard.  In 2012, the GAARNG again ranked first in the nation for medical readiness.
Colonel Pierluisi has served in the National Guard and the Army Reserves for more than 24 years and as the Medical Command, GAARNG - Commanding /State Surgeon for two years.  His service has taken him around the world – from Africa, Asia and the Middle East to Central and South America. He has served in austere field environments like Afghanistan and Iraq, provided medical aid during disaster responses, and helped transport and oversee the first combat emergency department in Afghanistan in 2002.  He also served in the Army's Special Operations community for three years.  His honors include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and induction in the Order of Military Medical Merit in 2012.
With more than 20 years of healthcare experience, Dr. Pierluisi specializes in emergency medicine, pre-hospital care medicine and healthcare services administration. He joined WellStar in March 2013.
“I knew of WellStar’s world-class care because more than 1,000 National Guard soldiers are seen in WellStar facilities or by WellStar physician partners each year,” said Pierluisi. “I am grateful WellStar is WellStar – it’s distinguished by its quality of care and I’m proud to be a part of this outstanding System.
“The leadership and management skills I’ve learned in the Guard serve me well at WellStar,” he added. “I appreciate how senior and operational management are extremely supportive of my military commitment.”
Dr. Pierluisi spends about two hours a day fulfilling Guard responsibilities (before 7 a.m. and at night), drills one weekend a month and serves an additional 30-40 active duty days a year (mostly on weekends),  in Washington, D.C., and visiting other states and organizations.
“I’m proud to play a role in ensuring that those who protect us receive the same level of high-quality medical care whether they are here at home or far away from family and friends," he said.
Georgia’s Army National Guard is the eighth largest in the nation and includes combat, combat support and combat service support units. National Guard service is usually one weekend a month and one two-week training period each year.

WellStar to Open New Centralized Patient Transfer Center

Beginning Aug. 27, 2013, WellStar will implement the initial phase of a new, one-call Transfer Center that provides more effective management of patient transfers into all WellStar hospitals.

To ensure our patients receive the best care experience, it is vital they arrive to their point of care as quickly and safely as possible. The new Transfer Center will establish a streamlined, one-call referral process for physicians and hospitals throughout metro Atlanta and northwest Georgia.

WellStar is contracting with DirectCall, a division of Air Methods, to create the new center, which will manage all patient transfers both between WellStar facilities as well as externally. The initial phase of the program focuses solely on transfers between WellStar facilities. Plans call for the program to be expanded this fall to include all area hospitals.  DirectCall currently partners with WellStar on patient air transports.

The new Transfer Center will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-855-WELL888.

This important project takes WellStar one step closer to fulfilling our vision of delivering world-class healthcare.

WellStar Connect Video Minute

The latest WellStar Connect Video Minute highlights patient advanced directives. Physician Champion Tom Gearhard, M.D., discusses how the advanced directive is a legal document and stays in a patient’s WellStar Connect electronic record permanently, as well as how to access the directive. 

Watch the video here: http://youtu.be/yuWOWnsIT1Y

New Providers

Ben Lawless, M.D.
Dr. Lawless received his bachelor’s degree and earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville, where he majored in biology. He completed his internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, Ind., and his residency at Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca, S.C.

He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Lawless is in practice with WellStar Urgent Care in Kennesaw.





Timothy Zach Brock, M.D.
Dr. Brock received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, where he majored in biochemistry and molecular biology and earned his medical degree from the Georgia Regents University, formerly known as the Medical College of Georgia. He completed his residency and fellowship in surgical critical care at Palmetto Health/University of South Carolina School of Medicine in general surgery.

Board certified in surgery, Dr. Brock is a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American Medical Association. Dr. Brock is in practice with WellStar Medical Group, Douglas Surgical Associates.


Sara Acree, M.D.
Dr. Acree received her bachelor’s degree from California State University, where she majored in english and pre-medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine and completed her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Southern California/LAC + USC Medical Center Program. Dr. Acree completed her fellowship training in surgical pathology and hematopathology at the University of Southern California/LAC + USC Medical Center Program.

Board certified in pathology and anatomic pathology, Dr. Acree is a member of the American Medical Association and a junior member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathologists. Dr. Acree is in practice with WellStar Medical Group, Pathologist Group.


Kalpit Patel, M.D.
Dr. Patel earned his bachelor’s degree in Applied Molecular Biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. He received his medical degree from Ibero-American University in the Dominican Republic and completed his Family Medicine Residency at Oakwood Annapolis Hospital in Wayne, Michigan.

Dr. Patel is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Michigan Academy of Family Medicine. He is in practice with WellStar Urgent Care at Kennestone.



J. Brett Bryant, M.D.

Dr. Bryant earned his bachelor’s degree at Kennesaw State University in psychology and his medical degree at Mercer University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga – Erlanger Medical Center.

His professional memberships include Junior Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology and American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Interests include high risk Obstetrics and minimally invasive surgery including Robotics. Dr. Bryant is currently in practice with WellStar Kennestone OB/GYN.

August 2013 CME Events

• Kennestone Surgical M&M: August 28; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cobb Surgical M&M: August 22; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Trauma Grand Rounds-KH: August 29; 7 a.m.; Auditorium; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB)-KH: August 19, 26; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB)-CH: August 21, 28; noon; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Breast Cancer Tumor Board-KH: August 28; 7 a.m.; STAT Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic Kennestone-KH: August 21, 28; 5 p.m.; STAT Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic Cobb-CH: August 15, 22, 29; 5 p.m.; STAT Clinic; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• GI Tumor Board Kennestone-KH: August 15, 22, 29; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference: August 27; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Anesthesia M&M: August 21; 7 a.m.; Anesthesia Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Schwartz Center Rounds: September 11; 11:30 a.m.; Kennesaw Auditorium; WellStar Kennestone Hospital

August 2013 Department Meetings

WellStar Cobb Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	Aug 20; noon	Jasmine/Wisteria Room

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
OB/GYN	Aug 19; 5:30 p.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
Surgery	Aug 21; 7 a.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
Pediatrics	Aug 21; 6 p.m.	KMR
APP General	Aug 28; 7 a.m.	Auditorium

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	Aug 15; 12:30 p.m.	Dogwood Room

WellStar Windy Hill Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	Aug 21; 5:15 p.m.	Admin. Conference Room