Kennestone Outpatient Surgery Center

The Kennestone Outpatient Surgery Center (KOSC) is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is located on the fourth floor of the Kennestone Outpatient Pavilion. The new surgery center is designed to maximize efficiency and provide patients with a private and personal surgery experience.


Since treating the first surgery patients in early September, hundreds of ENT, general, plastic, gynecologic and breast cases have also been performed. To date, feedback from patients and surgeons alike has been consistently positive.


Dedicated nursing teams, fast-track anesthesia, convenient scheduling, expedited registration and the newest equipment and technology are some of the features that make the KOSC a great option for practices. If you have not had an opportunity to tour the new facility and would like to do so, please contact ChrisTina Goodall, KOSC director, at christina.goodall@wellstar.org.

Update from WellStar Inpatient Diabetes Teams

WellStar Inpatient Diabetes Teams have had many achievements this year! Thank you to everyone on these Systemwide teams who have helped push these initiatives through and improved patient care. Here is a list of just a few of the accomplishments:

• Revision of Hypoglycemia Standing Orders 
• Creation and pilot of DKA Insulin Infusion Orders at Cobb Hospital
• Creation of Nursing Education Toolkit and roll-out of nursing education for Zynx Adult Basal Bolus Insulin Orders
• Creation of Physician Education Toolkit and roll out of physician education Zynx Adult Basal Bolus Insulin Order
• Poster presentation second place winner for Quality and Safety – Cobb Insulin Infusion Pilot, Evidence Based Glucose Target Range for Insulin Infusions in the ICU. Second place for Clinical Improvement and Innovation. Evidence Based Practice Tool Kit for Bedside Nurses, Research Conference, Marietta, Ga., September 2011
• Creation of Diabetes Best Practice physician follow-up letter
• Participated in the GHA Glycemic Control Statewide Collaborative
• Created action plans for reducing and eliminating Health Care Acquired Conditions related to Manifestations of Poor Glycemic Control

WellStar Featured on Cover of Modern Healthcare Magazine

Getting their appetite back
In need of capital, not-for-profit hospitals take advantage of dropping interest rates
By Melanie Evans for Modern Healthcare Magazine

Investors last week snapped up tax-exempt bonds sold by WellStar Health System, and as they did so erased $4.2 million from the Georgia health system's interest costs.

WellStar, based in Marietta, refinanced $58 million last week while it borrowed another $75 million to expand the system's flagship hospital. The five-hospital system locked in interest rates of 4.58% even after accounting for underwriter fees that add incrementally to borrowing costs.

“We're taking advantage of the current market,” said Jim Budzinski, executive vice president and chief financial officer of WellStar.

Borrowers such as WellStar have moved to take advantage of lower rates in recent weeks after borrowing by not-for-profit hospitals mostly steered clear of municipal bond markets this year. In September and October, hospitals and health systems have issued $4.3 billion in municipal bonds—one-quarter of the amount they issued since Jan. 1.

The amount borrowed and refinanced from municipal investors through mid-September was only 60% of the sum in the same period last year—$14 billion compared with $23.6 billion—and the smallest amount for the January-through-September period during the past decade. With two months remaining this year, hospitals have sold 215 municipal bonds compared with an average of 765 a year during the past two decades, Thomson Reuters data show.

Though activity in the municipal markets has been modest most of this year, healthcare borrowers' appetite for loans directly from banks has grown since 2010. Incentives under the 2009 economic stimulus act sparked interest in the deals, but direct bank loans continued to thrive after incentives expired last December.

“We are cash rich today,” said healthcare banker Mark Huebner, a vice president with Commerce Bank in St. Louis. Healthcare lending offers the bank a better return than other avenues to invest its cash deposits as the Federal Reserve seeks to boost the economy with low interest rates, he said. “We have it on the shelf, ready to be deployed.”

WellStar Kennestone Hospital becomes designated Level II Trauma Center

The Georgia Department of Public Health designated WellStar Kennestone Hospital as a Level II Trauma Center, making WellStar Kennestone the only designated TraumaCenter in WellStar Health System’s five-county primary service area (Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties). The designation comes after nearly two years of planning, implementation of a formal model for trauma care and the hiring of key physicians and support staff.

“This is an important day for not only WellStar but, more importantly, the residents of Northwest Georgia as they now have access to high quality trauma care closer to home,” said Candice Saunders, executive vice president and WellStar Kennestone Hospital administrator. “Exceptional emergency care is already available at four of the five WellStar hospitals; however, the addition of this trauma designation is a further demonstration of our commitment to bringing world-class healthcare to the communities we serve.”

A WellStar Trauma Steering Committee, made up of physicians and administrators, has been in place for nearly two years working on developing a model for trauma care and the implications of trauma designation. As part of the process, WellStar submitted data to the State of Georgia Trauma Registry over the past 10 months and had a state trauma site inspection from the Department of EMS/Trauma of WellStar Kennestone Hospital on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

“Obtaining this designation was a lot of work by many key individuals,” said Saunders. “Additionally, we had to create several key roles to support the trauma program, including a trauma program manager, a trauma registrar and a medical director for trauma services. As a Level II Trauma Center we also are required to have 24/7 access to certain medical specialists, such as a neurosurgeon, orthopaedics, and oral maxillofacial.”

With the addition of WellStar Kennestone to the Georgia Trauma Care Network, there are now 19 designated Trauma Centers (two of which are pediatric) in the state. Trauma Centers must meet guidelines to become a “designated” trauma center and are ranked at Levels I - IV. A Level I Trauma Center offers 24-hour, seven-day-a-week in-house availability to an attending surgeon and is usually aligned with an academic institution (i.e. medical school) as trauma research is required. A designated Level II Trauma Center has the same standard of care as a Level I, but does not provide training programs for surgery residents or fellows.

“The formalized trauma program will enhance the training of staff in the Emergency Department and improve the coordination of care,” said Barry Renz, M.D., a traumatologist who is serving as medical director for trauma services. ”Additionally, trauma patients who come to the WellStar Kennestone Hospital Trauma Center are more likely to survive as trauma mortality rate is 25 percent lower in trauma centers compared to non-trauma centers.”

WellStar Kennestone Hospital, already an accredited chest pain and stroke center, and its emergency department of three trauma rooms and 63 exam rooms is one of the busiest in the state. Last fiscal year, WellStar’s four emergency departments (WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone and Paulding hospitals) had 306,346 patient visits and served more adult patients than any hospital system in the state.


Here are links to various media mentions:
WSB-TV
http://www.wsbtv.com/videos/news/kenestone-hospital-named-level-2-trauma-center/vD6bX/

MDJ (front page with photo)
http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/16321192/article-WellStar-Kennestone-receives-approval-to-offer-trauma-care?

MDJ (Editorial Piece the following day)
http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/16331199/article-New-designation-for-Kennestone-welcome?

Georgia Health News Web Site
http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/
This also made the Atlanta Journal Constitution's "County by County" section on Nov. 9 and several of the local Patch.com Web sites.

Supply Chain Strategy Delivers Quality Supplies and Services Along With Cost Savings

WellStar’s Value Analysis Department uses a systematic, evidenced-based approach to facilitate the selection and purchase of safe, high-quality medical supplies and services that maintain or improve the quality of patient care at the best possible price.

In order to achieve this, several Value Analysis teams, which are part of WellStar’s Supply Chain Division, work closely with WellStar physicians and clinicians across all service lines to review both current and future medical supply needs.  Value Analysis uses information from several national quality and price benchmarking services to identify potential savings opportunities.

New Medical Staff as Approved at the October Governing Board Meeting

Medical Staff

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Alford, Corrie E., M.D.	Dermatology	Metropolitan Dermatologic Surg	PH
Bankston, Stephen A., D.M.D.	Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery	Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery	DH	WH
Bendeck, Kirsten, M.D.	Emergency Medicine	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Clayton, Jessica R., M.D.	Anesthesiology	Tri-County Anesthesia	CH, DH
Davis, Joshua C., M.D.	Emergency Medicine	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Goodwin, Mary C., M.D.	Breast Surgery	The Breast Center	CH, KH, WH
Li, Aimin, M.D.	Pediatrics ER	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, KH
Mason, Brian P., M.D.	Emergency Medicine	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Mills, Romni O., M.D.	Internal Medicine	Internal Med Assoc of Marietta	KH, GRP
Reddy, Shravantika B., M.D.	Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine	Family Med & Geriatric Med	KH, GRP
Shah, Reshma P., M.D.	Endocrinology	Endocrinology	KH, GRP
Simpson, Andrew J., M.D.	Gastroenterology	Atlanta West Gastroenterology	CH, DH
Staviss, Susan G., M.D.	Pediatrics	Pediatrics - East Cobb	KH, GRP

Advanced Practice Professionals

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Ballard, Kevin M., PA	Physician Assistant	Resurgens Orthopaedics	CH, DH
Balos, Lee G., CRNA	Nurse Anesthetist	Tri-County Anesthesia	DH	CH
Blackwood, Elizabeth P., NP	Nurse Practitioner	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Dry, Tonia G., PA	Physician Assistant	Surgical Assistants of America	CH, KH, WH
Earley, Melissa K., PA	Physician Assistant	NW Georgia Oncology Centers	CH, DH, KH, WH
Herrington, Angela C., NP	Nurse Practitioner	West Cobb Medical Center	GRP
Mackay, Neil S., Jr., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Robinson, Tonette, PhD	Clinical Psychology	Psychological Services	CH, DH, KH, PH, WH, GRP
Shuford, Carlton J., PA	Physician Assistant	Pinnacle Orthopaedics & Sports	KH
Stoll, Sarah A., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Pulmonary Medicine	CH, DH, KH, GRP
Tetreault, Colette M., CNM	Nurse Midwife	South Cobb OB/GYN	CH, GRP
Thrower, Eileen J., CNM	Nurse Midwife	South Cobb OB/GYN	CH, GRP
Tucker, Paula R., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Georgia Kidney Associates	CH, KH, WH
Vandelinde, Nikole G., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Ware, Erin B., AuD	Audiology	Bi-County ENT	GRP
Zamani, Rad, PAA	Physician Anesthesia Asst	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH

HealthStart

HealthStart is an exciting new wellness program for all WellStar team members. This comprehensive benefit program includes health assessments, individualized health coaching and incentives to encourage team members to improve their health.

We strongly believe that everyone needs to understand their current health status; therefore, we are encouraging every team member to complete a free online Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and biometric screenings even if you don’t plan to participate in the entire HealthStart program. The biometric screenings include height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose. All individual health information is confidential.

All team members who want to participate in HealthStart and be eligible for program incentives must complete the HRA and biometric screenings. The deadline for completion is Dec. 16, 2011. The HRA and biometric screenings are not required for medical plan coverage.

You can learn more about the program, complete your HRA and schedule your screening by visiting the HealthStart website at wellstarhealthstart.org. You can also call the HealthStart customer service line at 1-877-224-6672 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or e-mail us at healthstart@wellstar.org.

New WellStar Medical Group Providers – Month of October

Crystal Nelson, M.D. -  WellStar Medical Group, Psychiatry                
Dr. Nelson received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Spelman College in Atlanta and earned her Doctorate of Medicine from Morehouse School of Medicine. She completed her general psychiatry residency program at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System and her geriatric psychiatry fellowship at Emory University Health System.  Dr. Nelson is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Richmond Psychiatric Society and Christian Medical and Dental Association. She is board certified in general psychiatry.

Shravantika Reddy, M.D. – WellStar Medical Group, Geriatric Medicine
Dr. Reddy earned her medical degree from Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College in Gulbarga, Karnataka, India. She completed her internship in family medicine from Louisiana State University and residency in family medicine from San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown, Texas. Dr. Reddy completed the LSU Lafayette Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program at University Medical Center in Lafayette, La.

Dr. Reddy is a member of the Karnataka Medical Council in India, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Geriatrics Society and American Medical Director’s Association. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, traveling and shopping.

Reshma Shah, M.D. – WellStar Medical Group, Endocrinology                                  
Dr. Shah received her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology from University of Michigan before earning her medical degree at Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. She then completed her residency in internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine through the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Dr. Shah is a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Endocrine Society, American Thyroid Association and American Diabetes Association.  She is fluent in Gujarati and Spanish.

Susan Staviss, M.D. – WellStar Medical Group, Pediatrics
Dr. Staviss earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with minors in chemistry and psychology from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She earned her medical degree at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Before joining WellStar, Dr. Staviss was sole owner of Kaleidoscope Pediatrics, P.C. in Marietta.

Dr. Staviss is board certified in pediatrics. She is a fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Injury and Poisoning Prevention and SAFE KIDS of Cobb County.

Eric Williams, M.D. – WellStar Medical Group, Family Medicine (no photo available)

Dr. Williams received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Michigan and his master’s degree in Public Health from the Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor.  Dr. Williams completed his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Alabama – Birmingham, followed by his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Dr. Williams is board certified in family practice.

WellStar In the News

This fall, WellStar Health System and our physicians have been featured in the media.

CBS Better Mornings Atlanta - WGCL
For the months of September, October and November, WellStar will be featured in a series of health stories on different topics.

In September, Dr. Sahir Shroff with Summit Surgical Specialists was filmed and interviewed regarding the laparoscopic liver surgeries he performs.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it was only natural to feature breast surgeon Dr. Kristin Corgan with Georgia Breast Care. Click here to view this piece which aired on Oct. 19 during the 9 to 10 am broadcast of Better Mornings Atlanta.

November will feature Dr. Mark McLaughlin and CyberKnife.

WellStar Weight Loss Challenge - WXIA (Atlanta & Company)

Formerly "Atlanta's Biggest Loser, Sponsored by WellStar Health System," this season's edition has been renamed the WellStar Weight Loss Challenge and features Amar Patel, M.D., of WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine as the lead physician. Each Friday during the 12-week contest a WellStar physician appears live in the studio to discuss a health topic related to obesity and/or weight loss. Thus far this season Dr. Patel spoke about the health screenings for the 12 contestants, Dr. Neelima Kothari of WellStar Medical Group - Pulmonary Medicine spoke about sleep apnea and Waldon Garriss. M.D., of WellStar Medical Group Family Medicine - East Cobb discussed diabetes. Videos of their segments can be seen here: http://www.11alive.com/life/contests/wellstarweightloss/default.aspx
Upcoming topics/physicians include childhood obesity/Dr. Eva McGuire, bariatric surgery/Dr. Dennis Smith and behavioral health/Dr. Ryan Breshears.

WellStar Wellness Minute - WXIA
Dr. Waldon Garriss at WellStar Medical Group Family Medicine - East Cobb taped four segments that will each air three times for a total of 12 :60 second spots. They will run throughout the WellStar Weight Loss Challenge (Sept. 21 through the first of December) during the morning news between 6-7 a.m.

Click the following video links to view each tip:   

1. Portion Sizes

2. Drinking Empty Calories (Sports Drinks, Sugary Juices and Sodas)

3. Teaching your children about "Go, Slow and Whoa Foods"

4. The importance of eating a healthy breakfast

Brandon Reese joins WellStar Health System as Executive Director of Government and Community Relations

WellStar Health System is pleased to announce Brandon Reese as executive director of government and community relations. In his new role, which began Oct. 10, Reese will work with lawmakers and community leaders on healthcare policy and legislation.

“Brandon’s extensive experience working with elected officials is key as we strive to inform our leaders about important decisions impacting the healthcare industry,” said Kim Menefee, senior vice president of public and government affairs for WellStar Health System. “We are looking forward to the positive impact his work will have on our ability to provide the highest quality care to those we serve.”

Prior to joining WellStar, Reese served as a government relations representative with Georgia EMC working closely with the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Congressional Delegation and local elected officials. He has more than 10 years of legislative experience, including four years with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, where he was director of government affairs. Reese also worked with the Georgia Nursing Home Association as a legislative affairs consultant.
"I am excited to join WellStar, an organization that plays such a vital role in our community and am anxious to begin working with our elected officials on the important issues facing healthcare," said Reese.

Reese earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia. He is a graduate of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development and sits on the board of directors for the state YMCA and Georgia Magazine. Reese also serves as vice chairman of the Georgia Chamber’s Environmental Committee. He was named to the top five of the James Magazine List of Top Company & Association Lobbyists in 2008 and 2010. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Alison, and their daughter.

Go-Live Date Set for McKesson 10.3.1.5 Upgrade

WellStar’s mission is “to create and deliver high quality hospital, physician and other healthcare related services that improve the health and well-being of the individuals and communities we serve.” Clinical Information Technology plays an integral role in enabling and supporting our teams’ accomplishing this mission. 

WellStar Health System is excited to announce an upcoming major upgrade to our McKesson  Hospital Information System. This upgrade to version 10.3 will impact the majority of our hospital-based electronic health record and clinical decision support systems and will go-live March 4, 2012.

Advanced functionality with this release means improved patient care through better application integration, management of clinical data and reporting and implementation of Computerized Provider Order Entry with online medication reconciliation. All new servers and a related database upgrade will improve system stability and performance. This upgrade is the next milestone on WellStar’s Right Path. Right Path branding will help team members recognize steps on our journey to improving patient care through information technology.

Certified technology in the 10.3 upgrade will allow WellStar’s eligible hospitals to qualify for the government’s Meaningful Use program. This will result in WellStar receiving stimulus funds exceeding $30 million over the next four years, intended to offset the cost of our Clinical Information Technology projects.

We understand our teams’ preparation and training will play a critical role in our successful implementation of this upgrade, and we are working closely with Organization Learning to finalize plans that will include multiple training methods including online and in-person training as well as our newly branded, “CyberStars” team. CyberStars are super-user team members who will provide on-site support and expertise, particularly during implementation.

More details regarding timelines, training and next steps will be communicated over the next few weeks. We appreciate your patience and support as we work to implement this important upgrade and begin our journey along the Right Path.

November Department Meetings

WellStar Cobb Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	11/1 - noon	Administrative Board Room
Medical Executive Committee	11/15 - noon	Jasmine/Wisteria Room

WellStar Douglas Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	11/1 - noon	Sweetwater Room
QRC	11/3 – 7:30 a.m.	Sweetwater Room
Medical Executive Comm.	11/8 – noon	Community Room

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	11/2 – 7 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Medical Executive Committee	11/8 – 6 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Surgery Department	11/16 – 7 a.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
OB/GYN Department	11/21 – 5:30 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Advanced Practitioner Meeting	11/30 – 7 a.m.	Kennestone Auditorium

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	11/10 – 12:30 p.m.	Dogwood Room
Department of Surgery	11/10 – 6 p.m. This meeting has moved to 11/9 after the general staff meeting	Marietta Country Club Cobb Galleria

WellStar Windy Hill Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	11/9 – 5 p.m. (Before the WellStar General Staff meeting)	Galleria

All Medical Staff

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
General Medical Staff Meeting  *The Paulding Hospital Department of Surgery meeting will be held immediately after the General Medical Staff Meeting. Please meet right outside the conference room.	11/9 – reception at  5:30 p.m., dinner/ meeting at 6:30 p.m.	Cobb Galleria

December Department Meetings

WellStar Cobb Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
OB/GYN Department	12/5 – 12:30 p.m.	Auditorium
Credentials	12/6 - noon	Administrative Board Room
Surgery Department	12/12 – 5:30 p.m.	Administrative Board Room
Medicine Department	12/12 – 5:30 p.m.	Jasmine/Wisteria Room
Family Practice	12/12 – 5:45 p.m.	Magnolia Room
General Staff	12/12 – 6:30 p.m.	Auditorium
Pediatrics Department	12/13 – 12:30 p.m.	Magnolia Room
Medical Executive Comm	12/13 – noon	Jasmine/Wisteria Room

WellStar Douglas Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	12/6 – noon	Sweetwater Room
Medical Executive Committee	12/13 – noon	Community Room

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
New Provider Orientation & Safety First Training	12/2 – 8 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Credentials	12/7 – 7 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Medical Executive Comm	12/13 – 6 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Medicine Department	12/15 – 7 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Family Medicine	12/15 – 5:30 p.m.	Conference Call
Pediatrics Department	12/20 – 6 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	12/8 – 12:30 p.m.	Dogwood Room

Physician Partners

This year, the Physician Partners Advisory Council has chosen the WellStar Community Clinics as its focus project that transcends specialty and service lines and highlights our goal that “We believe together we can make a difference.” Gifts may be designated to any project approved by WellStar Health System.

Join your fellow physicians who are helping to make a difference:
*Donny Page, M.D. – Chair
*Avril Beckford, M.D.                                   
*Nydia Bladuell, M.D.                                   
Gerald Bortolazzo, M.D.                                   
*Perry “Chip” Busbee, M.D.                       
*Don Campbell, M.D.
Arun Chervu, M.D.
Indira Chervu, M.D.
Richard Cohen, M.D.
Ana Combes, M.D.
*William Cooper, M.D.
*Marcia Delk, M.D.                                   
*Tom Emerson, M.D.                                   
*Marla Franks, M.D.                                   
Thomas Gearhard, M.D.                                     
*Tony Griffith, M.D.                                   
David Hafner, M.D.
Murl Hagood, M.D.
Robert Hermann, M.D.
Yousef Hindi, M.D.
*Allen Hoffman, M.D.
Noel Holtz, M.D.                                   
George Kramer, M.D.                                   
*Alison Krause, M.D.                                   
Gunter Kurrle, M.D.           
*Kenneth “KC” Kunze, M.D.                       
Hans Lee, M.D.                                   
*Barry Mangel, M.D.
*Brenda Marino-Fuller, M.D.
*William Mayfield, M.D.
Elizabeth B. McGee, M.D.
*Mark McLaughlin, M.D.
*Alan Muster, M.D.                                   
*Steven “Gig” Oweida, M.D.                       
*David Parks, M.D.                                   
Michael Ray, M.D.                                   
Arthur Reitman, M.D.
Robert Stephens, M.D.
*Jeffrey Tharp, M.D.
Joel Wachs, M.D.
Scott Wottrich, M.D.

*Physician Advisory Council Member

For more information about Physician Partners and how you may become involved, contact Jane Bunn, development officer, WellStar Foundation at 770-956-6674 or jane.bunn@wellstar.org.
All gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law. WellStar Foundation‘s Tax ID# is 58-1627413.          

WellStar General Medical Staff Meeting

All medical staff members and advanced practitioners, including their spouse/guest, are invited to attend the WellStar General Medical Staff meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Cobb Galleria Centre. The reception is at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner/meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Reynold Jennings, WellStar President & CEO, will be the featured speaker. Please RSVP to Medical Staff Services by calling 770-732-5570.

Primary Care Course – Endocrinology

Jan. 14, 2012
7:30 a.m. - noon

WellStar Development Center
WellStar Health System is accredited by the Medical Association of Georgia to provide continuing medical education for physicians. WellStar Health System designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

To register, call 770-22-MYCME (69263)

MAG is conducting a Law and the Physician CME seminar in Atlanta on December 3. Physician’s can receive up to 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for attending.

December CME Events

• Kennestone Neurosciences Conference - 12/7, 7 a.m., Azalea/Camellia Room, WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Breast Tumor Board – Dec. 7, 14 and 28; 7 a.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiothoracic Case Conference – Dec. 20; 7 a.m.; Radiology Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference – Dec. 27; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cobb Cancer Conference – Dec, 7, 14, 21 and 28; 12 p.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Cobb Surgical M&M – Dec. 22; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• GI Tumor Board – Dec, 1, 15, 22 and 29; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Kennestone Surgical M&M – Dec. 28; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic – Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28; 5 p.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital

November CME Events

• Kennestone Neurosciences Conference - Nov. 2, 7 a.m., Azalea/Camellia Room, WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Breast Tumor Board – Nov. 2, 9, 23 and 30; 7 a.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiothoracic Case Conference – Nov. 15; 7 a.m.; Radiology Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference – Nov. 29; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cobb Surgical M&M – Nov. 17; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• GI Tumor Board – Nov. 3 and 17; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Kennestone Surgical M&M – Nov. 30; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic – Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; 5 p.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital

MAG Law and the Physician Seminar

Earn up to 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™* at this free CME-certified seminar

Saturday, Dec. 3 from 7 a.m. - noon

Emory Conference Center Hotel (Free Parking)

The seminar will address Accountable Care Organizations ■ ICD-10 Coding ■ Telemedicine

Space is limited - please register today!

Registration form is available at www.mag.org/education/workshops.shtml  

Contact Andrew Baumann at 678-303-9286/abaumann@mag.org for details.

* This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Physicians' Institute for Excellence in Medicine and the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG). The Physicians' Institute is accredited by MAG to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Physicians' Institute designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

WellStar Kennestone Hospital Embarks on Journey Toward Improving Older Adult Care

WellStar Kennestone Hospital was recently designated as a Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders (NICHE) Center. NICHE is a leading national organization designed to help healthcare professionals improve the quality of care for the rapidly expanding older adult patient population. 

As a center for collaborative learning, NICHE offers an extensive portfolio of resources and tools to help achieve our goal and responsibility of providing the highest quality of care for older adult patients and their families.

The NICHE designation was received after a select group of WellStar Kennestone Hospital nurses completed an eight-week online leadership program through the Hartford School of Nursing at New York University.

These nursing leaders will develop and mentor all members of the WellStar Kennestone Hospital healthcare team regarding this important initiative.

Plans are in place to expand the NICHE program to WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Windy Hill Hospitals over the course of the next two years.