On the weekend of March 2, WellStar Information Technology successfully upgraded many of our McKesson Horizon Clinical Information System applications and servers. Planning for the upgrade began over a year ago and will improve patient care and safety while placing our critical clinical applications on more reliable infrastructure.
Overall, this has been a successful implementation with team members feeling well-trained in advance of the go-live and good communication passing between Information Technology and the hospitals. Clinicians are pleased with system speed and availability.
This upgrade was the result of months of hard work on the part of a large and diverse team of resources from McKesson, WellStar Information Technology and Organizational Learning Departments and clinicians from across our entire System. Thank you for the team’s efforts and dedication to improving patient care.
Friday, March 23, 2012
New Medical Staff as Approved at the March Governing Board Meeting
New Medical Staff
| Name | Specialty | Group Name | Appointment | Current Staff Membership |
| Elshihabi, Said, M.D. | Neurological Surgery | WellStar Neurosurgery | KH, GRP | |
| Greaves, Paula C., M.D. | Obstetrics and Gynecology | WellStar Northwest Women’s Care | WH | KH, GRP |
| Memark, Janet P., M.D. | Internal Medicine | WellStar Medical Group | CH, KH | |
| Noohani, Chhavi V., D.O. | Observation | Observation Medicine Spec, LLC | CH | |
| Pleasant, Shyronda Y., M.D. | Pediatrics ER | The Bortolazzo Group, LLC | CH, KH | |
| Simmons, Barbara J., M.D. | Obstetrics and Gynecology | WellStar Northwest Women’s Care | WH | KH, GRP |
| Tuohy, Anne M., M.D. | Pediatrics | Kennesaw Pediatrics, PC | KH |
Advanced Practice Professionals
| Name | Specialty | Group Name | Appointment |
| Millikan, Krystle C., PA | Physician Assistant | The Bortolazzo Group, LLC | CH, DH, KH, PH |
| Westercamp, Nathan A., PA | Physician Assistant | WellStar Surgical Assoc of Marietta | KH, GRP |
| Wright, Shea A., PA | Physician Assistant | Emory Healthcare | KH |
April CME Events
- Breast Cancer Tumor Board – April 4, 11 and 25; 7 a.m.; Stat Clinic Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
- Cancer Conference (TB) – April 4, 11, 18 and 25; 12 p.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
- Cancer Conference (TB) – April 13 and 27; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
- Cardiology Case Conference – April 24; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
- Cobb Surgical M&M – April 26; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
- GI Tumor Board – April 5, 12, 19 and 26; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
- Kennestone Surgical M&M – April 25; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
- Neuroradiology/General Neurology Patient Care Conference – April 4; 7 a.m.; Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
- Safety First Recertification - Kennestone – April 20; 10:30 a.m.; Admin Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
- Thoracic Clinic – April 4, 11, 18 and 25; 5 p.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
- Trauma Grand Rounds – April 26; 7 a.m.; Auditorium; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
April Department Meetings
WellStar Cobb Hospital
WellStar Douglas Hospital
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
WellStar Paulding Hospital
WellStar Windy Hill Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| OB/GYN Department | 4/2 – 12:30 p.m. | Auditorium |
| Credentials | 4/3 – noon | Admin Board Room |
| Medical Executive Committee | 4/17 – noon | Admin Board Room |
WellStar Douglas Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| Credentials | 4/3 – noon | Sycamore Room |
| Medical Executive Committee | 4/10 – noon | Sycamore Room |
| QRC PI Committee | 4/12 – 7:30 a.m. | Sweetwater Room |
| Gen. Staff and Departments | 4/19 – noon | Community Room - DMC |
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| Credentials | 4/10 – 7 a.m. | Kennesaw Mountain Room |
| APP Leadership Council | 4/11 – 7 a.m. | Kennesaw Mountain Room |
| OB/GYN Department | 4/16 – 6 p.m. | Kennesaw Mountain Room |
| Pediatrics Department | 4/17 – 6:30 p.m. | Azalea/Camellia Room |
| Department of Surgery | 4/18 – 7 a.m. | Azalea/Camellia Room |
| New Provider Orientation & Safety First Initial Training | 4/20 – 8 a.m. - noon | Kennesaw Mountain Room |
WellStar Paulding Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| Medical Executive Committee | 4/12 – 12:30 p.m. | Chestnut Room |
WellStar Windy Hill Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| Combined General Staff Meeting and Ethics Forum | 4/18 – 6 p.m. | Cobb Galleria |
Prestigious Distinguished Service Award Presented to WellStar Health System Board Member Charles Wood
WellStar Health System’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement
General and Surgery-Specific Clinical Documentation Tips
WellStar Health System’s Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Program is designed to ensure that clinical documentation in a patient’s medical record appropriately reflects the care provided. The most vital role of the CDI program is facilitating a true representation of healthcare services provided, through accurate reporting of the principal diagnosis, co-morbidities and any treatments or procedures.
As part of the program’s ongoing efforts, the CDI team offers specific tips monthly from the Program’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement.
General Tips:
- Queries may be responded to by the attending physician, consultants or advanced practice professionals; however, it is ultimately the attending physician’s responsibility
- Consider SIRS and indicate if the cause is related to infection, trauma, burns or pancreatitis
- Always document acuity, even when it is obvious. State acute, chronic, acute on chronic when known. Example: acute on chronic cholecystitis, acute blood loss anemia, chronic pancreatitis
- Document all co-existing medical conditions, as this will impact the severity of illness level for your patients. Example: Diabetes, Chronic CHF
- Trauma: List injuries separately when describing multiple trauma. Document any loss of consciousness and the duration.
- Fractures: Document traumatic versus pathological, with identification of underlying cause
- Debridement: Always document excisional versus non-excisional, the depth of tissue removed and the method (Versajet, scalpel, etc.)
- Document pathology findings within progress notes or discharge summary
- Document a diagnosis, such as hyponatremia, rather than ↓NA. Up and down arrows are not acceptable for coding purposes.
- Link any conditions to underlying cause. Example: Skin ulcer due to DM, gastroparesis due to DM
WellStar Wins Two Statewide Patient Safety Awards for Excellence in Patient Care
The Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) presented its prestigious Quality and Patient Safety Award to WellStar Health System and to WellStar Windy Hill Hospital, both in Marietta. The health system’s project titled, “Glycemic Control Initiative,” improved inpatient diabetes care and won second place in the Hospital/Health Systems Category. WellStar Windy Hill’s project, titled, “War on the Spore: Clostridium difficile among Patients in an Acute Care Long Term Hospital,” decreased infection rates and won third place in the Hospitals with Less Than 100 Beds Category.
Get Involved in National Healthcare Decisions Day
On April 16, 2012, join Americans across the country to talk to others about your future healthcare decisions and complete your advance directive for health care.
The National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state, and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions.
WellStar is committed to helping our community understand that making future healthcare decisions includes much more than deciding what care they would or would not want; it starts with expressing preferences, clarifying values, identifying care preferences, and selecting an agent to express themselves.
By registering for a free workshop “Preparing Your Directive for Health Care,” you will receive a free CRITICAL Conditions™ Planning Guide that you can use to discuss and document your wishes for final health care. WellStar team members will receive 10 HealthStart points, and nurses will be awarded contact hours from Georgia Nurses Association.
For workshop dates and locations, call 770-956-STAR (7827) or go to www.wellstar.org.
Stride into Spring with WellStar HealthStart’s New Walk This Way® Program
This April, Walk This Way® is stepping onto WellStar facilities to help team members enhance their overall health and physical activity levels by accumulating steps each day. This fun, 12-week walking program will be available to all WellStar team members at no cost regardless of whether you are a current HealthStart participant.
Beginning April 2, take your first step by logging on to www.wellstarhealthstart.org to sign up for the challenge. You will receive a t-shirt for participating and will also be mailed a personal digital pedometer and log-book. Beginning the week of April 16, you will be encouraged to log on to the HealthStart website to record your steps. There will be opportunities throughout WellStar to get involved in organized group walks. During the 12-week program, HealthStart participants can earn their Behavior Modification points by logging their daily physical activity on the HealthStart website.
Participants who log an average of 3,000 steps per day between April 16 - July 8 will receive one entry into the grand prize drawings. Logging additional steps per day can earn participants additional entries to be eligible for the prizes. The following incentives will be available:
Key Program Dates
April 2 - Registration opens
April 16 – Program officially begins
April 30 – Registration ends
July 8 - Program ends
For additional information about the program, please visit the HealthStart website beginning the week of March 26, call HealthStart Customer Service at 1-877-224-6672, or contact Valerie Riley, Health Promotion Coordinator, at Valerie.Riley@wellstar.org or 770-793-7280.
Beginning April 2, take your first step by logging on to www.wellstarhealthstart.org to sign up for the challenge. You will receive a t-shirt for participating and will also be mailed a personal digital pedometer and log-book. Beginning the week of April 16, you will be encouraged to log on to the HealthStart website to record your steps. There will be opportunities throughout WellStar to get involved in organized group walks. During the 12-week program, HealthStart participants can earn their Behavior Modification points by logging their daily physical activity on the HealthStart website.
Participants who log an average of 3,000 steps per day between April 16 - July 8 will receive one entry into the grand prize drawings. Logging additional steps per day can earn participants additional entries to be eligible for the prizes. The following incentives will be available:
| Level | Total Steps | Steps Per Day | Incentive Entries |
| Level 1 – Bronze | 250,000 – 499,000 | 3,000 | 1 entry |
| Level 2 – Silver | 500,000 – 749,999 | 6,000 | 2 additional entries (3 total) |
| Level 3 – Gold | 750,000 – 849,999 | 9,000 | 3 additional entries (6 total) |
| Level 4 – Platinum | 850,000+ | 10,000+ | 4 additional entries (10 total) |
Key Program Dates
April 2 - Registration opens
April 16 – Program officially begins
April 30 – Registration ends
July 8 - Program ends
For additional information about the program, please visit the HealthStart website beginning the week of March 26, call HealthStart Customer Service at 1-877-224-6672, or contact Valerie Riley, Health Promotion Coordinator, at Valerie.Riley@wellstar.org or 770-793-7280.
New Liver Tumor Procedure at WellStar Kennestone
John E. Bianco, MD, Interventional Radiologist, Quantum Radiology, PC, is offering a new outpatient procedure for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors at WellStar Kennestone’s Vascular Institute. The procedure, Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), provides targeted radiation to the liver tumors and includes the placement of a transfemoral microcatheter positioned in the hepatic artery. Using the liver’s unique vascular supply, millions of yttrium-90 microspheres are selectively implanted in the microvascular arterial supply of the tumor, where they become trapped, killing tumor cells and sparing the healthy liver parenchyma. For more information on this procedure, please contact Quantum Radiology at 678-581-3830.
WellStar Paulding Hospital Awarded Certification from the Joint Commission
Four WellStar Hospitals Now Certified in Joint Surgery
WellStar Paulding Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its Knee and Hip Joint Surgery Program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes WellStar Paulding’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the- art standards.
The designation now means all WellStar hospitals offering knee and hip joint surgery, including WellStar Paulding, WellStar Kennestone, WellStar Cobb and WellStar Douglas, are now certified in joint surgery by the Joint Commission.
WellStar Paulding underwent a rigorous on-site survey in late 2011. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated the Hip and Knee Program for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, launched in 2002, is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.
WellStar Paulding Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its Knee and Hip Joint Surgery Program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes WellStar Paulding’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the- art standards.
The designation now means all WellStar hospitals offering knee and hip joint surgery, including WellStar Paulding, WellStar Kennestone, WellStar Cobb and WellStar Douglas, are now certified in joint surgery by the Joint Commission.
WellStar Paulding underwent a rigorous on-site survey in late 2011. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated the Hip and Knee Program for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, launched in 2002, is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.
WellStar Board of Trustees Approves Funding for Replacement Hospital in Paulding
Groundbreaking Set for Monday, April 9, 2012
At the March 1, 2012 WellStar Board of Trustees meeting, the board gave final approval for the financing of a $135 million, 56-bed replacement hospital project located in Hiram at 148 Bill Carruth Parkway.
“This investment will enable WellStar to continue to provide world-class healthcare throughout our service area,” said Reynold J. Jennings, president and CEO of WellStar Health System. “A new hospital in Paulding County will contribute to our strategy of providing improved access to our community as well as create an estimated 300 new jobs.”
A groundbreaking event is scheduled for Monday, April 9. The hospital and new medical office building will be built adjacent to the existing medical office building in Hiram. When complete, the campus will include an emergency department, comprehensive surgical services, a cancer center, women’s imaging and a multitude of other healthcare services.
Totally digital, the new WellStar Paulding Hospital is designed with patient-centered care in mind. The design of the replacement hospital includes a significant amount of green space and landscaping surrounding the facility that is accessible to patients and visitors, including two park-like areas.
“The population of Paulding County is expected to rise 19 percent by 2016,” said Mark Haney, senior vice president of real estate and construction & WellStar Paulding Hospital president. “There is a tremendous need for this modern facility and the community is eagerly anticipating it.”
Environmental and energy sustainability are priorities of the replacement hospital design, and LEED-principled elements are incorporated throughout. Additionally, the facility will be constructed using concepts from the Center for Health Design’s Pebble Project, ensuring that the facility design is driven by evidence-based research. Evidence-based design features are elements in the design and construction environment that have been proven beneficial to patients and staff, contributing to high quality outcomes, fewer safety events and improved employee morale.
At the March 1, 2012 WellStar Board of Trustees meeting, the board gave final approval for the financing of a $135 million, 56-bed replacement hospital project located in Hiram at 148 Bill Carruth Parkway.
“This investment will enable WellStar to continue to provide world-class healthcare throughout our service area,” said Reynold J. Jennings, president and CEO of WellStar Health System. “A new hospital in Paulding County will contribute to our strategy of providing improved access to our community as well as create an estimated 300 new jobs.”
A groundbreaking event is scheduled for Monday, April 9. The hospital and new medical office building will be built adjacent to the existing medical office building in Hiram. When complete, the campus will include an emergency department, comprehensive surgical services, a cancer center, women’s imaging and a multitude of other healthcare services.
Totally digital, the new WellStar Paulding Hospital is designed with patient-centered care in mind. The design of the replacement hospital includes a significant amount of green space and landscaping surrounding the facility that is accessible to patients and visitors, including two park-like areas.
“The population of Paulding County is expected to rise 19 percent by 2016,” said Mark Haney, senior vice president of real estate and construction & WellStar Paulding Hospital president. “There is a tremendous need for this modern facility and the community is eagerly anticipating it.”
Environmental and energy sustainability are priorities of the replacement hospital design, and LEED-principled elements are incorporated throughout. Additionally, the facility will be constructed using concepts from the Center for Health Design’s Pebble Project, ensuring that the facility design is driven by evidence-based research. Evidence-based design features are elements in the design and construction environment that have been proven beneficial to patients and staff, contributing to high quality outcomes, fewer safety events and improved employee morale.
WellStar Supports YWCA of Northwest Georgia
Cancer Support Services New Location
The Cancer Support Team, including genetic counselors, nurse navigators, registered dietitians and social workers, is now located in the 320 Building, Suite 107. This new office space enables the team to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary manner, improving the patient experience. In the new space there is a resource center that the team encourages patients, family members and staff to visit Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call 770-793-7470.
Cultural Connections: Snapshot on Brazilian Culture
Cultural Connection provides WellStar team members with information about the diverse patients and communities we serve. Each month the newsletter highlights a different ethnicity or religion by introducing a variety of customs and traditions to foster a greater respect and understanding. No generalizations about individuals should be made since all individuals differ – so when in doubt, ask!
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population, with more than 192 million people. Ecuador and Chile are the only South Ameri-can countries which do not share their boundaries with Brazil.
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population, with more than 192 million people. Ecuador and Chile are the only South Ameri-can countries which do not share their boundaries with Brazil.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Physician Ambassadors - From Reynold Jennings, President & CEO of WellStar Health System
To learn how WellStar can best support our private physicians and their practices, I have engaged Dan Stephens, M.D., and Bob Anstine as independent consultants to assist me as my personal ambassadors to community-affiliated physicians. Their primary goals are to listen to our physicians’ needs, learn what is working well and identify areas of opportunity for improvement.
They will report to Marcia Delk, M.D., Senior Vice President & Chief Quality Officer, and serve as a direct communication link back to me, so that I can respond to needs and concerns in a more timely manner.
Dr. Dan Stephens served this community as an OB/GYN from 1969 to 2011. He currently serves as chairman of the Cobb Board of Health and the Cobb County Community Services Board. While in practice, he served as president of the Cobb County Medical Society and chief of staff at WellStar Kennestone Hospital. Dr. Stephens serves on The Walker School Board of Trustees and over the years has been an active member of the Marietta community serving on numerous other boards.
Bob Anstine served many years as a healthcare administrator and senior manager. He was with Tenet Healthcare for more than 15 years during which time he worked closely with me in several key positions. Prior to Tenet, he operated as the head of the recruitment branch of an international hospital company in Europe and the Middle East. He also served as a district manager for Eli Lilly and Company and as a selector for the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships from 1999-2009 under both the Bush and Obama Administrations.
In addition to our two new physician ambassadors, the WellStar Physician Relations team will continue regularly calling on area physicians to keep them updated on initiatives and services within the WellStar System. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Stephens and Mr. Anstine to the WellStar team. I believe they will enhance communications, facilitate discussion and improve relationships within our physician community.
New Medical Staff As Approved at the February Governing Board Meeting
New Medical Staff
| Name | Specialty | Group Name | Appointment | Current Staff Membership |
| Akopov, Valeri A., M.D. | Hospitalist/ Internal Medicine | Hospitalist Group | CH, DH, KH, PH, GRP | |
| Ali Khan, Husain, M.D., DMD | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Georgia Oral & Facial Surgery | WH | |
| Bansal, Shalabh S., M.D. | Pediatric Hospitalist | Pediatric Hospitalist Group | CH | |
| Caras, Thomas S., M.D. | Cardiac Rehab | Kennestone Cardiac Rehab | KH | |
| Christian, Marilyne R., M.D. | Pediatric Hospitalist | Pediatric Hospitalist Group | CH | |
| Crawford, Marcus H., M.D. | Plastic Surgery | Crawford Plastic Surgery | PH | KH, WH |
| Geffrard, Serge, M.D. | Pediatric Cardiology | Georgia Pediatric Cardiology | DH, KH | |
| Gluckman, Richard J., M.D. | Pediatrics | West Atlanta Pediatrics | DH | CH |
| Griffin, Dauda A., M.D. | Psychiatry | Psychiatry | CH, KH, WH, GRP | |
| Jean-Pierre, Fritz, Jr., M.D. | Bariatric Surgery | Comprehensive Bariatric Srvs | KH, GRP | |
| Latif, Rhonda C., M.D. | Gynecology | Northwest Women’s Care | KH, WH, GRP | |
| Noohani, Tariq, DO | Emergency Medicine | The Bortolazzo Group, LLC | CH, DH, KH, PH | |
| Tepper, Micah R., M.D. | Cardiovascular Medicine | Cardiovascular Medicine | PH, GRP | CH, DH, KH |
Advanced Practice Professionals
Name | Specialty | Group Name | Appointment | Current Staff Membership |
| Diehl, Paula K., NP | Nurse Practitioner | Northwest Women’s Care | KH, WH, GRP | |
| Francisco, Geraldine A., NP | Nurse Practitioner | Cobb Medical Associates | CH | |
| Hodge, Pandora M., PA | Physician Assistant | The Bortolazzo Group, LLC | CH, DH, KH, PH | |
| Hurst, Nicholas Q. D., PA | Physician Assistant | The Bortolazzo Group, LLC | CH, DH, KH, PH | |
| Myers, Brittainy L., NP | Nurse Practitioner | Cardiac Resource Center | KH | |
| Omonuwa, Amitha B., PA | Physician Assistant | Tariq Javed, MD | KH | |
| Summerville, Glenda J., NP | Nurse Practitioner | East Paulding Primary Care Ctr | PH | GRP |
| Tate, Lorrie S., NP | Nurse Practitioner | Hospitalist Group | KH, GRP |
Realignment of Leadership Roles: From Reynold Jennings, President & CEO of WellStar Health System
When I was selected as President & CEO last fall, one of my main goals was to develop a solid management structure that would provide continuity of leadership going forward. To achieve our vision of delivering world-class healthcare, we must fully integrate physicians with our seasoned, experienced management team to provide our System’s future strategic direction.
To reach this goal, I am restructuring the roles of some of our senior leadership team effective March 1, 2012. Jim Budzinski, Executive Vice President & CFO, Mike Graue, Executive Vice President & COO, and Robert Jansen, M.D., who has been promoted to Executive Vice President & WellStar Medical Group President, will assist me with strategic oversight. I am empowering and authorizing them to act on my behalf, when needed, to drive the strategic decisions throughout our System.
Jim Budzinski will have responsibility for all financial areas including accounting, budget and analysis, finance, internal audit, managed care, revenue cycle and supply chain. In addition, I recently asked Jim to oversee the vital information technology area. Mike Graue’s responsibilities will be aligned to focus on facility operations. All WellStar hospital presidents, service line vice presidents as well as our nursing and performance innovation leaders will report to Mike. As part of this realignment, the vice presidents of medical affairs will now report directly to their hospital president.
Along with his responsibilities as President of the WellStar Medical Group, Dr. Jansen will lead our operations that require clinical direction through physician leadership. Service line chiefs and leaders of our Community Health Clinics, Health Parks Operations, Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care, Hospitalists, Imaging and Outpatient Rehabilitation will report to Dr. Jansen.
In addition, Marcia Delk, M.D., Senior Vice President of Safety & Quality and Credentialing & Chief Quality Officer, will report directly to me along with the leaders overseeing the Foundation, Human Resources, Legal, Public & Government Affairs and Strategic Business Development. The attached new organizational chart will further explain the realignment and shift in responsibilities.
I also would like to announce that Douglas Lundy, M.D., of Resurgeons Orthopaedics, and Mark Diehl, M.D., of Pinnacle Orthopaedics, have been named co-chiefs of our new Musculoskeletal Service Line. Chiefs of our new Behavioral Health and Neurosciences Service Lines will be announced in the near future.
With the maturation of our clinical service lines, many of the duties of the Chief Medical Officer will be absorbed by the service line Cabinets and Councils. Kenneth Kunze, M.D., will become Senior Vice President of Special Projects and has graciously agreed to assist in the transition and to help me on several special projects. I greatly appreciate his contributions and ongoing support.
I strongly believe this realignment will enhance communications and allow us to respond more quickly and decisively to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Thank you for all you do for WellStar.
To reach this goal, I am restructuring the roles of some of our senior leadership team effective March 1, 2012. Jim Budzinski, Executive Vice President & CFO, Mike Graue, Executive Vice President & COO, and Robert Jansen, M.D., who has been promoted to Executive Vice President & WellStar Medical Group President, will assist me with strategic oversight. I am empowering and authorizing them to act on my behalf, when needed, to drive the strategic decisions throughout our System.
Jim Budzinski will have responsibility for all financial areas including accounting, budget and analysis, finance, internal audit, managed care, revenue cycle and supply chain. In addition, I recently asked Jim to oversee the vital information technology area. Mike Graue’s responsibilities will be aligned to focus on facility operations. All WellStar hospital presidents, service line vice presidents as well as our nursing and performance innovation leaders will report to Mike. As part of this realignment, the vice presidents of medical affairs will now report directly to their hospital president.
Along with his responsibilities as President of the WellStar Medical Group, Dr. Jansen will lead our operations that require clinical direction through physician leadership. Service line chiefs and leaders of our Community Health Clinics, Health Parks Operations, Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care, Hospitalists, Imaging and Outpatient Rehabilitation will report to Dr. Jansen.
In addition, Marcia Delk, M.D., Senior Vice President of Safety & Quality and Credentialing & Chief Quality Officer, will report directly to me along with the leaders overseeing the Foundation, Human Resources, Legal, Public & Government Affairs and Strategic Business Development. The attached new organizational chart will further explain the realignment and shift in responsibilities.
I also would like to announce that Douglas Lundy, M.D., of Resurgeons Orthopaedics, and Mark Diehl, M.D., of Pinnacle Orthopaedics, have been named co-chiefs of our new Musculoskeletal Service Line. Chiefs of our new Behavioral Health and Neurosciences Service Lines will be announced in the near future.
With the maturation of our clinical service lines, many of the duties of the Chief Medical Officer will be absorbed by the service line Cabinets and Councils. Kenneth Kunze, M.D., will become Senior Vice President of Special Projects and has graciously agreed to assist in the transition and to help me on several special projects. I greatly appreciate his contributions and ongoing support.
I strongly believe this realignment will enhance communications and allow us to respond more quickly and decisively to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Thank you for all you do for WellStar.
March Department Meetings
WellStar Cobb Hospital
WellStar Douglas Hospital
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
WellStar Paulding Hospital
WellStar Windy Hill Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| Credentials | 3/6 – noon | ABR |
| Surgery Department | 3/12 – 5:30 p.m. | ABR |
| Internal Medicine Department | 3/12 – 5:30 p.m. | Jasmine Wisteria Room |
| Family Practice Department | 3/12 – 5:45 p.m. | Dogwood Room |
| General Staff | 3/12 – 6:30 p.m. | Auditorium |
| Medical Executive Committee | 3/20 – noon | Jasmine/Wisteria Room |
| Pediatrics Department | 3/27 – 12:30 p.m. | Jasmine/Wisteria Room |
WellStar Douglas Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| PI Committee | 3/1 – 7:30 a.m. | Sweetwater Room |
| Credentials | 3/6 – noon | Sycamore Room |
| Medical Executive Committee | 3/13 – noon | Sycamore Room |
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| Credentials | 3/7 – 7 a.m. | Kennesaw Mountain Room |
| Medical Executive Committee | 3/13 – 6 p.m. | Kennesaw Mountain Room |
| OB/GYN Department | 3/19 – 5:30 p.m. | Kennesaw Mountain Room |
| Surgery Department | 3/21 – 7 a.m. | Azalea/Camellia Room |
| New Provide Orientation and Safety First Initial Training | 3/23 – 8 a.m.-noon | Kennesaw Mountain Room |
WellStar Paulding Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| Medical Executive Committee | 3/8 – 12:30 p.m. | Dogwood Room |
| Surgery Department | 3/21 – 6 p.m. | Marietta Country Club |
| Department of Medicine | 3/27 – noon | Location TBA |
WellStar Windy Hill Hospital
| Committee/Dept. | Date & Time | Place |
| Medical Executive Committee | 3/20 – 5:15 p.m. | Admin Conference Room |
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