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Patient Reviews
4
I adore Dr. Mankan and always enjoy seeing him; albeit, not a lot of fun being in the office. But I do trust Dr. Mankan implicitly, and I am happy that he's my provider.
February 15, 2026
5
Excellent Oncologist Dr. Nagender, very kind and concerned about his patients.
February 12, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan thoroughly explains reasons for medications, the meaning of test results, and his reasons for changing my medications. I never feel hurried with him, and he encourages me to ask questions. I feel confident that he is concerned about my wellbeing.
February 12, 2026
5
I love Dr. Mankan and all the staff at Northwest Georgia Oncology. I would only say that sometimes, with all of the doctors at WellSTAR, even if you complete the registration and check-in online on my chart, you still have to go through them at the office, and that's a little bit aggravating. That's with all the doctors at Northstar, not just with Dr. Mankan. Thank you.
February 12, 2026
5
This office consistently shows great compatibility amongst colleagues and you always feel comfortable when you're there. My only complaint since I have been going there for several years is the way they deliver appointments to patients. It is unacceptable and I literally spend so much time calling and trying to get through to somebody to reschedule an appointment that was automatically generated through a computer. Multiple, multiple times I've had to call and reschedule an appointment because of my availability and issues even after I've given the availability to the scheduler. I'm not sure what can be done about this, but it's not only frustrating to me, but it wastes the time of the provider giving the appointments on the phone. So please try to address this.
February 8, 2026
4
That the staff members are all doing an amazing job ?
February 15, 2026
5
The doctor always listens and is always willing to do the right thing for my health
February 5, 2026
5
I've always had a good experience with the staff at Wellstar. Nice to be in a facility where the staff are friendly and take excellent care of you.
February 3, 2026
5
Excellent service.
January 29, 2026
5
Excellent care
January 28, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan and his team are excellent from start to completion during a visit. Dr. Mankan always listens and explains his thought process and shares how he arrives at a conclusion. Very transparent and effective.
January 25, 2026
5
The Registration Staff, Medical Asst-April, Nurse Katherine, and Dr. Mankan were all so nice and very caring. If you are nervous, they are great with easing your anxiety. Outstanding Staff!
January 24, 2026
5
It has been quite okay.
January 24, 2026
5
The staff are very good and the I show concern for their patients.
January 23, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan is wonderful. And the nurse April was really nice even though she was a new employee.
January 19, 2026
5
The entire staff was very well.
January 17, 2026
5
Excellent care given, Dr Mankan and staff are the best!
January 14, 2026
5
Everyone was very nice very professional. I don't think anything Should be changed I love everybody that worked with us. Thank you.
January 9, 2026
5
Dr Mankan is a phenomenal physician! He has wonderful expertise, listened to all my concerns & put me totally at ease. He spent a lot of time with me, excellent bedside manner & so professional. All the staff were wonderful, especially the MA Angelica! She was so kind & caring as I was very nervous & She calmed me down & talked so sweetly, & did an excellent job drawing my blood. she is amazing as well as Dr Mankan!
January 9, 2026
5
I thank all involved in helping my day pleasant one.
January 8, 2026
5
The staffs are very kind, caring and professional
January 2, 2026
5
Great service.
December 27, 2025
5
Very satisfied.
December 28, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is an excellent provider. I wish he could be my primary care doctor. I trust him with no reservations.
December 26, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is ALWAYS professional, thorough, kind and willing to take a moment to explain his thoughts about me and what his action plan for my care contains. Kathryn, his nurse was also very caring as was the other staff. The current staff at the reception desk was a lovely change from the prior person.
December 21, 2025
5
The staff were all very kind and pleasant, and the doctor was very attentive and friendly.
December 18, 2025
5
Check in at front desk was slow and frustrating. Too much going on with 2-3 people sitting behind check in desk talking to one anther and not doing best to move people along. Worst check in experience I've had in a long time!
December 17, 2025
5
Exceptional
December 16, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is a wonderful caring doctor. His staff is also very friendly and kind.
December 5, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan and his entire staff are awesome! They've treated me with the utmost respect and care over the last 5 years. I'm extremely grateful for each of them and their upbeat and positive support and care!
December 5, 2025
5
Excellent Oncologist Dr. Nagender, very kind and concerned about his patients.
February 12, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan thoroughly explains reasons for medications, the meaning of test results, and his reasons for changing my medications. I never feel hurried with him, and he encourages me to ask questions. I feel confident that he is concerned about my wellbeing.
February 12, 2026
5
I love Dr. Mankan and all the staff at Northwest Georgia Oncology. I would only say that sometimes, with all of the doctors at WellSTAR, even if you complete the registration and check-in online on my chart, you still have to go through them at the office, and that's a little bit aggravating. That's with all the doctors at Northstar, not just with Dr. Mankan. Thank you.
February 12, 2026
5
This office consistently shows great compatibility amongst colleagues and you always feel comfortable when you're there. My only complaint since I have been going there for several years is the way they deliver appointments to patients. It is unacceptable and I literally spend so much time calling and trying to get through to somebody to reschedule an appointment that was automatically generated through a computer. Multiple, multiple times I've had to call and reschedule an appointment because of my availability and issues even after I've given the availability to the scheduler. I'm not sure what can be done about this, but it's not only frustrating to me, but it wastes the time of the provider giving the appointments on the phone. So please try to address this.
February 8, 2026
5
The doctor always listens and is always willing to do the right thing for my health
February 5, 2026
5
I've always had a good experience with the staff at Wellstar. Nice to be in a facility where the staff are friendly and take excellent care of you.
February 3, 2026
5
Excellent service.
January 29, 2026
5
Excellent care
January 28, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan and his team are excellent from start to completion during a visit. Dr. Mankan always listens and explains his thought process and shares how he arrives at a conclusion. Very transparent and effective.
January 25, 2026
5
The Registration Staff, Medical Asst-April, Nurse Katherine, and Dr. Mankan were all so nice and very caring. If you are nervous, they are great with easing your anxiety. Outstanding Staff!
January 24, 2026
5
It has been quite okay.
January 24, 2026
5
The staff are very good and the I show concern for their patients.
January 23, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan is wonderful. And the nurse April was really nice even though she was a new employee.
January 19, 2026
5
The entire staff was very well.
January 17, 2026
5
Excellent care given, Dr Mankan and staff are the best!
January 14, 2026
5
Everyone was very nice very professional. I don't think anything Should be changed I love everybody that worked with us. Thank you.
January 9, 2026
5
Dr Mankan is a phenomenal physician! He has wonderful expertise, listened to all my concerns & put me totally at ease. He spent a lot of time with me, excellent bedside manner & so professional. All the staff were wonderful, especially the MA Angelica! She was so kind & caring as I was very nervous & She calmed me down & talked so sweetly, & did an excellent job drawing my blood. she is amazing as well as Dr Mankan!
January 9, 2026
5
I thank all involved in helping my day pleasant one.
January 8, 2026
5
The staffs are very kind, caring and professional
January 2, 2026
5
Great service.
December 27, 2025
5
Very satisfied.
December 28, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is an excellent provider. I wish he could be my primary care doctor. I trust him with no reservations.
December 26, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is ALWAYS professional, thorough, kind and willing to take a moment to explain his thoughts about me and what his action plan for my care contains. Kathryn, his nurse was also very caring as was the other staff. The current staff at the reception desk was a lovely change from the prior person.
December 21, 2025
5
The staff were all very kind and pleasant, and the doctor was very attentive and friendly.
December 18, 2025
5
Check in at front desk was slow and frustrating. Too much going on with 2-3 people sitting behind check in desk talking to one anther and not doing best to move people along. Worst check in experience I've had in a long time!
December 17, 2025
5
Exceptional
December 16, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is a wonderful caring doctor. His staff is also very friendly and kind.
December 5, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan and his entire staff are awesome! They've treated me with the utmost respect and care over the last 5 years. I'm extremely grateful for each of them and their upbeat and positive support and care!
December 5, 2025
4
I adore Dr. Mankan and always enjoy seeing him; albeit, not a lot of fun being in the office. But I do trust Dr. Mankan implicitly, and I am happy that he's my provider.
February 15, 2026
4
That the staff members are all doing an amazing job ?
February 15, 2026
4
I adore Dr. Mankan and always enjoy seeing him; albeit, not a lot of fun being in the office. But I do trust Dr. Mankan implicitly, and I am happy that he's my provider.
February 15, 2026
4
That the staff members are all doing an amazing job ?
February 15, 2026
5
Excellent Oncologist Dr. Nagender, very kind and concerned about his patients.
February 12, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan thoroughly explains reasons for medications, the meaning of test results, and his reasons for changing my medications. I never feel hurried with him, and he encourages me to ask questions. I feel confident that he is concerned about my wellbeing.
February 12, 2026
5
I love Dr. Mankan and all the staff at Northwest Georgia Oncology. I would only say that sometimes, with all of the doctors at WellSTAR, even if you complete the registration and check-in online on my chart, you still have to go through them at the office, and that's a little bit aggravating. That's with all the doctors at Northstar, not just with Dr. Mankan. Thank you.
February 12, 2026
5
This office consistently shows great compatibility amongst colleagues and you always feel comfortable when you're there. My only complaint since I have been going there for several years is the way they deliver appointments to patients. It is unacceptable and I literally spend so much time calling and trying to get through to somebody to reschedule an appointment that was automatically generated through a computer. Multiple, multiple times I've had to call and reschedule an appointment because of my availability and issues even after I've given the availability to the scheduler. I'm not sure what can be done about this, but it's not only frustrating to me, but it wastes the time of the provider giving the appointments on the phone. So please try to address this.
February 8, 2026
5
The doctor always listens and is always willing to do the right thing for my health
February 5, 2026
5
I've always had a good experience with the staff at Wellstar. Nice to be in a facility where the staff are friendly and take excellent care of you.
February 3, 2026
5
Excellent service.
January 29, 2026
5
Excellent care
January 28, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan and his team are excellent from start to completion during a visit. Dr. Mankan always listens and explains his thought process and shares how he arrives at a conclusion. Very transparent and effective.
January 25, 2026
5
The Registration Staff, Medical Asst-April, Nurse Katherine, and Dr. Mankan were all so nice and very caring. If you are nervous, they are great with easing your anxiety. Outstanding Staff!
January 24, 2026
5
It has been quite okay.
January 24, 2026
5
The staff are very good and the I show concern for their patients.
January 23, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan is wonderful. And the nurse April was really nice even though she was a new employee.
January 19, 2026
5
The entire staff was very well.
January 17, 2026
5
Excellent care given, Dr Mankan and staff are the best!
January 14, 2026
5
Everyone was very nice very professional. I don't think anything Should be changed I love everybody that worked with us. Thank you.
January 9, 2026
5
Dr Mankan is a phenomenal physician! He has wonderful expertise, listened to all my concerns & put me totally at ease. He spent a lot of time with me, excellent bedside manner & so professional. All the staff were wonderful, especially the MA Angelica! She was so kind & caring as I was very nervous & She calmed me down & talked so sweetly, & did an excellent job drawing my blood. she is amazing as well as Dr Mankan!
January 9, 2026
5
I thank all involved in helping my day pleasant one.
January 8, 2026
5
The staffs are very kind, caring and professional
January 2, 2026
5
Great service.
December 27, 2025
5
Very satisfied.
December 28, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is an excellent provider. I wish he could be my primary care doctor. I trust him with no reservations.
December 26, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is ALWAYS professional, thorough, kind and willing to take a moment to explain his thoughts about me and what his action plan for my care contains. Kathryn, his nurse was also very caring as was the other staff. The current staff at the reception desk was a lovely change from the prior person.
December 21, 2025
5
The staff were all very kind and pleasant, and the doctor was very attentive and friendly.
December 18, 2025
5
Check in at front desk was slow and frustrating. Too much going on with 2-3 people sitting behind check in desk talking to one anther and not doing best to move people along. Worst check in experience I've had in a long time!
December 17, 2025
5
Exceptional
December 16, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is a wonderful caring doctor. His staff is also very friendly and kind.
December 5, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan and his entire staff are awesome! They've treated me with the utmost respect and care over the last 5 years. I'm extremely grateful for each of them and their upbeat and positive support and care!
December 5, 2025
4
That the staff members are all doing an amazing job ?
February 15, 2026
4
I adore Dr. Mankan and always enjoy seeing him; albeit, not a lot of fun being in the office. But I do trust Dr. Mankan implicitly, and I am happy that he's my provider.
February 15, 2026
5
Excellent Oncologist Dr. Nagender, very kind and concerned about his patients.
February 12, 2026
5
I love Dr. Mankan and all the staff at Northwest Georgia Oncology. I would only say that sometimes, with all of the doctors at WellSTAR, even if you complete the registration and check-in online on my chart, you still have to go through them at the office, and that's a little bit aggravating. That's with all the doctors at Northstar, not just with Dr. Mankan. Thank you.
February 12, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan thoroughly explains reasons for medications, the meaning of test results, and his reasons for changing my medications. I never feel hurried with him, and he encourages me to ask questions. I feel confident that he is concerned about my wellbeing.
February 12, 2026
5
This office consistently shows great compatibility amongst colleagues and you always feel comfortable when you're there. My only complaint since I have been going there for several years is the way they deliver appointments to patients. It is unacceptable and I literally spend so much time calling and trying to get through to somebody to reschedule an appointment that was automatically generated through a computer. Multiple, multiple times I've had to call and reschedule an appointment because of my availability and issues even after I've given the availability to the scheduler. I'm not sure what can be done about this, but it's not only frustrating to me, but it wastes the time of the provider giving the appointments on the phone. So please try to address this.
February 8, 2026
5
The doctor always listens and is always willing to do the right thing for my health
February 5, 2026
5
I've always had a good experience with the staff at Wellstar. Nice to be in a facility where the staff are friendly and take excellent care of you.
February 3, 2026
5
Excellent service.
January 29, 2026
5
Excellent care
January 28, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan and his team are excellent from start to completion during a visit. Dr. Mankan always listens and explains his thought process and shares how he arrives at a conclusion. Very transparent and effective.
January 25, 2026
5
It has been quite okay.
January 24, 2026
5
The Registration Staff, Medical Asst-April, Nurse Katherine, and Dr. Mankan were all so nice and very caring. If you are nervous, they are great with easing your anxiety. Outstanding Staff!
January 24, 2026
5
The staff are very good and the I show concern for their patients.
January 23, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan is wonderful. And the nurse April was really nice even though she was a new employee.
January 19, 2026
5
The entire staff was very well.
January 17, 2026
5
Excellent care given, Dr Mankan and staff are the best!
January 14, 2026
5
Everyone was very nice very professional. I don't think anything Should be changed I love everybody that worked with us. Thank you.
January 9, 2026
5
Dr Mankan is a phenomenal physician! He has wonderful expertise, listened to all my concerns & put me totally at ease. He spent a lot of time with me, excellent bedside manner & so professional. All the staff were wonderful, especially the MA Angelica! She was so kind & caring as I was very nervous & She calmed me down & talked so sweetly, & did an excellent job drawing my blood. she is amazing as well as Dr Mankan!
January 9, 2026
5
I thank all involved in helping my day pleasant one.
January 8, 2026
5
The staffs are very kind, caring and professional
January 2, 2026
5
Very satisfied.
December 28, 2025
5
Great service.
December 27, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is an excellent provider. I wish he could be my primary care doctor. I trust him with no reservations.
December 26, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is ALWAYS professional, thorough, kind and willing to take a moment to explain his thoughts about me and what his action plan for my care contains. Kathryn, his nurse was also very caring as was the other staff. The current staff at the reception desk was a lovely change from the prior person.
December 21, 2025
5
The staff were all very kind and pleasant, and the doctor was very attentive and friendly.
December 18, 2025
5
Check in at front desk was slow and frustrating. Too much going on with 2-3 people sitting behind check in desk talking to one anther and not doing best to move people along. Worst check in experience I've had in a long time!
December 17, 2025
5
Exceptional
December 16, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan and his entire staff are awesome! They've treated me with the utmost respect and care over the last 5 years. I'm extremely grateful for each of them and their upbeat and positive support and care!
December 5, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is a wonderful caring doctor. His staff is also very friendly and kind.
December 5, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is a wonderful caring doctor. His staff is also very friendly and kind.
December 5, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan and his entire staff are awesome! They've treated me with the utmost respect and care over the last 5 years. I'm extremely grateful for each of them and their upbeat and positive support and care!
December 5, 2025
5
Exceptional
December 16, 2025
5
Check in at front desk was slow and frustrating. Too much going on with 2-3 people sitting behind check in desk talking to one anther and not doing best to move people along. Worst check in experience I've had in a long time!
December 17, 2025
5
The staff were all very kind and pleasant, and the doctor was very attentive and friendly.
December 18, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is ALWAYS professional, thorough, kind and willing to take a moment to explain his thoughts about me and what his action plan for my care contains. Kathryn, his nurse was also very caring as was the other staff. The current staff at the reception desk was a lovely change from the prior person.
December 21, 2025
5
Dr. Mankan is an excellent provider. I wish he could be my primary care doctor. I trust him with no reservations.
December 26, 2025
5
Great service.
December 27, 2025
5
Very satisfied.
December 28, 2025
5
The staffs are very kind, caring and professional
January 2, 2026
5
I thank all involved in helping my day pleasant one.
January 8, 2026
5
Dr Mankan is a phenomenal physician! He has wonderful expertise, listened to all my concerns & put me totally at ease. He spent a lot of time with me, excellent bedside manner & so professional. All the staff were wonderful, especially the MA Angelica! She was so kind & caring as I was very nervous & She calmed me down & talked so sweetly, & did an excellent job drawing my blood. she is amazing as well as Dr Mankan!
January 9, 2026
5
Everyone was very nice very professional. I don't think anything Should be changed I love everybody that worked with us. Thank you.
January 9, 2026
5
Excellent care given, Dr Mankan and staff are the best!
January 14, 2026
5
The entire staff was very well.
January 17, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan is wonderful. And the nurse April was really nice even though she was a new employee.
January 19, 2026
5
The staff are very good and the I show concern for their patients.
January 23, 2026
5
The Registration Staff, Medical Asst-April, Nurse Katherine, and Dr. Mankan were all so nice and very caring. If you are nervous, they are great with easing your anxiety. Outstanding Staff!
January 24, 2026
5
It has been quite okay.
January 24, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan and his team are excellent from start to completion during a visit. Dr. Mankan always listens and explains his thought process and shares how he arrives at a conclusion. Very transparent and effective.
January 25, 2026
5
Excellent care
January 28, 2026
5
Excellent service.
January 29, 2026
5
I've always had a good experience with the staff at Wellstar. Nice to be in a facility where the staff are friendly and take excellent care of you.
February 3, 2026
5
The doctor always listens and is always willing to do the right thing for my health
February 5, 2026
5
This office consistently shows great compatibility amongst colleagues and you always feel comfortable when you're there. My only complaint since I have been going there for several years is the way they deliver appointments to patients. It is unacceptable and I literally spend so much time calling and trying to get through to somebody to reschedule an appointment that was automatically generated through a computer. Multiple, multiple times I've had to call and reschedule an appointment because of my availability and issues even after I've given the availability to the scheduler. I'm not sure what can be done about this, but it's not only frustrating to me, but it wastes the time of the provider giving the appointments on the phone. So please try to address this.
February 8, 2026
5
Dr. Mankan thoroughly explains reasons for medications, the meaning of test results, and his reasons for changing my medications. I never feel hurried with him, and he encourages me to ask questions. I feel confident that he is concerned about my wellbeing.
February 12, 2026
5
I love Dr. Mankan and all the staff at Northwest Georgia Oncology. I would only say that sometimes, with all of the doctors at WellSTAR, even if you complete the registration and check-in online on my chart, you still have to go through them at the office, and that's a little bit aggravating. That's with all the doctors at Northstar, not just with Dr. Mankan. Thank you.
February 12, 2026
5
Excellent Oncologist Dr. Nagender, very kind and concerned about his patients.
February 12, 2026
4
I adore Dr. Mankan and always enjoy seeing him; albeit, not a lot of fun being in the office. But I do trust Dr. Mankan implicitly, and I am happy that he's my provider.
February 15, 2026
4
That the staff members are all doing an amazing job ?
February 15, 2026
Publications and Articles
MariaCare
Maria Fernanda Ortiz was a college junior, pursuing a degree in interior design. But at just 26 years old, her life took an unexpected turn. She discovered a lump in her breast, which led to a cancer diagnosis and expert, multidisciplinary care at Wellstar that would shape her professional aspirations in the future. Maria feels her hopeful attitude and compassionate care team at Wellstar helped her come through treatment with positive outcomes.
Feeling heard in healthcare
After Maria discovered a lump, she initially saw a doctor who went through the motions but didn’t seem to take her concerns seriously.
“He was so sure it was nothing because I am so young,” she remembered. “I didn’t think it was cancer, but I wanted someone who would get to the bottom of it.”
Maria got what she was looking for: a doctor who listened and would help her find answers.
“Maria is the perfect example of a patient advocating for themselves,” Dr. Pearson said. “She did exactly what she was supposed to do for someone her age who finds a lump. When it didn’t go away, she got it looked at. When she didn’t feel like she was being heard, she didn’t let it go.”
A surprising cancer diagnosis
Dr. Pearson immediately performed an ultrasound in the office, followed quickly by a biopsy, which came back positive for cancer.
"The diagnosis was scary," Maria said. “Dr. Pearson made it as simple as possible to understand by making sketches. She took the time to answer my questions—and she gave me hugs.”
Dr. Pearson added, “I try hard to be methodical and build a story: ‘This is what this means. This is how it applies to you.’ It’s important for patients to understand their plan and how it’s based very specifically on their situation.”
Maria was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer, meaning it was a small tumor but had spread to a nearby lymph node.
“The stage helps us understand how the patient is going to do with standard treatment,” Dr. Pearson explained. “At stage 2A, we’re looking at a 90% survival rate.”
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.
