Celebrate Your Wellstar Physicians

Wellstar Foundation raised $1.2 million to support innovation and advancement across Wellstar women’s health services during its 25th Anniversary Wellstar Grand Gala on April 20 at The St. Regis Atlanta. This year’s event resulted in the highest dollar amount raised in the event’s 25-year history and honored outstanding clinical partners Dr. David L. Parks and Dr. Mark McLaughlin.

Dr. David Parks, an otolaryngologist, physician and surgeon with Wellstar Medical Group, was celebrated and honored with the Physician of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Parks’ love for his profession, exceptional care for his patients, and dedication to Wellstar is unmatched. In 2017, Dr. Parks and his wife gave generous gifts to the Wellstar Foundation supporting cancer care and the trauma emergency department at Wellstar Kennestone Medical Center, including funding a portion of renovations at the Cancer Center.

Wellstar’s Physician Lifetime Achievement Award is an opportunity to recognize visionaries who have been part of Wellstar’s mission and commitment for many years. It’s reserved for those who have built a legacy of care that extends beyond the walls of Wellstar facilities and into the lives of those around them.

Dr. Mark McLaughlin, a radiation oncologist, was honored as the Physician of the Year. An inspired leader who continually pursues ways to bring the highest quality care to Wellstar and our patients, Dr. McLaughlin’s advocacy helped bring technology like the Cyberknife, life-changing cancer innovation that delivers radiation in 1-5 treatment days, to Wellstar. Today, Wellstar is the only health system in Georgia and the second busiest Cyberknife in the nation offering this leading-edge treatment.

Wellstar’s Physician of the Year Award is an opportunity to recognize physicians who provide exceptional care that extends beyond the walls of our facilities — More than Healthcare. PeopleCare. These individuals have a deep commitment to the health and wellbeing of patients and our communities, and advocate for innovation and advancements in care.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees Dr. David Parks and Dr. Mark McLaughlin on being recognized for their dedication and service.

If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Wellstar Foundation please visit foundation.wellstar.org/give-now.