WellStar West Georgia Medical Center has opened its doors to 20 new participants in the West Georgia Health Foundation Insiders Series, a program that showcases the excellent medical care available in our community.

Participating in eight monthly sessions, the 2018 class will meet with physicians, tour key departments and learn about advanced technologies available at West Georgia Medical Center.

The first session was a crowd pleaser, featuring a visit to the operating suites where the group viewed a demonstration of WGMC’s new da Vinci® Xi™ Surgical System.

This robotic-assisted surgical technology has been in service at WGMC since December, and within one month, more than 50 surgeries were completed using the robot.

Participants also learned about WGMC’s bariatrics program and the surgical and nonsurgical weight-loss options available to patients.

Kim Banks, branch manager for Renasant Bank, was surprised by the advanced equipment available to patients that could also help recruit new physicians to our community.

“I have learned a lot about the hospital that I didn’t know.  I can’t wait to share my positive experience with my co-workers and members of the community,” she said.

Alynda Jones, co-owner and realtor with J.T. Jones & Associates, was also impressed by WGMC’s surgical services.

“It made me proud to know how ‘cutting edge’ our medical facilities, doctors, and staff are.  The robotics surgery is unbelievable.”

Ben Yates, real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Spinks Brown Durand Realtors, was impressed by the physicians, facilities and processes of surgical services.

“Everything was a wow factor. I am so impressed with what is going on at WellStar that we do not know as the public,” Yates said.

During 2018, WGHF Insiders will also learn about cardiovascular services, emergency department, wound care, physical therapy, hospice, home health, women’s health, occupational medicine, Vernon Woods Retirement Community and the cancer clinic.

Members of the 2018 Insiders class include Kim Adams (Twin Cedars), Kim Banks (Renasant Bank), Michele Bedingfield (Harmony House), Curtis Brown Jr. (Build the Crowd), Pastor Adam Camp (Rosemont Baptist Church), John Cipolla (Lafayette Christian School), Lauren Clark (Hills and Dales), Drew Gay (Synovus Securities), Shannon Johnson (Troup County Archives), Alynda Jones (J.T. Jones & Associates), Meg Kelsey (City of LaGrange), Brent Matthews (Hutchinson Traylor), Dianne Matthews (Retired School Board), Sgt. Marshall McCoy (LaGrange Police Department), Andy Rainey (First United Methodist Church), Sgt. Stewart Smith (Troup County Sheriff’s Office), Kathy Tilley (Troup County Center for Strategic Planning), Jason Weldon (Houze and Associates), Alton West (City of LaGrange), Ben Yates (Coldwell Banker Spinks Brown Durand Realtors).