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Dr. John Woody Major recently completed his 1,000th robotic surgery at Wellstar West Georgia.

Major is a board-certified general and bariatric surgeon at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center. He recently celebrated a major professional milestone this month — his 1,000th robotic-assisted surgery.

Dr. Major is a familiar name in LaGrange and Troup County. Depending on what generation you are from, you might be thinking of “Papa Doc,” Dr. Cecil Major, Sr., who served as a family practitioner in LaGrange for 43 years at Clark-Holder Clinic. Or you might know Dr. Major as his father, Dr. Grant Major, or his brother, Dr. Ralston Major.

Continuing a family tradition of medical service to the local community has become a core part of who the Major family is in LaGrange.

“It’s incredibly special to work beside my father and brother. We’re deeply invested in this community — not just as physicians, but as neighbors,” Major said.

Hitting four digits on surgeries, John Woody Major practices general surgery at WellStar, specializing in chest surgeries, including the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and thyroid glands. He joined the Wellstar team in September 2021. 

Since 2021, Dr. Major has brought advanced surgical techniques and a deep commitment to patient care to the LaGrange community. Major graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine and completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga at Erlanger Health System.

Dr. Major’s surgical expertise spans a wide range of procedures, including complex ventral, inguinal, and hiatal hernia repairs, anti-reflux operations, colorectal surgery, gallbladder removal, and appendectomy. His practice also offers thyroid and parathyroid surgery, as well as soft tissue mass and skin cancer excisions.

Robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to extend their ability to steadily perform surgeries. It’s known for reducing recovery time and improving outcomes, and has become a cornerstone of Major’s approach. 

“Reaching 1,000 robotic cases is not just a number—it reflects thousands of lives improved by less invasive and more precise surgery,” Major said. “It’s a privilege to bring this level of care to my patients.”

Outside the operating room, Major remains a devoted husband to Ann-Marie and a proud father of four, John Winston (7), Maxine (5), Joseph (3), and Jack (1). He offered no indication of when they would be allowed to pick up a scalpel.

Completing 1000 surgeries in fewer than four years is obviously a demanding schedule, but Major remains focused on both family life and high-quality, compassionate surgical care.

With each completed surgery, the legacy of the Major family grows. John looks forward to the next 1,000 cases and helping other families in the LaGrange community.