Northside Hospital-Forsyth Cancer Center to Offer New Technology in Treatment The Cancer Center at Northside Hospital-Forsyth soon will be able to treat a wide range of brain tumors and other neurological conditions through the most advanced and non-invasive technology that delivers Gamma radiation. Georgia's Department of Community Health recently approved Northside to purchase the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion with Extend system, which allows physicians to use radiosurgery to treat conditions that previously were considered inaccessible or inoperable with traditional Gamma Knife technology. The technology will be used to treat metastatic disease (cancer that has travelled to the brain from elsewhere in the body), in addition to a spectrum of benign and malignant vascular and functional disorders, including arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) and Parkinson's disease. The Gamma Knife Extend feature allows clinicians to non-invasively immobilize the patient's head and make repeatable or multi-fraction Gamma Knife radiosurgery possible, ultimately making the technology accessible to more cancer patients. Typically, a patient receiving Gamma Knife Extend radiosurgery returns home the same day as their procedure, and side effects are generally minimal and insignificant. The new service should be available at Northside Hospital-Forsyth by January 2016. Northside Hospital-Forsyth will be the only hospital in metro Atlanta, one of only two in Georgia, with the Gamma Knife Extend system. 404-531-4444, Northside.com
Fergal Brady Voted Next Chairman of Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce The Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce announced recently that Fergal Brady has been voted 2015 Chairman Elect. Brady is vice president of Wells Fargo's Atlanta Business Banking Group. He currently serves on the board of directors for Georgia Resource Capital, one of Georgia's largest economic development companies. In addition, his experience includes serving as a Code Enforcement Board member, planning commissioner, co-chairman for the City Center Bond Committee, Steering Committee, and 2030 Comprehensive Plan Advisor with the City of Alpharetta. Brady will succeed Dan Merkel as chairman of the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce.
Northside Hospital Auxiliary Seeks Volunteer Drivers The Northside Hospital-Atlanta Auxiliary is looking for a few good men and women to volunteer as drivers for its new courtesy shuttle. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older, with a current driver's license and a clean driving record. A doctor's consent is required of volunteer drivers age 65 and older. Drivers will be tested on their ability to drive a six-passenger golf cart. The Northside Hospital-Atlanta Auxiliary provides compassionate support and quality service to patients, families and visitors, as well as funding for special projects that benefit the hospital. For more information about the volunteer driver's position or the Auxiliary, call 404-303-3731. Applications are available at NorthsideAtlAux.com.
North Fulton Hospital Wins Marketing Award North Fulton Hospital's Marketing and Public Relations department was honored recently with a Target Award from the Georgia Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations. The awards are presented each year during the annual marketing and public relations conference organized by the Georgia Hospital Association. Entries in the this year's competition were judged by the New England Society and were judged based on creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal. North Fulton Hospital's Marketing and Public Relations department was recognized as a Gold Award Winner in the Total Advertising Campaign category for its Surgical Campaign entry, which featured Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Garrett. The campaign included television advertisements, digital ads for websites, and a variety of print ads and posters. North Fulton Hospital's Business Development department worked with Marbury Creative group in Duluth to create the campaign. "It is nice to have our peers look at our work and give their feedback on its creativity and functionality," says Lindsey Harber, director of Business Development for North Fulton Hospital. "I am very proud of our marketing team and the work that we are doing. Hopefully, we can continue creating engaging and inspiring marketing messages to help our community better understand our services."
North Fulton Hospital's Larry Collett Named Engineer of the Year North Fulton Hospital's Larry Collett, director of plant operations, was presented the Engineer of the Year Award by the Georgia Society for Hospital Engineers of the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA). Collett received the award at GHA's recent annual awards luncheon. The GSHE Engineer of the Year Award is a criteria-based award established in 1992 to honor society members who have made significant contributions to the field of Healthcare Engineering. Some of the items that are scored are educational presentations made, meetings attended, continuing education, years of service in engineering, offices held, and articles published. In addition, the award recognizes major accomplishments by the nominee in reducing operating costs, assuming additional responsibilities, and improving the Hospital Engineering image. Since North Fulton Hospital opened in 1983, Collett has been an integral member of the staff working behind the scenes to make sure that North Fulton Hospital runs smoothly. He has overseen transitions in technology that have revolutionized patient care and watched the hospital grow dramatically over the last 31 years. "We are very proud to have Larry Collett on our staff," says Debbie Keel, CEO of North Fulton Hospital, "and we are thrilled that the GHA recognized him as Engineer of the Year. His dedication is beyond compare."
JCBA to Host Casino Mardi Gras Night September 19 The Johns Creek Business Association (JCBA) has announced plans for its inaugural Casino Mardi Gras Night, 6:30 p.m., September 19, at The Country Club of the South. The event will feature 12 casino game tables, a buffet dinner and DJ. All proceeds will benefit the JCBA Scholarship Fund, which has awarded almost $25,000 in scholarships to high school and college students, and business professionals. Table sponsorships and tickets are available at JohnsCreekBA.com or by contacting the JCBA Administrator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Current sponsors include Carnival Captain, Emory Johns Creek Hospital; King of Carnival, Bank of North Georgia; and Duke of Carnival, Saia. "This is a great opportunity to spend a fun night out with the community while raising funds to provide college scholarships," says 2014 JCBA Casino Night Chairman Denise Wagner. "Given the rate at which the cost of college tuition has accelerated over the past five years, we really want to push to exceed our previous years' goals."
GNFCC Establishes Jan Lan Rising Star Award The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) hosted the second-annual Women in Business Luncheon May 7 at Atlanta Country Club. More than 300 women (and men) attended the event, which included a reception and roundtable discussion with featured speaker Janet Sherlock, senior vice president and chief information officer for Carters Atlanta. Sherlock encouraged women to go after what they are passionate about and to own it. Gain the skills and experience required to win the position and have confidence in the process. In addition, the GNFCC announced the establishment of the Jen Lan Rising Star Award. The award is named for Jennifer Lan, a young professional and GNFCC member who passed away in 2013, the first year of the Women in Business luncheon. Each year, the GNFCC will honor a young professional who demonstrates the qualities of a born leader; is relentless to reach her professional goals; and triumphs over obstacles with the Jen Lan Rising Star Award.
Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce Hires Communications Director Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce has hired Ciara Montalbo as its new director of communications and member services. In her new role with the Chamber, Montalbo works directly with Chamber President/CEO Hans Appen. Responsibilities include the management of all communication with members, overseeing member services, and assisting in new project development. Montalbo lives in Cumming and graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a B.F.A. in Performing Arts. In addition to her role at the Alpharetta Chamber, she is also the owner and educator of Kindermusik with Ciara, LLC, a leading provider of music and movement programs for young children in the metro Atlanta area.
North Fulton Hospital Recognized for Care, Safety North Fulton Hospital in Roswell has been named to the Georgia Hospital Association's (GHA) Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) Core Measures Honor Roll. North Fulton Hospital is one of 23 hospitals in Georgia to be placed in the Trustee category, one of the highest on the list. The honor roll is based on clinical data provided by the Federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), which administers the nation's Medicare and Medicaid programs. The data was collected from October 2012 to September 2013. Hospitals are required to submit care data to CMS, which details how well a hospital's caregivers adhere to a list of Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) core measures. These measures are the clinical processes of care that are known to be the most effective methods of treatment for surgical patients and patients who have suffered heart attacks, pneumonia and heart failure. North Fulton Hospital also received an "A" in The Leapfrog Group's Spring 2014 Hospital Safety Score. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Score rating system is designed to give consumers information they can use to make the best healthcare decisions for themselves or a loved one. "We are committed to continually monitoring and improving the care we provide," said Debbie Keel, CEO of North Fulton Hospital. "Patient safety is the top focus for us one that requires diligence with every patient, every day."
TopGolf Alpharetta Now Open Golfers in the North Fulton and metro Atlanta areas have a new premier facility to enjoy the game of golf. TopGolf Alpharetta celebrated its grand opening May 20 with a special ribbon cutting ceremony with TopGolf executives, community leaders and professionals. TopGolf also hosted a private VIP party on May 19, with entertainment from DJ Jeremy Ladd; a live art demonstration from local Red Bull artist Sara Nguyen; prize giveaways, complimentary food and drinks; and special guests, including former Atlanta Braves pitchers Chipper Jones and John Smoltz, and former Chicago Bears and UGA kicker Kevin Butler, among others. TopGolf Alpharetta, located at 10900 Westside Parkway, is the first TopGolf center in Georgia. The 60,000-square-foot golf and entertainment facility features 102 TopGolf bays that can accommodate up to six players each. Players can choose from seven different exclusive TopGolf games TopGolf, TopScramble, TopChip, TopScore, TopPressure, TopDrive, and TopPutt using TopGolf balls that contain computer microchips to track accuracy and distance for scoring. Climate-controlled hitting bays allow players to enjoy TopGolf year-round. Infrared heaters keep the chill out during colder months, while fans and water misters provide a break from the heat in the warmer months. The hitting bays also feature comfortable, club-like seating, flat-screen TVs, and food and beverage service from TopGolf's full menu. Corporate Executive Chef Seve Delgado created TopGolf's menu from family recipes and culinary inspirations, using fresh ingredients, bold flavors and artistic presentations. Signature dishes include Pickled Fried Chicken, the Mac Daddy mac 'n' cheese burger, and Mushi Mexican-style sushi, along with a variety of salads, sandwiches, Tasty Teasers, Shareables, and delicious desserts. TopGolf Alpharetta also has three bars that serve signature cocktails, wine and beer. Other features of TopGolf Alpharetta include a rooftop terrace with fire pits and 3,000 square feet of private event space. TopGolf is the perfect venue for hosting children's birthday parties, bachelor parties, corporate events and other private events. In addition, TopGolf Alpharetta has planned a variety of events for golfers of all ages and skills. "It's going to be an amazing summer at TopGolf," said Bob Dodson, director of operations for TopGolf Alpharetta. "We will be hosting golf tournaments, daytime clinics for kids, Monday evening leagues, themed costume parties, and live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night on our rooftop terrace. Even if you don't play golf, there will be no shortage of things to do at TopGolf." TopGolf Alpharetta 10900 Westside Parkway, Alpharetta770-217-0513TopGolf.com/US/Alpharetta