Date: Saturday September 20th, 2025
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People in northeast Georgia can breathe easy knowing there’s advanced technology to diagnose lung cancer early at Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS). 

NGMC hits milestone in robotic lung cancer treatment
The NGMC Gainesville endoscopy team celebrates 500 Ion robotic bronchoscopies. (photo/NGMC)

The Cancer Services team at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville recently completed its 500th Ion robotic bronchoscopy – a minimally invasive procedure that allows physicians to reach and biopsy even the smallest, hardest-to-access lung nodules.

“This technology helps detect and diagnose lung cancer earlier, which gives our patients faster answers and more treatment options when time matters most,” said Hisham Qutob, medical director of pulmonology for Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG).

NGMC Braselton also began the procedure in January of this year, expanding access to this life-saving diagnostic tool for patients throughout the region.

“Our data shows we are catching lung cancer in stage one 24% more often than the national average,” said April McDonald, MD, an interventional pulmonologist with NGPG, who performs the procedure. “By detecting and diagnosing suspicious nodules earlier, we’re giving patients a better chance at more effective treatment — and ultimately, saving more lives.”

For more information about advanced cancer care at NGHS, click here: