Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is advancing its commitment to reducing lung cancer deaths across Georgia with the launch of the Emory Healthcare Lung Screening and Nodule Program on Dec. 15, 2025. This new program focuses on early detection and treatment of lung cancer through low-dose lung screening CT and AI-assisted recognition of incidentally found pulmonary nodules. Lung nodule management through care coordination and navigation is the foundation of the program, ensuring patients receive timely follow-up and appropriate interventions. The goal is to find lung cancer early, when it is most treatable.
The program is distinguished by a deeply integrated model of care. Patients who require further evaluation are connected with Winship thoracic surgeons, interventional pulmonologists, radiologists and other specialists who work together to ensure accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.
This collaboration incorporates advanced techniques such as robot-assisted bronchoscopy, minimally invasive lung cancer surgery and AI-enhanced imaging technology — tools that help clinicians detect and treat lung cancer at the earliest possible stage.
Improved care coordination, plus a streamlined program with access to lung experts in standardized lung nodule clinics across Emory Healthcare is a unique aspect of the program. New roles have been created to help support the patient from screening to abnormal findings and treatment or surveillance. The roles include a program manager, three clinical coordinators and three nurse navigators.
Winship executive director and lung cancer expert Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD, FACP, FASCO, says, “Detecting lung cancer early can save lives, and this program reflects our commitment to reaching more individuals across Georgia. By expanding access to low-dose CT screenings, we can find lung cancer at an early stage and intervene when treatment is most effective. The program uniquely pairs high-quality screening with Winship’s multidisciplinary lung cancer expertise to improve outcomes for every patient.”
Rachel L. Medbery, MD, who helps lead the new program, emphasizes the urgency of screening. “Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., and it often doesn’t show symptoms until it’s advanced,” she says. “When we find it early — before it has spread — treatment is far more likely to be successful. Low-dose CT screening allows us to detect cancer when it is still small and highly treatable.”
Lung screening will be offered at all Emory Imaging locations that offer a CT scan, while the lung nodule program will take place at four metro Atlanta locations, making it easier for eligible patients to access care close to home. The four metro Atlanta locations for the lung nodule program include:
- Emory Johns Creek Hospital (coming 2026)
- Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital
- Emory University Hospital
- Emory University Hospital Midtown
“We serve one of the highest volumes of lung screening and nodule patients in the region,” Medbery says. “Our team is uniquely equipped to provide accurate screenings, fast results and expert follow-up when needed.”
