Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast increases access to advanced lung cancer treatment

Christopher Ellington, MD, a thoracic surgeon board-certified in thoracic surgery and fellowship-trained in oncology, is bringing advanced lung cancer treatment to Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center - Mack Bayou, located at 27 Mack Bayou Loop in Santa Rosa Beach. Dr. Ellington will work closely with oncologists Dr. Thomas Johnson, Dr. Mark DeLeon and Dr. Heather Hilty.

In Walton and Okaloosa Counties, over 700 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in the past three years, and 156 people died from the disease. Thoracic surgeons are key to the treatment process of lung cancer, one of the country's deadliest forms of cancer. Dr. Ellington will bring advanced treatment for lung cancer closer to home for patients living in the Walton and Okaloosa County area.

"When diagnosed early, lung cancer is more treatable," said Trey Abshier, Sacred Heart Emerald Coast President and CEO. "With our low-dose CT screening and Dr. Ellington's expertise, we are improving access to care for patients in the area, including minimally invasive treatments."

Dr. Ellington utilizes modern robotic equipment for minimally invasive procedures, including the DiVinci Surgical Robot and Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy tools used to treat lung cancer. He earned his medical degree at Flinders University of South Australia before completing multiple medical training programs. These included a surgical internship through the University of North Dakota, a general surgery residency at Saint Louis University, and a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the Texas Heart Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Sacred Heart Emerald Coast provides low-dose CT screenings for lung cancer as well as personalized treatment plans through the Cancer Center. This includes a multispecialty care team with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, and other cancer specialists who diagnose and treat many types of cancer, including lung cancer.

Appointments are now available with Dr. Ellington. To schedule an appointment or get a second opinion, call 850-416-6933.