Piedmont Atlanta

10/22/2025

While on a cruise, Wesley Mize, 79, suddenly became seriously ill. He and his wife, Donna, had to disembark in Spain for medical care, but the facility couldn’t provide the level of treatment he needed.

Back home, their daughter Ali Turner received the news while at her son’s t-ball game—standing next to fellow parent Dr. John Dalton, an orthopedic surgeon with the Piedmont Clinic. Dr. Dalton immediately connected her with Michelle Myers, director of care logistics at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, who helped arrange a medical transfer back to the U.S.

“The right people were in the right place for him to get home,” Turner said. “We got back to Piedmont and just had the most incredible care.” Wesley spent four days at Piedmont Atlanta and is now back home, doing well.

10/13/2025

Pancreatic cancer was once seen as a hopeless diagnosis - but that’s changing.

The Atlanta Pancreas Cancer Conference brings together physicians, patients, caregivers, and families to share the latest breakthroughs in research, treatment, and early detection.

This annual event is about more than medicine - it’s about connection, knowledge, and renewed hope. Join us and leave feeling informed, empowered, and inspired.

https://www.piedmont.org/cancer/pancreatic-liver/pancreas-conference

10/01/2025

Kenya Buggs, 32, had a liver transplant this summer at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital —just seven months after giving birth to her daughter. Kenya needed a new liver because she has autoimmune hepatitis, a disease in which the immune system attacks the liver. October is Liver Disease Awareness Month, and Kenya wants to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of autoimmune hepatitis and other liver diseases to prevent liver damage. She also wants people to know that not all liver diseases are alcohol-related—hers isn’t. Kenya’s transplant hepatologist, Dr. Devina Bhasin, says patients should talk to their primary care doctor about available screening. Today, Kenya is thriving back at home in Warm Springs, Georgia with her new baby and new liver, thanks to the great care she received from Piedmont Transplant Institute.

09/25/2025

Here's a preview of our latest Living Real Change Podcast episode: Su***de Prevention and Overcoming the Mental Health Stigma

In this powerful Living Real Change Podcast, Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Piedmont Eastside Brian Wright, M.D., sheds light and shares insight on one of today’s most urgent public health crises: su***de. Click here to listen: https://youtu.be/PzJtAXhq6jw.

09/24/2025

If the agenda is ending pancreatic cancer, here’s our agenda.

Piedmont Oncology has put together a half day conference with the most respected voices in research, surgery and care. Our all-star lineup features medical thought leaders in early detection, precision medicine and multidisciplinary care. These are the experts shaping the future, saving lives and providing hope.

Click here to learn more and see the full agenda: https://www.piedmont.org/cancer/pancreatic-liver/pancreas-conference

09/22/2025

Piedmont Atlanta proudly welcomes a new class of Project SEARCH interns, a program designed to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities transition from high school to the workforce.

This initiative, in partnership with Atlanta Public Schools, is making a positive difference by preparing interns for meaningful careers. This is the second year of Project SEARCH at Piedmont Atlanta.

09/19/2025

Joel Neighbors had high calcium buildup noted by a doctor nearly 10 years ago. When the doctor moved away, he never followed up. Joel was referred to Dr. Neetu Reddy with Piedmont Physicians of Jasper last year.

During each office visit, Dr. Reddy insisted Joel get further tests, noting her concern for his high calcium score from a decade ago. Finally taking her advice, he made an appointment with a cardiologist, and an echocardiogram revealed Joel had approximately 90% blocked arteries, which could ultimately lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening conditions. As a result, Joel had multiple bypass surgeries in February and is now living a healthier life!

Joel couldn't believe Dr. Reddy dug so deep going back years in his file— not treating him as just a number but provided compassionate, hassle-free care. He encourages others to establish a relationship with a primary care provider, because even if you have no symptoms or pain, getting regular checkups and following up could be lifesaving.

To find a primary care provider near you, visit Piedmont.org/PrimaryCare.

09/18/2025

Piedmont Atlanta Hospital is contributing more than $1 million as it enters into a multi-year partnership with Partners for HOME, the lead Atlanta nonprofit working to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. Project HEAL (Homeless Empowerment through Accessible Living) is a key initiative that focuses on integrating medical and mental health support with new housing. The initiative will help deliver 500 high-quality supportive housing units, with some units offering on-site medical and behavioral health services provided through Project HEAL.

Piedmont Atlanta’s support of Project HEAL will help to provide on-site medical and mental health services and support the role of Project HEAL’s housing navigator, who works with Atlanta-area hospitals to identify available beds and appropriate placement.

09/17/2025

September marks National Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Awareness Month. Ashish Bhimani, M.D., Chief of Electrophysiology at the Piedmont Heart Institute, says it is important to increase awareness of atrial fibrillation and other common conditions treated by electrophysiology. Without treatment, AFib can lead to blood clots, stroke, dementia and heart failure.

Learn more about signs and symptoms of AFib and how you can manage modifiable risk factors: https://www.piedmont.org/about-piedmont-healthcare/media-room/stories/news-article?story=5603&type=1.

09/15/2025

Tickets are still available to Piedmont Oncology’s inaugural Luminaria Gala on October 25 at Flourish Atlanta. Presented by Brasfield & Gorrie and emceed by WSB-TV's Wendy Corona, this night of hope and celebration will illuminate a new tomorrow in discovery, innovation, and leading-edge cancer care for the more 14,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients we care for each year throughout Georgia.

Learn more and get your tickets today at piedmontluminaria.org. Lockton Companies Truist Brainlab Atlanta Breast Care, PC Amwins

09/11/2025

Piedmont Transplant Institute and Piedmont Heart Institute surgeons have performed an innovative joint liver-heart transplant. The joint transplant for an adult patient is the first in Georgia in a decade, and just the second adult procedure performed in the state.

Piedmont is a destination for healthcare as Piedmont Atlanta is one of the busiest transplant centers in the country. Since the first in 2005, over 2,100 liver transplants have been performed at Piedmont Atlanta. There was a 24% increase in heart transplants this past fiscal year compared to the year prior. Click here to learn more: https://www.piedmont.org/about-piedmont-healthcare/media-room/stories/news-article?story=5543&type=1.

09/09/2025

Surgical Director of Heart Transplant and Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Program at Piedmont Heart Institute Dr. Ezequiel Molina shares how his team is tackling one of the Southeast’s most pressing health challenges. From lifesaving LVAD implants and record-setting transplant programs to groundbreaking heart-kidney procedures, Dr. Molina explains why early diagnosis matters, how cutting-edge therapies are changing lives and what’s ahead for heart failure treatment in the next decade.

The Living Real Change podcast is available on all major platforms.
Apple: https://apple.co/3T4qTDX
Spotify: https://sptfy.com/QdjQ

09/07/2025

Ellen White from St. Simons Island never expected to become a patient at Piedmont, but the quality care and compassionate support she received inspired her to give back.

Despite experiencing fatigue and pain, Ellen drove to Columbus to help her granddaughter with a school project— only to end up needing help at the Piedmont Columbus Northside Emergency Department, where doctors discovered she had suffered a massive heart attack. She was rushed to Piedmont Columbus Midtown, where surgeons inserted two life-saving stents. Her recovery took a turn when she was later diagnosed with kidney failure and spent several days in the ICU at Piedmont Columbus Northside. Thanks to Piedmont’s high-quality care, Ellen is now regaining her strength and even traveled to Rhode Island in July!

To show her gratitude, Ellen made a donation through the Piedmont Foundation's Thank a Caregiver program, honoring registered nurse Billy Brewer, Dr. Fnu Sonia, and the ICU team whose kindness made all the difference. Want to honor a Piedmont caregiver who impacted your journey? Visit: piedmont.org/gratitude.

09/04/2025

On September 4, 2024, Apalachee High School was rocked by tragedy when two teachers and two students lost their lives and nine other victims were hospitalized. Today we honor the memory of those lost, the resiliency of the Apalachee community, and the heroes who rallied around them.

David Phenix, an Apalachee High School special education teacher was shot twice that day and EMS rushed him to Piedmont Athens Regional for care. There he found more than just treatment, he found a team committed to providing the highest quality care, so he could return to the life he loves.

From walking his daughter down the aisle to returning to the classroom, David’s journey is a powerful affirmation of gratitude for each moment and our ability to make a positive difference in every life we touch.

David Phenix, a teacher at Apalachee High School, recounts the tragic event on September 4, 2024, and the quality of care he received by the staff at Piedmon...

09/03/2025

Justin and Breana Hendrix struggled for 10 years to get pregnant. They went through failed attempts at Intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization and timed cycles. Under the high-quality care of the Piedmont Physicians Surgical Specialists and Bariatrics team, they both had minimally invasive gastric bypass surgery in 2023 at Piedmont Columbus Regional Northside. Justin and Breana both lost nearly 180 pounds!

Their prayers were answered when they welcomed a baby boy named Maverick into the world last month! Breana says they’re blessed beyond measure and are all healthy.

Visit Piedmont.org/Bariatrics to learn more about our weight loss services and how you can take that first step in your journey.

09/03/2025

Illuminate hope. Advance care.

Join us at Piedmont Oncology Luminaria, where every light honors a life and every step forward is powered by your support. With the leadership of Dr. Wally Curran and , we’re transforming cancer care across Georgia- delivering high-quality, compassionate treatment and driving groundbreaking research.

Secure your tickets today at piedmontluminaria.org.

With deep gratitude, we thank our generous sponsors whose unwavering support helps bring light, healing, and hope to countless lives. Your commitment is making a .

Brasfield & Gorrie Lockton Companies Truist Brainlab Atlanta Breast Care, PC Amwins

07/22/2025

The affordability of and access to health care is limited for most of Honduras. The need for certain procedures, like knee replacements, is great.

Dr. Stephen Smith, a member of the Piedmont Clinic, is trying to do his part to fill that need. He recently returned from a medical mission trip to Honduras, where he and a team performed 35 knee replacements. The organization behind the trip, One World Surgery, has a wait list of thousands of people.

Piedmont Atlanta proudly donates critical medical supplies in support of these biannual mission trips.

07/21/2025

Piedmont Atlanta team members and their families came out to participate in and cheer on the runners in the annual Peachtree Road Race earlier this month.

We’re proud to be part of a long-standing tradition that embraces the pride in our community and celebrating health and fitness.

07/07/2025

Three years after Samantha and Fayne Abbey’s triplets were born, they now marvel at how their girls are thriving—especially considering that all three needed to stay in the NICU for around 30 days. At the recent Piedmont Atlanta NICU reunion, Samantha reminisced about the wonderful experience and compassionate care team she had at Piedmont, who made a positive difference during those initial stressful days.

“They always did little things, like having the comfy chair near the girls when they knew we were coming in, or finding ways to make it possible to hold more than one girl at a time,” she shared. “I am especially thankful for how they prepared me leading up to delivery while I was hospitalized. I felt like I went into my c-section at 31 weeks knowing exactly what to expect, and that eased my mama heart more than anything.”

Samantha and Fayne bring the girls to visit the NICU every year on their birthday, and it brings all of us great joy knowing we played such an important role in their lives and continue to be a part of their family.

07/03/2025

Piedmont Atlanta recently hosted a fun-filled reunion for parents and their children who called the NICU their home away from home between 2020 and 2023. Over 100 people attended and were treated to a day at Zoo Atlanta with face painting, handprint art, yard games, and animal encounters. It was a beautiful reminder of the positive difference compassionate care can make in the lives of our tiniest patients and their families!

06/30/2025

Jon Shirek told thousands of stories during his decades as a journalist, but his final one may be the most meaningful for patients across Georgia facing the same devastating cancer diagnosis. Now, his family and the doctors who cared for him are helping continue his legacy—his final wish was for donations in his memory to go to the Piedmont Brain Tumor Center, a place that gave him strength in the toughest days of his life.
Donations to the Orr Brain Tumor Fund at Piedmont enable us to make a difference in every life we touch. To make a donation in Jon Shirek’s memory, https://secure3.convio.net/phfou/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30064a?df_id=3701&mfc_pref=T&3701.donation=form1&set.ShowHonorFields=TRUE&set.TributeType=TRIBUTE&set.custom.Honor_Gift_Piedmont_Clinician=FALSE&set.TributeTitle=Mr.&set.TributeFirstName=Jon&set.TributeLastName=Shirek&NONCE_TOKEN=7AAB4DEACDF2D50AAC2857B7DE378CEA

05/06/2025

Hilarie Straka, 69, was shopping with her daughter, Mallory Cohen, and 7-year-old granddaughter on Valentine’s Day when her chest started to hurt. Mallory immediately headed for Piedmont Atlanta. About a mile from the hospital, her mom slumped over in the backseat. Mallory whipped into the turnaround in front of Marcus Tower, flung open the car doors, and screamed for help. The Piedmont care team jumped into action—everyone from the public safety officer to the chaplain to members of the emergency department. When seconds counted most, Piedmont’s care team was there for Hilarie. Their immediate response saved her life, and made it possible for her to enjoy Easter Sunday with her precious family.

05/02/2025

Thank you to the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation and the Foundation for Hospital Art for helping us create a healing environment at the Piedmont Brain Tumor Center with newly donated artwork. Last September, participants in the Race for Research painted these beautiful butterflies to promote a healing environment and make a positive difference for our patients!

04/28/2025

Piedmont's Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center has been named a Center of Excellence by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association. The genetic cardiac disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) causes the heart muscle to thicken, making it harder to pump blood. Piedmont is the third site in Georgia to receive this honor, highlighting our dedication to improving lives through high-quality diagnostic, treatment, education, and research programs. Learn more about Piedmont Heart’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program, go to piedmont.org/HCM

Atlanta, Ga. (April 21, 2025) – The genetic cardiac disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick, which makes it harder for the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Piedmont is