Piedmont Walton

10/20/2025

Piedmont has expanded access to primary care in Monroe with the opening of Piedmont Primary Care at Monroe Pavilion, located at 1042 Pavilion Pkwy, Suite 500, in the Monroe Pavilion shopping center. This new clinic offers same-day appointments, online scheduling, and video visits, making it easier than ever for patients to connect with trusted providers. Dr. Advija Ibrisimovic is now accepting new patients at the Monroe Pavillion location, bringing more convenient, personalized care to the community.

To schedule an appointment, call 678-806-3680 or visit piedmont.org/MonroePavilionPC!

10/17/2025

Volunteers wrapped up their final planning meeting by picking up yard signs to help spread the word about the 3rd Annual Cookout for a Cause—happening Friday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Piedmont Walton Hospital!

🎟️ Tickets
• $15 – Entry
• $30 – Entry + T-shirt
• $20 – T-shirt only

This year’s event supports the Breast Health Imaging Center at Piedmont Walton, helping expand services like patient education, support, supplies, and facility improvements.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsors: Athens Radiology Associates and McCarthy. Sponsorships are still available and make a big impact - ensuring more funds go directly to enhancing breast care in our community.
Together, we’re bringing high-quality breast health care closer to home. 💗

10/13/2025

Thanks to Monroe Ace Hardware and Traeger, we’re raffling off a Traeger Ironwood 650 Wood Pellet WiFi Grill (valued at $1,400.99) during our 3rd Annual Cookout for a Cause on Thursday, Oct. 24—benefiting breast health services at Piedmont Walton.

🎟️ Raffle tickets: $10 each, unlimited quantity
🛒 Buy online through Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. or at the event
🏆 Winner drawn at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 (no need to be present)
📦 Prize must be picked up by Nov. 1
🍴 Tickets available now at give.piedmont.org/waltoncookout

Every ticket helps expand access to breast imaging care in our community. Let’s cook out for a cause - and make a difference together!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2305537799916818

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

09/19/2025

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.

09/17/2025

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

08/29/2025

Piedmont Walton's Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic is now open and ready to serve our community with expert orthopedic and sports medicine care!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our grand opening celebration. We partnered with the Walton County Chamber of Commerce for an official ribbon cutting, welcomed guests for guided tours of our new clinic, and had the pleasure of introducing our incredible care team to the community, share our vision for care.

08/20/2025

Piedmont Walton Hospital proudly partners with local high schools to offer a dynamic, hands-on learning experience for students pursuing healthcare careers. Currently welcoming participants from Walnut Grove and Loganville High Schools—with plans to expand to more Walton County high schools—the program is integrated into the students’ work-based learning curriculum, allowing them to earn school credit while gaining real-world exposure. Students rotate through 12 hospital departments where they shadow professionals and learn basic clinical skills. Launched over a decade ago, the program has shaped many healthcare careers. Notably, several current Piedmont Walton employees are proud alumni. The program continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

08/04/2025

Piedmont Walton Hospital is proud to honor Corporal Jeffrey Barnes and Officer David Dunn of the Social Circle Police Department as our First Friday Heroes for their extraordinary bravery and life-saving actions during a devastating house fire earlier this year. Officers Barnes and Dunn arrived at a home engulfed in flames. Learning that a resident was trapped inside, they acted without hesitation. Barnes kicked in the front door, and both officers entered the burning home, navigating through thick smoke and intense heat, guided only by the man’s screams. They found the resident collapsed, his clothing on fire. The officers pulled him to safety, extinguished the flames, and began CPR—efforts that ultimately saved his life.

08/02/2025

Piedmont Walton Hospital is teaming up with the new Walton County YMCA to launch the Safety Around Water program—teaching kids life-saving water safety skills and building a healthier, safer community. The Safety Around Water program, a national YMCA initiative, helps children build confidence and learn essential water safety skills. Because for us, it’s not just about swimming—it’s about saving lives.
As part of this initiative, Piedmont Walton will have a community nurse educator at the Walton County YMCA starting this month —bringing health education and outreach directly to where families live, learn, and play. For more information or to register for the Safety Around Water program, contact the Walton County YMCA at 770-267-9622 or visit ymca.net/watersafety.

07/22/2025

Last month, the Piedmont Walton Trauma team met with Central EMS employees in Covington for a Lunch and Learn to provide Emergency Medical Education to EMS. The 28 attendees heard from Piedmont Walton Trauma Surgeon Mark Benak, M.D. and Trauma Manager Garrett Polston who shared what a trauma patient looks like, the importance of trauma care to a community, and the types of trauma care provided at Piedmont Walton. We are excited to see how Piedmont Walton Trauma and the Covington teams grow from this experience!

06/24/2025

Piedmont Walton recently hosted its second annual Healthcare Day Camp, welcoming 13 high school students from Walton County for an immersive, hands-on experience in the world of health care. From shadowing professionals in the OR, Therapy Services, Wound Care, and EMS departments to learning how to communicate with patients in real-world scenarios, these students got a front-row seat to what it’s like to work in health care. We are honored to be able to host this educational opportunity and invest in future health care workers in our community!

05/23/2025

Piedmont Walton is proud to work alongside first responders who display incredible bravery, compassion, and commitment to our community every day. In honor and appreciation of these local heroes, Piedmont Walton hosted a lunch to celebrate National EMS Week and thank them personally. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of others close to home!

05/22/2025

Piedmont Walton and Piedmont Physicians of Monroe recently partnered to host a two-day sports physical clinic for 240 students from 10 Walton County high schools preparing for the upcoming school year. Our team donated their time and expertise to support the event, ensuring students are healthy to participate in extracurricular activities. This is another example of how Piedmont strives to make a positive difference—impacting the lives of our young athletes!

05/09/2025

Piedmont Walton Hospital is proud to recognize the dedicated service of the Nurse Honor Guard of Greater Walton County and our incredible nurses who took part in a historic ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol on May 6, 2025.

Alongside 90 nurses from across the state, our local heroes stood tall as the Georgia Nurse Honor Guard received a special Commendation from Governor Brian Kemp — the first formal state-level recognition in Georgia’s history. Governor Kemp also officially declared May 12 as Georgia Nurse Honor Guard Day, a date that pays tribute to Florence Nightingale and the timeless values of compassion, service, and dedication. Join us in congratulating them for this amazing honor!