Athens, Ga. (September 15, 2025) – Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital has officially broken ground on a transformative eight-phase, $56 million investment to expand and modernize its operating room platform and surgical services. This project will significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to deliver world-class surgical care to patients from Athens and surrounding counties.
The expansion begins with the construction of two new multi-specialty operating rooms and a cutting-edge Hybrid OR, which will give clinicians the tools needed to perform complex vascular surgery. These additions mark the first step in a comprehensive overhaul that will modernize the hospital’s surgical infrastructure while maintaining uninterrupted patient care.
“This investment reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing surgical excellence and improving outcomes for our community,” said Diane Altman, executive director of operations for Piedmont Athens Regional. “We’re building for the future of healthcare in Athens.”
In addition to new surgical spaces, the project includes the acquisition of a new DaVinci Robot to meet growing demand for minimally invasive, complex procedures. The modernization effort will also upgrade critical mechanical systems, including:
- New air handling units (AHUs) and chillers
- Advanced ductwork and controls
- Laminar flow diffusers and non-surgical lighting
- Essential electrical and plumbing enhancements
These upgrades will ensure the existing operating room platform complies with the latest HVAC standards and replaces aging equipment vital to surgical operations. The result will be safer, more reliable, and technologically advanced environments that directly benefit patient care.
To deliver this complex expansion, Piedmont Athens Regional has partnered with industry leaders:
- General Contractor: Batson-Cook Construction
- Architects & Engineers: Haskell/SSR
- Program Manager: BDR Partners
Construction will be completed in eight carefully sequenced phases through 2028, ensuring uninterrupted surgical services throughout the process.
The groundbreaking event — highlighted by a ceremonial wall-breaking with hospital leaders, physicians, and project stakeholders — celebrated not only the start of construction but also Piedmont Athens Regional’s continued investment in the health and well-being of the Athens community.