Fayetteville, Ga. (September 24, 2025) – James Franklin Sr., M.D., FACS, Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Chief of Robotic Surgery, was recently recognized with the Leonardo Leadership Award at the Intuitive 360 event. The award is for leaders who not only exemplify patient-centered care, but also are leaders in surgical innovation for minimally invasive procedures.
“It truly is an honor to be recognized in this field,” said Dr. Franklin. “There have been many technological advancements with robotic-assisted surgeries throughout my career, and each one makes things better for our patients.”
In the past, many of the surgical procedures that the hospital now performs with robotic assistance required one large incision to grant the surgeon access to a particular area of the body to allow them to work. Now, the surgeon can make several small incisions to gain even better access. In addition to the robotic arms that can move 360 degrees, the system also provides an HD camera that grants the surgeon an incredible depth of vision and a three-dimensional view of the area they are working on.
Among the benefits of robotic surgery are:
- Decreased blood loss
- Reduced risk of infection
- Less pain and scarring
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster recovery time
Piedmont Fayette Hospital has earned accreditation from Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery. The accreditation recognizes Piedmont Fayette’s dedication to delivering high-quality, compassionate patient care with an emphasis on safety. Dr. Franklin is just one of the surgeons at Piedmont Fayette designated as a Surgeon of Excellence by the SRC.
“We are proud of Dr. Franklin for receiving the Leonardo Leadership Award,” said Piedmont Fayette CEO Steve Porter. “It is a testament to our hospital’s commitment to stay on the cutting edge of technology in our pursuit to make a positive difference in every life we touch.”
To learn more about surgical services at Piedmont, visit piedmont.org/surgical.