Columbus, Ga. (November 6, 2025) – Piedmont Columbus Regional has named James Holland and Kaleb McLeod with Columbus Fire and EMS the organization’s First Friday Heroes for the month of November.

One weekend the CT machine at Piedmont Columbus Midtown went down and team members were briefly unable to do computed tomography angiography (CTA), a test that images blood vessels and tissues, on patients that could not sit in a wheelchair. At the same time, there was a potential stroke patient. Hospital staff were able to get a CT scan completed but thought they would have to transfer the patient to Piedmont Columbus Northside for her CTA.

McLeod and Holland helped this patient sit up on their EMS stretcher and helped ER staff get the patient in for a CTA. This patient ended up having an ischemic stroke and went to Interventional Radiology for a mechanical thrombectomy where medical staff were able to remove the blood clot from the patient’s brain. Without them being willing to help do what was needed for the patient, this patient’s care would have been impacted.

A ceremony with Holland, McLeod and hospital leadership will be held at a later date to commend them for their response. Their story is also featured throughout the hospital on commemorative posters and Piedmont Columbus Regional’s social media pages.

Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in 2016 to recognize first responders and everyday heroes each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

“Their line of work is often a thankless job, and we want to make the community aware of what our local heroes do to make the Chattahoochee Valley a safer place,” said Piedmont Columbus Regional CEO Scott Hill.