Augusta, Ga. (October 12, 2023) – Piedmont Augusta closed an exciting first quarter of fiscal year 2024 by welcoming a new Chief Operating Officer (COO), introducing new innovative technology and celebrating multiple reaccreditations, quality awards and national recognition for staff.
“These significant additions and improvements are examples of how Piedmont invests in the communities it serves,” said CEO Lily Henson, M.D. “We are so fortunate to have outstanding physicians and other team members who focus on quality, safety, service and champion patient-centered care.”
Brent Robinson, a healthcare executive who began his career at Piedmont Augusta 35 years ago, came full circle in Augusta to join Piedmont Augusta as COO. Robinson, a nurse and nurse practitioner by training, was the executive director of Patient Services at Piedmont Henry. He is a results-oriented leader who made great strides in patient experience, patient safety and introducing innovation such as robotics.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Brent join our team at Piedmont Augusta,” Henson said. “He is a tremendous asset.”
Innovation advanced significantly in August when Piedmont Augusta introduced Mako robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery for hip and knee replacement. Zachary Hurst, M.D., who has a background as a mechanical engineer, is passionate about technology to improve patient outcomes, and is excited to offer these advancements locally.
"Every patient is unique,” Dr. Hurst said. “We assess each patient's anatomy and plan implant size and position specific to them. Also, when possible, we offer joint-preserving partial knee replacements in order to preserve as a patient's natural anatomy.”
People in Augusta and surrounding communities can be confident that the care they receive at Piedmont Augusta is among the best in the state. In July, Piedmont Augusta achieved American Heart Association
Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Award, Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment. In August and September, Piedmont Augusta received reaccreditation of its Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) program for patients with heart failure, its Primary Stroke Center and its Hip and Knee Replacement Program. In addition, three leaders received national recognition from Becker’s Heathcare. Nic Wood, Piedmont McDuffie Administrator, was named to the “Top Leaders under 40;” Chief Nursing Officer Janee’ Dock was named to “153 hospital and health system CNOs to Know” and Chief Information Officer Shirley Gabriel was named to “113 hospital and health system CIOs to know.”
“Piedmont is committed to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes and we continue to make improvements in our Neurosciences Line in Atlanta to make it one of the top programs in the country,” William Blincoe, M.D., Chief of Staff of Piedmont’s Physician Enterprise.
Learn more information on Piedmont Augusta.