Atlanta (March 1, 2024) – Piedmont Heart Institute recognized three individuals for its annual Physician of the Year Award for their efforts to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care to patients: Charles Campbell, M.D., cardiologist and heart failure specialist with Piedmont Heart of Blairsville; Richard Lynn Harvey, M.D., cardiac surgeon at Piedmont Heart of Macon; and Ezequiel Molina, M.D., surgical director of advanced heart failure, LVAD and heart transplantation at Piedmont Atlanta.
The peer-nominated Piedmont Heart Institute Physician of the Year award was expanded this year to recognize not one, but three, Piedmont Heart physicians who best exemplify and demonstrate Piedmont’s vision and culture. The three were presented with the honor at the organization’s annual physician retreat. The expansion of the award aligns with Piedmont’s growth across the state of Georgia.
“We’re very proud to honor these three physicians as Piedmont Heart’s Physicians of the Year,” said Charles L. Brown III, M.D., CEO of Piedmont’s Physician Enterprise and a practicing interventional cardiologist. “The positive difference they’ve made in the lives of the patients they care for is clear in the remarkable feedback received from their many patients and peers. Their efforts to help each patient’s specific needs often go above and beyond one’s usual duties as a cardiologist, making them each very deserving of this recognition.”
“As a top destination for cardiac care, Piedmont Heart has seen record growth over the last decade, which is a testament to our physicians and the positive difference they make in the lives of their patients,” said David Kandzari, M.D., Chief of Piedmont Heart Institute and the Cardiovascular Service Line; Director, Interventional Cardiology of the Piedmont Heart Institute; and Chief Scientific Officer for Piedmont Healthcare. “The incredibly talented physicians of Piedmont Heart Institute continue to make great contributions to the patients of our state and beyond, and I am proud to honor Drs. Campbell, Harvey and Molina and recognize their commitment to their teams and the patients they serve.”
Dr. Campbell is a cardiologist and specializes in cardiac imaging at Piedmont Heart of Blairsville. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, cardiovascular diseases and heart and advanced heart failure.
“When I think of Chuck, I always think about the compassionate physician, his demeanor, his way of carrying himself, particularly when you see him interacting with patients, it is extraordinary, and he exemplifies the best in patient care,” remarked a fellow physician.
Dr. Campbell is a member of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), Pulmonary Hypertension Society, American Society of Echocardiography, Lung Transplant Society and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. He treats a wide spectrum of cardiovascular diseases with a special focus in general cardiology and heart failure. He also holds additional certifications in echocardiography from the National Board of Echocardiography. In his spare time, Dr. Campbell enjoys music and hiking.
Dr. Harvey is a cardiac surgeon at Piedmont Heart in Macon. He earned his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and completed his residency at Mercer University in General Surgery and the University of Mississippi in Cardiothoracic Surgery. He is a board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Harvey specializes in Mitral Valve Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Afib, and Aortic Surgery. In his spare time, he enjoys freshwater fishing and aviation.
“The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Dr. Harvey is just his calming presence, he has a way of putting patients at ease that is unlike anyone I’ve ever worked with. He is compassionate, dedicated and fun to work with,” said one of the nurses on his team.
Dr. Molina is the surgical director of the LVAD and Heart Transplant Program at Piedmont Heart Institute. Dr. Molina has been practicing medicine for 10 years. He is proficient in all aspects of adult cardiac surgery including surgical coronary revascularization, aortic aneurysms, valve surgery, and complex reoperative surgery. He specializes in durable LVAD implantation, heart transplantation and surgical therapies for cardiogenic shock. Dr. Molina publishes and presents extensively in his field at national and international meetings. He has been an Investigator in several LVAD trials. Dr. Molina serves as a member of the STS-Intermacs Database Task Force, the largest durable LVAD registry in the world. Prior to joining Piedmont, Dr. Molina was the surgical director of the LVAD and Heart Transplant Program at the MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute in Washington, DC. He also served as co-interim chair of the Department of Cardiac Surgery. Dr. Molina was an associate professor of Surgery at Georgetown University and the program director of the mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation surgical fellowship. He is board certified in Thoracic Surgery and General Surgery. In his spare time, Dr. Molina enjoys spending time with his wife and three little children, as well as cycling, running, reading, and traveling.
Dedicated, passionate, and high standards for patient care are the three words used most by Dr. Molina’s team.
“He is committed every single day to improving the quality of life for all heart failure patients,” said one of his colleagues.
For more information about Piedmont Heart Institute, visit piedmontheart.org.