Piedmont Proud
Celebrate your accomplishments!
Every day, we see our fellow caregivers excel within our walls. However, we don’t always see the great contributions our Piedmont family members make to the health care community at large. Piedmont Proud recognizes employees that make an impact in health care through their professional organizations, on the state level or above and other involvement. These employees have one or more of the following distinctions:
- Elected to a leadership position
- Given an award
- Asked to speak at an event
See their stories below, and congratulate them when you see them or by writing a quick message on their timeline!
Do you know someone who has made an impact in health care through their professional organization? Please tell us! We want to celebrate their accomplishment. Submit yourself or a co-worker to be recognized on the Piedmont Proud page by sending an email to PHC Communications.
Charles Brown, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Coy Lassiter, M.D, Chief of Staff, Charles Wilmer, M.D. Cardiologist, Physician Enterprise; Moiz Master, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Piedmont; Jyoti Sharma, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Piedmont Atlanta
Drs. Brown, Lassiter, Master, Sharma and Wilmer were invited to the U.S. Delegation of Health System Physician Leaders in London as part of the Medical Association of Georgia. During the trip, they visited various hospitals, the Royal Society of Medicine, Houses of Parliament and engaged in multiple meaningful discussions. During the Transatlantic Dialogue on Physician Engagement and Workforce Sustainability panel, Dr. Brown was a co-chair and moderator while Drs. Sharma and Wilmer were panelists. The provided the U.S perspective for questions focused on physician engagement, employed physician models and leadership.
Erin Dunbar, M.D., Director of Neuro-Oncology and the Piedmont Brain Tumor Center, Piedmont Atlanta
Dr. Dunbar recently presented at Brainlab's 10th Annual Novalis Circle International Conference in Munich. The event brought together clinical professionals in radiation oncology and neurosurgery to discuss innovation, best practices and key initiatives to optimize outcomes in multidisciplinary cancer treatments. Dr. Dunbar's presentation focused on increasing patient referrals into focal therapies. Dr. Dunbar is an avid clinical researcher and a collaborator with the National Cancer Institute, the Society of Neuro-Oncology and the American Academy of Neurology.
Kelli Newman, Director, Internal Communications, Piedmont
Kelli Newman was a featured spokesperson at Cocktails and Tech Stacks hosted by the International Association of Business Communicators Atlanta Chapter. This event was a micro-expo designed to connect corporate communication leaders with useful technology platforms. She shared tools, strategies, challenges and opportunities that communication professionals can use as they navigate the increasingly complex technology landscape. Kelli has worked at Piedmont for over 15 years, serving as a communications manager for Human Resources and then the Internal Communications manager and director.
Andrew Page, M.D., Director, Surgical Oncology, Physician Enterprise
Dr. Page was the keynote speaker at the Purple Pansies Pillar of Hope Gala. The event is the Purple Pansies' largest annual fundraiser, dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by pancreatic cancer and funding research and clinical trials to help conquer it. Dr. Page is Piedmont Oncology's Sherron Berg Endowed director for Surgical Oncology and Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, the Pancreas Club, the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association and the Georgia Surgical Society. He is also a co-founder of the Piedmont Pancreas Cancer Clinic and medical director of the Sherron Berg Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic.
Douwe Bergsma, Chief Brand Growth Officer, Piedmont
Douwe Bergsma was named an Agentic Marketing Visionary Award Winner by Birdeye. This award recognizes executives who are applying AI to real business challenges across visibility, engagement, customer experience, insights and local execution at scale. These awards are part of the Agentic CMO Program created to recognize, connect and amplify forward-thinking marketing leaders in multilocation business. Douwe has worked at Piedmont since 2020 and has over 30 years of experience in marketing and leadership. He is a member on the Faculty of Economics and Business Advisory Board at the University of Groningen and is a member of multiple boards within the Association of National Advertisers.
Felicia Rhaney, M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urogynecology, Piedmont Columbus
Dr. Rhaney was named a 2026 Top Doctor in urogynecology and menopause care by Castle Connolly. Based on peer nominations, this list recognizes the top 7% of physicians nationwide for excellence in patient care and clinical expertise. Dr. Rhaney is a double board-certified urogynecologist, reconstructive pelvic surgeon, minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and nationally recognized women's health expert. She is an award-winning and published researcher, receiving the U.S. News & World Report Patient's Top Choice Award and a Center of Excellence designation for her clinical outcomes.
Amy Hajari Case, M.D., Director, Interstitial Lung Disease Program and Research, Piedmont Physicians Georgia Lung
Dr. Case was named a top woman chief medical officer of 2026 by Women We Admire. This list recognizes women leaders who are shaping healthcare through clinical strategy, patient safety, research and innovation. In addition to her role at Piedmont, Dr. Case is the chief medical officer of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, a member of the American Thoracic Society and a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). She is also on the ACCP Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Network steering committee. She leads a monthly support group for patients with pulmonary fibrosis in Austell and a bimonthly pulmonary and critical care journal club meeting.
Melanie Kirby, Care Management Executive Director; Michele McKenzie, Utilization Management Director, Piedmont; Anne Sims, Care Management Director, Piedmont Rockdale
Melanie Kirby, Michele McKenzie and Anne Sims (pictured left to right) recently joined the board of directors for the American Case Management Association (ACMA) Georgia Chapter. Melanie was elected chapter president, Michele joined as chapter secretary and Anne is a chapter member at large. Each will serve a two-year term beginning in January 2027.
Melanie brings over 30 years of experience to her new role and will provide leadership to support ACMA Georgia’s mission and the development of case management professionals across the state. Throughout her 27-year career, Michele is known for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to continuous improvement and passion for developing high-performing teams. As secretary, she will support the organization's governance, maintain official records and foster effective communication among leadership. Anne has over 25 years of experience combining social work with operational excellence with a commitment to health equity. As member at large, she will champion member engagement, education, equity and innovation.
Meredith Lopez, Director, Ambulatory Pharmacy and Medication Management, Physician Enterprise
Meredith Lopez, PharmD, was elected president of the Georgia Society of Health-System Pharmacists (GSHP). Meredith is board certified as an ambulatory care pharmacist and earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. She also earned a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Management from Augusta University. In addition to the GSHP, Meredith is a member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Public Safety Department
Piedmont's Public Safety Department is a finalist for the 2026 Outstanding Security Team Award. The Outstanding Security Performance Awards are one of the profession's most prestigious recognition programs, honoring organizations and teams that demonstrate exceptional performance, innovation, leadership and impact. Finalists are selected through an independent evaluation process conducted by experienced security professionals and represent some of the most respected security organizations in the country. Award winners will be announced on Sept. 13 at the Global Security Exchange conference in Atlanta.
Manoj Maddali, M.D., Pulmonary Critical Care, Piedmont Atlanta
Dr. Maddali presented data from a recent publication at the investigator meeting for the National Institute of Health's PRECISIONS (Prospective Treatment Efficacy in IPF Using Genotype for NAC Selection) trial. He was the first author of this publication and discussed the use of molecular endotypes to predict differential response to immunosuppressant therapy in interstitial lung disease. PRECISIONS is a study aiming to transform the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by moving it into the era of precision medicine and providing patients with access to personalized medicine. Dr. Maddali has had research published in leading journals including Lancet Respiratory Medicine and the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Ralitza Martin, M.D., Interventional Pulmonology, Piedmont Atlanta
Dr. Martin has been identified by Intuitive as a top 25 robotic bronchoscopy Ion user in the world. She averages over 300 cases per year and has performed over 1,200 cases since February 2022. Ion robotic bronchoscopy is a technology aiding in minimally invasive peripheral lung biopsies, helping with early detection and advanced lung cancer care. Dr. Martin was also the first physician in Georgia to perform bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, the first FDA-approved lung valve device to help emphysema patients breathe easier and regain daily activities without major surgery.
Ben Haygood, Strategic Sourcing Director, Clinical Value Analysis, Piedmont
Ben Haygood participated in a roundtable discussion at The Journal of Healthcare Contracting's National Accounts Summit on July 29. Attendees learned how health systems measure successful contracts, what challenges they are dealing with and what successful supplier /provider relationships look like. In Ben's roundtable," From Vendor to Strategic Partner: What the Next Generation of Supply Chain Leaders Expect from Suppliers," he shared insights on how provider/supplier relationships are evolving rapidly as health systems sharpen their 2026 strategies about cost stewardship, operational resiliency, clinical alignment and workforce efficiency. Ben started working at Piedmont in 2018 as a commodity manager before moving to his current role in 2022.
Information Services
Piedmont's Information Services team won two 2026 Pinnacle Awards from KLAS Research. The Pinnacle Award recognizes healthcare organizations that exhibit exceptional performance in clinicians' Electronic Health Records (EHR) satisfaction scores. Piedmont won awards for nurses and physicians. Vice President of EHR Natalie Wilkerson received the award at the third annual KLAS Arch Collaborative ceremony on July 30 in Utah.
Cargill Alleyne, M.D., Neurosurgery, Piedmont Augusta
Dr. Alleyne was elected vice chair of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He previously served a six-year team as director of the board. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the Neurosurgical Society of America. He completed his medical training at Yale School of Medicine in 1991 and a fellowship in cerebrovascular and skull base tumor surgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute in 1999. As of 2025, Dr. Alleyne has contributed to more than 270 manuscripts, abstracts, posters and books, and has been invited to deliver multiple lectures and serve in visiting professorships.
Joshua Wewel, M.D., Neurosurgery, Piedmont Atlanta
Dr. Wewel was elected as the next president of the Georgia Neurosurgical Society. He is a member and fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and Joint Section on the Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves. Dr. Wewel has published numerous book chapters and scientific articles in peer-reviewed medical journals. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed his residency at Rush University Medical Center, followed by a fellowship at the Barrow Neurologic Institute in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery.
Kamdyn Kasler, PRN Pharmacy Intern, Piedmont Fayette
Kamdyn Kasler received the 2026 Outstanding Pharmacy Student Award from the Georgia Society of Health System Pharmacists (GSHP) on July 14. Kamdyn is a PRN pharmacy intern at Piedmont Fayette and is preparing to begin her P3 year at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Kamdyn currently serves as the 2026-27 vice president of education and professional development for UGA GSHP and was recently appointed to the American Society of Health System Pharmacists pharmacy student forum (PSF) Residency Preparation Advisory Group for the 2026-27 year. Kamdyn received her award during the GSHP’s 2026 Summer Meeting on Amelia Island.
Brand Building and Communications
Piedmont's Brand Building and Communications team recently hosted Message Makers: A Communication Summit at the System Support Center on July 23. Team members served as emcees and panel speakers at the event. More than 100 communication professionals from 50 organizations attended and heard how top communicators protect brands during critical moments, elevate leader communications to build trust and connection, and use data that drives impact.
Vice President of Brand Building and Communications Elisabeth Wang (top right) organized the event and presented opening remarks. Kelli Newman, director of Internal Communications, and John Manasso, director of External Communications served as emcees throughout the day. Brittany Martin, John Brieske, Mike Boylan and Sarah Teach (pictured left to right) participated in a panel discussion about making leaders more human and elevating their presence through authenticity.
Jamie Farmer-Echols, Manager of Brand Building, Brand Activation
Jamie Farmer-Echols was appointed co-vice president of social media for the American Marketing Association Atlanta’s (AMA) Board of Directors. Jamie has been an AMA member since 2014, when she was an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan, and joined the Atlanta chapter in 2021. She will serve a one-year term, with the option to continue longer. In her role, she will help amplify the voice of AMA Atlanta and highlight the Atlanta marketing community.
Larry Ebert, Chief Executive Officer, Piedmont Eastside; Stephen Porter, Piedmont Fayette CEO, Corporate Senior Vice President
Larry Ebert (left) and Stephen Porter (right) were named to Becker's Hospital Review's 2026 list of Community Hospital CEOs to Know. This list recognizes CEOs who are shaping cultures that attract and retain talented caregivers, building long-term strategies that position their hospitals for growth and maintaining the financial discipline to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care. Larry Ebert served as CEO of Piedmont Walton for four years before becoming CEO at Piedmont Eastside in 2023. Stephen was appointed CEO of Piedmont Fayette in 2019 before being named corporate senior vice president in 2023.
