Piedmont Columbus Regional looks to the future with expansion of services and training the next generation of healthcare professionals

Columbus, Ga. (July 9, 2026) - The final quarter of Piedmont’s Fiscal Year 2026 at Piedmont Columbus Regional saw the expansion of access to care and celebrating the next generation of professionals who will continue providing high-quality, patient-centered care.

Expansion of Services and Why it Matters

• The completion of a $58 million Intensive Care Unit (ICU) expansion project at Piedmont Columbus Midtown increases critical care capacity with 43 new ICU beds and 68 renovated rooms across three nursing units.
• Piedmont grows further into east Alabama with the opening of Piedmont Primary Care of Auburn - helping to address the increasing need for timely access to primary care services in Lee County and surrounding areas.
• The opening of Piedmont Specialty Pharmacy- South improves access to life-changing medications for patients with complex diseases who often face the greatest barriers to care.

“Behind every improvement project and new location are patients and their loved ones who are counting on us,” said Piedmont Columbus Midtown Chief Operating Officer Bill Tustin. “We're investing in services that meet the evolving healthcare needs of our growing region. These expansions help provide greater access, reduce travel burdens and strengthen the overall health of the communities we serve.”

Residency Programs Celebrate Graduations

Piedmont Columbus celebrated the graduation of 44 residents across its Nurse, Family Medicine and Pharmacy residency programs this summer. When established in 1972, the Family Medicine Residency Program at Piedmont Columbus Midtown became the first of its kind in Georgia and one of the first in the Southeastern United States. More than 1,000 physicians have graduated from Piedmont Columbus going back to physician training that began in the 1940s.

“Our goal is to train clinicians to be engaged professionals who lead with compassion when taking care of patients,” said Piedmont Columbus Chief Medical Officer Chris Edwards, M.D. “After many years of hard work and dedication, these graduates are well-equipped to live out the Piedmont Promise and make a positive difference in every life they touch for many years to come.”