Piedmont physician brings primary care to Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Conyers, Ga. (December 19, 2025) – In a place known for its quiet devotion and contemplative lifestyle, the monks of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit are expressing gratitude this holiday season for a service that helps them maintain their way of life: primary care delivered directly to their doorstep.

For decades, the monks have lived in solitude at the monastery in Conyers, leaving the grounds only for essential needs, such as groceries or major medical care. Many of the brothers are older, and travel to and from appointments can be difficult—especially for those with mobility challenges.

To ensure the monks can continue their spiritual mission without the strain of traveling, Piedmont family medicine physician Bania Calero, MD, provides on-site primary care visits at the monastery.

“The monks don’t go out much, and we have an older population too, so it’s hard for them to travel,” said Father Augustine Myslinski, abbot of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. “It’s not an easy chore sometimes to get older monks out to see doctors. We’re very grateful for the arrangement we have with Dr. Calero. It truly provides a beautiful, valuable service that she comes here.”

During her visits, Dr. Calero manages chronic medical conditions commonly seen in older adults, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and hyperthyroidism. She can also bring equipment to perform on-site bloodwork when needed. One of the monks is bedbound, making at-home care especially critical.

“Being able to come to their home—making sure they’re safe, reviewing all their medications, and giving them the time to ask all their questions—is very important,” Dr. Calero said. “I’m very blessed to have the opportunity to provide quality care here in their home. Supporting access to care is one of Piedmont’s missions, and I’m grateful to provide this service to the monks.”

For many of the brothers, coordinated care and easy access to their medical information has made a significant difference. Brother Emilio Rafael, who has experienced back issues, says the system makes it easier to stay on top of his health.

“It’s very easy to make appointments and to find the specialty doctor that one needs,” Brother Rafael said. “And MyChart is a great tool to manage our health and care, to access records, and even make appointments online when needed.”

The partnership allows the monks to maintain their contemplative lifestyle while receiving the high-quality medical care they need—right where they are.