THANK YOU!

If you are visiting this page, you are likely a supporter of Piedmont Athens Regional. Without your deep compassion for the Athens area and beyond, we would not be able to expand our services or enhance experiences for our patients.

This year alone, you purchased equipment for our medical resident simulation lab, expanded our Community Care Clinic ensuring equitable access to best-in-class healthcare for our community, provided more than $2,000,000 in medication assistance for patients who could not afford medication otherwise, and provided opportunities for our nurses to expand their knowledge and leadership development. Through all of this, you created positive change in your community.

Below you will find the details of your impact this past year. Our hope is that you feel pride in all you have accomplished as donors and community supporters. Your gift, no matter the size, continues to create real change for everyone who visits Piedmont Athens Regional.

We encourage you to watch the video above to hear donors share the stories behind their passion to give back, grateful patients share their Piedmont experiences and employees share where your dollars are impacting patients on a day to day basis.

As we look to the year ahead, we understand the challenges facing healthcare will continue. Declining reimbursements and increased operating costs will continue to affect every health system in the country. As we face these challenges head-on, Piedmont Healthcare will also remain steadfast in the recruitment of the top medical talent for those we serve. We invite you to learn more about Piedmont Athens Regional by taking a tour of our hospital or connecting with one of our team members to learn about how you can continue to have a part in creating Real Change in your community and beyond.

 

“Thank you to all of the donors who support Piedmont Athens Regional. Your gift, no matter how large or small, represents a symbol of gratitude to our community. As a not-for-profit health system, philanthropy is essential in helping us achieve success. While our industry is facing significant challenges like increased costs and declining reimbursements, our hospital is no exception. But what sets us apart is the generosity of the donors who continue to support us. You create a positive difference in our community – thank you!”

– J. Michael Burnett, CEO, Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center

 

 

“Piedmont’s promise is to make a positive difference in every life we touch. We are grateful for generous supporters, like yourself, who are investing in the health and well-being of our community and, because of you, our organization is stronger than ever. Philanthropy is a critical resource for Piedmont Athens Regional, as it allows us to enhance existing programs, support direct patient care, and create new opportunities to improve the health and welfare of the communities we serve. I hope, as you read and listen to the stories of those who have benefitted from your gifts, you will be inspired to continue supporting our efforts. Thank you for being an essential partner in our mission to serve. Please know YOU are making a positive difference!”

– Kathy Hoard, Chair, Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation

Program Area Highlights
Cancer Care Services
The Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support empowers patients and their families affected by cancer throughout their journey with services and programs that aim to help with their physical, mental and spiritual health.

Donations to the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support provide resources to support programming offered through the center to patients in Athens and surrounding communities. These services include individual counseling and group support, nutrition education, nurse navigation, adapted exercise programs, oncology massage, and other complementary therapies. Thanks to generosity of donors, programs and support groups will continue to be possible for patients and families experiencing cancer.

Community Education
Piedmont Athens Regional’s Community Education Department leads activities and events in which they work closely with members of the public to improve health literacy and expand access to services. The department offers classes, hosts community events, and partners with organizations such as churches, civic groups, and the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support. Through Safe Kids Athens, instructors provide hands-on training and safety coaching on car seat safety, bike and helmet safety, water safety, and other trauma prevention education for infants to age 18.

Hospital Staff
One of Piedmont Athens Regional’s core values is Embracing the Future. We do this by investing in our people.

Count Me In | GIFT contributions by employees support Piedmont Athens Regional’s hospital staff, including the Employee Disaster Relief Fund, which provides confidential, immediate short-term, financial relief to employees experiencing extraordinary financial hardship related to an unexpected event. In FY23, more than $26,000 in financial aid was donated to Piedmont Athens Regional employees in need.

Women’s & Children’s Services
Piedmont Athens Regional delivered more than 2,900 babies in FY 2023. With a 20% increase in the number of babies delivered at Piedmont Athens Regional, we are investing in our programs and services in our Labor & Delivery units, Pediatrics department and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Voted Best Maternity Hospital by Newsweek in 2022, we challenge ourselves to create a safe space for mothers and their children.

Workforce Development
In addition to employees supporting employees, through the nurse extern program, Piedmont Athens Regional has developed an education program for students who have completed their first year of nursing school. Once accepted into the 10-week program, externs work in PRN and Patient Care Tech+ positions in Med Surg, Critical Care, Cardiology, and the Emergency Department, gaining valuable experience and preparing for their nursing career. With the support of employees contributing to Count Me In | GIFT, Piedmont Athens expanded the program’s capacity to 18 nurse externs, alleviating the demand on Piedmont Athens Regional staff and empowering our future workforce.

Additionally, donors to the Evelyn Heath Mills Nursing Education fund are supporting the growth and development of our existing staff in Charge Nurse positions. A series of seven courses will be offered to these leaders to gain new skills and abilities vital to leading teams of nurses from the front lines.

Total $2,833,561

• The Cornerstone Society
• The Heritage Circle
• The Founders Society
• Corporate Honor Roll
• Count Me In | GIFT

• Taylor and Jeff Miller
• CuddleCot Donation
• Wanda Foster
• Leslie and Gerald Damron
• Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation’s Mint Jubilee Raises $145,000 for the Clay Community Care Clinic
• Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation Receives Donation from BankSouth
• Piedmont, UGAAA Agree to 10-Year Contract
• Piedmont Athens Regional’s Resident Physicians Graduate
• Piedmont Athens Regional’s Employee Giving Fund Supports Patient Care Programs

In 2022, as a not-for-profit Piedmont received a tax benefit (property, sales & use, income tax) of approximately $167 million. For every $1 in saved taxes, Piedmont provided $2.12 in community benefits.

• View Piedmont Athens Regional Fact Sheet
• View Community Benefits Report
• Learn how we are Empowering You

We are transforming health care, creating a destination known for the best clinicians and a one-of-a-kind experience that always puts patients first.

Looking towards FY 24, we still need your support!

• Breast Health Center
• Community Care Clinic
• Graduate Medical Education
• Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support
• Magill-Miller Advanced Heart Failure Clinic
• Women’s and Children’s Services
• Unrestricted Gift Fund (allow your gift to support where we need it most!)

Support Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation – Make your FY 24 Donation Today!

Foundation Staff
Steven Dasher– Executive Director
Nicole Papst– Manager of Sustained Giving
Sierra Hammock– Donor Relations Liaison
Elaine Cook– Director of Major Gifts
Laura Lowery– Manager of Major Gift Programs

Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation Board
Catherine Apaloo, M.D.
Rev. Dr. Daryl Bloodsaw
Michael Burnett
Scott Collins
Wendy Cook
Kathy Hoard
Kelly Kerner
Tammy Lindsay
Catherine Marti, M.D.
Jonathan Murrow, M. D.
Carl Nichols
Jody Patton
Candi Hoard
Len Sapera
Jennifer Scott
April Sorrow
Jenny Terrell
Xernona Thomas, Ph.D.
Ron Walpert, M.D.
Becky Waltman

Piedmont Athens Regional Board of Directors
Karl Barnett, M.D.
Philip E. Bettendorf
Kevin Brown
J. Michael Burnett
Carolann Eisenhart, M.D.
Kelly C. Grow, M.D.
Cheryl K. Legette
Roswell Lawrence, Jr., Ph.D.
Michael J. Mandl
Helen Mills, Ed.D.
David M. Sailors, M.D.
Samuel K. Thomason, D.M.D.
Tony L. Townley

Senior Executive Leadership
J. Michael Burnett – Chief Executive Officer
Jason Smith – Chief Operating Officer
Wendy Cook – Chief Financial Officer
Geoffrey Marx, M.D. – Chief Medical Officer
Jeremiah Bame, RN – Chief Nursing Officer

Hospital Authority of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
Karl Barnett, M.D.
Jeff Bishop
Bill Bland
Chandra Echols
Kelly C. Grow, M.D.
Roswell Lawrence, Jr., Ph.D.
Helen H. Mills, Ed.D.
Cecilia Santibanez
Peter Shedd