Patient Care Tech

Piedmont Heart at Lakeside Commons in Macon to launch women's heart clinic. Published: September 27, 2026 Macon, Ga. (September 28, 2026) - Piedmont Heart at Lakeside Commons is helping women take a proactive approach to their cardiovascular health with the launch of a new women's heart clinic. Beginning Oct. 1, cardiovascular assessments will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and are designed for women who want to better understand their heart health risks and learn how to prevent heart disease before problems develop. The one-hour appointment is conducted by a nurse practitioner and includes a comprehensive heart health evaluation, personalized counseling and recommendations based on each patient's unique risk factors. The assessment is intended for preventive care and is not specifically geared toward patients with known heart disease. "Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet many women are unaware of their personal risk factors," said Robbi Brett, NP-C, nurse practitioner at Piedmont Heart at Lakeside Commons. "This program gives women a dedicated opportunity to take a closer look at their cardiovascular health, identify potential concerns early and receive personalized guidance on the steps they can take to reduce their risk. Our goal is to empower women with knowledge and a prevention plan that supports long-term heart health." The women's heart assessment includes: Complete Health History * A detailed review of personal and family medical history, lifestyle factors and other conditions that may affect heart health Physical Examination * A comprehensive physical assessment that evaluates overall cardiovascular wellness and identifies potential concerns. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) * A test that records the heart's electrical activity and can help identify rhythm abnormalities and other heart-related issues. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) * A noninvasive screening that compares blood pressure measurements in the arms and ankles to help detect peripheral artery disease and circulation problems. Point-of-Care Laboratory Testing * On-site testing that includes: * Fasting Glucose - Measures blood sugar levels and helps identify diabetes or prediabetes, both of which increase cardiovascular risk. * Lipid (Cholesterol) Testing - Evaluates cholesterol levels, including those that may contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. Outside Laboratory Testing * Venipuncture is also performed for additional laboratory testing: * Lipoprotein(a) - Identifies an inherited risk factor that can increase the likelihood of heart disease and stroke, even in otherwise healthy individuals. * High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS CRP) - Measures inflammation in the body, which may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Customized Heart Health Report * Patients receive a personalized report summarizing results, risk factors, recommended lifestyle modifications and next steps. Piedmont's Women's Heart Support Network * Patients will have access to: * A robust calendar of events featuring speakers on various wellness topics as well as heart-healthy cooking workshops. * Weekly exercise classes, weekly yoga and meditation. * Access to group and individual wellness coaching sessions. Following the assessment, the nurse practitioner may order additional testing if needed. Patients with findings that require further evaluation will be scheduled with one of the practice's cardiologists, Zoe Jones, M.D., or Amy Kingman, M.D. Women interested in scheduling an assessment may call 404-772-8328. The cost is $99 and is payable in cash. Piedmont Heart at Lakeside Commons is located at 6010 Lakeside Commons Drive in Macon.

Why Piedmont is spending $600M on a new Newton County hospital. By FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team Published September 24, 2026 8:12 PM EDT Piedmont Healthcare submitted regulatory paperwork to construct a $600 million replacement facility for Piedmont Newton Hospital to address growing patient demand and expand healthcare access along the Interstate 20 corridor east of Atlanta in Coving The brief. * * Health system plans a $600 million project to replace its Covington facility. * Aging physical plant currently limits access to high-quality care along I-20. * Existing 128-bed hospital saw 52,000 emergency visits during fiscal year 2026. COVINGTON, Ga. - Piedmont Healthcare filed paperwork Tuesday to build a $600 million relocation hospital in Newton County to serve expanding East Georgia communities. Piedmont Healthcare hospital investment. What we know: Piedmont Healthcare submitted a Letter of Determination to state health officials to construct a $600 million facility replacing Piedmont Newton Hospital. The non-profit network will pay for the entire project, which marks the second-largest investment in its history behind Atlanta's Marcus Tower. Newton County facility space. What we don't know: Officials have not yet released the exact address or construction timeline for the new site. State regulators must review the filing before ground breaking begins. Newton Medical Center history. The backstory: Piedmont partnered with the financially struggling Newton Medical Center in 2015. The system invested $70 million into the original 1954 building, but the landlocked plant cannot accommodate modern expansion. Fast-Growing Interstate 20 corridor. Why you should care: Newton County holds over 112,000 residents 35 miles east of Atlanta. A modern facility expands urgent treatment options along Interstate 20 as regional populations explode. Executive leadership statements. What they're saying: "As a nonprofit, Piedmont exists to serve its communities and this investment will help to serve one of Georgia's fastest-growing communities," said Piedmont Healthcare President and CEO Kevin Brown. "The relocation hospital not only will enable us to provide more access and high-quality care now, but it also will position us to grow with Newton County and to support those communities along the I-20 corridor to the east," said Piedmont Newton CEO Lindsey Petrini. Covington hospital Medical staff. By the numbers: * $600 million: Total cost paid entirely by Piedmont. * 128: Currently licensed inpatient beds. * 52,000+: Emergency room visits in Fiscal Year 2026. * 8,000: Inpatient admissions during Fiscal Year 2026. * 1,000: Employees working at the local facility. Regional care quality standards. Big picture view: Piedmont Newton holds 11 A safety grades from The Leapfrog Group while serving as a Primary Stroke Center. Systemwide, Piedmont treats 4.5 million patients annually across 28 hospital locations.

Punch List: Piedmont healthcare commits to $600M Georgia hospital, Skanska wins $84M data center. Plus, Fortis Construction expands its manufacturing and tech unit and NIBS' CEO joins a federal advisory committee. Published Sept. 25, 2026 By Construction Dive Staff Construction Dive's Friday Punch List is a series dedicated to sharing major building headlines that contractors may have missed from the week. This week, Bechtel's split from TerraPower's high-profile Wyoming nuclear project grabbed readers' attention. In addition, Virginia issued new data center rules, joining other states that are trying to balance public pushback against the builds with economic opportunity. Georgia health system commits to $600M hospital. Piedmont, a giant in the Georgia healthcare space, has announced its intention to build a $600 million hospital in Newton County, Georgia, according to a Tuesday announcement. The entire cost will be borne by the healthcare network. The new hospital will serve as the relocation hospital for Piedmont Newton Hospital, located in Covington, per the announcement. The current hospital, originally built in 1954, is licensed for 128 beds, but is hampered by aging physical infrastructure, per the healthcare giant. The investment represents the second-largest capital project in Piedmont's history, per the announcement. It also builds on the organization's nearly $2 billion of investment in expansion projects over the past five years. - Matthew Thibault Skanska wins $84M data center. Skanska signed a $84 million contract to construct a data center in Georgia for an existing, undisclosed client, according to a Tuesday news release. Work will include building a roughly 245,000-square-foot data center with five colocation halls and administration spaces for 48 megawatts of capacity. The Stockholm-based builder will deliver civil, structural, utilities, electrical, mechanical, security, interior amenities and fit-out work. Construction will begin in November and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2028, per the release. - Zachary Phillips Fortis Construction expands with manufacturing, tech unit. As manufacturing and tech projects continue to carry the construction industry, one contractor has built a new unit to capitalize on the momentum. Fortis Construction, an employee-owned builder based in Portland, Oregon, has created a new Industrial Business Unit, according to a Monday announcement. It will focus on emerging energy, technology and manufacturing projects. The unit will be led by Matt Laccinole, who has three decades of experience leading heavy industrial and manufacturing projects, per the announcement. He has also participated in acquisition and integration efforts for the firm. "As investment accelerates in technology, advanced manufacturing and supporting infrastructure, we're well-positioned to help clients bring these transformative projects to life," Laccinole said in the announcement. - Matthew Thibault NIBS CEO joins federal advisory committee. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has tapped George Guszcza, president and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences, to join its National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee. Guszcza will help improve building practices and construction safety, according to a Wednesday news release. The federal advisory committee provides guidance to NIST on investigations into building failures. Those investigations inform recommendations to codes, standards and public safety, according to the release. Throughout his career, Guszcza has worked extensively on disaster recovery, infrastructure resilience, healthcare facilities and emergency response initiatives, according to NIBS. In the new role, Guszcza plans to understand the causes of building failures and translate those lessons into safer design, construction and operational practices, he said in the release. - Sebastian Obando