Georgia Heart Institute is the state’s most forward-thinking heart and vascular program.
Georgia Heart Institute is the comprehensive, multi-disciplinary heart and vascular program of Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS). With personalized care provided for the complete spectrum of cardiovascular conditions, Georgia Heart Institute is saving and improving lives for generations.
Our Vision & Approach
Built on a foundation of expertise and innovation, Georgia Heart Institute is focused on creating healthier tomorrows for everyone. First and foremost, we believe this starts with a dedication to supporting the complete individual and providing the highest level of care when it matters most.
The team at Georgia Heart Institute strives to provide an unmatched level of heart and vascular care that supports patients – and their family – for a lifetime. With experienced cardiologists, renowned surgeons and highly-trained specialists, we strive to do whatever it takes to keep patients’ hearts at their healthiest.
We’re delivering on this commitment by:
At Georgia Heart Institute, the patient journey begins the moment an appointment is scheduled with one of our experts. Whether you’re focused on disease prevention or need advanced treatment for a complex condition, our goal is to meet patients exactly where they are. Ultimately, we want you to have an experience that’s seamless and simple at every step.
Led by our impressive team of cardiologists, Georgia Heart Institute has developed an integrated program that encompasses the renowned cardiothoracic surgeons and vascular surgeons of Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) to deliver collaborative and coordinated care for every type of heart and vascular condition. Meet our team of specialty-trained experts.
Enriched by discovery and innovation, the experts of Georgia Heart Institute are continually finding new and better ways to treat even the most complex conditions. Through participation in international research and leading clinical trials, we’re learning about the therapies and treatments of tomorrow to improve care for our patients today. Explore our current research initiatives and learn more about the Georgia Center for Cardiovascular Biomechanics & Data Modeling.
Our History
Georgia Heart Institute is building on the rich history of care and expertise that’s always been provided by Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC).
This journey began all the way back in 1957, when Drs. Sam Poole and Dick Stribling, were recruited to NGMC to launch our Heart & Vascular Services. From there, things quickly progressed, with the first diagnostic cardiac cath performed in 1984 and the first interventional procedure in 2002. Then, in 2014, The Heart Center of NGMC officially became a part of the Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) family.
Over the last several years, our growth and innovation has continued, with the first cardiac intervention performed in Braselton in 2018. We became the first health system in Georgia with hospitals accredited as Emergency Cardiac Care Centers just last year.
Most recently, many of our system’s cardiology services were provided through The Heart Center of NGMC. As a long-standing and trusted practice within the community, we have evolved that program into Georgia Heart Institute, which includes our team of more than 80 cardiologists and advanced practice providers, more than a dozen locations throughout the region and convenient, online scheduling.
Awards & Recognition
Some recognitions include:
- 2023 Top Doctors – Georgia Trend
- Atlanta Top Doctors 2023 – Atlanta Magazine
- 2024 Get With The Guidelines — American Heart Association
- Get With the Guidelines: Gold Plus Achievement — Heart Failure (NGMC Braselton, Gainesville)
- Get With the Guidelines: Gold Plus Achievement — Stroke (NGMC Barrow, Braselton, Gainesville and Habersham)
- Get With the Guidelines: Silver Plus Achievement — Neonatal/Infant Resuscitation (NGMC Gainesville)
- Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus (NGMC Gainesville, Habersham)
- Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite (NGMC Braselton)
- Target: Stroke Honor Roll (NGMC Barrow)
- Target: Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy (NGMC Gainesville)
- Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll (NGMC Braselton, Gainesville)
- ELSO (Extracorporeal Life Support Organization) Pathway to Excellence
- Silver Award for ECMO
- Emergency Cardiac Care Center Designation – Georgia Department of Public Health
- First centers in Georgia to be reaccredited.
- NGMC Gainesville – Level I
- NGMC Braselton – Level II
- NGMC Barrow – Level III
- NGMC Lumpkin– Level III
- NGMC Habersham – Level III
- Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program – Second-largest in Georgia
- 10-year full accreditation
- IAC Vascular Testing Accreditation
- Bronze Milestone for 20-year accreditation — NGMC Gainesville
Heart Care
With a robust team of experts spanning nearly every specialty of cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and vascular surgery, we are proud to offer patients a truly comprehensive care experience. Not only does this ensure that we have an expert that specializes in diagnosing and treating each patient’s unique heart needs, but their care also has the backing of a multi-disciplinary, collaborative team.
