For several decades, spinal fusion has been the gold standard for treating disc degeneration and other spinal conditions. But since the early 2000s, artificial disc replacement (ADR) for both cervical and lumbar disc degeneration has become a safe and effective alternative for patients who meet certain criteria. Spinal fusion, which is still quite common, fuses vertebrae ... Continue Reading

For decades, the dream of owning a private medical practice was a hallmark of the physician career path. It offered autonomy, the ability to shape patient care models, and the potential to build a lasting legacy. But today, with reimbursement rates tightening and healthcare economics shifting, that dream is under pressure—and doctors are rethinking how and where they practice ... Continue Reading

Bankruptcy creates challenges for patients and physicians alike. When a patient files bankruptcy, physicians must manage unpaid balances while maintaining professional care. Supporting patients with empathy while protecting practice stability requires a careful approach. Understand the Rules A bankruptcy filing triggers an “automatic stay,” which bars creditors—including ... Continue Reading

Gail, a lifelong athlete, faced an unexpected need for a heart transplant due to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare genetic condition revealed by her active lifestyle. Initially asymptomatic, her condition worsened with intractable ventricular tachycardia (VT), leading to her eligibility for a transplant. Thanks to Emory's advanced heart failure ... Continue Reading

Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t just test your clinical judgement. It challenges your ethics, your empathy and your attention to detail in documentation. As patients lose the ability to make decisions, recall conversations or even recognize danger, you’re forced to navigate impossible choices: When to deliver hard truths, how to involve family, what to document and how to ... Continue Reading

As Metro Atlanta continues to push outward, Gwinnett County is emerging as one of the most important suburban markets influencing healthcare delivery in Georgia. With a population that now exceeds 1 million—and projections pointing to 1.5 million by 2050—the county is becoming a prime destination for healthcare providers seeking to expand or reposition their practices for ... Continue Reading

  Emory Winship’s Dr. James Jeong is the only surgeon in Atlanta and one of just a few surgeons across the country who performs this procedure.   Alan Brown, a 61-year-old male, came to Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University with significant complications following an oral surgery procedure he’d undergone elsewhere to remove a benign mandibular cyst and ... Continue Reading

A malpractice claim can be sudden, disorienting and deeply personal. For many physicians, it’s not just the legal implications that cause stress, it’s the emotional fallout — the anxiety, shame and sense that their professional reputation and identity are on the line. These feelings are incredibly common. Most if not all physicians experience emotional distress at some point ... Continue Reading

For many Atlanta healthcare providers, the practice of medicine is not only a calling—it’s a business. And like any business, long-term success often depends on smart real estate decisions. Across metro Atlanta and the Southeast, a growing number of physicians, dentists, and specialists are trading their leases for ownership. They're not just investing in their clinical ... Continue Reading

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University offers an alternative treatment option for locally advanced rectal cancer that has shown impressive results and improved patient quality of life. With the watch and wait approach, the patient is given chemotherapy and radiation, followed by close monitoring. If the cancer responds to these treatments, surgical resection may not be ... Continue Reading

Atlanta’s healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by population growth, changing patient expectations, and a system-wide shift toward outpatient care. As demand for accessible, cost-effective services increases, healthcare providers must rethink how and where care is delivered. Strategic facility planning has emerged as a critical solution to meet these demands while ... Continue Reading

Workplace violence within healthcare settings is an unfortunately prevalent issue that demands attention and action. According to studies and reports from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), healthcare workers experience higher rates of workplace violence compared to those in most other professions. These violent incidents often involve physical attacks, ... Continue Reading

Human trafficking is a pervasive form of modern slavery that exploits individuals through force, fraud or coercion, generating over $150 billion annually and affecting more than 27 million people worldwide. Alarmingly, studies indicate that 50% to 88% of trafficking victims in the U.S. seek medical care while being exploited, making healthcare settings critical points for ... Continue Reading

In the Atlanta metropolitan area, a growing number of physicians are strategically monetizing their real estate assets by selling the buildings that house their practices—often via sale-leaseback agreements. This trend reflects a nationwide shift but is particularly pronounced in Atlanta due to the region’s strong medical office market, investor demand, and evolving preferences ... Continue Reading

An 81-year-old patient had been diagnosed with an aneurysm in his aortic arch. Due to his age and comorbidities, repairing the aneurysm via an open surgery was deemed high risk. The patient was referred to aortic specialists at Emory Heart & Vascular, enrolled in the ARISE II trial, then successfully treated through a minimally invasive hybrid arch repair. The ... Continue Reading