Piedmont Heart Cardiothoracic Surgery Athens

Dr. Scott was born at Athens General Hospital and was raised in Monroe and then Athens. After attending Cedar Shoals High School and the University of Georgia, he earned his medical degree from Emory University in 1989. Dr. Scott completed residencies in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory and then practiced in Athens from 1997 through 2006. Prior to returning to Athens to join Piedmont Heart, Dr. Scott was employed by Riverside Medical Group in Newport News, Virginia.

In his free time, Dr. Scott enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He practices adult cardiac and general thoracic surgery.

Cullen D. Morris, M.D., earned his medical degree from Emory University in 1996. He completed his general surgery residency and cardiothoracic surgery fellowship training at Emory as well, finishing in 2006. Dr. Morris remained at Emory as an assistant professor of surgery and then as an associate professor until joining Piedmont Heart Institute in March 2017.

Dr. Morris is board certified in thoracic surgery. He is a member of American Board of Thoracic Surgery, The American Board of Surgery, and the South Atlantic Cardiovascular Society. His professional interests include coronary surgery, valve surgery and aortic surgery.

In his spare time, Dr. Morris enjoys playing golf.

J. Trent Magruder, MD, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, with dual certifications from both the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Specializing in cutting-edge techniques, Dr. Magruder's clinical expertise includes coronary revascularization with advanced multi-arterial grafting strategies, comprehensive treatment of valvular heart disease, aortic surgery (including aneurysms), robotic cardiothoracic surgery, and innovative heart failure therapies.

Beyond his extensive surgical and inpatient care, Dr. Magruder is passionate about advancing the field through data analytics and clinical research. With over 90 peer-reviewed publications, his work is focused on improving patient safety and optimizing outcomes in cardiothoracic surgery. His current research interests include transcatheter and surgical treatments for valvular heart disease, as well as strategies to enhance intraoperative perfusion/cardiopulmonary bypass, ensuring the highest standard of care for his patients.

Committed to both excellence in surgery and groundbreaking research, Dr. Magruder is at the forefront of transforming cardiothoracic care with a patient-centered approach and a passion for innovation.