Brain Tumor 
Heart 
Neurosciences 
QuickCare 
Oncology 
Maternity Services 
Primary Care 
Transplant 
Piedmont Now 
Piedmont MyChart 
Living Real Change 
Preparing For Your Visit 
Patients & Visitors 
Classes & Events 
Pay Bill 
Financial Assistance Piedmont Heart of Athens
242 King Avenue, Suite 210, Athens, GA 30606
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday Closed
Phone Number 706-475-1700
Fax Number 706-475-1790
- New Patient Visits
- Online Booking
Piedmont Heart of Athens offers you the highest level of heart expertise and care. We focus on education and prevention for those at risk for heart disease and state of the art surgical care for those who need it. We staff physicians and nurse practitioners and offer satellite locations around the Athens area. We average approximately 45,000 patient visits a year.
Piedmont Heart of Athens In-Office Diagnostic Testing Offers You:
Echocardiograms, Vascular Studies, and Nuclear Stress Tests read by Board Certified Cardiologists; Nuclear Lab accredited by the American College of Radiology; Echocardiography Lab accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission; NO facility fee, Increased Access & Availability with free parking and easy, walk-in access; and rapid report turn-around
Services Offered
- General Cardiology
- New Patient Evaluation and Consultations
- EKGs
- Event and Holter Monitors
- Echocardiogram
- Carotid Duplex
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screenings
- Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)
- Venous Vascular Studies
- Arterial Vascular Studies
- Exercise Stress Testing
- Nuclear Stress Testing
- Invasive Procedures
- TAVR – Minimally Invasive Approach to Aortic Valve Replacements
- Complex Ablations : Atrial Fibrillation and Ventricular Tachycardia
- Supraventricular Tachycardia Ablations
- Cardiac Catherizations and Interventions
- Peripheral Interventions
- Pacemakers and Internal Cardiac Defibrillators
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Women’s Heart
- Advanced Heart Failure
- Electrophysiology
- CT Surgery
- Open Heart Surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- In-Office Diagnostic Testing
Meet our Staff
Ferdos Khan Pohlel, MD
Interventional Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Khan Pohlel, MD earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 2001. He completed his internal medicine, cardiology and interventional cardiology fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine concluding in 2008. He received his undergraduate degree from Emory University also. Prior to joining Piedmont Athens Regional, Dr. Pohlel was in practice with Athens Cardiology Group. Dr. Pohlel is board certified in cardiology, interventional cardiology, nuclear cardiology and endovascular medicine. He is a member of the American College of Cardiology and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. In his spare time, Dr. Pohlel enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters involved in outdoor activities including hiking, golf, fishing and hunting. Dr. Pohlel welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Benjamin Harris Holland, MD
Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Ben Holland, MD, received his undergraduate degree from The University of Georgia. He earned his medical degree from Mercer University in 2005. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Virginia in 2008. He went on to complete cardiology fellowship at Wake Forest University. After an additional year of training in interventional cardiology, Dr. Holland moved back to his home town of Athens, GA in 2012. Dr. Holland welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Jared Todd Griffis, MD
Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Dr. Griffis earned his medical degree from Medical College of Georgia in 1999. He completed his internal medicine residency, cardiology fellowship, and interventional cardiology fellowship at The University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke Univeristy. Dr. Griffis is board certified in Interventional Cardiology and he is also a Fellow of The American College of Cardiology. Dr. Griffis welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Jonathan Masters Patton, MD
Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Jonathan Patton, MD, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 2006. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the Medical College of Georgia in 2010 and his Cardiology Fellowship training at Emory University in 2013. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University. Dr. Patton joined Piedmont Athens Regional Cardiology in 2013. Dr. Patton is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology and Vascular Imaging. He is also a member of the American College of Cardiology and American Society of Echocardiography. In his spare time, Dr. Patton enjoys fishing, playing golf and spending time with his family. Dr. Patton welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Parker Charles Grow, MD
Interventional Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Parker Grow, MD., earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in May 2001. He completed his Internal Medicine residency in May 2005 at Emory University. He completed his Cardiovascular Disease fellowship and Interventional Cardiology fellowship at Emory University in 2007 and 2008 respectively. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia graduating Magna Cum Laude in June 1997. Prior to joining Piedmont Heart, Dr. Grow was in practice at Athens Cardiology Group in Athens, GA dating back to August 2008. Dr. Grow is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, and Nuclear Cardiology. He is also a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Grow welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Kent Ronald Nilsson, Jr., MD
Electrophysiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Kent Nilsson, MD earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2002 . He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2005. He completed both his Cardiology (2007) and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowships (2009) at Duke University Medical Center. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. Prior to joining Piedmont Heart Institute, Dr. Nilsson was in practice at Athens Regional Medical Center and at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Nilsson is board certified in both Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology. He is a Fellow in both the American College of Cardiology and the Heart Rhythm Society. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Georgia/Augusta University Medical Partnership in Athens, where he teaches and conducts research. In his spare time, Dr. Nilsson enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters. He enjoys gardening, hunting and fishing. The family is active in their church. Dr. Nilsson welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Antonio Sotolongo, MD
Electrophysiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Antonio Sotolongo, MD, earned his medical degree from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 2011. He completed both his residency in Internal Medicine (2014) and his Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship (2017) at the University District Hospital of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. He completed his Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University in 2019.
Dr. Sotolongo has been practicing electrophysiology for 5 years. Prior to joining Piedmont, Dr. Sotolongo was a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist at University Hospitals in Cleveland Ohio and Clinical Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Dr. Sotolongo specializes in Electrophysiology. His special interests include catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias, offering treatments for conditions such as supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.
In his spare time, Dr. Sotolongo enjoys playing golf as well as spending time with his wife and dog.
Dr. Sotolongo is accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans.
Dr. Sotolongo has been practicing electrophysiology for 5 years. Prior to joining Piedmont, Dr. Sotolongo was a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist at University Hospitals in Cleveland Ohio and Clinical Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Dr. Sotolongo specializes in Electrophysiology. His special interests include catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias, offering treatments for conditions such as supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.
In his spare time, Dr. Sotolongo enjoys playing golf as well as spending time with his wife and dog.
Dr. Sotolongo is accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Paul McPherson Johnson, MD
Peripheral Vascular Disease Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Paul Johnson, MD, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 2008. He completed internship and residency at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals, where he also served as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine. He subsequently completed fellowship in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at UNC Hospitals and North Carolina Heart and Vascular, in Raleigh, NC. Dr. Johnson was also named Chief Cardiology Fellow at while UNC. Dr. Johnson is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology, and is a Registered Physician in Vascular Ultrasound Interpretation (RPVI). He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Johnson specializes in the treatment of coronary artery disease, radial access for heart catheterization, and imaging and intervention for peripheral arterial disease. Dr. Johnson is originally from Calhoun, Georgia. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife and two young children.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Joseph Christian Poole, MD
Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Joseph Poole MD, PhD earned his medical degree and a PhD in Vascular Biology from the Medical College of Georgia in 2008. He completed his Internal medicine residency and Cardiology fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine in 2015. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University. Dr. Poole is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases. He has additional certifications in Adult Echocardiography, Vascular Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology. He has a special interest in the effects of aging on the cardiovascular system and additional expertise in the field of Cardio-oncology. In his spare time, Dr. Poole enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. His hobbies include fishing, playing guitar and jogging. Dr. Poole welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Stephanie Ann Carter, NP
Cardiology
Jennifer Cao Geiger, NP
Cardiology
Anna S Evans, NP
Cardiology
Amanda Jasper, NP
Cardiology
Danielle Sikes Duane, NP
Women's Cardiovascular Disease
Yvonne Allen Chesser, NP
Cardiology
Jordan Tiller, NP
Cardiology
Alexis Brooke Musser, NP
Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Alexis Musser, NP is a family nurse practitioner and a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia and went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing at North Georgia College and State University.
Alexis treats patients ages 18 and older and has a special interest in heart disease prevention.
In her spare time, Alexis enjoys gardening, being outdoors and spending time with her three children.
Alexis treats patients ages 18 and older and has a special interest in heart disease prevention.
In her spare time, Alexis enjoys gardening, being outdoors and spending time with her three children.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Melissa Romulus Pauline, NP
Internal Medicine
Samantha Lee Ann Privett, NP
Cardiology
Ashley Rekieta Alkire, NP
Cardiology
Stacey Marie Penso, NP
Cardiology
Anna Lydia Purcell LaHatte, PA
Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Lydia LaHatte, PA-C, earned her medical degree from Mercer University. She received her undergraduate degree in Health Promotion from The University of Georgia.
Lydia has one year of cardiology experience as a provider. She is board certified with the NCCPA and is a member of the American College of Cardiology.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, reading, and cooking. She is accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans.
Lydia has one year of cardiology experience as a provider. She is board certified with the NCCPA and is a member of the American College of Cardiology.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, reading, and cooking. She is accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Anisa Bullock, NP
Cardiology
Office Number
706-475-1700About
Anisa Bullock, NP earned her undergraduate nursing degree from Georgia College and State University. She then went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care from University of Alabama at Birmingham. Anisa has seven years of nursing experience at Emory University Hospital and three years experience with at Grady Hospital working in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit/Coronary Care Unit.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, exploring new places and cultures.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, exploring new places and cultures.
- New Patient Visits
- New Patient Visits
Kenneth E Lyda, Jr., NP
Cardiology
Map & Directions
Piedmont Heart of Athens
242 King Avenue, Suite 210, Athens, GA 30606
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday Closed
Office Number 706-475-1700
Fax Number 706-475-1790