Piedmont Heart of Athens

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.

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.

Dr. Marti received her undergraduate degree in 2002 from The University of Georgia in Athens and earned her medical degree in 2007 from Mercer University where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and General Cardiology fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Marti completed an additional year in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology and also received her Masters in Clinical Research during her training at Emory.

Dr. Marti is board certified in Internal Medicine, General Cardiology, Echocardiography and Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology. She is a member of the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, Heart Failure Society of America and International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. She has received grant funding from the American Heart Association and remains involved with heart failure research with many active clinical trials and journal publications. Her clinical interests include heart failure and transplant cardiology, mechanical circulatory support, congenital heart disease, cardio-oncology, cardiac imaging and women’s heart disease, including heart disease during pregnancy.

In her spare time, Dr. Marti enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and playing tennis. Dr. Marti welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans.

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.

Daniel Haithcock, MD, obtained his undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Virginia. He obtained his medical degree at Case Western Reserve University. He completed Internal Medicine residency at Temple University Hospital and served a year on faculty as Chief Resident. He completed Cardiology and Electrophysiology Fellowships at Duke University Hospital. Dr. Haithcock is board certified in Cardiology, Cardiovascular Electrophysiology and Internal Medicine. He is a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society, the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians. Dr. Haithcock has been practicing medicine for 21 years. Prior to joining Piedmont, Dr. Haithcock practiced Electrophysiology in Macon Georgia. Dr. Haithcock specializes in Cardiac Electrophysiology. Dr. Haithcock has a special interest in heart rhythm disorders.

In his spare time, Dr. Haithcock enjoys spending time with his family. He enjoys comic books and Jazz.

Dr. Haithcock is accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.