Newnan, Ga. (April 24, 2012) – Whitesburg residents Reese and Mimsie Lanier donated $2 million to Piedmont Newnan Hospital for the development of a comprehensive Neurosciences and Learning Institute at 745 Poplar Rd., Newnan, Ga.

The neuroscience program will focus on the diagnosis, management and education for patients of diseases that affect either the central or peripheral nervous system such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and more. Patients of the Neurosciences and Learning Institute will be treated by neurologic specialists and surgeons, experience the latest in technology and have the convenience of additional on-site patient education and support.

“It is evident Mr. and Mrs. Lanier care very deeply about the people in the surrounding communities and their access to specialized healthcare,” said Michael Bass, CEO of Piedmont Newnan Hospital. “With their contribution, we will be able to jumpstart this program that will benefit people for years to come. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and continued support of our hospital.”

Set to be built adjacent to the new Piedmont Newnan Hospital, the Neurosciences and Learning Institute will have outpatient clinical areas such as physician offices, examination rooms, and EEG and EMG diagnostic suites. Other features of the new building, which also will be used for ongoing education and training of medical staff, employees and patients, include: patient education rooms; conference rooms; a computer training laboratory; simulation training rooms; multi-purpose classrooms; and an amphitheater-style lecture hall.

“Mimsie and I wanted to make a gift to Piedmont Newnan Hospital for several reasons,” said Reese Lanier, who is a former patient. “I wanted to honor the relationship I have with my long-time friend, physician and Piedmont Newnan Hospital board member Dr. Truett Jarrard. In addition, I have received excellent care from cardiologist Dr. Charles Wickliffe and many other Piedmont physicians throughout my lifetime, and I value the expertise Piedmont will bring to our community.”

Truett Jarrard, M.D. practiced at PAPP Clinic and Newnan Hospital from 1972 to 2000 and has served on the Piedmont Newnan Hospital board of directors since 2007. Charles Wickliffe, M.D. is an interventional cardiologist and treats Lanier at Piedmont Hospital and is former chairman of the Piedmont Healthcare Board of Directors.

As a not-for-profit health system, Piedmont Healthcare and its affiliated organizations rely on the generosity of donors like Mr. and Mrs. Lanier in order to offer many programs to the community. The Lanier family’s donation will be used to fund the initial phases of construction and equipment at the Neurosciences and Learning Institute. It is part of an $8 million fundraising campaign called “Building on our Promise” for Piedmont Newnan Hospital.

For more information about the new neurosciences program or to support “Building on our Promise,” contact Kelly Loftin, director of philanthropy at Piedmont Newnan Hospital at 770-304-4147.

For more information on Piedmont Newnan Hospital, visit piedmontnewnan.org.