Piedmont Newnan Hospital Hosts Free Dessert and Discussion Events

To Celebrate American Heart Month

ATLANTA, GA (Feb. 11, 2008) – Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are the nation’s No. 1 killer, according to the American Heart Association. February is American Heart Month, and Piedmont Fayette Hospital and Piedmont Newnan Hospital are hosting two dessert and discussion events featuring local cardiologists leading discussions on heart health.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital will host a discussion on “Congestive Heart Failure,” led by clinical cardiologist Bukola Olubi, M.D., on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Conference Room C in the hospital’s 1279 building. To make reservations call 770-719-6060. Dr. Olubi is a member of Cardiac Disease Specialists and is on staff at Piedmont Fayette Hospital and Piedmont Newnan Hospital. She specializes in clinical cardiology with a special interest in women’s health. She completed her internship in internal medicine at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, Ill., and completed her cardiology fellowship at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill. Dr. Olubi is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that five million Americans suffer from congestive heart failure, and of that number, 70 percent of people with the condition are ages 60 or older.

“We want to make sure that citizens in our community are aware of the risks of congestive heart failure as well as how to care for the condition,” said George Leslie director of cardiopulmonary services at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. "This is a wonderful opportunity to hear and speak directly with some of our outstanding physicians and healthcare workers."

Piedmont Newnan Hospital will host a discussion on “Living Heart Healthy,” led by cardiologist George J. Vellanikaran, M.D., on Thursday Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Special Events Center located at 299 Bullsboro Drive in Newnan. To make reservations call 678-854-2471. Dr. Vellanikaran is a member of Cardiac Disease Specialists and is on staff at Piedmont Newnan Hospital and Piedmont Fayette Hospital. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Md., and completed his fellowship in cardiology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Camden, N.J. Dr. Vellanikaran is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and echocardiography.

The event also will include a panel discussion led by Nancy Rajjoub, BSN, RN, supervisor of the Piedmont Newnan Hospital cardiac catheterization lab and Cynthia Finney, PT, director of Piedmont Newnan Hospital's rehabilitation services.

“Piedmont Newnan takes pride in helping educate the community on the importance of living a heart healthy lifestyle,” said Leslie Huff, director of cardiopulmonary services at Piedmont Newnan Hospital. “American Heart Month is the perfect time to spread the word in the Newnan community about caring for your heart, and I know Dr. Vellanikaran will lead an informative discussion for our attendees.”

Registration for both programs is free, and refreshments and door prizes will be provided.

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About Piedmont Newnan Hospital

Piedmont Newnan Hospital (PNH) is a 143-bed acute care hospital in Newnan, Georgia, offering 24-hour emergency services, women's and children's services (including OB and inpatient pediatrics), and general medical/surgical services. Diagnostic services include CT, nuclear medicine, MRI, PET, ultrasound and fluoroscopy. A complete range of medical/surgical services includes laparoscopic surgery, physical
therapy, respiratory therapy, sleep studies and cardiac catheterization and rehabilitation. . With more than 1,200 employees and a medical staff of more than 140 physicians, PNH is a member of Piedmont Healthcare (PHC), a not-for-profit organization that also includes Piedmont Hospital, a 458-bed facility in the north Atlanta community of Buckhead; Piedmont Fayette Hospital, a 106-bed facility in Fayetteville; Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, a 35-bed community hospital in Jasper; the Piedmont Physicians Group, a primary care physician group with more than 75 physicians in 21 offices across metro Atlanta; the Piedmont Hospital Foundation; and the Piedmont Clinic, a 524-member physician network.  For more information, visit www.newnanhospital.org.