Catherine Marti, M.D., a cardiologist and heart failure specialist at Piedmont Heart Institute in Athens, has been named Piedmont Heart Institute’s Physician of the Year for her continued efforts to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care to patients in the Athens-area and surrounding communities. She was presented with the honor at the organization’s annual physician retreat.

Dr. Marti, the first female physician to be recognized in the award’s six-year history, was elected by her Piedmont Heart physician peers as someone who exemplifies and demonstrates Piedmont’s vision and core behaviors.

“We’re very proud to name Dr. Marti as Piedmont Heart’s Physician of the Year,” said William Blincoe, M.D., Chief of Piedmont Heart. “The positive difference she’s made in the patients she cares for is clear in the remarkable feedback received from her many patients. Her efforts to help each patient’s specific needs often go above and beyond her usual duties as a cardiologist, making her very deserving of this recognition.”

As the only board-certified heart failure specialist in the Athens area, Dr. Marti leads the Magill-Miller Advanced Heart Failure Clinic at Piedmont Heart Institute in Athens. Named after the area’s first cardiologists, Ham Magill, M.D., and James Miller, M.D., this clinic is building on their legacy by providing high-quality healthcare to all patients who suffer from this progressive condition.

When diagnosed with heart failure, many patients and their loved ones assume the worst; however, Dr. Marti helps her patients understand that with the right treatment, this serious condition is manageable. The clinic uses advanced diagnostic and treatment services to provide personalized care plans for each patient and provides a seamless transition between inpatient and outpatient settings.

Dr. Marti and her heart failure team also focus on patient support through navigation services, patient education and scheduled support groups. Most recently, Dr. Marti was instrumental in bringing Piedmont Heart’s Women’s Heart Program to Athens. Raising awareness of heart disease being the #1 killer of women and providing screenings to help women assess their risk and take action to improve their health.

The $99 screening for women who do not have a pre-existing heart issue, offers a physical exam, advanced lab work and complete health history. Women who participate in the screening receive a comprehensive heart health report they can take home with detailed recommendations and next steps.