Piedmont Athens Regional is proud to announce that its CT (computed tomography) department has been recognized with the HeartFlow CT Quality Award for the fourth quarter of 2025, marking the sixth time the hospital has earned this distinction for excellence in quality metrics. The HeartFlow CT Quality Award recognizes medical centers that demonstrate outstanding performance in coronary CT imaging and highlights the importance of high-quality imaging in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease.

“I am incredibly proud of our department for again earning this outstanding achievement,” said Randy Bethea, director of Imaging at Piedmont Athens Regional. “This award is a testament to the hard work, expertise and commitment of the Piedmont team to provide the latest technology and innovation, as well as the highest-quality care, to our patients. We are honored to be recognized.”

Piedmont Athens nurses specializing in cardiac care partner with CT technologists to prepare patients for scans. They monitor patients’ heart rates beforehand and, in some cases, administer medication to slow the heart rate for optimal CT imaging. This helps CT technologists capture clear images and reduces the need for repeat scans.

After the scan, the CT department uses the noninvasive HeartFlow Analysis to create a 3D model of a patient’s coronary arteries and identify blockages, helping physicians diagnose and develop treatment plans for coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease. Earning the HeartFlow CT Quality Award places Piedmont Athens Regional among the top 22 percent of organizations worldwide helping patients and providers better understand imaging results.

Piedmont Athens Regional offers a comprehensive cardiology program, giving patients with heart disease access to advanced cardiovascular care close to home. The hospital is committed to improving the health and well-being of its patients through innovative treatments, state-of-the-art technology and patient-centered care.

To learn more about cardiology services available at Piedmont, visit piedmont.org/heart or call 706-475-1700.