Atlanta, Ga. (February 13, 2025) – Piedmont Heart Institute recognized its annual Physician of the Year Award recipients, Hameed Aziz, M.D., Michael Johnson, M.D., and Swamy Murthy, M.D., for their efforts to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.
Piedmont Heart Institute has patients from all 50 states. It is a top destination for cardiovascular care, ranking in the top 5 percent in the country, and an international leader in cardiovascular research enabling patient access to innovative therapies earlier and not available elsewhere.
“The positive difference these physicians make in the lives of others was clear in their nominations,” said Charles L. Brown III, M.D., CEO of Piedmont’s Physician Enterprise. “Their efforts to help each patient’s specific needs often go above and beyond one’s usual duties as a cardiologist, making them each very deserving of this recognition.”
Dr. Aziz performs vascular surgery at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and sees patients at Piedmont Heart of Ellijay and Piedmont Heart and Vascular of Rockdale. His clinical interests include vascular and endovascular surgery, thoracic outlet syndrome, abdominal and thoracoabdominal aneurysm disease, spine exposure, carotid, brachiocephalic and upper extremity arterial disease, aortic reconstruction of aortoiliac disease, peripheral and mesenteric occlusive/aneurysmal disease, hemodialysis access and venous disease.
Dr. Johnson, who sees patients at Piedmont Heart at Augusta, specializes in interventional and structural cardiology. He earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, completed his residency at the University of Virginia Medical Center and his fellowships in both cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Murthy specializes in cardiac imaging and vascular disease, and sees patients at Piedmont Heart Institute in Fayetteville, Newnan and Sharpsburg. He earned his medical degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and completed his residency and cardiology fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
“As a top destination for cardiac care, Piedmont Heart has seen record growth over the last decade, which is a testament to our physicians and the positive difference they make in the lives of their patients,” said David Kandzari, M.D., Chief of Piedmont Heart Institute and the Cardiovascular Service Line; Director, Interventional Cardiology of the Piedmont Heart Institute; and Chief Scientific Officer for Piedmont Healthcare. “These incredibly talented physicians continue to make great contributions to the patients of our state and beyond and I am proud to honor Drs. Aziz, Johnson, and Murthy.”
For more information, visit piedmont.org/heart.