In 1905, Dr. Ludwig Amster and Dr. Floyd Willcox McRae founded Piedmont Hospital and were considered "ahead of their time." Since its beginnings, Piedmont Hospital has been a pioneer in patient care, fulfilling the health needs of our neighbors in Atlanta and the surrounding communities.
To learn more about Piedmont Healthcare and our historic moments, browse our timeline below. At Piedmont Healthcare, we've been honored to serve the Atlanta community for more than 100 years, and we thank the gracious families who have entrusted us with their care throughout the generations.
Piedmont Healthcare Memories
1900's
- The Beginning
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1905
Ludwig Amster, M.D., and Floyd McRae M.D., a surgeon from Telfair County, Georgia, initiate Piedmont Sanatorium. Offering both medical and surgical services, the institution, a for-profit endeavor, provides a range of services.
- The First Graduates
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1908
The Piedmont Sanatorium Training School for Nurses graduates its first five students.
- Skilled Specialists
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1908
By 1908, eight additional like-educated and highly-skilled specialists join Piedmont Sanatorium, increasing the number to a total of 11 physicians offering their expertise for patient services. Among them is James E. Paullin, who initiates the first laboratory at Piedmont.
1920's
- Building
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1922
A five-story annex is built to accommodate continued growth of the institution after WWI, bringing the total number of beds to 132. The annex provides a unique fire escape with the ability to evacuate patients on a slide from all floors.
- Name Change
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1924
Piedmont Sanatorium becomes Piedmont Hospital
- Sharing Knowledge
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1924
The Piedmont Hospital Bulletin, a publication under the direction of the Clinical Society of Piedmont Hospital, presents its first volume. The publication was a compilation of Piedmont Hospital physicians' medical experiences and recommendations, sent throughout the Southeast as a training tool for other physicians. It was produced until the mid-1950s.
- School Leadership
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1929
Ms. Genevieve Garren, A Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing (PHSN) graduate of 1923 is hired as Director of Nursing. She maintained her leadership with the School of Nursing until 1966.
1930's
- Insurance
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1932
Hospital Administrator, George Burt, in conjunction with other hospital administrators, introduces group insurance.
- Telephones
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1933
Piedmont Hospital becomes the first in the nation to install telephones in patient rooms.
- Ludwig Amster
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1936
Ludwig Amster, Piedmont's co-founder, dies in New York at the age of 72.
1940's
- New Charter
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1940
Under a new charter, Piedmont Hospital becomes a "not-for-profit" tax-exempt institution.
- Volunteer
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1943
Piedmont physicians and nurses volunteer their services for WWII efforts.
- Room to Grow
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1944
The Piedmont Hospital Board of Trustees unanimously authorizes the purchase of property known as "Deerland" on Peachtree Road from Mr. Jack J. Spalding in hopes of erecting a new hospital.
- Georgia First
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1947
The first EEG department in Georgia within a private hospital is established by Dr. William A. Smith at Piedmont Hospital.
Dr. James Edgar Paullin is awarded the Medal for Merit by President Harry Truman.
1950's
- Breaking Ground
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1954
Piedmont Hospital breaks ground to erect a new hospital facility in Buckhead. Governor Herman Talmadge attends the ceremonies.
- Move to Deerland
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1957
Piedmont Hospital moves to its current Peachtree Road location in Buckhead on property previously known by the public as "Deerland".
- Women's Auxiliary
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1957
The Women's Auxiliary of Piedmont Hospital is founded as a volunteer service to serve for the betterment of the hospital. Mrs. Strother Fleming, Jr. serves as its first president.
Dr. F. James Funk, Jr., a Piedmont orthopaedic surgeon, initiates visits to rural areas on a routine volunteer basis.
- Piedmont Ball
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1958
The first annual Piedmont Ball is hosted by the Women's Auxiliary to raise funds for a student nurse dormitory adjacent to the hospital.
1960's
- Braves and Falcons
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1965
Dr. James Funk Jr., M.D. begins Piedmont Hospital's association with Atlanta by initiating agreement for orthopedic and medical care for the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons.
- Coronary Care
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1966
A four-bed coronary care unit, the first in Atlanta, opens at Piedmont Hospital.
- Cardiac Monitoring
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1969
Piedmont initiates first monitoring of cardiac patients outside of the Coronary Care Unit.
1970's
- Computer Age
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1979
A hospital-wide computer system is installed.
1980's
- Legacy of Excellence
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1983
The Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing closes with the last class - a total of 1,988 graduates since it's inception in 1905 following a legacy of educational excellence.
- Open Heart Surgery
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1988
Open Heart Surgery begins at Piedmont Hospital.
1990's
- Fayette Hospital
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1996
Piedmont breaks ground to erect a new hospital in Fayette County.
2000's
- Center for Health
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2004
Piedmont Healthcare and Mercer University form the Center for Health and Learning, a partnership that leads to a number of joint initiatives including nursing, pharmacy, research and other medical allied health education programs.
- Mountainside Medical Center
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2004
Piedmont purchases Mountainside Medical Center in Jasper, Georgia.
- Liver Transplant
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2005
Piedmont performs its first liver transplant. Piedmont is one of only two hospitals in Georgia to offer an adult liver transplant program.
- Fayette Celebrates
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2006
Piedmont Fayette Hospital celebrates its 10th anniversary.
- Newnan Hospital
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2007
Piedmont Healthcare purchases a 143-bed hospital in Newnan with plans to erect a new hospital facility. G. Michael Bass is president and CEO.
- Paired Organ Donation
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2007
The first paired organ donation in Georgia takes place when teams at Piedmont and Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia perform two kidney transplants.
- Piedmont West
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2008
Piedmont West Medical facility opens to accommodate growth within metro Atlanta.
2010's
- Earthquake Assistance
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2010
Piedmont Healthcare sends supplies and staff to assist with the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
- Transplant Institute
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2010
Les A. Donahue is named President and Chief Executive Officer of Piedmont Hospital.
Piedmont Transplant Center becomes Piedmont Transplant Institute to better reflect its accomplishments as a leader.
- Top 100
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2010
Piedmont Fayette Hospital earns its fourth award as one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals®.
- Piedmont Henry Hospital
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2011
Henry Medical Center in Stockbridge, Georgia becomes Piedmont Henry Hospital, the 5th community hospital within the Piedmont Healthcare system with Charlie Scott serving as CEO.
- Legacy of Integrity
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2012
Piedmont Healthcare announces the passing of R. Timothy Stack, CEO and President of Piedmont Healthcare who leaves a legacy of integrity, accomplishment, vision and courage.
- Heart Transplant
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2012
Piedmont Hospital performs its first heart transplant.