Athens, Ga. (March 10, 2025) – Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center is proud to announce its selection as one of only 15 hospitals nationwide to participate in the American Heart Association's new Heart Failure Education Initiative, supported by Abbott. This groundbreaking initiative aims to overcome gaps in advanced heart failure care and improve patient outcomes using innovative education and treatment pathways.

"We are honored to be part of this significant initiative," said Jenna Mills, RN, BSN, a heart failure nurse navigator at Piedmont Athens Regional. "Our selection and participation underscore our commitment to providing the highest quality care for our patients and advancing heart failure treatment through collaboration and education."

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, is the leading cause of death in the state, accounting for more than 28,000 deaths annually, many of them preventable. This initiative aims to address these alarming statistics by improving heart failure care and outcomes across the country.

The American Heart Association's Heart Failure Education Initiative is a three-year program designed to enhance the understanding and implementation of successful heart failure treatment models. Approximately 6.7 million American adults are currently diagnosed with heart failure, a number that is expected to reach over 8 million by 2030. The initiative comes at a crucial time to address the growing need for advanced heart failure care.

For more information about the American Heart Association's Heart Failure Education Initiative and Piedmont Athens Regional's participation, visit heart.org/HFEducation.