Piedmont Hospital opens new tower for COVID-19 patients

By Collin Kelley

Piedmont Hospital on Peachtree Road in Buckhead officially opened its new Marcus Tower in mid-July after entering a partnership with the state to provide additional hospital beds for COVID-19 patients.

“I’m very grateful to Kevin Brown and the entire Piedmont Healthcare team for their willingness to partner with the state of Georgia and provide this critical resource to patients and surrounding hospitals,” Gov. Brian Kemp said on a July 14 tour of the facility. “These hospital beds will provide additional surge capacity for healthcare facilities in metroAtlanta and ensure COVID-19 patients receive the essential care they need.”

The partnership includes initial usage of 62 beds, with the capability to scale up based on demand. Kemp has also reactivated the field hospital at the Georgia World Congress Center in Downtown as COVID-19 cases surge.

Patients from the third floor of the existing Piedmont Hospital were moved into the Marcus Tower, creating additional capacity for patients to be treated on the vacated third floor space. The beds are being staffed by physicians and other personnel provided by the state.

The tower was made possible through an initial donation of $75 million from Bernie and Billi Marcus via The Marcus Foundation. Local philanthropists Brett and Louise Samsky and their son Connor have made an $18 million donation to establish the tower’s Brett and Louise Samsky Lobby and the Samsky Invasive Cardiovascular Services Center. Piedmont was able to open the tower early thanks in part to a $1 million gift from Rooms to Go Founder, President and CEO Jeff Seaman.

When Grady Hospital put a call out for supply donations, an unlikely donor responded – their waste management company. When Republic Services realized it had access to 40,000 N95 masks, they reached out to offer the personal protective equipment to Grady’s healthcare workers. The donation is an extension of Republic Service’s $20 million “Committed to Serve” initiative. The 40,000 masks helped support the 3,000 doctors and other medical personnel tirelessly helping those affected by COVID-19.

Christian Louboutin and Moncler, the boutique will be the second brick-and-mortar location for the brand, joining their Los Angeles store. For more information, visit kimberlymcdonald.com.

► Boutique fitness facility Burn Studios is now open in Poncey-Highland at 696 Cleburne Terrace offering a variety of classes, including indoor cycling, kickboxing, strength, HIIT, sculpt and yoga. Social distancing and limited class capacity protocols are in enforced to combat COVID-19. For more, visit livetoburn.com.

The Council for Quality Growth recently honored Doug Hertz, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Distributors, with its 31st annual Four Pillar Award. The prestigious Four Pillar Tribute recognizes an outstanding individual in the region who demonstrates the ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership – quality, responsibility, vision and integrity – and exemplifies the Council’s mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth.

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has named Frank Fernandez as its new president and CEO effective in August. His appointment by the nonprofit’s board of directors concludes an extensive national search that encompassed over 350 sources and prospects in 31 states. Fernandez is formerly senior vice president at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Recently, the CFGA has raised more than $22 million, and provided grants to 320+ nonprofits during the COVID-19 crisis.

▲ Custom framing shop Framebridge will open two locations this month in Buckhead at Shops Around Lenox and Westside Provisions District in West Midtown. Originally launched as online only store in 2014, the shops will feature locally sourced framed items along with photography from Atlanta-based customers. Visit framebridge.com for more information.

◄ The Victorian Atlanta , a locally-owned, creative plant shop specializing in exotic cacti and tropical potted plants, announces the expansion into its first standalone store at Ponce City Market. Previously housed within Citizen Supply, The Victorian will feature an expanded selection of houseplants, rare, tropical plants, including species of Monstera and Philodendron, and exotic cacti, gardening tools, pots and handmade soil blends. In addition to plants and accessories, the shop will also provide in-store and at-home consultations to help shoppers keep their existing plants thriving. Visit thevictorianatlanta.com.

In response to the economic hardship suffered by small businesses throughout the community due to the pandemic, the City of Decatur, the Decatur Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Legacy Decatur have announced the successful completion of their joint Emergency Small Business Loan Program , which distributed $550,000 to 27 Decatur-based small businesses.

◄ The Metro Atlanta Chamber has promoted Katie Kirkpatrick to president and CEO. Kirkpatrick joined the Chamber in 2007 and has served as the link between the metro Atlanta business community and local and national government. She currently serves on the GRACE Commission, comprised of public officials, law enforcement, businesses and nonprofit organizations, committed to ending human trafficking in the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta. She is a vice-chair for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and a past board chair for the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership. She is also a member of the board of directors for the Atlanta Track Club.