WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Award-winning photo by Arya Vishwanath
Student’s vacation snap wins photography contest PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY JUNE HARRIS
Mason Hinesley’s team banner can be seen above hundreds of supporters gathered for the recent Autism Speaks fundraising walk in Atlanta.
Local supporter offers thoughts on Atlanta autism walk By MAGGIE BOWERS maggie@newnan.com On a recent Sunday morning, hundreds gathered in Atlanta to raise awa reness a nd f u nd i ng to help improve the lives of those across the U. S. diagnosed with autism or autism spectrum disorder. Each participant, many of wh ich ca l l Coweta County home, attended the world’s largest autism fundraising event benefitting autism research and support, on behalf of a friend or loved one. June Harris of Newnan walked for Mason, who joined Harris,
condition. Autism refers to a broad range of developmenta l disabilities characterized by c h a l len ge s with social s k i l l s , re p e t itive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, according to the orga n i z at ion’s website , www.autismspeaks.org Funds raised at events such as the recent Atlanta walk are dedicated by the Autism Speaks organization to advancing further research into the cause of
“I could feel the love and care from all.” along with his parents, at the event on April 20. The Atlanta event, held at Tu r ner Field , i s one of several sponsored by Autism Speaks, an organization founded in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child diagnosed with the
autism along with more a nd b e t ter t re at ment s . The group also hopes to i n c r e a s e a w a r e n e s s of autism spectrum disorders and increase the range of support and resources for families of children diagnosed with the condition. Harris arrived at Turner Field i n At la nta on t he morning of the event and m e t 9 -ye a r - o l d M a s o n and his family before the walk. Harris offered her thoughts about the event she shared with her special friend.
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A snapshot by a 14-year-old from Sandy Springs claims the top honors at a juried photography contest sponsored by the NewnanCoweta Historical Society. Arya Vishwanath was on a family vacation over spring break when she snapped several photos that she later turned into her teacher for a class project. He submitted the best to the historical society’s Simple Pleasures: the Nature Show photography contest, and the judges selected two of hers for display at the organization’s McRitchie-Hollis Museum. Arya and her parents were among the roughly 30 artists represented at a reception where last year’s winner, Julie Wynn, announced the judging. Wynn, an Alabamabased photography instructor, chose Arya’s for its vivid colors. “We took lots of pictures, and our teacher submitted them,” Ayra said. The winning shot was taken after a rain and captured the contrasting clouds and colors of the soil. The aspiring veterinarian used a consumer Cannon camera with the 35mm lens that came with it, not even relying on a tripod and extended shutter exposure time. The annual contest required that no manmade object be in the photograph. “That is very difficult to do,” said Jessie Merrell, the society’s curator. The reception wrapped up a month-long exhibit of the contest entries. The fall version of the contest will feature everyday simple pleasures, which can include man-made objects and people. Many in the past were of children, Merrell said.
Piedmont Healthcare expands locally and across state By MAGGIE BOWERS maggie@newnan.com Added services are close to coming online at Newnan’s comprehensive hospital, thanks to various construction projects nearing completion and a partnership agreement due to be finalized soon.
Piedmont Newnan Hospital expansion
Mike Robertson, CEO of Piedmont Newnan Hospital, recently announced several improvements in the works for the nonprofit health care center on Poplar Road. The addition began with an expansion of conferencing rooms, including one adjoining the local hospital’s imaging reception area. Other projects currently underway incorporate an expansion of the facility’s catheterization laboratory along with the addition of an interventional radiology suite. “This is an exciting time for Piedmont Newnan,” Robertson said. “Providing high quality, patient-centered care close to home is a top priority and has a positive impact on both the patient and their page 4 family.” According to the hospital’s Communications Specialist Nicole Dillon, the
Coweta County has a higher-thanaverage rate of complications related to obstructive heart disease, with over 30 percent of local adults being obese, inactive, or having high blood pressure, according to Piedmont. These specialized services in heart care will serve to further promote the hospital’s goal of allowing patients to seek treatment close to home.
facility’s latest additions will include top-of-the-line imaging equipment and advanced treatment of percutaneous coronary intervention. PCI is a non-surgical procedure used to treat narrowing of the coronary arteries. Narrowing, or stenosis, is most commonly found in patients suffering from coronary artery disease. “The interventional radiology suite will be located on the first floor near the emergency room,” said Dillon. “Construction is underway, and we expect the addition to be completed at the end of July.” The expansion of the catheterization lab, Dillon added, will begin shortly after the IR suite. Interventional Radiology (IR) is a subspecialty of radiology that uses minimally invasive, imageguided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases. The imaging technology to be included at Piedmont Newnan will allow specialists to find and treat a variety of diseases in nearly every organ system without the risk of major incisions. “It is anticipated that the cath lab will be completed in October, at which time the hospital will begin offering PCI,” Dillon said.
Piedmont Medical Plaza In addition to Coweta’s nonprofit community hospital, the city of Newnan is also home to Piedmont Medical Plaza. The complex for non-emergency medical treatment was created with a focus on cancer-related services and includes medical oncology, radiation oncology and support services such as the Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness Center. Construction of a new, $1.2 million breast center is currently underway at the plaza, according to Dillon, which will provide easier access to cancerrelated services and advanced technology for breast cancer screening. “Navigating health care can be a challenge, especially for breast cancer patients,” said Robertson. “We will 1 Xtra front
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now be able to offer 3-D breast imaging technology.” In addition to imaging, the center will provide screening and diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI and stereotactic and ultrasoundguided biopsies. The breast center is expected to be open to patients in June.
Piedmont Healthcare Piedmont Healthcare, a nonprofit organization which currently includes a system of seven hospitals and just under 100 Piedmont-affiliated physician practices, has recently announced negotiations to create a partnership with Columbus Regional Health. Two hospitals, a cancer center, an urgent care center and several physician practices would be included in the arrangement, making Columbus Regional Piedmont a hub for clinical services in Southwest Georgia, according to a recent press release from Piedmont Healthcare. “We share a commitment to highquality, patient-centered care with Columbus Regional and welcome this
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2017
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