Medical Champions

We asked and you answered. This year, Georgia Trend is honoring people in the medical field as Healthcare Heroes based on nominations sent to us by readers.

These individuals include doctors, nurses, health educators, innovators, clinic founders, first responders, medical support staff and even a Catholic sister. They specialize in everything from gynecology to cardiology, oncology to pediatrics, and they work in private practice, hospitals, clinics and more.

Georgia Trend selected this group from nominations submitted statewide – by colleagues, friends, relatives and patients – of healthcare workers who embody the word “hero,” consistently doing more than required to help others. Nominees were judged based on their accomplishments and impact on the community, skill level, innovation of their work and qualities such as knowledge, leadership, courtesy and compassion.

Our list of nominees was so extensive that in addition to our seven finalists, we have a list of honorable mentions as well. Congratulations to our first annual Healthcare Heroes! – Kathleen Conway

Margaret Beatty, sisters of Mercy Representative

St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System Inc. • Savannah

Photo credit: Frank Fortune

In Savannah, Margaret Beatty carries on a mission that began in 1875 when the Sisters of Mercy – an international community of Roman Catholic women who have dedicated their lives to helping others – were asked to help sick sailors in the port city. From that request was born St. Joseph’s, one of the hospitals that now comprises the largest system in Southeast Georgia, the St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System.

Beatty – better known as Sister Margie – is now in her 80s. Described as both humble and strong, this Sisters of Mercy Representative has spent more than 30 years with the healthcare system finding ways to provide for the uninsured and underinsured, including helping launch the Good Samaritan Clinic in 2007. Today it’s a full-time, full-service medical clinic offering free primary care and is staffed by nurse practitioners, medical assistants, administrative staff and volunteers, many of whom are bilingual. The clinic also offers cancer screenings, free and discounted medicines and specialty care to help those living with chronic diseases.

She also played a part in healthcare initiatives including the African American Health Information and Resource Center, the Angels of Mercy Volunteer Corps, Mercy Housing and the Georgia Infirmary, all of which serve the poor, chronically ill, uninsured or underinsured people of Chatham County and surrounding areas.

“Sister Margaret Beatty is a visionary – determined, agonizingly detailed, compassionate, understanding and empathetic, with an overriding sense of social justice,” says Brendan Moss, vice president of mission services for St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System Inc. “She has an uncanny ability to lead others, to inspire and excite them, and to show them what they thought was previously impossible is, nearly always, very
possible.”

Andria “Angie” Caton

Assistant Nurse Manager, Oncology Services

Northeast Georgia Health System • Gainesville

Photo credit: Eric Sun

Angie Caton is determined to raise the number of people getting cancer screenings across Georgia. A registered nurse for more than 20 years – including the past six years in her current role in NGHS’s oncology services – she dedicates herself to speaking at conferences and to the media, organizing events for Lung Cancer Awareness Month and leading free seminars at the hospital and webinars for other nurses about lung cancer prevention and screenings.

That’s important because when lung cancer is detected early enough, the five-year survival rate is 63%. But only about a quarter of cases are diagnosed early. Most are not caught until a later stage, when the cancer has spread to other organs and the survival rate drops to 8%.

In her role, Caton also oversees community outreach and education, and she is the navigator for the lung cancer screening program. She also volunteers her time with groups like the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE) to bolster cancer research and awareness. In 2023, Georgia CORE gave her an award for her contribution to the advancement of cancer care, naming her “Today’s Innovator.”

Caton also works with many nonprofits to help people with cancer as well as their loved ones. She’s collaborated with the American Cancer Society to provide free transportation and lodging for cancer patients who need it, and she also serves on the board of directors for Glory, Hope & Life, a Gainesville-based organization that provides support to cancer patients, their caregivers and their families.

“Angie Caton is what you want every nurse to be. She is dedicated to the welfare of her patients. She is a teacher. She is an enthusiastic advocate for quality cancer screening and care for everyone, and she is a dedicated volunteer,” says Lynn Durham, president and CEO of Georgia CORE, who nominated Caton. “She will do whatever it takes to help her patients and her community. She is truly a healthcare hero.”

Roberts Cowles, III

Owner

Cowles Clinic • Greensboro

Photo credit: Ryan Johnson

In 2002, urologist Dr. Robert Cowles left his successful Atlanta medical practice because he wanted to prove high-quality and specialty healthcare could thrive not just in big cities, but anywhere in Georgia.

Trained as a urologist, Cowles knew he wanted to create a place that was bigger than just his urology practice. He moved to Lake Oconee with a vision of bringing top-notch doctors and healthcare services to the region and in 2004 he launched the Cowles Clinic. He recruited board-certified physicians who had trained at some of the top medical schools in the country to help build his vision. Over the past two decades, the clinic has expanded into a 13-acre, nine-building, multi-specialty medical campus that is home to more than 60 physicians in 36 specialties.

Some of the specialties include dermatology, gastroenterology, hematology, nephrology, neurology, oncology, pulmonology, sports medicine and a sleep disorder center. The campus also has a Georgia Center for Total Cancer Care, a physical rehabilitation facility, a family practice and urgent care facility. Serving Greene, Putnam and Morgan counties, it treats hundreds of thousands of patients per year. And while that quantity is impressive, patients say it’s the quality of care that stands out.

One patient, Daniel McGinley, even took the time to send Cowles a thank-you note when his cancer went into remission. “When you meet him for the first time, you’re frozen. And he thaws you out. He calms you and educates you … and listens to you and gives immediate feedback and follows through,” says McGinley, now four years cancer-free. “He’s got a phenomenal operation right outside [my community] so I never had to leave my house more than 15 minutes for treatments … [but] I would drive all day to see him. He’s an unbelievable individual.”

A third-generation doctor, Cowles has served on numerous boards, including the Georgia Trauma Commission, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Community Health. He is also the past president of the Georgia Urological Association and has served as an expert medical analyst on national and local television. He taught surgery in 29 countries and continues to recruit doctors in various specialties to his facility. When COVID halted most medical practices, Cowles began a vaccine program at the clinic and vaccinated over 18,000 people, including going to sheriff offices, public schools and churches.

“I have never met another physician in my 40-year career more passionate about providing the highest degree of healthcare to his patients and community,” said Jennifer Koppen, Cowles Clinic senior vice president of operations, when she nominated him. “The difference he has made here at Lake Oconee is unfathomable. People see him as a rock star as he has literally changed (and saved) the lives of so many people both here at Lake Oconee and around the world.”

Tikishi “TK” Fields

EMT

Children’s Hospital of Georgia • Augusta

Photo credit: Hillary Kay

Called a “shining star” of the pediatric emergency department, Tikishi Fields goes beyond her EMT role, always looking for ways to improve processes and make life a little easier for those working in the department.

She became a certified nursing assistant while still in high school in Texas, before moving to Georgia and spending nearly 20 years as an EMT, the last nine years with the pediatric emergency department (PED) at Children’s Hospital of Georgia, now part of Wellstar MCG Health.

Fields reorganizes stock rooms and makes sure the PED is well stocked with supplies, even when it’s not her job to do so, and she is always sharing new ideas with management about how to make the department a better place to work. For example, she promotes healthy eating with staff weight loss challenges, which she oversees twice a year.

She organizes events for staff to get together and looks out for new employees. “If there is a student observing, nurse or EMT, she is always helping them find opportunities to learn,” says Cathryn Hardman, a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital of Georgia. “She mentors … She shows them around, teaching about policies and procedures and how we generally do things… She is our cheerleader.”

And each year, she organizes an “adopt a child” program during the holidays, not only encouraging people to participate, but getting in touch with the families to get ages, sizes and wish lists. She collects the donations, shops, wraps and delivers the gifts on Christmas Eve.

“One year she drove about four hours on Christmas Eve to get the gifts to the families,” says Hardman. “When we know she is working with us … we know everything will be taken care of.”

Hughan Frederick

Founder

Nile Women’s Health Care • Roswell and Johns Creek

Photo credit: Eric Sun

Founded in 2006, Nile Women’s Health Care is a holistic-care practice that offers not just traditional OB/GYN services, but also midwife services and options like water births. The physicians have extensive experience with minimally invasive surgery and the use of the da Vinci robotic system. Whether it’s helping women navigate pregnancy, birth control or menopause, or treating conditions like endometriosis, the clinic staff makes sure that every woman has the information needed to choose the path that’s right for her own health and wellness. It serves women in Metro Atlanta at its Roswell and Johns Creek locations, from the first gynecologic exam through menopause and everything in between.

Founder Dr. Hughan Frederick has been practicing for more than 20 years and has earned many accolades, including being named one of the metro area’s best OB/GYN doctors on multiple lists. He also serves as the medical director for Alpharetta-based Glow Anti-Aging Center and Medical Spa.

Frederick is board certified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is a Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the American Medical Association and the National Medical Association.

He serves as chair of Women’s and Children’s Services at North Fulton Hospital and as a member of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. He also supports the March of Dimes.

“Dr. Frederick is one of the most caring, compassionate and competent physicians I have ever worked with,” says nominator Katherine Beckelic, a registered nurse with Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. “I know as a physician I can count on him when needed.”

José Tongol

Medical Oncologist

Phoebe Putney Health System • Albany

Photo credit: David Parks

Dr. Jose Tongol is not your typical physician. When treating people diagnosed with cancer, he often sings, plays guitar and recites original poetry, bringing a little light to his Southwest Georgia patients during a difficult time.

“He is beloved by his patients for his thorough, innovative [and] kind care,” says Lynn Durham, president and CEO of Georgia CORE, who nominated Tongol for this recognition. “He is an amazing physician and devoted to the people of Southwest Georgia.”

Tongol served on the board of Georgia CORE for more than a decade, lending his time, knowledge and personal resources to better the organization, which aims to increase access to innovative resources and research and provides support for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.

He has been a physician at Phoebe Cancer Center in Albany for more than 25 years and also practices at Phoebe Hematology Oncology of Americus. Tongol is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology and is devoted to increasing the rate of cancer survivorship. He’s even written a workbook for patients to use after diagnosis to assist them on their cancer journey.

Benjamin Toole

Pediatric Cardiologist

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology • Albany

Photo credit: contributed

Dr. Benjamin Toole has a clinical interest in patients with complex congenital heart disease, echocardiography and the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease through fetal echo. But his heart lies with improving care in his native Georgia, where he works to bring pediatric cardiology care to the southern part of the state.

“Dr. Ben Toole is an exemplary healthcare professional who embodies the true spirit of a healthcare hero,” says nominator William Mahle, chief of cardiology and co-chief of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center. “His dedication to providing state-of-
the-art care, his commitment to accessibility in underserved areas, and his advocacy for his patient population make him an invaluable asset to the healthcare community in Georgia.”

In 2014, Toole joined the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center, which was ranked No. 12 in the country this year for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report. He’s also an associate professor of pediatrics at the Emory University School of Medicine.

Georgia’s rural areas typically have fewer healthcare resources than its bigger cities. Toole wanted to make a dent in that disparity, establishing the first permanent pediatric cardiology clinic in South Georgia. Today, there are cardiology clinics run by Children’s Healthcare in Thomasville and Valdosta, as well.