Northside Hospital continues to grow, adding more expert providers and expanding care options across Georgia. Here’s a look at the latest updates.
Cardiology
Northside Hospital Heart Institute services are now available in Toccoa. Northside recently celebrated with Stephens County Hospital and Visit Toccoa with a ribbon-tying ceremony and open house at its new office at 230 Hospital Drive. Pictured above, from left, are Dr. Jeff Marshall, an interventional cardiologist, and Dr. Mark Matthews, a general cardiologist. More: northside.com.
Primary & same-day care
Dr. Priyanka Chaudhari, MPH, has joined Northside Family Practice, 960 Woodstock Parkway, Suite 300, Woodstock. She is board-certified in family medicine, specializing in lifestyle medicine and weight management. More: northsidefamilypractice.com.
Dr. Christina Dennis has joined Medical Associates of North Georgia, 470 Northside Cherokee Blvd., Suite 380, Canton. She is board-certified in family medicine with special interest in contraception management and women’s health. More: medassoc.com.
Dr. Francisco Echevarria-Santiago has moved to Northside Gwinnett Primary Care, 771 Old Norcross Road, Suite 255, Lawrenceville. He specializes in preventive care, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity. More: ngprimarycare.com.
Dr. Kimberly Fordham has joined Strickland Family Medicine Center, 655 Duluth Highway, Suite 501, Lawrenceville. She is board-certified in family medicine with a focus on hospital medicine and preventive care. More: nsstrickland.com.
Dr. Prem Kumar has joined Northside Peachtree Corners Primary Care, 5277 Peachtree Parkway. He is board-certified in internal medicine with clinical interest in acute and chronic care for adults, preventive care and management of chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. More: northside.com/ptc.
Dr. Maya Lucas has joined Laureate Medical Group – East Cobb, 4800 Olde Towne Parkway, Suite 400, Marietta. She is a board-certified internal medicine physician specializing in obesity medicine, preventive care and chronic disease management. More: laureatemed.com.
Dr. Stacy A. Stewart has joined Perimeter North Medical Associates, 900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 210, Woodstock. She is double board-certified in family medicine and lifestyle medicine. More: pnfm.com.
Cancer care & blood disorders
Dr. Madhuri Chengappa has joined Georgia Cancer Specialists at its Douglasville and Smyrna offices. She is board-certified in internal medicine and board-eligible in hematology and oncology, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers and blood disorders. More: gacancer.com.
Dr. Hong Anh De Sa, board-certified in internal medicine and pediatrics with fellowship training in hematology and oncology, has joined The Blood & Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia and the Northside Hospital Blood and Marrow Transplant, Leukemia and Immunotherapy Program. More: bmtga.com.
Dr. Justin Woods has joined Suburban Hematology-Oncology Associates, Lawrenceville. He is board-certified in internal medicine and specializes in general hematology and oncology. More: gwinnettcancercare.com.
Endocrinology
Dr. Rachel Puttnam has joined North Georgia Diabetes and Endocrinology, 1400 Northside Forsyth Drive, Suite 310, Cumming. She is a board-certified endocrinologist specializing in diabetes; polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS; parathyroid disorders; osteoporosis; and thyroid, adrenal and pituitary disorders. More: northgeorgiaendocrine.com.
Ophthalmology
Dr. Dhara Patel has joined Atlanta Ophthalmology Associates. She is an optometrist with expertise in glaucoma management, retinal conditions and neuro-ophthalmology. She began seeing patients Aug. 13. More: aoaeye.com.
Rheumatology
Dr. Ashwini Komarla has joined Laureate Medical Group, 6135 Barfield Road, Suite 200, Sandy Springs. She is a board-certified rheumatologist. More: laureatemed.com.
Surgical care
Dr. Jennifer Holl has joined Atlanta Colon & Rectal Surgery. She is a double board-certified colon and rectal surgeon with expertise in advanced robotic and minimally invasive techniques. More: atlantacolon.com.
Chattahoochee Surgical Group has opened a new office at 3340 Paddocks Parkway, Suwanee. Dr. Bryan Whitfield and Emily Baumgartner, CNP, see patients Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For appointments, call 770-886-1074. More: chattahoocheesurgical.com.
Dr. Ammar Asban has joined Northside Thoracic Surgery in Lawrenceville. He is a thoracic surgeon specializing in robotic-assisted thoracic and foregut surgery, including lobectomy, pneumonectomy, chest wall reconstruction and hiatal hernia repair. He is known for using advanced surgical techniques, including robotic surgery and enhanced recovery protocols. More: northsidethoracicsurgery.com.
Women’s services
Dr. Aaron Doctor has joined Northside Women’s Specialists. He is an obstetrician and gynecologist with expertise in a wide range of services, including IUD placement, colposcopy, LEEP, endometrial biopsy, hysterectomy, laparoscopy and robotic gynecologic surgery. He began seeing patients Aug. 1. More: northsidews.com.
Dr. Shweta Pai Desai has joined the Northside Center for Urogynecology in Lawrenceville. She is double board-certified in urogynecology and specializes in pelvic floor disorders, with advanced expertise in vaginal, laparoscopic and robotic prolapse repair. She began seeing patients July 28. More: northsidecenterforurogyn.com.
Awards
Newsweek named several Northside physicians to its 2025 list of America’s Leading Doctors.
- Cardiothoracic surgery: Dr. A. Daniel Winston, Northside Hospital Heart Institute
- Colorectal surgery: Dr. Wayne L. Ambroze Jr., Georgia Colon & Rectal Surgical Associates, and Dr. Jeffrey S. Cohen, Atlanta Colon & Rectal Surgery
- Hip surgery: Dr. Thomas L. Bradbury and Dr. Charles A. DeCook, Northside Hospital Orthopedics Total Joint Specialists
- Spine surgery: Dr. Steven Spitz, Southeastern Neurosurgical Specialists
Find care close to home.
Northside is here to help you stay healthy, close to where you live and work. Find a provider near you and schedule an appointment online.
