For people with heart failure, a trusting relationship with their care team is key to successfully managing their complex condition and improving their quality of life. Georgia Heart Institute, the heart and vascular service line of Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), recently added four experienced advanced practice providers (APPs) to build those relationships and help heart failure patients achieve their treatment goals.

Bradee Aderholt, AGACNP (which stands for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner), is now seeing patients at Georgia Heart Institute in Gainesville. She started her career as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville. After earning her master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she served as a nurse practitioner at a kidney care center in Gainesville. Her ties to the health system run deep: her mother, Carol Burrell, served as CEO of NGHS from 2011 until her retirement earlier this year.

“When I meet a patient with heart failure, I focus on building trust first,” says Bradee. “I take time to listen to their story – how the condition affects their daily life, their fears, and their goals. I want them to feel heard and seen, not just treated. By connecting on a personal level, I can tailor the plan to what truly matters to them and help them feel supported every step of the way.”

Robin Brown, AGACNP, is now seeing patients at Georgia Heart Institute in Braselton. Returning to the practice she previously served, Robin has more than six years’ experience as a cardiology nurse practitioner, including four years specializing in heart failure. She earned her master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham after working as a registered nurse for 15 years.

“I usually see patients when they are right out of the hospital,” says Robin. “The heart failure diagnosis can be overwhelming, but we make every effort to educate them and get to know them as a whole person. At Georgia Heart Institute, we can offer them the newest devices, medications and therapies to make them feel better. It’s very rewarding to see our patients improving in the clinic.”

Rachel Lebolo, AGPCNP (Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner), is now seeing patients at Georgia Heart Institute in Gainesville. She has 10 years’ experience as a nurse practitioner, mostly specializing in heart failure cardiology. Rachel earned her master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“Treating heart failure is not just about the medications or lab values — it is about understanding the patient’s lifestyle, symptoms and goals,” says Rachel. “Every decision we make can have a real and immediate impact on their quality of life. I love that it is a balance between evidence-based management and a genuine personal connection.”

Diana Liaw, PA-C, is now seeing patients at Georgia Heart Institute in Gainesville. Before joining Georgia Heart Institute, she worked as a physician assistant in urgent care and interventional radiology. Diana earned her master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from South College in Atlanta. As a child of immigrants who aren’t native English speakers, she feels inspired to help patients overcome barriers, whether that means helping them understand the details of their care plan or connecting them with financial assistance to afford their medications.

“When we manage heart failure closely, people can live fuller, more active lives,” says Diana. “What I love about this work is the relationships — I get to know each patient, their family, their goals, and what matters most to them. That connection motivates me to give them the best care possible to enjoy more good years with the people they love. It’s about helping them protect not just their heart, but their time with family.”

Georgia Heart Institute’s Heart Failure Treatment & Recovery Center recently moved its Gainesville clinic location upstairs to Suite 480 in the Wisteria Building, 200 South Enota Drive, on the campus of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC). The Braselton clinic is located inside Medical Plaza B at NGMC Braselton, 1404 River Place.

For more information, call 770-534-2020 to speak to a specialized heart failure program coordinator or visit georgiaheartinstitute.org/heart-failure.