News Releases

December 7, 2007
James A. Brennan, M.D. Named WGHS Physician of the Year

James A. Brennan, M.D. received West Georgia Health System's (WGHS') first Physician of the Year Award for the extraordinary personal and professional contributions he has made to patient care and the health system. Dr. Brennan was honored with the award at a recent medical staff event.

"Dr. Brennan is a dedicated physician who is truly connected to the higher purpose of his work," said WGHS President and CEO Jerry Fulks. "Despite the challenges of his job, he remains a tireless giver — both to his patients and his staff. I am truly grateful for his leadership and support and for the many lives he touches each and every day."

The Physician of the Year was established at the recommendation of the medical staff executive committee as a means of recognizing physicians who have gone above and beyond in providing outstanding service and leadership and have made significant contributions to patient care, their profession, and WGHS. The award will be an annual recognition.

Dr. Brennan received nominations from several WGHS departments and was selected by an anonymous committee of health system employees from a variety of different disciplines.

Specializing interventional cardiology, Brennan joined the WGHS medical staff in 1978 and has played an instrumental role in expanding treatment options for patients in need of advanced cardiac care through WGHS' elective angioplasty clinical trial.

WGHS was selected two years ago by the Georgia Department of Public Health to participate in the trial for elective angioplasty, a procedure used to open clogged arteries. While coronary interventions such as these have been performed for many years at WGHS on an emergency basis as treatment for acute heart attack, state regulations had previously only allowed elective angioplasties to be performed in large teaching hospitals with open-heart surgery programs. WGHS was one of only 10 hospitals statewide selected to participate in the trial.

A champion of the program, Brennan spent many months in training at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta in preparation for WGHS' participation in the clinical trial. He serves as a mentor and team captain and is helping to bring Troup County residents close-to-home access to an unprecedented level of life-saving, cardiac care.

"Participating in a clinical trial of this magnitude takes diligent focus, a wealth of procedural and operational knowledge and attention to documentation and standards of care," said heart clinic Director Joe Calhoun. "Dr. Brennan has been a strong leader and a patient teacher and deserves much credit for the success of this program."

In addition to his work on the elective angioplasty trial, Brennan maintains a busy medical practice. He can often be seen after midnight at the health system, ensuring ample time with each of his patients. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of West Georgia Health System, and as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Cardiology at Emory University Hospital. He is a past president of the WGHS medical staff.

Brennan earned his medical degree from The University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, Vt. and completed his residency in internal medicine at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y. As well as a fellowship in cardiology at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases.