For years, Georgia state Rep. Lee Hawkins of Gainesville (District 27) kept a close eye on his aortic valve health. Under the care of his Northside Hospital cardiologist, Dr. Pradyumna Tummala with Northside Cardiovascular, the chairman of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee monitored his condition for five or six years, knowing that surgery would eventually be necessary. In October 2024, with worsening coronary artery disease, he and his doctor decided it was time for surgery.
Rather than waiting for a potentially life-threatening situation to emerge, Chairman Hawkins chose a proactive approach, scheduling an aortic valve replacement at Northside Hospital Gwinnett. Unlike many who face open-heart surgery, Chairman Hawkins approached the decision with a sense of acceptance and ease.
“This wasn’t something that snuck up on me,” he recalled. “I had been listening to my heart for years, and eventually, we knew it could get to a dangerous point.
“It made the decision clear and because I trusted my care team completely, I knew I was in capable hands that had a plan to get me back to normal.”
While his longtime cardiologist managed his care, the aortic valve replacement was performed by Dr. A. Daniel Winston, a cardiothoracic surgeon with Northside Cardiac Surgery who was a familiar name to the chairman. As a retired dentist, Chairman Hawkins had come to know Dr. Winston through personal and professional circles.
“Dr. Winston had an incredible reputation,” Chairman Hawkins noted. “Given our connection and his expertise, I felt he was the right person for the job.”
The surgery went as planned, and his recovery began focusing on rebuilding stamina and muscle function.
Chairman Hawkins admitted, “Getting in and out of bed was tough. It is humbling to struggle with basic movements that you are used to and that make up our everyday lives, but I stayed consistent and driven.
Follow-up appointments with his cardiologist and surgeon confirmed that his heart was healing well. Within a month, he was back to moving around town and, after six weeks, he returned to the Georgia Capitol.
Looking back on his experience, Chairman Hawkins hopes others facing a similar situation will find reassurance and calm in the expertise and dedication of their health care teams.
Chairman Hawkins emphasized, “Your entire care team will go above and beyond to explain your options and what to expect. Put your trust in them, and keep building your strength and working at your own recovery.
Above all, he credited the team approach at Northside Hospital and Northside Hospital Heart Institute for making his journey a smooth one, with an uneventful recovery.
“When you put yourself in the hands of a great, empathetic and knowledgeable team, you can be confident you are getting the best treatment.” Chairman Hawkins added, “Northside’s doctors, advanced practitioners, nurses and staff put patients first, and that makes all the difference.”
Learn more about Northside Hospital Heart Institute.
*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
