BUFORD — Georgia Heart Institute has added a new provider to its Buford location, welcoming family nurse practitioner Hanbi Hong to its cardiology team.

Hong brings experience in both hospital and outpatient care, with a background in treating cardiovascular patients and managing chronic conditions. She previously worked as a staff nurse caring for heart surgery patients before earning her master’s degree in nursing from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee.

Prior to joining Georgia Heart Institute, Hong spent nearly six years practicing in an internal medicine and geriatrics clinic in Suwanee.

Hong said her path into healthcare was influenced by volunteer work during her high school years in the Philippines, where she assisted at an orphanage and observed the impact nurses had on the community.

“We have a large population in this area that is at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke,” Hong said. “There are a lot of lifestyle changes and proactive steps we can help patients take to reduce their risk and avoid serious health events.”

In her role, Hong focuses on patient education, prevention and long-term care planning. She said her approach centers on involving patients in their own care.

“I put patients at the center of care and make them a partner in setting goals,” Hong said. “With their input, I develop care plans tailored to their needs, whether that includes lifestyle changes, medication or both.”

Hong is also fluent in Korean, allowing her to better serve a broader patient population in the area.

Outside of her clinical work, she is involved in fitness and wellness, including yoga and Pilates instruction, which she said complements her focus on preventive care.

Georgia Heart Institute is one of the state’s largest cardiology programs, with more than 120 clinicians providing care across multiple locations. The institute is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, which serves more than 1 million patients across the region.

Appointments with Hong can be scheduled by calling 770-534-2020 or visiting georgiaheartinstitute.org.