Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Pulmonology - Hughes Spalding Hospital

Dr. Stewart is a structural and interventional cardiologist specializing in the minimally invasive treatment of valve disease. A native Atlantan; Dr. Stewart was actually born at Piedmont Hospital; as were all four of his children. After completing his education at Harvard; Yale; and Emory including cardiology; interventional cardiology; and structural cardiology fellowships at Emory; he stayed on as faculty and helped found and lead the Structural Heart program at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital from 2013 - 2020. He then was recruited to co-direct and lead the newest open heart surgery and structural heart program in the state at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton; GA. He and his wife; Amy; and their four kids are excited to be back in Atlanta full time; and thrilled to be working with the superlative team at the Marcus Heart Valve Center and Piedmont Heart Institute. In his spare time; Dr. Stewart is an avid tennis player; a sometimes runner; a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan; and a budding tree-farmer and ecologist while restoring a longleaf pine forest in South Georgia. For more information, visit the Marcus Heart Valve Center.

Ralitza T. Martin, M.D., earned her undergraduate and graduate degree from Universitat des Saarlandes School of Medicine in Homburg, Germany. She went on to do her Internal Medicine residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She then received her fellowship training for Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Emory University and Interventional Pulmonology at Duke University. During her pulmonary fellowship, Dr. Martin also earned her Masters of Science and Clinical Research at Emory University. Dr. Martin is board certified in Internal, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, as well as Interventional Pulmonology. She is also a member of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology, the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Chest Physicians and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Her special interests include management of lung nodules, advanced bronchoscopy techniques, robotic bronchoscopy, and minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for patients with lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, airway lesions, and pleural disorders. Dr. Martin was the first physician in Georgia to perform Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction. This is the first FDA-approved lung valve device to help emphysema patients breathe easier and regain daily activities without major surgery. In her spare time, Dr. Martin enjoys traveling around the world, spending time with her loved ones and being in the air.

Allene Harrison, FNP-C, holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Mercer University and is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner by American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She started with Piedmont Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine in 2013, and has experience in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Her professional journey has equipped her with the expertise to handle complex cases involving COPD, asthma, lung cancer screening, and other pulmonary disorders. She is passionate about patient education and empowerment, ensuring that each individual understands their condition and treatment options. Her approach is to create a supportive and informative environment where patients feel comfortable and engaged in their care. Outside of work you will find her on her paddleboard, in a kayak or hiking. She loves spending time with family and friends and her beloved golden retriever. She loves to travel, a good book and UGA football.