Northside Hospital Heart Institute in Gwinnett is the first in Georgia to complete a cardiac ablation using the new FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation System for treating atrial fibrillation (AFib). The system was FDA-approved in January and has been used safely and effectively across the globe.
The new technology is a unique alternative to the standard-of-care thermal ablation, during which a catheter is guided to the interior of the heart, generating extreme temperatures — hot or cold — to destroy targeted areas in the heart associated with AFib, or abnormal heart rhythms. Rather, Farapulse relies on tissue-selective, non-thermal electric fields to ablate heart tissue and avoid damage to surrounding structures.
Dr. Alok Gambhir, cardiac electrophysiologist with Northside Hospital Heart Institute, successfully performed the procedure using this FDA approved technology on April 8.
He says: “Pulse field ablation is truly a revolutionary and practice-changing technology in our field where most of the ablation for atrial fibrillation will be performed using this technology in the future since it is safer, faster, better tolerating with faster healing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 12.1 million people will have AFib in the U.S. by 2030, as risk increases with age. Cardiac catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is now first-line treatment in patients who are symptomatic with atrial fibrillation with no obvious reversible cause.
Positive 12-month data from the pivotal clinical trial found therapy with the device was as safe and effective as conventional thermal ablation, with statistically shorter ablation times.
Second Criterium coming to Gwinnett on April 28
Peachtree Corners is scheduling the second annual Curiosity Lab bicycle Criterium as part of Speed Week on April 28, 2024. This year’s event will also feature a running race, kids races, food trucks, vendors, and other activities for the family.
Speed Week is a premiere week-long event on the U.S. Pro Cycling Circuit that draws cyclists from around the world, including Olympic medalists and world and national champions. In 2023, the professional men’s and women’s events drew cyclists from over 30 states and more than 20 countries.
The 2024 Curiosity Lab Criterium will take place on a course in the world-famous Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, a 5G-enabled 500-acre living laboratory ecosystem designed specifically as a proving ground for IoT, mobility, and smart city emerging technologies.
The Curiosity Lab Criterium will feature an array of innovative technologies currently being deployed to help protect vulnerable road users (VRUs). This event will also showcase VRU technology of tomorrow as exhibited by private sector V2X companies and sensor innovators, OEMs hardware and software manufacturers, government officials, bike companies, advocacy groups, and more.
Enter a race, or just come to enjoy the festivities.
Category Time Duration
Junior 9-10,11-12,13-14 10 a.m. 30 min
Junior 15-16, 17-18 10:45 a.m. 30 min
Master 40+ 11:30 a.m. 45 min
Master 50+,Master 60+ 12:30 p.m. 45 min
Women 4/5 1:30 p.m. 30 min
Men 4/5 2:15 p.m. 30 min
Women 3/4 3:00 p.m. 40 min
Men 2/3 3:50 p.m. 45 min
Running Race 5:00 p.m. 15 min
Kid’s Races 5:15 p.m. 15 min
Women Pro 1/2/3 5:45 p.m. 50 min
Men Pro 1/2 7:00p.m. 60 min
The Curiosity Lab Criterium will feature an array of innovative technologies currently being deployed to help protect vulnerable road users (VRUs). This event will also showcase VRU technology of tomorrow as exhibited by private sector V2X companies and sensor innovators, OEMs hardware and software manufacturers, government officials, bike companies, advocacy groups, and more.
County launches “It’s Your Ride” transit plan
Have you heard about Gwinnett’s Transit Plan? Gwinnett County has launched the ‘It’s Your Ride Gwinnett’ educational hub to help residents get informed about the plan and get answers to their transit questions.
The educational hub explores proposed transit modes, benefits for the community, and information about a potential transit referendum. It also features a monthly video series that highlights different components of the plan.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson says: “As our county grows, it’s important that we continue to enhance and expand our current transit system so our residents and community can move throughout Gwinnett and across the region with ease. Our ‘It’s Your Ride Gwinnett’ educational hub serves to provide our residents with information about the plan so they understand the power that mobility can have in their lives now and in the future.”
Gwinnett’s Transit Plan aims to provide 100 percent transit coverage through the expansion of the County’s existing microtransit service. Proposed services in the plan also include an airport ride to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, high-capacity systems and additional transit transfer facilities.
In February, the Board of Commissioners approved a notice of intent to call for a transit referendum. As outlined in Georgia law, this action is required before the Board can officially call for a transit referendum that, if approved by voters, could fund the proposed transit projects through a one-percent sales tax not to exceed 30 years.
The one percent sales tax, if authorized as per Georgia law, would be paid by all consumers who purchase goods within the county, shifting funding for transit away from Gwinnett’s property owners to all residents, businesses and visitors. Gwinnett County used $4.5 million in SPLOST funds for the project.
- Visit the educational hub to explore information about the Transit Plan at GwinnettCounty.com/YourRide
Dyer Elementary student wins state DAR award
Collyns Pangle, a fifth grader at Dyer Elementary in Dacula, has been named the Georgia Society Daughters of the American Revolution state winner of the American History essay contest. She was recognized during the 126th State Conference in Atlanta. Collyns is a member of the Elisha Winn Society, Children of the American Revolution and the daughter of Chris and Kelley Pangle and granddaughter of Carol Pangle in Dacula. She was sponsored by the Philadelphia Winn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Lawrenceville.
From left are Georgia Society DAR State Regent, Betty Harrah; Collyns Pangle; Georgia Society American History Committee Chair, Susan Gwaltney and National Society DAR Honorary Vice President General, Joyce Patton.
The topic for this year’s contest asked students to imagine that they were a newspaper reporter for the Philadelphia Times of the pre-Revolutionary War era. They were asked to cover a new march by John Philip Sousa, The Stars and Stripes Forever, that was played for the first time on May 14, 1897.
PCOM graduates to hear Chamber president
Masino
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Georgia announces that Nick Masino, president and CEO of Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett, will deliver the keynote address to graduates during PCOM Georgia’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 1p.m. The ceremony will be held at Gas South District in Duluth.
In his role as President and CEO, Masino has orchestrated a progressive transformation, ushering in the most diverse board of directors in Chamber history. Under Masino’s leadership, the Gwinnett Chamber achieved unprecedented milestones, securing a historic five-star accreditation rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2022 and earning the organization’s inaugural global title as ‘Chamber of the Year’ by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) in 2023.
Masino is a graduate of The Ohio State University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal and organizational communication. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Suwanee, where they take pride in having raised three accomplished adult children. He was mayor of Suwanee for eight years.
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