Georgia Business Minds

Georgia has 159 counties, and almost all of them show signs of not having enough healthcare providers to meet the population’s demand. Partnerships between colleges and universities, and healthcare systems are finding ways to train more people to fill the pipeline of workers

From college athletics to global events, sports are big business for Georgia, attracting fans and investors alike. Hear about the biggest trends moving the economic needle in the region as told by Sports Business Journal Executive Editor Abe Madkour and others at Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Business of Sports live event.

Georgia ranks #3 among states based on the percentage of small businesses that are minority-owned with 36.6% of its small businesses falling in this category. Industry watchers share how these businesses are faring, and where the opportunities lie to continue to be a driver for Georgia’s economy. 

This episode features highlights from Atlanta Business Chronicle's recent live event called “The Future of Downtown" where guests, including the president of Georgia’s largest university and the CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, share their perspectives on shaping Atlanta’s urban core now and into the future.

This episode features highlights from a recent live event called “The Future of Downtown" where guests, including Atlanta Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler,  share their perspectives on revitalization efforts for Atlanta’s urban core.

The East Lake Foundation, the nonprofit created to steward the revitalization of the East Lake community, turns 30 this year. While decades in the making, the foundation’s CEO says its work “is never over.” The revitalization effort has proven to be an example for other community turnarounds. It has attracted and/or leveraged more than $600 million to change one of the nation’s most notorious public housing projects into a thriving mixed-income community. 

In Georgia, one in five adults report experiencing mental health conditions. To mark Mental Health Awareness month, we talk with organizations that are providing care and what it means for the state’s economy. 

The state of Georgia ranks ahead of most southern states when it comes to job growth, but there are some concerns about the pipeline of workers. This episode looks into what’s being done now to prepare young people to participate in Georgia's economic future. 

Despite economic uncertainties, studies show most companies say they will find ways to continue to invest in the communities where they operate. It is not just to be a good corporate citizen, but as it turns out, business generosity also boosts the bottom line.

Dr. Moiz Master, Piedmont’s chief medical officer (CMO), didn’t plan on entering the medical field — let alone leading the largest Georgia-based employer of locals in the state.

“My thought process was that I would be an engineer,” Master reflects on his childhood aspirations growing up in Bombay, India. “I was really interested in math, physics — in those aspects of science.”

As the health system’s newest CMO, Master is focused on delivering patient-focused care to the communities that need it most. And his background in statistics and physics plays a role.

“We have started significant screenings with social drivers of health, understanding where the opportunities lie and how we connect our patients to the resources that they would need,” Master says. “If you also look at Piedmont's footprint, we have hospitals, clinics in a lot of our rural areas of Georgia where we are providing access closer to the patient, closer to their home.”

Atlanta Business Chronicle Publisher and Market President David Rubinger speaks with Master in this episode of Georgia Business Minds. Tune in to learn more about:

· What has surprised Master in his first 100 days as CMO (0:43)

· How four years as the only physician in a small Alabama town expanded Master’s medical roster (5:25)

· Plans to support health deserts in rural communities (8:05)

· Why he thinks AI is a “double-edged sword” for the health care industry (14:36)

· His thoughts on GLP-1 medications (18:30)

· How Master manages stress and stays healthy during his free time (22:13) 

Georgia Business Minds is a twice-monthly podcast available on all the popular free apps. It brings you insights from top leaders across the state on topics ranging from agriculture to aviation, technology to transportation.