Piedmont Physicians at Atlantic Station

I have been a patient of Dr. Coleman for 5 years now but have only ever seen him once. Typically I am seen by Dr. Helms and he’s really quite great! My biggest issue with this place is that it is nearly impossible to get anyone on the phone to make an appointment. They used to suggest making the appointment online, but even that is useless because you don’t get a response for 3 days!
When it comes to my health and the people meant to help keep it in the best condition, I don’t want to talk to a machine! I want to talk to a person!
Here I sit with a sprained/​dislocated/​fractured finger fours hours and three voicemails later. I’m aware I could go to the ER but what’s the point in that when I know I’m going to be asked to wait another 4 hours and be charged triple for what my PCP can do but clearly doesn’t care enough about his patients and won’t do?

I had an appointment at 9:00 AM. I got here early at 8:30. I waited 40 minutes only to discover the person at the desk didn’t even notice I had signed in. I’ve waited over an hour just to see a nurse. People who arrived after me have come and gone and I’m still waiting. This practice has the worst front line people ever. Phone calls are just as frustrating. Good luck reaching a human to make an appointment. Good luck seeing a doctor or nurse at your scheduled time.

I’ve been regularly visiting Piedmont Physicians at Atlantic Station for about 10 years now. I’ve seen a couple different doctors here as well as a physical therapist and have been mostly satisfied with this practice. The doctor I’ve seen the most is Dr. Belinda Brown-​Saddler. I see her every year for my annual physical and she is probably the most energetic and upbeat doctor I’ve ever seen.
Dr. Brown-​Saddler is a family medicine/​primary care physician. Along with performing my annual physicals, she’s helped me with a variety of maladies throughout the years. Dr. Brown-Saddler’s physicals are quick and thorough. First, a nurse checks your height, weight, and vital signs. The nurse also records any recent medical history/​concerns and checks to see if you’re up-​to-​date on shots/​immunizations (e.g. tetanus).
During the physical examination, Dr. Brown-​Saddler not only checks to see if you’re doing well physically, but mentally as well (e.g. managing stress levels appropriately). For physicals, you have to dress in a hospital gown. She does all the standard tests/​inspections — she inspects your eyes, ears, and mouth and performs arm strength tests, a patellar reflex (knee jerk) test, listens to your breathing and heart rate, exams your abdomen, and performs a testicular exam («cough test») to check for hernias. The latter on males only, of course.
If all is well, the time with the doctor is very short. About 10 minutes tops. The rest of the time at the office is spent waiting and doing lab work. This includes blood work and a urinalysis (where you have to pee into a cup). Three vials of blood are drawn from your arm during the blood work. The blood work includes a comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test, CBC (complete blood count) auto differential, and HIV test (standard for all patients).
Lab work results are usually available online, though Piedmont Healthcare’s MyChart system, in about 10 days. I like MyChart because I can access my medical records online. I can also communicate with my doctor online if I don’t feel like calling. It’s convenient.
Annual physicals are included for free in my health insurance plan, but for many years, the office would incorrectly charge me a $ 20 copay for each annual physical visit. Several months following each visit, I would receive a refund check in the mail from Piedmont Healthcare for $ 20, the copay amount which they never should have charged me for to begin with. That problem seems to have been rectified in recent years.
Outside of physicals, I have had X-​rays taken of my lower back here as well as undergone physical therapy and therapeutic ultrasound for chronic lower back pain. Dr. Brown-​Saddler is joyful, knowledgeable, and considerate. I recommend her.
If you want to schedule a physical exam with any of the doctors at Piedmont Physicians in Atlantic Station, I suggest calling and setting the appointment months in advance. The doctors are busy and in high demand. When at the office, wait times can vary. Some years, I’ve been seen almost immediately. Other years, I wasn’t seen by the doctor until 45 minutes after my scheduled appointment time. It’s a crapshoot, though on average I’d expect moderate to lengthy wait times.
The office is located on the 2^nd floor across from Diner. The best place to park is inside Atlantic Station’s parking garage where the first two hours are free. Park near and use either stairwell 3 or 4 (purple color).