Standardizing and streamlining care delivery within a CIN improves quality and safety and decreases the overall cost of care. As a rule, the CIN structure serves both patients and physicians better as it allows physicians to take a more holistic approach to patient care rather than working within specialty-specific silos that leave patients to fill in gaps themselves.

When the Piedmont Clinic was first established, this idea was the grounding force in its design. The linchpin of the Clinic’s success has been the physician leadership of the CIN, where doctors are not only involved but truly empowered to make a tangible difference in how clinical care is organized and delivered to our communities. Physician leaders collaborate closely with their peers across the Piedmont Clinic network, from Augusta and Macon to Columbus, Athens and Atlanta — both within and outside their specialties — to solve the problems that plague the health care system, like medication reconciliation, as well as chronic problems patients face, such as treatment for diabetes and hypertension.

As the Piedmont Clinic builds on its strong foundation, CGCs have shave shifted from focusing on single-year objectives to developing multi-year roadmaps. This evolution enables the CGCs to address more complex and multi-system issues, often collaborating across specialties and with other disciplines throughout the network. This strategic shift reflects a broader commitment to continuous improvement and innovation, allowing physicians to engage deeply in initiatives that transform care delivery and patient outcomes. By moving beyond initial quick wins to long-term planning, the CGCs are not just creating more opportunities for collaboration but are also positioning the Piedmont Clinic to tackle the multifaceted challenges of health care, ultimately striving to make a positive difference in every life they touch.