Through the American Heart Association’s Heart of the CSRA campaign, Dr. Joseph Tingen, vascular surgeon at Piedmont Augusta, and Dr. John Bates McCutcheon, medical director of the adult emergency department at Wellstar MCG Health, will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure everyone in the CSRA has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The Heart of the CSRA campaign engages companies, community leaders and individuals to make a lasting impact across the Four Chambers of the American Heart Association’s work: discovery, advocacy, access and knowledge. 

The campaign will come together at the 2027 CSRA Heart Ball on Friday, Feb. 19, celebrating hope and progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association. Both Dr. Tingen and Dr. McCutcheon are passionate about serving the CSRA through initiatives that improve lives and strengthen families. Their longstanding commitment to community engagement and health-related causes aligns closely with the American Heart Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

Dr. Joseph Tingen is a vascular surgeon at Piedmont Augusta hospital. After he completed surgical training in Greenville, SC, he returned to his hometown to be closer to family and serve the community he grew up in. His wife, Dr. Lindsey Tingen, works with OBGYN Partners of Augusta. He has three girls and loves playing sports with them, teaching them healthy habits and spending time outdoors with the family.

“It’s an honor to serve this extraordinary community alongside Dr. McCutcheon,” said Dr. Tingen. “The work of the American Heart Association extends far beyond one Heart Ball event or one campaign. It’s about bringing people together to create healthier communities, expand access to lifesaving resources and inspire lasting change.”

Dr. John Bates McCutcheon is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and Facility Medical Director of the Adult Emergency Department at WellStar MCG Medical Center.

“By supporting the American Heart Association, we can fund more groundbreaking research, lifesaving education and advocacy efforts,” said Dr. McCutcheon. “Investing locally in this mission is helping us build better health outcomes for our neighbors across the CSRA.”

“The CSRA is lucky to have leaders like Dr. Tingen and Dr. McCutcheon who are deeply invested in making our entire community stronger,” said Dr. Michael Johnson, volunteer board president of the American Heart Association CSRA and cardiologist at Piedmont Augusta. “Their medical and professional leadership along with their shared commitment to improving lives make them outstanding choices to chair the Heart of the CSRA campaign. We look forward to working alongside them to advance the American Heart Association's mission and drive meaningful change.”

The 2027 CSRA Heart Ball will be held on Friday, Feb. 19, at the Augusta Convention Center. The annual event is a night to celebrate the Heart Association’s year-round efforts to build a healthier CSRA for all. Throughout the evening, the Heart Association will honor volunteers and supporters, share survivor stories and entertain guests with dinner and live music, as well as both a live and silent auction. For more information on how to support or attend the CSRA Heart Ball, visit heart.org/csraheartball or contact Katherine Bonner at [email protected].