With more than 30 years of experience caring for patients, Connie Watts, a certified nurse practitioner who specializes in helping adult patients manage chronic conditions, has been passionate about healthcare from an early age. Now, she’s bringing that dedication back to Georgia Heart Institute’s patients in Toccoa.
“My high school advisor helped me decide to go to nursing school,” said Connie. “As soon as I got there, I was fascinated by anatomy and physiology and knew I was where I needed to be.”
Connie cared for patients primarily in the intensive care setting during her years as a bedside registered nurse before settling into cardiology as a nurse practitioner in 2017. Now, she’s looking forward to bringing her passion for cardiac health and wellness to her patients in Toccoa, where she previously cared for patients through Georgia Heart Institute from 2018– 2024.
“My patients are a huge part of my life,” said Connie. “Some of the greatest joys of my job are being on the front lines of educating patients about preventing heart disease and treating patients with heart failure to improve their quality of life.”
Connie obtained her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes eight adult children and five grandchildren.
“We’re excited to have Connie back on the team to provide excellent care to Toccoa,” said Alan Opsahl, MD, a cardiologist with Georgia Heart Institute and director for non-invasive cardiology in Demorest and Toccoa. “Her dedication to her patients pairs perfectly with our goal to bring expert cardiac care to this community so people can get the care they need close to home.”
To schedule an appointment with Connie, visit georgiaheartinstitute.org/watts or call 770-534-2020.
About Georgia Heart Institute
Georgia Heart Institute is the most forward-thinking heart and vascular program in the state and includes one of the largest cardiology practices in the region, including more than 120 clinicians seeing patients at more than a dozen locations. With a multi-disciplinary team of experts treating nearly every type of heart and vascular disease and participating in leading national research, we’re providing advanced care that ensures lasting heart health for generations. Request an appointment and learn more at georgiaheartinstitute.org.
The experts of Georgia Heart Institute also form the core of the cardiac care team at Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s five hospitals in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest. It’s all part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit which serves more than 1 million people across the region. Learn more at nghs.com.