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Helen M Ward, MD
I speak: English
My gender: Female
Where I practice
- Emergency service
- Urgent care services
- After-hours services
- Pharmacy services
- No emergency services
- No urgent care services
- No after-hours services
- No pharmacy services
About me
I grew up in a beautiful, small college town in Virginia. Much of my childhood was spent in the surrounding mountains and farms exploring the outdoors. I always thought I would become a veterinarian after spending so much time with animals and nature. However, after my niece died of cancer, I realized my heart was in practicing medicine with people instead.Once I completed my internal medicine training in Texas, I wanted to move back to the East Coast to be closer to home. Georgia provided the perfect opportunity to be near the mountains and outdoors while also being in a place of exciting medical opportunity. This led me to go on and complete my training in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Georgia also provided the opportunity to meet my husband who grew up in this area. We are very lucky to have two beautiful children and extended family around Atlanta. We feel fortunate to live in a place full of such tremendous learning and cultural potential, while also being close to the mountains and outdoors of my childhood.
About my practice
I chose to train in the fields of both pulmonary and critical care medicine because I feel they are full of challenge. I see a very diverse group of patients, while also taking care of our members with the greatest needs in the intensive care unit (ICU). I am very fortunate to work with an incredible group of pulmonary doctors who are collaborative and supportive in the care of all of our members. Working as an ICU doctor also allows me to have direct interaction with many other Kaiser Permanente doctors. As a pulmonary doctor, I see many patients with asthma, COPD and emphysema. It is a tremendous reward to be able to help patients with breathing difficulties start to breathe better. I also lead a conference where pulmonary and radiology doctors discuss complicated diagnoses and treatment options for patients so that our members can receive the most current care. My practice challenges me to learn something each day to be able to continue to provide high-quality care for our members.
How I thrive
I like to challenge myself and reach new goals. Part of why I chose to practice medicine was because of the constant career challenges this field provides. I feel that by setting goals in all aspects of my life, I will set myself on a path that remains filled with happiness and satisfaction. Some recent goals in my life have been to spend more time volunteering at my children's school, find a better variety of meals to cook at home, run a half marathon and start yoga classes. While I realize there is not enough time in the day to work and fit in all these activities, I do think that balance can be achieved. By having specific and focused goals, I am able to find time over a few weeks or months to move towards each one. Reading is my secret pleasure, and I almost always try to read at least a few minutes before the end of the day! I know that raising children in a home filled with goals and opportunities will pass along the "drive to thrive" to them as well.
Medical groups and plans
The Southeast Permanente Medical Group
- HMO or EPO
- Individual and Family Plans - Added Choice
- Senior Advantage
- Signature HMO
Contact information
- Health Line
- 1-800-255-0056 (toll-free TTY for the hearing/speech impaired)
- Health Line
- 1-800-611-1811 (toll free)
- Health Line locally
- 404-365-0966
My training, certifications and licensing
Medical school
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityBoard certification
American Board Internal Medicine
American Board Internal MedicineCritical Care Medicine
American Board Internal MedPulmonary Disease
American Board Internal MedTo verify board certification for an individual practitioner, please visit the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Medical Association, or the American Osteopathic Association websites.
Medical training
Fellowship
Emory School of MedicineInternship
University of Texas - DallasResidency
University of Texas - DallasJoined Permanente Medical Group
This information is not available at this time.My hospitals
This information is not available at this time.
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Kaiser Permanente uses the same quality, member experience, or cost-related measures to select providers and facilities in Marketplace Silver-tier plans as it does for all other Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) products and lines of business. The measures may include, but are not limited to, HEDIS/CAHPS performance, member/patient complaints, patient safety scores, hospital quality measures, and geographic need. Members enrolled in KFHP Marketplace plans have access to all professional, institutional and ancillary health care providers who participate in KFHP plans' contracted provider network, in accordance with the terms of the members' KFHP plan of coverage. All Kaiser Permanente Medical Group physicians and network physicians are subject to the same quality review processes and certifications.
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Information about a provider is provided to us by the provider or the provider's network, or is obtained as part of the credentialing process. Board certification may not reflect contracted services available from providers listed in our directory. If you have questions regarding this or about any of our providers, call us at 1-800-611-1811 (toll free). For the hearing and speech impaired: 1-888-865-5813 or 711 (TTY). You can also call the Georgia Composite Medical Board at 404-656-3913, or visit their website.
This page was last updated on: 12/10/2024