Physicians with Heart: Dr. Brandon Harden

Brandon Harden, MD, says becoming a physician is the only career he can remember wanting to pursue in his life. His mom, a teacher, and dad, a pharmacist, encouraged him to become a doctor. His hometown of Rincon, outside of Savannah, had no pediatrician, and when he started his pre-med program at the University of Georgia, Dr. Harden envisioned filling that role someday and set it as his goal.

In his third year of medical school, Dr. Harden was exposed to pediatric cardiology and fell in love with the specialty. As he was finishing his training in Washington, DC, he accepted the job where he’s been for seven years now at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology in the Athens clinic. His position gives him the satisfaction of working for a program with an excellent local and national reputation while maintaining the small-town feel he aspired to.

I chose pediatrics because I’m drawn to kids, and I’ve always enjoyed interacting with them from the time they’re babies all the way to becoming college students,” Dr. Harden said. “I like establishing that bond with a family and watching their child grow and thrive at every stage of life. It brings me joy, makes me happy and brightens my day.”

His team at the clinic also has a passion for caring for kids and a commitment to the local community. Dr. Harden enjoys his strong connections with other medical professionals and families in the community and takes pride in interacting with UGA medical students on their own journeys to becoming doctors.

Doctor checking chest pain in child “I certainly feel that I’m teaching on a daily basis, whether working with med students or educating people about their CHDs and how to manage their conditions. It’s one of my favorite parts of the job,” Dr. Harden said. “At heart, I’m just a down-to-earth, good old country boy, and I lay it out in a straightforward way that everyone can understand regardless of their familiarity with medical issues.”

Dr. Harden is married to his high school sweetheart with two daughters, the oldest of which joins him and his father on weekend hikes on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. His family also enjoys all that UGA has to offer, including football and basketball.

“We love living in Athens for lots of reasons,” Dr. Harden said. “I never imagined I’d be back here, and I didn’t know it was even possible, but we’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Brandon Harden, MD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
Clinical Assistant Professor, Georgia Regents University

Education

Medical school: Mercer University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Fellowship: Children’s National Medical Center

Dr. Brandon Harden joined Children’s Cardiology in July 2013 after completing his pediatric cardiology training. He grew up in a small town (Rincon) just outside Savannah, Georgia. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in cellular biology from the University of Georgia and his medical degree from Mercer University school of medicine. After completing a general pediatrics residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) including a chief resident year, he pursued a pediatric cardiology fellowship in Washington DC at Children’s National Medical Center. He is board certified in both general pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. His clinical interests within the field of cardiology include general outpatient cardiology, fetal cardiology and preventative cardiology. He also has a strong interest in medical billing and coding. He serves as the primary cardiologist evaluating and treating patients in the Athens, Georgia clinic.

Clinic locations