PERFECT MATCH

Reproductive specialist Robin Fogle, MD, and her husband, orthopedic surgeon Evander F. Fogle, MD, talk their dedication to their craft and their “work hard, play hard” approach to life.

BY LAURA SCHOLZ

SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE HOTEL AT AVALON

While a back injury sidelined her dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer, Robin Fogle, MD, believes it pushed her toward her true calling: medicine.

Initially interested in becoming an orthopedic surgeon and working with dancers, she instead found her passion in women’s healthcare. And when she discovered reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) in her fourth year of medical school, it was “love at first sight.”

She had the same feeling when meeting her now-husband Evander F. Fogle, MD, two years her senior at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. The couple connected after he orchestrated a “spontaneous” meeting with her in the least romantic of settings: a formaldehyde-stricken anatomy lab. But it worked. The pair went on their first date one week later and recently celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary.

Both doctors are dedicated to their respective careers. Robin recently purchased the Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine (ACRM; atlantainfertility.com) with her partner, Dr. Kathryn Calhoun. “We knew what kind of environment and care we wanted to provide for our patients and didn’t think anyone was more emotionally equipped or motivated than ourselves to take ACRM into a new phase of growth and success,” she says. “I am especially privileged to be let into the private lives of my patients as they navigate the infertility journey, and their strength and perseverance inspire me to keep fighting the good fight on their behalves.”

Drawn initially to engineering, Evander pivoted to medicine and discovered that orthopedic surgery combined his interests in improving lives and “creating and repairing things with my own hands.” In his specialty of sports medicine, he enjoys “the process of seeing a person who initially feels like they’re broken, and then helping fix their structural problem, but, more importantly, being a guide and confidant in the rehabilitation required to restore their function.” His company, Resurgens Orthopaedics (resurgens.com), recently partnered with a private equity firm to launch United Musculoskeletal Partners, a large expansion of their orthopedic footprint in the Southeast and nationwide.

While it may seem challenging having a spouse in the same demanding field of work, the pair finds it the opposite. “He knows the stress I’m under during the day and the obligation I feel to my patients and practice, and vice versa. I never have to explain things—he just gets it!” says Robin.

The couple credits Evander’s extended family—some of whom are also physicians—and their nanny, Lejla (whom they view as a sixth family member), with helping them navigate busy careers while raising three teenage boys. “Robin and I have committed to working hard during the week and then playing hard on the weekends, preferably with the kids involved if they are willing and able,” says Evander. “We also take our vacations quite seriously and try to go to memorable places that are usually new and different,” he continues. In addition to an annual trip to Edisto Beach, S.C., with their extended family, other recent notable trips have included renting an RV and traveling across Oregon together—even if that particular adventure ended in a hotel with room service.

When in town, they enjoy taking their three goldendoodles to Fetch Park and sneaking in date nights at Superica in Buckhead or Southern Bistro in Sandy Springs between work obligations. “I consider myself available for my patients, colleagues and staff , pretty much anytime they need me,” says Robin. “My kids don’t know any differently and just know ‘Mom is taking care of her patients.’ I don’t think that’s a horrible legacy to leave.”

HOMETOWN HEALERS

Atlanta natives Tasneem “Dr. Taz” Bhatia and Dr. Vik Bhatia say they are “each other’s biggest cheerleaders.”

BY LAURA SCHOLZ

SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE HOTEL AT AVALON

Atlanta native Tasneem “Dr. Taz” Bhatia, MD, is a pioneer in holistic healing. As the founder of CentreSpringMD (centrespringmd.com), she leads a multi-practitioner team at the city’s top integrative medical practice, with locations in Brookhaven and Johns Creek as well as a dedicated spa. Her husband, Dr. Vik Bhatia, DMD, with Brookhaven Dental Associates (brookhavendentalassociates.com), is also an Atlanta native. The pair crossed paths for the first time at Dr. Taz’s mother’s Baskin-Robbins store, when Dr. Taz was a student at Emory University and Dr. Bhatia was in high school. They connected 10 years later and have now been married for 18 years. Of their partnership, Dr. Taz says, “We are both each other’s biggest cheerleaders, and he actually forced me to start my integrative practice.”

With two children, a dog and their busy careers, finding work-life balance can be tricky. “I think we have gotten better with time, but there was definitely a time [when] we were out of balance, me especially,” notes Dr. Taz. These days, work obligations are off-limits on weekends; the family has regular evening dinners; and vacations to California, Costa Rica and Hawaii “are treasured time to reconnect without constant distractions or demands,” she says. In their free time, the couple loves grabbing morning coffee and treats at The Chastain after walks around Chastain Park and date nights at their favorite Buckhead spots, Le Colonial and Le Bilboquet. As a family, they love attending Braves, Falcons and Atlanta United games; playing at Ponce City Market; and dinners at Taverna and Alma Cocina.

Since the pandemic, CentreSpringMD has noticed an uptick in new patients considering integrative and functional medicine and seeking alternatives to traditional care. This fall, Dr. Taz says they will “continue to focus on growth and expansion to meet local and international demand, including new technology, including a virtual appointment platform.”

FAMILY TIES

Following in the footsteps of her parents, Christopher Tomaras, MD, of Axion Spine & Neurosurgery and Elise Tomaras, MD, of Ambulatory Anesthesia Specialists LLC, daughter Miranda Tomaras, now in her third year of medical school, is keeping it in the family.

BY ABIGAIL WOODS

From left : Dr. Elise Tomaras, Dr. Christopher Tomaras and Miranda Tomaras SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE HAMILTON HOTEL

How do you balance work and home life?

ET: When Chris and I were completing our anesthesiology and neurosurgery residencies, we learned to recharge by going on runs, visiting family and prioritizing date nights and happy hours with friends. Today, we still do these things, but include our three daughters, Miranda, Alexa and Christiana (and sometimes Jr., our Cavapoo).

How do you feel about your daughter following in your footsteps and going into medicine?

ET: Miranda had the typical math and science academic strengths, so we knew medicine would be an option. However, medical school is more competitive than ever, and changes in healthcare pose many challenges to physicians today. We encouraged her to maintain a balanced lifestyle at Vanderbilt and enjoy Nashville. We couldn’t be more proud that she ultimately choses to pursue a career in medicine.

What kind of medicine are you studying, and how have your parents inspired you?

MT: I am a third-year medical student at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and am interested in dermatology. My parents are my role models in so many aspects, but most of all in the way they balance their careers and life. Pursuing medicine requires sacrifice, and my parents managed to do so while preserving their fun spirit and staying connected to what matters most—family.

Do you hope to come back to Atlanta after school or work in a different city? If you plan on working in a different city, where would you like to be?

MT: I have loved growing up in Atlanta and would be open to returning after medical school. That being said, the Texas Medical Center in Houston is awe-inspiring and I would be honored to continue my career there—though I’ll never root for the Astros. Go Braves!

What do you like to do when you aren’t studying or doing school work?

MT: In my free time, I like to run Hermann Park, cook, play in a local soft ball league, as well as explore the food, music and drink scene of Houston’s neighborhoods (ideally all at once!).

Do you have any fun family rituals or spots you like in the city or when traveling together?

ET: We’ve celebrated many holidays and graduations with family at Le Bilboquet and Hal’s here in Atlanta. We’re a family of foodies and love trying new restaurants wherever we can find them. As for travel, we’ve been going to Turks and Caicos for over 15 years and have yet to find a better vacation spot. Since COVID-19 limited travel, we’ve spent significant time at Lake Burton.

Anything new in either of your practices or careers?

ET: Chris and his partners at Axion Spine & Neurosurgery (axionspine.com) will open their state-of-the-art surgery center in Alpharetta later this year.

BETTER TOGETHER

John A. Johnson, MD, MBA, FACP, owner of West Atlanta Internal Medicine, and his wife, office administrator Donna E. Johnson, are partners in work and life.

BY LAURA SCHOLZ

SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE HAMILTON HOTEL

How did you meet and how long have you been married?

We met at Ben Hill United Methodist Church in 2001. Donna invited me over for what was an amazing home-cooked meal, and we started dating soon aft er. Her beauty, warmhearted spirit and loving smile won my affection. We got married one year to the date we met, and this month, we will celebrate our 20-year wedding anniversary.

How do you balance family time with your work?

Work-life balance is an extremely important priority. We work hard so that we can relax and enjoy our time away from the practice. Family gatherings at our home, especially around the holidays and special occasions, are always festive times for the entire Johnson family. Everyone enjoys my wife’s amazing culinary skills and her Caribbean home-cooked meals. We have two children, Darius and Donna; both are now adults who live very productive lives, and we are so proud of them.

Do you have any nonnegotiable times you set aside just for family, and what are some activities you enjoy together on your time off ?

Nonnegotiable days are our birthdays, wedding anniversary and holidays. We enjoy traveling and our honeymoon in 2002 in South America really set the stage for our amazing journey around the world together. Other special destinations for us include St. Lucia; Canouan Island, the Grenadines; Costa Rica; Egypt; Vietnam; China; Australia; and New Zealand. By far, we both agree that our 10-year wedding anniversary trip in 2012 to the Four Seasons Maldives was the best and most memorable. And for the past eight years, we have made The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Fla., our July Fourth ‘home away from home’ to connect and relax. The managers and staff are like family and the level of service has always been exceptional. We are both extremely humble and always donate our time, talent and resources to charity. We also have a strong appreciation for fine arts, so we enjoy going to art auctions, and over the years, we have collected original works by Peter Max, Marcus Glenn, Duaiv and Nano Lopez.

What are some of your go-to spots in the area for date nights, staycations and self-care?

Living in East Cobb, we enjoy access to several nice places to dine. Our personal favorites include Chops Lobster Bar, Capital Grille and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. In fact, we have gone to Chops Lobster Bar on Donna’s birthday and Valentine’s Day for several years because it is her favorite spot. We also like eating at True Food Kitchen since they offer a healthier menu. When we are not at our beach house in the Gulf of Mexico relaxing, I love working out and Donna enjoys reading and gardening.

What is your favorite thing about working together?

In addition to owning a medical practice for 21 years, I have spent the past 25 years serving our country now as a colonel in the United States Army Reserves Medical Corps. When my first military activation happened, Donna quickly stepped into action by joining the practice as the office administrator. I knew that I needed someone there whom I could totally trust and would always act in the best interests of my patients and staff. In building a legacy, the best part of working together for us has always been our love, trust, communication and mutual respect. Being a family-owned business, having Donna’s warm demeanor and strength in the practice has also enhanced patient satisfaction, operations and efficiency. She fully immersed herself into overseeing the practice to the point of making me feel relaxed and proud.

MARRIED IN MEDICINE

Neurosurgical oncologist Dr. D. Jay McCracken and biostatistics researcher Dr. Courtney McCracken are equally dedicated to work and family.

BY LAURA SCHOLZ

SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE HAMILTON HOTEL

“I can’t imagine being with someone who doesn’t understand our career demands of patient care and taking calls,” says D. Jay McCracken, MD, FAANS, a neurosurgical oncologist and director of stereotactic radiosurgery at Piedmont Atlanta Brain Tumor Center, of being married to fellow medical professional, Courtney McCracken, PhD, a biostatistics researcher at Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. “We both share childcare and home life in order to support each other, and patience and understanding go a long way when it comes to changing plans last minute and adapting to patient emergencies,” he continues.

The pair, who met during Jay’s first year at the Medical College of Georgia and Courtney’s first year in her master’s degree program, have been married since 2010 and have a full house: two children, two dogs, three fish and a hamster. While their professional lives are demanding, free nights and weekends are spent with their children, whom Courtney says are “troopers” about their schedules. “Family comes first, and we make sure our kids know that every day,” says Jay. The McCrackens love being outdoors, hiking, camping, skiing and riding their bikes to Piedmont Park—oft en with a stop at Morelli’s for ice cream along the way.

The couple brings that same loving attention and care to their work. Of his decision to go into neurosurgical oncology, Jay says, “I wanted to provide patients dealing with brain tumors expert care in their toughest fight of their lives.” In the coming months, Piedmont Atlanta will be one of the first centers in the country involved in the GESTALT clinical trial for the upfront treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma with implantation of GammaTile cesium-131 brachytherapy. “Our hope is that this provides these incredibly [deserving] patients with improved length of survival and quality of life and could potentially change the way these patients are treated and become standard of care in the future,” he explains.

While not directly involved in patient care, Courtney says, “I feel like I am able to make a significant contribution to the medical community through research grants and publications.” She’s currently collaborating with four integrated health systems across the country for a large, multi-site pragmatic trial for adolescents at moderate to high risk for suicide. Launching this fall, the study will recruit almost 10,000 youth over five years, and “our hope is that this study will demonstrate new and efficient treatment pathways for at-risk youth.”

DYNAMIC DUO

Breast surgeon Erin Bowman, MD, FACS, and her husband, anesthesiologist Brandon Bowman, MD, stay connected to their children—and each other.

BY LAURA SCHOLZ

SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE HAMILTON HOTEL

Breast surgeon Erin Bowman, MD, FACS, of Atlanta Breast Care (atlantabreastcare.com) and her husband, Piedmont Hospital (piedmont.org) anesthesiologist Brandon Bowman, MD, met at a pre-residency mixer for summer interns at Magg iano’s Buckhead in 2007—which they almost didn’t attend. “Neither one of us liked Italian food or even wanted to go,” notes Erin with a laugh. But it was clearly meant to be, because Brandon says “as soon as I left that mixer, I called my best friend and told him I met my future wife.”

Now married for over a decade, the duo are the parents of two children, a 7-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. They both agree that communication and intentional work are the key to their successful marriage, as is having a spouse who understands the dedication and commitment required to be a doctor. “I think it would be stressful on a marriage if the other person didn’t understand what it means to be a physician,” explains Erin.

To balance out their busy weekday schedules, the couple tries to reserve weekends for family time. They kick off Friday nights with dinner and a movie, complete with popcorn and desserts. On Saturday mornings, Erin, whom her husband calls “the queen of the five-star breakfast,” makes a large spread of egg s/omelets, pancakes, chicken sausages, turkey bacon and biscuits for the family. “I also try to get the kids involved in helping me cook, as both of them like to be in the kitchen,” says Erin. The active family—the kids are involved in swimming, gymnastics, golf and basketball—also ride bikes on the paved portion of the BeltLine near their home and work out together regularly.

But couple time is also important to the Bowmans. “We learned about two years into our busy marriage to put as much work into it as we do our kids and our jobs,” says Brandon. They stay connected via small groups and Bible studies at their church, traveling, working out and sitting down to talk after putting their kids to bed most nights. He even sends his wife a weekly “catch-up” email with photo highlights from years past and reminders of their “whys.” And while they love date nights out, they’ve gotten creative at home as well: adding a massage table for couples treatments at home, turning their house into a restaurant and even setting up “paint and sips” in the backyard.

“I think it’s extremely beneficial to be married to someone else in the medical profession,” says Brandon of their partnership. “There is this level of understanding about something that occupies at least 50% or more of that person’s life that you don’t have to make your spouse understand, and you can skip that and focus on the reasons why you chose each other and how to thrive together with the strongest union possible.”