Cody Wayne Connell, MSN, ACNP-AG, BC

Cody Connell, NP, is an experienced nurse practitioner with over 11 years in nursing and six years in advanced practice, specializing in hospital-based critical care. His clinical expertise spans cardiology, interventional cardiology, and cardiothoracic surgery, where he plays a vital role in managing complex, high-acuity patients. He currently works with Emory Health System in Atlanta while continuing his longstanding role at Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, Georgia, serving as a Cardiothoracic Surgery Nurse Practitioner.

A defining achievement of Cody’s career is his leadership in launching a comprehensive open-heart surgery program at Tanner Medical Center. In collaboration with a cardiothoracic surgeon, he helped build the program from the ground up, expanding access to advanced cardiac services within the local community. The program now provides procedures including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacements, ascending aortic aneurysm repair and replacement, pacemaker implantation, and thoracic and thoracic oncologic surgeries.

Cody also played an instrumental role in introducing ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) services to the facility and currently serves as the ECMO Coordinator. His contributions have significantly expanded life-saving capabilities in the region, supporting critically ill patients requiring advanced cardiopulmonary support. His work reflects a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in patient-centered cardiac care.

He earned his associate degree from Gadsden State Community College and later completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Jacksonville State University. In 2023, he further strengthened his leadership and professional development by completing a postgraduate program at Harvard. Alongside his clinical responsibilities, Cody remains dedicated to education, contributing to a monthly cardiothoracic lecture series that includes peer review and public speaking.

Cody’s passion for cardiac care is deeply personal, shaped by his experience caring for his son, who was born with congenital cardiac defects requiring two open-heart surgeries and ECMO support. This experience continues to inspire his commitment to advancing cardiac care, improving patient outcomes, and providing compassionate care to patients and families facing complex medical challenges.

• Associates degree, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, Alabama
• Bachelor's degree, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama
• Master's degree, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama
• Postgraduate leadership program, Harvard, 2023

• MSN
• ACNP-AG, BC

• ANCC
• American Association of Critical Care Nursing
• Extracorporeal Life Support Organization
• American nurses association
• Georgia nurses association
• International council of nurses

• Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiac Family Advisory Council

I have co-authored 3 journal articles that will be published in the May issue of the ATS journal

1. A herald bleed that spoke volumes: surviving an aorto-enteric fistula a decade after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
2. Rapid progression of a sub-centimeter pulmonary nodule to metastatic small cell carcinoma within three months: A cautionary tale in lung cancer screening
3. A rare case of daptomycin induced hypersensitivity pneumonia presenting as acute hypoxic respiratory failure Discip