Meet the SACS 2026 Chairman & Co-Chairman and SACS 2026 APP Chairwoman & Co-Chairwoman

CHAIRMAN, SACS 2026

Michael Johnson, MD

Augusta, GA

Dr. Johnson is a practicing structural and interventional cardiologist at Piedmont-Augusta Hospital. He is also the medical director of the Piedmont-Augusta Heart Institute. He attended the University of Notre Dame for undergraduate and Georgetown University for medical school. He completed Internal Medicine residency at the University of Virginia. He then competed General Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology and Structural Cardiology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. He lives in Augusta, Georgia with his wife and four children.

CHAIRWOMAN, APP 2026

Eileen Dearth, PA-C

Charlottesville, VA

Eileen Dearth is a practicing cardiovascular Physician Assistant at UVA Health. Her primarily clinical role is surgical, in the operating room. She also serves as the APP manager for the ambulatory, inpatient step-down unit and operating room teams. She attended Syracuse University for undergraduate and James Madison University for PA school.

CO-CHAIRMAN, SACS 2026

John Frederick, MD

Charlotte, NC

Dr. Frederick is a practicing cardiac surgeon with specialty expertise in complex aortic surgery at the Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina where he serves as the Co-director of the Aortic Center and Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery. He attended the University of Texas for both undergraduate and medical school, and completed his surgical training at the University of Pennsylvania.

CO-CHAIRWOMAN, APP 2026

Madhuree Earnshaw, PA

Atlanta, GA

Madhuree Earnshaw is an accomplished cardiac surgery Physician Assistant currently practicing at the Piedmont Heart Institute, part of Piedmont Healthcare. In her clinical role, she provides comprehensive care across the full spectrum of cardiac surgery, including inpatient management, outpatient services, clinic responsibilities, and operative support in the OR.

She serves as the lead Physician Assistant for one of the busiest cardiac surgeons at Piedmont, Dr. Vinod Thourani, demonstrating leadership, advanced clinical expertise, and a strong commitment to delivering exceptional patient outcomes.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Emory University and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies at Quinnipiac University. Her career began in nursing within cardiac surgery, and she has remained dedicated to the field throughout her professional journey.

Outside of her career, she is a proud parent of twins, who are her greatest source of inspiration.