Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic to Unveil New Faces of Hope Portraits and Stories

ROME, GA., Jan. 23, 2026 – For 10 years, Miriam Little helped connect cancer patients to the resources they needed on their cancer journey. She had never had cancer herself, but her experience in social work gave her the tools to help those who had. That all changed in 2023, when Miriam learned she had ovarian cancer.

Now, Little, an oncology social worker, is one of 14 new Faces of Hope portraits and stories on display at the Harbin Clinic Cancer Center.

The exhibit features black and white portraits photographed by Rome-area photographer Kelly Moore. Each portrait is accompanied by a brief synopsis of the patient’s Here for the When cancer journey. In addition to Little, other individuals featured in the exhibit include Holly Avidan, Bonnie Clark, Ben Cohely, Jacob Cohely, Sarah Emmer, Garry Fisher, Randy Grogan, Tara Hartline, Debbie Hayes, Tammie McConnell, Reggie Nichols, Lauren Simpson and Carol Yagadics.

“These photographs and stories beautifully capture the heart, hope and care of the cancer experience from the patient’s point of view,” said Aimee Griffin, vice president of professional services. “From a 22-year-old new mom to a retired gentleman who plans to travel to see more of the world, these are among the many patients who have benefitted from the expert, compassionate care provided by Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic.”

Having cancer, Little said, has made her a better social worker.

“Before, I had the skills as a social worker to gather resources and give my patients emotional and spiritual support. But it is totally different when you go through a situation. It’s not just on paper. It really did change my perspective and my role as their social worker. Now, I share my experience and tell my patients the things they can expect. I can connect with them like never before,” she said. “I really feel like I can connect with the patients who are going through a similar journey.

The Faces of Hope portraits and stories are exhibited on the walls of the first and second floor of the Harbin Clinic Cancer Center, 255 W. Fifth St., in Rome. This is the third iteration of the Faces of Hope gallery.

“Every patient is special and every cancer journey is unique to the person, and that is why the Faces of Hope are so valuable,” said Dr. Melissa Dillmon, Harbin Clinic oncologist. “When a patient or a patient family comes to the cancer center they will see the photos and read the stories of patients who have been in their shoes. Some of these patients are still undergoing treatment. So, these aren’t surviving stories. They are thriving stories, and each of them is beautiful, complex and, yes, inspiring.”

Harbin Clinic and Atrium Health Floyd have been a beacon of support and strength for cancer patients and their families in Rome and northwest Georgia for decades. Now working together as one team, these experts provide comprehensive cancer care for their patients and families offering a range of services from prevention and detection to treatment and support through complementary, integrative therapies.

About Atrium Health Floyd 
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States.  Atrium Health Floyd strategically combined with Harbin Clinic in 2024 and employs more than 5,200 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at four facilities: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, a 361-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; and Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health, also in Rome. Committed to redefining care for all, Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic provide primary care, specialty care and urgent care throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia. 

About Atrium Health  
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is the health system’s academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. It is ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation. With a commitment to redefine care for every community it serves, Atrium Health provides nearly $3 billion in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.

About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Advocate Health is nationally recognized for its expertise in heart and vascular, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs more than 160,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to redefining care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.