
AJC Pulse Magazine

How do you want this next season to feel?

Cyclospora lettuce recall: How to wash produce safely
Fresh produce is still an important part of a healthy diet. Learn simple steps to safely clean and prepare it after a Cyclospora outbreak.

Atlanta becomes first city to offer free smart bassinets to employees
A new city of Atlanta employee benefit is giving parents access to a high-tech bassinet designed to soothe babies and help families get more rest.

4 sunscreen mistakes dermatologists want you to stop making
Georgia dermatologist Dr. Jessica Mercer shares the most common sunscreen mistakes she sees and how to better protect your skin from sun damage.
Celebrating Nurses - 2026 honorees


From calling to career: The AJC honors 2026’s top nurses
For the 21st consecutive year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is celebrating 10 of the region’s best nurses and one outstanding nurse leader.

Robin Burse, Grady Health System
The professional practice manager has helped to restore confidence and community to nursing at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Clayton Cooper, Piedmont Athens Regional
Clayton Cooper, a nurse in the Emergency Department at Piedmont Athens Hospital, not only cared for a family suffering burns from a fire; he gave them a car.

Angela Edgar, Northside Hospital Cherokee
Her mother died when she was 17. But the nurses who stood beside her family during those final months left an imprint that would shape the course of her life.

Jennifer Fleenor, Northside Hospital Atlanta
After decades helping patients, nurse clinician Jennifer Fleenor added a leadership role for a group of nurses that seeks to improve retention and best practices at Northside.

Maggie Henson, Wellstar Douglas Medical Center
Diagnosed with diabetes at age 2, Henson guides patients through some of their most overwhelming moments, helping them see that a full, joyful life is still within reach.

Shirley Ifill, Wellstar Douglas Hospital
Shirley Ifill saw firsthand what it took to be a nurse, then became one in her 50s.

Tamika Johnson, Northeast Georgia Health System
Charge nurse creates meal support program for families at the bedside of their loved ones

Emily Kitchens, Grady Health System
The cardiovascular ICU nurse “sees the person behind the diagnosis and takes the time to understand their physical needs, fears, concerns and emotions.”

Heather McNeal, Northeast Georgia Health System
The surgical trauma ICU nurse manager created bereavement boxes of keepsakes to give to families of patients who don’t survive.

Eve Milner, Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
At Wellstar West Georgia in LaGrange, a former hospital vice president is changing heart failure care by helping patients secure housing, benefits and stability.

Emily Rakestraw, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
Bartow County native Emily Rakestraw knew she wanted a career that combined her love of medicine with her desire to help others....

Is soccer really one of the healthiest sports? A Georgia doctor weighs in.
From heart health to fitness and mental wellbeing, an Emory expert explains how recreational soccer can offer unique benefits for adults of all ages.
A return to school puts health screenings, vaccines in the spotlight
Back-to-school season is approaching. But families still have time to book doctor’s appointments and complete required health screenings to ensure kids are ready to learn.

Why soccer is so demanding on the heart
Soccer tests the heart with nonstop movement and repeated sprints. Learn how to stay safe, hydrated and recover properly in the summer heat.
Atlanta heat wave: Why experts are urging extra caution for kids right now
Children are more vulnerable to extreme heat. Here's how to spot trouble early and respond quickly this summer.

4 friendship truths that can preserve your mental health
Healthy friendships take work, but they also require acceptance. These four friendship truths can help protect your mental health and emotional well-being.

‘Nothing in our playbook’: HIV advocates brace for funding instability
Some HIV prevention grants have been reduced under Trump, and some Atlanta advocates say they have already seen delays in funds arriving.
Why humidity makes Atlanta’s heat feel even hotter
It's not just the heat. Learn why Georgia's humidity makes summer feel more intense and how it affects your body's natural cooling system.

How to avoid dehydration and heat-related illnesses this summer
As another hot summer settles over metro Atlanta, a heat wave expert shares simple ways to protect yourself from heat-related illness.

What parents should know before ramping up their kid’s soccer training
Dr. Neeru Jayanthi, a sports medicine physician, has studied injury prevention in young athletes and shares how to know when a player is at risk for injury.

Lil Nas X on his bipolar disorder diagnosis: ‘I’m smelling the roses’
The Grammy-winning artist breaks his social media silence with a heartfelt video, discussing his bipolar diagnosis and mental health journey.










