CDC layoffs; Government shutdown affects Georgia Tech; Georgia hospitals using AI

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast

Episode Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Main Topics: CDC Layoffs, Government Shutdown's Impact on Georgia Tech, Hospitals Using AI, Vaccine Conversations

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Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers important updates impacting Georgia’s public health, education, and technology sectors. Key stories include major layoffs at the CDC, the effects of the federal government shutdown on Georgia Tech, innovative AI use in healthcare to reduce staff burnout, and the ongoing vaccine conversation between pediatricians and parents in Georgia. The episode also touches on notable community and sports news.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CDC Layoffs and Workplace Uncertainty

[00:49-01:37]

• Story: The CDC in Atlanta experienced another large round of layoffs, with approximately 600 employees let go—the third major layoff since January.

• Sarah Kallis reports on the impact, including accounts from employees caught in cycles of termination notices and brief rehiring.

  Dr. Brittney Lord (CDC Employee, quoted):
  "At this point, it seems like the chaos and lack of transparency is the point. It's been a long 10 months as a federal employee, but we will continue to fight back for the good of our nation and America's public health."
  (01:26)

• Context: The dismissals have caused confusion and frustration, with last-minute rescinding of termination notices furthering a sense of instability within the CDC.

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2. Government Shutdown’s Ripple Effect on Georgia Tech

[03:52-04:14]

• Story: The ongoing federal government shutdown poses a significant threat to operations at Georgia Tech, particularly federally funded research.
• Georgia Tech risks revenue losses exceeding $100 million per month and hints at impending spending slowdowns, including:
  • Freezes on new hiring
  • Major contract delays
  • Reductions in non-personnel spending if the impasse persists

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3. AI in Healthcare to Battle Staff Burnout

[03:07-03:52]

• Story: The Northeast Georgia Health System is adopting Ambient AI—a Microsoft-powered tool that transcribes doctor-patient checkups and automates electronic health record updates.

• Use of AI is optional but gaining traction, freeing clinicians from paperwork and supporting conversational care.

  Dr. Matt Zimme, Chief Medical Informatics Officer:
  "It's a far cry from pen and paper, but it helps doctors save time and keep checkups conversational."
  (03:19)

  Sophie Gradas (Reporter):
  "We like to fill the tool belt up with all the tools and then, you know, you're free to choose. But we see lots and lots of people now choosing this."
  (03:33)

• Broader Trend: Other Georgia hospital systems like Piedmont and WellStar are exploring similar AI deployments, including facial recognition and virtual nursing.

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4. Pediatricians and Parents Navigate Vaccine Hesitancy

[05:02-08:50]

• Story: Pediatricians in Georgia, especially in rural clinics, encounter rising vaccine hesitancy among parents—a trend amplified since COVID-19.

• Approach: Pediatricians favor patience and relationship-building over confrontation when discussing immunizations.

  Dr. Brittney Lord (Eastman Pediatric Clinic):
  "People used to get polio and not be able to walk, get paralyzed. That's where we have that conversation. Why are you afraid of vaccines? Why are you hesitant of it? What is it? And then that's where we can engage in the conversation."
  (05:27)

  "I can't just shut them down and say, you're wrong."
  (06:29)

  "We can do all we can to help prevent as much as we can. That's what matters."
  (08:09)

• Expert Insight:

  Robert Bednarchik, Emory University:
  "Being able to have that open conversation is one of the best steps that we can have towards coming to better decision making around vaccines."
  (06:57)

• Local stories and lived experience (e.g., seeing cases of whooping cough) underscore the importance and emotional impact of such work.

  Dr. Grace Davis (Sylvester Pediatrics):
  "This is gonna be an ongoing conversation. Cause we're not gonna stop talking."
  (07:40)

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5. Other Community and Sports Highlights

• Hartsfield-Jackson Airport refuses to display a DHS video deemed politically charged, maintaining a neutral environment for travelers.
  (01:53)
• Columbus Mayoral Race: Former city manager Isaiah Hughley enters the race, seeking to become the city's first Black mayor.
  (02:22)
• Synovus Securities Fined: $315,000 penalty for electronic forgery and falsified signatures.
  (04:39)
• Sports:
  • Remembering Sandy Alomar, Sr., former Braves player and mentor.
    (09:14)
  • Atlanta Falcons defeat Buffalo Bills, with standout player Bijan Robinson.
    (09:37)
  • Heartwarming Roswell High School homecoming gesture: quarterback Trey Smith crowns friend Jake Jeffries, a senior with Down syndrome, as homecoming king.
    (10:09)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On CDC Layoffs:
  "It seems like the chaos and lack of transparency is the point." — Dr. Brittney Lord, 01:26

• On Vaccine Conversation:
  "I can't just shut them down and say, you're wrong." — Dr. Brittney Lord, 06:29
  "Being able to have that open conversation is one of the best steps that we can have towards coming to better decision making around vaccines." — Robert Bednarchik, 06:57
  "That I will never forget. And I still kind of get upset about it." (on whooping cough case) — Dr. Brittney Lord, 08:09

• On AI in Healthcare:
  "It's a far cry from pen and paper, but it helps doctors save time and keep checkups conversational." — Dr. Matt Zimme, 03:19

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• CDC Layoffs: 00:49–01:37
• AI in Healthcare: 03:07–03:52
• Government Shutdown & Georgia Tech: 03:52–04:14
• Vaccine Hesitancy and Pediatricians: 05:02–08:50
• Community and Sports News: 09:14–10:52

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Episode Tone

The podcast features Georgia Public Broadcasting’s signature blend of straightforward, in-depth reporting with a focus on practical impact and community voices. The tone remains calm and empathetic, particularly during interviews with healthcare professionals, balancing urgency on public health matters with hope and determination drawn from local stories.

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This summary should provide listeners with a detailed yet digestible account of the critical issues and stories covered in this Georgia Today episode, along with memorable moments and expert perspectives.

Transcript

[GPB Announcer]

Georgia is the new hotbed for musical talent and the music industry knows it. Record executives are turning their eyes to the Peach State to discover the next big thing. On GPB's Peach Jam podcast, you'll hear those rising Georgia artists before anyone else Listen and discover the sound of what's next on the Peach Jam Podcast from Georgia Public Broadcasting.

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, the about 600 people have been laid off from the CDC. Georgia Tech feels the pain of the government shutdown and the Northeast Georgia Health System is now using a type of artificial intelligence aimed at easing staff burnout.

[Sophie Gradas]

Again, we like to fill the tool belt up with all the tools and then, you know, you're free to choose. But we see lots and lots of.

[Peter Biello]

People now choosing this Today is Tuesday, October 14th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The White House conducted another round of firings at the Atlanta based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday. Around 600 people were ultimately laid off. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

[Sarah Kallis]

The National Public Health Coalition, formerly known as Fired but Fighting, is a group of current and former CDC employees, including Erin Melton Backus. She was One of the 1300 who received a termination letter Friday, but it was rescinded less than 24 hours later.

[Dr. Brittney Lord]

@ this point, it seems like the chaos and lack of transparency is the point. It's been a long 10 months as a federal employee, but we will continue to fight back for the good of our nation and America's public health.

[Sarah Kallis]

This is the third major round of layoffs at the CDC since Trump took office in January. Melton Backa says she received termination notices during the other two rounds as well. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis in Atlanta.

[Peter Biello]

HARTSFIELD Jackson Atlanta International Airport will not display a newly released Department of Homeland Security video in TSA lines. The video features DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. An ATL spokesperson says the airport strives to maintain a neutral and welcoming environment for travelers and will not show the video. The former city manager of Columbus, who was fired by the Columbus Council in May, is now running to lead the council as Mayor Isaiah Hughley launched his mayoral campaign yesterday for next year's election. Hughley was the first black city manager of Columbus and served in that role for 20 years before councilors voted to end his employment after a series of legal and financial controversies. The current mayor, Skip Henderson, is in his second term and is not allowed to run again. If elected, Hughley would become the city's first black mayor. Qualifying for the race isn't until March of next year, with Election Day in the non partisan contest on May 19th. Northeast Georgia Health System is joining other healthcare providers and using a type of artificial intelligence called Ambient AI, which is aimed at easing staff burnout. GPB's Sophie Gradas has more Ambient AI.

[Sophie Gradas]

Allows healthcare providers to use a transcription of a patient's checkup to fill in details on electronic health records. Providers across North Georgia health systems, five campuses are using a program created by Microsoft path. Patients have to give their consent for the recordings. Chief Medical Informatics Officer Matt Zimme says it's a far cry from pen and paper, but it helps doctors save time and keep checkups. Conversational. Ambient AI is still optional at the hospital system.

Again, we like to fill the tool belt up with all the tools and then you know you're free to choose. But we see lots and lots of people now choosing this.

Other Georgia hospital systems like Piedmont Healthcare and WellStar have been using AI and other technologies, including facial recognition and virtual nurses. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Graudis.

[Peter Biello]

The government shutdown is hitting Georgia research universities hard. Georgia Tech says the impasse is delaying federally funded activities representing more than $100 million per month in expenses. The institute said yesterday if the shutdown doesn't end by Monday, it's prepared to slow spending and preserve cash by limiting certain activities. That includes new hiring, major contracts and other non personnel expenses. Columbus based Synovus securities has agreed to pay a $315,000 fine for alleged forgery and falsification of electronic signatures. A company official signed the agreement two weeks ago without confirming or denying allegations from the financial industry regulatory authority. Pediatricians are among the first people parents trust with their babies. Now some childhood diseases that are preventable by vaccines are on the rise and and messaging about vaccines from what have historically been the most respected sources of medical standards has changed. We're gonna go back to Sophie Gratis for this one and she explained in this piece in April, pediatricians and parents are having increasingly important conversations.

[Dr. Brittney Lord]

Hello, hello.

[Sophie Gradas]

Starting at two months old, all over the country, babies go into clinics like Dr. Brittney Lord's for an important visit. They get their first baby big round of vaccines.

[Dr. Brittney Lord]

Chunky, Chunky.

[Sophie Gradas]

Today is Memphis Brown's turn.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

Lord explains the rundown to mom Mahogany Brown.

[Dr. Brittney Lord]

We're getting three shots and then there's a liquid we give by mouth.

[Sophie Gradas]

She does this vaccine counseling with Every.

[Dr. Brittney Lord]

Patient, I kind of go through the vaccines in, like, layman's terms. People used to get polio and not be able to walk, get paralyzed. That's where we have that conversation. Why are you afraid of vaccines? Why are you hesitant of it? What is it? And then that's where we can engage in the conversation.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

Lord has been at the Eastman Pediatric Clinic in Middle Georgia's Dodge county for four years. The office is between the county hospital and tractor supply company. She's having more of these conversations with parents coming in not outright against vaccines.

[Dr. Brittney Lord]

But they are hesitant about giving so many at one time.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

The majority of families in the US still vaccinate their kids. Most of Lorde's patients are vaccinated. But there is evidence that since COVID thousands of families have opted out of routine vaccines. And now an outbreak of measles, the first in years, is getting mostly unvaccinated kids sick. It killed one child in Texas early this year. When parents here want to space out the timing of vaccines, Lorde will. And she always welcomes questions.

[Dr. Brittney Lord]

I knew, like, I would be here for a long time, and I needed to develop a relationship with these families, so I can't just shut them down and say, you're wrong.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

If she did, she fears she would lose these families altogether. Emory University global health professor Robert Bednarchik says it's hard for scientists like him to know why any one parent worries about vaccines.

[Robert Bednarchik]

What are people thinking? What are people feeling about these vaccines?

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

He says scientists need people like Dr. Lord to find out.

[Robert Bednarchik]

Being able to have that open conversation is one of the best steps that we can have towards coming to better decision making around vaccines.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

But Narcik says those decisions are key to all our health because. Because vaccine preventable diseases can be super contagious.

[Dr. Grace Davis]

And this is what I explained to parents because thinking that, oh, it's not gonna reach me, and I'm like, you're not gonna stay home. You're not in a bubble. You go to Walmart.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

Dr. Grace Davis runs Sylvester Pediatrics. She's been practicing in this small South Georgia community for over four decades. She encourages these parents, most her former patients, to ask questions about their children's.

[Dr. Grace Davis]

Care because it's a partnership and.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

And for the few unvaccinated families she.

[Dr. Grace Davis]

Has, I tell them up front, I said, you know, this is gonna be an ongoing conversation. Cause we're not gonna stop talking. I say, yeah, we know. And then I tell them true stories.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

Like from before vaccines of hospitals full of kids with meningitis and of kids now unprotected from the bacteria that come with the normal cuts and scrapes of childhood. Back in Eastman, Dr. Brittany Lord has her own stories. She once saw vaccine preventable pertussis, whooping cough leave a baby gasping for air.

[Dr. Brittney Lord]

That I will never forget. And I still kind of get upset about it. And I try to stress to parents, you know, I can't guarantee that everything's 100%, you know, but we can do, we can do all we can to help prevent as much as we can. That's what matters.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

Two month old Memphis might have a low fever later or get a little knot in his leg from his shot.

[Dr. Brittney Lord]

Good job.

[Narrator/Reporter (Sophie Gradas)]

The people in this room agree those are small discomforts for a life of protection. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradis in Eastman, Georgia.

[NPR Announcer]

Sources and methods the crown jewels of the intelligence community. Shorthand for how do we know what's real? Who told us? If you have those answers, you're on the inside and NPR wants to bring you there. From the Pentagon to the the State Department to spy agencies, listen to understand what's really happening and what it means for you. Sources and methods the new National Security Podcast from npr.

[Peter Biello]

Sandy Alomar, Sr. The Puerto Rican infielder and longtime baseball journeyman, passed away yesterday at the age of 81. Alomar first reached the majors with the Braves in September 1964, where he started at shortstop and collected a base hit in his very first game. In the years that followed, he remained woven into the Braves system, shuttling between the big club and its AAA affiliates, including the Atlanta Crackers. His early seasons with the Braves in Milwaukee, Richmond and then Atlanta shaped a career built on quiet determination and defensive skill. Later, he became a respected coach and the patriarch of one of baseball's most enduring families. In other sports, the Atlanta Falcons beat the Buffalo Bills yesterday 24 14. Running back Bijan Robinson had a career best 238 yards from scrimmage, but the Falcons struggled with their kicking game as Parker Romo had a field goal blocked. The Falcons will have a second straight primetime game when they travel to San Francisco and face the 49ers on Sunday night. And homecoming nights are meant to be special, but at Roswell, High school quarterback Trey Smith made this one unforgettable. Moments after being crowned homecoming king, Smith walked straight into the sidelines to place the crown on the head of his friend Jake Jeffries. A senior with down syndrome and the team biggest fan. Jake has been part of the program since his freshman year, helping the training staff and cheering from the sidelines at every game. On Friday night, the stadium erupted as Smith handed over the crown. That is it for this edition of GEORGIA today. Georgia Today is just one of many ways that GPB helps keep you informed, entertained, connected and safe. Because you value GPB's impact in your community, make a gift right now during our fall function drive to support it. You can Give by calling 800-222-4788. It's also easy to donate at gpb.org your gift is a vote of confidence in us, and we appreciate your support. If you want to learn more about any of the stories you heard on this podcast today, visit gpb.org news we're always posting new stories there. And if you haven't subscribed to this podcast, do it now. We'll be back tomorrow with all the latest headlines, and the headlines are shaped by you listeners like you. So send us what you think about what we've been doing or maybe news tips that you might have. Email address is georgia todaypb.org when you use that email, it goes to the whole team. So again, Georgia todaypb.org We'd love to hear from you. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening, and we'll see you tomorrow.

[NPR Announcer]

Sources and Methods, the crown jewels of the intelligence community. Shorthand for how do we know what's real? Who told us? If you have those answers, you're on the inside and NPR wants to bring you there. From the Pentagon to the State Department to spy agencies, listen to understand what's really happening and what it means for you. Sources and Methods, the new National Security podcast from NPR.