Effingham Magazine - February/March 2018

February/March 2018

HEALTH AND WELLNESS ISSUE 3 Year Old Piper Hill Battles Cerebral Palsy

Finding Hope Helping Seniors Overcome Depression and Anxiety

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S TA F F

Katrice Williams

is a married mother of two. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Business Administration Degree. Interestingly enough, at the time, she also had an interest in writing. She and her family moved to Pooler in 2003 from the Atlanta Metro Area. She later decided to pursue her writing interests. Katrice appreciates The Lord Jesus Christ and the many blessings that He has bestowed upon her. She loves spending time with her family.

Kathryn

Vandenhouten is a freelance writer who enjoys meeting new and interesting people. She earned her English degree at Georgia Southern University, and caught the travel bug while studying abroad in Costa Rica, where she received a minor in Spanish. After college, she worked briefly in Yellowstone National Park, where she enjoyed hiking and photographing the scenery and the wildlife. She now lives in Rincon and loves spending time with her husband, Sean, and two children, Turner and Emery.

Karlee Anderson has a Bachelor of Arts

degree in Professional Communications from Armstrong State University. She has experience in writing grant proposals and writing for the Inkwell, Armstrong’s paper. In addition, Karlee enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Zach, and her family. She is very involved in her home church and does volunteer work for various ministries. Her hobbies include reading, singing, and attending as many of her brothers’ sporting events as possible.

Kelly Harley is a writer and social

media strategist for businesses navigating the world of online marketing. She founded Social Creative, a social media management company dedicated to helping businesses effectively use social media. Kelly believes everyone and every business has a story worth sharing. From her early days as a television news reporter, her experience in storytelling and social media spans nearly 15 years. Kelly is married with two children and lives in Bloomingdale.

Shelia Scott is an Effingham County na-

tive and Salzburg descendent. She has been married to her husband, her best friend, for 6 years. Between them they have 9 children and 4 grandchildren. She started dabbling in photography when her kids were little and fell in love. When not with her husband and kids, she’s off somewhere, camera in hand looking for the next amazing shot!

Nelson Laporte is a New York native,

Nelson Laporte exudes his passion for photography & finding the beauty in each moment with every photo he produces. In March 2016, Nelson moved to Savannah, Ga after serving 8 years in the United States Marine Corps to be closer to his “why”, his daughter, Elizabeth. You can truly understand love for photography as he captures the milestones of her & his clients’ lives.

06 February/March 2018 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

“

WE’RE TRANSFORMING HOW WE APPROACH PATIENT CARE AT EFFINGHAM HEALTH SYSTEM— INCLUDING FAMILY MEDICINE. Lea Thornton-Allen

Wanda Simmons

Naomi Forrestall

Lane Leopard

“

CONTRIBUTORS

— SUSAN N. HARRISON, FNP-BC PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER EFFINGHAM FAMILY MEDICINE Miranda Osborn-Sutphen is

an Australian-born’s professional career started somewhere between journalism and fetching coffee before taking a happy turn to photography, graphic design and all things visually creative in-between. From newspaper photos to magazine shots, from product shoots to weddings, her CameraKoala.com photography has appeared in numerous nationwide catalogs, publications and has had the privilege to grace several magazine covers in Liberty County, GA.

912-754-6451 EffinghamHealth.org

When Only the Best Will Do Experience And Dedication Matters • • • • •

Licensed since 2002 Certified Residential Specialist Distinguished Sales Society Superior Customer Service 2016 Agent of the Year for Cora Bett Thomas Realty Moving Out of the Area? I can locate a Realtor to work for you. Ask me how.

Traci Wells Office: (912) 233-6000 Fax: (912) 233-2447 Mobile: (912) 657-0577

Cora Bett Thomas Realty 13 East York Street Savannah, GA 31401

in this issue

February/March 2018

features 10

Prayer For Piper

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Coastal Center For Development

42

Apryl Lee

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Get Healthy In 2018

3 Year Old Piper Hill Battles Cerebral Palsy

Dedicated To Making A Difference

Stroller Strong Moms

departments 09

Publisher’s Page

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Dining Feature Omlette Cafe

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special 25

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Effingham Health System

February/March 2018 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

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PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

A Personal Thank You Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Naomi Forrestall graphic designer Lea Thornton-Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com Wanda Hendricks Simmons account executive wanda@idpmagazines.com Lane Leopard account executive lane@idpmagazines.com

Effingham Magazine is proudly produced by:

108 International Drive P.O. Box 1742 Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 826-2760

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Write to us and tell us what you think. Effingham Magazine welcomes all letters to the editor.

Please send all letters via email to Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com, or mail letters to P.O. Box 1742, Rincon, GA 31326. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Effingham Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea, or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing JJulie Hales at julie@ idpmagazines.com Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in Effingham.

CIRCULATION: Effingham Magazine is publlished bi-monthly (six issues a year), printing 10,000 copies and distributed to over 180 locations.

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or over 11 years now, I have been writing a Publisher’s Letter for Effingham Magazine. Sometimes it is an easy thing to do, and sometimes it can be complicated. I am very thankful for the easy ones! And, this one will be easy. This letter comes with a very personal message.

Our annual Health and Wellness issue is always one I look forward to. Not only is it very informative to our readers, but it is also an education to myself.

We are very blessed to have some of the best heath care in the state right here in our own community.

There are numerous services available to us here, that just a few short years ago we thought we would never see.

As some of you may know, my mother has been very ill over the last couple of months. If you have never experienced watching a parent struggle to breathe, to function, to just simply feel better, then you are Julie Hales, PUBLISHER blessed. But, when it does happen, you only want the best care you can possibly find for them.

We found that care, the best we could find, and we found it at Effingham Hospital.

From the moment we arrived at the ER, we were treated with compassion. That was huge for my family. You don’t experience that in just any hospital....but you do in Effingham.

My mother was in the hospital for a total of four and a half weeks...that is a long time.

After the first week and a half, she was transferred to a Savannah hospital for a procedure (that was NEVER performed). She spent a week and a half in Savannah and was transferred back to Effingham Hospital for an additional week and a half.

The joy on her face when she got back to Effingham Hospital was priceless. And, the feeling of calmness and confidence for me was overwhelming. I knew she was back in a place where SHE mattered! And she did....not, just to her family, but to the staff that so wonderfully took care of her.

I want to personally thank Fran Baker Witt and the entire staff at Effingham Hospital for the dedication and compassion shown to my mother, and to our family. Dr. Sanks and Dr. Bennett were amazing with her. Katie Appleton, Transition Care Director, talked me off of a ledge more than once, and the nursing staff and therapists all treated my mother like she was family.

I know I will personally be forever grateful to everyone at Effingham Health System.

ABOUT THE COVER Our annual Health and Wellness issue! Meet Piper Hill, a lovely 3 year old that suffers from Cerebral Palsy. Learn about the struggles of this family as they provide the care that Piper needs.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2018

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“Prayers for Piper”

3 Year Old Piper Hill Battles Cerebral Palsy story by Karlee Collins photos by Tonya Perry

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verybody falls in love with Piper. She’s just so happy,” says Debbie Floyd of her threeyear-old granddaughter Piper Hill. Piper is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy Spastic Quadriplegia, which means she lacks muscle control in all four limbs. In addition to her CP, Piper has CVI which is Cortical Vision Impairment and Epilepsy, and due to these diagnoses, she has significant global developmental delays, which means she is behind in all areas of development that the average toddler should be able to perform. Piper and her big sister, Caralina, are being raised by their grandma, Debbie. Debbie works full-time and is fully responsible for Piper’s care. She gets to see Piper for the beautiful girl that she is. “I like to say her little body is broken but her spirit is fully intact.

She is such a happy baby. She, in her little three years, has taught me so much about life and living and love,” she shares.

“Unless something is hurting her or she’s hungry, then she’s laughing,” Debbie says. “She loves music, any kind of music really, but her favorite is praise and worship.” When Piper hears music, she stops what she is doing and directs all her smiling attention to the sounds. Despite her issues with her vision, she enjoys watching music videos too and tries to stay focused on them the best that she can.

When it comes to play time with her sister and cousins, she loves to be tickled.

“She loves for them to come up and tickle her. They can just make the sounds and touch her like they’re going to tickle her and she will laugh,” Debbie explains.

The only thing that really makes Piper upset is when she is hungry! “She would make the perfect participant on a Snickers Hangry commercial. You let her get to that point where she’s just beyond hungry and she’s ‘hangry,’ she’s going to scream,” laughs Debbie. As long as mangos are not on her menu, then she is going to be satisfied with anything she’s given. “She does love her vegetables,” says Debbie. “But we all love vegetables.”

Each week Piper attends multiple therapies to help her grow and develop and stay healthy. “She’s getting Speech Therapy and they are working on trying to get her to say the sounds because she is nonverbal,” shares Debbie.“She makes her little sounds, but she doesn’t say any kind of words or even try to form words.”

Her biggest form of communication is her laughter, but her therapist is working on increasing her sounds. She participates in two types of Occupational Therapy. With one therapist, they work on reaching and

purposeful movement. With another therapist, she is working on feeding and working on chewing. Right now, Piper’s diet is strictly purees. To round out her therapies, Piper gets Physical Therapy to help keep her little body moving.

This year, Piper started three year old preschool. “She’s going to school two days a week for a half a day. That is a good start,” Debbie says. At school, she receives some of the same therapies that she is

already working on and gets to play and learn with some awesome teachers. “This past week the teacher said that they were working on animal sounds, and Piper was loving the animal sounds. The teacher sent me a picture of her with a huge smile on her face,” Debbie says. “And my little baby is riding the bus!” The days of school are already encouraging for Debbie. Piper is getting extra support from those who are working with her at school, and the activity

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Magazine.com | February/March 2018

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and busyness of a half school day seems to be helping with the insomnia that she battles. Her little brain is so active from her epilepsy that Piper struggles to sleep at night. “Her neurologist said that her neurons are just firing all the time and she has a hard time shutting her brain off. Some nights she just lays there and plays, but some nights you can tell she just wants to go to sleep so bad and can’t.” says Debbie.

For a grandma to see her baby struggle to sleep, it can be heartbreaking. Debbie is thankful for school and hopes the pattern continues where busy school days lead to nights of good rest for Piper.

Debbie is a single parent to Piper and her sister. She shares that there are not any support groups in our area that are specifically related to families facing Cerebral Palsy. “All the support groups around here are either for Autism or Down Syndrome,” she says. “CP is such a large diagnosis.”

Many that are diagnosed with CP may only have issues with one body part and it may not be an obvious struggle. Others, like Piper, have difficulty in many areas and the CP affects all parts of her life. For a family that is dealing with CP, a network of help and support is so needed. Fortunately for Piper and Debbie, the Effingham County Navigators have welcomed them into their support group. Although this group is not targeted to families dealing with CP, it has been a blessing to Debbie. “We’ve gotten a lot of encouragement from that group. It’s just a monthly meeting that you

go to and then they have events that you can go to. They had a Christmas party in December,” she says. “It was pretty cool.”

CP is a broad diagnosis and the awareness about CP is much less than other disabilities. For Piper and Debbie, the need for greater awareness in our area is great, and Debbie hopes that by sharing Piper’s story people will see the need to seek out and support Piper and others that are bat-

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tling this lesser known disability.

Currently, Debbie’s mission is to raise the funds necessary to purchase a handicap van to assist in transporting Piper to her many doctor’s appointments and therapies. “I’m only five foot three, and she’s already three feet tall. It’s just only going to get harder and we know it’s going to take us a while to come up with this money, and that’s why we’re starting now,” she says. “It’s getting to the point where we just need to be able to transport her.” Right now, Debbie moves Piper from her car seat to her wheel chair and back in again every time they need to go somewhere. During cold or rainy weather, this difficult process becomes more taxing, and as Piper continues to grow, it will be nearly impossible for Debbie to go through this process. A better mode of transportation is necessary in order for Debbie to leave Piper in her chair and roll her straight into the van, but a handicap van comes with a 50,000 dollar price tag. The fundraising has begun, and they are just shy of 3,000 dollars.

Piper’s story can be followed on her Facebook page, “Prayers for Princess Piper.” There, information can be found to donate toward her handicap van via GoFundMe and get involved with upcoming fundraisers. The page will be carrying information about a Boston Butt sale in honor of Piper’s van fund that will take place March 30-31. As a community, Effingham should rally around Piper and be aware of the needs of those that battle a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis.

Seeing Medicine Through A Child’s Eyes

A

t SouthCoast Health Pediatrics, we see the world of medicine through a child’s eyes. That’s just one of the reasons our office in Rincon has earned such a sterling reputation for leading-edge, high-quality care among parents in the community. Our physicians and medical professionals treat kids of all ages- from newborns and infants to growing children and adolescents as old as age 21.

SouthCoast Health began its pediatric services in Rincon in 2006. Dr. Amanda Hendricks, Dr. Jami Scanlon, along with nurse practitioners Kalen Rogers and Haley Dickerson promote wellness by focusing on growth and development for each child and provide up-to-date medical care in times of sickness. Our pediatricians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have trained exclusively in pediatrics for three years after medical school to learn to diagnose and treat a wide range of childhood illnesses. We combine that highly specialized training with excellent communication skills and an engaging manner, to create an environment in which children are more comfortable and parents are less stressed. We then work closely with parents to educate them on the healthcare needs of their children as they progress through

various growth stages.

SouthCoast Health Pediatrics in Rincon, is the only Pediatric Group in Effingham County that has been awarded recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home Program. This recognition attests that our practice has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.

A patient-centered medical home is a model of care that strengthens the physician-patient relationship by replacing episodic care with coordinated care and a long-term healing relationship. Each patient has an ongoing relationship with a personal physician who leads a team at a single location that takes collective responsibility for patient care, providing for the patient’s health care needs and arranging for appropriate care with other qualified clinicians.

SouthCoast Health Pediatrics is pleased to offer same day appointments for your child during the week and urgent care services on Monday evenings from 5:00pm-7:30pm. Urgent care services are also available on the weekends at our pediatric offices in Savannah and Richmond Hill.

SouthCoast Health Pediatrics 814 Towne Park Drive East Rincon, Georgia 912.826.4866 www.SouthCoastHealth.com Paid For Advertorial

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EARLY DETECTION IS KEY

enesis Vascular is a leading provider in the treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Located in Pooler Georgia, Genesis Vascular’s experienced team led by Board Certified Physicians is committed to the detection and treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is commonly known as a collection of diseases of the circulatory system that affects blood vessels. One of the most common types of PVD is Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Peripheral Arterial Disease, also referred to as PAD, is a condition when plaque build-up causes a narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels. Just as a heart attack is caused by a blocked artery in the heart, PAD is the same kind of blockage – only it takes place in the arm, leg or other part of the body. Nancy Sutton, Education Specialist for Genesis Vascular says “PAD is very prevalent in this area, effecting almost everyone to some degree.” Risk factors for PAD include diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A strong family history of heart disease and stroke is also an important risk factor.

PAD affects at least 8 to 12 million Americans and the leading cause for amputation. The disease prevalence increases with age and 12% to 20% of Americans age 65 and older have PAD. PAD can occur in any blood vessel throughout the body, though it typically

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affects the legs, ankles, and feet. Half of the people living with PAD don’t show any symptoms. Others might have early symptoms, like pain while walking, pain at rest, burning or aching in the feet and toes, or cold feet. Over time, PAD can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life. Those with PAD are also more susceptible to stroke and heart attack.

Genesis Vascular Nurse Practitioner and Center Manager, Jana Bevill, states, “Peripheral Vascular Diseases are not as well-known as heart disease and stroke, it is an understudied and under diagnosed disease.” “Early detection is crucial when it comes to PAD,” Jana and her Genesis Vascular team strive to educate the community, physicians and staff on the importance of screening and testing patients to detect PAD before the disease becomes severe enough to lead to complications. A Doppler ultrasound or an Ankle-brachial index (ABI) are common noninvasive tests used to diagnose PAD. An ABI compares the blood pressure in your ankle with the blood pressure in your arm. To get a blood pressure reading, your doctor uses a regular blood pressure cuff and a special ultrasound device to evaluate blood pres-

sure and flow.

Treatments for PAD may include lifestyle changes, exercise and medications first. If these treatments do not help, Genesis Vascular’s highly skilled Physicians can perform a minimally invasive procedure to open up the narrowed vessels, thus improving blood flow and preventing the condition from worsening. The procedures are safely performed in Genesis Vascular’s state of the art facility where patients experience minimal down time and superior outcomes while the patients and their family’s needs are catered to.

Genesis Vascular also offers treatments for patients with Venous Disease such as Venous Insufficiency and Venous Compression.

Genesis Vascular accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurances and serves South Carolina and Georgia.

Talk to your doctor if you are having symptoms of PAD so the cause of your symptoms can be identified and treatment can be initiated as soon as possible. Should you have questions contact 912-662-0223 and Genesis Vascular team member will be able to assist you. EARLY DETECTION IS THE KEY!

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Mandy Cook Effingham’s Employment Specialist with CCDS story by Katrice Williams

T

he Coastal Center for Developmental Services (CCDS) is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization that “provides employment-related services, training and community integration opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities.” While Savannah is home to the primary branch office, the organization’s Effingham presence has certainly

photos by Shelia Scott

grown over the years. Established in 1951, CCDS has assisted countless individuals on their “road to independence.” Understanding that multiple thousands of Georgians, alone, have various developmental disabilities, CCDS knows that individuals should have the right and opportunity to live the significant and purposeful lives that they deserve, as every person deserves the ability to be a functioning member of society.

16 February/March 2018 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

An ongoing and critical goal of the organization is to partner with employers to show them, first-hand, that CCDS candidates can positively contribute to the overall success of their businesses. Utterly, the organization’s overall objective is to “train and place individuals with developmental disabilities with community wide jobs.”

CCDS has firmly established impartial and merit-based standards, as each employee’s

professional credibility is based on what they are able to contribute to their company, dismissing notions that “sympathy or empathy-based” employment decisions are expected or acceptable. The company is driven to make visible the reality that it is needed, no, imperative, to “focus on the ability rather than the disability.”

For their community partners, CCDS provides pre-screened applicants who are ready and willing to work hard. The organization offers “customized job placement,” insuring that every employee has the necessary qualifications and is a proper fit for their potential position. Further, CCDS provides ongoing prevocational training for employees to prepare them for work; individuals can receive training in catering, promotional printing or warehousing and electronics. This allows for beneficial onsite training prior to going into the workplace.

Dr. Ken Boyd, originally from Philadelphia, has lived in Effingham for a long time. Though he has been affiliated with CCDS for over 10 years as an active board member, Ken has been the executive director for the organization in Savannah for over a year. He believes strongly in what CCDS stands for and what is being done for those deemed developmentally disabled.

“What we can offer to the community is a population of people that is extremely motivated and highly trained to go to work,” Ken said.

Ken knows the notable work ethic of the individuals that his organization trains, when given the same opportunity as everyone else to demonstrate their abilities.

He declares, “Give someone with a developmental disability a chance, and they’ll show you they’re great.”

Ken explains that the organization is set to take on a new name in February—one more adequately representative of the diverse, qualified and talented group of individuals they represent. The new name, EmployAbility, does just that. It is all about “getting people employed and maximizing their abilities to do certain things.”

Ken aspires to eventually see all businesses within surrounding communities with “an integrated mix of workers.”

Further, the organization takes pride in their continuous follow-up services, allowing them to be aware of current conditions after placement. Besides prevocational

training, which helps bring out the skills that individuals need to possess a successful career, CCDS offers a day habilitation program, day-hab, for those who may not be as independent; whether physical and occupational therapy assistance or other self-help initiatives, day-hab helps individuals attain the resources that will address their particular needs. Health services are also available to make sure that employees have care when needed. Additionally, CCDS provides transportation for employees with onsite jobs, or those provided directly by the organization.

Mandy Cooke has lived in Effingham for some time now, along with her husband Jeff and four children. Actually, Mandy, who adores Effingham, is proud of her community and wants to see it continue to thrive. “I love the community; I love the feel of Effingham,” she stated.

Mandy is an employment specialist with CCDS; she began her career with the organization in 1996. After investing many years, she took some much-treasured time off to be a stay-at-home mom for her family; Mandy then returned in 2010, aspiring to help CCDS develop and service the Effingham community. She loves what she does and knows that it makes a big difference and adds tremendous value to the lives of others.

Mandy comments, “I love to see individuals who are labeled ‘developmentally disabled’ take the disability and turn it into an ability; I get more joy out of that than anything. It’s not a job to me; it’s something I do. I love my people.”

As an employment specialist, Mandy helps individuals with community integration through job training. She visits each business partner to find out what their needs are, then evaluates the individual’s abilities and strengths to match them properly. She, too, helps them through the application and interview process. Upon starting their first day on the job, she is there to provide job coaching to “help them train for the job.” After an employee has become comfortable and competent within their position, Mandy begins the process of “fading out,” where she no longer visits their job site on a consistent basis. She visits twice each month and provides ongoing support. Hence, she insures that there is “always a presence,” which keeps both the employee and business in mind.

Mandy explains that there are several ways that CCDS identifies individuals that may greatly benefit from their assistance.

One of the biggest ways is through Project Search, “a high school transition program for adults with developmental disabilities.”

The program helps individuals “discover

Ken Boyd Executive Director of CCDS their capabilities” through “workplace immersion, classroom instruction, career exploration and job skills training” in order to gain good employment. Both Effingham Hospital and the Effingham Board of Education participate in Project Search.

Mandy appreciates her employee partners in Effingham and knows that much of the program’s success is attributed to their support. Some include: Rincon Transmission, Edward’s Interiors, Effingham Hospital, Effingham Board of Education, Ebenezer Retreat, YMCA, Wiley’s, Harvey’s, Chevron and Arby’s, to name a few.

“Effingham has been very accepting.

We’re educating people and bringing our community together, breaking down the walls…the barriers,” she affirms.

Because they are so driven to overcome the barriers and stereotypes in society, individuals with development disabilities often do exceptionally well on the job.

Most want the opportunity to show that they are responsible citizens with worthwhile contributions to make to businesses.

“Our individuals help bring out productivity and the bottom line in a lot of businesses, because they are so focused.

Our safety ratings are outstanding,” she mentioned.

Mandy knows that the independence that CCDS provides for individuals is truly “amazing.” Her major goal is “to get everybody to be included” and feels that there are countless ways that businesses and the overall community can get involved.

She states, “I want every business here in Effingham to somehow, whether it’s hiring an individual, donating or volunteering to get involved with CCDS.”

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Success Stories From CCDS In Our Community

Jim Ford Karly Aligo

J

im Ford, born and raised in Effingham, is a noteworthy part of the community.

Jim has been a valued member of the Rincon Transmission team for over six years. He enjoys his job, and his co-workers appreciate his vibrant personality and incredible work ethic. Jim assists with maintenance of parts and has custodial responsibilities.

Jim feels that the company is a second home, as the overall company environment seems very welcoming and personable.

He insists, “I’d rather be here. I like the boss [Brad Young].

He’s really good; he’s real nice.”

To add, Jim mentions that his favorite duty is working in the transmission rebuild room; he enjoys any part that he is able to contribute and learns a lot just from observing.

Jim’s manager Brad speaks highly of him, especially regarding the hard worker that he is and the noticeable interest he takes in his job.

Brad asserts, “Jim is awesome. He’s always on time and very dependable. Jim is very loyal. He has good family support, and that’s really helpful.”

Noah, Brad’s son, has also spent a lot of time around Jim over the years and appreciates his professional contributions.

He says, “He’s good with all the employees. He’s a hard worker.”

Besides his job, Jim is very active in the community, with his favorite past-time being anything involving Rebels Football.

Jim smiles and states, “I go to all the games; I like it.”

Actually, Coach Buddy Holder made Jim an assistant coach, and Jim loves to help out. Jim says that Coach Holder is one of his biggest mentors. Others include Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, brother-in-law Ryan Edwards and his friend Kyle Edwards. Additionally, Jim enjoys volunteering at his church, Clyo Methodist, especially for the church barbeques.

He also supports the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a childhood cancer research foundation. Jim is happily looking forward to showing his support for the cause by shaving his head soon.

Jim certainly enjoys independently earning his own money. He even mentions the fact that he is saving to buy a new 4-wheeler storage unit. Yes, he loves his 4-wheeler. What’s more, he knows that the independence that he is privileged to experience in his life is absolutely irreplaceable.

18 February/March 2018 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

K

arly Aligo, originally from New Jersey, has worked with Edwards Interiors in company care and maintenance for nearly one year and really likes her job.

“So far, it’s good. All the people are very nice,”

she stated.

Karly, who loves to get the job done as effectively and efficiently as possible, is known to be very assertive and detail-oriented. She is very conscientious about the job that she does. As an employee, Karly holds herself to an incredibly high standard. More so, she enjoys the freedom and increased amount of self-sufficiency that working offers.

In her spare moments, Karly loves to draw. She also likes to read, as she feels that it can greatly help with spelling and articulation; she enjoys that challenge.

She states, “I like reading. I read to help me with spelling and pronunciation. I love to keep my brain active.”

Laura Jackson is Karly’s supervisor and has truly wonderful things to say about her.

Laura admits, “I love Karly. She’s very energetic. I’ve never seen someone as happy as her to be at work. She does everything you ask her to do. I tell everybody that Karly is one of the best people that I have ever worked with. She’s very detailed, and she doesn’t complain.”

Blake Harnage, a manufacturing engineer, also sees the value that Karly adds to the company.

“She’s exceptional. She comes in and does her job. She communicates with people right here on the floor, and she has a sense of humor. She’s charismatic and a pleasure to be around,” he states.

Blake really appreciates what CCDC is doing, proving that disabilities are only abilities waiting to be successfully tapped into.

“It’s very beneficial, not only for them, but for us also. I believe in CCDS 100%,” he mentions.

Blake believes that individuals said to be developmentally disabled can “be productive members of society.” He adds, “They have just as much a right and chance to life as we do.”

Regarding the career opportunity that Karly has well-embraced, Blake says, “I believe it can give everybody with disabilities inspiration, showing others, ‘if she can overcome and achieve all the things in the workforce with the disability she faces, so can I.’”

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Before

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haronda Bowman always dreamed of having her own salon. After being in business for 16 years with her father in his barbershop, she realized it was time to spread her wings and fly. In March of 2014, Salon Nevaeh’s journey began.

One of Sharonda’s favorite scriptures is Phillippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

She keeps this in mind in everything she does at Salon Neveah. “I love what I do, making people look good, as well as feel good.”

Salon Nevaeh is not only about haircuts, they are a full service salon who specializes in hair loss replacement. It is a nonsurgical type of hair replacement that is pain free. People who have lost their hair due to chemotherpy treat-

After ments, illnesses or any other reason can find comfort in Salon Neveah.

They go out of their way to make their clients feel comfortable providing

a private room in the salon for the hair replacement procedure. It’s a procedure that most insurances will cover, and they

work with each client through the process. They also have a 3,6 or 12 month payment plan that requires no credit check. It’s a hair club program set up so that everyone can get the help they need.

Salon Neveah is a full service salon that that does weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and any special occasion. They offer wig shampoos for a set house fee.

There is also a monthly payment plan for men and women who want to have regular appointments with the salon.

Sharonda Bowman and her staff at Salon Nevaeh feel they are doing much more than just helping clients look their best. They provide people with confidence to get through life’s challenges.

They offer consultations to anyone interested, and are always ready to do what they can to help people find their strength and feel good.

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hy can’t I get healthy?

Your good health begins with you. You owe it to yourself to learn what good health is and what you can do to have it. When you are feeling less than healthy, the most important question you need to ask is why you have a health concern to begin with.

Most health problems begin with an underlying imbalance. Find the cause of the imbalance, address it, and you can restore your health. This mean bringing yourself back into the natural balance of the body known as homeostasis. Living in this balance provides you your birthright: the right to be healthy.

Do you know that not all approaches to healthcare are the same? And that you don’t always have to wait until you have symptoms to know you have a health problem? Often, long before you develop symptoms, alternative healthcare professionals can detect an underlying imbalance and help return you to optimal health. With the aid of specific hands-on treatment and the use of nontoxic nutritional supplements that address the cause of the imbalance, they can keep the imbalance from leading

to a serious problem—and do so without subjecting you to toxic medications or unnecessary surgery. A skilled alternative healthcare professional can also advise when surgery is your best option.

When you go to your medical doctor, you encounter a completely different approach, the result of a different medical model. Instead of helping to prevent problems from occurring, medical doctors must wait until you are afflicted with full-blown symptoms before they treat you. Then and only then will you be examined, treated and possibly be given medications to treat your problem. You’ll likely go through a battery of tests to find out what is wrong with you, have to take prescription medications, and then deal with their multiple side effects—all without necessarily solving your health problem. In fact, the side effects of medication, including the dangerous interactions of different medications with each other, may prove to be worse than the original malady that brought you to your doctor. It’s currently estimated that as many as one in four medical conditions are caused by medical treatment.

In truth, what you are receiving should be called sickness care. It’s quite different from healthcare. Wouldn’t you rather find a gentler way to be healthy? There is another way.

Real healthcare begins with understanding the underlying cause of a health imbalance, then working cooperatively with the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Remember, it is natural for your body to seek a healthy state. If you cut yourself, without any help the cut will heal. If you catch a cold, after it cycles through your

body, your body‘s natural immune system will fight off the virus and you will become well again. This is the natural course of events when it comes to health.

Tackling the underlying cause of your symptoms allows them to subside naturally, because the imbalance causing them has been properly addressed. Once addressed, the body can resume healing itself, unimpeded. It’s now possible to restore your health—even to free yourself from having to take prescription medications.

As an alternative healthcare practitioner, it is my role to assist your body‘s natural ability to heal itself. This includes helping you to learn why you’re sick in the first place. Understanding the reason that any health imbalance occurs empowers you with understanding and knowledge, making you able to choose the best solution to turn your health around.

Dr. Richard Huntoon (Doc Rick) is a chiropractor who practices holistic healthcare at Advanced Alternative Medicine Center located at 138 Canal Street, Suite 404, Building 400 in Pooler Park, Pooler, GA. With more than 30 years of experience, Doc Rick addresses health concerns from seven perspectives, including emotional, toxicity, nutritional, allergy/sensitivity, structural and physiological.

There are several ways to get the help you need: Call Doc Rick’s cellphone directly 845-561-2225 to learn what you can do for your health naturally. Or listen to his weekly radio show “When Your Health Matters” Saturdays from 9p-10p on WTKS-AM with a simulcast on the AM1290 and 97.7FM signal as well as on the iHeartRADIO App. If you want to learn about natural solutions to hundreds of health concerns before you call, visit Dr. Huntoon’s informative website: www.spineboy.com.

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EFFINGHAM HEALTH SYSTEM A Guide For Your Health

Fran Baker-Witt Her First Year As CEO

Al Allred, Comptroller

A

story by Kelly Harley

l Allred serves as Effingham Health System’s (EHS) comptroller. With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare financial accounting, he’s taking a proactive approach when it comes to strengthening EHS’s financial leadership in the changing healthcare market.

“One of the greatest challenges facing the U.S. healthcare system is access to care,” says Allred. “EHS is a critical access hospital, which means it is the entry point into this system now being defined as an integrated population health model.” An integrated population health model is designed to improve the accessibility of care, quality and satisfaction, and reduce duplication of efforts and costs. An integrated population health model better integrates health and social care systems with other public services and the communities they serve. “The keys to providing quality patient care are collaboration and communication between the various healthcare services provided throughout the patients’ continuum of care,” says Allred.

One of EHS’s initiatives that focuses on better access to quality care, is a telemedicine health program, which is a collabora-

photos by Tonya Perry

tive effort between EHS and the Effingham County School System. The telemedicine program connects students and faculty at two local elementary schools directly with EHS physicians and healthcare professionals. “Thanks to this school-based telemedicine program, the school nurse can be connected to the EHS expert physicians and conduct an evaluation of the patient without leaving the school,” says Allred.

Due to the success of this program, the goal is to expand this service to all elementary schools. “This integrated program has provided the students and faculty (patients) access to healthcare they need when they need it, and in the setting of the school where they are,” says Allred.

“Healthcare has become a highly competitive business and healthcare organizations are asked to provide more services, but are being paid less for those services,” says Allred. “Under the direction of our chief executive officer (CEO), EHS has a very dynamic strategic vision and mission that is supported by the organization’s strong financial position.” Allred adds the strategic plan is supported by financially sound business practices that generate a positive contribution margin or, as they say, a positive bottom line. EHS is a

Effingham Health System now has state-of-the-art 3D mammogram technology in both our Hospital (Springfield) and Imaging Center (Goshen) locations.

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are more accurate, detect cancers at an earlier stage, have fewer false positives and seldom require you to return for additional screenings.

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non-profit organization which means the organization pays no corporate income tax.

This allows EHS to reinvest the positive bottom line results back into the organization so that physicians and healthcare professionals can meet the healthcare needs of the patients and communities that EHS serves.

Allred began his career at EHS in 2017 and reports directly to the CEO. Allred is responsible for the daily operations of accounting, payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable. He also oversees the preparation of monthly financial statements, as well as, the annual year-end audits, annual regulatory cost report filings and tax return preparation.

Allred is a certified public accountant, a Fellow with the Healthcare Financial Management Association, and a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives. Prior to coming to EHS, he served as the vice president of Finance for a healthcare authority hospital in Southeast Florida.

459 GA Hwy 119 Springfield, GA 31329 (912) 754-6451

912-754-6451

2018 | www.EffinghamHealth.org

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Fran Baker-Witt Leader and Visionary for Effingham Health Systems Dr. Bailey Alford, MD

Doing What She Loves And Doing It In Effingham County...Home!

8

Effingham Health Systems State-Of-The-Art Surgery Center Jane Hughes

Fighting Colon Cancer with the help of the Cancer Center at Effingham Health Systems

Telemedicine

Transforming Healthcare for Children In Our Community

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Note from Publisher

108 International Dr P.O. Box 1742 Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 826-2760

It is my pleasure to have worked with the amazing staff at Effingham Health System on this health guide. We, as residents of Effingham County, should be very proud of the accomplishments made over the past year at our community hospital. We should also be excited about the future as they bring more healthcare opportunities and services into the county. Thanks Fran Baker-Witt for your vision and leadership.

Julie Hales PUBLISHER

Staff Lea Allen, Administrative Assistant Naomi Forestall, Graphic Design Lane Leopard, Account Executive Wanda Simmons, Account Executive

Effingham Health, a special to Effingham Magazine, was written and produced by Independence Day Publishing, Inc., publisher of Effingham Magazine. www.EffinghamHealth.org

|

2018

Fran Baker-Witt Leader and Visionary for Effingham Health System story by Julie Hales

photos by Tonya Perry

S

ome people possess leadership skills because they learned how to become a leader. Some possess these skills because of the life paths they have chosen and the walks they have taken along those paths. And, for others, it is just a natural trait, a part of who they are, from beginning to end.

Fran Baker-Witt is one of those people, she was born to be a leader. It is who she is, it just comes natural to her. She doesn’t take a back seat. She takes the ‘bull by the horns’ and gets the job done. She was simply born to lead, and to lead with grace, poise and dignity.

For the past year, Fran Baker-Witt has served as the CEO of Effingham Health System. She originally came to EHS as the new Transformation Officer, and soon was appointed as interim CEO, before being chosen to fill that position on a permanent basis.

Baker-Witt came to Effingham Health System from Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. She says, “I worked at Grady for 17 years in various leadership positions, including Patient Safety and Accreditation Officer and, most recently, as Executive Director of Women’s and Infants Services.

Those varied roles, in the context of a public safety net academic institution, with unique challenges specific to clinical acuity and social issues, working with two schools of medicine, prepared me well for my role as CEO. Grady is a cutting-edge institution and I brought that spirit of innovation and energy with me to Effingham Health System. Nothing is stopping us as we recruit specialized practitioners, partners, and technology to transform this healthcare system to meet the population health needs of our patients and community.”

And, she has certainly brought spirit and innovation to EHS. And, it has been contagious within the walls of this hospital. Adapting a motto early in her new role, Baker-Witt explains, “‘Be the change.

See the change. Lead the change,’ has served our team well this past year and will continue to guide us into the future as we transform this health system. It has created momentum with outcomes like our program to put Telemedicine in the local schools. Our employee engagement has gone from 69% to 91%. Happy employees translate to a good patient experience!”

Patient experience is a top priority at EHS. And that experience starts with the staff, from the receptionist when you walk in the door, to the triage nurse, to the ER physicians, to the Hospitalist, to the Therapists…the list goes on and on. If Baker-Witt could instill one characteristic

into each staff member at EHS, it would be passion. “Passion is important. Change is not easy, and we are transforming our organizational culture. We need to support each other as we grow, understanding that we are all human and that change takes perseverance. Our industry is changing so fast, and we need to help each other as we adapt and excel in this new environment.

Passion for our work ultimately translates to a better experience for our patients,” she states.

Baker-Witt’s role as Transformation Officer to CEO has been a smooth transition, partly because the two roles are very similar. She explains, “The progression between the two roles was a solid fit, given that Transformation of our health system is our immediate objective. The focus on change and transformation remains. The biggest difference is the scope of responsibility has increased dramatically.”

There have been many changes at Effingham Health System over the last year. When asked of the changes made and accomplishments in her first year in her role as CEO, Baker-Witt tells us, “I asked that question of our employees recently and they said, ‘No more Silos,’ ‘Teamwork,’ ‘Better Communication,’ ‘Clear Direction, and ‘Trust. We have experienced a major transformation of the culture. Expectations changed as we hardwired behavior that exemplifies evidenced-based best practices. The staff rose to the challenge of regulatory issues. Everybody understands the vision and mission, and there are no more silos. Results followed with increased patient engagement. We set high goals and we are reaching them. All of those internal operational changes have improved the patient experience and patient outcomes.

We’re adding important services based on the needs we hear from our community.”

“I also think the change in perception we have experienced

is really important. How people perceive Effingham Health System, our branding.

The community has known we are an economic engine. But today, we are building trust and confidence for the level of care we provide close to home. They are seeing and experiencing the innovation we are bringing to this community,” she adds.

Baker-Witt has been a master at keeping her pulse on everything happening on the entire campus of EHS. This is definitely one of her strengths. “Thankfully I can draw on my experience in varied healthcare leadership roles throughout my career. I also find that the patience and multi-tasking I learned as a mother help me to be a better leader, while my spirituality keeps me focused,” she shares.

Yes, spirituality plays a predominant role her life. When facing adversity in her new role, she relies on this part of her being. Her faith translates to sound advice for her staff. “Facing adversity is never easy. Embrace the situation. Try to understand the purpose. Always question ‘why’? To overcome adversity, we need self-reflection; to know our strengths and weaknesses. When things happen, they have meaning and purpose. Don’t just see them as bad or be indifferent. Try to find the message. Be willing to stretch yourself and to critique yourself. Growth is hard.

www.EffinghamHealth.org

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2018

But the outcome is worth it.”

There is no doubt that Fran Baker-Witt has used her own advice.

Charities are dear to the heart of Baker-Witt. She has been involved in many charities since coming to Effingham, like United Way, March of Dimes and others.

This year, she has been chosen to Co-Chair the Coastal Empire’s ‘March For Babies,’ with Tina Tyus-Shaw of WSAV in Savannah. When asked about this opportunity, Baker-Witt replied, “Now you’ve hit on one of my passions! I am honored to co-chair the March for Babies with Tina Tyus-Shaw this year. It is a great chance for Effingham to have a presence in a Greater Savannah event. As a nurse, I want to help reduce infant and maternal mortality rates in Georgia. Our state currently rates a “D” on March of Dimes’ Report Card. That includes the fact that Georgia has the 43rdhighest infant mortality, and 47th highest maternal mortality, in the nation. I particularly want to encourage prenatal care for African-American women, who have a 4X increased risk of premature birth than any other ethnicity. I experienced a miscarriage myself, even with good prenatal care, so this is near and dear to me personally.

I understand on a personal level just how important March of Dimes’ mission—to care for mothers and babies—is to our community.”

Baker-Witt’s professional journey began as a RN. She has always liked helping people. She received her BSN from Loyola University Chicago and then began nursing at Mercy Hospital, where she specialized in

2018 | www.EffinghamHealth.org

women’s services and neonatal care.

For Baker-Witt, it wasn’t enough for her to take care of patients at the bedside.

She wanted to have more of an impact in the healthcare process. So, after two short years of nursing, she decided to go back to school and earn her Master of Business Administration degree.

“While I was pursuing my MBA, I accepted my first nursing leadership healthcare management position as a director of nursing for a long-term care facility. So, from 1988 to now, I have been in healthcare leadership roles,” she states.

Education is a key component. And, she continues to reach for the stars. Last year, when accepting this position, she was in the process of obtaining her Doctor of Nursing Practice. She proudly states, “I expect to advance to Doctoral Candidate in June of this year. Given the demands of my CEO role, I’m pleased that I’ve been able to continue to achieve academic excellence. I attribute that to my faith. Prayer and time management (she says with a smile) helps put everything into perspective and gives me strength when I need it most.”

There have been some major changes and accomplishments made under the leadership of Fran Baker-Witt this past year. A new Cancer Care Center was opened in Spring of 2017, providing cancer treatment close to home. This fall, Effingham Health System launched a highly successful Telemedicine pilot program in local schools and the healthcare system added the very first, much needed, pediatrician to the staff.

They have also expanded the hospitalist program, physicians who specialize in care for people in the hospital and have expanded that model to include advanced practitioners. This allows EHS to deliver optimal care and helps assure the best possible health outcome for every patient.

“One of the priorities I am very proud of from this past year is that we continue to improve the level of care we provide through our providers, including physicians and advanced practitioners (nurse practitioners and physician assistants).

Our providers have tremendous expertise, experience and commitment. They are the connection between our health system and the people we serve,” states Baker-Witt.

Effingham Health’s provider practices have excelled, receiving a 96.7% patient satisfaction rating.

And what CEO, with the vision of Baker-Witt, would not be thinking about the future? The answer would be none. She is always thinking of the future and what changes we will see in the upcoming year.

She tells us, “Continued growth, expansion of specialty programs and more outreach programs that move healthcare to patients in our community are on the agenda.”

If Fran Baker-Witt says it, then you should expect it. She is the leader and visionary of our community hospital. Her vision will continue to help Effingham residents have quality healthcare here in our community, without having to drive to Savannah and surrounding areas. With tireless dedication like hers, the future of Effingham Health System is very bright.

Ashley Dasher, AGACNP-BC Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

A

story by Kelly Harley

shley Dasher is an Effingham County native. She was born and raised in the small community and her roots are planted deeply. She has also planted roots at Effingham Health System (EHS) and her career with the hospital has flourished since she started in 2014 as a medical surgery nurse. Dasher says she didn’t grow up wanting to be a nurse and in college was pursuing a degree in biology.

An advisor suggested she try nursing.

Dasher says that it was the best decision she’s made because it gives her the opportunity to challenge herself every day.

While working at EHS as a nurse, Dasher decided to challenge herself even more by obtaining a master’s degree in hospital medicine. “The hospital was very supportive of me pursuing my education and I was able to work here while attending school,” says Dasher.

She calls what happened next a blessing.

When she started at EHS there were no nurse practitioners working for hospitalist services. As the hospital continued to grow, that changed. Dasher was approached

by Dr. Claude Sanks about becoming his nurse practitioner upon graduation. Two months after graduating, she began her new role as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.

Dasher credits much of her success at EHS to Dr. Sanks. “First and foremost, he had faith in me and asked me to work with him as a new nurse practitioner,” says Dasher. “I could not be more grateful to him for that.” In the seven months they have worked together, Dasher says she has learned so much. Dr. Sanks has helped mold her practice style, manage her time, and improve her documentation. “He empowers me by promoting my independence while also letting me know he is always available for any questions I have,” says Dasher.

Dasher currently works alongside Dr.

photos by Tonya Perry

Sanks in hospitalist services for the medical surgical floor. She admits patients from the emergency department to the hospital, manages patients as inpatients and in observation, arranges transfers when necessary and plans discharges. She also consults with physicians and other advanced practitioners from multiple specialties and takes call for the hospital patients at night.

“I feel that my nursing experience at EHS helps me be a liaison between the physicians and nurses, and makes me approachable to the staff as many of us have already built friendships in the past,” says Dasher.

Along with the priceless experience she is getting at EHS, Dasher believes her ties with the community serves her patients well. “I feel that sometimes patients feel a little more comfortable just having a

Effingham Health System now has state-of-the-art 3D mammogram technology in both our Hospital (Springfield) and Imaging Center (Goshen) locations.

familiar face present when they are sick.

I love when I can provide that for them,” says Dasher.

Dasher’s roots will keep her at EHS. Her grandmother was a patient at EHS’s Care Center, an on-site nursing home, and her aunt was a nurse at EHS for many years.

Dasher says she loves Effingham County and wants to see it grow. “EHS feels like home to me. As a mother of young children, l cannot put a price on the benefit of working close to home, only 10 minutes from my children's preschool,” says Dasher. “As the hospital continues to grow and prosper, I want to be a part of it. I have learned so much in my short time working as a nurse practitioner, and I look forward to what the future holds for me here.”

40% MORE ACCURATE 3D Mammograms are more accurate, detect cancers at an earlier stage, have fewer false positives and seldom require you to return for additional screenings.

WE’RE REDEFINING the level of healthcare you can expect—right here in Effingham County. You no longer have to choose between convenience and expertise.

459 GA Hwy 119 Springfield, GA 31329 (912) 754-6451

912-754-6451

EffinghamHealth.org LEARN MORE A www.EffinghamHealth.org

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Dr. Bailey Alford, M.D Doing What She Loves, And Doing It In Effingham County... Home!

O

ften times we ask children what they want to be when they grow up. Some may say an astronaut and others a teacher. For Dr. Bailey Alford, at three years old, she had her answer – a doctor. “My mother has home videos of me walking around with my stethoscope,” says Dr. Alford. Today, Dr. Alford still carries her stethoscope around her neck and is serving those who she enjoys most.

Dr. Alford is Effingham Health System’s (EHS) first, on-staff pediatrician.

She sees patients at Effingham Family Medicine at the Springfield and Guyton locations. She is part of EHS’s focus on transforming healthcare for children in Effingham County. “Our goal is to give children in the county an option. There is a demand for pediatricians and we are filling that need,” says Dr. Alford.

Aside from knowing she always wanted to be a doctor, Dr. Alford has always been drawn toward children. When she started medical school, she had to participate in different rotations. The pediatric rotation was her favorite. “Children have specific health needs that adults don’t have. I enjoy making them feel better,” says Dr. Alford. She is also impressed by her patients. “Kids are so resilient. A child can come in with the flu and still be running around the exam room,” says Dr. Alford.

Before starting her career with EHS, Dr. Alford completed a three-year pediatric residency at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah. Prior to that she received her Doctorate of Medicine from Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah campus. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, with a Chemistry minor, from Mercer University, Macon campus, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with university honors.

Coming Home It’s one thing to pursue a career doing what you love and it’s another doing it in 2018 | www.EffinghamHealth.org

story by Kelly Harley

a place you love. Dr. Alford moved to Effingham County when she was in seventh grade and her roots are planted here.

She loves her community and all that comes with it. “You can go to the grocery store and see someone you know. Effingham has that small-town feel; however, you’re close enough to Savannah if you want to enjoy a bigger city.” Her family is here, too. She met her husband, Judd, in eighth grade, and they’ve been together ever since. He is a Spanish teacher at South Effingham High School and coaches football and golf. Dr. Alford says being able to practice in her hometown is a very rewarding experience. “It has been really fun to treat children of my friends and family. Knowing they trust me with the health and well-being of their children, really means a lot to me.”

Approach to Pediatrics As a mother to a toddler, Dr. Alford believes the approach to pediatrics should be a more family-centered approach. She says treating children isn’t just about prescribing medicine.

“The parent is a big part of treatment in children. Parents have to be on board and understand why you are doing what you are doing,” says Dr. Alford. “They are the ones who will carry out what you recommend. You really work together as a team and that is what is unique to pediatrics.”

Another unique thing about pediatrics is the field is ever changing. Dr. Alford says you have to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in medicine and treatments.

“There are a lot of hot-button topics that parents will ask you about because they worry, which is understandable. A good part of my week involves reading research articles. I have to understand what is going on and provide honest recommendations to the parents,” says Dr. Alford.

Dr. Alford focuses on the entire well-being of each patient. Common issues she handles include asthma management, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment, allergies, skin conditions and of course the common cold and flu. She also is a big believer in annual wellness visits from the time children are born until adolescent years. Dr. Alford says wellness visits are important because she is able to screen for certain issues such as hearing and vision problems and scoliosis. “Parents take children to the doctor a lot when

they are young, but when you have an older child, wellness visits are still very vital,” says Dr. Alford. “We may be able to catch something early on and refer the child to a specialist.”

Dr. Alford is a proponent of children living a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. She recommends children eat a nutritious diet and drink plenty of water.

She says children need restful sleep and parents should decrease the amount of screen time (computers, tablets, and phones) to less than two hours a day and no screen time an hour before bed.

“Parents also need to be involved in their children’s schooling to ensure they are keeping their grades up. Good communication with teachers is important, too.

Remember, the overall well-being of a child is really a team approach,” says Dr. Alford.

Community Involvement Dr. Alford’s work extends beyond the exam room and Effingham County. She is active in the Savannah and Effingham County Parent University organizations.

The nonprofit community collaboratives provide free classes designed to help parents support their children to achieve in school and life. Dr. Alford gives regular presentations to parents in the program about various pediatric concerns such as health issues, vaccines, growth and antibiotic usage. One of her presentations focuses on developmental milestones and how to know when your child may be falling behind. She is also involved with March of Dimes and is actively working with the Savannah

chapter to increase prematurity awareness and prevention.

Another way Dr. Alford is helping to transform healthcare for local children is through a telemedicine pilot program called Effingham Health TELEMED. EHS partnered with Effingham County Board of Education and launched the program in Guyton Elementary and Springfield Elementary last year. With the parent’s permission, assessments and diagnoses are performed by a physician or advanced practitioner from EHS. Dr. Alford is one of those physicians.

“When a child is sick, they can go to the school nurse. With the parent’s consent, I’m able to use innovative technology, to include a blue tooth stethoscope, HD digital cameras, monitors, and a digital scope, to assess and diagnose an illness.

I can even call in prescriptions,” says Dr. Alford. “The goals are to make healthcare more convenient, avoid delays in treatment and decrease school absenteeism.”

A Commitment to Excellence When asked how Dr. Alford prevents from getting sick, she says she’s built up a good immune system. It’s likely that mixed with a dose of sincere passion.

She says she truly loves coming to work each day and is enjoying her new role as EHS’s first on-staff pediatrician. “I’m excited for the opportunity to make a difference and to have an impact on healthcare for children,” says Dr. Alford.

“I’m fortunate to be able to do it through EHS and I really believe it was meant for me to be here.”

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|

2018

Effingham Health System’s State-Of-The-Art Surgery Center

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op surgeons from around the region are attracted to Effingham Hospital’s state-ofthe-art surgery facility. EHS offers the latest in equipment and resources including two fully integrated operating room suites with video/PACS capabilities.

The facilities at EHS also include one integrated GI suite for all endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures. They offer outpatient (same day) surgeries, as well as inpatient and observation procedures.

Many local and Savannah-based physicians are credentialed to operate on patients at Effingham Hospital.

Surgical procedures offered at Effingham Hospital include: General Surgery: All general surgical procedures to include cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), appendectomy, hernia repair, any obstructions/bleeding of the GI tract, abscess/cyst removal/treatment, and any other general condition that may affect the human body.

Endoscopic Gastrointestinal: All endoscopic procedures of the entire GI tract, both upper and lower for bleeding, polyp removal, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), GERD, routine screening, and any other condition that may warrant investigation by a gastroenterologist.

Opthalmic: Cataract repair and replacement surgery, with state-of-the-art instrumentation and equipment, is attracting some of Savannah’s top Opthamologists to Effingham Hospital.

Orthopaedic: All joint replacement

Effingham Health System now has state-of-the-art 3D mammogram technology in both our Hospital procedures: To include shoulder, hip, knee (Springfield) and Imaging Center and all finger/toe joint replacement for conditions like osteoarthritis, degenerative (Goshen) locations. joint disease, fractures, degenerative ar-

thritis and any other conditions requiring replacement.

All sports medicine procedures: To include arthroscopy (shoulder, knee, elbow, ankle), ACL reconstruction, tendon and cartilage reconstruction, and any/all fracture repair from any sports-related injuries or general orthopaedic injuries.

All general orthopaedic conditions: To include spinal injury/disease (herniated discs, deformity, stenosis, etc.) fractures, dislocations, joint injuries, pain management and trauma.

Pediatric orthopaedics: All conditions involving pediatrics to include congenital abnormalities, bone growth deformities,

40% MORE ACCURATE 3D Mammograms

are more accurate, detect cancers at an earlier stage, have fewer false positives and seldom require you to return for additional screenings.

pediatric injuries, pediatric spinal surgery and soft tissue deformities and injuries.

Podiatry: Specialized surgery for the foot and ankle to include bunionectomy, joint replacement, tendon repair, and any soft tissue repair/reconstruction.

Neurological: Specializing in spinal disease and repair to include surgery of the cervical (neck) spine and thoracic/lumbar spine with fusion capabilities and management. We also provide pain management of the spine.

Urological/Gynecological: All problems associated with the female urinary and reproductive system to include partial and complete hysterectomy, ablation of cancers and fibromas, urinary incontinence or difficulties, and any other anomalies involving this body system. Both laparoscopic and open procedures are done as needed.

WE’RE REDEFINING the level of healthcare you can expect—right here in Effingham County. You no longer have to choose between convenience and expertise.

459 GA Hwy 119 Springfield, GA 31329 (912) 754-6451

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Michael Daly - NP-C Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

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story by Kelly Harley

n October 2016, Hurricane Matthew directly impacted Coastal Georgia. Inland counties such as Effingham County felt the effects of the powerful hurricane. Michael Daly remembers the storm very well. The board certified nurse practitioner had just started his new role at Effingham Health System (EHS), working in the hospital. He was part of the team that worked around the clock during the storm. “I had to learn things pretty quickly,” says Daly. “All of the patients that would normally go to Savannah were coming to us and we had evacuees from South Carolina here. We treated a lot of patients during the storm.”

That baptism by fire was welcomed by Daly because commitment to patient care is his top priority.

The Greenville, South Carolina, native always knew he wanted to help people and nursing was a way he could do that. He received his nursing degree from Georgia South University (GSU) in Statesboro, Georgia. After school, he worked as a mental health nurse and then started working

photos by Tonya Perry

Effingham Health System now has state-of-the-art 3D mammogram technology in both our Hospital (Springfield) and Imaging Center (Goshen) locations. in the Effingham Hospital emergency department where he spent five years.

While working there, he went back to GSU to become a nurse practitioner. In fact, he was the first nurse practitioner hired to work in the EHS Hospitalist program, which was expanded to include advanced practitioners. This best-practice model is being implemented across the nation due to physician shortages.

EHS’s redesign of its Hospitalist program, spearheaded by Dr. John Bennett, chief medical officer at EHS, is an innovative and cutting-edge approach to providing quality care.

Daly, who works alongside Dr. John Bennett, says that EHS is embracing a culture of compassion and excellence and doing so by maximizing the patient experience. One of the ways patients benefit is by seeing the same doctors. “I believe when you come to our hospital, you get more attention than you would in a bigger hospital,” says Daly. “Everyone we see is sick and needs our services. We want to

40% MORE ACCURATE 3D Mammograms

are more accurate, detect cancers at an earlier stage, have fewer false positives and seldom require you to return for additional screenings.

WE’RE REDEFINING the level of healthcare you can expect—right here in Effingham County. You no longer have to choose between convenience and expertise.

give them all of the attention they deserve.

We are always in the building, always making rounds and we make ourselves easily accessible to our patients.”

When a patient comes to Effingham Hospital, they are first seen in the emergency department and if necessary, will be admitted to the hospital where their care will continue. Daly says he treats patients with a variety of illnesses to include, pneumonia, respiratory issues, cardiac issues, and infections. Daly also treats patients who are in EHS’s Care Center, a 105-bed nursing home. “If one of those patients has a problem, we are able to help them. We get to know our Care Center patients very well and we form a personal relationship with them and their families,” says Daly.

“What is most rewarding about my job is I’m doing something that I have a passion for. I get to help people. I get to do it in a small community and I’m truly able to give my patients the best possible care,” says Daly. “We really do hover over our patients, but that’s not a bad thing.”

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Jane Hughes

Fighting Colon Cancer with the help of the Cancer Center at Effingham Health System

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story by Julie Hales

f you are from Effingham County, or have lived here for any period of time, the name, Jane Hughes, is someone you know…or, at the very least, heard of.

Jane Hughes is somewhat of an icon in Effingham County. She has been in the mortgage business for over 35 years. She has owned her own company for 28 years, International Mortgage, which is the oldest mortgage company in our county.

To have survived that industry over the past 28 years, you must be a fighter. And, Jane Hughes is just that…a fighter. She has scrapped with the best of them. The years that real estate took a dive and our economy tanked were tough on the mortgage industry. Many companies folded under these tough times. But not Jane, she is a survivor.

Jane’s biggest fight came in June of 2017, the fight for her life. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer.

Talk about life altering.

It all began when Jane just didn’t feel well. She hadn’t felt well for a while and knew there was an issue. She didn’t know what, but she knew there was definitely something wrong.

Jane made an appointment at the Guyton location of Effingham Family Medicine. She saw Nurse Practitioner, Kristie Moore. Moore knew there was a problem and immediately scheduled a CT Scan at Effingham Health System. The results were not good.

A colonoscopy was quickly scheduled.

Dr. Wynn performed the procedure at Effingham Health System. Dr. Wynn came back with the bad news.

The surgery was performed within one week of diagnosis.

According to Jane, stage 4 Colon cancer is not curable, but it is treatable. Dr. Alison

2018 | www.EffinghamHealth.org

photos by Tonya Perry

Spellman of Summit Cancer Care was brought in as Jane’s Oncologist. Dr. Spellman treats patients at the Cancer Care Center at Effingham Health System.

Dr. Spellman put the ‘plan of action’ into motion. Chemotherapy was the treatment. Jane began her chemo treat-

ments about four weeks after the surgery.

She had a port inserted at EHS about two weeks after surgery, then two weeks later, she began her treatments.

Jane’s treatment plan calls for 12 treatments, both oral and IV. Each IV treatment is three weeks apart, and oral is two

weeks on and one week off. The IV treatments take about four hours each.

Each treatment she receives is done at the Cancer Care Center at Effingham Health System. She will receive a CT Scan at the end of her 12 treatments to see how well the chemotherapy has worked for her. Typically, cancer patients have CT’s throughout the treatment process.

Jane’s body produces an enzyme which is a cancer marker, called a CEA, which enables the doctors to tell if the treatment is working. The determination is done by special blood work. And, as of now, the chemotherapy is working. Praise the Lord.

(At press time, Jane had two treatments left, will be done by end of March) “Being able to have my treatments done at home, in Effingham County has been a God send. It has been such a great relief to know I do not have to travel. The Cancer Care Center here at EHS has been a complete blessing,” says Jane.

She adds, “If I had to rate Summit Cancer Care and Effingham Health System on a scale of 1-10, I would give them both a 10+.”

Jane is quick to tell you about her experience in the Cancer Care Center. She is particularly fond of her nurse that gives her treatment, Shirley Rahn. She says, “Shirley is number one. The quality of care I receive is unbelievable, and the sincerity of everyone there is amazing.”

Up until this happened, Jane had never had a colonoscopy. She readily admits that she did not take proper care of herself, and this news came as a huge shock. “I learned such a hard lesson. I want to do my part to get the word out. I told Dr. Wynn that I will now stand in front of a group of Realtors at a sales meeting and tell them of the importance of having a colonoscopy. I am definitely now an advocate for people to have proper testing.”

Jane feels very blessed to have been given the opportunity to receive treatments and begin her healing process by the proper professionals at Effingham Health System.

Despite the illness, and the treatments, Jane has maintained to continue to work.

Her work load may not be as heavy, and her hours may not be as many, but working is also therapy for her. “I encourage patients to work as much as possible. It keeps the mind busy and keeps you from worrying about whether the treatments are working,” she says.

Yes, Jane Hughes is a fighter. But, she is quick to let you know she has not walked this journey alone. Her husband of 30 years, David, has been her biggest supporter. And, her children, son Tripp and Wesley Ballard, have been a great support system as well. Jane’s only daughter, Hope

Ballard, was lost in an automobile accident at the age of 17.

This lady is blessed in so many ways.

Her friends and church family at Wingard Memorial Lutheran and Laurel Hill Lutheran, have also been incredible. Friends, Sue Zittrouer and Evelyn Kessler, both told her in the beginning that they were on a mission to see her from beginning to end of this journey…and they have. Sue has designated Fridays to Jane…she takes her to her treatments each time and takes care of other things for Jane on the off-chemo weeks.

This experience has been life-changing.

But, Jane is receiving the proper treatments and taking care of herself. And, remember, this lady is a fighter…and a survivor. Thanks to the Cancer Care Center at Effingham Health System, Jane Hughes will be around for a long time!

Effingham Cancer Care Practice Professionally Staffed by Summit Cancer Care Physicians

W

e know a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming.

Our team is here to help you with care, compassion, and courage-when you need it most.

The Cancer Care Center provides medical oncology services and chemotherapy.

Extensively trained, medical oncologists

will oversee care, including advanced treatment options.

For residents of Effingham and surrounding communities who are dealing with cancer, care close to home makes it easier for patients—and their families—to focus on healing. Our patients receive personalized care, save hours of time in transit, and benefit from a professional support system within our own community.

The Cancer Care Center is licensed to administer chemotherapy. We have

created a comfortable place with a caring, professional team that is focused on you.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, we welcome you to call us to arrange a tour.

www.EffinghamHealth.org

|

2018

Mary Thomas

Director of Nursing, EHS Care Center

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story by Kelly Harley

ary Thomas considers herself to be hands-on when it comes to her daily duties. As the director of nursing for Effingham Health System’s (EHS) Care Center, she is dedicated to helping patients achieve a better quality of life. “When a resident is admitted to our facility with a chronic and or acute illness, such as a stroke, fracture or change in mental status, we meet with the resident and family members to decide on goals to improve the condition and outcome,” says Thomas. “Within a few weeks of therapy or medication management, to see the recovery and hear the family members share their experience, is very rewarding.”

The EHS Care Center is a 105-bed nursing home and is more than just a place to come for treatment. The Care Center is designed to provide residents with a multitude of services and all-around comfort. “We provide each resident with the highest quality of care, ensuring patient safety is our top priority while maintaining a quality of life that optimizes each resident’s level of functioning,” says Thomas.

The Care Center employees nearly 100 people including licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and certified nursing assistants. All of the certified nursing assistants are also certified nursing restorative assistants (CRNA), who have completed a 40-hour course on restorative nursing. CRNAs help patients with active and passive range of motion, therapeutic exercises, gait training, infusion therapy and respiratory therapy to name a few.

A medical team is also actively involved in resident care.

Along with services such as physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and Hospice care, the Care Center provides

photos by Tonya Perry

Effingham Health System now has state-of-the-art 3D mammogram technology in both our Hospital (Springfield) and Imaging Center residents with nutritious meals and activities aimed at improving (Goshen) locations. quality of life. Through a grant, the EHS Care Center received

iPods, computers, earphones and iTunes gift cards for residents to enjoy. “For those residents that are depressed or experiencing an unusual day, we download the music they like onto the iPod and let them listen to it,” says Thomas. “The music calms the residents down and some of them even sing along with the songs.” Residents enjoy Bingo one to two times a week, occasional trips to the bowling alley or Carey Hillard’s, as well as monthly birthday parties. There’s also a beauty shop on site and free haircuts and styles are provided by the Pink Ladies Auxiliary.

Thomas says the goals of the Care Center are to provide residents with an experience that makes them feel at home. The staff does that by focusing on long-term quality care and mixing a level of excellence with compassion. “Compassion motivates people to go above and beyond their job. Our staff cares for our residents as if they are their family members,” says Thomas. “We have a CRNA who buys clothes for the residents who do not have clothes. We have a CRNA who brings an iron to work and irons the residents’ clothes.”

Another way you can tell the Care Center staff is committed to excellence is the number of years they have been there. Around 25 percent of the staff have been employed at EHS for 10 years or longer. “Longevity speaks volume in healthcare because of all the changes and demands on the nursing staff,” says Thomas. “We are proud to highlight that our low employee turnover represents that EHS is an excellent place to work and demonstrates our commitment to employee retention, professional growth and patient care.”

40% MORE ACCURATE 3D Mammograms

are more accurate, detect cancers at an earlier stage, have fewer false positives and seldom require you to return for additional screenings.

WE’RE REDEFINING the level of healthcare you can expect—right here in Effingham County. You no longer have to choose between convenience and expertise.

459 GA Hwy 119 Springfield, GA 31329 (912) 754-6451

912-754-6451

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TELEMEDICINE IS TRANSFORMING HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY

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etting school age children the medical care they need when they aren’t feeling well can be a real challenge for parents. A new telemedicine program from Effingham Health System is providing some area students the opportunity to “visit” the doctor while they are in school.

Effingham Health TELEMED has transformed healthcare for children in our community. It makes healthcare more convenient and accessible for parents, avoids delays in treatment and enhances learning by decreasing absenteeism.

Effingham County’s non-profit healthcare system is working with the Effingham County Board of Education on this new program. According to Joseph Tallent, Community and Operations Coordinator for Effingham Health System, it is the first such program in the greater Savannah region.

Telemedicine in schools has met with great success in the past few years. Effingham Health TELEMED has partnered with Georgia Partnership for Telehealth, which has launched telemedicine programs in over 100 schools in Georgia. “Being a part of their pacesetting program is a real honor for Effingham Health System,’” explains Mr. Tallent.

cine technology. If it is late in the afternoon, appointments are made for early the next morning.

Assessments and diagnoses are performed by a physician or advance practitioner from Effingham Health System. Their care team advises on medical treatments and calls in any prescriptions for the parent to pick up at their convenience. The school nurse follows up with parents after the visit.

Today’s telemedicine has evolved to include cutting-edge medical treatment and innovative technology. A blue tooth stethoscope, HD digital cameras, monitors and a digital scope, provide a high definition picture of the patient for the physician, who communicates via live cameras and a computer, while a secure connection assures patient privacy.

Effingham Health TELEMED is also open to faculty and staff members. Guyton and Springfield Elementary schools were chosen as the pilot schools for this new program. The plan is to expand to

other schools in the fall.

The goal of our telemedicine program is to increase attendance and GPA for students, increase access to providers, decrease after hours emergency room visits and hospitalizations all while decreasing the time away from work for parents.

The school nurses, Joe Tallent and Shannon Clark, Effingham Health System Practice Manager, have received training through Georgia Partnership for Telehealth and are Certified Telehealth Clinical Presenters.

“Joe and I are available to not only assist with the scheduling, if needed, but we also go to the schools to assist the nurses with the presenting of the patient to the Providers if the nurses are busy with their other daily duties and responsibilities,” states Clark.

Effingham Health System has had 27 telemedicine visits since the program went live in October 2017.

HOW IT WORKS If a sick student appears that they may need to see a doctor, the school nurse reaches out to the parent. The student (or a teacher who is not feeling well) is triaged to determine if they meet the criteria for a telemedicine appointment. If yes, and there is signed consent on file, the nurse contacts Effingham Health System to schedule a same day appointment via the schools telemedi-

459 GA Hwy 119 Springfield, GA 31329 (912) 754-6451

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2018

John Bennett - MD

D

story by Kelly Harley

r. John Bennet works hard to better himself and the healthcare industry. With years of experience under his belt, his career in the industry has certainly blossomed. In 2017, he was named chief medical officer (CMO) and chief medical information officer (CMIO) for Effingham Health System (EHS), a position that requires a high level of dedication and commitment to excellence. This position also requires leadership oversight for the Medical Staff Governing Body and the design of the healthcare delivery model across the health system.

As CMO/CMIO for EHS, Dr. Bennett is a physician who is championing the selection and procurement of a replacement electronic health record system. “We are faced with workflow challenges managing multiple systems. As we grow, we need an infrastructure that will support our operational needs, and our delivery of safe and quality care to the patients we serve. Having one system to replace three will greatly improve efficiency and work satisfaction,” says Dr. Bennett.

Dr. Bennett works closely with the chief executive officer, department directors, physicians, and hospital staff to ensure that the highest standards of quality and service are maintained. He oversees the implementation of quality improvement efforts designed to enhance clinical performance and maintain compliance with accreditation standards. He also evaluates developments in medical care and makes recommendations for new practices and procedures.

For Dr. Bennett, being a doctor wasn’t his first career choice.

After graduating from Georgia Tech, he spent several years as a

photos by Tonya Perry

Effingham Health System now has state-of-the-art 3D mammogram civil and environmental engineer. A visit from a friend who had technology in both our Hospital attended medical school sparked an interest in Dr. Bennett. “At that point in my career, I was working with biotechnology as an (Springfield) and Imaging Center option for decontaminating industrial sites so I had developed a good knowledge of microbiology. Our conversations during her visit basically planted the seed of curiosity about medicine and the (Goshen) locations. human equation,” says Dr. Bennett. “I wanted to learn, so I went

to medical school. My wife always says grass would never grow under my feet since I am always moving forward taking on the challenge of learning new things.”

Dr. Bennett obtained a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. After completing residency at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, he moved to Atlanta to practice medicine. He then built a successful practice in Cumming, Georgia, that focused on outpatient internal medicine. He also assisted in building an Urgent Care in Atlanta.

In 2013, he was recruited by EHS to work as an internist in the Port Wentworth medical office and to assist in the development of ECB (Effingham-Chatham-Bryan) Occupational Medicine. In addition, he shared rotational weekends with other area physicians as a hospitalist at EHS. In 2014, EHS lost one full-time hospitalist and he stepped up to fill that position. The following year, Dr. Bennett moved away from traditional primary care to become a full-time hospitalist for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. During his off weeks, he continued to work for EHS as the director of Occupational Medicine. He also filled in as a hospitalist as needed.

No matter the role Dr. Bennett takes on at EHS, there is one thing that doesn’t change and that’s his commitment to his work and those he serves. “I understand the challenges happening in healthcare and challenges faced by small hospitals,” says Dr. Bennett. “Working at EHS gives me the opportunity to be a part of that in the most rewarding way, which centers around the people I work with and the patients I care for.”

40% MORE ACCURATE 3D Mammograms

are more accurate, detect cancers at an earlier stage, have fewer false positives and seldom require you to return for additional screenings.

WE’RE REDEFINING the level of healthcare you can expect—right here in Effingham County. You no longer have to choose between convenience and expertise.

459 GA Hwy 119 Springfield, GA 31329 (912) 754-6451

912-754-6451

2018 | www.EffinghamHealth.org

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Dr. Travis Wiggins: Colon Cancer Prevention

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olon Cancer is a type of cancer that is very common in the United States. Unlike other cancers such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and others, colon cancer is one that is potentially prevented.

A way to prevent the potential dangers of colon cancer is to have a test called a Colonoscopy.” In the 90’s, the National Polyp Study came out. Basically, it wasn’t just that it helped to identify cancers early, it actually saved lives. It was a mortality benefit in the neighborhood of 50-74%,” explains Dr. Travis Wiggins of Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah.

Dr. Wiggins continues, “We have seen a 2-3% rate of reduction in the amount of colon cancers diagnosed in the US in the last 20 years. A large part of this is due to colon screening initiatives.”

In 2000, The CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) started covering colonoscopies for cancer screening. Since then, the US has enjoyed a reduction in the amount of colon cancers diagnosed within a single calendar year.

In recent months, another type of test that is helpful for colon cancer screenings has emerged. It is called FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test). FIT is noninvasive and tests for blood in the stool. This test, if done consistently on an annual basis, can serve as a good tool for early detection and prevention.

If the FIT is positive, a patient must then have a colonoscopy. Dr. Wiggins highly recommends that anyone with a personal history or family history of colon issues to have a colonoscopy. “If you are experiencing bleeding, a change in bowel habits or any other higher risk symptoms, FIT is not an option. A colonoscopy is the recommended way to go.” says Dr. Wig-

gins.

A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows a close look inside the colon and rectum.

A thin, hollow, lighted tube with a tiny video camera on the end is gently eased inside the colon and sends pictures to a TV screen. The exam takes about 30 minutes and the patients are given medicine to help them relax and sleep during the procedure.

Colon cancer screening should typically start at the age of 50. Some of the newer guidelines recommend screening the African American population starting at the age of 45. If a patient has an increased risk of colon cancer screenings should start at 40, and in some cases of family history, even younger.

Dr. Wiggins is affiliated with all the hospitals in Savannah, but every Wednesday you’ll find him in Springfield at Effingham Hospital. He is board certified in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Internal Medicine.

Special areas of concentration for Dr. Wiggins are colon cancer screening, reflux disease, pancreatic and biliary diseases

and radiofrequency ablation for Barrett’s esophagus.

Dr. Wiggins is very much a family man.

He and wife, Jennifer, have three sons that he lovingly calls “The A Team,” Austin, Alex and Andrew. He is very involved with his boys and is a coach for a 7th grade basketball team and an 8U baseball team. He laughingly says, “I am a coach with hobby of being a Gastroenterologist.”

He and his entire family will be participating in the upcoming ‘Get Your Rear in Gear’ 5K hosted by the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion. Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah is in its 7th year of being one of the presenting sponsors. “This is a very worthwhile cause. All proceeds of the event will be used to provide screening kits and colonoscopies for low income and underserved patients in our area,” says Dr. Wiggins.

You can schedule an appointment to see Dr. Wiggins in the Physicians Center at Effingham Hospital by calling his office at (912)354-9447.

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Magazine.com | February/March 2018

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Apryl Lee

Stroller Strong Moms story by Katrice Williams

photos by Shelia Scott

A

pryl Lee, a Savannah native, is the owner and coach of Stroller Strong Moms and has lived in Effingham for about five years. Apryl and her husband, Justin, have two little darlings, their daughter Ryan, 3, and son Jack, 2.

Interestingly enough, Apryl had a rewarding career as a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Nurse (CVICU) prior to committing herself to her current endeavors. She wholeheartedly understands the challenges that moms can face when making decisions about leaving their new little ones to return to work. She, too, faced those same difficulties. However, Apryl explains that when she “looked into Ryan’s eyes,” it was a done deal.

Regarding her decision to become a stay-at-home mom, she confidently remarks, “I would never, ever change it.”

All-in-all, Stroller Strong Moms strives “to inspire a tribe of strong moms” while also pushing “that person to be more than they thought they could be.” In September 2011, Alexa Smith from Columbus, Georgia wanted to start a distinct fitness class for moms, as she had recently become a mother herself. As a long-time fitness and soccer coach, Alexa wanted to use her athletic skills in a way that would help moms stay active. Hence, she created a stroller fitness class, allowing moms the

convenience of having their babies and toddlers outside with them while working out and allowing the children to see them making healthy choices. Alexa, a military wife, later moved to Savannah and started an affiliate branch. Actually, most affiliates are coached by “military moms,” as majority are on military bases. In fact, Apryl, having affiliate groups in both Effingham and Statesboro, is one of the few civilian owners in the organization.

Stroller Strong Moms has grown rapidly over the years, and its popularity has

spread across the country. Presently, there are a multitude of affiliates throughout the United States. Georgia alone has branches in Effingham, Savannah, Statesboro and Columbus.

Apryl began her journey with the organization in December 2014; she started in the Savannah branch when her daughter was 8 weeks old. Shortly thereafter, Apryl found that she was pregnant with her son. She still continued to work out throughout her entire pregnancy.

She insists, “It really helped me push

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2018

43

through forty weeks of pregnancy.” Apryl is still incredibly grateful for all that the group provided, even advice and assistance with “first time mom things like teething.”

She knows that the benefits of the group are priceless; she wants women to embrace the beauty of motherhood, along with the value of fitness, while “empowering women to feel good about themselves.” That said, Apryl knows that there are often “outside pressures associated with having babies--getting your body back and being the perfect mom” nearly all at once...the super-

cheering them on, which is very hard to find in a group of women.”

Apryl is confident that nearly anyone can succeed in her class. She strives to be as flexible with the members as possible and says that “everything can be modified.”

Apryl does not want anyone to be “scared off” or intimidated by anything. She states, “It’s something for everybody, and we can take it to your level; it’s a health and wellness thing.”

Each class consists of a one hour fullbody workout outdoors; at present, Apryl’s Effingham fitness class is held at Baker’s “Taking care of your- Pond and her Statesboro class is held at Mill Creek Regional Park. There are four conditioning stations, which takes about self is part of taking 10-12 minutes each. This time frame works care of your kids.” great for the kids, who are watching from their strollers; it is usually just enough

~CafeMom time for them to be entertained but not enough to become bored and agitated. woman ideology. She wants every woman There is cardio conditioning, including to experience the true and undeniable joy walking and running paths, cross-hiit that comes with taking pride in having a (high intensity interval training) and plyohealthy body, while being comfortable in metrics. However, that can be modified the skin they are in. based on individual preference and needs.

“The body is a wonderful and amazing A diverse group of ladies make up the thing; you’ve gotten amazing little tiny classes, mainly moms with toddlers; moms people out of it,” she said. with older children of various ages also Apryl wants women to know their sigattend. Moreover, there are even ladies nificance in life as moms and embrace the who attend who are not moms at all; they irreplaceable joys of motherhood. Strollmerely appreciate the overall benefits. er Strong Moms supports, inspires and Apryl wants to encourage mothers to take motivates each other. She adds, “It’s okay a small amount of time out of the day for to inspire and encourage fellow women. themselves without feeling guilty about it.

This is not a competition; it is really true “Taking that one hour out of the day friendships. I want to keep building that for you makes the other 23 hours so much community. The workouts are wonderful, better for your child, because you’re but you come back for the comradery and happy, you’re in a good head space, you’re the empowerment. You’re competing with confident, you’ll have energy and will be a the person next to you to try to beat them better mother for it.” in a race, but at the same time, you’re There is also fun outside of the exercise

44

February/March 2018 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

arena. Apryl and the other ladies enjoy a “mom’s night out” once each month.

Whether going bowling or catching a movie, they have a fun and relaxing change of scenery. There is even something for the kiddies; after all, they are also little dedicated members of the group. They have a play-date after class once each month.

One of the play-dates that is “everybody’s favorite” involves a toddler workout.

Apryl smiles and says, “My kids live to work out.”

Apryl is proud that Stroller Strong Moms support a cause that is “near and dear to her heart”—CURE, an organization that completely focuses on finding a cure for childhood cancers. Apryl has donated to the worthy cause over the years. Each year, Stroller Strong Moms has a consignment sale consisting of designer children’s clothing, where “a portion of the proceeds goes to CURE.” “Obviously, we’re all mothers; you can never be too grateful,” Apryl mentions.

Going forward, she wants to continue to make more women aware of Stroller Strong Moms and be a voice of empowerment for moms. She, too, is excited about the 10-week fitness and nutrition challenge that the organization is currently involved in, which brings participants “back to the basics” in wellness. This includes the consumption of the suggested daily water intake, enhancing exercise goals, and helping individuals challenge themselves to achieve various points of wellness.

Apryl Lee, alongside Stroller Strong Moms, is certainly leading by example, truly showing that “taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your kids.” For additional information about the organization, visit www.strollerstrongmoms.com.

SPRINGFIELD, GA • (912) 754-0003 SWAINSBORO, GA • (478)268-9009 HINESVILLE, GA • (912) 432-7590

By Stephanie Cardozo

R

obert Medrano is the owner of the Vapor City, LLC, and, he has had an extraordinary story that led him to starting this business.

About four years ago, Robert was diagnosed with larynx cancer. The larynx is located in the neck. This cancer is common among smokers. “I used to smoke a pack and a half to two packs of cigarettes a day. I went to the doctor and they found a tumor in my throat,” he explains.

Naturally, he went on to have surgery to remove the tumor, and the doctors advised him to avoid smoking as much as he could.

Robert’s search for alternative methods to quit smoking began. He then stumbled upon vaping, which has proven very successful for him in more ways than one.

The passion of the vaping industry sparked a fire in Robert that pushed him towards more research, as well as, various conventions to further his knowledge. He met

with distributors and vendors and decided to open Vapor City in April of 2015. This business is owned and ran by Robert and his family.

“Thank God, I have been cancer free and smoke free for three years,” says Robert.

“About a year ago, I started bringing in a product called CBD. It is an oil extracted from a hemp flower plant, a great product that is completely natural. It is legal in all states and does not contain THC,” he continues to explain the benefits of the oil and how it relieves inflammation, stress, anxiety, arthritis, muscle tension, insomnia, and PTSD amongst many others.

Robert himself began using CBD two years ago. “I had three dislocated disks in my back. I used to get cortisone injections twice a year.” He has stopped the cortisone shots for a year and a half after vaping CBD. This all natural oil has helped relieve his pain as well as many of his customers.

“We have expanded the selection of CBD milligrams, the higher the dosage, the better and faster it works,” Robert said. He

also sells CBD is gummy and capsule form.

Now, everyone has a different system on how they choose to use it. Robert would like potential customers to please take note that it does not contain any THC and it is made from the hemp flower.

“In my personal opinion, vaping is a great alternative to smoking.” Robert encourages people to do the research before simply writing vaping off as an option to quit smoking. It has helped many people kick the habit and can help so many others.

Robert and his family currently run three Vapor City stores. Their locations are Springfield, Hinesville and Swainsboro.

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Finding Beauty In Every Moment

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Celebrating four decades of treating patients in the Coastal Area

or the past forty years, when patients in the Coastal Empire have experienced any type of head and neck disorders, they usually found their way to offices of ENT Associates of Savannah.

Since starting the practice four decades ago, Dr. Michael Zoller and his colleagues have seen many technological advancements in the medical field, but one thing remains constant with him and his staff: a dedication to giving the best possible care to every patient that comes into their offices.

In addition to their Rincon office, they have locations in Pooler, Statesboro, Bluffton and Richmond Hill, an ENT Surgical Center located on the Armstrong campuses as well as their main office in Savannah.

Dr. Zoller recently reflected on the enormous growth of his practice over the years. “Having trained in Boston, I started in 1977 in Savannah. Seven years later I was joined by Dr. Fred Daniel, who trained in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Twenty-two years ago, Dr. Stephen Rashleigh joined the practice, having trained in Chicago, and Dr. William Moretz III joined us ten years ago after being trained in Augusta.

Dr. Brad Rawlings joined six years after his training in Norfolk, Virginia. Our most recent addition, Dr. Diane Davis, was in practice for over thirty years in Dublin, Georgia before joining ENT Associates two years ago," says Dr. Zoller.

"We've had to add those physicians as well as our physician's assistant, Michelle Yamada, in order to handle the volume of patients at the various satellite offices,” he says. “In fact, we've been in Effingham County and Richmond Hill for about twenty-five years. We initially had our office in the Effingham Hospital, but we later moved to Rincon in order to serve our clients who didn't want to drive in to town for their appointments. I also see quite a few of our Effingham patients in our Pooler office,” he adds.

In addition to the physicians, ENT Associates of Savannah has five doctors of audiology on staff who are experts in the newest hearing aid technology. The Audiology Department works both independently and in conjunction with the physicians to provide a wide range of hearing services, both diagnostic and rehabilitative. Additionally, there is an allergy clinic for testing and treatment. For over two de-

cades now, residents in Effingham County can now benefit from the services that ENT Associates have been offering to Savannah residents for forty years.

“The population in Rincon grew so much that we eventually made the decision to move there. Now we have one of our senior partners, Dr. Stephen Rashleigh, M.D., who is at the Rincon office one day a week. He stays extremely busy,” says Dr. Zoller with a smile. Dr. Rashleigh adds, “We've been going to Effingham for over twenty years, and it's been a mutually beneficial relationship. There's definitely a need for our services, since many of our patients don't care to drive into Savannah.”

Dr. Zoller adds, “It's really nice to be part of the Effingham community. Many of our patients who have moved to Effingham County from Savannah can now receive the same top notch service from our satellite office in Rincon.”

Founded in 1977, ENT Associates of Savannah has been proud to provide the residents of Georgia and the low country of South Carolina with outstanding ENT care, and they are looking forward to another successful forty years.

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49

GET HEALTHY 1. Don’t skip breakfast. Studies show that eating a proper breakfast is one of the most positive things you can do if you are trying to lose weight.

Breakfast skippers tend to gain weight.

A balanced breakfast includes fresh fruit or fruit juice, a high-fiber breakfast cereal, low-fat milk or yogurt, wholewheat toast and a boiled egg.

2. STRETCH: Learn to do stretching exercises when you wake up. It boosts circulation and digestion, and eases back pain.

3. Neurobics for your mind. Get your brain fizzing with energy. American researchers coined the term ‘neurobics’ for tasks which activate the brain’s own biochemical pathways and to bring new pathways online that can help to strengthen or preserve brain circuits.

Brush your teeth with your ‘other’ hand, take a new route to work or choose your clothes based on sense of touch rather than sight. People with mental agility tend to have lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related mental decline.

4. Brush up on hygiene. Many people don’t know how to brush their teeth properly. Improper brushing can cause as much damage to the teeth and gums as not brushing at all. Lots of people don’t brush for long enough, don’t floss and don’t see a dentist regularly. Hold your toothbrush in the same way that would hold a pencil, and brush for at least two minutes.

This includes brushing the teeth, the junction of the teeth and gums, the tongue and the roof of the mouth. And you don’t need a fancy, angled toothbrush – just a sturdy, soft-bristled one that you replace each month.

5. Get what you give! Always giving and never taking? This is the short road to compassion fatigue. Give to yourself and receive from others, otherwise you’ll get to a point where you have nothing left to give. And hey, if you can’t receive from others, how can you expect them to receive from you?

6. Get smelly. Garlic, onions, spring onions and leeks all contain stuff that’s good for you. A study at the Child’s Health Institute in Cape Town found that eating raw garlic helped fight serious childhood infections. Heat destroys these properties, so eat yours raw, wash it down with fruit juice or, if you’re a sissy, have it in tablet form.

7. Get spiritual. A study conducted by the formidably sober and scientific Harvard University found that patients who were prayed for recovered quicker than those who weren’t, even if they weren’t aware of www the .E prayer.

64 50 February/March February/March2017 2018| |www .Effing ff- ingham

Magazine.Com

8. Bone up daily. Get your daily calcium by popping a tab, chugging milk or eating yogurt. It’ll keep your bones strong. Remember that your bone density declines after the age of 30. You need at least 200 milligrams daily, which you should combine with magnesium, or it simply won’t be absorbed.

9. Knock one back. A glass of red wine a day is good for you. A number of studies have found this, but a recent one found that the polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) in green tea, red wine and olives may also help protect you against breast cancer. It’s thought that the antioxidants help protect you from environmental carcinogens such as passive tobacco smoke.

10. Berries for your belly.

Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries contain plant nutrients known as anthocyanidins, which are powerful antioxidants.

Blueberries rival grapes in concentrations of resveratrol – the antioxidant compound found in red wine that has assumed near mythological proportions. Resveratrol is believed to help protect against heart disease and cancer.

11. Curry favour. Hot, spicy flavor foods containing chillies or cayenne pepper trigger endorphins, the feel-good hormones.

Endorphins have a powerful, almost narcotic, effect and make you feel good after exercising. But go easy on the lamb, pork and mutton and the high-fat, creamy dishes served in many Indian restaurants.

12. Cut out herbs before ops. Some herbal supplements – from the popular St John’s Wort and ginkgo biloba to garlic, ginger and ginseng – can cause increased bleeding during surgery, warn surgeons. It may be wise to stop taking all medication, including herbal supplements, at least two weeks before surgery, and inform your surgeon about your herbal use.

13. I say tomato. Tomato is a superstar in the fruit and veggie pantheon. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful cancer fighter. They’re also rich in vitamin C. The good news is that cooked tomatoes are also nutritious, so use them in pasta, soups and casseroles, as well as in salads.

The British Thoracic Society says that tomatoes and apples can reduce your risk of asthma and chronic lung diseases. Both contain the antioxidant quercetin. To enjoy the benefits, eat five apples a week or a tomato every other day.

IN 2018 14. Eat your stress away. Prevent low blood sugar as it stresses you out. Eat regular and small healthy meals and keep fruit and veggies handy. Herbal teas will also soothe your frazzled nerves.

Eating unrefined carbohydrates, nuts and bananas boosts the formation of serotonin, another feel-good drug. Small amounts of protein containing the amino acid tryptamine can give you a boost when stress tires you out.

15. A for Away. This vitamin, and beta carotene, help to boost immunity against disease. It also assists in the healing process of diseases such as measles and is recommended by the WHO. Good natural sources of vitamin A are kidney beans, liver, dairy products, green and yellow vegetables, pawpaw, mangoes, chilli pepper, red sorrel and red palm oil.

16. Load up on vitamin C. We need at least 90 mg of vitamin C per day and the best way to get this is by eating at least five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. So hit the oranges and guavas.

17. No folly in folic acid. Folic acid should be taken regularly by all pregnant women and people with a low immunity to disease. Folic acid prevents spina bifida in unborn babies and can play a role in cancer prevention. It is found in green leafy vegetables, liver, fruit and bran.

18. GI, Jane. Carbohydrates with a high glycemic index, such as bread, sugar, honey and grain-based food will give instant energy and accelerate your metabolism. If you’re trying to burn fat, stick to beans, rice, pasta, lentils, peas, soy beans and oat bran, all of which have a low GI count.

19. Pure water. Don’t have soft drinks or energy drinks while you’re exercising.

Stay properly hydrated by drinking enough water during your workout (just don’t overdo things, as drinking too much water can also be dangerous).

While you might need energy drinks for long-distance running, in shorter exercise sessions in the gym, your body will burn the glucose from the soft drink first, before starting to burn body fat. Same goes for eating sweets.

20. Mindful living. You’ve probably heard the old adage that life’s too short to stuff a mushroom. But perhaps you should consider the opposite: that life’s simply too short NOT to focus on the simple tasks. By slowing down and concentrating on basic things, you’ll clear your mind of everything that worries you.

21. Do your weights workout first. Experts say weight training should be done first, because it’s a higher intensity exercise compared to cardio. Your body is better able to handle weight training early in the workout because you’re fresh and you have the energy you need to work it.

Conversely, cardiovascular exercise should be the last thing you do at the gym, because it helps your body recover by increasing blood flow to the muscles, and flushing out lactic acid, which builds up in the muscles while you’re weight training. It’s the lactic acid that makes your muscles feel stiff and sore.

22. Burn fat during intervals. To improve your fitness quickly and lose weight, harness the joys of interval training. Set the treadmill or step machine on the interval program, where your speed and workload varies from minute to minute. Build up gradually, every minute and return to the starting speed. Repeat this routine. Not only will it be less monotonous, but you can train for a shorter time and achieve greater results.

23. Sunscreen can be a smokescreen.

Sunscreen is unlikely to stop you from being sunburned, or to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. That’s because most people don’t apply it properly, and stay in the sun too long.

The solution? Slather on sunscreen daily and reapply it often, especially if you’ve been in the water.

24. Your dirtiest foot forward. If your ankles, knees and hips ache from running on pavement, head for the dirt. Soft trails or graded roads are a lot easier on your joints than the hard stuff.

Also, dirt surfaces tend to be uneven, forcing you to slow down a bit and focus on where to put your feet – great for agility and concentration.

25. Beat the sneezes. There are more than 240 allergens, some rare and others very common. If you’re a sneezer due to pollen: close your car windows while driving, rather switch on the internal fan (drawing in air from the outside), and avoid being outdoors between 5am and 10 am when pollen counts are at their highest; stick to holidays in areas with low pollen counts, such as the seaside and stay away from freshly cut grass.

26. Doggone. If you’re allergic to your cat, dog, budgie or pet piglet, stop suffering the ravages of animal dander: Install an air filter in your home.

Keep your pet outside as much as possible and brush them outside of the home to remove loose hair and other allergens. Better yet, ask someone else to do so. www www.Effingham ffingham Magazine agazine.com com |

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53

“Our mission is to provide comprehensive service to people of all ages with speech, language and/or hearing problems without regard to financial status. We are committed to excellence in customer service and satisfaction.”

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February/March 2018 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Edel Caregiver Institute:

Helping caregivers so they can better help their loved ones

H

ospice Savannah is a program for the terminally ill which includes services for care and support of patients at home, in a nursing home or assisted living facility or in Hospice House. Usually abstaining from extraordinary measures to lengthen life, they focus on pain and symptom control and emotional support for the loved ones.

Hospice Savannah concentrates on the patient and their loved ones; The Edel Caregiver Institute concentrates on the caregiver.

Caring for a loved one with any type of illness or disorder is not planned and many times the caregiver is at a loss for what they need to do. Caregivers can be friends, relatives, in-laws, spouses – anyone who provides assistance to another, in whatever capacity and whatever their relationship, with no financial benefits. The Edel Caregiver Institute offers support for non-paid, non-professional family caregivers. Again, its primary focus is the caregiver, not the care recipient. The care recipient is rarely hospice patient. It is usually someone who has been diagnosed with a long-term chronic illness such as Congestive Heart Failure, Dementia, Pulmonary Disease, etc.

The Edel Caregiver Institute opened its doors a year ago, with a vision of helping families. In fact, the Institute has helped over 300 families to date.

With a-state-of-the -art facility nestled off Chatham Parkway, they offer an array of classes and programs for caregivers. Within their skills lab, they provide hands-on training with medical equipment from oxygen tanks to Hoyer lifts. The skills lab is able to assist 12-15 people per class and can be disease- specific. Basic nursing skills are also taught to caregivers.

Taking care of a loved one stricken with disease or a disorder, such as Autism, can take an emotional and physical toll on the one providing the care. The Edel Caregiver Institute delivers wellness for the caregiver, including nutrition education and exercise. It also offers help with navigating the medical world through the assistance of eight retired physicians on hand who are available to go with patients and caregivers to doctor appointments to communicate information. Dementia coaches are also available. They are placed in the homes to help with problem solving and offer hands on help.

The Edel Caregiver Institute is a not for profit organization that relies on funding from the United Way, donations and fundraisers. All services offered

by Edel are free of charge. Please see the website for complete information regarding all the classes and support offered.

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EDEL CAREGIVER INSTITUTE 6000 Business Center Drive (off Chatham Parkway) Savannah, GA 31405 EdelCaregiverInstitute.org 912-629-1331 Counties and communities served: • Bryan: Ellabell, Pembroke, Richmond Hill, Midway • Chatham: Savannah, Tybee, Pooler, Bloomingdale, Thunderbolt, Garden City, Port Wentworth • Effingham: Rincon, Guyton, Clyo, Springfield • Liberty: Hinesville and surrounding communities • Long: Ludowici and surrounding communities The Edel Caregiver Institute can also provide: • Reduced rates for daytime respite at local assisted living facilities.

• Discounted rates on local agency sitter services.

• Resource information and referrals to community services. By appointment.

• Caregiving 101 skills follow-up support.

• Individual consultations for disease specific education with fourth year medical residents. By appointment.

• Social work support. By appointment.

• In-home respite care scholarships for qualified individuals.* (*Participating caregivers who wish to apply for a respite scholarship must have had a personal consultation with the manager of the Institute. A participating caregiver is one who has completed a questionnaire, attends classes, and has an established relationship with the Edel Caregiver Institute. Respite scholarships are offered on a limited basis for a pre-determined amount based on availability). www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2018

55

YAWN’S FITNESS CENTER OF RINCON

OPEN 24/7 Now Accepting Silver Sneaker Members!

Full Gym featuring free weights, machines, cardio equipment and more!

Personal Trainer and Exercise Classes Available Over 7,500 sq feet of workout space

(912) 826-5008 250 Chimney Road, Rincon, GA 31326

108 Busch Lane, Rincon burns@burnsoutboard.net

Michael Zoller, MD, FACS

Savannah’s premier group of ear, nose, and throat professionals, specializing in total care of head and neck disorders.

Monday - Friday 8:30-5:00 Saturday 8:30-12:00

www.entsavannah.com Main Office: 5201 Frederick Street, Savannah Satellite Offices: POOLER, Richmond Hill, Rincon, Statesboro, Southside Savannah

Appointment: 912-351-3030

Michelle Yamada, PA

Brad A. Rawlings, MD

Thank You For Reading

William Moretz, III, MD

826-4512

Stephen Rashleigh, MD, FACS

Fred Daniel, MD, FACS

“Your Boating Pleasure Is Our Business”

Ask Us Why You Should Be On Our Pages!

Wanda Simmons Account Executive (912) 210-3604 wanda@idpmagazines.com

108 International Drive P.O. Box 1742 Rincon,GA 31326

Lane Leopard Account Executive (912) 677-6526 lane@idpmagazines.com Julie Hales Publisher/Sales (912) 657-4120 julie@idpmagazines.com

p: (912) 826-2760 f: (912) 826-2762 effinghammagazine.com www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2018

57

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Commu Magaz nity ine!

Dining Feature

W

hen the sign went up for the Omelette Café, the first thought was, wow, another breakfast restaurant. But, once you walk in the door and see the menu, your mindset will quickly change.

The Omelette Café in Rincon, Georgia opened its’ doors five years ago and has been booming with business ever since.

Omelette Cafe is a part of the Sunnyside Up family of restaurants which have been around this area for over 16 years. The restaurant is one of the 8 locations owned within the surrounding areas.

Many people think the Omelette Café is a breakfast location only. But, their menu far exceeds that of any breakfast menu around. The other Omelette Café Restaurants in the area are open from 6AM-3PM

60

for breakfast and lunch. The Rincon location is the only location open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Their extensive lunch and dinner menu gives you many delicious choices…. from burgers to chicken fingers to seafood’s and specialty salads.

Some of the local favorites, aside from the breakfast menu with their Signature Omelettes, is the Fried Shrimp, Monster Burger, Catfish, Philly Steak Sandwich and of course their Omelettes.

The Omelette Café is family oriented and provides a family environment for their customers. The full service restaurant can seat up to 70-80 people at one time and provides ample booth space as well as tables and a diner countertop. The kitchen is an open kitchen, so customers can see their food being prepared by the chefs.

February/March 2018 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

The restaurant proudly uses shell pasteurized eggs, and they believe they are the only restaurant in the county to do so.

In fact, they were so impressed with the quality of these eggs, that now all of their family of restaurants have switched over to the shell pasteurized eggs for a better quality of taste for their customers. They also use chicken that is cage free, antibiotic free and steroid free. The shrimp used in the restaurant has no phosphates, again providing an excellent taste to the palate.

The family of restaurants are all available for eat in or take out if you want to take your food to go. The staff eagerly awaits helping the customers in any way they can, and provides exceptional customer service.

There are 8 restaurants in the Sunnyside Up family located throughout the area: Omelette CafĂŠ : Rincon, Georgia 410 S., Columbia Ave. Suite AA Rincon, GA 31326 6AM-9PM 912-826-1188 Pooler, Georgia 325 SE Hwy 80 Pooler, GA 31322 6AM-3PM 912-988-1778 Richmond Hill, Georgia 10070 Ford Ave. Suite 1 (Ford Plaza) Richmond Hill, GA. 31324 6AM-3PM 912-445-2157

Savannah, Georgia 49 W. Montgomery Crossroads Unit B Savannah, GA 31406 912-920-8988 Hinesville, Georgia 103 E. General Screven Way Suite C Hinesville, GA 31313 6AM-3PM 912-332-5138 And a new restaurant will be coming soon to Buckwalter, in Bluffton, South Carolina Sunnyside Up: Hwy 21 Hwy 80 Derenne Ave. Please check them out on Facebook at FB/ TheOmelette.Cafe, and stop by to see them at one of their many locations.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2018

61

d ala 017 S st 2 Be ich d te dw Vo San d an

108 Ale House “All hail the Ale”

BEST BURGERS IN TOWN

• Handcut Steaks • Specialty Sandwiches • Wings • Full Service Bar • Craft Beer Selection • Salads • Fried Seafood 108 Weisenbaker Rd. (Across from El Real)

826-0117

New look, same great place, The Loft Cafe’ Serving Effingham county since 2010!

Hours: 11AM-9PM Mon-Thurs 11AM-10PM Fri-Sat Sunday Closed

135 Goshen Rd. Ext. • Suite 150 • Rincon 826-5733

8 Locations to serve you!

omelettes

PHILLY STEAK OMELETTE .................................. $6.95

MEAT & EGG SANDWICH ................................$4.75

CHICKEN OMELETTE ........................................$6.95

EGG & CHEESE SANDWICH ............................$2.95

Prepared with thin sliced steak, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers & Swiss cheese.

Prepared with seasoned diced chicken breast, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, tomato & Swiss cheese.

BEEF OMELETTE ...............................................$6.95 Prepared with well-done seasoned ground beef, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, tomato & Swiss cheese.

HOUSE OMELETTE............................................$6.95 Prepared with ham, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, tomato & Swiss cheese.

VG OMELETTE ................................................. $6.95

sideorders

Bacon, ham or sausage, 1 egg fried or scrambled.

1 egg fried or scrambled & American cheese.

1 EGG SANDWICH..........................................$1.95 1 egg fried or scrambled.

MEAT ONLY SANDWICH..................................$3.75 Choice of bacon, ham or sausage.

BREAKFAST BURRITOS.......................................$6.95 2 flour tortillas filled with 2 scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon or ham, mixed cheese, onions, tomato & bell pepper. Served with a side of sour cream & salsa.

buttermilk pancakes&waffles

Prepared with broccoli, mushrooms, onions, tomato, zucchini & Swiss cheese.

3pc PANCAKE & MEAT ................................... $6.75

Prepared with bacon, ham, sausage & Swiss cheese.

1pc PANCAKE (no meat) .................................. $1.75

Choice of bacon, ham, sausage or corned beef hash.

TRIPLE CROWN OMELETTE................................ $6.95 SEAFOOD OMELETTE ...................................... $9.95 Prepared with imitation crab, small scallops, medium sized shrimp, onions, mushrooms & Swiss cheese.

SHRIMP OMELETTE .......................................... $8.95 Prepared with seasoned medium grilled shrimp, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, tomato & Swiss cheese.

WESTERN OMELETTE ........................................ $6.95 Prepared with diced ham, onions, bell peppers & Swiss cheese.

SPINACH OMELETTE ....................................... $6.50 Prepared with fresh spinach & Swiss cheese.

SPINACH & SHRIMP OMELETTE ........................ $7.95

eggsbreakfast *All eggs are served with grits and white, wheat or raisin toast. *Hashbrowns or sliced tomatoes may replace grits for an additional $1.00. *Eggs may be substituted with egg beaters or egg whites for an additional $0.50/ each egg. *Bagel, biscuit, English muffins, croissants or rye toast may be substituted for an additional $0.75.

1 EGG, GRITS & TOAST.....................................$3.75

Prepared with fresh spinach, seasoned medium grilled shrimp & Swiss cheese.

1 EGG, MEAT, GRITS & TOAST ...........................$4.50

Prepared with fresh spinach, seasoned well -done ground beef & Swiss cheese.

2 EGGS, GRITS & TOAST

SPINACH & BEEF OMELETTE ............................ $6.95 SPINACH & CHICKEN OMELETTE...................... $6.95 Prepared with fresh spinach, diced seasoned chicken breast & Swiss cheese.

Corned beef hash, bacon, ham or sausage.

...................................$4.75 2 EGGS, MEAT, GRITS & TOAST .........................$5.50 GRITS, SAUSAGE & ONIONS BOWL ..................$4.75

BACON & SWISS CHEESE OMELETTE ................ $6.50 HAM & SWISS CHEESE OMELETTE ..................... $6.50 SAUSAGE & SWISS CHEESE OMELETTE.............. $6.50 CHEESE OMELETTE........................................... $6.25

BREAKFAST BOWL ...........................................$5.95

Prepared with American & Swiss cheese

*All omelettes are prepared with the freshest ingredients. *Made with 2 eggs & served with grits & white, wheat or raisin toast. *Bagel, biscuit, English muffins, croissants or rye toast may be substituted for an additional $0.75. *Eggs may be substituted with egg beaters or egg whites for an additional $0.50/ each egg. *Any omelette made into a wrap for an additional $1.00. *Grits may be substituted for hashbrowns or sliced tomatoes for an additional $1.00.

Served with white, wheat or raisin toast.

Bacon, ham or sausage, 2 scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and grits all in one bowl. Served with white, wheat or raisin toast.

BIG BREAKFAST .............................................$10.95 3 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 pc sausage patties, grits & 2 pancakes. *no toast (see side items)

LARGE GRITS Topped with grilled onions, bell peppers & your choice of:

MEAT, EGG & CHEESE SANDWICH .................. $4.95 Bacon, ham or sausage, 1 egg fried or scrambled & American cheese.

Choice of bacon, ham, sausage or corned beef hash.

BELGIAN WAFFLE & 3pc CHICKEN FINGERS .... $7.95

*Toppings can be added for an additional $1.00 each. *Strawberry, blueberry, chocolate chips, peanut butter, pecans or whipped cream.

cinnamonfrench toast Served with white, wheat or raisin bread.

3pc FRENCH TOAST & MEAT

........................... $7.25

Choice of bacon, ham, sausage or corned beef hash.

1pc FRENCH TOAST (no meat)........................ $1.95 2pc FRENCH TOAST (no meat)........................ $3.95 3pc FRENCH TOAST (no meat)........................ $5.95

With sugar & cinnamon.

GRITS............................................................$1.95 HASHBROWN ...............................................$1.95 PLAIN OATMEAL ..........................................$3.50 ONE EGG ....................................................$1.25 SLICED TOMATOES........................................$2.00 SIDE SALAD ..................................................$2.00 GRILLED VEGGIES ........................................$3.95 Onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli & zucchini.

HAMBURGER STEAK......................................$5.50 GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST ............................$5.50 NY STRIP STEAK ............................................$7.00 1pc FRIED CATFISH FILLET .............................$4.00 2pc FRIED FLOUNDER FILLETS .......................$7.00 12pc FRIED SHRIMP ......................................$7.00 6pc FRIED SHRIMP ........................................$5.00 2pc GRILLED PORK CHOPS ..........................$5.50 1pc CORNDOG ...........................................$2.50 CHOOSE ONE: .............................................$2.25 Bacon, ham, sausage, corned beef hash, link sausage, smoked sausage, country ham or turkey sausage patties

rincon ga

+Grilled Chicken $6.95 +Grilled Shrimp $8.95 +Fried Shrimp $9.95 +1pc Fried Catfishwheat Fillet $7.95 Fried Flounder Fillet (see $8.95side items).

All served with white, or+2pc raisin toast and no eggs

Specially seasoned chicken served with 2 eggs, hashbrowns & white, wheat or raisin toast.

Specially seasoned well-done hamburger steak served with 2 eggs, hashbrowns & white, wheat or raisin toast.

*Are made on white, wheat or raisin toast. *Bagel, biscuit, English muffins, croissants or rye toast may be substituted for an additional $0.75. *Eggs may be substituted with egg beaters or egg whites for an additional $0.50/ each egg.

WAFFLE & 3pc CHICKEN FINGERS ................... $6.95 BELGIAN WAFFLE........................................... $4.75 BELGIAN WAFFLE & MEAT .............................. $5.75

freshsalads

CHICKEN BREAST & EGGS ...............................$7.75 STEAK & EGGS ................................................$7.75

breakfastsandwiches

Choice of bacon, ham, sausage or corned beef hash.

Corned beef hash, bacon, ham or sausage.

SPINACH & HAM OMELETTE ............................ $6.95 Prepared with fresh spinach, diced ham & Swiss cheese.

2pc PANCAKE (no meat).................................. $3.50 3pc PANCAKE (no meat).................................. $5.25 WAFFLE..........................................................$3.75 WAFFLE & MEAT............................................. $5.25

BAGEL / WITH CREAM CHEESE ...............$1.75/$2.25 RAISIN TOAST or ENGLISH MUFFIN or RYE TOAST ...................................................$1.50 WHITE or WHEAT TOAST ................................$1.25 CROISSANTS OR BISCUIT ..............................$1.50 BISCUIT & GRAVY (full) ..................................$5.95 BISCUIT & GRAVY (1/2) ..................................$3.95 CEREAL ........................................................$2.00 COLE SLAW ..................................................$1.50 CURLY FRIES, ONION RINGS, FRENCH FRIES ...$2.25 SWEET POTATO FRIES.....................................$3.25

PORK CHOP & EGGS .......................................$7.75 2 specially seasoned grilled pork chops served with 2 eggs, hashbrowns & white, wheat or raisin toast.

NY STRIP & EGGS ...........................................$10.75 8oz certified angus beef, specially seasoned and cooked to your liking. Served with 2 eggs, hashbrowns & white, wheat or raisin toast.

*Add cheese to any menu item for $0.50. *Grits may replace hashbrowns at no additional charge. *Bagel, biscuit, English muffins, croissants or rye toast may be substituted for an additional $0.75

*Warning: consumption of raw or undercooked foods such as meats, fish, or eggs (which may contain harmful bacteria) may cause illness or death.

*Warning: consumption of raw or undercooked foods such as meats, fish, or eggs (which may contain harmful bacteria) may cause illness or death.

*For all patrons who are intolerant, our grits are made with whole milk. *Note: All substitutions & changes to our menu will be an extra charge.

*For all patrons who are intolerant, our grits are made with whole milk. *Note: All substitutions & changes to our menu will be an extra charge.

hashbrownsdeluxe

Hash browns are smothered with grilled onions, mushrooms, broccoli & your choice of:

GRILLED CHICKEN ......................................... $6.95 BEEF ..............................................................$6.95 GRILLED SHRIMP ............................................ $8.95 HAM .............................................................$6.95 VEGGIES (tomato & zucchini) ....................... $6.50 *Served with white, wheat or raisin toast.

*For all patrons who are intolerant, our grits are made with whole milk. *Note: All substitutions & changes to our menu will be an extra charge.

omelettes

CHEF SALAD (ham & turkey) ........................$6.75 GARDEN SALAD ...........................................$4.95 GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD .............................$6.95 Make it buffalo for $1.00

FRIED CHICKEN SALAD .................................$7.95 Make it buffalo for $1.00

HAM SALAD .................................................$5.95 TURKEY SALAD..............................................$5.95 SEAFOOD SALAD..........................................$9.95 TUNA SALAD.................................................$6.75 *All salads include iceberg lettuce, tomato, broccoli, mixed cheese & boiled egg. *Add bacon to any salad for $1.00. *Choose a dressing: ranch, honey mustard, blue cheese, Italian, thousand island or red French. *For all patrons who are intolerant, our grits are made with whole milk. *Note: All substitutions & changes to our menu will be an extra charge.

PHILLY STEAK OMELETTE .................................. $6.95

MEAT & EGG SANDWICH ................................$4.75

CHICKEN OMELETTE ........................................$6.95

EGG & CHEESE SANDWICH ............................$2.95

Prepared with thin sliced steak, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers & Swiss cheese.

Prepared with seasoned diced chicken breast, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, tomato & Swiss cheese.

BEEF OMELETTE ...............................................$6.95 Prepared with well-done seasoned ground beef, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, tomato & Swiss cheese.

HOUSE OMELETTE............................................$6.95 Prepared with ham, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, tomato & Swiss cheese.

VG OMELETTE ................................................. $6.95

Bacon, ham or sausage, 1 egg fried or scrambled.

1 egg fried or scrambled & American cheese.

1 EGG SANDWICH..........................................$1.95 1 egg fried or scrambled.

MEAT ONLY SANDWICH..................................$3.75 Choice of bacon, ham or sausage.

BREAKFAST BURRITOS.......................................$6.95 2 flour tortillas filled with 2 scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon or ham, mixed cheese, onions, tomato & bell pepper. Served with a side of sour cream & salsa.

Prepared with broccoli, mushrooms, onions, tomato, zucchini & Swiss cheese.

Prepared with bacon, ham, sausage & Swiss cheese.

SEAFOOD OMELETTE ...................................... $9.95 Prepared with imitation crab, small scallops, medium sized shrimp, onions, mushrooms & Swiss cheese.

Open from 6AM - 9PM 7 days a week 405 S. Columbia Ave

(in the Goody’s Plaza on Hwy 21)

~ Remember We Have Take Out Available ~

62

February/March 2018 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

SHRIMP OMELETTE .......................................... $8.95 Prepared with seasoned medium grilled shrimp, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, tomato & Swiss cheese.

WESTERN OMELETTE ........................................ $6.95 Prepared with diced ham, onions, bell peppers & Swiss cheese.

SPINACH OMELETTE ....................................... $6.50 Prepared with fresh spinach & Swiss cheese.

SPINACH & SHRIMP OMELETTE ........................ $7.95 Prepared with fresh spinach, seasoned medium grilled shrimp & Swiss cheese.

SPINACH & BEEF OMELETTE ............................ $6.95

eggsbreakfast *All eggs are served with grits and white, wheat or raisin toast. *Hashbrowns or sliced tomatoes may replace grits for an additional $1.00. *Eggs may be substituted with egg beaters or egg whites for an additional $0.50/ each egg. *Bagel, biscuit, English muffins, croissants or rye toast may be substituted for an additional $0.75.

1 EGG, GRITS & TOAST.....................................$3.75 1 EGG, MEAT, GRITS & TOAST ...........................$4.50 Corned beef hash, bacon, ham or sausage.

SPINACH & CHICKEN OMELETTE...................... $6.95

2 EGGS, GRITS & TOAST ...................................$4.75 2 EGGS, MEAT, GRITS & TOAST .........................$5.50

SPINACH & HAM OMELETTE ............................ $6.95

GRITS, SAUSAGE & ONIONS BOWL ..................$4.75

BACON & SWISS CHEESE OMELETTE ................ $6.50 HAM & SWISS CHEESE OMELETTE ..................... $6.50 SAUSAGE & SWISS CHEESE OMELETTE.............. $6.50 CHEESE OMELETTE........................................... $6.25

BREAKFAST BOWL ...........................................$5.95

Prepared with fresh spinach, seasoned well -done ground beef & Swiss cheese.

Prepared with fresh spinach, diced seasoned chicken breast & Swiss cheese.

Prepared with fresh spinach, diced ham & Swiss cheese.

Prepared with American & Swiss cheese

*All omelettes are prepared with the freshest ingredients. *Made with 2 eggs & served with grits & white, wheat or raisin toast. *Bagel, biscuit, English muffins, croissants or rye toast may be substituted for an additional $0.75. *Eggs may be substituted with egg beaters or egg whites for an additional $0.50/ each egg. *Any omelette made into a wrap for an additional $1.00. *Grits may be substituted for hashbrowns or sliced tomatoes for an additional $1.00.

Served with white, wheat or raisin toast.

Bacon, ham or sausage, 2 scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and grits all in one bowl. Served with white, wheat or raisin toast.

BIG BREAKFAST .............................................$10.95 3 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 pc sausage patties, grits & 2 pancakes. *no toast (see side items)

LARGE GRITS Topped with grilled onions, bell peppers & your choice of:

MEAT, EGG & CHEESE SANDWICH .................. $4.95 Bacon, ham or sausage, 1 egg fried or scrambled & American cheese.

WAFFLE.........

WAFFLE & ME

Choice of bacon,

WAFFLE & 3pc BELGIAN WAF BELGIAN WAF

Choice of bacon,

BELGIAN WAF

*Toppings can be add *Strawberry, blueberry

cin

S

3pc FRENCH T

Choice of bacon,

1pc FRENCH T 2pc FRENCH T 3pc FRENCH T

+Grilled Chicken $6.95 +Grilled Shrimp $8.95 +Fried Shrimp $9.95 +1pc Fried Catfishwheat Fillet $7.95 Fried Flounder Fillet (see $8.95side items).

All served with white, or+2pc raisin toast and no eggs

CHICKEN BREAST & EGGS ...............................$7.75 Specially seasoned chicken served with 2 eggs, hashbrowns & white, wheat or raisin toast.

Specially seasoned well-done hamburger steak served with 2 eggs, hashbrowns & white, wheat or raisin toast.

breakfastsandwiches

1pc PANCAKE 2pc PANCAKE 3pc PANCAKE

Corned beef hash, bacon, ham or sausage.

STEAK & EGGS ................................................$7.75

*Are made on white, wheat or raisin toast. *Bagel, biscuit, English muffins, croissants or rye toast may be substituted for an additional $0.75. *Eggs may be substituted with egg beaters or egg whites for an additional $0.50/ each egg.

butterm

3pc PANCAKE

Choice of bacon,

TRIPLE CROWN OMELETTE................................ $6.95

PORK CHOP & EGGS .......................................$7.75 2 specially seasoned grilled pork chops served with 2 eggs, hashbrowns & white, wheat or raisin toast.

NY STRIP & EGGS ...........................................$10.75 8oz certified angus beef, specially seasoned and cooked to your liking. Served with 2 eggs, hashbrowns & white, wheat or raisin toast.

*Add cheese to any menu item for $0.50. *Grits may replace hashbrowns at no additional charge. *Bagel, biscuit, English muffins, croissants or rye toast may be substituted for an additional $0.75

*Warning: consumption of raw or undercooked foods such as meats, fish, or eggs (which may contain harmful bacteria) may cause illness or death.

*Warning: consumption of raw or undercooked foods such as meats, fish, or eggs (which may contain harmful bacteria) may cause illness or death.

*For all patrons who are intolerant, our grits are made with whole milk. *Note: All substitutions & changes to our menu will be an extra charge.

*For all patrons who are intolerant, our grits are made with whole milk. *Note: All substitutions & changes to our menu will be an extra charge.

h

Hash

GRILLED CHIC BEEF .............

GRILLED SHRIM HAM ............

VEGGIES (tom

*Serv

*For all patrons w *Note: All substit

Real Estate Without The Hassle Whether listing or selling, I will be with you from start to finish!

Julie Hales

(912) 657-4120 jhales346@windstream.net

Helping You Find HOME! South Effingham Home on almost 2 acres!

Great home sitting on almost 2 acres! Brand new roof, new A/C and new stainless steel appliances. 3 bedroom / 2 bath in excellent location, less than 5 minutes from everything in Rincon. South Effingham School District, Hardwood floors, fireplace, split floor plan, large back patio with huge backyard...plenty of room for the family and great for entertaining. Home boasts 1576 square feet of living area and the garage has been enclosed for a game room, adding an additional 525 square feet. This home is a must see.

Call me today for to schedule a showing.

www.RinconColdwellBanker.com 5805 Hwy 21 S. • Rincon, GA • 912.826.0927

(912) 657-4120