Effingham Magazine - February / March 2019

L ANNUA & HEALTH ESS WELLN ISSUE

TRENTON PATRICK

Against All Odds...

Not This Kid February/March 2019 Fran Baker-Witt CEO, Effingham Health System

Penny Redmond Feeling Fit, Fab and Free

Two Rivers Health Clinic Providing Healthcare in Effingham County

Celebrating 50 Years

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CONTRIBUTORS Katrice Williams

Shelia Scott

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.

is an Effingham County native and Salzburg de-

Kelly Harley

Tonya Chester Perry

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.

is a married mother of two children. She is a full time photographer with a studio based in Rincon.

She graduated from college with a degree in business. She is originally from Louisiana. After living in different states, she now resides in Effingham County. She is a Maternity, Newborn, Child, High School Senior and Wedding Photographer. When not working she enjoys spending her time with her husband & kids.

Kathryn Vandenhouten

Cindy Burbage

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.

is a native of Richmond Hill. She began writing in college and took a hiatus to raise her four beautiful children. Cindy enjoys traveling and is always ready for a road trip. She believes that faith is greater than fear.

scendent. 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!

Miranda Osborn-Sutphen This 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.

STAFF

Julie Hales Owner/Publisher julie@idpmagazines.com

Naomi Forrestall Graphic Design

04 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

Lea Thornton-Allen Office Manager lea@idpmagazines.com

Marsha Stewart Executive Assistant marsha@idpmagazines.com

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

IN THIS ISSUE 08

Trenton Patrick

Against All Odds... Not This Kid

14

Fran Baker-Witt

18

Marie Murphy Executive Director of Newly Formed

CEO, Effingham Health System

Effingham Health System Foundation

22

The da Vinci Robot Robotic Surgery in Effingham County

30

Penny Redmond

Feeling Fit, Fab and Free

34

Effingham Health System Board of Directors

38

Two Rivers Health Clinic

Providing Healthcare in Effingham County

Departments 07

Publisher’s Thoughts

14

08

30 06 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

38

PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

Health Care at Home Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Naomi Forrestall graphic design Lea Thornton-Allen office manager lea@idpmagazines.com Marsha Stewart executive assistant marsha@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. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.

T

he growth in our county’s population has brought many things to Effingham.

Over the last several years, we have seen new schools being built for our children, new county services for our residents, newer and better recreation facilities for our youth and adults, new retail stores and restaurants…the list goes on.

As this community grows, so does our need for Julie Hales, PUBLISHER health care. We have a larger population to serve now than ever before. So, without proper health care in our community, where will our residents go?

Well, thankfully, the residents of Effingham County no longer have to make that decision. Effingham County has first class health service right here…right at your back door. There is no longer a need to commute outside of our community for your health care needs.

We have access to any type of physician we need now. Whether it be a general practitioner, surgeon, orthopedic specialist, dentist, optometrist, orthodontist, pulmonologist, gynecologist, cardiologist, neurologist, podiatrist…even an oncologist…we have it all.

And, the services we now have available…radiology, MRI’s, colonoscopies, chemotherapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dialysis, mammograms, emergency med facilities, lab work…much more than ever before.

I love doing our Health and Wellness issue each year. It gives me the opportunity to learn how much our health care options have increased in our community. But, better yet, it gives me the pleasure of educating our readers on the wonderful medical professionals we ae so blessed to have.

I hope that you will find some of the health and wellness stories we have chosen this year to be inspiring and educational. Perhaps it will encourage you to make health care choices closer to home now!

ABOUT THE COVER

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 Julie 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 County will be considered.

CIRCULATION: Effingham Magazine is published bi-monthly printing 10,000 copies and distributed to over 200 locations.

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

ANNUAL & HEALTH ESS WELLN E SU IS

TRENTON PATRICK

Ten-year-old Trenton Patrick is one courageous little boy. He suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in June of this past year. Read about his incredible journey over these past seven months. Trenton’s story is nothing short of amazing.

Against All Odds...

Not This Kid February/March 2019 Fran Baker Witt CEO, Effingham Health System

Penny Redmond Feeling Fit, Fab and Free

Two Rivers Health Clinic Providing Healthcare in Effingham County

www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 07

TRENTON PATRICK Against All Odds... Not This Kid story by Kelly Harley

photos by Shelia Scott

C

hildren have a way of teaching us some of the most important lessons in life.

Their innocence, resilience, and perseverance can easily rub off on you. One Effingham County boy is proving that those qualities can go a long way, especially when faced with an obstacle that could have taken his life.

Ten-year-old Trenton Patrick is one of the cutest kids you will ever meet. With sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes, his smile can melt your heart. Better yet, his attitude will leave you in awe. Trenton isn’t like many kids his age. He struggles to talk and use his right hand and right leg. Despite these challenges, you won’t hear him ever say, “Why me?”

On June 27, 2018, it was a normal day at the Patrick home. Mom, Mary Ann, was busy cleaning the house for an upcoming party and her two younger boys, Trenton and 8-year-old Bradley, were having fun playing on the PlayStation. Mary Ann was in the bathroom when Trenton and Bradley came in. Trenton, who was nine at the time, told his mom his head was hurting. Mary Ann recalls telling him to quit whining and to talk right because she couldn’t understand him. “I told him this is important, if there is something wrong, tell me right now,” recalls Mary Ann. She quickly realized he wasn’t whining and his speech was slurred. She asked him to lift his right arm above his head and he couldn’t. She asked him to smile and noticed the right side of his mouth wouldn’t go up. Within 90 seconds he lost all function on his right side and he started vomiting. She was sure he was having a stroke.

Within a short amount of time, Trenton was on his way to Memorial Health in Savannah. Once there, a CT scan revealed a brain bleed. Trenton had suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm, which ultimately

caused him to have an intracranial hemorrhagic stroke. The aneurysm was caused by an arteriovenous malformation, a condition he was born with and one his parents didn’t know he had until this happened. “Dr. Willard Thompson, who is the only pediatric neurosurgeon in Savannah, told my husband and I that we needed to be prepared. He told us Trenton is very sick and he’s going to get worse. He will likely be in a coma and possibly be on life support,” says Mary Ann. Faced with the worst nightmare a parent can imagine, the Patricks broke down. After absorbing the news, Mary Ann said they changed their attitudes. “We said this is not how we are going to handle it. We started praying and vowed that we would not accept this news and we would not fall apart. That is not what God teaches us,” adds Mary Ann.

The next morning Trenton underwent an angiogram and doctors essentially glued his brain where the aneurysm happened.

The next 36 hours were most critical and the Patricks had hoped the brain would start absorbing some of the blood.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and a week later, Trenton underwent one of two brain surgeries. The first surgery was to remove the blood and fluid off the brain.

Part of his skull was removed and he had a drain tube on his brain. He was sedated for 28 days and the doctors said they had done everything they could do. The waiting began.

Mary Ann smiles when she says that after Trenton woke up, everything went best case scenario. “When he woke up, he couldn’t talk, couldn’t move his right side, but he remembered us and was comprehending. I knew that my child was there and he wasn’t a vegetable,” says Mary Ann. Trenton spent 43 days at Memorial Health, with most of that time in the intensive care unit. He continued to improve and he amazed the doctors and

staff. The outcome of his prognosis was better than anyone had expected.

Trenton’s next journey took him to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where he went through intensive therapy. He learned how to eat, talk and walk. He attended physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Mary Ann was thinking it was hard on Trenton, but Trenton sees it differently. “It was hard but my attitude changed how hard or easy it was. I kept a positive attitude,” smiles Trenton.

Trenton spent four months in Atlanta undergoing therapy. He just recently completed robotics therapy, which is a type of therapy that delivers high-dosage and high-intensity training, making it useful for patients with motor disorders caused by stroke or spinal cord disease. Mary Ann says the therapy did wonders for Trenton’s progress.

While Trenton was in Atlanta, he

www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 09

continued to amaze those who took care of him. They called him their easiest patient. “They kept me busy and I kept them busy,” says Trenton. Each week the therapists would write goals for Trenton to accomplish that week. Well, he was so determined, he would meet his goals halfway through the week and therapists would have to write new goals.

On January 22, Trenton started school again. The 4th grader at Marlow Elementary says his first day back was fun.

“I learned about decimals, planets and opinion writing. You know, math is my favorite subject,” says Trenton.

What’s even more remarkable is he is back in his regular class (while in therapy he also worked on his schoolwork), has made straight A’s and has made the honor roll for both nine-week periods. He will continue therapy in school; speech, physical and occupational therapy in Savannah three days a week; and will go back to Atlanta over the summer for more robotics therapy. Mary Ann says their new normal is different. While it may be different, it hasn’t changed Trenton’s outlook on life. “It doesn’t bother me.

I’m not sure how to explain it, but I feel like the new normal is easier than the old normal,” adds Trenton.

While some may question the strength this family has had over the past seven months, Mary Ann says it’s their faith in God and the outpouring of support from friends and family who have made this difficult journey not so difficult. When they learned how much the cost of therapy was going to be, upwards of $15,000, a GoFundMe account was set up. Generous donations came flooding in and they far exceeded their goal. While in therapy, Trenton was able to come home over the Labor Day weekend and the family attended church that Sunday. Trenton received a standing ovation and the pastor changed his planned sermon that day.

Instead, he spoke about how sometimes people are given things they don’t necessarily deserve, but given a struggle, God will help see you through.

Trenton’s school and classmates have also welcomed him back with open arms.

Mary Ann says Trenton’s teachers are amazing and continue to help him as he transitions back into his new normal.

10 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

Trenton says he has learned a lot about himself. “I’ve learned how to have patience and I’ve even taught my mom to be more patient. I know that everything will take a little longer and I may be slower, but I’m grateful because I’ve met kids in therapy who don’t have it as easy as me,” he says.

Mary Ann says this has also made him sweeter. Trenton laughs at that comment and says he’s always been sweet.

Sweet, determined, loving, inspiring – Trenton displays all of these qualities at such a young age. “From the beginning, I’ve tried to make sure he understands that he is doing very well. He’s going to have an amazing story that is going to benefit other people. He needs to realize that we are part of something bigger and that our lives are part of growing the Kingdom of God,” adds Mary Ann. Without a doubt, Trenton’s story is nothing short of amazing. When you consider what he’s been through, it leaves you with a greater appreciation of just how good life is. Trenton shares advice for those who may be struggling, “Just have a good attitude and you will get through it.”

Sound advice from a special little boy.

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hen it comes to health and wellness for seniors, there are some less obvious needs to consider. Studies show that active, engaged seniors enjoy better overall health and a brighter outlook than their less active counterparts. With that in mind, Golden Hours Senior Services was born. Melissa Waller wants to help area seniors with their bucket lists by removing barriers to fun and fulfillment.

Q: What led you to start up a business like this?

“I've heard people say they stopped going to movies or the theater because they no longer felt comfortable driving at night. Others admitted they'd stopped participating in activities or refused invitations because they didn't feel confident in their ability to navigate in unfamiliar places. Some seniors don't go out to restaurants anymore because they don't want to eat alone. I don't think anything good happens when you run up the white flag and give up. Don't settle! I want to provide seniors with the confidence and companionship needed to stay active and engaged, for as long as they can.”

Q: What kinds of activities do you recommend to stay engaged?

“Basically anything that gets you out of the house and excited about life. It doesn't have to be an adventure or a new experience. I had a gentleman from Savannah who wanted nothing more than a ride in the country in a pick up. It had been a long time, but it was something he'd enjoyed regularly on Sunday afternoons.

I drove him all over our farm and other parts of the county before I took him home. He was delightful, and said it was the most fun he'd had in years.”

Q: Golden Hours offers a wide range of concierge services, from clerical, errands and deliveries, to overnight travel. One of the more interesting services you offer is ghostwriting?

“Seniors have all these great stories, and they want to share them with their families, but getting it all written down and organized can be a challenge. If there's a way we can help a family preserve all that precious information, I'm happy to do it.”

Q: Who in particular could benefit from the services offered by GHSS? The short answer really is anybody.

There's no doubt that getting out and

staying active is key to good health, and even a simple day excursion can do wonders to restore and reset the mind as well as the body. I especially recommend our Day Travel Gift Certificates for the recently widowed, or caregivers who just need a break. A day travel voucher is really a perfect gift for those situations.

Everyone appreciates “me time”!

Q: Your other services notwithstanding, how does GHSS differ from a traditional travel agency or an excursion company?

“There are no canned itinerary stops here. Every aspect is customized to the interests and abilities of the client. I do senior adventure, at the client's pace and on the client's terms.”

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www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 13

story by Cindy Reid

14 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

photos by Shuman Fine Art Photography

Fran Baker-Witt

CEO, Effingham Health System

A

few years back, Effingham Health System (EHS) embarked on a transformational journey, best described by CEO Fran Baker-Witt when she says, “We are redefining healthcare—close to home.”

What does this mean for the people of Effingham County, and how are they delivering on that promise? We spoke with Mrs.Baker-Witt to learn more about the changes that have taken place in the past year and the vision she has for the future of our locally based, non-profit, healthcare system. First, Mrs. Baker-Witt explains that transformation means examining and changing, where necessary,every patient service and interaction across the multitiered healthcare system. Throughout that process, empowering patients to take an active role in their own health and wellbeing, while assuring the best possible health outcomes for all patients.

2018 Highlights

Four-Star Rating Perhaps the best measure of success todate comes from the patients themselves.

For two years in a row Effingham Health System is the only hospital in the Greater Savannah Area (Chatham, Effingham, Bryan and Bulloch counties), to receive a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and has once again been named a “Top Hospital in Georgia” based on the quality of care EHS provides patients.

Effingham Health System was also voted “Best Hospital in the Coastal Empire” in the “2018 Best of the Best” reader poll, sponsored by Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. “The patient experience is extremely important to us,” says Mrs. Baker-Witt. “We are truly honored by this award because it shows us that our patients and our community recognize the transformation in progress at Effingham Health System.” Effingham Health System was also a finalist in two other categories, Best Emergency Room and Best Nursing Home.

Da Vinci X Robotic-Assisted Surgery One of Mrs. Baker-Witt’s goals is to attract the finest specialty medical care in the region to Effingham. When it comes to surgery, she explains, that means providing surgeons with the right tools.

EHS recently added the da Vinci X system robotic for assisting in minimally invasive surgery. The state-of-the-art system (no settling for an older model, Mrs. BakerWitt points out) is already attracting highly-respected surgeons to Effingham Health System. Because the high-tech system allows specially trained surgeons to operate through a few small incisions, with enhanced vision and precision, patients can benefit from faster recovery times.

PARAMED Community Outreach Another goal of transformation is developing community outreach programs that improve patient health outcomes.

The first of these outreach programs, launched in 2018, is Effingham Health System’s PARAMED. CEO Fran BakerWitt says, “PARAMED allows us to reach out to patients in the community

to help them manage chronic diseases.”

Management of diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, can decrease the need for emergency care, and increase life expectancy. Effingham Health System (EHS) is helping to fill the gap between providers and their patients by providing health and wellness checks by an RN, a certified Paramedic, or an EMT, in the patient’s home, for referred patients who are a fit for the program. “The team actually goes to the patient’s home, and they may take their blood pressure or a glucose reading, whatever is necessary for the patients’ well-being,” explains Mrs. Baker-Witt.

The PARAMED team seeks to understand the underlying issues a patient is experiencing that impact compliance with their physician’s treatment plan.

That often means connecting them with community resources that can help fulfill specific needs. “This is a win-win for our patients and community, which is what it is all about,” explains Mrs. BakerWitt. “PARAMED helps us deliver the best possible health outcomes for these patients, reducing ER visits and hospital

www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 15

admissions. “ PARAMED works strictly on a referral basis from medical providers, Effingham Health System’s ER, local EMS, and EHS patient advocates. Priority is given for high-risk patients who struggle the most to maintain control. Fewer visits to the ER,many of which are not covered by insurance, will also help Effingham Health System reduce unreimbursed costs for care. Mrs. Baker-Witt says, “We are keeping patients from an EMS ER situation—due to medical instability—by keeping patients healthy in their own home.”

The program was initially sponsored by a Rural Hospital Stabilization Project Grant from the Georgia Department of Community Health.

TELEMED Expansion Following a successful pilot program in 2017, Effingham Health System’s TELEMED expanded to include four local elementary schools for the 2018-19 school year. The school-based telemedicine program allows parents to opt in to have their children seen by an EHS provider during school hours. Working through the school nurse, the physician or advanced practitioner examines the child remotely through a special, secure, computer network—complete with high-tech ear thermometer and a high-definition camera. The examining physician or practitioner can make a diagnosis and call in prescriptions for the parents to pick up. Parents have the option to be present for the visit, but it is not necessary.

Either way the school nurse will keep parents informed. EHS TELEMED makes healthcare for children more convenient and accessible, avoids delays in treatment, and enhances learning by decreasing absenteeism.

EHS has partnered with Georgia Partnership for Telehealth, which has launched telemedicine programs in over 100 schools across the state. Mrs. BakerWitt says, “I can’t say enough good things about our partnership with the Board of Education. It is clear that telemedicine will play a major role in the future of medical care and we are leading the way here in Effingham.” Expect further growth of the program in Effingham’s public schools.

Pediatrics Win-Win Pediatrics is one community need that arose from employees at a CEO forum.

Mrs. Baker-Witt listened and recruited Bailey Alford, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician in the fall of 2017. After Dr. Bailey’s first year treating young patients

in Guyton and Springfield, Mrs. BakerWitt says, “The addition of a pediatrician continues to be a big win for us. Dr. Alford is in partnership with our telemedicine program and our pediatric services have grown significantly. We hope to consolidate her practice and our pediatrics program in 2019-2020 by creating a physical place for Dr Alford to call her own.”

Block Party & Health Fair Effingham Health System kicked of its 50th Jubilee year celebration with a first-of-its-kind health fair and block party this past November. Medical professionals from every department in the hospital were on hand, giving free health screenings such as vision tests and blood pressure assessments. The fun event provided an opportunity for patients to connect with EHS staff, ask questions, and learn about new services the healthcare system provides.

What’s New for 2019 The transformation continues into 2019. EHS will be building and expanding as dictated by the needs of the community, says Fran Baker- Witt. She says,” We are positioning Effingham Health System to be competitive and strong. Providing the

16 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

best possible health care—close to home.

All of us, from the Board to the staff level, embrace innovation and continually strive to improve access, improve quality, and improve the patient’sexperience.”

She continues," EHS is expanding access to providers for the Cancer Care Center as well as recruiting specialists in orthopedics, vascular and urology."

She explains, “We connect with specialty networks to ensure our community receives the best possible care without having to drive to Savannah. This year we are also looking at expansion with our health partnerships and venturing into other service areas such as mental health, behavioral health, and cardio care, to meet the needs of our community.”

Mrs.Baker-Witt says, “For EHS, it’s building the confidence of the community in our ability to provide important services close to home. When I first came here, I noticed that culturally, in the EHS environment, there was no valuing the organization. An environment of transparency did not exist. I feel my strength is that the board has grown to appreciate me as a transformational leader who believes in transparency.

Transparency in turn lends itself to respect and trust. This is our commitment to the right care at the right time.”

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MARIE W. MURPHY Executive Director of Newly Formed Effingham Health System Foundation story and photos by Miranda Osborn

F

or most people born and raised in Effingham, the pride at seeing the community thriving is strong. Marie Murphy, Executive Director of the newly formed Effingham Health System Foundation is no exception; she herself is a passionate community advocate.

After attending Georgia Southern, Murphy went directly into banking,

working her way up the ladder from operations to retail banking, to finance, and finally to commercial lending. Having been in management since she was 24 years old, she was “never content to be an average employee.” “I have always enjoyed excelling in whatever jobs I held,” Murphy says.

From her resume, one can see she has held many leadership positions such as

18 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

Chairman of the SBAC, City of Savannah Loan Committee and the Chairman of several civic groups such as Rotary and the Exchange Club. When she worked for Suntrust, she was the first female Commercial Lender in Savannah. “I had to prove myself, and in 2008 I was the Pinnacle Performer,” she adds. That meant that she was one out of only 300 lenders in the state of Georgia to achieve this level.

Part of her career also involved grant writing; akin to writing RFPs (Requests for Proposals) where the writer bids on business from companies. The largest RFP Murphy won was $57 million with a local company. In her quarter century in banking - the most recent of which was almost a decade as a Commercial banker - Murphy managed over 100 million dollars in assets (loans and deposits), with revenues in excess of five million.

But, after 25 years in banking, Murphy needed a change. Right after the recent recession, the hospital called her to see if she would be interested in selling the services of their occupational medicine department. She joined Effingham Hospital in occupational medicine in 2013.

“In banking, a large part of my portfolio was in the trucking and logistics industry,” explains Murphy of her seemingly 180-degree career turn. But this meant she could reach out to sell services to many of the clients she had in her banking industry days. So many, in fact, that Murphy grew the business from 40 clients to well over 300 clients before moving on to the Foundation.

Murphy started with the foundation in January of 2018. With the formation last year of the 501c3 and the selection of the board and writing policies, Murphy was a logical choice. Her work ethic all her life has been to “do good, work hard every day and give it 100% every day and let God handle the rest.”

When the hospital opened on August 25th, 1969, it had 75 employees. Today Effingham Health System employs over 400 people, and including contract employees, close to 1,000. With the hospital expansion in 2012, the growth of EHS has been over 300-percent. The Foundation, even though they have a separate 501c3, is a perfect extension then of the hospital, being formed the year leading up to the Jubilee birthday of the institution itself.

The hospital and the health system are as one. The distinction is that there is the hospital, several health practices, as well as an imaging center. “The Foundation’s whole purpose is to raise funds for the health system to buy the equipment to provide services in the community that serves the needs of our community. We are as one,” Murphy explains.

Murphy does not have to go it alone, however, and serves alongside fellow board members selected specifically for what their unique talents offer the foundation; Chairman Dr. Alex Wynn, Vice Chairman James Carlson, Secretary Dayle Burns, Treasurer Dr. Franklin Goldwire, and Dr.

Randy Shearouse, Michael Garvin, Julie Hales, Clarence Morgan, and Honorary Board Member Ronda Rich.

Each member brings his or her own individual strengths to the board as a collective unit and serves for two years.

Together, this group has rallied together for the betterment of healthcare in the community. All monies raised go back in the hospital and health system. “That is our whole purpose, explains Murphy. “We will provide capital to grow to continue to be the Best of the Best.”

The Best of the Best is not an exaggeration either. In 2017, Effingham Health System was the only CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) four-star rated hospital in the Greater Savannah area, with a CMS five-star rated Care Center. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, having a system of rating hospitals and care centers on a onethrough-five basis. “Our hospital is rated a four and the care center is a five,” Murphy explains proudly. It was also literally voted the 'Best Hospital in the Coastal Empire.'

“This is the feedback our patients tell of the service and quality they received while in our care,” Murphy adds.

Murphy loves what she does and wouldn’t change anything leading up to or about her current position with the Foundation. “I feel I have been on a journey and God has brought me back to where I was raised,” she explains. When she left Effingham for college she did not

know where life would take her. Then when she met her husband at Georgia Southern and moved to Savannah to continue a career in banking she never thought she would be back “home” working at the same hospital some of her family worked at for many years.

There are many families at EHS, and being a small town, EHS is the third largest employer. “All of us at EHS feel this is our mission to provide the very best for the patients and community we serve,” Murphy adds. She believes her role, and the part she plays is in God’s hands, and she has a strong faith that leads her day by day. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have strategic goals for the hospital, however.

“The Foundation is just one of the ways we can help Effingham be the best it can be,” Murphy adds, calling herself a “hometown girl that came back full circle.”

The Foundation has year-round fundraising efforts and plans for 2019; three of which will be major fundraisers.

First is a car show on Saturday, March 9th at Freedom Park in Rincon. “With the help of dedicated staff here at EHS, we are looking forward to a great outcome with many people joining us for good family fun,” alludes Murphy. Secondly, the Foundation is in the planning stages of a Brick Campaign. More details will follow as they develop. The last and biggest fundraising event of 2019 will be the Annual Gala, marking the hospital’s 50th birthday. Murphy and the board expect to have over 250 people at the black tie affair on Saturday, September 21st.

www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 19

Mission

Our EHS Foundation Mission is to support the growth and mission of Effingham Health System through philanthropy, raising awareness of the healthcare system’s needs, while connecting those needs with the generosity of our donors.

Vision

Our EHS Foundation Vision is to help broaden the scope of locally based healthcare for residents of Effingham and surrounding areas by connecting with our community and benefitting from its generosity; to provide philanthropic funding for expanded services and new equipment that supports Effingham Health System’s mission.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Alex Wynn, Surgeon 9973 Whitefield Ave. Savannah, Georgia 31406 ralexwynn@gmail.com James Carlson, Owner Carlson’s Premier Events, Joann’s Florist (Vice Chairman) 606 North Laurel Street Springfield, Georgia 31329 carlsonspremierevents@gmail.com Dayle Burns, Retired Educator (Secretary) 5829 Clyo Kildare Rd. Newington, Georgia 30446 daylewburns@gmail.com Dr. Franklin Goldwire, Retired Educator (Treasurer) P.O. Box 532 Guyton, Georgia 31312 goldwire@planters.net Michael Garvin, Owner/CEO Smalls Funeral Home P.O. Box 26 Guyton, Georgia 31312 smallsfuneralhome@yahoo.com

Dr. Randy Shearouse, Superintendent of Effingham School District 405 N. Ash St. Springfield, Georgia 31329 rshearouse@effingham.k12.ga.us Julie Hales, Owner/Publisher Effingham Magazine P.O. Box 1742 Rincon, Georgia 31326 Julie@idpmagazines.com Clarence Morgan, Director of Effingham County Recreation and Parks Department 808 GA Hwy 119 Springfield, Georgia 31329 cmorgan@effinghamcounty.org Ronda Rich, Author, Honorary Board Member 5555 Green Circle Clemont, Georgia 30527 sowomen@bellsouth.net

459 GA HWY 1195 SPRINGFIELD, GA 31329 912-754-7565 www.effinghamhealthsystem.org 20 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

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The da Vinci System

T

Robotic Surgery in Effingham County

he da Vinci surgery system has brought minimally invasive surgery to more than 3 million patients worldwide and has been successfully in place at the Effingham Health System since August 2018. The program is already exceeding expectations and will be growing to meet the community’s needs.

Effingham Health System is committed to bringing every resource available in “the big city” to their patients and the da Vinci X robotic system allows physicians to offer the most advanced surgery option for the community, keeping Effingham Health System on the forefront of healthcare technology and most importantly, helps transform the surgery experience for patients in Effingham.

“This cutting-edge surgical technology will help us draw more of the region’s top surgeons to Effingham Health System,” shares Fran Baker-Witt, CEO. “That means more specialized services close to home for local residents.” Effingham Health System is the only critical access hospital in Georgia to offer da Vinci robotic surgery.

The surgical robot can be used in a wide range of specialty services, including general surgery and hernia repair. The addition of the da Vinci X Surgical System, allows physicians performing surgery at Effingham Health System to offer patients the option of robotic surgery for additional procedures, which may include urology, gynecology, gynecologic oncology and colorectal surgery.

What is da Vinci Surgery?

With the da Vinci Surgical System, surgeons operate through just a few small incisions. The da Vinci System features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand. As a result, da Vinci enables the surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision and control. The da Vinci System represents the latest in surgical and robotics technologies. The surgeon is 100% in control of the da Vinci System at all times. The da Vinci technology translates the surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body. (www.davincisurgery.com) We spoke with Gaynell Miller, MS, RN,

Interim Chief Nursing Officer at Effingham Health System about the da Vinci robotic surgery system and how this impacts patients in the community.

How long has the da Vinci robotic system been in place at Effingham Health System?

We rolled it out in August 2018, so it is relatively new, but highly successful.

What lead to adding this option to Effingham Health System?

First and foremost, Effingham Health system focuses on being here for the community. We are completely committed to best practices that improve quality of care and the patient’s experience. So, when one of the key surgeons recommended it, we saw that bringing this surgery option would benefit our patients greatly. Because

22 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

we work collaboratively with our medical colleagues, we were able to introduce something new and cutting edge.

How many patients have utilized it so far?

We have had 79 cases between August and December 2018. Our goal was 55 so we exceeded it by 44%! We thought we would have a ‘soft opening’ and ease into it, but that didn’t happen because our staff was eager to embrace change and put the system to use. They are very invested in really serving our community and thought this was the way to go.

Why is that- what are the benefits to a patient?

One of the main benefits is a quicker recovery, which is the result of a far less invasive surgery. Instead of the huge

incisions of the past, these are very tiny.

And because the internal organs have far less exposure during surgery, there is much less chance of infection. Patients can get up and about much sooner so that means patients can get back to their daily activities much sooner.

We already perform laparoscopy surgery which is not new in healthcare and is less invasive and is an improvement over traditional surgery, but the da Vinci system brings surgery to a whole new level because it allows the surgeon more flexibility. The robot allows more precision and the machine can make different hand maneuvers the human hand can’t do.

Additionally, comfort and convenience are big factors in the benefits to our patients. They can experience state of the art medicine close to home, and their families and support systems are able to participate in their recovery so much more conveniently as we are right here in the community.

What medical conditions is it used for?

Primarily general surgery such as hernias and gall bladder cases. There is a lot of opportunity for use in urological surgery cases which we will be able to do in the very near future as we are adding a Urology group in the late spring of this year.

What is next?

We are creating an operational team to evaluate the current success and explore how to take the robotic system to the next level. We will develop a plan around those findings; with the urology team being the first step in enhancing the program. Of course, there is special training for surgeons and our staff in the OR in order to use the da Vinci system, so it is not something that can be expanded without preparation. It is a process and we are willing to do whatever we need to maximize our program. Surgery is really growing at Effingham Health System and we have expectations that the volume of robotic surgery cases will continue to

"Da Vinci Robotic surgery is a game changer for our patients."

- Dr. Wynn

R. Alexander Wynn, MD FACS and Fawn B. Smith, NP-C expand, and we will be prepared to meet those increased capacity needs. So, we are planning an expansion of our surgery center. Currently we have two fully integrated surgery suites for both in and out- patient surgery.

Is there a cost benefit?

There are tangible and intangible benefits and cost is included in that. One of the benefits is lower rate of post-op infections, which potentially eliminates the cost of a hospital admission. Many of the costs are incurred up front, but other supply costs are reduced in the long run.

We weighed the cost and benefits and the impact on the patient’s outcome played a huge part in the decision. as to how it impacts the patent and their recovery.

Ultimately it is all about the patient having high quality care, being safe, and having a positive outcome because you can’t put a price on a positive recovery and experience. The feedback from patients has been entirely positive; they are amazed there is something so advanced in our community! They love the convenience of being ‘home,’ which is so important for family support as well.

What makes Effingham Health System the right choice for patients?

There are many reasons to choose Effingham Health System, starting

with the “family feel” to organization.

The quality patients experience is of absolute importance to us as a healthcare organization. We want every single patient to have an outstanding day under our care. We strive for consistency, no good days or bad days- they are all outstanding days. We aim for our patients to receive the same level of excellent service always.

They rely on and expect that. And we are growing our organization. Everything we do is about matching growth with patient care, quality, safety and excellent customer service for our community. I absolutely love it here. I have been the Interim Chief Nurse since July 2018 and I am really impressed with the warm community feel, the welcoming spirit and the commitment of the staff, the Governing Board and the Executive team. Our staff embraces the idea of wanting to provide the best healthcare possible for our community.

I have been in healthcare for over forty years and have been pleasantly surprised about the number and quality of services provided here. The consistent message at Effingham Health System is to identify the needs of the community and adjust to meet them. Ask to have a tour- see for yourself!

You may be very surprised by our growth.

This is a great place to work, to visit, to practice, to receive care. It is like home.

www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 23

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Personalized Patient Care at optimhealth

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hen you’re in pain, life’s simple pleasures can be difficult to enjoy. But if you’re in Effingham, it doesn’t matter if you pulled a hamstring, have a bad back or need a new knee, the team at Optim Orthopedics in Rincon can help get you back to doing what you love.

You’ll receive personalized patient care every step of the way from some of the most skilled and well-respected orthopedic surgeons in the country, all board certified and fellowship trained.

David Palmer, MD Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine (Knee & Shoulder) Dr. David Palmer specializes in sports medicine, most frequently treating sports related injuries involving the shoulder and knee.

He’s been practicing in Effingham County for 20 years and has long served as Team Physician for both of the high schools. It’s been a perfect fit for the former college athlete who was a fullback and linebacker for Florida State University in the mid 1980s.

Dr. Palmer was in his second year at college when he began shadowing the team doctors and decided he wanted to become an orthopedic surgeon. Now that he’s a team doctor, he’s relishing every moment.

“The excitement, energy, and passion that these young men and women display makes the experience fun for me,” he said. He also admires Effingham County’s unwavering support of the students. “It’s a close-knit community that takes pride in their local high schools. The folks here love their community and it shows.”

Gregory Kolovich, MD Orthopedic Surgeon Hand, Wrist & Elbow Dr. Gregory Kolovich’s reputation as one of the top hand surgeons in our region is steadily growing. Much of his practice focuses on surgery of the upper extremities (hand, wrist and arm) but he also does microsurgery and trauma.

A native of Cleveland, he attended Georgia Tech and majored in electric engineering and pre-medicine. He graduated with honors from Ohio State University College of Medicine before his orthopedic residency at the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State. Before joining the Optim team, Dr. Kolovich completed specialized training at Harvard at the prestigious Hand Fellowship Program.

This past year he became president of the Georgia Society for Surgery of the Hand and he is also the inventor and Chief Medical Officer of MicroC, the world’s first hand-held X-ray and digital imaging device.

Donald McCartney, MD Orthopedic Surgeon General & Pediatrics In general orthopedics, Dr. Donald McCartney treats a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and disorders.

As a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, his focus is on children’s sprains and fractures, growth disturbances, deformities of the spine and skeleton (such as scoliosis and cerebral palsy) and walking abnormalities.

Dr. McCartney has practiced in Effingham County for 15 years and considers it his hometown. “I’ve lived in Rincon almost 16 years, longer than anywhere else in my life,” he said.

For the past 10 years, Dr. McCartney has traveled to Guatemala, sometimes 4 or 5 times a year, practicing his faith by healing those in need.

He’s often there with Faith in Practice, a non-profit Christian organization, and usually accompanied by his wife, Monica.

But whether he’s in Rincon or Central America, his passion for orthopedics is the same. He said the most rewarding aspect of his profession is “fixing patients’ problems so that can return to their normal lives.”

Ask your doctor for a referral to one of our Optim Orthopedics physicians. The Rincon office is located at 810 Towne Park Dr., Suite 200. For more information, call (912)826-2533 or visit optimhealth.com.

Dr. Donald McCartney with Mia Polanco and her mother, Jackie, from Guatemala.

Dr. McCartney performed surgery last fall to correct 11-year-old Mia’s severe case of scoliosis.

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www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 25

Effingham's Cancer Care Center PROVIDING QUALITY CARE THAT COUNTS story by Katrice Williams

G

aynell Miller is presently the Interim Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Effingham Health System (EHS).

Actually, Gaynell commutes weekly from the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, where she has lived most of her life. With over 40 years of noteworthy healthcare experience, Gaynell was an optimal fit for her current role. In fact, she is a retired Vice President of Patient Care Services from an Atlanta hospital. After retiring, Gaynell started a professional

26 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

consulting business within the healthcare arena. As the Interim CNO, Gaynell is responsible for “all patient care that is provided throughout the organization,” including overseeing and insuring the proper implementation of policies, standards, procedures and consistent practices.

Gaynell is responsible for managing patient care, which also includes the EHS Cancer Care Center, “an outpatient clinic operated within the main hospital.” The center has been servicing the community since May 2017. EHS has a managing partnership with Summit Cancer Care Service (Summit), which provides hematology and medical oncology services for the clinic. Through the partnership, EHS has attained a true asset in Summit— an organization with the structure for managing cancer patients, along with having established providers, policies and procedures.

The clinic’s hematology and oncology services focus on any blood disorders and cancers of the blood or tissues.

Chemotherapy infusions, which make up the majority of treatments, are included. Further, patients undergo routine visits with oncologists. The ultimate goal of the cancer care center includes striving to move the patients to a cancer-free state by managing their care, supporting them and providing all aspects of care and treatment throughout their journey. Gaynell emphasizes how important patient safety is to EHS; the clinic itself is driven to consistently employing zero-harm initiatives, along with striving to eliminate various risk factors, as the medical professionals are concerned with the safety and success of every procedure that is performed.

“It’s not just focusing on the disease. It’s also focusing on lifestyle changes because of the cancer. The needs are unique for

each individual patient. We work with them to provide excellent care so that it’s personalized for our patients,” Gaynell stated.

The professionals at the clinic are driven to help each patient establish and maintain a good quality of life throughout their treatment and help them “develop a plan to adjust” in the most effective ways possible.

“We work with patients to come up with a treatment plan that’s based on their unique situation. We really try to help the patients stay strong and continue to have the best state of well-being that they can have throughout their treatment,” Gaynell added.

The cancer center has been a tremendous benefit to the community; it is dedicated to providing patients and their families with top-notch service through understanding their needs in such a delicate time. Patients, too, are grateful and relieved that they can receive the medical care needed within their community.

“We definitely wanted to offer the service for the community.

It’s such a great thing for the patients and their families. Before the program was here, patients had to drive to Savannah. There’s so much that goes along with cancer, survival and treatment that it’s so much more convenient to be close to home,” Gaynell stated.

In addition, the clinic has taken tremendous pride in establishing a very home-like environment, where a “close-knit community” of care-givers becomes like family.

“That home feeling just gives so much more support and so much more connectivity,” Gaynell said.

In fact, the staff understands the importance of supporting the entire family, as their role in the patient’s care is crucial; therefore, providing support and stability for every family throughout the process is considered to be of utmost significance.

“That family support is so important; it’s part of treating the patient, and we focus on treating the entire patient rather than one aspect of their condition,” Gaynell remarked.

The entire staff, and providers at the clinic are certainly a great value-added part of the patient experience. The team feels connected with the people who come for care and rallies around them, wanting to create the best experience for them and their families.

“That’s what I think we do well, and it resonates throughout the organization. Patients can always judge how well we treat them,” she added.

The incredible growth that the cancer center has experienced this past year is not surprising, especially with their standards of quality and excellence. The center experienced a 206% increase in treatments over the past year, as there were approximately 370 treatments performed from May 2017-December 2017 compared to 1,133 performed for that same period of time in 2018. Actually, a total of 1,423 treatments were administered in 2018. Beginning February 5th, the clinic will be opened four days each week compared to its usual three days. To accommodate the growth, EHS is planning to move the cancer care center into a larger facility on campus, which should be ready to occupy in early 2020. This will provide an even more spacious and comfortable environment to meet the patient’s needs.

The clinic welcomes all patients in need of cancer care. Voted best hospital in the Coastal Empire (Savannah Morning News), the only 4-star rated CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) in the Coastal Empire, along with being a level 4 trauma center” and one of 12 designated remote treatment stroke centers in the state, Effingham Health System wants to be the go-to place in this community for all healthcare needs.

Under the leadership of CEO Fran Baker-WITT, the senior leadership and entire team are committed to providing high quality care as well as an outstanding patient experience.

CANCER CARE AT HOME

J

ane 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.

Jane's biggest fight came in June of 2017, the fight for her life. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.

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

"I'm Jane Hughes I'm proud to be an Effingham County resident. I received all my treatments at the Cancer Care Center in Effingham. I'm thrilled about this Cancer Care Center. I knew that when I had to go through this chemotherapy, my number one priority was, can I please take my treatments in Effingham. Being able to have my treatments done at home, in Effingham County has been a God send. If I had to rate the level of care that I received at the Cancer Care Center on a scale of 1 to 10. I would give a 10 plus. I wouldn't go anywhere else to get my treatments than Effingham Cancer Care Center. This center has been a complete blessing to me."

Effingham Cancer Care Practice Professionally Staffed by Summit Cancer Care Physicians 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 who are dealing with cancer, care close to home makes it easier for patients - and their families - to focus on healing. 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. They 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, they welcome you to call us to arrange a tour.

www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 27

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28 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

V

Vicky Little: Serving Effingham Health System Since 1973

icky Little has been a member of Effingham County almost her entire life and has been such an important part of Effingham Hospital (Effingham Health System) for almost as long. She began working at the hospital in 1973 as a receptionist and admissions clerk in the business office and had planned to leave in 1975 to raise her second child. “I found my way back to working full time with the hospital in March of 1976, and I have not broken employment since,” explains Little. She joked, “I have received many labels over the years including seasoned employee.”

Little worked her way through several departments at the hospital holding many positions and various titles in her career with Effingham Health System. She was the manager of the business office and served as the financial officer prior to branching off to build the Human Resources department of Effingham Health System. She served as the Executive Director of HR and Support Services until 2014.

When the new CEO, Fran Baker-Witt, joined Effingham Health Systems, Little was asked to serve as Chief of Support Services.

“My assistance throughout the years has been to play whatever part I have been asked to play. It has been a joy! I love working here! It’s a great facility and it is truly the amazing people that keep you here,” Little explained.

When discussing the growth of the hospital, Little said, “it has been absolutely wonderful over the years to witness our growth!

We started with a 45 bed hospital and 56 bed nursing home and have since added a new wing and second floor for rehab. In 2011, we modernized all clinical areas and were able to enlarge and enhance our surgical suites, as well as, emergency, laboratory, radiology, and cardiopulmonary departments. It has been amazing to be a part of the expansion of services available to the people of Effingham County.”

She is proud to be a part of such an incredible team at Effingham Health System. “Our CEO, Fran Baker-Witt, has such incredible energy and brilliance of mind that she brings to everything. She is always forward-thinking and on the cutting edge, encouraging our entire staff to bring our ideas to the table,” explained Little.

Little lost her brother in an accident when she was 11 years old and her brother was only 12 years old. He had fallen out of the back of a truck and had sustained a major head injury. “To this day, I wonder, had Effingham Hospital been here, could he have survived? It may have been possible to stabilize him and get him into the proper surgery to save his life,” explained Little. “People do not think about how vital a hospital is until they need one.”

One of the most exciting changes Little has seen in her time with Effingham Health System is the da Vinci Robotic-Assisted

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

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.

Surgery. “I am excited to have this technology closer to home as the recovery time is so much quicker for a patient, thereby getting them home sooner and back to their lives even faster,” explained Little. “In addition, one of the most heart-warming additions would absolutely be the Summit Cancer Center.”

When she is not putting 110% into the hospital, Little enjoys spending time with her beautiful family. She has a son, daughterin-law, and two grandchildren here in Effingham, as well as, a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren currently in PA. She enjoys riding her Harley Davidson around town and sharing her faith. “Outside of work I love my Christian ministry and the joy of meeting and talking with people about Jesus,” explained Little.

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.

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Penny Redmond Feeling Fit, Fab & Free story by KATRICE WILLIAMS

30 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

photos by SHELIA SCOTT

“I

feel like a shiny new Penny. I feel I can accomplish anything now; I feel good about me,” Penny Redmond proclaimed with a huge and joyful smile.

Indeed, Penny is like a shiny, new penny after losing 127.6 pounds over the past year. In fact, at just over 4’11,” Penny weighed 273.8 pounds before she began her fitness plight.

Penny is an Effingham native and has been on the team at Independence Day Publishing, Inc. (IDP) as a delivery specialist for about seven years now.

After nearly a lifetime of yo-yo diets and defeated weight-loss endeavors, last year, Penny made one of the biggest and most beneficial decisions she could ever make; she knew that it was time, once and for all, to do something about her weight…her fitness...her health. Actually, for Christmas 2017, her dad gifted her with her exact request-a Fitbit Blaze. Penny was unaware that the seemingly small request would be the start of a whole new life.

She remembered her long-time friend Pam Elder in South Carolina, who had accomplished significant weight loss and physical fitness after beginning her own journey some time ago.

Penny spoke with Pam, who agreed to become her long-distance personal trainer. She requested that Penny attain a complete physical examination before beginning. Pam also encouraged Penny to download the My Fitness Pal Application to her phone.

It served as a great guide for Penny, helping her to “track meals” and hit personal fitness targets over time. Penny weighed-in every two weeks to track her progress.

Pam encouraged Penny to start by doing some walking on her treadmill, which had become more of a “clothes collector” over the years; Pam also mentioned a few good exercises to begin with.

The next morning, Penny “jumped on the treadmill and did about a mile or so.”

“You have to have someone to hold you accountable. Pam told me, ‘I’ll help you, but you have to want to do it,’” Penny said.

Many of the exercises were very difficult for Penny to perform; she knew that Pam was unaware of her weight, as she hadn’t seen her for many years. Penny sent Pam a “long, honest and emotional” email regarding her physical state; she cried while typing it. Pamela later assured Penny that she could modify all of the exercises in her workout.

Pam later asked Penny to get on a scale to get her exact weight,

record measurements and have photographs taken for reference purposes; this was one of the biggest hurdles that Penny would face—it was uncomfortable…it was difficult. It had long been terribly hard for her to face her own reality.

“I didn’t do well with pictures. I hated looking in the mirror; I’d walk by a mirror and would turn my head. Even when brushing my teeth and hair, I would turn my head because I detested the way I looked…the way I felt. I was embarrassed; my self-esteem was low,” she said.

Penny did, however, take that courageous step to have photos taken. Actually, someone she had long admired agreed to take them. Lea Thornton-Allen, the IDP Office Manager, took some great shots of Penny. Lea personally understood it all, as she continued to diligently strive towards her own health and fitness goals after successfully losing an incredible amount of weight over the past few years.

Regarding Lea, Penny said, “She has helped me out, too.

Watching her has been an inspiration.”

Penny credits January 7th as the day that she started down the path to her new and healthier self. It was the day that she eliminated all alcoholic beverages from her diet, as she particularly enjoyed wine and consumed an excessive amount each day. Penny, however, learned that most wines have a high sugar content.

“I was drinking my calories. Wine is pure sugar,” she stated.

Unfortunately, much of that habit was because of regular bouts of depression, largely due to her personal dissatisfaction with her appearance. However, finally became sick and tired of being sick and tired.

“I decided that 2018 was going to be my year,” she asserted.

Pam helped Penny create a regimented daily eating and fitness plan and stressed the importance of “being consistent.” Penny feels that her Fitbit Blaze has been “the best investment that her dad has ever made.” It remains a great way for her to keep up with “calories burned and activities done.”

Pam wanted Penny to initially focus on cardio-based exercises, being best for weight loss. Penny started off by walking about 1-1 ½ hours daily for the first six months, whether on her treadmill or in her neighborhood. Over time, she reached about 4 miles each day. Pam sent Penny a list of more personalized exercises based

www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 31

on her fitness level and needs. Penny has recently joined Planet Fitness, as Pam designed a “special workout” for her.

“I love going to the gym. I can spend hours and hours there,” she stated.

Penny is currently working out four times each week, alternating workouts with walking and jogging, to give her body proper rest from conditioning. She, too, is presently weighing in once each month. Penny has found that “staying active” is of utmost importance, as she strives to take an average of 250 steps each hour (usually between about 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.). She knows that “the little things matter,” like “parking further away from the grocery store” in order to walk a longer distance to the entrance.

Overeating was never an issue for Penny; she often bought in to the popular misconception that undereating produced weight loss; Penny soon discovered that the body needs healthy calories to use as energy to burn fat and keep a steady metabolism.

“Eating wasn’t my problem; I didn’t eat enough food. Now I eat more than ever,” she remarked. Her journey never actually included “dieting.”

“It’s really not a specific diet; I have taken no diet pills…had no surgery. It’s eating right…just healthy eating,” she added.

Initially, Penny started each day with two pieces of bacon and two eggs but later began eating plain oatmeal with fresh fruit. She now often has Ricotta Cheese or Greek Yogurt alongside fresh fruit. She has a snack, usually a banana, at about 10 a.m. For lunch, she normally eats about 4 ounces of deli meat, particularly low-sodium chicken breast, wrapped in Romaine Lettuce, along with 1 ounce of cheddar or pepper jack cheese aside a piece of fruit, like an orange or avocado. She has a post-lunch snack around 2:30 p.m. which often consists of a Portable Protein Pack (P3) or a plain rice cake with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter.

Penny’s dinner includes 4 ounces of baked or broiled chicken or fish, one plain sweet potato and a vegetable, like broccoli, cabbage or zucchini. If she is hungry before bed, she has a protein shake.

Penny drinks 1-1 ½ gallons of water each day, understanding the importance of ample water consumption. She, too, made several other beneficial dietary changes.

“I eat lots of fruit, so I’m getting carbs, but it’s good carbs… natural sugar. I eat no fast food; there’s nothing healthy about fast food. I try to stay away from going out to eat; you can go out to eat and eat something healthy, but you have to be really cautious,” she affirmed.

Further, after discovering its numerous health and weight loss implications when accompanied with a healthy diet, Penny takes one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (in a full glass of water) twice each day.

Penny has achieved several personal goals, including participating in her very first fitness runs on December 1, 2018.

32 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

“I did my first 5K and 10K—the Bridge Run in Savannah. I loved it; it was the best feeling in the world. I want to do the half marathon in April. If I feel good about it, hopefully in October, I’ll be ready for the marathon,” she said. Penny is also presently working towards toning and building muscle.

“My ultimate goal is to be firm and fit. I don’t want fat; I want muscle,” she added.

Penny has felt better than she can remember feeling most of her life.

“I don’t have aches now. I couldn’t sleep in my bed; it hurt my back and hip. I slept in a recliner for the past eight years. I have finally moved back into the bedroom. I can actually lay down and sleep at night. My whole life has changed,” she stated.

Penny is immensely grateful for the help and guidance of Pam, who is now a certified personal trainer.

“She wanted me to succeed. She keeps me accountable,” Penny said. She, too, has long treasured the support of her family and friends throughout her journey. Penny proudly revealed a silver bracelet, given by her brother and sister-in-law, with the motivating and encouraging inscription, ‘You Got This.’

This shiny new Penny has no desire to look back or give up, as the best is yet to come.

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EFFINGHAM HEALTH SYSTEM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mission: Our Mission is to provide every patient an experience of compassion, quality care, and service excellence at its highest level of customer expectation.

Vision: Our Vision is to achieve customer and industry recognition while providing the highest potential health outcomes for the patients we serve.

Patricia Ann Yarbrough has served on Effingham Health System’s Board of Directors since 2009, and as Chairman of the Board for the past two years.

The ability to make a difference in a person’s life when they are dealing with difficulties and illness led Patricia Ann Yarbrough to become a Registered Nurse. That same motivation led her to achieve higher levels of responsibility Patricia Ann Yarborough in her nursing career, both as a Chairman manager and Resource Clinical Educator. The latter role has afforded her the opportunity to work with healthcare systems across the country, including some of the nation’s most respected healthcare institutions.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, her varied healthcare roles made Patricia Ann Yarbrough acutely aware of the need to grow healthcare services in her own community. Knowing from her own experience the challenges facing healthcare, she “humbly accepted” an appointment by her EffinghamCounty

Commissioner to the EHS Board ten years ago.

Ms. Yarbrough says that serving on the board has provided her a close-up look at day-to-day management of the healthcare system, including the difficulties that hospitals, leaders and staff face.

The position has allowed her to see the healthcare needs of local people more clearly and identify specific services that will benefit the community.

In her time on the Board, the hospital has experienced exponential growth, from the building of the new Emergency Department, then the new Cancer Care Center; to the expansion of partnerships and outreach services that include orthopedics, pediatrics, TELEMED, and PARAMED; and most recently, the addition of da Vinci Robotic assisted surgery.

Patricia Ann Yarbrough is driven by family and community; “When asked about my passion to serve on the EHS Board of Directors it is simple—this is my opportunity to give back to my community, help those in need, and to continue to grow our hospital to provide the best possible Healthcare.”

Her unique leadership style serves her and our community well; “I view myself as a nurturing leader and I like to serve. I have been told I have a way of talking to people and helping them feel better about their concerns or situations.”

Barry Flonnory is originally from Jefferson County. He moved to Effingham County with his family, wife, Michelle and two sons, Da-Shan and Kyle in June 1996.

Mr. Flonnory graduated from Embry Riddle University and is currently an Aviation Manager at Gulfstream. He is now serving his 5th year on the Board of Directors.

He served our country in the United States Marine Corps where he participated in the Gulf War. He received numerous medals and honors.

When asked about his passion to serve on the Board for Effingham Health System, he shares, “Watching my father serve in the county and community, I thought it would be great to do

the same by serving in the church and in the county. I want to make sure our county is getting the best care they can.”

Mr. Flonnory is an avid basketball fan, both college and NBA.

LaMeisha Hunter Kelly is a lifelong resident of Effingham County, growing up in Guyton.

She graduated from Effingham County High School, has a B.A. in Political Science from Georgia Southern, along with a Master of Public Administration from Georgia Southern University.

She is the City Planner/Director of Planning and Development Services for the City of Rincon.

LaMeisha Hunter Kelly She is married to Terry Kelly, and Secretary has one step daughter, Kaitlyn Kelly. Mrs. Kelly is the daughter of Anthony (deceased) and Jacqueline Hunter and Ruth Hills Hunter, and granddaughter of the late Daniel and Sarah Hunter.

Mrs. Kelly has served almost 20 years on the Board. She loves to read, attend community festivals, and travel.

When asked about her passion for serving Effingham Health System, she says, “I believe in community-based healthcare. A

strong, community healthcare system ensures the well-being of a community, and contributes to its vibrancy. Without Effingham Health, members of this community would have to travel 45 minutes to an hour for basic day surgeries, cancer treatment, physical therapy and numerous other services. This health system does not try to recreate the wheel; we now partner with established health providers such as Chatham Orthopedics and Summit Cancer Care to bring specialty care to this county.”

“Effingham Health System is also one of the top employers in the county. As the health field grows, employment opportunities with our health system will increase. It is our goal to remain a viable employment option for our community. We must remain attractive to our youth, such as those in the nursing field. I am blessed when I can bless others around me. It has been a blessing to represent the City of Guyton and Effingham County as a board member,” she adds.

From a personal standpoint, she says, “In the past two years we have lost my father, Anthony, and our grandparents, Daniel and Sarah. We ALWAYS utilized Effingham Health when needed.

The staff treated my family like one of their own, that helps to provide comfort during those stressful moments.”

34 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

Barry Flonnory Vice Chair

Jason Ripley grew up in Green Bay, WI and has called Effingham County home for the past 3 years.

Mr. Ripley received his BS in Manufacturing Engineering from University of Wisconsin – Stout. He is a Transformation Leader at local paper mill.

“I have been married to my beautiful wife Megan for 19 years and have two wonderful daughters, Madison (17) and Melanie (14),” he says of his family.

He is currently serving his second year on the Board. “I enjoy making a difference in the community that my family calls home,” he shares of his passion to serve.

Being born in Green Bay, he remains an avid Packers fan, and is a season ticket holder.

He enjoys golfing any chance he gets and watching his daughters compete in their sports events.

Jason Ripley

Mose Mock was born and raised in Effingham County. He is a graduate of Effingham County High School. He received his Undergraduate Degree in Agriculture from ABAC. Then, on to University of Georgia where he received his BS in Agriculture and Agriculture Education.

Mr. Mock returned to Effingham County as an educator in the Effingham County School System for many years as an Agriculture Teacher at ECHS. He is now retired from the school system He is married to Dale, and they have

two sons, Joshua and Caleb. Caleb and wife Jada have blessed him with two grandchildren, Sam and Rachael.

Mr. Mock is in his first year of serving on the Board. He shares, “Since I was a kid, Effingham Hospital has had a vital part in mine and my family’s life. It is a valuable part of this community we do not need to lose. EHS is blessed with wonderful staff and doctors who are always willing to work with our community, always trying to make it better” “I am very proud to be working in the area of Women’s Health.

And so proud of the cancer center. My son Caleb had Stage 4. We made many trips to Savannah for his treatments. I am so glad people are now receiving that care here at home,” he adds.

Mr. Mock love working with people…especially young people.

He is a farmer and enjoys music and has found joy in a little travel time since retiring form the school system.

Mrs. Lanier-Scott was born in Rincon in 1957. She is a 1974 graduate of Effingham County High School.

From 1986 – 1991, she served as the Deputy Tax Commissioner of Effingham County. From 1991-November 2008, she was employed at Georgia Pacific in Rincon. She currently serves as the Pastor at Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Statesboro.

She is married to Robert Scott Sr., and has two goddaughters, Keyashia Chaney and Edith Sanders.

Mrs. Lanier-Scott has served on the Board for a little of a year.

She shares, “Effingham Health System is in our community.

It strives to provide the residents of Effingham County and surrounding areas quality health care with compassion. We want the residents to have quality care at home in our county. Dr. Fran Baker-Witt, CEO of the Effingham Health System, the doctors, nurses and all the employees have worked hard to gain a four star

rated facility status because when a patient comes for help, it is the objective that they are provided the highest potential health outcome.”

She adds, “I am proud to serve as a board member for Effingham Health System. I encourage you and your families to take another look at how this hospital has grown and all the services that are offered right here in our community.”

“I enjoy encouraging others to pursue their dreams and not be DeBorah Estelle Lanier-Scott discouraged on the journey,” she says of her motto about life. Mrs.Lanier-Scott enjoys sunrises at the beach, backyard cookouts and listening to music.

Hoyt C. “Mose” Mock

Stephanie Weitman

Stephanie Weitman in a selfproclaimed Salzbuger, stating that her family has been in Effingham County since late 1700's.

Miss Weitman is a graduate of Effingham County High School.

She received her undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech and her MBA from Georgia Southern.

She is an Engineering Manager at Gulfstream Aerospace.

Her parents are Gary and Dixie Weitman. She has one brother, Stephen. He and his wife, Amy, have one son, Trent William.

Miss Weitman has served just under a year on the Board.

Miss Weitman has always been very involved in school and recreational sports. She was the first ever ACC “Rookie of the Year” for softball and one of the top 50 softball players in the ACC for their fiftieth anniversary.

She is also a member of the ECHS Hall of Fame and Effingham Recreation Department Hall of Fame.

When asked of her passion for serving on the Board, she shares, “Having roots in Effingham since late 1700's, and being raised in Springfield, I want to see Effingham progress and have everything the residents need within our county. I am honored to be part of the transformation of the hospital to provide more services for Effingham so we can help keep residents safe and healthy.”

www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 35

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Al Alred, CFO: Leading the Finance Committee on the Path For Growth at EHS extensive rehabilitation services and off-site clinics like the model at Effingham Health System. “Even having the opportunity to work with some larger hospital systems, I had never had the opportunity to work with a model like what exists at here, and I was extremely excited at the opportunity,” explained Mr. Allred with a smile.

He is proud to be a part of the team at Effingham Health System. “It’s incredibly exciting to be here,” explained Mr. Allred.

“Our CEO, Fran Baker-Witt, is not only a visionary but she’s also a builder and that is so critical now with healthcare. She puts our patients and nursing home residents first reminding us that it is an honor for us to take care of them.”

As Effingham County continues to experience great growth, Effingham Health System’s vision is locked on the future. Mr. Allred and his financial teams are a critical part of that vision. In planning for the future needs of the community, they work closely with the CEO, the EHS Board of Directors and various committees to review monthly and quarterly trends and figures.

They assess supply and demand for services needed, equipment and technology available, as well as space provided for future needs. “Making sure the financial teams provide the information for the decision makers, and that we do it timely and accurately which is extremely important to the growth of this hospital,” explained Mr. Allred. “Experience counts now more than ever in healthcare.”

Effingham Heath System is currently conducting a community health needs assessment with the help from Georgia Southern University.” The assessment is designed to learn from the members of our community what they want and need from us as their health care system. Even through your own research and evaluation of needs, you always find information that you had not thought about from those assessments. They are incredibly valuable, and we are looking forward to seeing the results of that assessment,” explained Mr. Allred.

Mr. Allred is proud to be a part of Effingham County. “The hospitality of this community, its beauty and history are what attracted us to this area,” explained Mr. Allred. “It is an incredibly beautiful place to live!”

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

A

l Allred is the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) for

EffinghamACCURATE Health System in 3D Effingham County, GA. 40% MORE Mammograms

Mr. Allred hails from the Laurel area of Mississippi and earned his BS in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi and his MBA from William Carey University which are both located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in multiple states including Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), as well as, a Fellow of the Healthcare Finance Management Association (FHFMA).

Upon graduation, Mr. Allred began his career as a healthcare auditor for a certified public accountant firm. He has held the title of CFO beginning with Methodist Hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and most recently as CFO of a hospital formerly known as Florida Hospital in New Smyrna Beach, Florida prior to its purchase by Adventist Health.

In February of 2017, Mr. Allred joined Effingham Health System as interim comptroller and was asked to become a fulltime comptroller for the hospital by CEO, Fran Baker-Witt. In July of 2018, Mr. Allred was named CFO for Effingham Health System.

Mr. Allred had always read a great deal about, and been greatly intrigued by, a unique hospital model that consisted of a Critical Access Hospital, a long-term care nursing home offering

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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Two Rivers Health Clinic

Health Care Provided In Effingham County

O

n October 1, 2015, Two Rivers Health Clinic opened its doors to the Effingham community for the first time. A group of Effingham professionals, and residents, saw as a potential need, one that proved to be very serious. What an eye-opening experience it was to this group!

How do you provide some basic healthcare to patients who literally have nothing?

The patients that Two Rivers Health Clinic serves are those that are between 18 and 64 years old, have no insurance, and are within 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. These individuals are unable to obtain any type of medical insurance coverage for a variety of reasons and have been unable to treat their conditions. Now, on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from five to eight in the evenings, they are able to seek treatment.

Two Rivers was designed to treat patients for chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity, and is not a walk-in clinic. The patients must call in and make an appointment.

Bonnie Dixon, retired United Way Director, became the Two Rivers Health Clinic Board Chair in August of 2018. She brings to the Board 25+ years of non-profit experience and fundraising to this team of dedicated and compassionate fellow board members. Rebecca Boston, retired DFCS Director, was recently elected ViceChair. Together, these ladies will bring an abundance of knowledge of the Effingham community and its resources.

The clinic is completely staffed by volunteers. They meet at New Concept Health Care, office of Director Jack Heneisen, located in Rincon. The volunteers consist of two physicians, two nurse practitioners and five nurses.

In addition, there are seventeen board members that work together to lead the clinic towards its best forms of service.

Dr. Decker had retired from her practice in 2013 and was recruited to join with Two Rivers Health Clinic a few months before opening by a nurse that she had worked with in her practice, Ginny Clary. The clinic was in desperate need of her skills and the experience and expertise that she

Bonnie Dixon, Two Rivers Health Clinic Chairman of the Board brought to the team. "I felt like it was time to give back. There were some things that I could do and I was happy to do them," she says. She joined the team and has been fully committed to working with them to grow the outreach of this clinic At the end of 2018, they had 102 patients, 658 volunteers, and 1291 volunteer hours by the board members.

The top three diagnoses that have been treated are high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Others include thyroid

38 February/March 2019 | www.EffinghamMagazine.com

disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver disease and more.

The Two Rivers team is tasked with attempting to aid the patients in a manner that will help them to get their symptoms back under control in an affordable way.

The first step to affordable medications is prescribing generics from the four dollar list; however, sometimes the medication required in unavailable, like insulin for diabetics. Two Rivers team tries to get patients into the MedBank system to

provide what they need.

The need in the community is great, and Two Rivers wants to continue to expand to meet this need; however, it will require additional and continued support of the community that it is serving.

Two Rivers Health Clinic is made up of individuals that want to give back to the community that they care for so deeply.

The clinic's volunteers, from board members to medical personnel, have seen a need in the area and are working to meet that need to take care of their fellow Effingham residents.

Medical providers, volunteers, and donations are wanted, needed and welcomed. With a 501c3 status and a permanent board, Two Rivers Clinic is

actively applying for grants and actively recruiting other providers.

In 2017, the Georgia Department of Public Health placed a value of $81,450 for the volunteer hours at Two Rivers Health Clinic.

The Two Rivers Health Clinic team is making a commitment to growth for the benefit of their community.

Bonnie Dixon Chair Retired UW Director Rebecca Boston Vice Chair Retired DFCS Director Elizabeth Waters Treasurer United Way Cindy Grovenstein Secretary Effingham Co Health Dept.

Melissa Moen Coordinator Amber Fordham/ Laura Morgan Member MedBank Debbie Harrison Member Intake coordinator Dwayne Ragan Member Harvey's Pharmacy Elaine Spencer Member Effingham Family Connection Faye Zeigler Member Retired Fran Decker, MD Member Retired Physician Ginny Clary Member Retired Nurse Joe Tallent Member Effingham Health System Joel Tucker Member Guyton Christian Church Lisa Bush Member Manna House Director Sara Bennett Member Memorial Health Vickie Renfroe Member Nursing Instructor

www.EffinghamMagazine.com | February/March 2019 39

Your healthcare is our priority Our mission is to provide access to free, quality medical care to uninsured residents of Effingham County by focusing on treating chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

A COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE TO THE UNINSURED RESIDENTS OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY APPOINTMENT & SCHEDULE To make an appointment call 912.527.4984 Clinic is open 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM PATIENT BENEFITS • Free Doctor Examinations • Free Lab and Some Radiology Test • Medication at Low Cost or Payment Assistance • Specialist Referrals

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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 the prayer.

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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 2019 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 | February/

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