Monthly Co-Worker Newsletter of St. Joseph’s/Candler july 2025
SJ/C Celebrates The 150 th Anniversary of St. Joseph’s Hospital
In 1875, the Bishop of Savannah made a plea for help with a struggling, ramshackle sailor’s hospital on the corner of East Broad and Gordon Street in downtown Savannah. Five Sisters of Mercy, who were teachers but had some practical nursing experience, answered the call. The Sisters took over the Forest City Marine Hospital on June 30.
A year later they had saved more than 400 Savannahians stricken with yellow fever. It was a remarkable first step on a mission that would forever change the healthcare landscape in Savannah and the surrounding region.
A century and a half later, St. Joseph’s/Candler honored the hospital’s incredible history with a several days of celebration, including a press conference on June 27, a special mass on June 28, and a co-worker tea event on June 30.
At the press conference, state and regional leaders including the Honorable Jon Burns, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, joined St. Joseph’s/Candler President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey in marking this historic milestone.
“We are both very proud and very humbled to celebrate 150 years of this iconic institution,” Hinchey said. “For an organization to not only survive, but to grow and thrive, for that length of time is nothing short of extraordinary. Of course, it all began with the Sisters of Mercy. We are here to celebrate them, as well as all the co-workers, caregivers, physicians and community leaders who came before us. Their belief in this hospital’s mission, their commitment to this community, and their bold vision for the future is what brought us to this moment. It’s an incredible story of a locally owned, locally governed, faith-based hospital. You won’t see that anywhere else.”
Sister Margaret Beatty also spoke, reflecting on the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy. Joe Carter, who worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital during the large-scale move from downtown Savannah to the Southside and who still works for St. Joseph’s/Candler today, shared his reflections as well. Attendees also had a chance to see a display of memorabilia and artifacts from the hospital’s past.
On the official anniversary date, Monday, June 30, SJ/C co-workers were invited to enjoy tea and refreshments in the St. Joseph’s Hospital cafeteria. This was in honor of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, whose final request before dying was that those who needed comfort may find it not only in God and in
each other, but also in a good cup of tea.
The founding of the Sisters of Mercy was a pivotal precursor to the story of St. Joseph’s Hospital, which has endured several epidemics, two world wars, and an ever-changing medical and technological landscape to become an iconic fixture on Savannah’s Southside.
See even more photos of St. Joseph’s Hospital through the years on The Hub. open_in_new
mission critical
Free Hernia Screenings
More than 60 people living with hernia symptoms got a free physical screening during a special event hosted by SJ/C at Candler Hospital and the Pooler Campus. It was a chance for people to be seen by a physician and learn more about their symptoms. Appointment times filled quickly but walk-ins were also welcome.
SJ/C is the only Hernia Center of Excellence in the region. The program features four master hernia surgeons, and two of the four were on hand for the screening event: Dr. Anthony Foley at our Pooler Campus and Dr. Jeffrey Mandel at Candler Hospital. After their free screening, patients and family members got to check out the latest model of the da Vinci robotic surgical system, which is used to perform the majority of hernia surgeries.
moving forward
LCRP First In Clinical Trial
Survivorship Week Across The Region
The Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion celebrated Survivorship Day last month, but in fact it was more like a Survivorship Week. This year’s theme was inspired by Hawaiian culture and the word “aloha.” While also being a traditional greeting, “aloha” has many other meanings including love, compassion, gratitude, and vitality.
Patients and visitors received leis and cookies and were treated to live music in the LCRP lobby on Monday, June 2. Co-workers in SJ/C’s other cancer care locations in Jesup, Statesboro, Hinesville, Pembroke, Baxley, Bluffton and Hilton Head joined in the fun throughout the week as well. The goal at all locations was to bring a genuine smile and a moment of respite to the incredibly brave survivors undergoing cancer treatment.
The clinical research team at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion recently registered the first participant in a new national clinical trial, making the LCRP the first center in the nation to do so. This clinical trial will test treatment regimens for advanced non-small cell lung cancer and whether or not the addition of new drug to the standard treatment can help patients live longer. The study will also determine what side effects may develop from this new approach.
“Our ability to accrue the first patient in this national trial highlights the LCRP’s effectiveness in the critical first steps of these important studies,” said Pam Proman, Administrator of Ambulatory Oncology Services for the LCRP.
New Cohort Of LCRP Customer Service Champions
The second group of Customer Service Champions were announced at the LCRP last month. The Customer Service Champion program is part of an Outpatient Oncology Customer Experience Project in which LCRP co-workers learn bestpractice principles for infusing empathy into every aspect of a patient’s cancer care journey. The second group completed their training in June. Pictured here from left to right: Taelia Ransom Cherelle Lasseter Mugdha Devalkar Marsha Armstrong and Danielle Williams
SJ/C Hosts Clinical Pastoral Education
Pastoral care is a delicate combination of personal and practical skills in which caregivers cultivate a sacred space for patients and families. By offering a listening ear and compassionate guidance, these caregivers can help patients feel safe to be vulnerable and explore their deepest concerns. St. Joseph’s/Candler helped three student interns learn the art of pastoral care by hosting a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, or CPE, from January to May 2025.
The three interns were Rabbi Naima Hirsch Gelman, Benjamin Jones, and Pete Pollak. They each completed 100 hours of academic learning online and 300 hours of clinical experience at SJ/C. Each student had a local preceptor or mentor as a resource for their learning. Sr. Maureen Connolly, RSM; Rev. Columbus Burns ; Fr. Matthew Ericksen; and Sr. Veronica Kovach, RSM, served as preceptors. Denise Thompson, a former full-time chaplain at Candler Hospital, served as SJ/C’s CPE site coordinator.
Though every day was different, the interns typically accompanied preceptors during their patient and family visits at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital, offering spiritual and emotional support, active listening, presence and prayer. Part of their day also included online learning, as well as lectures or presentations by CPE educators. Each intern would also meet regularly with their preceptor for personalized feedback, guidance, and reflection on their learning goals and clinical experiences.
“During CPE, ministerial students, clergy, and future chaplains gain valuable insights into their own ministerial identity, as well as learn the pastoral skills needed to accompany patients and their families during times of illness, crises, and,
at times, tragedy,” said Brendan Moss, PhD, Vice President of Mission Services at SJ/C. “At the heart of CPE is learning to attend to the spiritual and emotional needs of our patients and their families.”
At the completion of the unit, both the interns and their preceptors expressed gratitude for the experience they shared.
“I think for me, as a rabbi, it's been really powerful to get to be in community with chaplains and leaders from other faith traditions and to be able to learn from them, how God and the divine shows up for them in their service,” Gelman said.
Moss said that serving as a clinical site for CPE is another way that SJ/C continues to contribute to professional development and education within the medical and healthcare fields.
Pollack plans to return to SJ/C to complete his second unit of CPE in the fall.
60 years of living in mercy
We celebrate with Sister Donna Marie Coward and Sister Veronica Kovach as they reach their 60-year jubilee as Sisters of Mercy. A jubilee marks the anniversary of when a Sister of Mercy entered their religious community and professed vows. It is considered a time to reflect on the blessings and experiences of one’s spiritual life and to give thanks.
in memoriam
St. Joseph’s/Candler extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and co-workers of Kristy Pilgrim and Charles “Kevin” Rish
Kristy was a nurse on the Progressive Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital. In 2023, she received a DAISY Award for her exceptional care. She passed away on May 26.
Kevin worked in the Operating Room at Candler Hospital. He had been a co-worker at SJ/C for nearly 31 years. He passed away on May 23.
Kristy and Kevin will be greatly missed.
july
14
Wellness Center Lifestyle
Lecture – Digestive Health
Learn about digestive health with Chloe Eddleman, RDN, LD, via Zoom on Monday, July 14, at Noon. Please pre-register by emailing Tori Thomas at thomasvic@sjchs.org. The Wellness Center must have a valid email address to allow co-workers to join the Zoom virtual lectures.
29
Wellness Center Lifestyle
Lecture – MyPlate Model
If you grew up with the Four Food Groups or even the Food Pyramid, those are both old news! The best model today is called MyPlate. Learn all about MyPlate in this Zoom session on Tuesday, July 29, at 6 p.m. Please preregister by emailing Tori Thomas at thomasvic@sjchs.org. The Wellness Center must have a valid email address to allow co-workers to join the Zoom virtual lectures.
Front row (seated, L-R): CPE interns Benjamin Jones, Rabbi Naima Hirsch Gelman and Pete Pollak. Back (L-R): Fr. Matthew Ericksen, Sr. Veronica Kovach, Sr. Maureen Connolly, Denise Thompson and Brendan Moss.
welcome to St. Joseph’s/Candler!
Please join us in welcoming the following new co-workers to the St. Joseph’s/Candler family:
Madison Abernethy | Pathology Laboratory, St. Joseph’s
Kristen Adams | Progressive Care Unit, St. Joseph’s
Alisha Anttila | Pathology Laboratory, St. Joseph’s
Katelyn Armstrong | GYN Oncology
Gwendala Bacon | Environmental Services, St. Joseph’s
Bernice Bautista | Surgical Oncology
Kaylie Belogorska | Emergency Dept., St. Joseph’s
Hunter Benbrooks | Emergency Dept., St. Joseph’s
Maranda Bhojwani | Sterile Processing, Candler
Imani Biggins | Transport, Candler
Katie Bland | Intensive Care Unit, Candler
Michael Bolton | Environmental Services, Candler
Elizabeth Bray | Sports Medicine
Khiana Braymore | Operating Room, St. Joseph’s
Amanda Brown | Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion
Sherri Burns | Telfair Pavilion
La’Sharia Butler | Patient Registration, Candler
Stacy Butler | CT Scan, St. Joseph’s
Dina Catalfamo Royek Pharmacy, Candler
Paige Cole | Telfair Pavilion
Zoe Crowe | Intensive Care Unit, Candler
Keonna Davis | SJ/C Primary Care in Pooler
Sarah Davis | Finance
Railynn Day | Emergency Dept., Candler
Serenity Deinla | Cardiac Care Unit, St. Joseph’s
Harry Dewalt, Jr. | Finance
Uzoamaka Dike | Information Services
Tineffeya Firary | Purchasing & Distribution, St. Joseph’s
Tiffany Fletcher | Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion
Jhon Rey Forges | Diagnostic Radiology, Candler
Benjamin Franks | Emergency Dept., Candler
Elizabeth Frazier Pathology Laboratory, Candler
Mary Fuller | SJ/C Physician Network
Emma Fulton | Cntr. for Hyperbarics & Wound Care - Hinesville
july birthdays
1
Lane
John Marquez
Joyce Owens
Tre'Saun Perry
Marissa Peterson
Dorian Puckett
Nicole Roppo
Kristin Rose
Jene Smalls
Ashley Vining
Matthew Williams
3
Andrew Carney, DO Haley Cox
Diana Devoe-Bland
Latoya Grayson
Elizabeth Harwood
Cidnei Jenkins
Regina Lutskiy
Rosa Murphy
Donna Poleman
Kate Sanders
Norman Stern
Kara Torres
Charlene Woods
4 Jolene Avery Conswella Bostick
Rhonda Faison
Darryl Frazier
Jessica Hissam
Michelle Karner
Susan Norton
Kimberly Peterson
Lauren Pitts
Deanna Scott
Valaree Thornton
Idessa Williams
Tauviana
Ava Gawronski | Emergency Dept., Candler
Sabrina Giachini | Emergency Dept., St. Joseph’s
Lauren Googe | Cardiac Care Unit, St. Joseph’s
Bernard Gray, Jr. | Dietary Services, St. Joseph’s
Nina Gulczynski | 6 North, Candler
Saranan Hardee | Emergency Dept., St. Joseph’s
Joan Hattrich | Progressive Care Unit, St. Joseph’s
Jacob Hickman | Intensive Care Unit, Candler
Haley Hiltzheimer | Anesthesiology, St. Joseph’s
Shanda Horton | SJ/C Primary Care in Pooler
Emily Host | Emergency Dept., Candler
Michael Houston, Jr. | Environmental Services, Candler
Lily Ann Huerd | Bluffton Campus
Tishona Jackson | Transport, St. Joseph’s
Jamia Johnson | Diagnostic Radiology, St. Joseph’s
Alexis Jones Diagnostic Radiology, Candler
Nily Kazeneh | Pharmacy, Candler
Isabella Kicklighter | Emergency Dept., St. Joseph’s
Madison King | Emergency Dept., St. Joseph’s
Meredith Kramer | Center for Digestive Diseases
Jeanette Leggett | Progressive Care Unit, St. Joseph’s
Kyle Lewis | Wellness Center
Aiyana Little | 6 North, Candler
Carmen Mandel | Anesthesiology, Candler
Allison Mang | Health Information Management
Bianca Martinez | Surgical Oncology
Alexandra Mascorro-Huamancaja | Emergency Dept., Candler
Robert Maxwell | Interventional Radiology, Candler
Mary McCraw | Telfair Pavilion
Ashley McGriff | Revenue Integrity
Reece Meagher | Laboratory Outreach Services, St. Joseph’s
Leyanet Medero Acevedo | Cardiac Cath Lab, St. Joseph’s
Shuyknia Miles | Progressive Care Unit, St. Joseph’s
Nyrobi Milien | St. Mary's Health Center
Margrit Byrd
Fain-Acuna
Gottschalk
Nettles
Mccoy
Tyrone Acker
Brethouwer Jr. Lashon Campbell
Sabrina Croft
Nadiya Deen
Tony Echeverry
Michael Esposito
Christin Fowler Ciaran Garrad
Julia Grant
Ashleigh Hernandez Inessa Matevosyan Joshua Oliver
Michelle White
Megan Williams Sandra Williams 9
Alexis Bennett Lori Boltz
Sheila Brown Cristina Curtis Madison Gale
Brandy Grooms
Amber Miller | Emergency Dept., St. Joseph’s
Nichole Miller | 4 North, St. Joseph’s
Rachel Minick | Telfair BirthPlace
Ahmad Moody | Transport, Candler
Lindsay Mullen | Float Team
Derrick Murray, Jr. | Progressive Care Unit, Candler
Mia Natson | Progressive Care Unit, Candler
Jacie Powell | Intensive Care Unit, Candler
Lavette Quinones | Specialty Physician Revenue Cycle
Shirell Rhaney | Specialty Physician Revenue Cycle
Tywanna Rhodes | Pharmacy, St. Joseph’s
Brian Roberts | Environmental Services, Candler
Jayla Scott | Bluffton Campus
La'Coria Scott | Environmental Services, Candler
Nicoyah Scott | 7 North, St. Joseph’s
Eric Smalls | Safety/Security, Candler
Stephanie Smith | Health Information Management
Avery Southerland | Intensive Care Unit, Candler
Pierlus Stewart | SJ/C Physician Network
Magen Talpey | Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion
Dacia Tate | Human Resources
Natalie Taylor | CT Scan, St. Joseph’s
Ciarra Thomas | Emergency Dept., Candler
Hunter Tinker | Pharmacy, Candler
Allen Tung | Pathology Laboratory, St. Joseph’s
Juan Varela-Ramero | Diagnostic Radiology, Candler
Rebecca Vincent | Environmental Services, St. Joseph’s
Krystle Washington | Environmental Services, Candler
Sara Wohltman | Emergency Dept., Candler
Mokaisha Wright | Operating Room, Candler
Victoria Wyatt | 7 North, St. Joseph’s
Brandi Zimlich | Operating Room, Candler
Loman
Popham
Stemler