There is a critical need for doctors in southeast Georgia, and St. Joseph’s/Candler is working to address that need—as well as help shape the future of healthcare in this region—by creating a new physician residency program that will begin in 2027.
This new residency program will initially be backed by a $10 million grant from the state of Georgia to assist with startup costs. The two initial tracks of this program will focus on the vital need for primary care physicians: Internal Medicine and Family Medicine. There will be a total of 48 residency slots. In time, it will expand to other residencies, such as cardiology fellowships, increasing the number of residents to 60.
St. Joseph’s/Candler anticipates the program will receive accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and see its first round of residents by July 1, 2027.
“This is a sentinel moment for St. Joseph’s/Candler to offer a residency program, the final and most important step in a physician’s education,” said Paul P. Hinchey, SJ/C’s President & CEO. “That is when a physician really hones his or her skills and commits to their chosen specialty. The health system has a wealth of experienced and expertlytrained physicians who can guide these new doctors into exceptional clinicians. We believe this program will make a significant dent in the doctor shortage Georgia is facing, incentivizing these physicians to stay in Georgia, giving our patients better access to care. I want to thank Speaker of the House Jon Burns, Chairman Butch Parrish and the whole Chatham County delegation for securing this grant to help SJ/C bring this important program to our community and our state.”
He added, “We are very grateful for the support of our local delegation, who backed this grant and were instrumental in helping move this
moving forward
project forward. Senator Ben Watson put in the grant funding in that chamber and we had the pleasure of meeting with each legislator individually. They were all excited to help. Each one of them, in their own way, worked to ensure that this residency program came to life.”
The future vision for this program is to have 60-70 resident slots a year across other medical specialties that are in high demand.
One of the strengths of this new residency program at SJ/C is the long-standing collaboration with the Medical College of Georgia. For more than a decade, third- and fourth-year students have completed rotations in the system and last year MCG opened a full, four-year campus in Savannah.
A physician residency program is a post-graduate training program. Graduates enter a nationwide matching program for placement in residency programs. Residents get supervised clinical training from experienced doctors as well as access to cutting-edge technology and a diverse patient population.
Specialty Pharmacy Opens At Candler Hospital
The Candler Prescription Center now includes a specialty pharmacy, offering medications and therapies for more complex diseases. In the past, some medications for certain conditions including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis often had to be shipped from a non-local pharmacy. By achieving special accreditation over the past year, the Candler Prescription Center now has the ability to offer those same services locally.
“We can offer personalized pharmacy care like we always do,” said Pharmacy Operations Manager Dustin Orvin, PharmD, BCPS. “And now, for these more complex therapies, we can support patients throughout their treatment process by assisting with prior authorizations, insurance questions, and even enrollment in financial assistance programs. Of course, patient education is crucial as well, ensuring that patients understand their medications and how to take them properly.”
Orvin added that the specialty pharmacy is seeking additional accreditation to expand its services even further by the end of the year.
SJ/C’s President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey speaks with the news media about the new residency program coming to Savannah in 2027.
mission critical
Specially Made Pillows Donated To Telfair Breast Surgery
Patsy Williams is a breast cancer survivor who was treated with a bilateral mastectomy in December 2024. She was incredibly grateful when a friend loaned her a pillow that was specifically designed to provide support and to prevent arm and chest discomfort for mastectomy patients. Williams was so happy with the pillow that she told her friends in a quilting group about it.
“It was such a comfort to me, and when I show it to the quilting ladies, they all wanted to make these for other breast cancer patients,” Williams said. The group officially formed as the TaTa Sisters and got to work on making pillows to be donated to future patients of Telfair Breast Surgery.
“It's a good feeling to know that what you're doing will help someone else,” Williams said. “We feel certain that God lead us to this mission of serving others and his blessings to us have been many.”
meet bobby scott a co-worker profile
St. Joseph’s/Candler processes more than 23,000 purchase orders each year. That’s how doctors, nurses, and clinical teams get supplies they need to provide the highest quality care. Those orders are made by a team of Purchasing Agents, including Bobby Scott, who has worked here for more than 20 years.
“My first full-time job here was in the housekeeping department, then I worked in the central supply department. During that time, I also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After that, I accepted a position in the Purchasing department. I enjoy working in this supporting role. Our team is constantly finding ways to make processes faster and better for the organization.”
He adds, “procuring materials and managing inventory is its own kind of patient support.”
rn mnit
(magnet nurses in touch)
Patients and visitors benefit from the high-quality products and services procured by the Purchasing Agents, who also monitor the supply chain frequently to reduce disruptions, reduce costs and to eliminate waste.
“Our team negotiates with vendors, analyzes pricing agreements and evaluates suppliers on standards such as quality and speed of delivery. It is detail-oriented work that involves reading a lot of numbers. The numbers tell us a story.”
Congratulations to our latest DAISY Award winner, Shanice Campbell, RN. Shanice is a nurse on 4 North at Candler Hospital. She was nominated by a patient. Here is a portion of what the patient said about her:
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Shanice, who went above and beyond. I had the privilege of having her as my night nurse for five nights, and those nights were made so much better because of her care. Shanice treated me with kindness, dignity and genuine compassion, even during moments when I needed the most personal help, like getting out of bed or assistance to the bathroom. Her personal touch, attention to detail and comforting presence left a lasting impact on me.”
It was incredibly sweet to see how surprised Shanice was to receive this award, and how she made sure to acknowledge her co-workers for their teamwork in caring for this patient. It reminded me that the high-
Bobby Scott and his co-workers rely heavily on the SJ/C values of Accountability and Teamwork.
“We stay focused, we stay motivated and we accept responsibility. The healthcare environment is continuously changing and as a team, we are constantly learning. I take delight in working with my co-workers because we all have different talents, skills and abilities. When we bring all these qualities together, it makes all of us work better together.”
By Alicia Motley, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC Director, Professional Practice,
Specialty Services & Infection Control, Magnet Program Director
quality care that we give—even when it is something we do every day, just automatically—can deeply impact the experience a patient has during their hospital stay. Congratulations Shanice!
From left to right: Patsy Willams, Bonnie Gossett, Beverly Elmore, Marce Burnsed and Kay Garletts.
surgeons recognize OR co-workers with heartfelt letter
This past June, the renovations and additions to the OR at Candler Hospital were complete. The project featured several improvements that immediately benefited patients as well as physicians and coworkers. This included a renovated PACU (which expanded patient beds from 11 to 18 with a dedicated pediatric wing), a new 10-bed, 23-hour Post-Surgical Unit, renovated PreOp rooms with a new holding area for surgical inpatients, and a new education conference room.
The renovated OR also features a new, dedicated physician’s lounge (which includes separate locker rooms for female and male physicians), a new staff lounge and a dedicated anesthesia workroom/lounge.
Of course, new and improved features of a unit are only as impactful as the people who make them work well. That’s what made a letter from the surgeons at Metro Surgical to SJ/C’s COO Kyle McCann so noteworthy. Dr. John Odom, along with Dr. Narra Santosh Reddy, wrote to McCann, saying, “It is a great honor and pleasure to point out to you what I feel to be the absolute exemplary manner in which our operating room is being managed today.”
Dr. Odom went on to name specifically three co-workers: Erica Miller, Director of Surgical Services; Emily Heino, OR Nurse Manager; and Sherry Darsey, Perioperative Navigator for the OR. He wrote, “The operating room is the economic engine that propels and supports our mission and I thank you for placing such capable people as overseers of this area.”
To officially recognize the three co-workers named by Dr. Odom, SJ/C presented Smart Star awards to each of them last month. The Smart Star recognition is designed to acknowledge co-workers who demonstrate outstanding customer service or whose efforts have improved co-worker and patient satisfaction.
When word got out that these co-workers were being recognized, more surgeons including Dr. Mark Blankenship, Dr. Michael Cox and Dr. Joseph Stubbs asked to be there as well to express their appreciation. It was a definitive moment that highlighted how the strong, collaborative relationship between surgeons and SJ/C coworkers is the cornerstone of the new OR’s success.
contain the flu bug
Flu season is almost here, and we need your help to Contain the Flu Bug
The best way to do that is to get the flu shot. Our goal this year is 90 percent coworker compliance. It’s safe, it’s easy and each year it prevents millions of flu-related doctor’s visits across the country.
Don’t get bugged by the flu! Stop by Swarm Flu Shot Clinics this month:
• Thursday, September 25
• Friday, September 26
• Monday, September 29
nest_clock_farsight_analog 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
location_on In the boardroom at St. Joseph’s Hospital
location_onIn the Occupational Health office at Candler Hospital
Remember, all co-workers must complete their Seasonal Flu Immunization Survey on ReadySet regardless of vaccination status. Visit the Occupational Health: 2025-2026 Flu Campaign webpage on The Hub for the link to the Flu Survey.
september events
23
Wellness Center Lifestyle Lecture
Ready to take control of your health? Get tips and inspiration in our session called “Setting Goals to Create Sustainable Physical Activity Habits” with Regina Lutskiy. You’ll learn how to stay motivated, navigate common challenges, and make consistent, manageable changes that lead to long-term success. This session will be held through Zoom on Tuesday, September 23, at Noon.
Please email Clinical Dietitian Tori Thomas to pre-register at thomasvic@sjchs.org. The Wellness Center must have a valid email address to allow co-workers to join Zoom virtual lectures.
24
Mercy Day
Every year in September, the Sisters of Mercy, along with their friends and colleagues around the world, celebrate Mercy Day. Why is this date so important? On September 24, 1827, Catherine McAuley and her associates opened the House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland. Now, as co-workers, we continue the work begun in the House of Mercy in our own healthcare ministry at St. Joseph’s/Candler. If you have the pleasure of working with one of our Sisters of Mercy, or just happen to see them in the hallway, please wish them a joyous Mercy Day.
(L to R): Dr. Mark Blankenship, Dr. Joseph Stubbs, Sherry Darsey, Emily Heino, Erica Miller, Dr. Narra Santosh Reddy, Dr. Michael Cox, and Kyle McCann.
1
Stacey
Orelvys
welcome to St. Joseph’s/Candler!
Please join us in welcoming the following new co-workers to the St. Joseph’s/Candler family:
Jaida Akins | Administration
Wonder Albury | Envr. Svcs., Candler
Ahmad Allasasmeh | Path. Lab, St. Joseph’s
Patricia Anderson | Path. Lab, St. Joseph’s
Brittni Barrett | Emergency Dept., Candler
Ashlyn Bellegante | PN – OB/GYN
Renee Bolin | Specialty Phys. Rev. Cycle
Kathleen Brown | Human Resources
Lacee Burnsed | Specialty Phys. Rev. Cycle
Shandrika Burrison | Hilton Head Oncology
Lori Carson | Patient Financial Services
Ryleigh Clark | Special Care Nursery
Kaley Clary | CT Scan, St. Joseph’s
Jasmine Diao | Home Health – Hinesville
Christina Diaz | Prog. Care Unit, St. Joseph’s
Madison Durden | Neuro Intensive Care Unit
Amy Elizalde | The Children’s Place
Paige Farnsworth | Emergency Dept., Candler
Marquis Favors | Transport, St. Joseph’s
Jayden Fortner | Telfair BirthPlace
Grace Geiger | A.A.H.I.R.C.
Christina Gerbic | Surgical Oncology
Angela Grayson | OR, St. Joseph’s
Doneisha Green | Candler Prescription Center
Josie Gregory | Prog. Care Unit, Candler
Viola Gwynn | Envr. Svcs., Candler
Courtney Hardy | Prog. Care Unit, St. Joseph’s
Andrea Harris | Amb. Surg. Svcs, Candler
Bethany Harvath | Primary Care in Pembroke
Kathleen Haselden | Lab Outr. Svcs., St. Joseph’s
Olivia Havens | Telfair BirthPlace
Stan Heath | Pharmacy, St. Joseph’s
Kaitlyn Hill | Neuro Intensive Care Unit
Denetria Holman | 6 South, Candler
Brooke Hume | Oncology Savannah
Sarah Jackson | Emergency Dept., Candler
Sydnie James | Pharmacy, Candler
Karen Jenkins | Patient Placement Centralized
Ashley Johnson | 5 North, St. Joseph’s
Makiah Johnson | Primary Care in Pooler
Ashlee Kammerud | Path. Lab, Candler
Abigail Kuebler | The Children’s Place
Camron Lewis | Envr. Svcs., Candler
Caroline Loyek | Emergency Dept., Candler
Tatiyana Luke | Intensive Care Unit, Candler
April Maddox | Interv. Radiology, St. Joseph’s
Matthew Maddox | Safety/Security, Candler
Ibolya Manderfield | Emergency Dept., Candler
Desiree Martin | Transitional Care Unit, Candler
Stephanie Martin | Amb. Surg. Svcs, St. Joseph’s
Michael McKinley | Path. Lab, Candler
Jennifer Mckown | Oncology Administration
Nicole Menefee | Specialty Services
Mary Metz | Cardiac Care Unit
Jessie Mikell | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph’s
Senorthia Miller | Patient Accounting
Savannah Morehouse | PCU, St. Joseph’s
Abyssinia Mulatu | Ins./Payment Verification
september birthdays
Demia White 7
Janice Campbell
Cheryl Crawford Cathy Cribbs
Felicia Ekweghariri
Katherine Macmillan
Melissa Miles
Deidra
Jasmine Roberson
Mark Suzuki, MD
Karon Timmons
Jennifer Wegmann
Candice Wells
2
Letrice Andrews-Polite
Maria Bridwell
Joshua Demmin
Courtney Hayes
Melissa Hebert
Godfrey Madramootoo
Molly Marsh
Mary Rahn
Rashae Ross
Savannah Straiton Sharon Wiley
3
Lisa Aliotta
Sean Alva
Crystal Hedgecoth
Shauntavis Miller
Tynisha Murdock
Laken Nelson
Andrea Solomon
Mary Washington
4
Brittany Byrd
Dennis Cheh
Tanysha Jackson
Diana Lemon
Jocelyn Manresa
Racine Morales
Ashley Naquin
Lawanda Young
5
Ashley Briggs
Shanice Campbell
Luong Chung
Daniele Foust Hammer
Alexia Hall
Adam Hedgecoth
Joni Lane
Kiera Lee-Cosme
Stephanie Reese
6
Hannah Brown
Nicholas Casey
Carron Hampton
Juliana Harrington
Monaysha Roberson
Spencer Scarvey
Shaianne Harrison
Rosemary Hollis
Kenyette Ledee
Andrea Manley
Sarah McBurnett
Rebecca Mouna
Mary Onyeka
Danielle Sherrod
Sally Walden 11
Simeon Alexander
Phyllis Allen
Shalonda Baker
Makayla Borders
Emily Combs
Sukova Herring
Jermaine Heyward
Constance Humble
Lliyah Nixon
Bridget Poston
Sandra Quante
Melinda Benthall Melissa Brown
Hathaway
Urszula Kowalewski Lisa Loadholt
Karen Marshall Lou Mastison
Carolyn Nelson, MD
Tricia Norton Cody Parker
Nishma Patel
Stacey Peacock
Valentina Polwort
Benidict Postrado
Madeline Price
Terri Rozier
Brenda Rucker Jasmine Threatt 13
Amanda Assey Keondria Bennett
William Brand
Jodi Brantley
Ciara Campbell
Ora Edwards
Lateka Green
Barbara Jackson
Yvette Johnson
Andrea Jones
Kierra Kirkland Scott Larson
Emily Munroe
Melissa Saxon
Jaime Shaw
Janet Thompson
Jasmine Warren Dawna Wilder 14
Jodi Beggan Julie Clemmer
Sonja Edwards
Elaine Espino
Christopher Goss
Cynthia Harris
Betty Jones
Thao Lam
Michael Lawson
Deniel Moore
Hakyoung Odom
Eulogio Padayao, Jr.
Ethan Roy
Joseph Sutton, Jr.
Kimberly Tyson
Kirstin Neighoff | Diagn. Radiology, St. Joseph’s
Laquesha Oliver | Transport, Candler
Kelley Paige | Safety/Security, St. Joseph’s
Zarria Penix | Rad. Oncology, Bluffton Campus
Isabella Phifer | Telfair BirthPlace
Chelsea Pippin | Telfair BirthPlace
Christina Quach | Path. Lab, St. Joseph’s
Brittany Reynolds | LCRP
Noah Riley | Emergency Dept., St. Joseph’s
Malvise Roberson | Envr. Svcs., Candler
Clara Robinson | Specialty Services
Nija Rutledge | Emergency Dept., Candler
Jordan Scholl | 6 South, Candler
Matthew Schonberg | Speech Ther., Candler
Aaliyah Scott | Prog. Care Unit, Candler
Nicole Simson | Surgical Oncology
Haley Smith | The Children’s Place
Shannon Songer | Specialty Phys. Rev. Cycle
Tiffany Stephens | Specialty Phys. Rev. Cycle
Evan Trawick | Diagn. Radiology, St. Joseph’s
James Walker | Primary Care in Statesboro
Kerry Walsh | Plant Operations, Candler
Amanda Weatherby | Cardiac Care Unit
Ainsley Westbrooks | Telfair BirthPlace
Autumn Williams | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph’s
Jessica Wilson | Gastroenterology, St. Joseph’s
Zachary Zoback | OR, Candler
Jose Vilar Fussa
Malenar Watson-Mckennie
Haleigh Wharton
Kiona Woodridge 15
Jessica Blair
Sakinah Bryant-Hampton
Jan Garrant Fiona Gene
Gilliland Leonard Henry, MD Veidra Massey Lisa Mclendon Stacey Purvis Courtney Strickland
