V3 January 2024

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2024

Hittin' the Notes Jazz phenom, Cyrus Chestnut and local legend Jackie Beard are teaming up for a show at the Historic Desoto Theater you won't want to miss.

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

1

Nurturing Independence, Promoting Individuality and Enriching the Lives of Our Residents

With over 78 combined years of senior living experience, you will be delighted to see how fast our team will help you feel right at home!

Independent Living | Personal Care | Memory Care 3126 Cedartown Hwy | Rome, GA 30161 | 706-295-0014 | renaissancemarquis.com 2

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

AdventHealth Medical Group Cardiology Now Open The Cardiologists You Know in the Community You Love Residents of Northwest Georgia can easily access expert heart care provided

by AdventHealth Medical Group’s elite cardiology specialists that you know and love.

AdventHealth Medical Group now offers world-class heart care in three new locations:

Your Cardiology Team

Charles F. Jackson, III, MD

Spencer Maddox, MD

Andrew McCue, MD

J. Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC

G. Hunter Myers, MD, FACC

Himanshu Patel, MD

Kipp Slicker, DO, FACC

Robert Styperek, MD, FHRS, FACC

G. Justin Tanner, MD

J. Michael Ware, MD, FACC

Cardiology at Rome

7 John Maddox Drive NW Rome, GA 30165

Cardiac Electrophysiology at Rome 100 John Maddox Drive NW Rome, GA 30165

Cardiology at Calhoun 1035 Red Bud Road Calhoun, GA 30701

Learn More: GeorgiaHeartExperts.com Schedule an Appointment: 706-307-6031

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

3

JANUARY 2024 COLUMNS

4

FEATURES

8

Letters to the Emperor is a monthly humor column from the fictitious ruler of Rome, GA. Meet Nero Romansky, an unqualified descendant of Julius Caesar.

17

Cyrus Chestnut and Jackie Beard are set to storm the stage at the Desoto Theater this February

12

Start your year out right with important preventative screenings while also experiencing the consistent, compassionate care of Harbin Clinic Women Centers.

24

Dr. Justin Gusching, owner of Reflections Cosmetic Surgery of Cartersville, Georgia, helps people return their bodies back to the state they were in before extensive weight loss and childbirth took their toll.

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

Thinking of changing banks?

We invite you to become part of the FIRST NATIONAL COMMUNITY BANK family As your locally-owned community bank, we are here for you no matter what changes in your life and we are with you every step of your financial journey.

Your trusted local banking team stands ready to assist you with your Personal and Business banking needs.

Checking Accounts (Personal & Business) Business Loans CDs/IRAs/Money Market (Personal & Business) Mortgages Savings Accounts (Personal & Business)

Same Day Debit Card Online Banking Mobile App/Mobile Banking Bill Pay And More!

eBANK Always Open at www.fncbank.com DOWNTOWN ROME 501 Broad Street 706.378.5300

WEST ROME 2211 Shorter Avenue 706.378.5305

ARMUCHEE 2950 Martha Berry Blvd. 706.314.0560

THANK YOU! 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 • 2023

#1 in sales * in Rome/Floyd County *Based on GAMLS sales

5 YEARS STRAIGHT! hardyrealty.com

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

5

Publisher's Note OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin MANAGING PARTNER Chris Forino CREATIVE DIRECTOR Elizabeth Childers WRITERS Jim Alred, Ian Griffin, Nina Lovel, Paul Moses, Mark Suroviec PHOTOGRAPHERS Andy Calvert, Ivan Felipe

O W N E R & C E O Ian Griffin This is the year I turn the age of my jersey number of choice growing up, 44. Being born in 1980 makes the math easy at least...or is that really a disadvantage? I can’t really say. Regardless, another new year has arrived and in for a change of pace, I’m putting zero expectations on 2024.

I’m usually a resolution guy, taking the opportunity for a clean slate to strive to do better and achieve my goals and shoot for the stars. And I’m not saying I won’t do that, because I think you must consistently do that in life to keep the ball rolling in the right direction, I’m just not putting that pressure on the year.

It’s not fair to 2024 and what it could be.

I’m going to take a chance and try to do my thing without the expectations, then look back on the year and measure it against years past. I feel like I put way too much on 21, 22 and 23...they didn’t stand a chance.

That doesn’t mean I can’t look forward to the things that lie ahead. I love to have carrots to chase throughout the year to motivate me throughout. I dangle them for myself to run down and honestly don’t know how I’d function without concerts, trips, movie and music releases, special events and so on. For me, those are the motivators, so I will dream, plot and plan them, so the days I need the extra push, I can lean on them to trudge forward.

But that’s on me, not 2024.

I will set personal goals. Professional growth, better fitness, reading more, etc.

Not your responsibility 2024.

I will leave the negatives in 2023. I wouldn’t want to bring that baggage into this new relationship anyway. It wouldn’t be fair. I’ve let that carry over in other new year’s and I’m trying to grow as a person, striving to be a better partner.

So here we go 2024. It's me and you, you and me, no matter how they toss the dice, it's meant to be.

We only have the year together so let's make the most of it.

I’m wishing the same for all of you. Resolutions or not, make the most out of the next 12 months!

6

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

AD DESIGN Elizabeth Childers PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT 417 Broad Street Rome Ga, 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 hello@v3collective.com CREATOR Neal Howard

READV3.COM ReadV3.com: Where you can find all the print content from this issue, our archives and exclusive ReadV3 digital features.

NW GA JAZZ AND CULTURAL ARTS SOCIETY PRESENTS

An Evening with

CYRUS & JACKIE

SATURDAY, FEB 17

Historic DeSoto Theatre 8:00 PM World renowned jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut, with Rome’s own star saxophonist Jackie Beard, will lead a quartet performing jazz standards and original works. Cyrus has recorded with the greatest jazz musicians of our generation. This will be the concert of the year!

Refreshments provided by

T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E AT E V E N T B R I T E . C O M

NEED FRAMES?

519 Broad St. Suite 101/103

Classically Crafted

Rome, GA • 706.584.7816 amanda@farrellsframeanddesign.com www.FarrellsFrameAndDesign.com

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

7

Meet the

Emperor

of Rome, Georgia

Letters to the Emperor is a monthly humor column from the perspective of the self-proclaimed Emperor of Rome, GA. Nero Romansky, the unqualified, long-lost descendant of Julius Caesar, answers his letters from his less-than-loyal subjects. It's like if Dear Abby, Gladiator, and Dumb & Dumber had a baby.

8

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

Friends, Romans, Floyd CountyPersons, lend me your ears.

More accurately, your eyeballs and excruciating short attention span.

My name is Emperor Nero Romansky, and I am the great-greatgreat-many-times-great grandson of Julius Caesar. You may have heard of him. He invented the salad with romaine lettuce and flavored croutons.

The Emperor has come of age to rule. My subjects must find me friendly, trustworthy, and approachable before they are fed to the lions for insolence. Romans, you may come near my throne with your written supplications, and the Emperor will grant you the untapped wisdom acquired through eighteen years of life in a sheltered palace.

Do not be confused if the Emperor, me, refers to himself in the third person.

First question.

DEAR “EMPEROR” NERO, “I’m a bit confused. I live in the city of Rome and am a citizen of the United States of America. We have a representative democracy with elected officials in the local, state, and federal governments. How does tracing your bloodline to Julius Caesar let you claim to be the Emperor of Rome, GA?” — Maria Espinosa | Class of 2008, Rome High School DEAR MARIA, Thank you for your kind and considerate letter questioning the legitimacy of my empire. Nothing makes a ruler more enthusiastic than a pushy Karen questioning his authority at the first opportunity.

The “air quotes” around my title were a nice touch. If it was not obvious, please read the previous sentences in the tone of “dripping with sarcasm.”

Two answers to your question, Karen. First, Zeus struck me with the hallowed lightning bolt of empire leadership, and then Athena shot me with the bronze arrow of the goddess of wisdom. Can any of your precious “elected officials” claim that divine right?

Second, if you strolled down Broad Street for an afternoon, can you honestly say you still reside in the USA? Unlikely. Maybe if you lived in Armuchee or Lindale.

Please share your home address with me, and one hundred Centurion soldiers will hand-deliver a gift basket conveying my sincerest gratitude for your unquestioning allegiance.

Me Vexat Pede, — Nero

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

9

DEAR EMPEROR NERO, “Zeus and Athena were Greek gods, not Roman.”

— Dr. Humbert R. Tuffleson, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of Ancient History at Georgia Highlands College DEAR DR. TUFFLESON, Ahhh, the university professor. A shining light of our knowledge-based society. As you correctly discovered, there are gaps in my royal education and understanding of the modern world. However, like the legendary emperors before me, one shall not let ignorance or inexperience keep me from answering my subjects confidently and with conviction. What is truth?

So no, Zeus and Athena were, in fact, Roman gods, regardless of what the “establishment” says. Also, your tweed jacket smells like a pile of dusty books covered in skunk farts.

Me Vexat Pede, — Nero

DEAR EMPEROR NERO, “So, summing up. You want local residents to ask real questions about Rome and Floyd County life. Then, you’ll answer those questions sarcastically in future columns. Like if Dear Abby, Gladiator, and Dumb & Dumber had a baby?”

— Julia Agrippina Romansky | No relation to Nero Romansky DEAR JULIA, Yes, you nailed it. Once a month until this nonsense gets canceled. Thanks, Mom. Me Vexat Pede, — Nero Disclaimer: Emperor Nero Romansky is a satirical character written by Mark Suroviec, M.Ed. All people and quotations are fictional creations by the limited imagination of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the author, editors, or V3 Magazine.

Emperor Nero will be giving relationship advice in February.

Please send your letters to: EmperorNeroRomanskyKnowsAll@gmail.com or scan the QR code

Mark Suroviec, M.Ed., is the Chief Ambassador of Fun at WorkPlay Solutions, the author of Forever Sisters, and the Vice President of the Children’s Museum of Rome. He hopes you pity laugh at his humor and satire stories, especially the ones that aren’t funny.

10

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

WITH A NEW YEAR COMES A RENEWED ENERGY TO INVEST IN HEALTH AND FUTURE GOALS, BUT SOMETIMES KNOWING HOW TO REACH GOALS OR HOW TO GET STARTED CAN BE A BARRIER TO SUCCESS.

Dr. Diana Vallecilla, Harbin Clinic Women's Center Rome

12

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

This January, Harbin Clinic is highlighting women’s health as a part of cervical cancer awareness month while also reminding the community that their network of expert providers is prepared to support every stage of a woman’s life and health journey, from adolescence through menopause and beyond.

Amy Riley, CNM and Dr. Ben Warren, Harbin Clinic Women's Center Cartersville

CERVICAL CANCER AND VALUABLE PREVENTION:

Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer deaths for American women, but today it is one of the most preventable forms of cancer thanks to opportunities for screening.

Annual wellness exams are a crucial step women of all ages can take to protect their health. They can expect providers to perform preventative screenings for breast cancer and gynecological cancers, such as ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer. These exams are essential to help women maintain their overall health and detect potential precancerous cell growth. In addition to a yearly exam, women between the ages of 21 and 65 should expect to have a Pap smear every three years and HPV testing every five years for those ages 25 to 65.

“Annual visits with an OB-GYN play a significant role in overall health and cancer prevention for women,” explains OB-GYN Dr. Ben Warren. “It allows physicians to identify the

diseases in preliminary stages. For example, we can detect cervical cancer before it becomes precancerous or cancerous.

For our patients, this outcome is the ideal situation.”

Along with screenings, annual visits include conversations on health and lifestyle behaviors, personal goals and a physical exam of breasts and pelvis. These visits are a great time for focused health guidance from your provider on potential health goals such as pre-pregnancy counseling or reproductive health, nutrition and exercise, mental wellness and more.

“Many of our goals at the Harbin Clinic Women’s Centers focus on establishing trusted relationships with our patients and recognizing the role their health history plays in the hopes they have for their future,” says OB-GYN Dr. Diana Vallecilla. “Regularly scheduling an annual well-woman visit allows us to walk beside you in your circumstances and stay a part of the conversation.”

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

13

SUPERIOR CARE AND CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY IN TWO LOCATIONS If you are looking to schedule your annual wellness exam, Harbin Clinic Women’s Health has two locations, in Rome and Cartersville. They are staffed by obstetricians and gynecologists, certified nurse midwives (CNM), and highly trained nursing and support staff dedicated to healthcare excellence for women. The centers also house state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technology such as 4D ultrasound equipment.

For those less familiar with CNMs, they have unique training and are excellent at acting as advocates for moms-tobe. They support personalized methods of care and healing,

guided by the best evidence available. CNMs often use deep breathing, massage, visualization, varying a woman’s position during birth, etc. to help women with the natural, yet challenging, task of birth.

Harbin Clinic’s CNMs are supported with the full care team, including OB-GYNs, pediatricians, and with the regional hospital systems where they deliver babies. Both CNMs and OB-GYNs offer women the same nonsurgical, gynecological and obstetrical services such as: annual gynecological exams, full-spectrum prenatal care with all tests and screenings, birthing privileges and postpartum follow-ups. Mothers can also still receive medications such as epidurals while seeing a CNM if they choose to do so.

Macie Goff, CNM, Harbin Clinic Women's Center Cartersville

14

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

Describing the importance of this care, Harbin Clinic CNM Kim Millsap says, “As a Certified Nurse Midwife, I get to do the powerful work of providing women emotional support while focusing on prevention and health during all stages of their lives, including pregnancy and birth. And I do so in partnership with the excellent care team at the Women’s Center in Cartersville.”

Harbin Clinic providers offer a full range of specialized obstetric and gynecologic services, including adolescent gynecology, family planning, prenatal care, gynecologic surgery (including minimally invasive surgery), infertility evaluation and treatment, menopause treatment for hot flashes, osteoporosis, incontinence, bladder prolapse and annual well-woman exams.

Start your year out right with important preventative screenings while also experiencing the consistent, compassionate care of Harbin Clinic Women Centers.

Dr. Raymond Jarvis, Harbin Clinic Women's Center Rome

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

15

16

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

All That

Jazz

Growing up in South Rome, Jackie Beard was destined to be a musician. His love for jazz led him to the Berklee School of Music, first as a student, and later a professor.

It was in that capacity he met Cyrus Chestnut and the two are joining forces in February to blow the roof of the Desoto Theater.

text: Ian Griffin photos: Courtesy of NWGA Jazz and Cultural Arts Society

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

17

Jazz stands for freedom.

It's supposed to be the voice of freedom: Get out there and improvise, and take chances, and don't be a perfectionist leave that to the classical musicians.

-Dave Brubeck

LONG BEFORE ROCK N’ ROLL WAS BORN, jazz was the original alternative music that ruled club scenes and gala events alike during what was known as The Jazz Age in the 1920’s and 30’s. With its roots in blues and ragtime, jazz took over the airwaves and became the soundtrack of a generation and a genre of its own that remains extremely popular today.

On February 17th, 2024, The Northwest Georgia Jazz and Cultural Arts Society is putting on a must see show with renowned jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut and local saxophone legend, Jackie Beard. The duo will perform with bassist, Tommy Sauter and drummer, Xavier Breaker, forming a dynamic quartet that will perform charts sure to have the audience out of their seats and dancing.

In the jazz world, Chestnut is a name everyone is familiar with and is considered one of the finest piano players in the business. He has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and has a combined 35 studio and live records spanning from 1992 to the present day. He has played all over the world and will bring his talents to Rome, thanks to a connection to Jackie Beard.

A Roman with a calling

A native Roman, Beard grew up at 510 Hardy Avenue in South Rome and attended Anna K. Davie Elementary, East Rome Junior High and West Rome High School, graduating from the latter in 1973. His love for music was fostered by his parents in the house on Hardy Avenue.

“My parents had a piano in the house and both my older brother and sister took lessons growing up,” recalls Beard. “I wouldn’t say they hated it, but they put up enough of a fight that my parents didn’t sign me up for lessons, but I was drawn to it and always had an ear for

Cyrus Chestnut 18

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

Jackie Beard

music. I would listen to theme songs on television or hymns at church and pick out the melody and chords by ear.”

His father, Roston, was a music man himself and when Jackie was seven, he brought home a used alto saxophone and gave it to his son. His older brother, Roston Jr., was playing trombone in the Main High School band at the time and asked the director Herman Scott to show him the basics of how to play the instrument so he could pass them on to his younger brother.

“My brother showed me how I was supposed to hold the instrument and the correct embouchure to blow through the mouthpiece,” says Beard. “I just remember it being uncomfortable and telling my brother it hurt to hold and play it that way. He told me it was supposed to hurt, so I kept practicing on my own and just like the piano, I eventually found the notes to play melodies by ear.”

Education

It was just a few years later Beard would encounter Scott himself as his music appreciation class took up the recorder.

With segregation coming to an end, Beard bounced from Anna K. Davie to East Rome Junior High for a year and after lines were redrawn a second time, eventually landed at West Rome High School, where he met band director Johnny Shook.

“It was a trying time with us moving schools and really not having much of a choice where we were educated,” says Beard. “Athletics and music really were a godsend for so many black students. I wasn’t much of an athlete, but somebody told Shook I could play, and I’ll never forget him asking me to stand up and blow. I guess he liked what he heard and I’m glad he did. That man taught me so READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

19

much, in fact, Carl Dixon, Herman Scott, and Johnny Shook were the three biggest musical mentors I had growing up.”

From there things took off. Shook recruited Beard for stage band where they started reading jazz charts and he fell in love with the genre. Beard went on to win the Principal’s Award for Music his senior year and after graduating had plans to attend the Air Force Academy, but instead joined his brother’s band in Germany before settling in Boston, Massachusetts, at Berklee School of Music in 1976.

20

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

Home away from home

Beard never intended to teach, but after graduating, he was offered an opportunity to stay on as a staff member and ended up spending his entire professional career at Berklee sharing music with the extremely gifted students in attendance. It was in that capacity, he met Cyrus Chestnut and the two became friends playing pinball in the lounge between classes.

Chestnut was an up-and-comer at the time and has gone on to be one of the premier piano players in the jazz world, remaining friends with Beard all the while. The two always wanted to play together, so when Sam Burrell, Director of Northwest Georgia Jazz and Cultural Arts Society, asked Beard if he

thought Chestnut would play a show here in Rome with him, Beard replied, “All I have to do is call.”

From there Burrell and his board went to work.

They first formed the NWGAJCAS twenty years ago and have hosted many performances over the years, but after a little layoff during the pandemic years, they are excited to bring world class jazz musicians back to Northwest Georgia. As a nonprofit organization, the funds raised will benefit minority children who can’t afford music or sporting opportunities.

“This concert will be held in conjunction with two masterclass performances at Berry College and Jacksonville State University,” says Burrell. “When we started the society 20 years ago, our goal was to expose students and the public in general to professional jazz artists and it remains the same today.”

“Cyrus and Jackie are world class musicians, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them here.”

February 17th at the Historic Desoto Theater is sure to be an unforgettable night so reserving your tickets early is always a good move. You can do so by visiting eventbrite.com and searching An Evening with Cyrus Chestnut. Tickets are $45 and include a wine tasting and meet and greet with the artist.

Cyrus Chestnut

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

21

Your Best Choice For Rome, Georgia, Landscaping

Residential & Commercial Services Including • Hydroseed • Outdoor Spaces • Hardscapes • Irrigation Systems • Trees & Shrubs • Flower Beds salandscaperome.com joselopezland@gmail.com

22

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

• Stone Work • Drainage Systems • Retaining Walls • Patios • Bobcat Work • Sod Installation & Service

BANK

LOCAL www.rivercity.bank | (706) 236-2123

NEED HELP WITH NUTRITION? NEED HELP WITH ACCOUNTABILITY? NEED STRUCTURE? TRY ONLINE TRAINING! 1 : 1 personal training from home with local personal trainer and health coach, Corey Pitts of CMP Training.

THE ONLINE EXTENSION OF V3: All current issue content, archives and exclusive Read V3 digital features Personal Trainer, AFFA and Certified Nutrition Coach In person and online training: cmptrainingrome.com 770.324.9695, located at Rome Athletic Club.

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

23

Reflecting on the Benefits of Cosmetic Surgery

24

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

Text: Paul Moses | Photos: Andy Calvert

Dr. Justin Gusching gives his patients the emotional lift that only comes from regaining the trim silhouette they thought was long gone.

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

25

After experiencing significant weight loss or giving birth to several children, some people no longer appreciate what they see in the mirror, or miss their former selves.

THESE DAYS, THOUGH, they may be able to feel like their old selves again.

Dr. Justin Gusching, owner of Reflections Cosmetic Surgery in Cartersville, Georgia, has dedicated himself to helping people regain their self-confidence by reversing the changes circumstances have caused to their bodies.

Dr. Gusching is a doctor of osteopathy. The field of osteopathy encompasses a broad range of study and medical practice, dealing with many issues that affect a patient’s general health. To this discipline, Dr. Gusching brings his well-honed surgical skills and his commitment to making people not only healthier but happier with their lives by being happier with their bodies.

Building the architecture of a doctor

As a boy growing up in the Midwestern United States, Justin Gusching did not have a career in medicine on his mind. Back then, he was more interested in sports and the great outdoors. He says, “I grew up in a small town in Ohio, surrounded by cornfields. There was nothing to do there but get into trouble or go fishing, so that’s what we did.”

In his college years, he faced an internal tug-of-war between his creative side and his scientific side. “I went to undergrad at Ohio State,” says Dr. Gusching, “where I spent my first two years studying architecture. I was always torn 26

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

between something health-related or design-related.” Following in the family footsteps was an early motivation for him. “My grandfather went to Ohio State, and he was an engineer, so my family kind of pushed me in that direction. I did well in my architectural studies, but I eventually decided it wasn’t for me.”

Ultimately, changing his major was driven by his personal interest in good health. “I was always big into sports, bodybuilding, eating right,” he says, “so, I studied biology with a focus in physiology and anatomy. I was going to go to chiropractor school, but I began researching osteopathy, which I liked because it used a holistic approach to medicine.” He explains that in osteopathy, the practitioner doesn’t just try to heal someone by giving them medicine but strives to return the patient’s body to a homeostatic state so they can fight off infections without needing drugs. Also, he was interested in orthopedics, bones, joints, and overall health, so it made sense to go in that direction. “So,” he says, “I quit architecture—I did a restart—and went to Ohio University for medical school.” From there he went to Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital, where he did general surgery for five years. He adds, “Then I went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and trained at Southern Surgical Arts in cosmetic surgery, so that was my fellowship. I’m boarded in the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. I’m triple-boarded: general surgery, cosmetic surgery, and facial cosmetic surgery.”

After Dr. Gusching trained at Southern Surgical Arts, the organization brought him on as a partner, where he worked alongside three other doctors for several years.

Launching out

Wanting to go out on his own, Dr. Gusching understood that such a bold move would require him to narrow his focus, to fix on a specialty. He says, “I knew if I was going to do cosmetic surgery, I would have to be all-in or not at all. I couldn’t do it part-time and then do general surgery too. Even back when I did my fellowship, I knew I wanted to eventually start my own practice.”

After gaining a wealth of valuable experience in Chattanooga, Dr. Gusching came in contact with Reflections Skin and Laser in Cartersville, Georgia.

He explains, “They had decided they wanted to have a doctor in-house to make their business more robust, more of a medical spa as opposed to a skin spa.” Now the two businesses—Reflections Cosmetic Surgery and (the renamed) Reflections Medical Spa—work together in a cooperative partnership, yet they both remain independent entities. Reflections Cosmetic Surgery has two other locations as well: one in Rome and another in Roswell, where Dr. Gusching does consultations and sees follow-up patients. However, all surgeries are done at the main location in Cartersville.

Founding a practice that matters

Early on, Dr. Gusching’s fascination with the skeletomuscular system made him interested in pursuing orthopedics. But in his third year of medical school, his hospital rotations exposed him to a wide variety of specialty options and possibilities.

He says, “During your rotations, you get a feel for what you want to do. I already knew I wanted to operate. I liked surgery. So, then it came down to general surgery or orthopedics. I was drawn to orthopedics because of sports and the mechanics of the body, but with general surgery, there were more fellowship options: cardiothoracic surgeon, vascular surgeon, trauma surgeon, plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon.”

After weighing his options, he did general surgery for a while and liked it. Eventually, he chose cosmetic surgery. Explaining why, he says, “For one thing, it’s a better lifestyle. A general surgeon is always on call and works long, long hours. Also, this is more rewarding—big time. Back when I did general surgery, I might treat someone with, say, cancer and do a mastectomy, or lymph node dissection, or cut their colon out. I would cure them of their cancer, but afterward, they were emotionally miserable. Even though their prognosis was great,

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

27

they were still facing an extensive recovery. Because they had so much going on, there was always a somber atmosphere. But here at Reflections, after someone has had three or four kids—and they just want to get back to where they were—I do their surgery and the next day they’re excited and so happy. The atmosphere is completely different, positive. That is very so rewarding.”

Lifting their spirits

Reflections Cosmetic Surgery provides an amazing array of services. Dr. Gusching says, “I do almost any kind of cosmetic surgery, head-to-toe, with the exception of noses and ears. My main work is doing mommy makeovers, like breast and tummy.

I do a lot of tummy tucks. Liposuction 360, all the way around. Lots of breast lifts.” For the face, Reflections offers face lifts, neck lifts, brow lifts, facial resurfacing, and more. For the body, they provide thighplasty, brachioplasty, Brazilian butt lifts, breast augmentation, breast lifts, breast reduction, and cellulite reduction, among other offerings.

For a full list of available procedures, visit the website listed below.

Expanding the practice

Discussing his plans for the future of Reflections Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Gusching says, “I want to build the Rome and Roswell locations up to the point where I’ll need to hire another doctor. From there, I’d like to expand our Cartersville building.

That would be my three-year plan. Beyond that, it’s hard to say. We’ll just continue to expand. But the Cartersville office will remain our main location.

I don’t want to open so many locations that we’re spread too thin, and the quality of our work goes down.”

He adds, “One reason I want to get another doctor in here—besides growing the business, of course—is because I could get deployed again, and I need another doctor here while I’m gone.”

Dr. Gusching serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard. He’s been in for 16 years. “My last deployment was in 2019,” he says. “I was in Iraq doing both medical services for soldiers and combat. At that time, I was still working at Southern Surgical Arts, and I had partners, so being gone was not a big deal. But now someone needs to be here bringing in revenue for the company while I’m deployed.”

Dr. Gusching explains why he chose to join the military as well as pursue medicine: “That same grandfather who was an engineer was in the military in World War II and received the Purple Heart.

He and his brothers all fought in that war. Because of that, I’ve always wanted to do something more, something respectable, to pay them back and carry on my grandfather’s legacy. So, I joined up while I was in medical school.”

28

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

Clearing up misconceptions

Many people, it seems, have unfounded ideas about cosmetic surgery, both regarding its patients and the professionals who work in the field. “I’m pretty much just a normal guy,” Dr. Gusching says. “People tend to want to put doctors and surgeons up on a pedestal. They get that ‘white-coat syndrome,’ and they get nervous around doctors.

But doctors are just normal people. I like to go deer hunting, drink bourbon, and ride motorcycles. I like to relate to my patients on a friendly level. All my patients have my cell phone number, and they’ll text me if they’re having any issues, but most of the time it’s just quick questions. They feel more comfortable having that personal contact.

It’s been nothing but positive feedback from patients because they know I’ll go out of my way to help them.”

Another misconception about cosmetic surgery is that it’s all about personal vanity. Dr. Gusching says, “Somehow, some people think these are just vain people trying to look different. But cosmetic surgery doesn’t have the negative connotation it used to have. Truly, it’s people trying to get back to where they used to be, mostly prior to having kids. That’s the biggest thing. They’re not being selfish; they’re just fixing what was changed through childbearing. Also, there’s a lot of weight loss going on these days, too. People are losing crazy amounts of weight and then have to deal with all that skin. Getting that fixed is not selfish at all; they’re just trying to return to whatever normal looks like for them. It boosts their self-esteem, and we’re here to help with all that.”

For more information go to www.reflectionscosmeticsurgery.com or call 770-383-3529.

READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

29

Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society

WALK-A-MILE Saturday, February 3rd 9am - 1pm Lovejoy Life Center 436 Branham Ave, SW, Rome 30161

Indoor track, healthy snacks, vendors, health professionals, blood pressure readings, & more Learn more about your physical & spiritual health

A BETTER COMMUNITY,

TOGETHER

Gentle and caring dentistry for the whole family!

19A John Maddox Dr • (706) 235-5899 Find us on Facebook @KentCEllingtonDMDPC 30

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM

JOIN • GIVE • VOLUNTEER YMCA OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY 810 E 2nd Ave, Rome, GA 30161 706-232-2468 WWW.YMCAROME.ORG

PRIVATE DINING

CATERED EVENTS

CREATING THE MENU OF YOUR DREAMS IS WHAT WE DO. WE TAKE YOUR VISION AND MAKE IT A REALITY. 413 broad street, rome, ga 30161 lascalaromega.com 706.238.9000 706.238.9011 READV3.COM | JANUARY 2024 V3 MAGAZINE

31

YOUR HEART’S IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT HARBIN CLINIC. At Harbin Clinic, we have big hearts for the people of Northwest Georgia!

From pediatric cardiology to complex cardiovascular conditions, our patients receive the most comprehensive heart care in the region. Harbin Clinic’s expert providers and staff utilize the latest technologies and clinical therapies to improve patient quality of life and overall health.

Experience seamless, coordinated care across other Harbin Clinic specialties and uninterrupted heart treatment in a trusted clinical environment. Rest assured, your heart’s in the right place at Harbin Clinic.

harbinclinic.com/cardiology 32

V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | READV3.COM