Baldwin Expertise Fall 2017

expertise

Baldwin

Fall 2017

Knowledge from our local experts

Table of Contents M E E T

Y O U R

L O C A L

P R O F E S S I O N A L S

City of Robertsdale........................................................3 Climatemp Cooling........................................................4 Crossroads Retirement..................................................5 Edward Jones.................................................................6 Elberta Farmers Cooperative.........................................7

PUBLISHER Parks Rogers DESIGN Paige Marmolejo ADVERTISING Jeniece Bouzan Frank Kustura LouAnn Love

Fred Newman, Real Estate............................................8 Freeman Collision Center, LLC.......................................9 Infirmary Health: Dr. Arthur, Family Practice & Obstetrics.....................................................................10 Infirmary Health: Dr. Chiang, Endocrinology.............11 Infirmary Health: Eastern Shore Family Practice........12 Infirmary Health: Dr. Eves, Gastroenterology.............13 Infirmary Health: Dr. Fahy, Gynecology......................14 Infirmary Health: Dr. Kinsey, General Surgery............15 Infirmary Health: Jennifer Pope, Nurse Practitioner/ Family Practice.............................................................16 Medstar Air Care 1.......................................................17 Riviera Utilities.............................................................18 Robertsdale Feed, Seed & Supply................................19 Infirmary Health............................................Back Cover

GULF COAST MEDIA 901 N. McKenzie St. Foley, Alabama 36535 251-943-2151

The profiles included in Baldwin Expertise are paid advertisements.

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Robertsdale Come Grow With Us! MAYOR: Charles Murphy CITY COUNCIL: Sue Cooper, Joe M. Kitchens, Paul Hollingsworth, Ruthie Campbell, Brent Kendrick City Clerk: Shannon Burkett City Attorney: Ken Raines Chief Financial Officer: Ann Simpson Chief Of Police: Brad Kendrick Public Works Director: Scott Gilbert City Engineer: Greg Smith City Judge: Julian Brackin www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com

Baldwin Expertise • 3

Climatemp- “Legacy of Quality and Dependable service”

“ You want to be certain you have trained, qualified individuals looking at your systems” - Randy Englebert

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ou don’t want just anybody to come and work on your air conditioning and heating units,” Randy Englebert, president of Climatemp Cooling and Heating, said.

“When those systems could potentially cause health and safety issues for you and your family, you want to be certain you’ve got trained, qualified individuals looking at your machines.”

Englebert said he and his staff at Climatemp have well over a century of collective experience and know-how, including NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification and continued education courses to make sure they stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry.

“We have to do continuing education and have had to take the tests to prove what you say you know,” Englebert said. “As times have changed and new technology has developed, we’re continuing to educate ourselves and learn more so that we can use that knowledge and expertise to help our customers make good decisions.”

Englebert said Climatemp also offers a PACT (Precision AC Tune Up) program to its customers that includes three yearly visits from trained technicians that will make sure your AC system is functioning correctly and safely. He added the agreement was priced at $128 per year, a bargain considering the level of service and in-house expertise you get with Climatemp.

“Making sure that you have that trained eye checking on your system three times a year will give you peace of mind that your system is working well and your family will be safe,” Englebert said. “Our technicians can troubleshoot any potential problems they might see before they become a major problem, which saves you a lot of money and headaches.”

Englebert said customers who join the PACT program get additional

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discounts on services if there are problems with the system that spring up.

Climatemp has been in business since 1986, which gives the company a continuity Englebert said has become a “legacy of quality and dependable service.”

“We also have the Carrier name, the Carrier family and the Carrier technical support,” Englebert said. “So, not only do we have our own experience, but we have the entire Carrier company that we can call on for support and advice if we need it.”

Englebert said he continues to enjoy working in a job where he gets to work with people and help them each and every day.

“We’ve been doing this at Climatemp for 31 years, and I guarantee we’re going to keep doing it for a lot longer than that,” Englebert said.

Randy Englebert

CLIMATEMP COOLING & HEATING, INC.

103-E Hwy. 5 9• Summerdale, AL 36580 251-968-6006 Spanish Fort/Mobile: 251-626-9191 Saraland: 251-408-9744 www.myclimatemp.com www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com

Healthcare in Retirement planning

We help plan for unexpected challenges for those looking ahead to retirement

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fter an honorable 25-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard serving our country, Rob opened his own company and transitioned to helping clients as a financial planner at Crossroads Retirement Solutions. Rob is committed to helping others with the complexities of retirement and health care planning. He believes that one of the most overlooked and underestimated aspects for those approaching retirement is health care planning.

Fields stated that “The most enjoyable part of my position is educating my clients … health care planning is not at the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to a retirement plan, and not understanding the importance of it can blow up a retirement plan in a heartbeat.” Fields holds a Master’s Degree in Personal Financial Planning from The College for Financial Planning, and is a licensed Medicare, life, disability, and long-term care insurance planner as well as an investment advisor representative with Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. His clients reside from Alaska to Florida, each one feeling that personal touch. Rob has found that many financial advisors and planners lack the knowledge or passion it takes to assist their clients with health care planning. “It takes dedication and commitment to be entrusted to look after a client’s best interest.” Fields said. “It’s nice to have a one-onone relationship instead of a 1-800 number.” Many people approaching retirement mistakenly believe that Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans Administration, (if applicable) will take care of all their health care costs. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Those that ignore health care planning or think they can “self-fund” their health care costs as they

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age are going to be sadly caught off guard, because unexpected health care costs can disrupt the best of retirement plans.

The emotional, physical, and financial consequences can be devastating for the retiree and their entire family. “The retirement health care challenge can really be thought of as three separate, and complicated, issues,” Fields said. “First, you want to make a smooth transition from your employer insurance to Medicare. Second, you will want to understand your first-year health care costs. Finally, you will want to start thinking about your lifetime health care expenses, including longterm care. The lack of a long-term care plan could trigger the reallocation of retirement income and forced sale of assets to help pay for care.”

Medicare and long-term care planning are critical components in health care planning. Careful consideration from a knowledgeable and trusted advisor or planner is paramount for a retirement plan to be successful.

A retirement plan without adequate health care planning is not realistic or complete.

Rob Fields, ChFC®, CRPC®, CLTC, MPAS®

CROSSROADS RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC 311 Magnolia Ave., Ste. 107 Fairhope, AL Phone: (251) 210-6156 www.crsplanning.com

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Baldwin Expertise • 5

Personalized guidance

“My Goal is to help you achieve your Goal.” - Jason M. Kozon, CFP®

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hen it comes to investing, what do you value? A strategy designed for your situation? A financial advisor who truly understands you and what you’re trying to achieve, and will partner with you over the long term to help keep you on track? What about discipline, objective guidance?

I will work with you to create a personalized financial strategy with the advice, tools, and resources to help you reach your goals.

I do this in 3 important ways: 1. Understanding What’s Important to You Goals. By fully understanding what you are trying to achieve (like being able to live the retirement you’ve envisioned and making sure your money lasts), I can develop a plan to help get you there.

Comfort with Risk. We’ll discuss your desired level of risk and incorporate that in a plan that’s realistic and appropriate to reach your goals.

Choices. Do you want to be more hands-on with investment decisions or prefer some things to happen automatically? We have several options that allow you to select the approach that best aligns with what you value most.

2. Using an Established Process Strategies. My branch team and I are supported by a group of specialist in our home office who work in partnership with you, your tax professional and your attorney, as needed, to help you achieve success.

In-depth Research and Analysis. Our experienced team of analysts and strategists continuously assesses shifting conditions and conduct rigorous analysis to help me identify appropriate investments for you.

Sound Portfolio. You and I can use portfolio objectives to personalize your portfolio with quality investments in the appropriate proportions that align with your goals.

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3. Partnering to Help Keep You on Track Identifying Timely Risks and Opportunities. While Edward Jones take a long-term approach to investing, we also evaluate shifting conditions and compare them with our broader outlook to identify when adjustments are appropriate, providing diversification and other recommendations as needed.

Regular Reviews and Updates. Identifying when parts of your portfolio have drifted from your strategy allows us to recommend appropriate adjustments along the way.

Partnership and Process My goal is to help you achieve your goals. That means focusing on delivering value where you need it most, using our established process to build your personalized strategies, and helping you stay on track by partnering together over the long term. Member SPIC.

Jason M. Kozon, CFP® EDWARD JONES

22394 Miflin Rd., Suite 202 Foley, AL Phone: (251) 943-3399 www.edwardjones.com www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com

Horse Supplies

“We can pretty much handle it all.” - Alicia Baker

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hile known for its proficiency in assisting farmers, there is so much more to be found at the Elberta Farmers CoOp. Along with multiple types of feed, soil, agriculture and farming supplies, the Elberta Co-Op also has a diverse Horse Supply Department, and employee Alicia Baker is ready to assist customers in every way that she can.

Baker has been working at the Co-Op for two years, starting out in the warehouse before moving up to animal health, thanks to her wide knowledge and experience with horses.

“I had my first horse when I was about 4,” Baker said. “So I’ve been in the horse business for quite a while; I know some of the tricks of the trade.”

She’s ready to share her knowledge with anyone who is looking for a hand, whether they are new horse owners or experienced equestrians.

Patience is the No. 1 tip Baker gives to anyone just starting out with horses.

“They’ve got to be patient, because the horse doesn’t know them, and most people are terrified of them because they’re so big,” Baker said.

The Horse Supply Department also offers a wide array of supplies needed for every horse owner, such as saddles, headsets, halters, lead ropes, reins, girths and winter blankets. Baker helps customers with all phases of horse ownership, from general care to guidance and medicine.

Baker receives calls daily asking for assistance when it comes to medicine, and while the Co-Op doesn’t take the place of veterinarians, they have established relationships with the local vets and can help people get to

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where they need to be. Now that many medicines have been changed to a VFD, which is a vet’s prescription, Baker and her coworkers are more than happy to help people find the proper vet care for their horses, and will also order the medicine once a prescription has been given.

Baker is skilled with the training of horses, either by helping out herself or by pointing people in the right direction. Baker has even gone to customer’s locations on house calls to assist with training and to help customers decide on the proper grass and fertilizer for pastures.

“We can pretty much handle it all, or at least get them where they need to be,” said Baker.

Elberta Farmers Cooperative ELBERTA FARMERS COOPERATIVE 13320 Main Street Elberta, AL Phone: (251) 986-8103

Baldwin Expertise • 7

Real Estate

“I like trying to help people make deals and get the best deal they can ...” - Fred Newman

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ike many residents of Pleasure Island, Fred Newman wasn’t born here. Growing up about five hours from here in northeast Mississippi, he came down to the beach with his dad who deep sea fished and Fred has owned a condo here since 2004. “I sold my business a couple of years ago and moved here,” Newman said. “I sold gasoline fuel wholesale and retail back in Columbus, Mississippi. I’m here now, and I love it.”

Fred got his real estate license 14 months ago and worked with a different firm for a year before joining the Keller Williams team. He says he’s always loved looking at properties and considers himself a real estate junkie.

“I get the magazines and look at them and all that,” Newman said. “I like going and looking at properties of all kinds and I don’t know — I really seriously like meeting people, making new friends. Because of my business background, I like trying to help people make deals and get the best deal they can y’know.”

It’s not always the easiest job, especially for someone who considers his clients as friends. Fred says one of the most challenging parts of his job is getting people to trust him in the process.

“Whether it’s a first home, second home, whatever, it’s not a small purchase and most times it’s one of the largest investments they’ll ever make in their lifetime,” Newman said. “They need to trust in you that you’re not just out to make a buck. It’s important that you’re actually trying to help them — help guide them through the process. I do bring value to the table as far as making sure that they go through this process

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without any hiccups.”

It can also be a hurdle to stay up to date on new financial rules and regulations in the marketplace. Fred’s business background gives him a leg up in that arena, but his real strength is getting clients into the best home for them.

“At the end of the day, it’s people buying what they want and what makes them happy,” Newman said. “I try to at least give them some ideas of what I think makes the most sense, like what to get the most for their money. In other words if they want to be in this particular complex, great, but there might be one that’s three condos down that’s just as good for a lot less money and meets all their needs and criteria. The main goal is to try and help people accomplish what they’re looking for. Not everything is about price. It’s what makes the most sense for somebody — the best fit and makes the most sense.”

Fred Newman

KELLER WILLIAMS REAL ESTATE Phone: (251) 979-5600 www.fredmarkets.com frednewmansells@gmail.com

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Weather-related damage to vehicles

“There’s not much mother nature can throw at you that we won’t be able to fix” - Chason Franks

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ost people consider Freeman Collision Center in Foley as the place to go if your car has been damaged in an automobile accident, but Chason Franks said there’s another potential major impact that can really affect your vehicle — weather.

“Even with just a simple afternoon thunderstorm, you could have tree limbs fall and scratch or damage your car,” Franks said. “In more severe weather, we’ve seen trampolines and barbecue grills cause damage to cars, busting sunroofs or windows. We’ve seen gravel that got picked up by the wind cause damage that made the car look like someone had been taking shots at it with a shotgun.”

Franks said a majority of the weather-related damage to cars that they see comes from issues with wind.

“A lot of it is wind blowing debris into vehicles,” Franks said. “You get shingles and other things flying in hurricanes that can definitely be damaging to a car. Flooding is also a big one, which can affect your carpets and other parts of the interior.”

Franks said he and his team at Freeman are always able to help customers every way they know how — efficiently and quickly.

“There’s not much Mother Nature can throw at your car that we won’t be able to fix here,” Franks said.

Franks said most weather damage to your vehicle would likely be covered under the comprehensive part of your car insurance package, and that he and his team at Freeman would be able to help you understand

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what is or isn’t covered.

“A lot of times deductibles on your comprehensive may actually be lower,” Franks said. “Comprehensive covers animals, anything storm related, fire, theft and flood, so it can be wide-ranging.”

Franks said his staff has hundreds of years of experience and can help guide customers through the claims process.

“Having to go through the process of filing a claim and getting your insurance company to come through sounds like a nightmare to some people, but we are there with you every step of the way and try to make it as easy and stress-free as possible,” Franks said.

FREEMAN COLLISION CENTER, LLC 225 East Laurel Ave. Foley, AL Phone: (251) 943-4011

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Family Practice & Obstetrics

“The babies I deliver become my patients. I like that part.” - Dr. Nicole Arthur, M.D.

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icole Arthur dreamed of being a doctor, but after graduating from the University of South Carolina, she hesitated. Like many of us, she took a daily job that wasn’t fulfilling her career

goals.

A client asked, ‘what is it that you really want to do?’

Medicine, she replied. She wanted to practice medicine.

The client then told her it was time to get focused. And, gave her the contact information for the medical school her own son was attending in Poland — The Medical University of Lublin.

Arthur submitted her application, was accepted and given three weeks to wrap up her current life and move to Europe.

She spent two years there learning about medicine and herself.

“It was probably the best thing for me to do, I learned a ton about myself,” she said. “I was a huge baby when I left. I used to call my parents to save me all the time. You can’t do that when you’re in Poland. You don’t have that safety net. It was a blessing that I went.

“It was the most life changing experience I’ve ever had,” she said. “I would not be the woman I am today if I had not gone.”

After two years in Poland earning her medical degree, Arthur completed her fellowship training in family practice and obstetrics at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She is board certified in family medicine, board eligible in obstetrics and a member of the American Academy of Family

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Physicians.

Now, she specializes in family practice and obstetrics at North Baldwin Family Medicine in Bay Minette. Arthur said she didn’t pick a medical specialty because she enjoys treating a family as they grow.

“The babies I deliver become my patients. I like that part,” she said. “I get to be part of the really special experience of pregnancy and birth and then be there for all the fun stuff. They already trust me, so when the child arrives and they are about to pull their hair out they know they can talk to me and get through it.”

As a family practice doctor Arthur said she also has the opportunity to treat a wide range of ailments, including many that are rare.

“We’ve had a lot of odd cases and rare skin diseases that no one ever sees,” she said. “It’s fun because I get to investigate and figure things out.

It’s given me gray hairs, but it’s been fun.”

Dr. Nicole Arthur, M.D. NORTH BALDWIN FAMILY MEDICINE 2002 Medical Center Drive Bay Minette, AL 36507 Phone: (251) 937-5377 www.infirmaryhealth.org

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Endocrinology

“I tell my patients that I am the coach and you are the player.” - Dr. Monica Chiang

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r. Monica Chiang, an endocrinologist, took the long way getting to Alabama but says she has fallen in love with Fairhope. Raised in Cuba and studying medicine in Cuba, Chiang worked in two different countries, Haiti and Venezuela, while getting her specialty at that time in family practice. From Venezuela, Chiang immigrated in 2008.

“When I came over I had to decide ‘do you want to be a doctor in this country?’” Chiang said. “Well, yes I do. My dream in Cuba was to do endocrinology, but Cuba is not like here. You don’t get to pick out what you want to do.”

Chiang got her “American dream” when finishing her residency in New York. She rolled the dice and applied for an endocrinology fellowship at LSU Health New Orleans’ University Medical Center. Chiang says she chose her field because endocrinology was always a passion of hers.

“Our whole bodies are like a big, big company,” Chiang said. “It needs to be well connected and well integrated. Hormones are the messenger from point A to point B to get things done. It’s nice to see the coordination between things and how things are figured out by the body.”

She finally found her way to Alabama when she met her husband, who works in Mobile. With her practice in Fairhope just under a year old and growing, Chiang stays busy. She enjoys the challenges of finding out what is happening with patients.

“New patients usually come with a gland abnormality,” Chiang said.

“The patient comes complaining of a lot of symptoms and a lot of times you don’t yet have the answer.”

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Chiang’s tasked with gathering data, compiling it and listening carefully to the patient. Many times the answer on the page isn’t what the patient tells you. She then assigns a plan to fix the issue or get back equilibrium.

“I tell my patients that I am the coach and you are the player,” Chiang said. “I don’t go to the field and play for you; I just mentor you. You come here for a coach, but you use the advice and apply at home.”

At the end of the day, Chiang feels her calling is to help her patients which doesn’t always necessitate medication.

“Many times it’s about counseling and advising the patient,” Chiang said. “You have to be careful and listen to what progress they have.

Sometimes releasing the stress with someone you are having in a situation helps more than any pill. I love my time with patients, and unfortunately medicine is moving to being quick. I sometimes feel like I fail my patients if I see them 1, 2, 3 very quickly. The good patient-doctor communication and relationship comes from listening to what they have to tell you. That’s something that I value a lot.”

Dr. Monica Chiang 300 S. Greeno Road Fairhope, AL Phone: (251) 929-3424 www.infirmaryhealth.org

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Gastroenterology

“We’re in the top 10 in the world in the cases and the experience we’ve been able to develop ...”

- Dr. Matthew Eves

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r. Matthew Eves of Gulf Coast Gastroenterology decided on the speciality because he wanted to be more hands-on and do procedures. He has moved on to pioneering and perfecting

them.

“We have an advanced procedure where we put an ultrasound on the scope to look at the pancreas and parts of the liver in stage cancers,” Eves said. “I was by myself when I began, but we’ve had additional people come to the Mobile area who can do the same thing. It is a nice shot in the arm for cancer treatment in our area.”

Eves went to Annapolis for undergraduate study and was a naval pilot.

When he decided to get out of the Navy, he went to medical school at USA in Mobile. His wife, who he met in flight school, has family in the area. They had four children together by the time he finished medical school, so the proximity to family was beneficial.

Eves did residency here and his fellowship in Tampa.

“That worked out real well for me because I got exposed to some advanced procedures and got qualified to do them,” Eves said. “When I came back here, that created more opportunities for me.”

Eves has been practicing in Fairhope for just less than two years and practiced in Mobile for 12 years prior to that.

He said one of the hardest aspects of his job is to stay on top of everything that’s changing as fast as it changes.

“The way we treat the patients is changing,” Eves said. “The way that insurance companies are governing that aspect of it is changing dramatically. Those type of issues put extra requirements on you and to be able to stay ahead where you know what to expect roughly before it occurs makes all your efforts come together a lot more smoothly. If you can do that, you’re doing pretty well.”

Eves does many different procedures, including regular colonoscopy screenings and the previously mentioned ultrasound procedure. “We do cases where we look into the bile ducts and we can look into the pancreas

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with a scope,” Eves said. “It’s really kind of cool; we have a little scope that goes at the end of the bigger scope and can go up into these areas. We’ve actually developed quite a bit of expertise here in that area. We do a lot of work with developments of the scope. We’re in the top 10 in the world in the cases and the experience we’ve been able to develop with that.”

He said his most common complaint from patients is abdominal pain.

It can be difficult to diagnose cases since the problem could be anything from a simple bellyache to a severe cancer.

Eves said an important aspect of his job is to listen to the patient, hear what they are saying and understand how it applies to their symptoms.

The former pilot pointed out that Thomas Hospital’s capacity to provide a higher level of cancer care has increased dramatically, especially in the last two years.

“We just instituted a new procedure where we treat patients who have cancers inside their bile ducts,” Eves said. “We can add about six months to a patient’s life by ablating the tumor every two or three months.

My brother in law died of pancreatic cancer and he had a nice response to chemotherapy. He lived about a year and a half longer than any of us thought he would have. That extra year and a half really made an impact.

To be able to give that to somebody who knows they’re that sick is really a tremendous gift.”

Dr. Matthew Eves

IMC - GULF COAST GASTROENTEROLOGY 188 Hospital Drive, Ste 405 Fairhope, AL 36532 Phone: (251) 990-0360 www.infirmaryhealth.org

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Gynecology

“... our goal is to work with (patients) to provide a more minimally invasive solution with better results and less recovery time.” - Dr. Jeff Fahy

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r. Jeff Fahy and staff at the Premier Women’s Health in Bay Minette are working to provide cutting-edge, minimally invasive pelvic surgical treatments.

Having done his academic training at Yale University School of Medicine, Fahy said he has always been interested in the academic side of the medical profession.

He went on to subspecialize and become board-certified in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS), is a specialist in urogynecology and pelvic surgery and has been teaching surgery for 15 years.

He currently serves as the chief of staff at North Baldwin Infirmary and is the director of Premier Women’s Health, which is located in the Medical Center Park at NBI, with satellite offices in Daphne and Atmore.

In addition, Fahy specializes in the treatment of pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, benign pelvic tumors and ovarian cysts, endometriosis and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

“Many of my patients come to me with complications from other surgeries such as ‘pelvic mesh’ procedures,’” he said, “and our goal is to work with them to provide a more minimally invasive solution with better results and less recovery time.”

Premier Women’s Health also offers a medical weight-loss program and has a full-time aesthetician who specializes in laser skin care and topical skin treatments.

In September, Fahy was asked to be a lead speaker/instructor at a national female pelvic surgery conference, held in Boston, which was

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sponsored by Boston Scientific, a leading company in the development of minimally invasive surgical treatments.

The conference included hands-on instruction with both fabricated pelvic models and cadavers designed to train gynecologists and urologists from around the country on the latest procedures for women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). These are common problems encountered with advancing age which affect millions of women worldwide.

“Our main focus is to provide women in our area with the best available gyn care.” Fahy said. “We are here to provide women with a better quality of life.”

Premier Women’s Health is located at 2004 Medical Center Drive in Bay Minette with a satellite office in Baldwin County at 7101 U.S. 90 Suite 203 in Daphne. To make an appointment with Dr. Fahy call 251937-2380 or visit drfahy.com.

Dr. Jeff Fahy

PREMIER WOMEN’S HEALTH 2004 Medical Center Drive Bay Minette, AL 7101 U.S. 90 Suite 203 Daphne, AL Phone: (251) 937-2380 www.drfahy.com

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General Surgery

“It’s a rewarding field, the biggest thing is it’s a vocation, and not a job.” - Dr. Steven Kinsey, MD

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o matter where you live, one thing can always be agreed upon: doctors are one of the most important members of any community. Here in Baldwin County, we have several doctors in all practices and fields, with many surgeons who have made a home in our area.

Dr. Steven Kinsey, MD is a general surgeon who works at Baldwin Surgery and is affiliated with Thomas Hospital. As the son of a retired surgeon from Mobile, Kinsey grew up in a medical family with an interest in the medical profession from an early age. He gave some insight on just what general surgeons do daily.

“General surgeons do a little bit of everything,” said Kinsey. “We are the expert people with bowel and GI kinds of issues from a surgical standpoint.

We do a lot of laparoscopic stuff, gallbladders and appendectomies, colon resections … we treat most cancers, including breast, colon and skin … I’ve heard other people say that we’re the people who do all the surgery stuff, and if we’re not the right person, then we know who is and get the patient to the right people.”

Many of today’s surgical subspecialties, such as neurosurgery, orthopedics and vascular surgery, were all born from general surgery, says Kinsey.

“You have to enjoy working hard and like problem solving, because that’s a big piece,” says Kinsey. “It’s a rewarding field, the biggest thing is it’s a vocation and not a job. The difference is a job is just a task; a vocation

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is a calling. I think if you’re going to do surgery, it’s a vocation, because you’re always working.”

Surgeons are a vital part of any community, but even though they help people maintain their health, it begins with the individual.

“Please keep up with your screening exams,” Kinsey says. “Ladies, get your Pap smears, get your mammograms done, everybody get your colonoscopy when you turn 50, take care of your health. It’s the biggest asset that you have. It’s just an honor to take care of somebody and to help them, and that’s ultimately why I like doing what I do, and that’s the fun part of it.”

Dr. Steven Kinsey, MD BALDWIN SURGERY 1340 N. McKenzie St. Foley, AL 36535

BALDWIN SURGERY Thomas Medical Center 27961 Hwy. 98, Suite 12 Daphne, AL 36526 Phone: (251) 943-1045 www.infirmaryhealth.org

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Family Practice

“While I love treating patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases, I also want to focus on preventative measures.” - Jennifer Pope

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entral Baldwin Physicians in Robertsdale, part of the Infirmary Health family, welcomes the newest member, a certified registered nurse practitioner, to the family medical practice in

community and I am accepting new patients,” Pope said. Her hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.

Jennifer Pope, FNP-C, joins Dr. T. Phillip Bell and Dr. Lynn H. Porter following the retirement of longtime family physician Dr. Joseph Steele.

“While I love treating patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases, I also want to focus on preventative measures to keep patients from ever getting to that point.”

“She has a lot of experience in endocrinology and family medical care,” Bell said. “I trust her with my own medical care.”

One of the biggest problems for healthcare providers today is dealing with the epidemic of obesity, not just locally but across the nation.

A native of the area, Pope graduated high school in Mobile before attending Auburn University and earning a Master of Science degree.

“I also want to stress the importance of basic care, like getting an annual checkup,” she said. “And while I know it can be a controversial subject, I also want to educate my patients on the importance of vaccinations.”

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She returned to Mobile to pursue a nursing degree from the University of South Alabama. After nursing school, she served with USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Mobile while earning her Master of Science in Nursing to become a nurse practitioner. She then worked in an endocrinology clinic in Panama City, Florida before moving back to Baldwin County.

She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of South Alabama.

“I want to let everyone know that I am excited to be serving the

16 • Baldwin Expertise

Central Baldwin Physicians is located at 18317 U.S. 90 in Robertsdale.

For an appointment call 251-947-2000.

Jennifer Pope, Nurse Practitioner INFIRMARY MEDICAL CLINICS 18317 U.S. 90 Robertsdale, AL 36567 Phone: (251) 947-2000 www.infirmaryhealth.org

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Emergency Medical Services

“For us, it’s not what we do, it’s why we do it that’s the most important.” - Chad Jones

W

hen it comes to transporting someone in an emergency situation, oftentimes seconds can mean the difference between life and death and for the staff and crew at Medstar Air Care 1 in Stapleton, saving lives is what it’s all about.

“For us, it’s not what we do, it’s why we do it that’s the most important,” said Program Manager Chad Jones. “The ultimate goal is to provide the best care possible for patients and that begins with us.”

Using a state-of-the-art, Bell 407GX helicopter, Jones oversees a staff that includes four pilots and six nurses, all full time, along with nine paramedics, who rotate on a part-time basis.

Opening in November of 2016 at its location next to the Stapleton Fire Department at 36276 Alabama 59, most of the crew, which works on scheduled shifts with one pilot, one nurse and one paramedic, have been on board since the beginning.

For pilot Matt Fischer, a native of Bay Minette, the ultimate reward is the opportunity to serve the community.

“I grew up here,” said Fischer, who spent 13 years with the military, flying helicopters for the Army Air Corps. “A lot of the people I get to serve are my family and people that I grew up with. Beyond that I get to work with state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated staff and crew that are like my second family.”

Flight nurse Khyle Jackson is also a native of the Mobile area and trained as a paramedic before entering nursing school at the University of South Alabama.

“This to me is the pinnacle of the nursing profession,” said the 22-year veteran who has served as a flight nurse since 2004. “We enjoy a high level of autonomy because when you’re working on a helicopter in an emergency situation, you don’t have the luxury of being able to consult with a doctor. You have to rely on your skill and the skill of the crew to

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evaluate the situation and make the necessary decisions that can mean the difference between life and death.”

Paramedic Matthew Proctor is part of the part-time air crew that also works full time for MedStar as part of the ground crew. Born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma, Proctor moved to the area a decade ago and has worked as a paramedic for nine years.

“When you start training as a paramedic, they ask you what your goals are and my ultimate goal was to be a paramedic on a flight crew,” he said.

“I would go out on calls with the ground crew and when the flight crew would be called in I would watch them. Watch how they moved and how they operated because I knew one day I would be a part of it. It’s been a long journey to get here, but it was well worth it.”

Medstar Air Care 1 is part of the AirMedCare Network, an alliance amongst Med-Trans Air Medical Transport, REACH Air Medical Services and Air Evac Lifeteam.

Membership programs are available which cover cost of air and ground transport beginning at $115 per year, which can save thousands on the cost of transport. You can enroll by phone, 1-877-230-4035, call 1-800-552-0215 for flight activation or visit the Medstar Air Care 1 page on Facebook for more information.

MEDSTAR AIR CARE 1

For local membership information contact Nicole Skelton (205) 533-1134 Baldwin Expertise • 17

413 E. Laurel Ave. Foley, AL 36535

700 Whispering Pines Road Daphne, AL 36526

Outage Reporting System

Outage Reporting System

251-943-5001 251-943-4999

251-626-5000 251-625-4999

Serving South Baldwin County Since 1916

www.rivierautilities.com

Fall Garden Preparation

“To ensure best results, always use quality seeds and plants” -Jennifer Melton

W

hile we might not yet be feeling a chill in the air, now is the time to prepare and plant your fall garden.

From beets to broccoli, Brussels sprouts to cabbage, cauliflower, collards and a variety of kale and lettuce, Robertsdale Feed Store, located at 21353 Alabama 59, has everything you need, from a variety of seeds and plants, grown right here in Alabama, to lime and fertilizer, mulch and ways to control weeds and disease.

“Our planting season runs through October and right into the first of November,” said Jennifer Melton.

In addition to the above-mentioned fall plants, others include carrots, kolrabi, mustard plants, onions (bulbs and green onion varieties), radishes, spinach and turnips.

Fall planting takes careful preparation, Melton said, from site and soil management to preparing the soil with lime and fertilizer, weed, disease and insect control, irrigation and multiple harvests to insure high-quality vegetables.

“One of the most important elements of preparing a fall garden is ensuring soil pH is properly balanced,” Melton said. “A soil test is the best way to determine lime and fertilizer needs. Testing at least every three years is a good idea.”

For most vegetables, the soil pH should be around 6.0 to 6.5, Melton says. To be effective, the lime must be mixed into the soil before planting.

To ensure best results, use the best quality seeds and plants and take

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care not to plant too thickly or too deep. Small seeds such as turnips and carrots, should be about a quarter to a half inch deep. Larger seeds should be about one inch deep.

Plants should be stocky, healthy and fresh for the best results and always water transplants to settle soil around roots.

Using mulch is a good way to control weeds, Melton said, and deep cultivation after plans are older will do more damage than good.

The Robertsdale Feed Store is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information call 251-947-5252.

ROBERTSDALE FEED, SEED, & SUPPLY 21353 Hwy. 59 Robertsdale, AL Phone: (251) 947-5252

Baldwin Expertise • 19