January/February 2016
Dr. Elena Pimanova The Long Way Here
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CONTENTS January/February 2016
10
features
10 The Dr. Elena Pimanova Long Way Here 16 APatricia Smart Little Motivation. A Lot of Success.
22 Happy, Edilma LoMedico Fit and Healthy 28 Charlie Pooler Rec Spotlight Hayslip 39 What’s For Lunch? departments
09
Publisher’s Letter
30
Dining Guide
16
Specials
37
22
Tips From Your Health and Wellness Professionals
28
06 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
39
CONTRIBUTORS
Cindy Burbage
is a native of Richmond Hill. She began writing in college and took a hiatus to raise her four beautiful children. Cindy enjoys traveling and is always ready for a road trip. She believes that faith is greater than fear.
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FOLLOW US Katrice Williams She is a married mother of two: Nio-14 and Mya-12.
She graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and consistently maintained a great literary acumen and a big interest in writing. She moved to the Atlanta Metropolitan Area to pursue business career endeavors. A few years later, her husband, Tony, received a job offer in our local area, and the family eventually moved to Pooler. After spending a fulfilling amount of time as an at-home mom, she decided to pursue an area of personal attraction—writing. In her spare time, Katrice enjoys the 3F’s: family, food, and fun!! She’s also fond of occasionally writing a bit of good poetry.
Luke Smith is a full time photographer and single father based out of
Rincon, GA, Having grown up in Cajun country in Louisiana, luke feels right at home on the Georgia coast and has for the last 10 years. When he’s not doing freelance photography for commercial clients, Luke is spending time with his son.
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Pooler Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea, or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Jeff Whitten at jeff@ idpmagazines.com Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in Pooler.
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Happy New Year! Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Jeff Whitten editor jeff@idpmagazines.com Lane Leopard graphic design lane@idpmagazines.com Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com DiAnna Jenkins account executive dianna@idpmagazines.com Marsha Stewart account executive marsha@idpmagazines.com
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We, at Independence Day Publishing, Inc, hope all of our loyal readers and supporters had a great Christmas and are now diving in head first to the new year. 2016! Can you believe it? As 2015 has come and gone, we reflect on all it means to us. We completed our ninth year in business. Whoop whoop! That means nine years of bringing you Pooler Magazine! This past year also awarded us the opportunity to add two new publications to our portfolio. In March of 2015, we launched Chatham Isles Living, a publication for Oatland, Talahi, Whitemarsh, Wilmington and Tybee Islands. And, in August, the birth of Effingham Sports Digest became a reality. This magazine covers sports in Effingham County, from high school to recreation to pro and semi-pro. This is our first publication of its kind, with a possibility of more to Julie Hales, PUBLISHER come....hint, hint. So, all in all, 2015 was a huge year for us. We feel very blessed to be able to do what we do....bring you a quality, community magazine for you to call your own...all about Pooler, its people, its places and its happenings. We strive to bring the best out in the communities that we represent, and Pooler is no different. In our first issue of 2016, Pooler Magazine brings you our annual Health and Wellness issue. We have some great stories on the pages ahead along with some tips from some of your favorite health and wellness professionals. The following issue, March/April will be our Music and Arts issue. If you have any story ideas you would like to share for that issue, please feel free to email Jeff (jeff@ idpmagazines.com) or myself(Julie@idpmagazines.com). We are looking forward to a fantastic 2016, and looking forward to sharing with you the Best of the Best in Pooler, Georgia.
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January/February 2016
ABOUT THE COVER
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Dr. Elena Pimanova The Long Way Here
Meet Dr. Pimanova, a native of Russia. She tells us of her journey from Russia to the United States and the road to become a physician here. She loves Pooler and its people, and loves practicing medicine in her home town. Cover Photo by Luke Smith
www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
09
Dr. Elena
Pimanova
The Long Way Here From Russia To America
A
Story by JEFF WHITTEN
n old English proverb says the longest way round is the shortest way home. Its Russian equivalent might be a similar one noting “only birds fly straight.” Both are reminders that shortcuts are not always the best way, and so perhaps both apply to the story of Dr. Elena Pimanova, who nowadays lives and practices medicine in Pooler, her newfound local career as a doctor separated by some 20 years and 5,100 miles from its beginning. But above all else, Pimanova’s story is one of persistence and of being true to one’s roots. It began with her childhood as the daughter of a doctor - Pimanova’s mother, Svetlana, was a physician and Pimonova grew up helping out at the hospitals her mother worked at, though that depended on where her father, Vladimir, was stationed as a member of the Soviet Union’s Army. As she got into high school, Pimanova toyed with the idea of becoming a police officer or lawyer, but eventually followed in her mother’s footsteps and went to medical school. She graduated from Minsk Medical Institute in Belarus in 1991, and then spent a dozen years practicing medicine in Russia before coming to the United States with her husband, Alexander, an aircraft engineer, and daughter Svetlana. The move wasn’t her idea. But it happened in part because of the insistence of Pimanova’s father, Vladimir, whose own career kept his family moving from Russia to Belarus to Poland to Germany to Czechoslovakia. “My father was in the military and in the communist party, but even so he told us we need to go live in the United States,” Pimanova said. “He pushed us a lot and said, ‘you need to go, you need to see what it’s like.’” And so they did. Of course it wasn’t as easy as that. There’s no shortcut in this part of the story, either.
10 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
Pimanova’s husband had to fill out an application for an immigrant visa, or green card, through the Green Card Lottery, which each year makes available 50,000 immigrant visas available to people who hail from countries with low immigration rates. He did that three times and didn’t get picked, but on the fourth attempt the family was selected, and that led to a number of interviews and tests and other bureaucratic hurdles before the family was approved for a visa. Five years of trying, and perhaps even then Pimanova wasn’t sure she wanted to come to the United States. “It was a different country with a different language, my husband had a good job, and I’m a physician. In Russia a physician does not pay as well, but it’s a good job. But my father, he wanted us to come to the United States.” The family went first to Orange County in California, where Pimanova’s husband Alex had relatives. They both found jobs in a manufacturing plant, easy work. “They show you once and you can do it,” Pimanova recalled. This was in 2003. By 2005, after grueling 12-hour trips home to visit relatives, Pimanova had decided she wanted to make a life here. She’d already started learning English during her trips home, and the family to Miami, where Pimanova landed a job at a chiropractor’s office in a holistic health care center and also found a ready-made support system. There’s a sizeable Russian population in South Florida - an estimated 2.7 million of the state’s 28 million foreign-born residents are Russian, according to the 2010 census - so much so that Miami and parts thereabout have been referred to at times as the Russian Rivieria. “The owner of the center was a Russian, and one of the physicians was a Russian, and the other was an American. They hired me and helped me with English. I went to Broward Community College to help my English, and when I started working in the chiropractor’s office I started
thinking about taking my exams to practice medicine in the United States.” So, after talking it over with her husband, Pimanova took a year off to study for her exams. She passed. That set up more study, and another exam, and Pimanova passed, and even then there was another obstacle. “I then had to find a residency program,” she noted. “That is not easy. I’m older, and I’m from a foreign country and a different
system, and it was more difficult to find a residency. They want fresh graduates who are just out of medical school.” She applied to 400 programs in the United States and landed two interviews. One in Pennsylvania, the other at Memorial in Savannah, thanks to Dr. Steven Carpenter, the former director of Memorial’s internal medicine residency program. She did the required 3-year residency and is now practicing at Memorial Medical Associates in Pooler, where her work has garnered rave online www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
11
reviews from patients. “I am thankful for everything he did for me,” Pimanova said. “Make sure the story says that. I am really thankful for Dr. Carpenter, and for all the people in the residency. Everyone has helped so much.” FINDING A HOME At least one aspect of the Pimanovas’ long journey from Russia to Pooler might finally be over. The Coastal Empire might be home for good. Pimanova’s husband works for Gulfstream; her daughter has graduated from Florida International Institute with a degree in psychology and lives in Miami. The family has two cats -- Cooza and Simba -- and Pimanova prefers the subtropical climate here to that of her native land. “I don’t miss the food, because I cook at home. I don’t miss the weather, I like Miami weather, Savannah weather,” Pimanova said. “I do miss friends and family, we have lots of relatives in Belarus. My mom has two sisters and my grandmother is 92 years old and still alive.” They also have some western habits in common. Pimanova is hooked on Investigation Discovery Channel -- she loves mysteries, medical and otherwise -- and shows such as “Cops” and “Law and Order,” at least one of which is apparently available in Belarus
12 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
along with food at McDonald’s and Walt Disney classics. “My mother-in-law used to ask me ‘why are you always watching this weird TV?’” Pimanova said. “Now, when I call her and ask her what she’s doing, she says, ‘I’m watching ‘Law and Order.’” Pimanova lauds the U.S. health system and has gotten into the habit of taking 5-mile walks to stay healthy, but she still holds on to her Russian heritage. Pimanova often cooks traditional Russian food -- borscht, for example -- and prefers classic literature and music from her native land. And despite a decade in the U.S., she’s also still occasionally uncomfortable with the straightforward openness of many Americans, though she’s adapting. “It’s kind of weird for Russian people, because American people are more open, more friendly,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if they know you. When I first came to America, I was surprised because in the elevator, everybody was asking each other, ‘Hi, how are you?’ I was like, who is this and what is this? You can’t do this in Russia. We do have emotion, but we don’t show our emotions to people we don’t know. If we’re friends, yes. But if I see you one time, I’m not going to tell you anything about myself.” That’s changing, of course, as the good doctor continues to appreciate the differences between cultures and the latest step in a journey that started more than 5,000 miles from here. “I really like it here in Pooler,” Pimanova said. “This is my home now. It is a good place to live.”
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Patricia Smart: A Little Motivation. A Lot of Success.
J
Story by KATIE VANDENHOUTEN
anuary is the prime season for people to start working out, but when the resolution mindset wears off, how many people are truly able to stay motivated the whole year through? Patricia Smart was able to do just that, and she knows a thing or two about motivation. She says starting a routine at the YMCA has changed her life for the better, and she will never go back to a sedentary lifestyle ever again. Smart has lost over 100 pounds since 2013, and her story is one of motivation, encouragement and transformation. At her heaviest, she weighed over 318 pounds. She had trouble walking. She was plagued with rheumatoid arthritis. All in all, her health was failing. After repeated trips to her doctor’s office, it became clear that her health would never improve unless she lost some weight. So, in March of 2013, Smart decided to get active. “When I started, the only thing I could do was get on the stationary bike and ride it for maybe thirty minutes without getting out of breath,” she recalls. “It was a progression. I went from there to the treadmill to the elliptical, then slowly but surely I was able to do a little bit more.” “And with the progression of things, my health got better,” she says. When she began her journey, her various health issues required her be on all sorts of medications, from steroids to anti-anxiety pills. Within a year of beginning regular exercise, she was able to come off all medications. After her doctors told her that her blood work was normal, her heart was in good shape, and her health had improved drastically, Smart knew she had to continue with this lifestyle. At first, her goal was a certain size, but now she realizes the goal isn’t a dress size at all. “It’s a lifestyle,” she explains. “I didn’t come to be skinny, I came to be awesome. The inside has changed, and I love myself even more. I’ve got to keep going.” In addition to her health improving and gaining
Photos by LUKE SMITH
energy, she says this change has improved her relationships with those around her. “I’m able to have a better relationship with my husband,” she says. “He gets a new wife of twenty years ago, but better,” she adds with a laugh. Her drastic weight loss and overall lifestyle change has also made an impact on her children. As they saw her transformation, they began to get motivated to eat healthier. Now, not only does her family continue to support her weight loss, but they are motivated to incorporate her healthy choices into their own lives as well. Smart credits the West Chathm YMCA in Pooler with being a great place of motivation. “What really motivates me about this gym is that it’s a place of comfort. It’s more than a gym. It’s a place that I can come and just be Pat all day long,” she says. “The trainers...they’re very motivating. Even when I was three hundred pounds, nobody ever looked down on me. They were like, ‘you can do it’.” She raves that the staff at the Pooler YMCA know her by name, tell her she’s beautiful and are constantly giving her words of encouragement. As much as she credits the YMCA, the staff that has watched her transform knows that Patricia Smart is quite motivational in her own right. Fitness and Aquatics Director Lori Sowers cannot say enough about Smart’s progress: “She’s a very good ambassador for us. She may not fit into the world view of what healthy is, but let me tell you, that woman is healthy. She has come a long way. She is her own force,” says Sowers. “She is so positive. When she walks in the building, she changes the atmosphere.” It is that some positive attitude that not only propels Smart herself, but also inspires others. As soon as Smart realized how good it felt to lose weight and eat healthier food, she wanted to make a difference in others’ lives as well. “It feels so good I just want to share it with everybody,” she exclaims with a laugh.
www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
17
“What really got me more consistent was when we started having Lunch and Learn,” explains Smart. The YMCA periodically hosts Lunch and Learn sessions where physicians come and teach holistic wellness and dietary tips. She says the information she has gathered from these educational lunches has been invaluable to her. She had already been more active, but only when she coupled exercise with eating better did her total transformation begin to take place. ‘If you start eating right, you want to do more because you have more energy,” she says. But getting motivated wasn’t enough. She wanted to share what she learned. One of the ways she shares her tips to a healthier lifestyle is through her blog. Cooking with Color with Mrs. Patty is a Facebook blog which focuses on recipes and healthier cooking. “It’s an inspirational blog. Just really bringing the family back to the table, one healthy plate at a time,” she explains. Smart started the blog as a way to share recipes and tips for families on a budget. Her recipe for purple cabbage has even been recognized on the local news, and she points out that vegetables can be delicious entrees instead of merely side items. Her drastic weight loss has opened her up to some new experiences in addition to her food blog. She was recently in a music video of Michael Knowles’ called “Come as You Are.” “The music video shows different types of people. I’m still considered plus size, as my doctor would say, but I’m considered healthy,” says Smart. “You have different shapes and different shades of people from different backgrounds, and the video is about accepting who you are.” She didn’t lose 100 pounds over night, and her journey has not come without its difficulties. She says the toughest part of this lifestyle change has been being consistent. It was a complete change for her, but Smart maintains that her faith played
18 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
a huge role in her ability to keep pushing herself. “Having that support system along the way, especially the Y, because it’s a Christian based organization, that helped,” says Smart. “ I really believe that God can change anybody’s life.” She particularly enjoys the scriptures available at the YMCA that sometimes give her an extra boost of inspiration when her spirits need lifting. She has a huge support system. Her friends, family, pastors and trainers have encouraged her and motivated her along the way. She knows how it feels to be loved and encouraged while going through such a challenge, and she loves to pay it forward and be that same positive force for others as well. Her positive attitude is contagious, and her presence lightens up a room. “I believe my attitude of gratitude has helped me to stay positive,” she says when asked about her enthusiasm. “Each day I get on this earth is a gift, and with that mind, it motivates me to give my very best with each day. Tomorrow is not promised,” she adds. She can always be found introducing herself to new people at the YMCA. “I’ve never forgotten where I came from, so I’ve always wanted to lift people’s spirits up and lead them to Christ, mostly,” Smart says. “I know what it’s like to be there.” The best advice she could give anyone who wants to do what she did is to know that it is possible. “You have to change your mind,” Smart advises. “You have to start there and say, ‘yes, I can.’ I’m worth it, and I deserve a healthy life.” She maintains that if she can do it, anyone can do it. Patricia Smart has come a long way and improved her physical and mental health in the process. She encourages others that, even at three hundred pounds, it is never too late to turn one’s life around and get healthy. “You can do this,” she assures. All it takes is believing in yourself and knowing you are worth it.
“It’s a lifestyle,” she explains. “I didn’t come to be skinny, I came to be awesome. The inside has changed, and I love myself even more. I’ve got to keep going.
www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
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Edilma LoMedico:
Happy, Fit and Healthy Story by CINDY BURBAGE
F
inding the time to properly care for oneself in today’s society can seem next to impossible; everyone is in such a rush and demands everything instantly. The world is usually in a high speed mode and there are not enough hours in a day to do the things one needs to do, much less the things one wants to accomplish. Unfortunately, health and fitness falls into this groove and many times unhealthiness is discovered only after damage has been done. At this point, scrambling around to repair the issue becomes a reality. Many people turn to the latest and newest fads to get healthy while searching for instant results. This makes things complicated when, more often than not, simplicity is the answer. Although not instantaneous, a natural uncomplicated diet and exercise cycle can be endured longer with greater long term results. Inspirited and persistent, 60 year old Edilma LoMedico is a devoted wife, loving mother and an excited soon-to-be grandmother. Plus a local business owner, and she approaches her life in a contrasting manner to today’s norm. This energetic woman was raised in Panama, Central America, which led her to meet and later marry Antonio, her husband of 39 years. After moving to the United States in 1980, the couple moved to Hinesville, where he was stationed in the Army at Fort Stewart. It was there they began their family of two daughters and a son. Even as a career woman and busy mom, Edi, as referred to by family and friends, always made the time in her busy day to take care
Photos by LUKE SMITH
of herself. Edi has always felt passionately about healthy eating and fitness. Rather than give in to fad diets or gimmick supplements to enhance her body, she has always relied on herself. Sticking to a regime is the key to success. “My daily routine begins at 4:45 a.m.,” Edi expresses, “for an hour and a half I use the elliptical and free weights. Plus a relaxing technique that is close to Yoga. I do this for five days a week.” After adding a dog into her family, she also walks her dog for at least 30 minutes after her daily work out. Along with her physical activity, Edi eats healthy. Her diet consists of fruits, vegetables and mainly fish. The active lifestyle she embraces has always been a staple in her life; even on days when she didn’t feel up to the activity, that little voice in the back of her head would push her to perform. Good health habits pay off In 2012, during a routine medical checkup, Edi was informed of a heart defect. Initially diagnosed with a heart murmur, she later learned she was in need of open heart surgery to replace a congenital defect in a heart valve. Shocked and devastated by this news, the exercise warrior took almost a month to make the decision to proceed with the recommended procedure. On Nov. 13, 2012, Edi successfully underwent open heart surgery. Not long afterward, she got back to being healthy. Beginning on Thanksgiving, only a couple of weeks post surgery, she began walking. Increasing her activity level without hesitation, within no time
www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
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“You have to be mentally very steady. Nobody can do it for you; you have to do it yourself.” she was feeling better and back to her normalcy. Edi reminisced, “I remember on one outing right after surgery, climbing the stairs to my Cathedral and finding a seat. I was so excited to be there. As I was seated, my heart doctor, who also attends my church, noticed me and to his surprise asked what I was doing there.” With a glowing smile she continued, “He was not expecting to see me!” Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are usually get-togethers with family and Christmas parties. With a twinkle in her eye, she brought to mind another milestone along her recovery, “ I attended a Christmas party, not even six weeks from surgery. I wore my high heeled shoes and no one there even knew I had just had open heart surgery.” The physicians credit her remarkable outcome and recuperation to her lifelong healthy style of living. In fact, her surgeon explained that her flourishing activity may have been the reason the surgery was not required earlier in Edi’s life. And her determination to return to her accustomed daily workouts, kept her motivated to keep going, moving forward toward her passion of life. The family-orientated Edi is not the only fitness master in her family. Both of her daughters also have their own routine for health that they follow, which includes running. They were raised to appreciate a variety of nutritious foods and daily exercise. Edi was a proud owner of a hair salon in Hinesville until 2000 when she and her family moved to Pooler where she opened a new salon named Piera’s Salon, located on the second floor of the Savannah International Airport. When word circulated that she would relocate her business to the airport, many told her it would not work; they were wrong. Her strong self motivation she possesses for daily exercise crosses over to her professional life- never giving up and being
strong willed and fortitude. She and her two daughters have had much success with their posh hair salon. Although Edi has long been accustomed to her healthy lifestyle, she does not take it for granted. She is delighted to continue to have the opportunity to exercise and is thrilled her lifelong practice actually saved her life.
24 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
As Edi was looking back at all she had experienced with her heart, she proudly proclaimed, “I am so excited to be alive, I wouldn’t be here if not for all of my exercising.” Encouragingly, she continued, “You have to be mentally very steady. Nobody can do it for you; you have to do it yourself.”
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27
Charlie Hayslip
Taming the Turf at the Pooler Recreation Parks
POOLER RECREATION SPOTLIGHT
Story by KATRICE WILLIAMS Photos by LUKE SMITH
E
ver wonder who’s in charge of making sure the Pooler Recreation Department’s ballfields look good? Meet Charlie Hayslip. Hayslip, now in his sixth year as turf manager for Pooler Recreation Department, is responsible for the beautification and upkeep of all the ball fields and park areas including but not limited to managing and overseeing landscape initiatives and overall park wellness. “My primary job is to make sure that all the ball fields and the surrounding areas are grown properly and are safe and healthy,” Hayslip said. “I try to accomplish having the fields look their very best and having the turf to be the healthiest it can be, which shows that the park is cared for.” A Savannah native, Hayslip moved to South Florida as a child, but moved back here in 1999 with his wife Kelly and
their four children, three now grown and proof that service is important to the Hayslips. One of his sons is a firefighter; another is in the Air Force and his only daughter is a police officer. Hayslip himself likes to enjoy the great outdoors whenever he gets the chance. He loves to spend time with his family, and he really enjoys taking road trips with his wife, Kelly. The couple has a pair of Harley Davidson motorcycles, and whether taking trips to Daytona, Tampa, North Georgia or Tennessee, the two love to take to the roads. “We ride ‘em all over the place,” Charlie said. At times, they ride to some of the parks in the evenings to watch the kids play ball on the fields Hayslips tends. Yet though Charlie spends a lot of time on the fields, he’s not actually a huge sports fan. Both his sons played sports when
they were younger, either baseball or soccer, but Charlie has been “more into self-defense for some time now,” and both he and his teen son are second-degree black belts. Qualifications for the job Hayslip has been in turf management for more than 30 years and he gained an enormous amount of experience as a golf course superintendent. From the outset, Hayslip and Pooler Recreation were a good fit. Pooler Recreation sought to hire someone skilled in using Tifway 419, a turf commonly used on golf courses and it was one with which Hayslip was more than familiar. In addition to his acumen and professional expertise, Hayslip takes a great amount of pride in his work, which is a tremendous reflection on how he feels about his community. He really likes for the park’s athletes, spectators and visitors to feel good about the area. One thing that’s obvious is that he and the team at the Pooler Recreation Department strive to add value to the community. Hayslip wants park guests to think, “Wow…this place is well taken care of.” He goes on to insist, “That’s the satisfaction that I get---knowing that people notice these kinds of things. It makes Pooler look good.” Hayslip cited support from city officials as well, specifically Pooler Mayor Mike Lamb and City Manager Robert Byrd. “They have a very active role in the parks out here. They realize the community benefits greatly from having these parks—giving kids places to go, things to do. It just makes a better community,” Hayslip said. Beside almost every notable manager stands a good team, and Hayslip is very grateful for the support and assistance of his crew. He knows that little can be achieved without them; he greatly
P
appreciates their work ethic. Regarding them he declares, “I got to give them credit. They work hard, and they take pride, as well, in what they do out here. That benefits me quite a bit—having a crew that has the same passion as I do.” In addition to his regular team, Hayslip works closely with Leisure Services Director Hugh Elton. The two coordinate to make sure “fields are good to go.” Their mutual values concerning the parks allow them to be a quite effective team, Hayslip said. “Hugh’s a great boss. He allows me the freedom to do what I need to do. He lets me use my knowledge to make things the way they are. He’s not a micromanager. That works out really well; that allows me the freedom to make the choices I need to make.” Hayslip said there are plans to expand the parks in the near future. He feels that this will offer positive challenges and additional responsibilities for him, so he is anxiously anticipating it all and looking forward to what will take place. Concerning any aspirations for the future, Hayslip confidently says, “I’ve done a lot; I like where I am at. Working with the City of Pooler is very nice actually; the city takes very good care of the people here.” What’s more, in an age where video games, social media and cell phones can often dominate the pastimes of the youth, Hayslip likes to see kids being active outdoors and playing sports. He knows that it can be beneficial to their internal and external growth and development. Besides, it’s just good, old-fashioned fun. “It’s nice to see the kids out here being physical, gettin’ dirty and enjoying life,” Hayslip said. “There are a lot of kids out here, and that’s nice to see.”
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30 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
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32 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
What’s For Lunch?
W
ant to eat healthier in 2016? You might want to try the menu students in Savannah-Chatham Public Schools get to choose from in school lunches these days, thanks to new federal nutrition requirements passed in 2012 that eliminate transfat, put restrictions on caloric intake and include reductions in salt, fat while also adding whole grains, fruits and vegetables to each meal. In short, there’s a good chance these aren’t the same school lunches most of us grew up with, as Godley Station School Principal John King, who has been in education for 36 years, 26 of them as an administrator, noted. “The menu has changed especially in the last few years to look at salt content, sugar content, more fresh fruit and vegetables and less fat, Just like our recommended daily requirements for everyone,” King said. “The biggest thing to remember is that with the addition of a salad bar in all the schools and the choices they have daily, there is a greater chance of students finding something they like. When I was young, we had one choice for school lunch. Eat it or don’t.” School lunches as kids know them today apparently have evolved since the first public school lunch program began at some Boston high schools in 1894 as a private enterprise, according to the online Food Timeline Library. Early in the 1900s, school cafeterias began cropping up in school systems in major American cities, with menus designed to “maximize” student’s learning potential, according to the Food Timeline Library. The U.S. government got heavily into the school lunch program in the 1930s during the Great Depression to help make sure hungry students had nutritious meals while also providing a market
for surplus commodities. By the 1950s, school systems around the U.S. were dealing with a booming population of students -- Baby Boomers -- and lunches changed as the focus became more on nutrition rather than a hot meal, according to the Food Timeline, which also notes American, whether at the national, state or local level have long worked to make sure needy kids are taken care of through free and reduced lunch programs. But by the 1970s studies showed standard school lunches, while “providing a valuable source of nutrition for some children,” was also leading to obesity, waste and more, according to a General Accounting Office study cited by Food Timeline, since many kid weren’t eating all the food on their plates because they didn’t like it, while others were eating too much of the wrong food and supplementing meals with snacks from vending machines. Those became common in schools in the 1970s as well. Given the federal school lunch program cost taxpayers roughly $2 billion annually at the time, and some $6 billion in 2006, concerns over waste were understandable, as were worries over obesity -- which continue to this day. Prior to the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act,” which took effect in 2012, there was no upper limit to the number of calories in meals. Now there is -- elementary school lunches have to be 550650 calories, for example, and fat is a no-no. Milk has to be either fat free or 1 percent, while flavored milk has to be fat free. Other healthy requirements which schools who participate in the National School Lunch Program have to follow include using all whole grains, providing 1/2 cup of fruit and 3/4 cup of veggies per meal, and “there are weekly requirements for legumes, green, red or orange, and starch vegetable offerings. Children must take at least one fruit or vegetable with their meal,” according to the www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
33
SCCPS website. They are. “The biggest change I see with the students is that they select more vegetables and eat more salad than they did years ago,” said King’s, whose school is actually producing some of the food for the cafeteria. “We have a garden club that meets after school and waters several beds outside during the week,” King said. “We grow a variety of things but focus on lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash. Ms. Evans, our Nutrition Manager has used our fresh from the garden produce in our salad bar. We hope to offer more in the spring. We also have a greenhouse that we will fully utilize by the end of the year for other types of plants and herbs.”
ADDISON CONNOLLY
BRAYLON HALL
WHAT THE KIDS SAY None of the grade school kids we talked to disliked the school lunches. Quite the contrary, they gave them thumbs up. “I like the salads because they’re healthy for you,” third-grader Sachiko Flores said. Her classmate Kally Ford voted for pizza, and second-grader Caleb West said he’s a fan of the barbecue chicken. “The food is good,” West said, and his classmate Chayce Redinburg said he enjoys the peanut butter and jelly. Scott Walker said he likes the lunches period because “they taste good.” Not that everyone liked everything. Flores isn’t a fan of lasagna, and “Sometimes I don’t like the ham,” Redinburg said. And then there were aspiring food critics such as Addison Connolly and Braxton Hall, both second graders. Connolly said she enjoys school lunches because “I like it that they taste good and they’re really warm in my stomach. They’re really good, they’re the best. I like how they smell and how they taste, and my favorite is the turkey and the stuffing.” Hall echoed the thought on the turkey, which was served as a holiday meal prior to the Christmas break. “It’s really good. They put gravy on it, and the gravy’s really good,” Hall said. “I love how they make their turkey, and I love how they make their gravy, and I love what they put in the stuffing.” He paused to think for a second. “I don’t think there’s anything this school has that I don’t like,” Hall finished.
34 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
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HEALTH AND WELLNESS Professionals
TIPS FROM YOUR CARDIOLOGIST • How is heart disease diagnosed? There is no single test to diagnose heart disease. If you are at risk, your doctor may perform a number of tests, such as EKG, stress testing, echocardiogram, chest X-ray or heart catheterization. These may show heart damage, blood flow problems or other signs of heart disease. • How is heart disease treated? Typically, treatment includes lifestyle changes, medicines, medical and surgical procedures and cardiac rehabilitation. Your doctor may prescribe medication if lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, losing weight and exercising, are not enough. • What are the symptoms of a heart attack? The most common signs of a heart attack include: severe pressure or pain in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes; pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, arms or jaw; chest pain with sweating, cool, clammy skin and/or paleness; shortness of breath; nausea or vomiting; and a rapid or irregular pulse. Call 911 immediately if you suspect you’re having a heart attack. • Why do I need to take blood pressure medicine if I feel fine? High blood pressure can go undetected and untreated until it’s too late. Often, it causes no symptoms. If your blood pressure is elevated and your provider has prescribed medication, be sure to take it every day. Other changes, such as limiting your salt intake and losing weight, also can help lower blood pressure. • Should I take medicine for my high cholesterol? New guidelines issued in 2014 changed the way we prescribe certain medications for high cholesterol. If you have heart disease, high LDL levels or meet other criteria, your doctor may recommend that you take a statin to lower your cholesterol. Whether you take medication or not, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise, lose weight and quit smoking to help maintain normal cholesterol levels.
W. Bryan Hartley, M.D. W. Bryan Hartley, M.D. Memorial Savannah Cardiology 101 West Mulberry Boulevard Pooler, Georgia 31407 912-352-8700 memorialhealth.com/SavannahCardiology
38 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
TIPS FROM YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER • Where did you get certified? I was certified through the School of Fitness and Nutrition at the Professional Career Development Institute. • How often should I see a trainer? If you are looking to start a training regime, I recommend you begin with 3 days a week. • What kind of experience do you have as a personal trainer? I have been in fitness must of my life. I ran track in junior high school, high school and college. I have trained many individuals male and female for lifestyle changes and for competitive competitions in bodybuilding and figure. I am also a Wnbf Professional natural bodybuilder with numerous World titles and a Mr. Universe title. I have been a certified trainer for 17 years. • Do you offer nutritional tips? Nutrition is something I do offer. Without proper nutrition its quite difficult to achieve the results you’re looking for. I pass this information on to all my clients. • I recently started running , how do I avoid shin splints? To help avoid the stresses of shin splint, you may want to consider low impact cardio.
Rodney Helaire 1204 Highway 80 Sangrena Plaza, Pooler RHFitness.com 912-748-6622 912-695-0400 www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
39
L ASSOCIATES TIPS FROM YOUR GYNECOLOGIST R
• What should I do before I get pregnant? There are patient-centered steps you can take before . We are your medical you conceive to ensure a healthy ome. This means our team of medical propregnancy. Stop smoking and get to ssionals leads, coordinates anda balanced advocates an appropriate weight. Eat diet and exercise regularly. If you have or your healthcare. a medical condition, such as diabetes, get it under control. Take a prenatal vi. For atamin limited new patients receive that time, contains folic acid to reduce the risk of certain birth defects. free diabetic cookbook. Scan the QR code
or a free sample recipe.
• How much weight should I gain during pregnancy? It depends before you . We see adults on 18your andBMI older for preventive got pregnant. Your healthcare providnd sick care, minor injuries, and chronic er can help you determine a healthy isease target management. weight gain, but, in general, normal-weight women with a BMI of 18.5 to and 24.9 next-day should expect to gain 25 to . Same-day appointments 35 pounds.
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• Is it safe to have sex while I’m pregnant? . We have flu shots! Getting a flu shot now In most cases, sex during pregnancy may protect against four nasty strains of is safe.you Nausea and fatigue may affect your libido, sex is not usually limnfluenza that are but expected this winter. ited. However, if you experience any of these symptoms during or after sex, . Our call physician, Elena your doctor rightPimanova, away: heavyM.D., vagi- is board-certified internal medicine specialnal bleeding, pain during intercourse, of amniotic fluid She or contract wholeaking is a native of Russia. prefers tions that don’t go away.
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eorgia’s sunny beaches to the ice and snow f her homeland. • I know breastfeeding is good
for my baby. How does it benefit me, as well? . You Breastfeeding can take a virtual of our office. is besttour for babies and ust go moms. to memorialhealth.com/MMA Here’s why: it stimulates yourand uterus to contract, helping it return to ick on the link. its normal size quicker; and it lowers your risk for Type 2 diabetes, certain . Our types patients can cancer communicate with of breast and ovarian cancer. ur office directly through MyChart, a
ee, secure, online portal. It allows you to • Can I get pregnant while I’m hedulebreastfeeding? or request appointments, review Yes, it is possible, although exclusively our test results, ask health questions and breastfeeding (no formula or solid much more. foods) suppresses ovulation. If you do not want to get pregnant, use birth
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100 407 000 MA
Susan C. Mobley, M.D. Provident OB/GYN Associates 101 West Mulberry Boulevard, Suite 100 Pooler, Georgia 31407 912-350-5937 providentobgyn.memorialhealth.com
40 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
TIPS FROM YOUR SALON SPECIALIST • How do I prevent my hair color from fading? When you get your hair colored at our Salon using our high quality colour we recommend that you use our J Beverly Hills shampoo and conditioner to keep your shine, your colour lasting longer and to keep your hair healthy. A lot of store bought shampoos will strip the colour out of your hair. • How often should I return to the salon for a color treatment? You should always consult with your stylist on when to return for touch-ups as it depends on how fast your hair grows and the difference in your natural hair color and the colour we apply. • What are the benefits of massage therapy? 1. Improves circulation. 2. Eases muscle pain. 3. Soothes depression and anxiety. 4. Improves sleep. 5. Enhances immunity. 6. Relieves headaches. • Can I get a massage if I am pregnant? Yes, we highly recommend prenatal massages after the first trimester. Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and edema (or swelling). If you are a high-risk pregnancy we do require written authorization from your physician.
115 Canal Street, Suite 301 Pooler, Georgia 31322 (912) 450-7700 www.bella-salonandspa.com
• I’m diabetic. Is it safe for me to get a pedicure? It is safe because there are certain guidelines we follow such as the pedicure bowls and tools are properly sterilized, we don’t cut the cuticles and we are gentle with the scrub. It is however, the responsibility of the client to inform us they are diabetic. They should not shave their legs two days prior to the pedicure. They should let us know if they have lost feeling in their feet (due to the water being too warm). Also, it is important to know we are not able to do a pedicure if there are any open wounds or scrapes on their feet and lower legs.
www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
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L ASSOCIATES TIPS FROM YOUR INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN R
• What’s the difference between a cold and the flu? of a cold develop slowly . We Symptoms are your patient-centered medical and are usually milder than the flu. ome. They Thismay means our team of medical proinclude fever, a runny or stuffy nose,coordinates sore throat, sneezing, ssionals leads, and advocates coughing and muscle aches. With or your healthcare. the flu, symptoms are similar and can appear suddenly.
Elena Pimanova, M.D.
. For a limited time, new patients receive • When should I seeScan the doctor free diabetic cookbook. the QR code for a cold or flu? or a free sample recipe. with your Make an appointment doctor if you have any of these
fever 102 for de- preventive . We symptoms: see adults a18 andover older grees, severe body aches, trouble nd sick care, minor injuries, and chronic breathing or shortness of breath, iseasechest management. pain or pressure, or severe or persistent vomiting. If your symptoms last more than 10 days or Same-day next-day appointments seem to and get worse, call your doctor.
. may be available. Call 912-350-6000 today.
• How can I avoid getting sick this winter? . We It’s have flu shots! Getting a flu shot now not too late to get a flu shot. If may protect fouranasty strains of you areyou overagainst 65 and have chronic illness, diabetes,this you winter. need a nfluenza thatsuch are as expected pneumonia vaccine, as well. Wash your hands frequently, eat healthy, . Ourexercise physician, Elena Pimanova, M.D., is and get enough sleep.
board-certified internal medicine specialWhat’s the best way to treat t who•ais a native of Russia. She prefers cold or flu? eorgia’s sunny beaches to or the ice and snow Stay home from school work to avoid spreading the virus to f her homeland.
others. Rest, especially while you have a fever, and drink plenty of . Youfluids can take a and virtual of not our office. (water cleartour broth, Use saline nose drops for and ust goalcohol). to memorialhealth.com/MMA a stuffy nose and gargle with warm ick on the link. salt water to relieve a sore throat. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen pain andcan fever. For the flu, your . Ourforpatients communicate with doctor may prescribe an antiviral ur office directly through MyChart, a medicine, which may shorten the ee, secure, online portal. duration of your illness.It allows you to
hedule or request appointments, review • Is it safe to exercise when our test results, ask health questions and I’m sick? much more. If you have a fever, take a break from exercising. If you feel better,
you can although you may Our staffexercise, moonlights as superheroes! want to scale back the intensity or Not really, but ourlighter patients do think choose a different, workout. Listenpretty to your body and Call don’ttoday push and we’re amazing. yourself when youwhy. are sick. let us show you
oler
100 407 000 MA
Elena Pimanova, M.D. Memorial Medical Associates-Pooler 101 West Mulberry Drive, Suite 100 Pooler, Georgia 31407 912-350-6000 memorialhealth.com/MMA
42 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
TIPS FROM POOLER’S TEAM OF GI SPECIALISTS
Branden Hunter, M.D.
• What Is A Colonoscopy? Colonoscopy is a procedure that allows us to closely look at the inside of the entire colon and rectum. A thin, hollow, lighted tube with a tiny video camera on the end is gently eased inside the colon and sends pictures to a TV screen. Small amounts of air are puffed into the colon to keep it open allowing us to see clearly The exam itself takes about 30 minutes and patients are given medicine to help them relax and sleep during the procedure.
Gregory Borak, M.D.
• What is a polyp? Polyps are precancerous growths on the lining of the colon. There are two major types of polyps, adenomas and hyperplastic. Hyperplastic polyps have a very low likelihood of progressing into cancer. However adenomas polyps over time can grow and eventually become colon cancer. Polyps are discovered in 20-30% of patients that have screening colonoscopy. Our goal is to find polyps, remove them and prevent the development of cancer. • At what age should I have a colonoscopy? We typically start colon cancer screening at the age of 50, however some populations we start at a younger age, such as people with a family history of colon cancer in a first-degree relative. Some of the newer guidelines recommend screening the African American population starting at age 45. • Should I Have a Colonoscopy Even though I’m not having any issues? Yes. This exam should ideally be performed, prior to the development of symptoms. These include a change in bowel habits, bleeding, weight loss, pain or anemia. If you wait for symptoms to develop the likelihood of finding a cancer is higher, but the chance of cure decreases markedly.
Godley Station Professional Plaza 1000 Towne Center Blvd Bldg 300, Suite 305, Pooler, GA 912-354-9447 gastrosav.com
• Why must I drink a laxative before my colonoscopy? Emptying the contents of the colon is the first requirement for a successful colonoscopy. If the bowel prep isn’t up to par, polyps can be missed or the whole process may need to be repeated or rescheduled. Although we have not yet found that magic prep that will clean out your colon, the preparation for the exam has improved over the years. The day before the procedure we will ask you to stay on a liquid diet. Typically, the bowl prep is 2 liters as opposed to 4, and they are split over two days rather than being consumed all at once. Not only is it easier for the patient it provides a better quality cleansing, allowing for better visualization of the colon.
www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
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TIPS FROM YOUR COLON AND RECTAL SURGEON • Who needs a colonoscopy? Adults aged 50 and older should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer. One of the most effective screening tools is a colonoscopy. This procedure allows the physician to view the colon and take biopsies, if needed. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or you’ve had precancerous polyps, your doctor may recommend more frequent screenings.
Patrick F. Hammen, M.D., FACS
• What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer? Risk factors include: age (50 or older), a family or personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, smoking, heavy alcohol use, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. African Americans have a higher risk for colon cancer. Eating a low-fiber, high-fat diet and being inactive also increase your chance of getting colorectal cancer. • How do I prevent diverticulitis? Diverticulitis occurs when small pockets in your colon, called diverticula, become inflamed and infected. It can cause abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping and constipation. Doctors usually recommend eating 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily to head off an attack. • What causes rectal bleeding? Rectal bleeding could indicate a number of conditions. Blood in your stool could come from hemorrhoids, ulcer or colon cancer. To find the cause of the bleeding, your doctor may order an upper endoscopy, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. • What are hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids occur when veins or blood vessels in and around your rectum become swollen and irritated. They are most common in those over the age of 50 and in pregnant women. Carrying a baby in the womb, childbirth, straining to have a bowel movement or heavy lifting may increase your risk of getting hemorrhoids.
Patrick F. Hammen, M.D., FACS Memorial University Surgeons 101 West Mulberry Boulevard Pooler, Georgia 31407 912-350-2030 memorialhealth.com/MUS 44 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
TIPS FROM YOUR OPHTHALMOLOGIST • What is an opthalmic plastic surgeon? An oculoplastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) who specializes in eyelid surgery as well as the surrounding tissues of the orbit. • Is Dr. Rowden board certified: Yes, Dr. Rowden is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. • Does Dr. Rowden do other types of surgery? Yes, Dr. Rowden performs anterior segment surgery, removal of cancer, as well as most surgeries pertaining to the eye. • Does Dr. Rowden have additional surgical qualifications above and beyond board certification? Yes, Dr. Rowden is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons -- meaning that the surgeons passed a thorough evaluation of both professional competence and ethical fitness. Fellows are board certified surgeons who place the welfare of their patients above any other consideration. • Can droopy eyelids be fixed? Yes, and in many cases, the surgery is covered by medical insurance. • What is the difference between botox and juvaderm? Botox is an injection that treats wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Juvaderm is a filler which is used to lessen wrinkles around the mouth and lower face.
Dr. Angela Rowden 900 Mohawk Street Savannah, Georgia 31419 www.georgiaskinandcancer.com (912)629-5067 www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2016
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TIPS FROM YOUR DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY
from Left to right: Susan Timna, AuD; Katelyn Crockett, AuD; Cori Palmer, AuD; Katherine Neufeld, AuD • What is a Doctor of Audiology? Doctors of Audiology are trained to treat, diagnose, and monitor disorders of the hearing and balance system. They are trained in anatomy and physiology, amplification devices, cochlear implants, electrophysiology, acoustics, psychophysics, counseling and sign language. At minimum, Doctors of Audiology have an undergraduate and doctoral level degree in audiology, as well as a supervised externship. This usually requires eight years of post-secondary education, four years of which are focused on the medical, diagnostic and rehabilitative aspects of hearing loss, hearing aids and the vestibular system. Upon completion of training, Audiologists must also pass a national standardized examination in order to be eligible for state licensure. Continuing education requirements must be met in order for an Audiologist to maintain state licensure. • What are some common causes of hearing loss? • Ceruman impaction • Genetic predisposition • Deterioration during the normal aging process • Ear disease such as middle ear fluid/ perforation of the ear drum, Otosclerosis, Meniere’s Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes,
Autoimmune Disease • Loud noise exposure such as loud music, weapons, industrial noise, machinery • Ototoxic medications (medications that are toxic to the ear or balance system such as Chemotherapy) • Head trauma • Tumors of the middle or inner ear such as Cholesatoma or Acoustic Neuroma • Are there any links between hearing loss and dementia? A recent study published by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found no difference in the rate of cognitive decline between people with normal hearing and people with hearing loss who wore hearing aids. In contrast, cognitive decline is significantly accelerated for people who have hearing loss and don’t use hearing aids. For the first time we are seeing evidence that hearing aids are a prevention against accelerated cognitive decline associated with hearing loss. Researchers agree that cognitive decline is likely related to the lack of social interaction that older adults have because of their hearing loss. The assumption has been that if people use hearing aids and thus become socially active again or are able to maintain an appropriate level of social activity, then they would decrease their risk of a more rapid decline in cogni-
Audiology And Hearing Aid Services
tive skills. If you or a loved one has trouble hearing, the most important step is to find a Doctor of Audiology who will ensure every aspect of hearing loss and communication needs are evaluated and treated. • What should I consider before purchasing a hearing aid? Not all hearing aids are created equally! Choosing the right hearing aid is crucial to the success of the hearing aid fitting. A Doctor of audiology can help guide you in this process. Some factors that should be considered are: • Severity of the hearing loss: The amount (mild to severe) and configuration (high pitched or low pitched) of the hearing loss • Processing Ability: Patient’s ability to process sound in both quiet environments and in noise • Dexterity: Ability to handle small objects • Lifestyle: The environments you are in will dictate the level of hearing aid technology you will need to meet the demands in those situations. For example the noisier the environment, the more technology is needed in the hearing aid to control the background noise. • Cosmetics: Hearing aids range in size from invisible in the ear to micro behind the ear devices. Hearing aids come in a variety of colors and shapes.
Godley Station Professional Park, 1000 Towne Center Blvd #200, Pooler • (912) 351-3038 • ahassavannah.com Also located in Savannah, Statesboro and Skidaway Island
46 January/February 2016 | www.PoolerMagazine.com
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