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(HBOT), which works by surrounding the patient with 100 percent oxygen to help progress the healing of the wound.

Approximately 30 percent of Wound Care Center patients qualify for HBOT treatments. Patients who qualify for, and have the medical clearance to undergo HBOT, are prescribed 90-minute treatments in a pressurized chamber to highly saturate the body with oxygen and help the body better heal itself. Typically, patients undergo a series of 40 HBOT treatments. Meredith Reilly, director of the Wound Care Centers, says the process of bringing the HBOT chamber to 2.5 atmospheres of pressure for treatment, or the equivalent of 64 feet of water pressure, is “similar to what it feels when scuba diving.” However, there’s no water involved. Patients are in an enclosed, clear chamber, and staff are able to communicate with them throughout their treatment. The HBOT chambers are also equipped with a television. Eric Segerberg, MD, general surgeon and medical director of the Wound Care Center says many people often mistake HBOT as a terminal treatment option. “HBOT is not a last resort,” he explains. “Rather, it is the primary driver of angiogenesis or the growth and development of new blood vessels that deliver oxygen to the wound.” HBOT is also an effective treatment for radiation injuries and inflammation as a result of cancer treatments. This includes damage to the head and neck tissues, as well as the bladder, rectum and bone. HBOT helps relieve these secondary side effects and promotes better healing outcomes. The Health System’s Brunswick Campus Wound Care Center has been recognized for excellence in wound healing for four consecutive years. Most recently, the center

“Southeast Georgia System’s outpatient Wound Care Centers offer specialized care for all types of chronic and slow-healing wounds.” “Brunswick Campus Wound Care Center has been recognized for excellence in wound healing for four consecutive years.”

received the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Clinical Excellence Award. This is the second year in a row the Wound Care Center has received the award for scoring in the top 10 percent of eligible Healogics® Wound Care Centers® on the Clinical Excellence measure, which is the Comprehensive Healing Rate weighted by wound mix. This is a way to measure the heal rate for every patient that comes through the clinic door. In 2017 and 2018, the center received the Center of Excellence award.

The Wound Care Center was awarded these prestigious honors by Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services. Named for Dr. Robert A. Warriner III, a pioneer in wound care and the former Chief Medical Officer for Healogics, only 57 centers in the country received this award. Other notable statistics include 97.5 percent patient satisfaction rate, and a healed wound rate of 96 percent. Local care for chronic wounds are crucial since healing requires close monitoring and often multiple treatments. To help make it easier for patients in Camden County and the surrounding communities, the Health System opened a Wound Care Center on its Camden Campus in 2020. Similar to the Wound Care Center on the Brunswick Campus, the Camden Campus center is operated in conjunction with Healogics.

Wound Care Camden, photo by Chris Moncus Photography

Healthcare Industry is Thriving

The Southeast Georgia area is experiencing growth in economic and job opportunities, attracting new individuals and homeowners to the area. This sets the stage for the healthcare industry to thrive and grow in a variety of ways. With an increase of new residents in the area, the need for healthcare expansions to serve the growing community is crucial. There are also numerous development projects underway including new hospitals, clinics and medical centers.

St. Joseph’s/Candler – Pembroke Infusion Center

St. Joseph’s/Candler recently announced their expansion of a 5,300-square-foot cancer treatment center in the Pembroke area that will serve as a medical practice for consultations, exams, procedures and chemotherapy infusions. The goal of the new treatment center is to lessen travel time for patients in hopes this reduces the exhaustion experienced due

to chemotherapy. With the center close to home, much stress will be alleviated for patients. The Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion (LCRP) will also have the expertise of the National Cancer Institute’s Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). The center will have ten infusion chairs as well as three exam and procedure rooms for medical oncologists. A pharmaceutical mixing lab, full of state-of-the-art equipment, will be on-site for infusions and chemotherapies. The center will work

side-by-side with the Summit Cancer Care specialists at LCRP with specific Clinical Effectiveness Teams who monitor treatment regimens at the center and ensure the best practices are being utilized. The Clinical Effectiveness Team focuses on thoracic/lung cancer, skin/melanoma, neuro-oncology, head and neck cancer, gynecologic oncology, genitourinary cancer and gastrointestinal cancer. LCRP will begin seeing patients in the fall of 2021 once it is open.

Richmond Hill Urgent Care Center

In Richmond Hill, St. Joseph’s/ Candler has completed phase one of their strategic plan to create a new 10,000-square-foot Urgent Care Center. The center is the eighth Urgent Care Center for St. Joseph’s/Candler and is a $4 million investment in the community. In 2019, St. Joseph’s/Candler launched a three-year strategic plan to expand and improve access to affordable healthcare. In a press release, Paul P. Hinchey, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler stated, “Urgent Care practices are important because they can handle most medical surprises and are far more affordable than Emergency Departments.” The second phase of the plan will add primary care or specialty offices depending on the medical needs of the community, which will be determined by the implementation of the Urgent Care Center.

Memorial Health Meadows Hospital

Meadows Regional Hospital in Vidalia has recently been acquired by HCA Healthcare’s South Atlantic Division and renamed Memorial Health Meadows Hospital. With HCA, Memorial Health Meadows Hospital is part of HCA’s Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. This combination will assist in establishing an independent foundation that provides substantial annual investments to improve the health and wellbeing of residents of the Vidalia area. The 52-bed hospital covers a variety of clinical services including cardiovascular, emergency, neuroscience, oncology, rehabilitation, surgery, wound care, and imaging services. “As a part of HCA Healthcare, Memorial Health Meadows Hospital will be able to expand its innovative and patient-focused care,” said Alan Kent, President and CEO for Memorial Health Meadows Hospital. “We chose HCA Healthcare because, like us, they are committed to high-quality, community-based hospitals and are focused on serving patients and giving back in a meaningful way to the Vidalia area.”

Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah

After three years of construction, the Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah opened a freestanding facility in March 2021. The 90,000-squarefoot facility includes an 18-room emergency department with four operating rooms, two induction rooms, two resuscitation rooms, a pediatric imaging unit with MRI and CT capabilities as well as sedation suites. The hospital also has a 14-room pediatric intensive care unit. More than 100 pediatric providers will provide care for patients. With family-centered care in mind, the hospital strives to create the most comfortable environment for both patients and their families. Each of the patient rooms has a separate sleeping area and shower so parents can stay with their children. There is a laundry room, kitchen area, café and chapel as well. The facility has a playroom for younger patients and a teen area equipped with TVs and video games. According to a press release from the hospital a larger outdoor playground is available for kids once they can go outside. The hospital has a team of certified life specialists who are available to support both patients and families during their stay. “One of our most special features is our resident facility dog, Penelope. She’s the newest member of our team and her job is to share some love with everyone,” said Heather Newsome, administrative director.