Savannah Health 2019

health

SAY GOODBYE TO MIGRAINES FOREVER!

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SKINCARE PRODUCTS TO TURN BACK TIME IN RECOVERY:

ONE WOMAN'S INSPIRING STORY

RECIPES FOR SUCCESS

A FREE SUPPLEMENT OF SAVANNAH MAGAZINE

2019-2020

EAT WELL:

W I N N E R 2 O7 1 8

MA G A Z I N E

The Board-Certified Gastroenterologists of CDLH: (L to R) Rodney S. Cohen, MD; Charles W. Duckworth, MD; Ryan C. Wanamaker, MD; Edward Rydzak, MD; Mark E. Murphy, MD; Madeline R. Russell, M.D., George C. Aragon, MD; Steven Carpenter, MD; Mark R. Nyce, MD; Brent W. Acker, MD

Our Midlevel Providers:

Elizabeth Buck, NP; Nancy Ellison, PA; Chelsea Hendrix, NP; Angela Ring, PA; Allison C. Long, NP

www.savannahgi.com | 912.303.4200

Pooler Office: 140 Traders Way, Pooler, GA 31322 Savannah Office: 1139 Lexington Ave., Savannah, GA 31404 Hardeeville Office: 1010 Medical Center Drive, Suite 100, Hardeeville, SC 29927

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

In Every Issue s5 Contributors s6

Editor's Letter

Trending s8

New in 912

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Helping Your Spine Feel Fine: Advanced technologies bring serious relief

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Fresh & Clean: Summertime recipes from El Coyote and Zunzi's

Live Well s17

Child's Play: Behavioral therapy for childhood success

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Ancient Beauty: A first-timer goes under the needle

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Chiseled Abs without the Workout: Emsculpt

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Tooth Be Told: Dental implants

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Heads Up: New medicines give hope to chronic headache sufferers

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s24 The Eyes Have It:

Road to Recovery: One woman's story of addiction and recovery

What eye fix fits you

Be Well s27

Fire in the Belly: Tamp out acid reflux forever

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Slow Drip: IV therapy on the beauty scene

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Magic Eraser: Products that put wrinkles in reverse

Special Sections s47

Meet the Doctors

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Meet the Medical Professionals

s67 Meet the Dentists

Stay Well

Salt of the City

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At Risk: Stay informed about measles Into the Weeds: CBD's rise to fame in the health world

Fred Peche

ON THE COVER: A refreshing summertime salad from El Coyote Photo by Jason B. James

STAYCE KOEG LER

Eat Well

CONTRIBUTORS

JASON B. JAMES

MARGARET DANIEL

PHOTOGRAPHER

WRITER

WRITER

“Fresh & Clean,” page s13 “Into the Weeds,” page s43

“Child's Play,” page s17

“Tooth Be Told,” page 30 “Into the Weeds,” page s43

STAYCE KOEGLER

KATIE MCGEE

AMELIA PARKES

PHOTOGRAPHER

PHOTOGRAPHER

WRITER

“Ancient Beauty,” page s20 “The Eyes Have It,” page s24

“New in 912,” page s8 “Helping Your Spine Feel Fine,” page s10

“Road to Recovery,” page s34

SYLVIE BAGGETT

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EDITOR'S LETTER

and as an “older” father, people mistook him for my grandfather by the time I reached high school. To his credit, this wasn’t because he walked with a cane or snacked on prunes but because male-pattern baldness and graying hair got him earlier than most. Beyond that, Dad never seemed old. He ate healthy, walked nearly every day and couldn’t sit still for longer than one episode of Judge Judy.

My dad turned 86 this past April. When I called to wish him a happy birthday he complained that he felt tired and worried that he was “slowing down.” I asked what he’d done that day.

“I laid the new stone walkway, fixed the shingles on the roof and washed the truck.”

Clearly, my dad doesn’t know what it means to “slow down.” But that’s also why he’s always seemed young to me. His body, mind and (stubborn) spirit have somehow managed to keep up with everyone else, even passing some along the way.

Like my dad, I plan on being in this body a long time, so I want to treat it well, hoping it’ll return the favor.

I suppose that’s why I love editing Savannah magazine’s health supplement. In building this issue I get to discover cutting-edge technology and the crazy-smart people behind it whose goal is to improve our physical and mental wellness — in short, to make us better.

Talking with these health practitioners makes me wish I could perform an operation, improve someone’s quality of life or even just cook (see chef-inspired recipes on page s13). But science — and cooking — was never in the cards for me.

So, I write. I help bring you stories that inform, such as new ways to put an end to acid reflux and back pain. And stories that inspire, like Amanda Groves’ journey through addiction to the other side where she emerged as her best self.

I’m also an all-too-willing guinea pig to try new things — you know, for the story (wink, wink). Which is why I took one for the team, getting under-eye filler, cosmetic acupuncture and a session with the Emsculpt machine — which builds ab muscles while you lie still — just so I could share the experience with you. (And so I could have abs!)

In 2019, we hardly have to hunt for the fountain of youth; it’s right here in Savannah in its many forms: procedures, surgeries, foods, treatments, therapies, etc. — the things that keep us looking and feeling good. And if my dad’s life confirms any cliché, it’s that age really is just a number.

If anyone asks, I plan on being 42 for at least another decade.

Andrea Goto Editor s 66

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KATIE MCG EE

My dad was 44 when I was born,

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CO UR TE S Y S T. J OSEPH'S/CA N DLER HOSPITA L

TRENDING

New in the 912

By AMELIA PARKES

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J St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital opened the first phase of its muchanticipated new Pooler Campus in March. The 170,000-squarefoot facility offers a wide range of medical services including primary care and specialists’ offices. The facility also incorporates new technology for patients like online appointment booking, remote check-ins for appointments, electronic status alerts, concierge service, mobile navigation and

a unified patient record system.

Other phases of the campus will be completed over a 10-year period. (101 St. Joseph's/Candler Drive, Pooler) J Looking to freshen up your diet? Clean Eatz on the Southside offers healthy meals on their café menu and weekly meal plans for a well-balanced diet of low-carb, high-protein and gluten-free options. (6825 Waters Ave.)

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TRENDING

J At Bio-Life Plasma donors can give blood to help treat patients fighting conditions like hemophilia or immune system disorders, or who have suffered shock or burns. Plasma is a substance in the blood only available through donation from healthy adults, as it cannot be created in the lab. Because plasma is so essential, donors are compensated for their contribution. (3603 Ogeechee Road) J Georgia Southern University was awarded a Gold Level Campus Award by Exercise is Medicine on Campus for the second year in a row. The award signifies the college’s dedication to making physical activity a priority on its campus through required physical wellness, intramural sports and physical activity initiatives promoted through its Exercise Science program.

(11935 Abercorn St.) J There's a new place to get your skin in shape.

This fall, Low Country Dermatology will open a new office on Waters Avenue that will include eight procedure and exam rooms, a cosmetic consult room, two aesthetic rooms for laser treatments, chemical peels and facials and two clinical research rooms. The office is expected to be finished by October and will be accepting patients the month after. (6510 Waters Ave.)

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enhancin your natura beaut Ageless Savannah 7360 Skidaway Road #J-2 Savannah, Georgia 31406 912-344-4530 Ageless Savannah is Sandfly and Savannah’s answer to aging. We believe that glowing, youthful skin should be available to everyone.

Let us help you put your best face forward!

Dr. Davis

J Dr. Chad Brock of Shrink Savannah now offers ketamine infusions to treat major depression. This recently FDA-approved drug has been shown to help previously treatment-resistant depression.

Ketamine has been proven to provide patient response to clinical depression in a matter of hours — not weeks like other depression treatments. Twice-weekly dosing is suggested because the drug's effects are not long-lasting.

(130 Stephenson Ave., Suite 102) J Dentists like Stephanie Sweeney of Savannah Dental are getting rid of plastic floss in favor of natural silk floss coated in beeswax and switching up single-use disposable plastics for more earthfriendly reusable products. Savannah Dental even uses a service that sterilizes their used exam gloves and recycles them into products like Frisbees and park benches. (836 E. 65th St., #11)

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TRENDING

Helping Your Spine Feel Fine Advanced technologies bring serious relief to patients

By AMELIA PARKES

THE SPINE IS THE CENTER that must hold. When spinal health is compromised, we want solutions that are going to get us back into tip-top shape as quickly as possible. Some Savannah doctors share the newest innovations in spine health.

M I N I M A L LY I N VA S I V E PROCEDURES

Many spinal surgeries can now be performed with minimally invasive techniques, which means smaller incisions, less pain medication and quicker recovery times. In fact, many surgeries don’t even require a night in the hospital. Dr. Thomas Lawhorne, III, with Optim Health in Savannah, says, “These types of procedures provide minimal pain and down-time while still accomplishing the same goals as open surgeries.”

R O B O T I C S P I N A L S U R G E RY

Robotics technology now allows doctors to reach further into our spines. The robots aren’t actually performing surgery themselves, but they serve as an extension of the doctors’ hands to reach into smaller and more delicate places than before.

In addition, “The robotic arm provides an extra safeguard when someone has a complex case or anatomy,” says Dr. Raphael Roybal with The Spine Institute at s10

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Chatham Orthopaedic Associates. “The robot can also provide a roadmap to guide us through complex situations for patients who have had previous surgery and where the anatomy is obscured on their scans.”

IMAGING TECHNOLOGY LOOKS INSIDE THE SPINE

These days, surgeons use CT and MRI scans to pinpoint problems in the spine and hone in on particular spots for repair.

“Imaging is a big part of how we make our plan on the front-end. The word ‘explore’ used to be on operative notes all the time, and that just doesn’t happen anymore,” says Lawhorne. “It is a targeted approach to a very specific problem. When we have a very narrow window of what we’re looking for, we can make a very narrow incision.”

Imaging technology also allows doctors to provide care to patients of all body shapes and sizes.

N E W M AT E R I A L S I N SPINAL WELLNESS

Not only are the techniques for spinal surgery improving, but surgical components are also becoming more advanced. Titanium, in particular, is being used in a new way to create spinal implants. “Surfaced [roughened] titanium is a bio-active conductor of bone growth

and increases the reliability of bone healing,” says Roybal. Researchers are also creating even stronger alloys with the same or better bone conductivity that allow doctors to make smaller implants for pediatric patients or for patients with complex anatomy. The goal of these new materials is longer-lasting results for the patient and a lower likelihood of repeat procedures.

PA I N R E L I E F W I T H O U T M E D I C AT I O N

Using groundbreaking technology, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurostimulation therapy involves surgically placing a stimulator that targets the bundle of nerves outside of the spinal cord to relieve chronic pain in the lower limbs, which is often the result of injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack. Patients use a hand-held iPod controller that can change the stimulation settings. “The DRG helps relieve pain more effectively,” says Dr. Keith Kirby of Savannah Pain Management. “It has made a significant difference in the treatment of chronic pain, and people can finally find relief and live happier lives.”

W H AT ’ S N E X T F O R S P I N E H E A LT H

Medical technology and research are always moving forward to make our spines healthier and help us bounce back from injury and disease, and there are plenty of exciting possibilities on the horizon.

“3-D printers can allow doctors to build custom implants tailored exactly to the patient based on what an MRI or CT scan shows,” says Lawhorne. “These printed components can trick the body into thinking it’s actually bone, encouraging bony ingrowth as it becomes a part of the body.” Though still in the research phase, doctors are also finding that stem cells might be the key to tissue recovery after injuries or surgery.

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At Schulze Eye & Surgery Center, we are dedicated to excellence in surgical eye care. Combining leading-edge technology with personalized attention to our patients, we can open your eyes to a whole new world of decreased dependence on glasses or contacts. Whether your needs include traditional or refractive cataract surgery, custom LASIK or PRK, implantable contact lenses or corneal transplants, our on-site ambulatory surgery center allows for surgery in a specialized setting, affording greater efficiencies & lower costs to our patients. You can count on our skilled staff to give you personal attention before, during and after surgery to help you achieve your visual best.

Call us today to schedule your appointment.

Dr. Richard Schulze, Jr.

728 E. 67th St. | Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 352-3120 | Schulze-Eye.com

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E AT W E L L

Fresh & Clean

Two of our favorite Savannah restaurants share how to serve up summer’s best veggies.

Photography by JASON B. JAMES

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continued from page s13

ENSALADA FRESCA

This flavorful salad gives iceberg lettuce the boot.

Prep time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 1 large local watermelon, diced 3 pounds heirloom tomato, quartered 1 seedless cucumber, cut on a bias 1 red onion, thinly shaved Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup crumbled queso fresco ¾ cup each torn mint and basil leaves 4-6 ounces arugula

Toss watermelon, tomato, cucumber, red onion, salt and pepper in a bowl with some of the vinaigrette (recipe below). Place arugula in the base of serving dish then top with salad mixture. Finish by sprinkling crumbled queso fresco and torn mint and basil leaves over the top.

Tamarind-Mango Vinaigrette 2 cups mango puree ½ cup tamarind pulp or nectar 1 cup each canola and olive oils ¼ cup rice wine vinegar 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds 1 teaspoon gochugaru (Korean chili flake) 1 ½ tablespoon kosher salt

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk thoroughly to combine.

(El Coyote, 912.236.5737, elcoyotesav.com)

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RISING SUN A vegan-friendly sandwich worth its weight.

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes (for grilling) Servings: Single serving 9� French bread baguette, fresh daily from Le Cafe Gourmet Hummus Mixed greens Smashed avocado Sliced roma tomatoes Grilled yellow squash Grilled zucchini Grilled red onions Grilled red bell peppers Grilled portobello mushrooms Zunzi's Dressing** Zunzi's Sh*t Yeah! Sauce**

Slice baguette and layer to your liking! **Sauces are vegan or vegetarian based on vendor availability of vegan mayo (Zunzi’s, 912.443.9555, zunzis.com)

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The Company You Keep:

for expertise in Group Medical Insurance and Group Employee Benefits, count on Bernard Williams & Company.

L-R: Charles McCoy, Roger Holden, Melissa Proper, Rob Bowden Not pictured: Allen Williams, Kelli Gay and Sandy Anthony

Since 1934, Bernard Williams & Company has been giving clients peace of mind and service they can trust.

See why they count on us for the expertise and utmost experience in sound financial management. We know that employees are a company’s biggest asset, which is one reason why our Group Medical Insurance and Employee Benefits professionals are here to help.

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Benefit from a winning combination.

Established in 1934 by Bernard F. Williams, Bernard Williams & Company is locally owned and serves the insurance and risk management needs of businesses and families throughout Georgia and the Southeast.

Headquartered in Savannah, Bernard Williams & Company offers clients a winning combination of quality, service and value from a carefully selected group of insurance and financial service products.

That’s the Power of the Shield.

www.thepoweroftheshield.com • (912) 234-4476

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LIVE WELL

Child’s Play A new form of behavioral therapy champions childhood success while leaving plenty of room for fun

By MARGARET DANIEL

IF ALL WORK AND NO PLAY makes for dullness, Dr. Kristi L. Hofstadter-Duke may be the most interesting person in Savannah. A licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child and adolescent behavior, Hofstadter-Duke wants to enable parents to communicate more effectively

with their children through play.

Her method of choice — Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). An evidencebased behavioral therapy, PCIT involves parent and child directed play emphasizing positive reinforcement, and the development of coping skills for stress and

anxiety, through intentional engagement.

“It has become the go-to treatment for trauma, anxiety and behavioral challenges for children ages two to seven,” says Hofstadter-Duke, “but there are different modifications that we use to make it more applicable at older ages.”

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LIVE WELL

It is not the type of play that matters, necessarily, but rather the engagement of the parents with their child. The program begins with a parent-therapist consultation, followed by between 10 and 20 hour-long sessions of supervised playtime at the clinic. A therapist coaches the parents through playful interactions with the child, helping them pick up on communication cues and respond in a constructive way. For homework, parents are encouraged to commit to at least five minutes daily of dedicated playtime with their children to ensure the child is immersed in the interaction and receiving praise for positive behaviors such as playing gently and obeying instructions.

“It's not talk therapy, it's not counseling. PCIT is a very active form of

therapy with lots of in-clinic coaching,” Hofstadter-Duke says. “The therapist's role is to teach the parents. It is a partnership between the therapist, or psychologist, the parents and the family.

This is really aimed at changing the relationship and the dynamics between the people who are involved in this child's life day to day.”

Kate Bailey, a mother of three, wanted help communicating with her youngest, with whom she often butted heads, and whose personality was so different from that of her first two children, and began Parent-Child Interaction Therapy treatments with Hofstadter-Duke in February. Almost immediately, Kate and her husband noticed distinct differences in their interactions with their 6-year-old

and each other. When the family recently renovated their house, an event that can trigger major stressors for children, Kate said the skills she and her husband learned with Hofstadter-Duke ensured everything went smoothly for the whole family. “We use these tools in our everyday life, not just during interactive therapy time,” she says. “It's been a lifestyle change.”

This treatment, though highly effective and well-researched, is relatively new to the Savannah area, the result of few pediatric psychology programs offered in our region. Hofstadter-Duke is working to increase awareness by partnering with primary care providers, supplying information, offering convenient therapy solutions and paving the way for a whole lot of fun.

F

rom a young age, seeing how my father changed his patients’ lives through oral health and dentistry I knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I am grateful to continue the family-oriented environment he built with my team at our practice. Thank you for recognizing me as Best Dentist. —Michael J. Groover, DMD

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G Groover Family Dentistry

711 EAST 70TH STREET, SUITE B | SAVANNAH |

Michael J. Groover, DMD

912.354.9541 • GROOVERFAMILYDENTISTRY.COM

912.354.9541 | 912.354.3950 fax 711 East 70th Street, Suite B | Savannah, GA 31405

M A G A ZI N E

Savannah

Square

Where you

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Dody, “But in the end he was right. ve it, and I couldn’t have asked for a lace to live.” nnah Square’s amenities include SAVANNAH’S ONLY CONTINUUM CARE ant-style dining, a full-service beauty lubhouse, fitness studio, library, and COMMUNITY WITH NO BUY IN! RETIREMENT ur staff. Located just three miles from • Spacious 1 and 2 apartments and cottages, with some options to personalize ph Candler Hospital, their midtown • Five Star restaurant style dining with an extensive chef prepared menu access, concierge, n provides convenient• Gated access to all the transportation services and an abundance of intellectual, spiritual, and physical wellness activities to please everyone. ning, shopping and cultural attractions • Personal care services as well as a full rehabilitation center toric Savannah has to offer. Situated ral acres of beautifully Call andlandscaped schedule a tour with our Sales Director, Kelli Hartley s, Savannah Square offers an 1 Savannah Square Drive Savannah, GA 31406 • 912-927-7550 nce of organized educational, social www.SavannahSquareRetirement.com reational activities for all its seniors.

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LIVE WELL

Ancient Beauty A first-timer goes under the needle for a more holistic approach to beauty

By ANDREA GOTO

WHEN IT COMES TO minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, I know that many involve needles. Botox, fillers and microneedling are the big three, but acupuncture? The idea of cosmetic acupuncture just seems contradictory to me. Acupuncture is inwardly focused and based on ancient Chinese practices; whereas cosmetic procedures are external modifications inspired by conventional ideas of beauty shoveled at me mostly through media.

As it turns out, I’m not entirely wrong.

“In traditional Chinese medicine, the focus in on general overall health,” explains Nicole Ware of Heal Acupuncture. “So we do cosmetic acupuncture in the face for things like wrinkles and acne, but the core idea is that the external is reflected by the health of your internal.” Ware notes that similar to microneedling, acupuncture done around and between the eyes increases blood flow and promotes the production of collagen. In short, the face appears refreshed and younger. But that’s only part of the story. We know that stress, unhealthy eating and poor lifestyle choices prematurely age us. So, while I could get a quick acupuncture eye treatment, Ware prefers to address the whole messy package.

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BODY OF WORK

We begin with a candid interview in Ware’s serene acupuncture studio about my health and a gentle lecture about sun exposure and alcohol, and then I lie down on the table. Before she addresses my eyes, she beelines for my gut (I told her I have gluten issues), pressing two fingers into it.

“Does that hurt?”

She takes my yelp as affirmation and presses between my first two toes with her other hand while jabbing me again.

“Is this better?” Surprisingly, it is. She

then places a needle between my toes. (For needle phobes: it doesn’t actually hurt.)

Ware continues like this around my body, prodding and pinning, and eventually moves to my face. The needles for the face are even thinner, making them even more imperceptible. She inserts a couple around and between my eyes, into my forehead and gives me two cat-like whiskers that animate when I speak. She explains that she’s going to let me lie in silence for about 20 minutes, and I may feel some strange sensations as the needles encourage energy to channel more freely through my body.

GOING WITH THE FLOW

The initial sensation is a kind of “whooshing” in my head that eventually subsides and gives way to the subtle feeling of little bursts throughout my body. By the time Ware returns, my head is heavy and I’m near sleep—intoxicated from energy flow.

I feel amazing, relaxed and a little bit disoriented as I fumble for my shoes. Yes, I do look refreshed in my post-acupuncture glow. But more than that, I feel refreshed.

And therein I realized why traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced for more than a thousand years. And why I’ll be doing it again.

Photo by KATIE MCGEE

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SAVANNAH ACUPUNCTURE WELLNESS CENTER Ancient remedies for modern times Yifan Liu, O.M.D., Ph.D. LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST

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SAVANNAH OFFICE 1 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd, Suite 104 savannahacupuncture.com

POOLER OFFICE 114 Canal Street, Suite 102 acupuncturepoolerga.com S AVA N N A H H E A LT H 2 0 19 - 2 0 2 0

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LIVE WELL

Chiseled Abs WITHOUT THE WORKOUT Cutting-edge technology promises to build abs and burn fat the “easy” way

By ANDREA GOTO

WHEN I’M TOLD ABOUT a new electromagnetic treatment that can sculpt abs by building muscle and burning fat, I’m skeptical. When I’m told that it’s like doing “20,000 sit ups in 30 minutes,” and all you do is lie there, I’m dubious.

When I’m offered the chance to try it, though, I’m all in.

Emsculpt is the first non-surgical body contouring treatment to use high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy (HIFEM). This energy triggers what is called involuntary, or “supramaximal” contractions. By applying this energy to either the abs, thighs or buttocks — use that is approved by the FDA — muscles contract about 20,000 times during one 30-minute session, improving the strength and tone of that region. The protocol recommends four treatments over the course of two weeks, and the whole package costs about $3,000 per area.

Emsculpt is not, however, meant to replace regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Rather, it’s most often used to augment it. “It’s really popular with people who are already fit and just looking for that extra edge,” says Miriam Howard of The Corner Suite, currently the only Emsculpt game in town.

But it has some real practical uses as well, like helping someone recover muscle loss from an injury or illness.

Howard tells me about a client who had knee surgery, and as a result, lost a lot of strength in one leg. “She used Emsculpt on her thighs and said it was amazing,” recalls Howard. “It immediately made a difference for her.”

Studies show that it takes about two to four weeks after the final Emsculpt treatment to see the best results, and The Corner Suite team recommends one session about every four months to maintain those results.

But does it hurt?

“It’s comfortable,” Howard replies.

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This puts me at ease until Howard hands me over to body sculpt specialist Kim Le who asks if I am nervous.

“Should I be?”

“No, it’ll be fine,” she assures me. But in my book, “comfortable” means I’m relaxed and happy; whereas “fine” often means I’ll survive, but I may not like it.

I lie down on the soft table, and Le takes a paddle attached by a cord to a large machine shaped like an arcade game and places it on my exposed abdomen. The range of intensity is 1-100, and she says she’ll start me at 30 and see how I do. She activates the paddle, and my abs contract on their own. It’s unsettling and similar to the feeling of contraction when vomiting, though nothing is coming up except my abs, fully flexed like I’ve never seen or felt. I don’t like the feeling. I don’t like that I can’t control it. But Le is kind and encouraging. She distracts me with small talk and the room — with its flat-screen TV and soft music — is otherwise comforting. However, my abs being rhythmically pulled up and out of my body, is not.

After a few minutes, the electromagnetic energy switches to its second phase, which is a thumping sensation across my abs, intended to keep lactic acid from forming. This, apparently, will prevent me from feeling as if I did the said 20,000 sit ups. The two cycles continue for about 30 minutes during which Le cheers me on like a delivery nurse as I Ievel up every few minutes along the way. I eventually hit “100.”

It’s intense. It’s not comfortable. But it is — fine.

I’m happy when it’s over. I feel weird in my abdomen — not like I worked out, but like something worked me out.

A six-pack didn’t form after a single session, nor was I sore the next day, but after feeling that energy hit my core like a bolt of lightning, I can imagine that six-pack peeking through after the recommended treatments.

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LIVE WELL

Before

After

The Eyes Have it Wrinkling, sagging, puffing and pillowing — see what fix might fit

By ANDREA GOTO

JUST AS I CROSSED into my 40s, my friend and go-to guy, Dr. Tim Minton of Savannah Facial Plastic Surgery, pointed out that I had some hollowing under my eyes. If anyone else had said this, I’d be tempted to hollow out their eyes with my nails, but it’s Minton’s job to point out why I look a little more tired these days and the various ways to approach fixing that less-than-desirable look.

As it turns out, there are a lot of cosmetic options when it comes to the eyes, surgical and otherwise. “I always take a top-down approach with a patient, first looking at the brow position,” Minton

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says. Ideally, a woman’s brow should be slightly above the bone called the orbital rim. When it starts drifting below, he says a surgical brow lift may be in the cards, which involves incisions at the hairline and placing anchors in the bone to hold the tissue into the desired position.

“I actually do less traditional brow lifting than I used to because it can look unnatural,” Minton says. “Instead, I’ll often do what we call a temporal brow lift where I’m just lifting the outer brow if there’s sagging. I can do it in office, and it’s much less expensive than a full brow lift." Minton finds himself doing more

brow filler as well. Instead of lifting the brow, filler can inflate it, adding volume that makes a patient appear more youthful.

While filler isn’t a permanent fix, it can last 12 to 18 months because it’s in an area where there isn’t a lot of movement.

After considering the brow, Minton assesses the upper eyelid for excess skin and puffiness. “We have all this fat around our eyes, but as we get older, the fat puffs out,” explains Minton. For this, he’ll take a little bit of that fat out while also removing excess skin.

The position of the upper eyelid is also important. As we get older, the muscle that Photography by KATIE MCGEE

holds the eyelid’s position can weaken, causing the eyelid to droop, for which Minton can perform a ptosis repair, which tightens that muscle.

“The lower eyelids are the trickiest,” Minton notes. “If you do too much you can weaken their support and get drooping and dry eye.” For puffiness, Minton says the safest approach is to to remove the fat under the eyelid because it won’t disturb the muscle layer that supports the eyelid. “Without that support, an eye can go from looking almond shaped to round, and it looks really weird,” he says.

If, as with me, there’s an absence of padding under the eyes, Minton can transfer a small amount of fat from the belly, injecting micro droplets of it into the tear trough. Fat lasts longer than filler, but I’m taking baby steps here.

“Some people don’t want surgery at all,” Minton acknowledges. “I’ll do a tear trough filler in someone who needs an eyelid surgery but who may not want it.

They’ll get improvement, it just won’t be a correction.” This is where I come in — I’m not ready for surgery (yet), but I’m curious about the filler. I had heard reports from friends that getting under-eye filler can be painful and a little “freaky.” Some reported a lot of swelling and bruising, but I have a long weekend ahead with no plans, and Minton has two surprises for me: cannulas and Pro-Nox. Cannulas function similar to needles that place filler, but they are flexible and have a blunt tip. The design causes less trauma to the tissue. “It’s a little bit

safer and we see a lot less bruising and swelling,” he says.

But the real story here is Pro-Nox. Pro-Nox is a patient self-administered breathing treatment for patients who are really anxious about having a procedure. I am not anxious, per se, but I’m not going to be a hero either. I place the breathing tube in my lips and inhale 50 percent oxygen and 50 percent nitrous oxide.

Minton tells me that when I start to “feel good,” give him the thumbs up and he’ll begin the procedure.

It only takes about a minute for me to feel really good — like I’ve had a couple glasses of wine. Minton begins by injecting local anesthesia to the treatment area, which feels like a sharp pinch.

It’s all a walk in the park from there. I pretty much feel nothing as the filler is inserted — except gooooood.

“I’m cutting you off,” Minton laughs, taking the Pro-Nox from my firm grip once the procedure is complete. The Pro-Nox has no real hangover, so I drive myself home. I look as if I have a slight sunburn on the top of my cheeks, but nothing that keeps me hiding from the public eye. The next morning is another story. The area is puffy — slightly in my line of vision — and I have bruising, but nothing too alarming to me or the folks at the gym.

A week later, I’m fully satisfied that I pulled the trigger. After a particularly fun girls’ night, I reluctantly get up early to work out. A quick glance in the mirror confirms it all: while I feel fully awful, I don’t look half bad. I almost look, dare I say, refreshed.

MEET DR. THOMAS KANDL A recent Savannah transplant brings a new perspective to cosmetic eye surgery

J YOU’VE HEARD of facial

plastic surgeons, but if you’re not familiar with ophthalmic plastic surgery, you’re probably not alone. Dr. Thomas Kandl of Georgia Eye Institute may change that. A recent Savannah transplant, Kandl is board certified as a general ophthalmologist who specializes in surgeries for cataracts, glaucoma and cornea issues. He’s also completed two additional years of training in ophthalmic plastic surgery.

“Having been trained as an ophthalmologist first, whenever I do anything surgically around the eye, the anatomy and functionality of the eye and vision are of the utmost importance,” explains Kandl.

“It’s not just to make everything beautiful, but also to keep everything functional.”

In addition to functional eye surgeries, Kandl performs brow lifts and eye lifts, but he points out that every procedure he performs has a cosmetic component to it.

“We’re working on someone’s face so we want it to look as nice and natural as possible,” he says. “What we want after both cosmetic and functional surgeries is for patients to walk away looking refreshed and rejuvenated, but not like a different person.”

(Georgia Eye Institute, 912.354.4800, gaeyeinstitute.com)

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CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE 2019 MAN, WOMAN AND STUDENTS OF THE YEAR The Class of 2019 raised $910,566!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society congratulates this year’s Man, Woman and Students of the Year, and the entire class of candidates who competed for the titles.

Their efforts and commitment have made an impact in the search for cures and effective blood cancer therapies.

For more information or to nominate a candidate for 2020, please visit www.mwoy.org/ga or call 912.436.3273.

MAN OF THE YEAR Jarad Brown

WOMAN OF THE YEAR Sarah Lord

$72,673

$33,926

Certainty Home Loans

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STUDENTS OF THE YEAR The Three Muskecures

Delle Smith, Savannah Country Day School Ashley Pankey, Savannah Country Day School Gowan Smith, Benedictine Military School

$101,098

RUNNERS UP Relentless Raiders Samantha Zittrauer & Elizabeth Oliver Savannah Christian Preparatory School

RUNNER UP

RUNNER UP

Yash Desai

Christina McIntosh

Stature Investments

McIntosh Realty Group

Photo Credit: Corey Brooks Photography

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BE WELL

Fire in the Belly

Tired of Tums? Two state-of-the-art procedures promise to tamp out acid reflux forever

By ANDREA GOTO

ACID REFLUX IS NO FUN — the constant burning and burping make for a miserable experience. Worse yet, left untreated, the acid that sneaks up from the stomach into the esophagus can cause permanent tissue damage and even lead to cancer. That’s bad news for the more than 15 million Americans who experience acid reflux symptoms daily.

Most people can calm acid reflux with over-the-counter medications like Prilosec or Nexium — but keep in mind that medication is more of a Band-Aid than a cure. And

while it's safe, many people aren’t keen about taking a daily medication for the rest of their lives.

Surgical procedures to prevent acid reflux date all the way back to the late 1950s — the most common is called a Nissen fundoplication. This procedure wraps the top part of the stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter to create a one-way valve, preventing food and acid from creeping into the esophagus. A normally functioning valve remains closed until food comes down the pipe, but

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dysfunctional valves open at inopportune times or are almost always open. Nissen surgery is effective and still done today laparoscopically (using very small incisions), but because it creates a 360-degree wrap, patients often experience difficulty swallowing and are unable to belch or vomit, even when they feel the need to. Additionally, because the wrap is made of tissue, it can stretch out and become less effective over time.

Enter TIF reflux surgery, which was introduced at Memorial Health last summer.

This minimally invasive surgery is similar to the Nissen in that it involves using tissue to wrap the lower part of the esophagus, though the wrap is only 270 degrees, allowing patients more flexibility. Additionally, it does not require an overnight stay and because it’s performed endoscopically (through the mouth), there are no incisions.

“I think we undertreat our acid reflux patients with reflux medicines,” says Dr. George Aragon, of The Center for Digestive and Liver Health. In other words, many patients would benefit from a more permanent fix. “We want our patients to know that TIF is a good, safe, long-term solution.”

A similar device, the LINX hit the market shortly after TIF in 2012. With LINX, the mechanism to prevent reflux is similar in that the valve is being recreated. But instead of using tissue from the stomach, LINX wraps the lower part of the esophagus with a ring of magnetic-core titanium beads. The construction prevents acid and food from leaving the stomach and entering the esophagus and is also flexible enough to allow for a range of natural functions. While the device is placed laparoscopically, it only requires four 5-millimeter incisions and one 10-millimeter incision. Dr. Jeffrey Mandel of SouthCoast Health is a fan because LINX allows him to treat several issues at a time, including hiatal hernias, which often accompany severe cases of acid reflux. It’s also proven very effective.

“With the LINX, when you do tests afterwards, the vast majority have a normalization of their acid exposure,” he says.

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Slow Drip IV therapy flows onto the beauty scene, promising more than rehydration A LONGTIME STAPLE of emergency rooms and hospitals, intravenous (IV) treatments that deliver vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream have found their way into medical spas.

The delivery — a hanging bag with tubes and a needle in the arm — hasn’t gotten any sexier, but the contents have. The Glow2O IV Bar at Glow Medical Spa and Beauty Boutique offers an entire cocktail menu with custom vitamin and mineral combinations to meet a variety of needs, from the virtuous sports recovery treatment to the I-had-a-few-drinks-too-many treatment.

But Glow owner Courtney Victor is quick to point out that while IV therapy can certainly help us after we’ve hurt our bodies — be it with a hard workout or hard liquor — one of the best ways to use IV therapy is as a pre-hydrating preventative treatment. “By going into a long run, weekend or vacation hydrated, you can actually tilt the scale with these ‘pay-it-forward’ hydration points,” she says.

Using a proactive approach, IV therapies can promote collagen, boost immunity and even support weight loss by keeping hunger down

and energy up. Victor adds that with the Glow to Go service, the IVs can come to you, which is great for group events like bachelorette or bachelor parties and hotel guests suffering from jet lag.

But, really, we probably all could benefit from bag of liquid rejuvenation. “None of us are as hydrated as we need to be,” says Victor, “and symptoms of dehydration are those things that we all complain about — fatigue, loss of focus and the inability to get good sleep.”

In that case, I’ll take mine straight up. —ANDREA GOTO

The Wound Care Clinic is a place to turn for patients who have a chronic wound which just won’t heal.

Rebecca Hart, ANP-BC • Barbara Martinez, FNP-BC Delia Collins, FNP-BC (Not Pictured)

1215 US-Hwy 80 E, Pooler, GA 31322 • 912-998-0040

www.woundcareclinic.net

LOW COUNTRY

D ERM ATOLOGY

Corinne Howington, M.D. Elizabeth Brennan, PA-C Haley Spring, Licensed Medical Esthetician

ACUPUNCTURE & HERBAL CENTER You may know that acupuncture is helpful for pain management, but did you know that acupuncture and herbs help reduce stress, headaches, infertility, insomnia, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, and anxiety?

Nicole Ware is available for consultations and provides drug-free natural relief for many health issues.

2424 Drayton Street Savannah, GA 31401 912.655.0330

NICOLE WARE, L.Ac. nicole@healsavannah.com healsavannah.com

We are Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology and specialize in medical, surgical & cosmetic dermatology.

Your comfort is important to us, and we offer Pro-Nox® sedation treatment for our patients.

Our Services include: Botox®, Dysport®, & Secret™ RF treatments, Cutera® laser treatments, chemical peels, facials, consultations and prescription skin care

912-354-1018 310 Eisenhower Drive | Suite 12 A Savannah, GA 31406 www.LCDERM.com S AVA N N A H H E A LT H 2 0 19 - 2 0 2 0

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Tooth Be Told Dental implants could be integral to maintaining the health of your teeth. Luckily, they’re not as scary as they seem

By SYLVIE BAGGETT

A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH of “dental implants” uncovers a slew of images that could easily appear in a Home Depot advertisement or perhaps a brochure from a medieval torture museum — screws, power drills, torque wrenches. If the idea of having a tooth surgically implanted gives you the heebie-jeebies, rest assured: the latest technology will have you (painlessly) back to beaming in no time.

Trauma, gum disease and tooth decay are the three leading culprits behind tooth loss.

When it’s time for an artificial tooth, dental implants serve as the root. After bonding to the jawbone, an implant offers all the functionality of a natural tooth and, bonus, is immune to tooth decay. While implant design hasn’t changed much over the years, usability has. Dr. Lindsay Sammons, a practitioner at Howard Family Dental in Pooler, says, “The implants that they have on the market are very user-friendly.

They’re becoming more universal and easier for the general dentist to use and restore.” That means if you’re ever faced with a missing tooth, you won’t have to deal with it for long.

Sammons uses computerized tomography, or CT, scans to aid her guided implant placement. “I have all of my patients do a CT scan,” Sammons says. “That way, I can see everything I need to

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before the patient is even in the chair.” CT scans allow the surgeon to see the height and width of the bone and the bone density without any invasive procedures. The alternative, which many oral surgeons opt for, involves a lot of slicing and dicing. With Sammons’ method, there’s no incisions, no blood and no stitches in the exploratory phase. “The way I do it, healing time is much faster and pain after the surgery is much less.”

Not only is the prep work advancing, but the procedure itself is, too. Dr. Chad Schnabel, one half of the husband-and-wife dental duo at Savannah Dental Solutions, uses platelet rich plasma, or PRP, in dental implant surgery. “We draw and spin your own blood down and extract the platelets, the good parts from it, and use it in the procedure,” Schnabel says.

If a patient’s jawbone isn’t strong enough to handle the implant, a bone graft is necessary — with a little help from PRP. Putting a patient’s own bone proteins and plasma into the bone graft promotes faster healing, reduces bleeding and regenerates soft tissue more quickly. And once the implant is in, it’s in for life.

“Dental implants are the longest lasting service we have in dentistry,” says Schnabel.

Regarding the procedure itself, Sammons says with a laugh, “Most of the comments I get afterwards are ‘that was so much better than I thought it would be!’”

Dr. Richard F. Porcelli

ARTIST OF THE SMILE PHYSICIAN OF THE MOUTH Biological Center for Dentistry 29 Plantation Park, Suite 303 Bluffton, South Carolina 843.593.8123 biologicalcenterfordentistry.com

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BE WELL

Heads Up New procedures and medicines give hope to acute chronic headache sufferers — no drill required

By ANDREA GOTO

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NOT ALL HEADACHES ARE ALIKE. There are many causes — from allergies and tension to hormones and anxiety — and, consequently, just as many cures.

Dr. Jill Trumble, a neurologist at St. Joseph’s/Candler, explains that there are two ways to treat headaches. One is to wait until the headache appears and then take medication to break it, which is recommended for patients who suffer from one or two headaches a week. “When you use as-needed medication more than three times a week, it can actually cause rebound headaches,” she explains, which is why Trumble advises daily medication for those who experience more frequent headaches.

The traditional migraine medications doctors prescribe actually came to market for other issues such as high blood pressure, seizures, depression and anxiety. While these help migraines, they also come with unpleasant side effects, including constipation, dry mouth, weight gain and difficulty finding words. This is why Trumble is excited about the first medications on the market developed for the sole purpose of treating migraines: Ajovy, Aimovig and Emgality. All three are monthly injectables that patients administer themselves.

Botox continues to gain popularity for migraine sufferers after patients receiving it to treat wrinkles realized that their headaches temporarily went away as well.

Trumble explains that the Botox protocol is 31 shots across the forehead, temples, back of the head, neck and shoulders every three months. She emphasizes that this treatment should be administered by a neurologist. “I’ve had patients say they’ve had treatment for migraines from their dentist or opthamologist, but it often isn’t the migraine protocol,” Trumble says.

The FDA has approved Botox and the new injectables only for chronic migraine sufferers, which is defined as more than 15 headache days a month lasting longer than 4 hours for over six months. Additionally,

a patient must have already failed oral medications before receiving Botox treatment.

But what if needles make you squeamish?

“The reality is, when patients have bad headaches, they’re willing to do anything,” Trumble says. “The migraine is so much more debilitating than dealing with a needle.”

Similar to how Botox was serendipitously discovered to be a migraine treatment, Dr. Bahman Guyuron, a leading Cleveland plastic surgeon, discovered that cosmetic brow lift patients were also reporting relief from their migraines. After years of study, he found that some headaches are caused by a compressed occipital nerve at the back of the head, peripheral nerve or nerve above the eyebrow — which the brow lift was inadvertently relieving. Surgeons can now identify patients’ trigger points by having them describe where their headache pain originates and how it travels. The trigger point helps indicate which nerves are being compressed. A local anesthetic is

administered where the compression is believed to be, and if this temporarily blocks the pain, the patient is considered a good candidate for the surgery, which involves an almost imperceptible incision that allows the surgeon to free up the nerve.

“If you really start to listen to people’s stories, you will hear how desperate they are,” says Dr. Matthew McLeod, who launched our city’s first migraine surgery program at Savannah Plastic Surgery last summer. “The reward is seeing how people’s lives are changed through this surgery.”

There are many successful stories, including one patient who endured 10 years of daily acute and debilitating migraines before her surgery, but McLeod doesn’t pretend that the surgery is the answer for every headache sufferer.

“We’re not offering a silver bullet for all migraines,” he says. “The key is identifying a person who would be a good candidate — someone with a compressed nerve that’s causing head pain and someone who is also plugged in with their neurologist.”

PIN HEAD J WHILE THE NEW headache treatments are promising, many have found relief through

one of the oldest forms of medicine: acupuncture. Like Western medicine, acupuncture to treat headaches isn’t a one-size-fits-all prescription. “Sometimes hormones, allergies and food can cause headaches, so it’s a matter of ruling out those things first,” says Bauer Coslick of Vitality Acupuncture. “Then we have to determine when and how headaches manifest and that helps us hone in on where the needles will be placed.”

Coslick explains that there aren’t set acupuncture points to address all headaches. “It’s very individually based,” he says. “I have some patients who do get a one-time fix, and I have others for which acupuncture is more of a pain-management approach.”

A bonus to acupuncture is that it can treat multiple issues at once. “If someone has a migraine but also doesn’t sleep well, they may see improvement in both because of overlapping points in the back of the neck that are good for sleep and to relieve tension headaches,” Coslick says.

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ROAD to RECOVERY

One woman’s story of addiction and recovery gives hope and celebrates gratitude

By ANDREA GOTO Photography by STAYCE KOEGLER

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ON JANUARY 10, 2011, Amanda Groves sat in her car outside of a church in Charleston where a 12-step recovery program was underway. Her husband had kicked her out of their Savannah home and filed for divorce. She could only visit their three-year-old son under supervision. She’d been in and out of treatment programs for her addiction to pain killers for the past five years, always relapsing.

At 31, Amanda had hit bottom. She had nothing else to lose, except herself.

“That’s the first time I made the decision to be sober just for myself,” she recalls.

“It was the most empowering, scary, horrible, amazing thing that has ever happened to me because something just clicked — a feeling of surrender.”

Amanda didn’t look like an addict. She came from a loving family and was beautiful, educated and lived in a five-bedroom home in one of Savannah’s historic neighborhoods. But within that house, Amanda’s marriage was deteriorating as she struggled to stay sober during her pregnancy and then relapsed after her son was born.

“I remember walking with him in the stroller and telling myself, you’re smarter than this, you were raised better than this, just don’t eat a pill today,” she says. “And I couldn’t do it. It wasn’t like I was taking 20 pills a day, drooling on myself while my child was playing in the yard, but I was never completely sober.”

Like many addicts, Amanda couldn’t reason her way out of the disease, which is sometimes hard for others to understand. “Just stop doing that” is a common response to addiction; as if it were that simple. Sure, Amanda did make a choice once. At 14, after losing her mom to colon cancer, she started to drink and smoke pot. “Our family didn’t share feelings, and when I used beer and weed, I didn’t feel sad or odd that I didn’t have a mom,” she recalls. “I could even talk about it and break down when I was drunk, but I couldn’t do that sober.”

At the College of Charleston, Amanda continued to use drugs and alcohol along with her friends, but she points out how the others eventually grew up and stopped using; they became “responsible adults,” while she found herself unable to make that same choice.

Amanda got engaged a couple of years later. The morning after her bachelorette party, her dad told her he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he wouldn’t have surgery to remove the tumor until after he walked her down the wedding aisle, a promise he kept. But on the second day of their honeymoon in the Caribbean, Amanda and her husband Billy received a call. Her father’s tumor was inoperable, and he could expect to live about six months.

“We flew back early, and I literally drank myself into oblivion,” Amanda says. “I told Billy I wanted to get pregnant that night to give my dad a grandchild, which was not the right thing to say at 24 to my new husband.”

Until his death in 2005, Amanda took care of her father on weekends, but she felt like he resented her presence. “I thought he didn’t appreciate it, and was angry with me, but really he just didn’t like being sick,” she says.

Amanda found her dad’s pain pills and took them to cope. “It was a way to make me feel like I was there just visiting him as his daughter,” she recalls. “That’s where the pill problem came in — I wanted to feel like things were normal.”

After that day in Charleston, Amanda completed a 30-day intensive outpatient drug treatment program and continued to attend meetings as part of a 12-step program.

Today, Amanda is eight-and-a-half years sober, and her life is anything but normal. She and Billy have reunited (never finalizing the divorce), added twin boys to the mix and she works full-time at Saint Andrew’s School. Like most moms, Amanda runs in a million different directions, but instead of complaining, she reminds herself that this chaos is a gift she almost never had. In fact, her motto is “love your kaos,” a phrase she uses for her T-shirt and accessory

“It was the most empowering, scary, horrible, amazing thing that has ever happened to me because something just clicked — a feeling of surrender.”

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NewDay Counseling

An outpatient treatment center for addiction gives some patients the flexibility they need to get sober

line (intentionally misspelled in homage to a spelling bee she lost when she was young). The brand’s message is to recognize, accept and find gratitude for the chaos that exists in our lives.

Gratitude has been a key component to Amanda’s treatment and recovery process. “I hate knowing who I was for that time in my life, but I’m very grateful that I’ve learned this lifestyle,” she says. “I love who I’ve become, how my brain works and how I can help myself and other people. I wouldn’t have that without hitting bottom. I just wish I hadn’t hurt people along the way.”

Amanda points out that every story of addiction is different, at least on the

surface. “There are people who don’t hit bottom before getting sober. Some people go to jail and have do go through drug court and stay sober,” she says.

“There are so many situations. But the one thing we all have in common is that we’re absolutely powerless over alcohol and drugs.”

She’s reminded of this every time she attends a 12-step meeting. “I don’t go because I’m going to drink or use; I go to meetings to remember where I was and to share my story,” she says. “I didn’t realize how many people like me were out there, and if you stick around long enough, you start to hear the similarities, not the differences.”

After five years battling an addiction to painkillers, Amanda Groves found the help she needed in an intensive outpatient treatment program, similar to NewDay Counseling here in Savannah.

“Sometimes someone needs to be out of their environment and in an in-patient setting,” says Mike Farmer, who, along with his wife Susan, opened NewDay about five years ago.

“But if they have a job and good support at home, it’s sometimes best if they can get used to coping with reality without using a drug.”

The eight-week program at NewDay is held during the evening hours, primarily in a classroom setting. “A big part of our program is teaching coping skills to deal with stress, anxiety and all the things people will encounter as they’re learning to live sober,” Farmer says. After completing the program, clients are encouraged to attend regular meetings free of charge for as long as they need to.

As a private treatment facility that maintains a steady 12 to 15-person client base, NewDay offers an intimate setting that many clients like. “I’ve seen some facilities get so big that it starts to seem too much like a revolving door,” Farmer notes.

“But we take the time to get to know each patient, pay attention to them and try to give good treatment — and I think we do.”

(NewDay Counseling, 912.201.3605, Savannahoutpatient.org)

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MEET THE DOCTORS

DANA KUMJIAN, M.D.

ERIK D. BERNSTEIN, M.D.

REBECCA SENTMAN, M.D.

JAMES BAZEMORE, M.D.

JESSICA COLEMAN, M.D.

MIKHAIL NOVIKOV, M.D., PhD.

WILLIAM G. GRUBB, M.D.

BRYAN KRULL, D.O.

NEW DOCTOR

NEW DOCTOR

Starting August 1

C. THOMAS TUCKER, M.D.

SAVANNAH

1115 Lexington Ave Savannah, GA 31404 912-354-4813

JORGE O. CHABRIER-ROSELLO, M.D.

BLUFFTON

16 Okatie Center Blvd Suite 100 Okatie, SC 29909 843-706-9955

BEAUFORT

16 Kemmerlin Lane Suite A Beaufort, SC 29907 843-524-2002

Starting August 1

RAFAEL DAVID RODRIQUEZ, M.D.

JESUP

111 Colonial Way Ste 2 Jesup, GA 31545 912-588-1919

THEKIDNEYDOCS.COM

RINCON

604 Towne Park West Rincon, GA 31326 912-354-4813

BRUNSWICK

3025 Shrine Road Suite 450 Brunswick, GA 31520 912-264-6133

S AVA N N A H H E A L T H

S TAY W E L L

At Risk

Misinformation surrounding vaccinations, and what you need to know to protect your family and community

By ANDREA GOTO

“WE SHOULDN’T even be talking about this,” says Dr. Ben Spitalnick, which seems like a bad way to begin an interview about measles — until he explains why. “Measles were considered eradicated in the United States in 2000.

We’re in danger of losing that status this year because measles cases are skyrocketing.”

At the time of our publication, the CDC lists 704 reported cases of measles in the United States, which includes six confirmed cases in Georgia. And while there are no reported cases yet in Savannah, Spitalnick believes it’s just a matter of time unless we become vigilant about immunizations.

“Over the last decade, we’ve had movements of people avoiding vaccines for various

reasons but primarily out of fear from misinformation that spreads over social media, and now we have these pockets of under-vaccinated people,” explains Spitalnick of Savannah Pediatric Associates, who also recently served as the president of the Georgia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Once the number of vaccinated people drops below 95 percent, a disease that was once eradicated can easily re-emerge. Which is why we’re talking about the thing we shouldn’t be talking about.

“As a community, we all need to be proper stewards of our children and get the appropriate recommended vaccines to protect our most vulnerable,” Spitalnick urges. The most vulnerable include those who

have an immunodeficiency and infants, since the measles vaccine — one of the three vaccines in the MMR — isn’t administered until a child turns one.

Of every 1,000 people with measles, one to two will die. Even scarier, because measles is one of the most highly contagious diseases, it’s virtually impossible to protect those who aren’t immunized. “If you’re in a room with someone who has measles, 9 out of 10 people in that room will contract the disease if they’re not immune,” explains Spitalnick. Of course, you could have been exposed to measles and not even know it, as symptoms may not appear for 7 to 14 days. Additionally, the disease is contagious anywhere from four days before to four days after the distinctive red rash appears.

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“That’s how this disease can spread so quickly,” Spitalnick adds.

The primary reason parents don’t vaccinate their children is the misbelief that vaccines can cause to autism, in spite of the extensive definitive research proving otherwise. “The vast majority of those not immunized are from well-educated families who really do care about their children and have good access to medical care, but choose to believe in an inaccurate set of truths that aren’t scientifically proven,” says Spitalnick.

Our schools and physicians’ offices require vaccines, but loopholes exist. For instance, in Georgia, you can apply for a medical or religious exemption. A medical exemption must be certified by a doctor every year, but Spitalnick points out that such cases are extremely rare. A religious exemption, however, doesn’t need to be certified every year, nor does it need to be certified by any religious authority.

California eliminated all religious exemptions after the 2015 measles outbreak in Disneyland.

Spitalnick points out that the pediatrician and legislator who spearheaded that effort asked for any religion that opposed vaccines to come forward to be recorded for exemption. Not a single organized religion went on record as being against vaccinations, and the loophole was closed.

Spitalnick wants to see this happen in Georgia. “Ours is a deeply faith-driven state, and it is very hard to remove something that appears to be a religious right,” he says. “I believe in protecting our religious rights and diversity, but as no religions actually oppose immunizations, this is a pretend religious right that allows people to put the vulnerable at risk for a vaccine-preventable disease.”

Hopefully the day will come that we won’t have to talk about measles, but for now, the threat of an outbreak in our area is both a real possibility and an entirely preventable one, too.

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Into the Weeds

CBD is the latest fad to take over the health world, but will it work for you?

By SYLVIE BAGGETT

THE 2018 FARM BILL removed hemp from the list of controlled substances, accelerating production of CBD and fueling what is projected to be a $22 billion industry.

CBD is one of the chemical compounds found in both hemp and marijuana plants. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the primary compound that has a psychoactive effect, or high, on users. CBD has no psychoactive effects and has become increasingly popular for the treatment of pretty much every ailment imaginable, from arthritis to cancer. There has been some scientific research done regarding CBD’s benefits, but largely the results have been driven by user testimony.

But is it legal? Well, it depends where it comes from. CBD can be derived from either hemp or the marijuana plant. Hemp is legal. Marijuana is illegal on the federal level. The main difference between hemp and marijuana is the amount of THC each contains.

Hemp has 0.3% THC or less, whereas marijuana can contain up to 40% THC. CBD products are legal so long as they are hemp derived and contain 0.3% or less of THC. Dr. Michael Vaughn, a specialist at Savannah Chiropractic Center, has been exploring the use of CBD products alongside his chiropractic treatments for two years. “Two of the big things it helps are anxiety and sleep,” says Vaughn. Though studies on the subject are preliminary, evidence suggests that CBD can help boost serotonin (a chemical in the body that helps regulate mood) receptors in the brain, which decreases anxiety. If you’re less anxious, then you sleep better. As far as musculoskeletal pain goes, Vaughn says it’s really hit or miss with patients. Some

patients report less pain while others don’t feel any effects. “As a chiropractor, I have to have an open mind. I know there are alternative pathways to healthcare. I think there’s a therapeutic value to this.”

If you’re looking to hop on the CBD bandwagon, you don’t have to go far. Mary Jane’s CBD Dispensary on Victory Drive is brimming with CBD skincare, supplements, lotions, capsules, tinctures — even CBD-infused peanut butter for dogs that supposedly has a calming effect. It can be overwhelming, but the employees are knowledgeable, friendly and happy to help find the best product for you.

Brighter Day Natural Foods is another good bet, offering a specially curated selection of CBD products that includes tinctures and teas.

And it looks like the burgeoning agricultural hemp industry is knocking at Savannah’s door. Blue Sky Hemp CBD processing plant, a 15,000 square-foot facility, recently opened in Beaufort and is part of a growing effort to create jobs and more diverse products for consumers.

J Dr. Michael Vaughn will speak about the “Facts and Fictions of CBD Oil” at the next Encourage Health Series lunchtime presentation on August 27 at the Charles H. Morris Center, 10 East Broad St. For the past five years, Enmarket has partnered with Healthy Savannah for this casual lunch forum during which Photo by JASON B. JAMES Savannah’s health professionals discuss nutrition, fitness and healthy living. Guests learn about creating a more healthy community and enjoy lunch, all free of charge. Register at healthysavannah.org.

Photo by JASON B. JAMES

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YOUR FACE TO TO TO THE THE THE REGION’S REGION’S REGION’S ONLY ONLY ONLY FELLOWSHIP-TRAINED FELLOWSHIP-TRAINED FELLOWSHIP-TRAINED BOARD-CERTIFIED BOARD-CERTIFIED BOARD-CERTIFIED FACIAL FACIAL FACIAL PLASTIC PLASTIC PLASTIC SURGEON. SURGEON. SURGEON. SAVANNAH SAVANNAH SAVANNAH FACIAL FACIAL FACIAL PLASTIC PLASTIC PLASTIC SURGERY SURGERY SURGERY DR. DR. DR. TIMOTHY TIMOTHY TIMOTHY MINTON, MINTON, MINTON, MD MD MD • • • • EYELID EYELID EYELIDSURGERY SURGERY SURGERY •• FACELIFT FACELIFT FACELIFT///NECK NECK NECKLIFT LIFT LIFT •• SKIN SKIN SKINCANCER CANCER CANCERSURGERY SURGERY SURGERY •• RHINOPLASTY RHINOPLASTY RHINOPLASTY •• BOTOX BOTOX BOTOX • • • FILLERS FILLERS FILLERS •• LASER LASER LASERSKIN SKIN SKINREJUVENATON REJUVENATON REJUVENATON •• SCULPSURE® SCULPSURE® SCULPSURE® •• FULL FULL FULLMEDSPA MEDSPA MEDSPASERVICES SERVICES SERVICES • • • MICRONEEDLING CHEMICAL PEELS SKINCARE HAIR RESTORATION MICRONEEDLING MICRONEEDLING •• CHEMICAL CHEMICAL PEELS PEELS •• SKINCARE SKINCARE •• HAIR HAIR RESTORATION RESTORATION

a division of Georgia Ear Nose and Throat Specialists a adivision divisionofofGeorgia GeorgiaEar EarNose Noseand andThroat ThroatSpecialists Specialists

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MEET THE MEDICAL EXPERTS:

DOCTORS Ageless Savannah Medical Spa....................................................................... Page S57 Audiology and Hearing Aid Services............................................................... Page S50 Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat LLC...................................................................... Page S58 Ear, Nose & Throat Associates of Savannah PC.............................................. Page S51 ExperCARE...................................................................................................... Page S53 Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah PC....................................... Pages S48-49 Low Country Dermatology.............................................................................. Page S57 Optimal Hearing.............................................................................................. Page S55 Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics LLC................................................................ Page S56 Savannah Pain Management Inc..................................................................... Page S52 Savannah Plastic Surgery................................................................................. Page S54 Shrink Savannah.............................................................................................. Page S58 PHOTOGRAPHY BY SKYE DUKE, CHRISTINE HALL, KATIE MCGEE AND KEITH MORGAN

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Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah, PC HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: St. Joseph’s/Candler, Memorial University Medical Center and Effingham Hospital and Care Center

SAVANNAH | Main office: 519 Stephenson Avenue Central Park: 340 Eisenhower Drive, Building #1500 Endoscopy Center: 519 Stephenson Avenue RICHMOND HILL | 9976 Ford Avenue, Suite A-2 POOLER | 101 St. Joseph/Candler Drive, Suite 310 SPRINGFIELD | Effingham County Hospital, 459 Highway 119 South BLUFFTON | 10 Oak Forest Road, Suite C Phone: 912.354.9447 | Fax: 912.355.6430 | gastrosav.com From left: Jordan T. Houston, PA; Gregory D. Borak, MD; Branden S. Hunter, MD; Christen F. Standiford, NP; David M. Chalikian, MD; Ansley S. Tharpe, MD; Travis F. Wiggins, MD; Sara L. Barrett, PA; Not Pictured: Kristen Rosales-Vasquez, PA-C

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WE ARE LEADING SPECIALISTS IN: Digestive disorders of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine (colon), liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Our areas of expertise include: Therapeutic and Diagnostic Endoscopy, Colon Cancer Screening, Reflux Disease, Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases, Radiofrequency Ablation for Barrett’s Esophagus, Crohn’s & Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gastrointestinal Cancer, and Endoscopic Ultrasound.

EXPERTISE: Since 1978, our physicians and staff at Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah, P.C. have been committed to providing patients from across the Coastal Empire with the finest quality and most compassionate care for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disease. Our highly qualified physicians are all board certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal

Medicine and have been trained in leading institutions across the country. Collectively, our diverse backgrounds and medical expertise of specialty procedures set our practice apart from our peers.

ACCREDITATION: Our Endoscopy Center is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC) and has continually held this distinction since its inception, earning a 100 percent rating score on our 2018 AAAHC survey. Our facility also received Medicare Deemed status by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

CONVENIENCE: We strive to make our physicians and services more easily accessible for our patients. In addition to our main location, we have offices in Richmond Hill, Pooler, Springfield and Bluffton to

provide convenience and prompt appointments for our patients. Our Endoscopy Center is equipped with the latest technology, including in-house pathology and a fully staffed team of anesthesia specialists.

By using the most up-to-date endoscopic techniques, we are able to offer more convenient treatment and a faster recovery for our patients.

ADVICE—COLONOSCOPY SCREENING: Men and women who are at an average risk for colon cancer should begin colon cancer screening at age 50 and age 45 for African-American individuals. A colonoscopy is the most effective method of screening for colon cancer and is not just for detection but prevention as well. Regular colonoscopy screening and removal of polyps reduces your risk of developing colorectal cancer by up to 90 percent. The new American Cancer Society 2018 guide-

lines recommend that average-risk adults aged 45 years and older undergo regular screening.

CONTACT US: We welcome both new and returning patients to our practice. You can contact our appointment staff by calling 912.354.9447 and following the prompts.

We look forward to caring for your gastrointestinal health.

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Audiology and Hearing Aid Services 803 E. 68th St. | 912.351.3038 Other Locations: Pooler and Statesboro The Village on Skidaway Island | 912.598.0616 From left: Casey Allen, AuD, CCC-A; Sara King, Aud, CCC-A; Amy Riggins, AuD CCC-A; Katherine Neufeld, AuD, CCC-A; Susan Timna, AuD CCC-A; Cori Palmer, AuD CCC-A

WE ARE THE LEADING EXPERTS IN: your hearing health. Aging, noise exposure, smoking, poor cardiovascular health, high BMI, and diabetes are among the common health issues that can negatively affect the auditory system and cause hearing loss.

Untreated hearing loss has been linked to an increase in depression and cognitive decline. Allowing hearing loss to go untreated can have serious consequences to your overall health.

WE’RE MOST PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE: live and practice in Savannah and we strive to provide the

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highest quality of hearing health care to our community and the surrounding areas.

We are dedicated to working with our patients to determine the best treatment plan for their individual needs.

OUR PATIENTS OFTEN TELL US: they “hear fine, but they don’t understand what is being said.” As we age, we use more cognitive resources to understand speech, especially in background noise. This is why understanding speech cannot be restored by simply turning up the volume. Most hearing aids on the market will help to make sounds louder, but to improve a

patient’s understanding abilities, you need the right technology and programming inside the hearing aid.

As technology continues to improve, we have more and more tools available to help successfully restore a patient’s ability to understand in hard listening situations.

WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: our simulation room. We have the ability to simulate real life listening situations in our state-of-theart facility. We can program your hearing devices to maximize hearing in noisy places. This is the only room like it in the city—the very first of its kind.

Ear, Nose, & Throat Associates of Savannah, PC 5201 Frederick St. 912.351.3030 entsavannah.com Back row: Dr. William Moretz, Dr. Stephen Rashleigh, Dr. Brad Rawlings Middle: Dr. Fred Daniel, Dr. Diane Davis, Michelle Yamada, PA-C Front: Kristen Thomas, PA-C, Dr. Michael Zoller

WE SPECIALIZE IN: comprehensive medical and surgical treatment for problems of the ear, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck, including treatment of allergies and sinusitis, sleep apnea, thyroid and parathyroid disease and voice and swallowing disorders. We also treat pediatric ENT patients for a variety of problems, including chronic ear infections and tonsillitis.

Our skilled audiologists provide the latest in hearing aid technology at Audiology and Hearing Aid Services.

We utilize the latest ENT

technologies, such as balloon sinuplasty for treatment of sinusitis, radiofrequency ablation of the tongue base for treatment of sleep apnea and endoscopic techniques for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.

FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF OUR PATIENTS: we have a state certified Ambulatory Surgery Center, are fully privileged at all Savannah area hospitals and offer early morning and Saturday appointments.

We have satellite offices in Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Statesboro and The Landings.

WE TREAT: each patient and set of symptoms individually because we know what works best for one patient may not work best for another. We take the time to create an individualized approach to your ENT health, working to improve your conditions and quality of life. We want you to feel comfortable and confident understanding your treatment plan. Our health coach will walk you through each step of your treatment plan, surgery, or other procedures to ensure you are healing and improving.

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Keith A. Kirby, MD Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation BOARD CERTIFICATIONS: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine

SAVANNAH PAIN MANAGEMENT, INC. 8 Wheeler St. 912.352.4340 SavannahPainManagement.com

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I AM A LEADING EXPERT IN: nonsurgical treatment of pain. Our staff understands the suffering caused by pain.

We are committed to relieving your suffering so that you may return to a more active lifestyle.

MY TRAINING ENABLES ME TO: construct a rehabilitation plan designed to return you to those activities in which your pain prevents you from doing.

S A V A N N A H M A G A Z I N E . C O M ★ Special Adver tising Section

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: pain treatment from degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, arthritis of the spine, SI (sacroiliac) joint problems, sciatica, peripheral neuropathy, shingles, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and other causes of persistent pain.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T: suffer from pain needlessly. If you suffer from pain that does not resolve itself in four to six weeks, ask your doctor to refer you to a physician who is board certified in pain medicine.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT: nonsurgical treatment options for degenerative disc disease and disc herniation of your neck and back. Ninety percent of those with a herniated disc will improve within six months after nonsurgical treatment.

ExperCARE SAVANNAH: 318 Mall Blvd. (next to Dick’s Sporting Goods) 912.358.1515 RICHMOND HILL: 60 Exchange St. (next to Kroger) 912.756.2273 ExperCAREhealth.com From left: Mary E. McCourt, MSN, FNP, BC, CDE; Robert A. Mazur, M.D., FACEP, FAAEM, LTC (Ret) (Medical Director); Whitney L. Rintelman, MPAS, PA-C; Donna S. McAllister, RT, MSPAS, PA-C; Catherine C. Grant, MSPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Founder & CEO); Thomas L. Ryan, MPAS, PA-C; Tricia A. Howard, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA; J. David Carson, M.D., FACEP, USCIS (Occupational Medicine Director); Mallory Ann Ledergerber, MSPAS, PA-C

OUR APPROACH TO MEDICINE: focuses on the patient experience.

Delivering excellence and convenience, without compromise, is what we do.

We aim to make access to excellent healthcare easy!

Any age, any problem, urgent or not, we are here for you. Insured? Great—we are in network. No insurance? No problem! We have affordable options for you.

CAN EXPERCARE DO MORE THAN JUST URGENT CARE? Yes! We offer a wide range of services ranging from routine, non-urgent care, on-site

x-rays, labs, immunizations, and travel medicine, as well as a full range of occupational health services including physicals, drug testing, spirometry, audiometry, on-site testing and MORE! OUR PROVIDERS: have more than 180 years of combined experience in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Nephrology, Pulmonology and Ophthalmology. With extended hours of operation including evenings and weekends, you can trust we will be there when you need us.

WE ENJOY: getting involved and making a difference in many areas throughout the Coastal Empire. Some of our favorites include volunteering in our churches and schools, as well as the local YMCA, chambers, Ronald McDonald House, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO RELAX: include spending time with loved ones and furry friends, playing golf, crafting, fishing, traveling, running, kayaking, ballroom dancing, making popcorn and occasionally binge-watching Netflix.

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Matthew D. McLeod, MD MPH MEDICAL DEGREE: Mercer University School of Medicine RESIDENCY: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University of Virginia FELLOWSHIP: Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship, Migraine Surgery Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School AFFILIATIONS: Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Massachusetts General Hospital Surgical Alumni, University of Virginia Medical Alumni

SAVANNAH PLASTIC SURGERY 7208 Hodgson Memorial Drive 912.503.2736 savannahplasticsurgery.com @matthewmcleodmd @savannahplasticsurgery S54

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I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: facial aesthetic rejuvenation (both surgical and nonsurgical procedures), aesthetic breast surgery and body contouring, migraine surgery and energy-based interventions, including laser and radiofrequency.

I WAS ATTRACTED TO THIS FIELD OF MEDICINE: because it offered an opportunity to innovate and perfect a craft that exceeds the surgical and nonsurgical goals of patients.

I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD: spend more time protecting their skin from the sun.

I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: offering a philosophy for facial rejuvenation that moves beyond the standard face and neck lift and includes multimodal

regenerative techniques that matches a modern aesthetic. I’m also delighted about our Migraine Surgery Program, which is the first multidisciplinary program of its kind in the Southeast and is already having a significant positive impact on the lives of migraine sufferers and their families.

MY MOST REWARDING MOMENT AS A DOCTOR: happens every day.

I have an opportunity to empower people to define beauty for themselves and help them meet their goals.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: my family for their unwavering support and my excellent staff.

MY FAVORITE WAY TO STAY FIT IS: trying to match the energy and activity level of my kids.

Gabriel Pitt, Au.D. DOCTORAL DEGREE: University of South Florida EXTERNSHIP: University of California San Francisco AFFILIATIONS: St. Joseph’s/Candler Care Network, Memorial Health Partners

OPTIMAL HEARING 527 Stephenson Ave. A-3 912.352.8530 optimalhearing.com Other locations: Statesboro, Jesup, Brunswick, Dublin and Vidalia, Georgia, and Bluffton and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: hearing loss and tinnitus assessment and treatment.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: being asked by my audiologist peers to serve as president of the Georgia Academy of Audiology. After my tenure on the board of GAA, I was then asked to sit on one of our profession’s national academy’s board as secretary. Giving back to the audiology profession has been an honor.

MY PATIENTS OFTEN ASK ME: if there is anything that can be done to stop the ringing (or the roaring, the crickets, etc.) in their ears.

I let them know that there probably is something we can do to reduce, eliminate or manage their tinnitus.

Treatment options depend on the underlying cause of the tinnitus, which could range from wax impaction to hearing loss to a tumor or other otologic condition.

We will thoroughly assess the possible underlying causes of the tinnitus and determine effective treatments.

I WISH MORE PEOPLE WERE AWARE OF: the connection between hearing loss and dementia. A recent consensus paper from The Lancet—a well-respected professional medical

journal—reported that of all dementia cases, 35 percent were potentially modifiable.

The report found nine modifiable factors that contribute to acquiring dementia, including smoking, diabetes, education, depression and hearing loss. Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia is relatively new, and it was found to be the largest single modifiable factor that contributes to dementia. Rather than a benign condition, hearing loss is increasingly being considered something that needs to be regularly assessed and treated.

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Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics LLC 9100 White Bluff Road, Ste. 601 912.436.6789 savannahbehavioralpediatrics.com Pictured: Heather Myers, family therapist; Dr. Kristi Hofstadter-Duke, director and pediatric psychologist; Dr. Martha Hinchey, pediatric psychologist; and Amanda Wadley, child and adolescent therapist

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WE’RE LEADING EXPERTS IN: child behavior, learning and development. We help parents and guardians to better understand the challenges facing their children, and we partner with families to change behavior, improve learning and overcome developmental obstacles. Whether your child is exhibiting challenging behavior, social delays or learning difficulties, we are the specialists trained to identify, treat and monitor your child throughout the developmental period.

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OUR MOTTO IS: “Changing behavior. Changing lives.”

When committed families collaborate with us and work hard, we see life-changing transformations for both the child and the family.

ONE QUICK TIP FOR IMPROVING CHILD BEHAVIOR IS: catch your child being good (quiet, calm, polite)! Adult attention—particularly parent attention—is behavioral fuel, so catch and label good, appropriate behaviors to see them more often.

WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: our progress in expanding the availability of behavioral health services in our community. We are in the process of partnering with local primary-care providers to provide highquality behavioral and developmental services in the comfort of your pediatrician’s office! Our goal is to expand behavioral services to rural areas, where services have historically been unavailable.

Corinne M. Howington, MD MEDICAL DEGREE: Louisiana State University Medical School RESIDENCY: New Orleans, LA ORGANIZATIONS: American Academy of Dermatology, Women’s Dermatological Society, American Society of Dermatological Surgeons HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Memorial University Medical Center and St. Joseph’s/Candler

LOW COUNTRY DERMATOLOGY 310 Eisenhower Drive, Ste. 12A 912.354.1018 | lcderm.com MY MISSION IS TO: educate the public about the latest skin-care information and research available.

Whether it is explaining to people the risks of melanoma or answering questions about new procedures, I strive to help not only my patients, but also my neighbors, friends, family and community to understand and follow the best skin-care practices available.

I’M PROUD OF: my new skin-care line that features 15 signature skin-care products. The Howington Skin Care line is suited to individual preferences and needs with products that promote healthy aging, enhance skin moisture and reduce acne, redness, irritation and inflammation.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE ARE: a relaxed, well-appointed office setting with a caring and talented staff.

Jan Davis, MD MEDICAL DEGREE: Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia RESIDENCY: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Anesthesiology FELLOWSHIP: National Laser Institute, Phoenix, Arizona AFFILIATIONS: Board certified by The American Board of Anesthesiology

AGELESS SAVANNAH MEDICAL SPA 7360 Skidaway Road J-2 912.344.4530 | agelesssavannah.com WE USE: precise yet less invasive procedures that don’t involve surgery in a relaxed, discrete environment in order to achieve a beautiful and youthful appearance.

We use the latest products and injectibles like Botox and dermal fillers, Kybella, microneedling, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, PRP for skin rejuvenation, wound healing and hair loss for both men and women and testosterone replacement therapy.

PEOPLE CHOOSE US BECAUSE: there’s good reason to insist on a physician—expertise counts!

At Ageless, you are in the skilled hands of a board-certified physician. Dr. Jan Davis is a well-trained doctor offering each patient an honest, compassionate, well-informed consultation and treatment to combat the aging process.

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Chad Brock, MD MEDICAL DEGREE: University of Oklahoma RESIDENCY: Medical University of South Carolina AFFILIATION: Board Certified in General Psychiatry

SHRINK SAVANNAH 1601 Abercorn St. 912.712.2550 shrinksavannah.com

I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: our recent relocation to a new, expanded office in the Thomas Square neighborhood. It has more room for our patients, providers and staff, as well as a state-of-the-art infusion area for ketamine therapy.

We are welcoming additional providers to our team and are thrilled to be able to provide mental health services to so many more in our community.

MY TWO GO-TO SPOTS IN SAVANNAH ARE: The Collins Quarter and Bull Street Taco—two places that have delicious food and fabulous customer service.

Both are perfect examples of combining a great product with knowledgeable and friendly team members.

This is what I strive for in my medical practice.

David S. Oliver, MD, FACS HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: St. Joseph’s/Candler; Memorial University Medical Center

COASTAL EAR, NOSE & THROAT LLC Savannah: 322 Commercial Drive, 31406 Pooler: 200 Blue Moon Crossing, 31322 912.355.2335 | coastal-ent.com WE OFFER: a myriad of new in-office procedures as well as in-hospital surgeries that eliminate or minimize incisions. The hypoglossal nerve stimulator—or tongue pacemaker—is a highly successful method for treating obstructive sleep apnea. New procedures reduce the size of the tongue, nasal tissue and palate to improve breathing for those with snoring and sleep apnea. New reconstruction procedures of the palate reduce complication, improve results and speed recovery. Thyroid surgery

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can be performed with an incision of an inch or less, nearly eliminating a scar.

I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive procedure for relieving sinusitis. I have performed more than 200 of these in-office procedures since its inception in 2011.

A balloon is slipped into the narrow sinus openings and inflated, permanently spreading the thin bones in the sinus cavity and releasing pressure and congestion.

Recovery is prompt.

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TUNE IN AND CHILL OUT.

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MEET THE MEDICAL EXPERTS:

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS Buckingham South.......................................................................................... Page S63 Live Oak Children’s Therapy............................................................................ Page S62 Shrink Savannah.............................................................................................. Page S65 Vitali MedSpa.................................................................................................. Page S63 Waters Edge Counseling................................................................................. Page S64 PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE HALL, KATIE MCGEE AND KEITH MORGAN

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Rebecca Morrow, MS CCC-SLP AFFILIATIONS: American Speech Language Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence

LIVE OAK CHILDREN’S THERAPY 7130 Hodgson Memorial Drive #100 912.355.3392 liveoakchildrens.com

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I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: speech-language and communication delays and disorders. I believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and it is my job to work with families and clients to find the best method to facilitate that voice for each individual.

I KNEW I WANTED TO GO INTO THIS FIELD WHEN: I was a sophomore in college.

I wanted to work with children but wasn’t sure in what capacity. I knew I had found my field when I started shadowing various professionals including a speech-language pathologist who worked with children with special needs.

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I WAS ATTRACTED TO THIS AREA OF MEDICINE: because I have always been interested in the medical field and working with children. I feel like speech-language pathology gives me the opportunity to bridge those two fields. In addition, I enjoy being in a field where I can collaborate with other therapy fields and doctors in order to provide the best possible plan of care for each individual.

I LOVE: working with our trained therapy dog, Groot, who was provided by the SD Gunner Fund. He’s a poodle who loves being petted, getting hugs and giving high

fives. Groot is a great addition in the therapy room and acts as a calming presence, motivator and helps to facilitate a lot of language use.

MY FAVORITE WAY TO STAY FIT IS: Orange Theory! I started going several months ago, and I am hooked.

MY GO-TO SPOT IN SAVANNAH IS: Huc-a-poo’s on Tybee Island. We love the pizza!

Kelly Kessinger, RN, MSN MEDICAL DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Nursing & Masters of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner AFFILIATIONS: National Academy of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Council of Coastal Georgia, RealSelf 2017 Most Loved Injector

VITALI MEDSPA

130 Canal St., Ste. 403, Pooler 833.VITALI1 vitalimedspa.com WE’RE LEADING EXPERTS IN: aesthetic medicine, including injectables, lasers, microneedling, radiofrequency treatments, medical grade skincare and medical grade massage. Kelly is our senior laser provider and master injector. By law, practices can only provide laser services under the supervision of a senior laser practitioner or physician trained in laser modalities.

Always verify credentials before receiving treatments.

WE’RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: our new treatment, Profound RF. It’s great for the area around the jowls and neck. Radiofrequency tightens skin and creates more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which gives the effect of a lift and smooths skin.

WE WISH MORE OF OUR CLIENTS WOULD: add a high-quality sunscreen to their skincare routine.

Rita Slatus, Rita Slatus, Executive Director Executive Director BUCKINGHAM SOUTH

Buckingham South 5450 Abercorn St. 5450 Abercorn St. Savannah 31405 Savannah 31405 912.355.5550 912-355-5550 buckinghamsouth.com

buckinghamsouth.com

of care as one’s medical ASSISTED LIVING needs increase. 24-hour, FACILITIES: address both the health care needs as well round-the-clock nursing ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES: both theahealth careAddress including full time as the social and emotional care needs as well as the social and emotional well-being registered nurse, licensed well-beingofofeach each resident resident. An assisted living community will provide medical technicians, An assistedmedication living community monitoring, daily housekeeping, transportation certified nursing assistants, will provideandmedication mon- social stimulating recreational, and cultural activities.a medical director and security are all itoring, daily housekeeping, WHATand SETSstimulatBUCKINGHAMon SOUTH Is thethe finest callAPART: to ensure transportation unparalleled, personalized approach, tailored to provide the care.

Because Buckingham ing recreational, social and highest quality of health care and medical attention. Buckingham South locally owned cultural activities.

South is able to provide continuity of care is as one’s medical needs and operated, management is increase. 24-hour, round-the-clock nursing care including a full timeBUCKINGHAM registered nurse, licensed medical technicians, certified on location 24-7 to address WHAT SETS nursing assistants, and security are all on call confamily questions and SOUTH APART: is the a medical director to ensure the finest care. Because Buckingham South is locally cerns and to ensure the highunparalleled, personalowned and operated, management is on location 24-7 to address est level the of highest individualized ized approach, tailored family questions andto concerns and to ensure level of attention. Buckingham South provide the highest attention. quality individualized is truly Savannah’s finest of health care and medical attention. Buckingham South assisted living community!

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Water’s Edge Counseling WHITNEY OWENS, LPC: Practice Owner and Clinician (centered above) From left: CHRISTINA GLENDYE: Director of Client Relations LISA CLARK, LPC, CPCS: Clinician EMILY HAWKINS, LCSW: Clinician CAMIE GOODES, APC: Clinician 2103 Bull St. 912.319.5552 watersedgecounseling.com

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OUR APPROACH TO COUNSELING IS: to incorporate evidence-based clinical modalities and focus on the therapeutic alliance. We believe that healing comes through the relationship between client and therapist.

WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: our multidisciplinary team of clinicians—each with a different specialization. Lisa works with eating disorders and offers clinical supervision to therapists. Emily specializes in children and teens, incorporating parenting training and play therapy. Camie sees couples in various stages of their relationships and works with those struggling

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with abuse and addiction.

Whitney works with anxious professionals and speaks and writes about mental health on a local and state level.

OUR PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE OUR PRACTICE AS: professional, timely and welcoming. When clients call us in need, we respond within 24 hours. Our office is in a Victorian building in the Thomas Square District, which makes clients feel like they are walking into a home versus a doctor’s office.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT WE: don’t always have all the answers. However, we are committed to the

process of exploring the options that are best for each individual’s needs.

WE WISH MORE OF OUR CLIENTS WOULD STOP: beating themselves up.

Counseling is not only for those in crisis, but also for those who want to have a more fulfilling life. We accept and care for our clients no matter where they are in life.

OUR CLIENTS OFTEN ASK US: am I normal? We normalize their fears by reminding them that we all feel abnormal from time to time.

We are here to help you get back to feeling like yourself and finding your ideal life.

Shrink Savannah LYDIA STEARNS, PA-C: Bachelor of Arts in biology, Taylor University; Master of Science in physician assistant studies, South University KRISTY TRIPLETT, PA-C: Bachelor of Science in biology, Georgia Southern University; Master of Science in physician assistant studies, South University ANDREA YATES, PA-C: Bachelor of Science in nutrition and dietetics, University of Alabama; Master of Science in physician assistant studies, South University 1601 Abercorn St. 912.712.2550 | shrinksavannah.com WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: offering Ketamine Infusion Therapy in the Savannah area. We’ve been experiencing tremendous success with this groundbreaking treatment that’s used in cases of severe and treatment-resistant depression. The patient experiences a noticeable change after the treatment, which is administered intravenously at a low-dosage. A series

of six treatments within a two-week period of time is recommended.

ONE THING WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND TO OUR PATIENTS: is to make time for yourself and exercise!

Get outside and enjoy our beautiful city and its surroundings. Even a quick walk is a mood booster and will help you feel more energized throughout the day.

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MEET THE MEDICAL EXPERTS:

DENTISTS Biological Center for Dentistry........................................................................ Page S75 Coastal Dental Surgery LLC............................................................................. Page S68 Cohen Dental.................................................................................................. Page S77 Gladden Dental.............................................................................................. Page S74 Georgetown Family Dental............................................................................ Page S70 Groover Family Dentistry................................................................................. Page S74 Howard Family Dental.............................................................................. Pages S72-73 Mark N. Dye, DMD LLC................................................................................... Page S69 Savannah Dental.............................................................................................. Page S71 Vaught Orthodontics....................................................................................... Page S76 PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE MCGEE AND ANGELA HOPPER-LEE

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Walker T. Pendarvis, DMD, MHS EDUCATION: Medical University of South Carolina; College of Dental Medicine, Charleston, South Carolina; Postgraduate Residency in Periodontics MEDICAL DEGREE: Doctor of Dental Medicine (Summa Cum Laude) and Master of Health Sciences (Summa Cum Laude) BOARD CERTIFICATION: Diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology ORGANIZATIONS: American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontics, Georgia Society of Periodontists, Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, Academy of Osseointegration

COASTAL DENTAL SURGERY, LLC 6600 Abercorn Street, Suite 204 912.349.3259 | CoastalDentalSurgery.com S68

I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: implant dentistry, surgical extractions, ridge/sinus augmentation, soft tissue (gum) grafting, dental surgery, periodontal disease treatment and IV sedation.

My team and I provide the highest level of innovation and surgical experience while utilizing technological advances such as in-office 3D imaging to ensure absolute diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.

MY APPROACH IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE: I spend quality time listening to each patient to fully understand their concerns and needs. After performing

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a comprehensive clinical and radiographic examination, we then discuss best treatment options to achieve a successful outcome.

I am passionate about providing minimally invasive procedures to reduce postsurgical issues so patients can enjoy their lives.

PROCEDURES I PERFORM THAT ENHANCE MY PATIENTS’ LIVES INCLUDE: immediate tooth removal with prompt implant placement and temporization. A patient may arrive with a fractured tooth and literally walk out with a beautifully restored implant that looks as natural as a

perfect tooth. No sutures and no pain—Immediate full arch of teeth in one day.

Diseased teeth are removed, implants placed and a sameday beautiful restoration is delivered. Minimally invasive gum grafting beautifies the smile and improves oral health.

Mark N. Dye, DMD MEDICAL DEGREE: Tufts University School of Dental Medicine RESIDENCY: Tufts University School of Dental Medicine ORGANIZATIONS: American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

MARK N. DYE, DMD LLC 310 Eisenhower Drive, Bldg. 14 912.355.2424 thesavannahdentist.com

MY APPROACH TO DENTISTRY IS: a conservative approach. My patients know that they will not have to deal with high-pressure sales and excessive treatment plans.

MY PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE MY CHAIRSIDE MANNER AS: professional, knowledgeable, and caring with a sense of humor.

I LOVE SINKING MY TEETH INTO: tableside guacamole, shrimp tacos and a spicy margarita at Tequila’s Town.

ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE BY: brushing and flossing twice a day!

AFTER A STRESSFUL DAY, I UNWIND BY: hopping on my bicycle for a leisurely ride around the many bike trails at The Landings on Skidaway Island.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE: truly state-of-the-art! We are constantly redefining exceptional dentistry with the latest dental technology. We are one of four regional dentists to use an iTero Scanner for digital impressions. This means no more “mouthfuls of goo.”

MY DENTISTRY PHILOSOPHY: if it isn’t broken, then don’t fix it! We take pride in offering quality cosmetic and general dentistry to our patients, but one of the things our patients seem to appreciate most is that we do not push unwanted procedures on them.

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Roy D. Maynard Jr., DDS MEDICAL DEGREE: Doctor of Dental Surgery at Howard University College of Dentistry RESIDENCY: General Practice Residency at the Brooklyn Hospital Center AFFILIATIONS: American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Savannah Dental Society, National Dental Association

GEORGETOWN FAMILY DENTAL 821 King George Blvd.

912.927.8484 georgetownfamilydental.com

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I’M MOST PROUD OF: my team at Georgetown Family Dental. God has truly blessed me to be surrounded by team members who genuinely care about people and are just as passionate as I am about providing understanding, judgmentfree dental care in a relaxing environment.

MY PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE MY CHAIRSIDE MANNER AS: compassionate. Due to my own medical history growing up with a developmental disorder that affected my airway, oral cavity and facial symmetry, I understand what it’s like to be the patient. I

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treat my patients with care and kindness, providing a judgment-free atmosphere full of love and support as I work with them to improve the beauty and function of their smile.

MY WIFE, CRYSTAL, AND I ARE: expecting our first child. It’s a boy, and we are so excited! I’m still undecided on his name, so check us out on Facebook to see the name reveal.

MY PATIENTS OFTEN ASK ME: why they get so many cavities or have gum disease.

I explain to patients that we are all created differently.

Some patients are more at risk to have dental problems.

MY GO-TO SPOT IN SAVANNAH IS: our nursery.

My good friend, Erika Phyall, decorated it, and it’s very serene. Crystal and I love going in his room at the end of the day and reading him stories.

I’M MOST EXCITED WHEN: I hear our patients speaking about their experience in our practice and telling others about the value of the care we provide.

Stephanie Joy Sweeney, DMD MEDICAL DEGREE: DMD from Medical College of Georgia AFFILIATIONS: Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Association, Savannah Dental Society, American Academy of Cosmetic Orthodontists, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Spear Dental Academy

SAVANNAH DENTAL 836 E. 65th St., Ste. 11 912.355.8821 savannah.dental

I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: Cosmetic dentistry. Many of our patients are looking for routine care and a great experience. Others seek us out because they are looking to improve their smile. Our expertise and top notch technology in Botox, Fillers, Veneers, Implants, Crowns, Bridges, Invisalign, and Bleaching allows for us to provide patients with a smile they have always wanted!

I WAS ATTRACTED TO DENTISTRY: Due to an accident as a child, my teeth were not naturally beautiful.

As my teeth developed, my dentist transformed my smile and confidence. With the

help of a cosmetic dentist, any smile can be amazing!

MY FAVORITE WAY TO STAY FIT IS: Anything in the water! I am always finding time to surf or kiteboard. I also enjoy foil boarding, golf, tennis, wakeboarding, yoga, Pilates, sailing and even paragliding!

A DIET CHANGE THAT CAN IMPROVE YOUR ORAL HEALTH IS: Reducing your sugar consumption!

Did you know the average American consumes 130lbs of sugar a year?! Not only does excess sugar make you age faster, increase your risk of cancer and heart disease,

it also causes cavities. Skip the sodas or energy drinks and opt for water. Or use a sugar alternative like Monkfruit which is anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and inhibits tooth decay and gum disease.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: Our community impact. We donate 1% of our collections back to the causes that are most important to us. Last year we donated to the Telfair Museum, CCA of Skidaway Island, the JEA, America’s Second Harvest, the Jewish Federation, National MS Society, LLS, Alzheimer’s Association, Surfrider, and more!

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Abby L. Dew, DDS QUALIFICATIONS: Doctor of Dental Surgery, University of Michigan ORGANIZATIONS: American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Southeastern District Dental Society

HOWARD FAMILY DENTAL—SOUTHSIDE 206 E. Montgomery Cross Road 912.927.3615 howardfamilydental.com I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: combining implantology with top-notch restorations. My team is creating beautiful smiles with strong foundations to last.

MY PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE MY CHAIRSIDE MANNER AS: patient, calm and thorough. I try my best to take time to get to know each patient as a person, and I only recommend treatment that I’m confident will make their lives better.

MY FIT BIT STAYS ACTIVE BECAUSE I: have a full-time dental practice and chase around a 7- and 5-year-old with a newborn in tow.

I LOVE SINKING MY TEETH INTO: Adam Turoni’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups. They are to die for!

ONE FUNDRAISER THAT’S FUN TO PARTICIPATE IN IS: the Telfair Ball! My husband and I love to support the arts in Savannah.

Christy C. Harpring, DMD DENTAL DEGREE: Doctor of Dental Medicine AFFILIATIONS: American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, American Academy of Facial Esthetics, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

HOWARD FAMILY DENTAL–WILMINGTON ISLAND 206 Johnny Mercer Blvd.

912.897.9000 | howardfamilydental.com I WAS ATTRACTED TO DENTISTRY: because I love people. Getting to interact with all walks of life and use my creative side on a daily basis is a dream come true.

MY FAVORITE WAY TO STAY FIT IS: my Peloton, hot yoga and chasing three kids.

MY GUILTY PLEASURE IS: sleep—never ever can get enough.

I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD: find ways to decrease their daily S72

sugar intake. It’s not only bad for oral health, but also the entire body.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: my staff. I am so lucky to have smart, fun and talented people helping make me look good.

IF I WERE NOT A DENTIST I WOULD BE: an aspiring novelist. Fictional writing is my favorite, but I also enjoy writing marketing content and the blog for my local co-owned business, Sea Salt & Sugar.

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Jason Howard, DMD ORGANIZATIONS: American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, American Orthodontic Society, American Academy of Facial Esthetics

Lindsay Sammons, DMD

ORGANIZATIONS: Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Association, American Academy of Facial Esthetics, Academy of General Dentistry

HOWARD FAMILY DENTAL—POOLER 91 Brighton Woods Road 912.748.4858 | howardfamilydental.com I ENJOY VOLUNTEERING: at our Howard Free Day of Dentistry. In its 10 years, we have given away more than six figures of free dentistry to those in need. —Howard YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: I am one of the owners of Sea Salt & Sugar, an upscale, health-conscious nail bar on Victory Drive.

—Sammons

A HEALTH FAD TO AVOID IS: charcoal toothpaste. It’s nothing more than a super abrasive way to scrub off healthy enamel. —Howard Being on a “diet.” I would love for patients to choose a lifestyle for their way of eating, to feed themselves the nutrients they need and avoid processed foods, sugar, dyes or ingredients they can’t pronounce.

—Sammons

Julie K. Howard, D.M.D. DENTAL DEGREE: Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry

Emily Husted Sasser, D.M.D.

DENTAL DEGREE: Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University

HOWARD FAMILY DENTAL—MIDTOWN 533 Stephenson Ave. 912.236.3557 howardfamilydental.com

I ENJOY MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY: raising awareness and increasing community involvement through various fundraising activities for the “Howard Hand in Hand” program at St. Joseph’s/Candler, which provides free support, education and guidance to children and teens with a family member facing a life-threatening disease and helps children cope with and process their thoughts and feelings. —Howard

I AM GRATEFUL FOR: being able to provide care for our patients alongside such a talented, committed and caring team. I am thankful for my husband and two sweet dogs, who give me so much joy and have my whole heart. I love giving back to the community through our programs like “Howard Hand in Hand” and our Free Day of Dentistry. —Sasser

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W. Eric Gladden, DMD DENTAL DEGREE: DMD, Medical College of Georgia, 2002 AFFILIATIONS: American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Savannah Dental Association, Adjunct Faculty, Dental College of Georgia

GLADDEN DENTAL 807 E. 65th St. 912.354.4133 gladdendental.com

WE ARE LEADING EXPERTS IN: individualized care. Our dental focus is on oral health, which is best achieved by treating each patient as an individual.

OUR PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE OUR PRACTICE AS: caring and compassionate. Our objective is for each patient to feel like our practice is their dental home.

OUR PRACTICE IS THANKFUL FOR: all of our existing patients who trust us to care for their dental needs and happily refer friends and family to experience the personal attention that our practice offers.

Dr. Michael J. Groover, DMD DENTAL DEGREE: University of Louisville School of Dentistry AFFILIATION: University of Louisville School of Dentistry affiliations: Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Savannah Dental Society, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

GROOVER FAMILY DENTISTRY

711 E. 70th St. Suite B 912.354.9541 | grooverfamilydentistry.com I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A DENTIST: When I saw how my father changed his patient’s lives through oral health and dentistry. Patients would approach my father outside of his dental office and speak as if they had known each other for years, but then I would realize they were his patients. I knew at a very early age that I wanted to follow his footsteps and continue the family-oriented environment that he created in our practice.

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MY PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE MY CHAIRSIDE MANNER: As caring and compassionate. We try to create a dental experience where it is very clear that we have your best interests at heart, and we want you to feel like you are a part of your treatment. My staff and I treat all of our patients like we would want our family members to be treated.

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Richard F. Porcelli, DDS, MS EDUCATION: NYU College of Dentistry RESIDENCY: NY Methodist Hospital FELLOWSHIP: Implant Dentistry (ADIA), Laser Dentistry (Biolase) AFFILIATIONS: Dawson Academy Scholar, Pankey Institute Alumni, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicity, Paracelsus Clinic, Holistic Dental Association

BIOLOGICAL CENTER FOR DENTISTRY 29 Plantation Park Drive, Suite 303 Bluffton, South Carolina 29910 843.593.8123 biologicalcenterfordentistry.com

I AM A LEADING EXPERT IN: biologic dentistry, holistic health, complete smile rejuvenation and mouth reconstruction.

Our materials of choice include high-grade ceramics, BPA-free composites, fluoride-free products and nonmetal restorations.

I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: reducing toxicity to patients by using only the most biocompatible products to ensure long-lasting health results. Our office offers biocompatibility testing and is S.M.A.R.T.—Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique—certified. We are very knowledgeable about optimal product choice and reducing toxic exposure with materials placed in or on the body that can have an effect on one’s systematic health.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: my dental team. They are highly trained, extremely professional and lead with their hearts.

MY PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE MY CHAIRSIDE MANNER AS: compassionate and knowledgeable about dental health and the mouth-body connection. They know my dedication to the profession because I take the time to help accomplish the high-quality care they expect.

A DAY DOESN’T GO BY THAT I DON’T: kiss my wife and children and thank God for all of life’s blessings.

I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD: take time for personal reflection to help them nurture a healthier mindset to create the best version of themselves. True health and healing depend on the balance of one’s mind, body and spirit.

MY TREATMENT IS: very comprehensive and helps my patients understand the importance of proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle and its relevance to total health and successful dentistry.

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Vaught Orthodontics AFFILIATIONS: American Association of Orthodontists, Southern Association of Orthodontists, Georgia Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Southeastern District Dental Society, Savannah Dental Society SAVANNAH: 7650 Waters Ave. | 912.200.3452 RICHMOND HILL: 2701 US 17 #2B | 912.756.2309 Vaughtorthodontics.com

BOB VAUGHT, DMD, MSD DENTAL DEGREE: Medical University of South Carolina ORTHODONTIC RESIDENCY AND MASTER’S DEGREE: Saint Louis University

KATE VAUGHT, DMD, MS DENTAL DEGREE: Medical University of South Carolina ORTHODONTIC RESIDENCY AND MASTER’S DEGREE: Marquette University S76

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OUR APPROACH TO ORTHODONTICS IS: creating beautiful, healthy smiles in an environment that is relaxed and completely centered on patients and their families.

WE’RE EXPERTS IN: the diagnosis, prevention, interception and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Similar to becoming a medical specialist, such as a surgeon or an internist, orthodontists complete a residency program for two to three years after dental school. These extra years of education make us specialists in aligning the teeth and jaws. It is the only focus of our practice.

WE ARE MOST PROUD OF: the fact that we now represent two

generations of excellent orthodontic care in Savannah and that Dr. Kate is the only female orthodontist practicing in our area.

OUR PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE OUR PRACTICE AS: welcoming and comfortable with meticulous attention to detail.

WE ENJOY VOLUNTEERING FOR: the Ronald McDonald House. Dr. Kate volunteered there throughout high school, and we love continuing that tradition today.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT WE: are the official smile of the Savannah Bananas!

Scott Cohen, DDS MEDICAL DEGREE: University of Tennessee, Memphis ORGANIZATIONS: Southeast District Dental Society, Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Association, Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry AREAS OF CONCENTRATION: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Sleep Medicine

COHEN DENTAL 310 Eisenhower Drive, Building 2 912.353.9533 savannahdentalcentre.com

I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A DENTIST WHEN: I was 8 years old and my godmother gave me a Jr. Dentist Kit. I loved the tools and the aluminum foil shavings for filling the cavities!

MY MOST REWARDING MOMENT AS A DOCTOR IS: seeing patients “really smile” for the first time in their lives. Having a great smile can give a person confidence like nothing else can.

I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD: understand how important oral health is to their overall well-being.

MY PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE MY CHAIRSIDE MANNER AS: South-Georgia friendly!

MY MENTOR TAUGHT ME: a lifelong lesson when I was 11-years-old—how to improvise. I use it almost daily when treating my patients as well as life in general. Sometimes life throws curve balls that you don’t expect. You have to know how to think on your feet.

MY OPINION ON GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY: a good friend of mine has a motto: “Give like you live.” I donate and raise funds for many charities locally, nationally and internationally. Most recently, we challenged our Facebook friends and family and raised money for Greenbriar Children’s Home Christmas fund and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

MY APPROACH TO MEDICINE IS: treat my patients the way I want to be treated. We make sure to always put you first in everything that we do.

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Fred Peche After 26 years of military service — and one fateful explosion — this retired police detective keeps on spinning FRED PECHE'S habits are indicative of his history. He attends Island YMCA spin classes six days a week, without fail. He claims the same bike, which other members regard as his bike — on the far-left side, at the front of the class. He’s always early. Near his bike — in precisely the same spot each time — he tidily places his camo backpack on top of his street shoes to take up as little space as possible.

Peche’s discipline screams “military” about as loudly as the black T-shirt he wears to each class, “BOMB SQUAD” emblazoned across the back.

It’s not ironic. Over the course of his 26 years of active military duty, Peche completed a tour of duty in Vietnam and, decades later, two more in Iraq.

As the team leader of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit in Iraq, Peche destroyed stockpiles of ordnance (unexploded bombs). “There were just stacks all over the place — 10 to 20,000 pieces of ordnance in open fields,” he says. He was also called in to destroy IEDs (improvised explosive devices) when they were spotted, which added up to about 10-15 IEDs a day. Peche would clear the area, then approach the IEDs to destroy them as the rest of the team stayed a safer distance back.

One day, his team was called to the aid four soldiers in a Humvee positioned between two IEDs. Fred was clearing the area to allow his vehicle to approach when he saw an antenna at his foot. He crouched down to grab it to pull the blasting cap out of the ordnance when the enemy remotely detonated the device.

Peche remembers nothing else. He doesn’t remember being thrown like a rag doll in a plume of dust, nor does he remember standing up, waving his hand to assure his team he was okay and to stay back. He doesn’t remember continuing to clear the area

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to save the soldiers surrounded by the explosives. He doesn’t remember his body pierced and bloodied by shrapnel, including one particularly weighty and jagged piece he keeps as a memento. He doesn’t remember refusing Medevac.

Being blown up earned Peche 70-percent hearing loss and a lifetime of unrelenting tinnitus that’s “like screaming and that’ll never go away,” but also a Purple Heart, which accompanies his three bronze stars awarded for acts of heroism during combat.

Back home in Savannah with his wife and son, and Iraq, 2005 throughout the duration of his military service, Peche served his community.

He worked as a teacher at Derenne Middle School before joining the Sheriff ’s Department, worked the metro drug squad, was a member of the SWAT team and dive squad, launched Savannah’s bomb squad and became a detective. Peche eventually retired as a sergeant in 2007.

A lifelong athlete, the former Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State University) football player was pulled from his best years and his education when he was drafted, never stopped working out. He’s a third-degree black belt in karate, and until several years ago, Peche was an avid runner. But he now prefers the low impact of cycling. “I’m 70 — at my age, I just do what I enjoy doing. And then I come home and figure what I want to make for dinner,” he laughs. Clearly, after decades of service to his city and country, Peche has found — and more than earned — his place: the spinning bike on the far left, at the front of the class.

—ANDREA GOTO

Photo by KATIE MCGEE

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