PRIMARY CARE
ABERCORN SOUTHSIDE
11133 Abercorn Street, Suite 10
Savannah, GA 31419
912-925-3382
EISENHOWER
527 Eisenhower Drive Savannah, GA 31406
912-819-9100
MARIANNE FLEMING, MD
CONCIERGE
836 E. 65th Street, Bldg. 30
Savannah, GA 31405
912-819-9501
HINESVILLE
229 General Screven Way Suite H1A
Hinesville, Georgia 31313
912-391-1313
ISLANDS
102 Bryan Woods Road
Savannah, GA 31410
912- 898-1122
MEDICAL ARTS
836 East 65th Street, Bldg. #9
Savannah, GA 31405
912-819-5090
PEMBROKE
159 W. Railroad Street
Pembroke, GA 31321
912-653-2897
POOLER
101 St. Joseph’s/Candler Drive, Suite 200 Pooler, GA 31322
912-748-1999
JOSE RENDON, MD
11909-D McAuley Drive
Savannah, GA 31419
912-927-0785
RICHMOND HILL
10055 Ford Avenue, Suite 3A
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
912-819-9601
RINCON
423 S. Columbia Avenue Rincon, GA 31326
912-826-8860
STATESBORO
16741 Hwy 67, Suite A Statesboro, GA 30458
912-623-2391
BLUFFTON
10 Oak Forest Road, Suite C Bluffton, SC 29910
843- 815-3006
RIDGELAND
109 S. Green Street Ridgeland, SC 29936
843-726-6773
URGENT CARE
SAVANNAH MIDTOWN
361 Commercial Drive Savannah, GA 31406
912-355-6221
ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER
POOLER CAMPUS
101 St. Joseph’s/Candler Drive, Suite 100 (off Pooler Parkway) Pooler, GA 31322
912-737-2250
POOLER
107 Canal Street Pooler, GA 31322
912-450-1945
BLUFFTON
3 Progressive Street Bluffton, SC 29910
843-548-0533
HINESVILLE
780 East Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313
912-385-0801
RICHMOND HILL
12800 Hwy. 144 Richmond Hill, GA 31324
912-910-2010
RINCON 5621 Highway 21 S. Rincon, Ga. 31326 912-295-5860
STATESBORO
1096 Bermuda Run Road Statesboro, Ga. 30458 912-871-5150
BONE, JOINT & MUSCLE CARE
101 St. Joseph’s/Candler Drive, Suite 330 Pooler, GA 31322 912-737-2450
CARDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES
11700 Mercy Boulevard, Plaza D, Building 6 Savannah, GA 31419 912-927-3434
SOUTHCOAST CARDIOLOGY
1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 2 Savannah, GA 31406 912-527-5300
CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY
1700 Mercy Boulevard, Plaza D, Building 1, Suite A Savannah, GA 31419 & 225 Candler Drive, Suite 201 Savannah, GA 31405 912-819-0500
ENDOCRINOLOGY
4849 Paulsen Street, Suite 105 Savannah, GA 31405 912-819-3944
GEORGIA EAR, NOSE & THROAT SPECIALISTS
SAVANNAH PEDIATRIC ENT THE LISTENING CENTER 5356 Reynolds Street, Suite 505 Savannah, GA 31405 912-356-1515
NEUROLOGY
11706 Mercy Boulevard, Plaza A, Building 10 Savannah, GA 31419 912-819-4949
OB / GYN 5354 Reynolds Street Savannah, GA 31405 Suite 518 - 912-819-9650 Suite 422 - 912-354-2634
OB/GYN 5204 Paulsen Street Savannah, GA 31405 912-819-4491
PROGRESSIVE OB/GYN 5353 Reynolds Street, Suite 201 Savannah, GA 31405 912-355-5755
PODIATRY 310 Eisenhower Drive, Building 7A Savannah, GA 31406 912-355-6503
TELFAIR BREAST SURGERY 5353 Reynolds Street, Suite 107 Savannah, GA 31405 912-819-7630
SAVANNAH FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY
5356 Reynolds Street, Suite 510 Savannah, GA 31405 912-644-0744
VASCULAR SPECIALISTS 11909 McAuley Drive Building 100, Suite A-2 Savannah, GA 31419 912-354-8331
Delta Metals, Inc.
Customer since 2018
Queensborough takes pride in being a local resource for financial services. But we’re more than just a bank. We live, work, and invest our time and resources right here 24/7. Your success is our reward and giving back has been part of our DNA since 1902. We are your Qmmunity bank.
GEORGIA’ S COM MUN IT Y BANK since 1902
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They helped build our business bigger than it ever could have been.
Scott
THIS WINDOW IN A TYBEE ISLAND HOME FEATURES A SPECIALTY, COLOR-MATCHED SHUTTER. IT WAS EXPERTLY PAINTED TO MATCH THE EXACT SHADE OF THE CLIENT’S CHOSEN COLOR.
51 GETAWAY GLAMOUR
A new, female-founded resortwear line finds inspiration in the Georgia coast and makes beach cover-ups easy breezy.
Written by Allison Stice
Photography by Beau Kester
85 STAY COOL
eat the heat with summer’s buzziest drink: the espresso tonic.
Written by Rachel McDermott
Photography by Michael Hrizuk
111 WILD SWIMMING
newcomer to Savannah dives into the region’s open water and discovers a newfound hobby and appreciation for local rivers along the way.
Written by Grace Wilson
Photography by Peter Colin Murray
120 SAILING WITH FAITH
s the caretaker of two wooden schooners and captain of ld oast dventure ompany, Thomson oore invites others aboard his living sculptures.
Written by Colleen McNally
Photography by Michael Schalk
126 SO SAVANNAH
Introducing the winners of Savannah magazine’s inaugural photo contest.
137 SAVANNAH HEALTH GUIDE
Stay up to date on the latest ways to keep you and your loved ones healthy and happy.
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“ARE YOU TURTLE PEOPLE?” a woman asked me and my husband as we sat down at a round table at the Caretta Research Project’s annual fundraiser. We were under the string lights hanging from enormous live oaks in the beautiful backyard of Dr. Juha and Holley Jaakkola on Isle of Hope, along with a few hundred people who had gathered to support the nonprofit’s namesake: loggerhead sea turtles. (For more photos of the event, turn to our SEEN section on page 202). It was a cool evening in early May — one of those nights when I couldn’t believe my sheer good fortune to call Savannah home. If this was a crowd of turtle people, then count me in, I thought.
Of course, the real work of studying and protecting turtles is a lot less glamorous. A couple of weeks after the fundraiser, I met up with a few of the nonprofit’s board members at Friendship Coffee Company to learn more. Carrie Bazemore, Ruth Weimar and Barbara Perlis took turns sharing heartfelt stories and laughs from their time volunteering on the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge. There are late nights and rustic accommodations with no air conditioning, but so, so much compassion and dedication. Each describes turtle sightings as truly magical.
CRP volunteers are continuing the conservation efforts that started half a century ago — and contributing to record-setting new nests along
the Georgia coast. Still, there’s a long way to go in recovery for this endangered species (“Dispatches from Turtleland,” page 107).
Good things take time.
It’s a sentiment that I’m reminded of when I see the patina on Thomson Moore’s circa-1960s wooden schooner (“Sailing with Faith,” page 120).
It’s also a lesson that Bridgette Frazier recalls her grandmother, who was known as Ma Daisy and of Gullah descent, telling her in the kitchen when cooking a pot of gumbo. Next fall, the elder’s legacy will live on at Ma Daisy’s Porch, a complex with a restaurant, bakery, retail space for Black businesses and a Gullah heritage center, thanks in part to local investment (“On Simmer,” page 88).
Living a life on the water — especially in the summertime — is full of sea, sun and fun. It also comes with a responsibility to take care of, and pass on, all that makes our home so special.
ESTABLISHED MAY 1, 1990
Savannah magazine’s mission is to celebrate the new and enduring voices of our city’s culture, commerce and creative community. Elegant and relevant. Authentic and fun. That’s your Savannah, and this is your magazine.
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In the May/June issue, the poet Aberjhani’s name was spelled incorrectly in “Following the Light.”
The Class of 2023 earned admission to 110 colleges and universities in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, these 79 graduates were offered scholarships totaling more than $7 million collectively from all admitting colleges—in addition to the HOPE awards. Finally, these students enjoyed great results from our two state flagship universities, UGA and Georgia Tech. 60% of our applicants earned admission at Georgia, while 61.5% were admitted at Tech. The impressive list of admitting schools is a testament to our talented students who embrace a rigorous curriculum while receiving personalized college guidance from our team of experienced counselors.
The Class of 2023 will attend the following colleges and universities:
Aden Adjei Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Phil-Anthony Ajayi Case Western Reserve University
Phil-Isabelle Ajayi New York University
Nat Barid Georgia Southern University
Lily Barton Wofford College
Claudia Birthisel Texas Christian University
Banks Bradley University of Virginia
Britney Brown George Washington University
Alli Lane Buckler Wake Forest University
Reagan Carlson Parsons School of Design
Noah Carney University of Georgia
Michael Clifton Kennesaw State University
Anna Conley University of Georgia
Taylor Conley University of Georgia
Madalyn Cox Georgia Southern University
Gracie Daters Washington and Lee University
Keeley Daughtry Georgia Southern University
Nicholas Eskandar Southern Methodist University
Aidan Eyth Johns Hopkins University
Jake Felser Georgia College
Ruby Fleetwood Georgia College
Molly Fountain Auburn University
Melanie Fox Gap Year
Marshall Gerber University of Georgia
Mia Goldberg Indiana University
Carson Grady High Point University
Michael Grandy Proctor Academy
Owen Haas Florida State University
Lane Hammond Georgia Southern University
Ethan Harrison Union College
Liv Hecht Auburn University
Brayden Heiges The University of Pittsburgh
Ned Henneman Vanderbilt University
Avi Heyman Duke University
Skye Horn Auburn University
Katie Horne Auburn University
Mason Howington University of Georgia
Chase Huggins Emory University
Rowan Indgjer Berklee College of Music
Sophia Jenkins Ithica College
Kat Johnson Oglethorpe University
Alex Kaminsky New York University
Maya King Georgia Institute of Technology
Amanda Kronowitz Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Peyton Lewis Auburn University
Logan Lin Rollins College
Julia McGoldrick Clemson University
Maison Miller Auburn University
María Miller Clemson University
Jackson Mondy Auburn University
Amani Mouna Augusta University
Sloan Mullins Savannah College of Art and Design
Ellie Neil Elon University
Yenna Park United States Military Academy at West Point
Paige Parsons Georgia Institute of Technology
Leyla Patel University of Virginia
Jade Perrin American University
Haley Phillips University of Georgia
Anna Pollak Brown University
Anslee Poppell University of Georgia
Maddox Rahimi Louisiana State University
Adrian Remington University of North Georgia
Owen Rogers Clemson University
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PUBLISHER Anita Hagin
EDITORIAL & DESIGN
EDITOR Colleen Ann McNally
ART DIRECTOR Rebecca Hrizuk
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Melanie Schmermund
DIGITAL EDITOR Andrea Burg
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EDITORIAL INTERN Zachary Hayes
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ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE S
Morgan Crolley & Catherine Wooditch
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Holly Todd
EXECUTIVE
PRESIDENT Tina Battock
VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE & OPERATIONS Scott Ferguson
DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING & PRODUCTION Sherry Brown
ACCOUNTING MANAGER Veronica Brooks
CIRCULATION BUSINESS MANAGER Michelle Rowe
MORRIS COMMUNICATIONS
CHAIRMAN William S. Morris III CEO Craig S. Mitchell
ESTABLISHED MAY 1, 1990
Savannah magazine’s mission is to celebrate the new and enduring voices of our city’s culture, commerce and creative community. Elegant and relevant. Authentic and fun. That’s your Savannah, and this is your magazine.
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We are proud to serve Savannah and the Lowcountry community. Our providers and team are committed to delivering comprehensive, high-quality, patient-centered care. The Center for Digestive and Liver Health is home to a diverse group of board certified gastroenterologists who perform the latest diagnostic testing in gastroenterology.
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“Wow, everyone check out @slg_sav Leading Lady Jan Womble and her amazing team in the latest issue of @savannahmagazine. We’re thrilled to see our members rockin’ it!”
SCAD’S BROADWAY TALENT
combined with a Broadway-worthy theater is surprising and delighting audiences at sold-out shows in Savannah.
Already this year, SCAD has brought two big productions to life on the historic Lucas Theatre stage, “Pippin” and “The Play that Goes Wrong.” Each production featured more than 100 students from the university’s performing arts, production design, sound design and costume design degree programs.
“Performing in the beautiful Lucas Theatre was a surreal experience,” said
recent SCAD graduate Jocelyn Webb (BFA, performing arts, 2023). “There is so much history packed into that theater. Being there with my friends felt like we were a part of a legacy. It made it even more special that the community of Savannah could see how hard SCAD students work.”
Webb was one of the stars of “The Play that Goes Wrong,” a comedy farce directed by accomplished actor/comedian Craig Anton. “The experience Professor Anton and my other professors shared with me is priceless. They went beyond teaching me the techniques of the craft and showed
me how the business worked for them on a personal level. With an industry that’s always evolving, my professors taught me how to grow alongside it,” Webb said.
SCAD School of Film and Acting Dean Andra Reeve-Rabb said this experience is not unique. “All of our students are learning from professors who are fresh from the industry — Broadway, film and television veterans are directing and producing these shows,” she said. “They are mentoring our students with relevant experience, not from 25 years ago, more like 25 minutes ago!”
SCAD’s faculty roster also includes Tony-nominated actors and producers who have worked alongside Julie Andrews, John Legend, Al Pacino and have performed in productions like “Hamilton,” “South Pacific” and “The Color Purple,” just to name a few. TV-veteran-turned-SCADperforming-arts-chair Mark Tymchyshyn and Reeve-Rabb actively recruit faculty from Broadway. “When we bring them to Savannah and they see what we are doing at SCAD — how cutting-edge it is, how much it mirrors industry — they are blown away and want to be a part of it. And they want to be part of Savannah, raise their families here,” she said.
Broadway, film and television actor Isaiah Johnson joined the SCAD faculty in 2020 after playing George Washington in the national tour of “Hamilton.” He performed with the students in the university’s production of “Pippin” in May.
“I got so lucky as a freshman to play Pippin opposite Isaiah Johnson who is straight from Broadway,” said performing arts student Eli Talley. “He was amazing to work with! In between scenes or mic checks, he would answer my questions about the industry and tell me what I have to expect going into a behemoth world like that. He seems to know it all, and
I learned so much from him. Working with him made me a better actor.”
It’s not just on-stage where locals and visitors can see this talent. SCAD also produces a multi-camera sitcom on a soundstage on Indian Street, identical to soundstages in New York and Hollywood. The latest sitcom, “Tours and Attractions,” follows a group of college students who put their own unique spins on tours of Savannah while they make the most of their last summer before graduation. A new episode will be filmed in front of a live studio audience in November. The tapings are open to the public.
Webb starred in the first two episodes. “You learn by doing, and SCAD has allowed me to experience so many different forms and mediums of acting. I know how it feels to adapt to different genres and spaces,” she said.
“We have such amazing talent right here in Savannah — our SCAD students and faculty have brought Broadway to Broughton Street and soundstages to the riverfront. We have so many Savannahians coming to every show now — and we have a lot more in store!” said Reeve-Rabb.
With a degree in hand and experience under her belt, Webb is hitting the ground running and moving to New York. “From film and television to theater, I’m ready for it all!”
‘‘
With an industry that’s always evolving, my professors taught me how to grow alongside it."
– JOCELYN WEBB, BFA, performing arts, 2023The sitcom “Tours and Attractions,” which is a multi-camera sitcom shot on SCAD’s soundstage on Indian Street, follows a group of college students who put their own unique spins on tours of Savannah. Similar to “Pippin,” the production for “The Play that Goes Wrong” at the Lucas Theatre featured more than 100 students from SCAD’s performing arts, production design, sound design and costume design degree programs.
From the team behind The Collins Quarter, Doki Doki Ice Creamery (143 Bull St.) opened next door and now serves Savannah’s coolest treats. The name doki doki comes from Japanese onomatopoeia for a heartbeat quickening with anticipation or excitement. Likewise, the menu of refreshing flavors also draws inspiration from Japan and is sure to set hearts fluttering. Pop in for pints of watermelon sudachi sorbet, matcha ice cream and more.
A local favorite for floral design, Urban Poppy now operates an Ardsley Park location (3125 Bull St.) in addition to its base at Plant Riverside District. Visit the flower bar to pick out custom-wrapped bouquets and shop the curated selection of candles, jewelry, stationery, children’s clothing and other gifts. … In the Starland District, Two Tides Brewing Co. recently debuted Crispi (12 W. 41st St.) — an on-site trailer-turned-grill slinging smash burgers, hot dogs and other snacks that pair nicely with ice-cold sodas, brews from the taproom or seltzers from Smol bar. … Bull Street Taco (1608 Bull St.) is expanding its kitchen, dining room, bar and bathrooms. And, just up the street, the same team announced plans for Goody’s
Cafe (1526 Bull St.). … Driving out to Tybee this summer? Make a pit stop at Alvin Ord’s Sandwich Shop (4 Wilmington Island Road) or Zunzibar’s Tybee Island location (1115 US 80 E.).
… Leading global manufacturer of golf cars, E-Z-GO, opened a factory-direct dealership in Pooler (1000 Pine Barren Road, Unit 101). … Outside Brands’ Shark Tooth Island ticketed tours are now available to the public. Departing from The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa (1 Resort Drive) or the Outside Palmetto Bluff outpost (41 Boat House St.), these half-day excursions include a scenic boat ride on the Savannah River and a location-hopping, shark tooth-hunting adventure.
If you’re looking for a sign to book a staycation, here it is.
>> The Kimpton Brice Hotel (601 E. Bay St.) just completed the first full-property refresh since opening in 2014. Relax by the chic pool terrace by day, then enjoy cocktails in the Secret Garden and dinner at the redesigned Pacci Italian Kitchen + Bar
>> The DeSoto Savannah debuted Spa Cabana, a luxury boutiquestyle spa offering a menu of massages, body therapies, skin treatments and facials available at the spa, in a guest room or poolside in a cabana. With day packages available, you can extend your relaxation to soak in the sun and lounge poolside with a prime view of Savannah’s tree canopy.
>> The Mansion on Forsyth (700 Drayton St.) and Left Lane Hospitality unveiled a new brand for the hotel’s on-site restaurant: Saint Bibiana. The coastal Italian concept brings housemade pasta and al fresco spritzes to the parkside destination this September.
Although backyard bird feeding has changed a lot through the years, one thing remains the same – the joy that birds bring each time you catch a glimpse of them at your feeders.
As we celebrate the new ownership of Savannah’s Wild Birds Unlimited store, we invite you to join us at our Wild Birds Unlimited locations in Savannah and on Hilton Head Island. Our knowledge and products can enhance every aspect of birding, from equipment and outings to solutions and resources.
Thank you for sharing this flight with us!
Nectar-producing flowers are a rich part of a hummingbird’s diet, and colorful blooms will attract many birds. Feeders filled with a classic nectar recipe can help birders attract more hummingbirds. A simple sugar water solution is just as attractive to hummingbirds as natural nectar sources.
We know that employees are a company's biggest asset. A 100% locally-owned company, Bernard Williams & Company has the trusted expertise, competitive pricing, and experienced personnel businesses need for their Employee Benefit programs. For 89 years, we have put our proven, trusted experience to work.
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JUST IN TIME to keep kids occupied during the dog days of summer break, the much-anticipated Telfair Children’s Art Museum (CAM) is slated to open at the Jepson Center this July.
Designed by Fren Inc. and community philanthropists Jackie Rabinowitz and Cynthia Willett, the two-story CAM invites families to learn, create and wonder with hands-on experiences spanning a wide range of art-centered disciplines. Littles will love the interactive kiosks that guide them through key ideas and concepts.
As part of CAM’s first year, Telfair is also piloting a new Early Education/Head Start program, which will focus on promoting accessibility, developing skills and empowering teachers and students through creativity in partnership with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.
A STYLISH COLLABORATION from Southern favorites
Weezie and Sunshine Tienda brings together two of summer’s favorite accessories: the perfect beach carryall and a wide-brimmed sun hat. This limited-edition set includes Sunshine Tienda’s bestselling Palm Hat with a custom blue gingham band handwoven by female artisans in Guatemala and Weezie’s terry cloth hat-holding beach tote. Bonus: the tote’s wipeable interior is easy to clean after sandy days. Whether walking to the beach or jet-setting across an ocean this summer, this bundle has you covered.
JUL. 4
Happy Independence Day!
JUL. 10 – 14
Back for year two, Creative Coast hosts Girls Code Summer Camp at the Georgia Southern University Armstrong campus. Attendance is free for fifth- to eighth-grade girls enrolled within the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. Lessons are centered around aerospace and will include a field trip to Fly Corps Aviation.
JUL. 14
Francophiles, rejoice: today is Bastille Day. Celebrate with Parisian-inspired live entertainment and Frenchthemed menu specials at Myrtle & Rose in the Plant Riverside District.
JUL. 19 – 20
Television’s beloved cartoon blue heeler comes to life in “Bluey’s Big Play” for a two-night run at
the Johnny Mercer Theatre at the Savannah Civic Center.
JUL. 19 – 21
Head to Bluffton’s Oyster Factory Park for the May River Shrimp Festival. This three-night festival kicks off with a Sunset 5K on July 19 and continues with live music and local bites.
JUL. 29
Fight the War Within Foundation hosts the third annual Warriors Ball at historic Savannah Station. The Richmond Hill-based nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year provides resources to those who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.
AUG. 6 – 20
The Savannah VOICE Festival returns for its 11th season. Inspired by the theme of “Legacy,” the 2023 fest includes a mix of free and ticketed concerts, masterclasses, song nights, coffee concerts and more at various locations in and around Savannah.
AUG. 7 – 11
StoryCorps, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving and sharing the stories of people from all backgrounds and beliefs, is seeking stories from active service members, veterans and their loved ones in Savannah. The city is one of only three stops on this summer’s StoryCorps Military Voices Tour, made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). To participate, book a free reservation in the recording booth at storycorps.org/military-voices
Show your Southern stripes during the seventh annual Seersucker Bike Ride. Led by Bike Walk Savannah and the Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent Neighborhood Association, this stylish summertime tradition begins in Tiedeman Park at 9:30 a.m. with iced coffee and breakfast treats followed by a casual, hour-long cruise through the area’s tree-lined streets and a bring-your-own-picnic lunch. (No seersucker in your closet? Don’t sweat it. Stay cool in linen, madras and other seasonal fabrics.)
Don’t miss the lineup of events at The Park at Eastern Wharf this summer, from the Riverfront Concert Series and sunrise yoga classes led by Ōtium Wellness Studio to food trucks and more. Find the full schedule at theparkateasternwharf.com.
BACK ROW: Sika Smith, Shelly LaMonica, Alex Canfield, Janet Whelan, Ann-Marie Neill, Gary Mobley, Steven Hewitt, Denise Donnelly
CENTER ROW: David Sodemann, Anne Gantt, Chelsey O’Herron, Emilie Nelson, Savannah Lewandowski, Chelsie Taroli, Jennie McCallister, Ivelise Dunlap
FRONT ROW: Bryn Futrell, Cathy Cason, Kim Shaw, Jodi Clark, Inna Adams
SAVANNAH: 7025 HODGSON MEMORIAL DRIVE, SUITE A 912.298.7200
BRUNSWICK /SAINT SIMON’S ISLAND: 808 GLOUCESTER STREET, SUITE 114 912.298.7200
BACK ROW: Susan Dailey, Abram Taylor, Matthew Lufburrow, Ivan Shalavuta, Arthur Hurt, Rose Rostock, Nicolette Leasa, Rebecca Wayman, Gino Angelone CENTER ROW: Janice Kay, Melissa Strudgeon, Catherine Crawley, Kelly Deal, Elizabeth Gantt, Sharita Lal, Quin Peterson FRONT ROW: Janet Howard, Beth Vickers, Jade Blount, Heather Hammond Filgate, Karen Krupp, Susan Ross, Monique Allen, Marisa Johnson
Written by KENDALL MCKINNON
DO YOU KNOW SAVANNAH’S RIVERS, beyond cruising the Savannah River on the Georgia Queen, or watching barges chug alongside River Street to the port? Not so far south of downtown Savannah, between Richmond Hill and Georgetown, runs the Ogeechee River, the domain of the Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK).
The Savannah-based nonprofit is focused on the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. Altogether, the Ogeechee River system flows more than 5,500 square miles across 21 counties in Georgia.
“We live on the coasts, and we drive over a lot of our area’s rivers and streams, but that’s just a fraction of what is really out there,” says Damon Mullis, who has served as ORK’s executive director since 2018. “A lot of people don’t really get to experience the vastness of our water resources and natural areas in the region.”
The organization’s roots go back to two groups of concerned Georgia residents, Linda, Sylvia, and Claudelle Smith on a farm in Claxton and four men from Louisville, who separately fought against river pollution in 2001 before uniting their efforts in 2004.
On the ground, ORK has refreshed an initiative that addresses a specific problem area of the Ogeechee River watershed, the Vernon River basin. The area is highly impacted by urban development and currently listed as an “impaired” waterbody by the Georgia Environmental Protection Department. Efforts to restore and delist the river have been in progress since 2001, with the most recent Watershed Management Plan updated as of May. ORK’s successes over the past year include the removal of over 3,600 pounds of litter and the distribution of 95 rain barrels, which can help mitigate flash flooding by slowing water runoff from roofs.
Recently, ORK also enlisted GSU graduate student Molly McKeon as a part of an annual year-long research fellowship. McKeon’s project is focused on water near the Sylvania site of the former Milliken & Company textile manufacturing facility and the future site of the Hyundai electric vehicle plant.
In a press release, McKeon explained that monitoring and comparing the upstream and downstream sites will better help them understand the health of the river moving forward.
As part of her fellowship, McKeon takes part in education outreach, visiting local schools, participating in litter cleanup and volunteered for the recent Canoochee Paddle Race, which allows the community to gather and celebrate the fun one can have out on the river.
“When you’re out on the river, you feel enveloped in wildness,” says Mullis. “It’s hard to find those places that make you feel like you’re out in the wild. It makes it even more important to protect it because these experiences are becoming rarer.”
Protecting the river requires support from the organization’s every member, volunteer and the community at large. ORK provides extensive online resources, from live nature cams and an interactive data map to educational activities and recommended reading, to make learning about our rivers as accessible as possible. Community members can volunteer to help collect and sort litter on Lotts Creek (Don’t Litter Lotts) or adopt a spot on the Ogeechee River to regularly check for trash (Adopt-A-Landing). Learn more at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org
TOTAL RAISED: $864,902
THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY congratulates this year’s Visionaries of the Year, and the entire class of candidates who competed. Their e orts and commitment have made an impact in the search for cures and e ective blood cancer therapies.
For more information or to nominate a candidate for 2024, please visit llsvisionaries.org or email jessie.brinsfield@lls.org.
WINNER GREG COLEMAN COLEMAN COMPANY
THANK YOU!
The Leadership Team who helped make this year’s campaign a success: Caroline Gregory CO-CHAIR
RUNNER-UP HEATHER SUGARBAKER ERA REALTY
SECOND RUNNER-UP NANCY BACKUS MIDTOWN MEDICINE
THE TEAM:
Ciara Thomas
TJ Hollis
Charles Anderson
Charlie Webber
Matt
Nancy Adair
Texas Cates
Alison Harris
Stephanie Willingham
Emily Scribner
Zach Thomas
Christy Marsengill
Usher CO-CHAIR
COREY BROOKS // DABROOKSOHANA PHOTOGRAPHY
Visionaries of the Year candidates, from left, Matt Usher (chair), Nancy Backus, Sarah Wesp, Brooke Sapp, Matthew Douzuk, Greg Coleman, Katie Siplon, Jennifer McDaniel, Sandi Prosnitz, Heather Sugarbaker and Caroline Gregory (chair) with 2023 Savannah Boy and Girl of the Year, Carson and Lily
ONCE UPON A TIME, the closest and safest beach destinations for Black Savannahians were Singleton and Collier on Hilton Head Island, Atlantic and Freeman in North Carolina, and American Beach in Florida. Tybee might have been the closest beach for Savannah residents, but it was not safe for the Black community. Named Savannah Beach from 1929-1978, Tybee Island was segregated during the Jim Crow era. This barred African Americans from dining at white-owned restaurants, worshipping in churches with white people, studying in schools and libraries that weren’t Black-owned, and swimming and sunbathing at public beaches and pools. During this era, Black people were allowed to work on Tybee Island but not play. For instance, local quilter and Golden Age Center Recreation Leader Tina Hicks recalls the Trailway bus, which Black maids would take from Savannah to Tybee to clean homes owned by white people.
The Civil Rights Movement, which peaked from 1954 until 1968, combated these across the country. Oftentimes, resistance was planned. The NAACP, for instance, trained their activists for months on local and federal laws, the history of civil rights movements across the globe, and how to nonviolently respond to violence.
But sometimes resistance was just an in-the-moment decision — including the Tybee Wade-in on August 17, 1960, when Blacks entered the water in protest. The NAACP organized most wade-ins between 1960 to 1963, but the one that made history was an impromptu event. According to Edna Jackson, a Georgia State Representative, former mayor of Savannah and one of the 11 Black students who took part in this act of resistance, the decision to go the beach for a swim that day was their own, and they were arrested for it all the same.
They were charged for disrobing in public, despite there being no form of indecency. They’d simply removed their outer clothing, revealing the swimsuits they wore underneath.
Had the wade-in been organized by the NAACP, there likely would’ve been a watchman present who would’ve returned to the hub at First African Baptist Church to report the arrests, and the on-call attorney would’ve immediately bailed the students out of jail.
“But they didn’t know,” explains Jackson. “When they found out, they were not able to get us out until the next day.” Though traumatizing, the arrests did not stop protestors; wade-ins continued on Tybee Island until July 1963. Savannah Beach and the city’s other public places were integrated by October 1963, eight months before the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Exactly 62 years after the 1960 arrests, on August 17, 2022, the Georgia Historical Society (GHS), in conjunction with the Tybee MLK Human Rights Organization and the City of Tybee Island, erected a historical marker at the foot of the Walter Parker Pier and Pavilion on Tybee Island to honor the bravery of those 11 students. Prior to the marker, locals who’d been visiting Tybee their whole lives, especially those born after 1960, may have never learned about this important piece of history.
The Tybee wade-ins aren’t just local history though. They’re an integral part of the entire Civil Rights Movement. Jackson was 16 years old and already an NAACP leader when arrested. After high school, she was assigned to train activists in Florida and Alabama. Jackson explains that, after the NAACP’s 1958 victory against the state of Alabama in the U.S. Supreme Court, “they sent us — Carolyn [Quilloin] and I — to Alabama to rebuild the youth council and college chapter. From there, we went to the march from Selma to Montgomery. … The leadership within [Savannah’s] NAACP chapter became leadership for the Montgomery Movement.”
Historical markers like the one installed on Tybee protect noteworthy people, places and events from being forgotten. According to Elyse Butler, the marker manager for the Georgia Historical Society, there’s been an uptick in applications for historical markers across the state since 2020. Butler suggests that the increase in applications may be connected to the quarantine. “During COVID, people were able to spend more time researching and working on more projects,” she says. An increase in applications, however, doesn’t necessarily lead to an increase in the number of markers that are erected every year. “We generally know how many markers will be built every year, based on funding,” Butler shares.
Since 2020, several new markers in Savannah include BynesRoyall Funeral Home, Georgia Ports Authority, Pine Garden and Savannah Defense’s Community, Southern States Phosphate and Fertilizer Company, Colonial Group, Inc. and St. Pius X High School. According to GHS’s website, the subjects of the markers have importance not only on the local scale, but also in the larger context of state, regional, or national history. Butler adds that under-told histories are encouraged “to broaden the complete story of Georgia’s past.”
The competitive process requires the submission of application materials, including an explanation of why the site deserves a marker, a research paper with citations and at least one sponsor. Every year, new applications are due by July 1 and, if approved, the standard $2,500 fee for the construction of the marker is due by September 15.
Approved applications take between six to 12 months before the marker is installed.
As to which historical markers are up next, be sure to keep up with GHS’s upcoming events at georgiahistory.com.
Somehow you feel even closer when you have more space.
Wax and Wane Waxing Salon is devoted to making the task of hair removal an experience that is not only accessible but also pleasant. The atmosphere at Wax and Wane Waxing Salon is one of competence and comfort. Our mission is to provide professional, detailed, educational based services with a high level of care. Wax and Wane Waxing Salon is proud to tailor each service to each individual client’s expectations. This way, instead of a dreaded appointment, each visit to Wax and Wane Waxing Salon is a positive and relaxing experience.
Female-founded Southern resortwear line Sitano makes beach cover-ups easy breezy
Written by ALLISON STICE // Photography by BEAU KESTER
A PLANNED BEACH VACATION became a lightbulb moment for Mary Scott Jameson. The former buyer for Neiman Marcus and Atlanta native was shopping for a swimsuit cover-up before a trip in 2020. But in both stores and online, she had a hard time striking the sweet spot for a garment she planned to wear at least as often as her bathing suit. She wanted something chic yet affordable, timeless yet versatile, comfortable yet long-lasting.
Jameson’s struggle to source the missing piece in her vacation wardrobe resonated with friends, including her childhood pal Merrill Horridge, a certified public accountant now based in Charlotte, North Carolina. That’s when Jameson started sketching.
“My favorite thing in the world is going to the beach with my family,” she recalls. “What if I got the opportunity to build a brand around vacations and beautiful garments?”
Jameson and Horridge — one part design savvy, one part business acumen — paired up to launch resortwear brand Sitano in November 2022. Comprising maxi dresses, sarongs and shirt dresses that can stand up to sunscreen, sand and sweat, the collection features high-quality fabrics and tailored details in go-anywhere colors to mix and match with a variety of swimwear styles.
“We get a lot of inspiration from the Savannah area,” Horridge says, who grew up visiting her grandparents on Hilton Head Island and selected favorite destinations like Ford Field & River Club — home to relatives — and Sea Island for the brand’s first lookbooks, shot by Savannah photographer Beau Kester. “I understand that heat and humidity are real! We want people to feel really comfortable when they’re going out on the boat or sitting by the pool.”
“There’s a mental health aspect to our brand which emphasizes the importance of recharging and taking a break — taking time off to be your best self.”
— Merrill Horridge, co-founder of SitanoModel on left wears Sitano’s Ravello dress; model on right wears the Positano shirt dress
To wit, Horridge’s favorite style, the cotton gauze sleeveless Como dress that is prewashed for softness, can go beyond beachside for downtown errands or a casual lunch. She’s taken hers far afield to her honeymoon in southern France and on an Italian jaunt to (you guessed it) Lake Como.
Italy remains an enduring source of inspiration for the brand, which draws its name from Positano and includes styles named for Amalfi Coast. The black maxi Malfi is Jameson’s go-to, while the new summer style Grotta dress is named for the caves on Capri.
Iconic images of high society captured by American photographer Slim Aarons are an enduring inspiration — but the style icons Jameson says she is most inspired by are in her circle of family and friends. The co-founders pride themselves on creating garments that go beyond trends and can suit everyone from new moms to grandmothers. Customers have said to have worn their Sitano in the wild, from bachelorette parties in Palm Beach and Cabo, to honeymoons in the Caribbean and family vacations on the lake.
Making customers feel confident and chic remains her north star, Jameson says, and she hopes they carry that feeling with them wherever they choose to go.
“There’s a mental health aspect to our brand which emphasizes the importance of recharging and taking a break — taking time off to be your best self,” she says.
6 a.m.: I am a morning person. My mind is racing, even if my body isn’t yet out of bed. No caffeine is needed for me. Late risers, beware if you’re not ready for my energy.
7 a.m.: My husband Geoff and I get the household rolling. I relish a cup of hot lemon water, and he does a happy dance while making his latté.
I am a better, smarter and kinder person if I exercise early, so I work out via Zoom two or three days a week with my college friend and trainer, Vanessa Campos. In Savannah, I also enjoy yoga at Savannah Power Yoga, Pilates at Georgia James Pilates and getting sweaty at any of the great classes at The Hub.
8 a.m.: Our two boys are off to school. I enjoy a chocolate and blueberry Ka’Chava smoothie and — zing! — I’m ready for the day.
10 a.m.: At work, I spend time each morning thinking creatively about how to engage with new people in our community. I’ve been at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum for about five months now, and I’m enthusiastic about expanding our collaborations and bringing awareness to Savannah’s history as one of America’s most important cities on the sea.
1 p.m.: I like to catch up with colleagues and friends over a late lunch. Dottie’s Market is my downtown go-to. It is a fabulous spot with amazing favorites — from green juice and egg salad on choux to decadent salads.
2 p.m.: Working!
4:30 p.m.: Working faster!
6:15 p.m.: During the school year, I’m starting dinner, catching up with my boys and finding out what’s new in middle and high school. When the boys are at summer camp, Geoff and I relax over a glass of wine and try to get motivated about dinner.
Fun fact about me: During high school, I went to a military summer camp, Culver Summer Camps in Indiana, and adored my time there. That is where I learned how to sail a three-masted schooner, The Ledbetter. I was assigned to the mizzen royal sail, at the top of the back mast. My boys are the fourth generation in my family to go to Culver, and they are building great memories just like I did. I am thrilled to come full circle at Ships of the Sea, where I am cultivating lots of new information about steamers, ironclads, yachts and more.
6:40 p.m.: We like to cook together, and I usually scan The New York Times food section for something new to try. We eat a lot of fish, chicken and Forsyth Farmers’ Market vegetables and salad. It’s a special night when we make homemade pizza, and the boys really love taco night — not just on Tuesday.
8:30 p.m.: During the weekend, we like to watch a movie together as a family. Or, Geoff can usually be found taking a cat nap on one of the boys’ beds while they read before going to sleep.
The executive director of Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum shares a look into her typical dayPhoto by MICHAEL SCHALK
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A local real estate maven completes a contemporary reset for her Skidaway Island home
Written by MARY FITZGERALD // Photograpby by KELLI BOYD
TAMMY JO LONG is a self-professed “downtown girl.” She fell in love with the city of Savannah on her very first visit back in 2000. “I liked the quirkiness of Savannah,” says Long. “I liked how there were people from all over the world and how receptive the city is to outsiders.”
That trip changed the trajectory of Long’s life. She left her high-paying job in Chicago and started purchasing and restoring dilapidated homes in Savannah’s historic district. She leased out the refurbished properties to corporate entities and vacationers, and a successful business was born. Her boutique firm, Luxury Living Savannah, has been renting and managing upscale properties in Savannah and Tybee Island for 22 years, long before Airbnb and Vrbo were household names.
While she was building the business, Long was straddling two worlds, commuting back and forth from Chicago to Savannah. When her son headed off to college in 2020, she moved South full time and began the search for a home to call her own.
Long looked at approximately 50 properties before she discovered the right one. She had been concentrating her efforts on downtown, but her company’s project manager — who lived on Skidaway Island — suggested she add The Landings to her list.
“I thought The Landings was where retired CEOs go to golf into the sunset,” jokes Long. But after spending some time there and experiencing the amenities, she changed her mind. “I realized there were a lot of young families and working professionals living there.”
One of her prerequisites for leaving downtown was a spectacular view. She found it in a Landings property that overlooks the western marsh and riverways beyond. Although the vistas were indeed amazing, the house was not love at first sight. Long was able to look beyond the poor layout and the ’90s décor — fussy
“What I wanted didn’t exist in Savannah, so I knew I needed to create it.”
— Tammy Jo Long, homeowner and founder of Luxury Living Savannah
floral wallpaper, worn wall-to-wall carpeting and closed-off rooms — to imagine the possibilities. Plus, the house had her two must-haves: the all-important view and high ceilings. “Two things you can’t make up,” says Long.
“What I wanted didn’t exist in Savannah, so I knew I needed to create it,” says Long. She purchased the Skidaway home in 2020, during the height of COVID-19, and the renovations were completed in less than two years. “There wasn’t one thing that wasn’t touched in this house. I gutted it to the studs.” The home’s exterior received a fresh coat of stucco and paint, a new roof and modern garage doors, and contemporary landscaping was installed to complement the home’s updated look.
The dramatic interior transformation begins at the entry in the form of an imposing 12-foot pivot door. “We had to reinforce the foundation to support it,” says Long. It opens to the foyer and living room beyond with its wall-to-wall glass pocket doors for uninterrupted views of the marsh. Steel beams were positioned to
replace load-bearing walls to create the open-concept floor plan and easy flow that Long desired.
Not to be outdone by the view, the living room boasts soaring ceilings and a towering bookmatched porcelain veneer fireplace. The installer, Surface Setters, brought in hydraulic lifts to symmetrically place the four large slabs, while Long observed from a distance and held her breath. On the opposite side of the room, Long had a piece of art commissioned for the space. “I knew I needed something significant for this wall,” notes Long. “It had to compete with the fireplace and the view.” Long met with the artist, Fernando M. Diaz, at his San Miguel de Allende studio in Mexico to discuss the proposed piece, but ultimately told him “do what you want.” The result is titled “Despina Tammy,” continuing a series of works Diaz dedicated to his daughter, wife and other special women in his life as a homage to femininity and Greek culture. The painting was driven all the way from Mexico to Savannah. “Thank goodness it could fit through the door,” says Long.
Long describes the home’s aesthetic as California cool on Georgia’s coast. “My entire career was in historic renovations, and I wanted something different,” recalls Long. “I was itching to do a modern, contemporary renovation.” To procure the unique furnishings and lighting throughout the home, she called on Angela Groover and Pam Rody of Interior Merchandising. They collaborated on many period restorations, but this was the first personal home they tackled together. “It’s always fun to work with Tammy Jo, no matter the theme of the project,” says Groover. “She has great vision.”
“They helped me source everything,” notes Long. “They don’t do a lot of contemporaries, but they got it.”
There are many “wow” moments in the home, and the glassenclosed wine room is certainly one of them. Long wanted it to “float” between the kitchen and dining room. Creating a seamless glass frame of this size was a challenge. Several glass companies said it couldn’t be done, but Long wouldn’t take no for an answer and found an installer willing to make her vision a reality. Acrylic racks hold up to 500 bottles. When asked if the wine room is at capacity, Long laughs saying, “We are not there yet; it’s a moving number.”
The kitchen, designed by Jamestown Designer Kitchens, is minimalist and sleek, blending beautifully with the sophisticated décor of the home. The push-to-open wood cabinetry with polished
Cambria countertops rivals fine, built-in furniture. Forgoing all cabinet hardware, Long jokes that guests compare finding the refrigerator and garbage to “Where’s Waldo.” She wanted the workings of the kitchen out of sight and absolutely “no clutter.” Tailored for entertaining, visitors to the home especially love the kitchen’s built-in wine dispenser and the nearby “booze bar” in the former butler’s pantry.
The adjoining breakfast and family rooms enjoy wraparound views. Flanking the fireplace, a pair of framed dancers, “Movement I” and “Movement II” in charcoal and graphite, hold pride of place. The artist, Mason Burns — Long’s best friend’s son — created these just for her. “I love to dance,” says Long, adding, “All my art has a story.”
A first-floor bedroom was converted into an office for this savvy businesswoman. She calls it “the war room.” A wooden relief map of the world with multi-colored flags commands one wall and is a definite conversation starter. “It shows where I have been (in red), where I have been with my son (in blue), where I want to go (in green) and where I have lived (in yellow),” notes Long.
The luxurious primary suite looks out on the marsh and is decorated in calming tones of creams and grays. Cherished artwork, collected over the years at auction or from local artists, provides a sense of home. Another piece created by Burns, “Two Women,” in a drip oil technique, hangs in this bedroom. The luxurious bath manifests tranquility and wellbeing, boasting views from both the soaking tub and the shower. Hanging from the ceiling, towel bars — spotted on a trip to Italy — lend a sculptural element to the space. The to-die-for dressing room would make even Carrie Bradshaw jealous with floor-to-ceiling clothing racks and storage for 100 pairs of shoes. “I love my high heels,” says Long.
Leading upstairs to two additional bedrooms, the stairway’s Colonial-style spindles were replaced with a contemporary cable wire railing system, which maintains the home’s open feeling. Long admits that her son’s second-floor bedroom is the best room in the house with “a great view over the water.”
The homeowner plans to “extend the party outside” in the near future with the addition of a new deck, outdoor kitchen and fire feature, but for now, this downtown girl is perfectly content having found her “little slice of heaven.” After a busy workday in the city, she is happy to return home to relax and soak in the “magical sunsets.”
“I got absolutely everything on my wish list,” says Long. “I pinch myself every day!”
Homeowner: Tammy Jo Long
Neighborhood: The Landings
Year built: 1990
Year purchased: 2020
Square footage: 5,500
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: 4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
Timeframe of renovation/remodel: 1.5 years
Interior design: Pam Rody & Angela Groover, Interior Merchandising, Inc.
Landscape design: Beckler Landscape Studio
Wine cellar: Wine Cellar Innovations and Jack Ricks Glass Company
Smart house electronics: Bell Integrated Home Solutions
Tile: Nikolai Tkachuk
Wood floors: Patrick Goode, Chase
Construction and Flooring
Paint: CL Painters
Kitchen: Jamestown Designer Kitchens
Countertops: Surface Setters and Counter Fitters
Fireplace design: Surface Setters
Front door: I Want That Door, Sun Valley, California
Plumbing fixtures: Ferguson
Electrical: Crout Electrical Company
Closets: Closet & Cabinet Experts
Appliances: Thermador (Livingood’s Appliances & Bedding)
Handyman: Al Kurtz
Home accessories: homeowner’s collection
Art: Mason Burns, Fernando M. Diaz, Shea, Myrtle Jones, Jurgen Gorg, Marcus Kenney, M.P Elliot, Jodi Ness, Boban, Paul Sawyier and Vincent Golshani
Where the Historic District meets the Eastern Wharf. Dock your boat, dine at Fleeting, our signature restaurant celebrating the season’s best ingredients, and enjoy rooftop hand-crafted cocktails with postcard worthy panoramic views at Bar Julian.
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Beat the heat with summer’s buzziest drink: the espresso tonic
Written by RACHEL MCDERMOTT
THE BEGINNING of long sunny days and late summer nights starts with an espresso tonic. The pair swirl into a bubbly, caffeinated kick, making the non-alcoholic beverage the ideal elixir to endure the Savannah heat. Ready to take the plunge? Here are six renditions of the espresso tonic to try from local cafes.
A sunny yellow house from 1915 in the Starland District is home to Troupial. Welcoming guests with the smell of homemade Venezuelan pastries and sights of wooden birds — Venezuelan Troupials — tucked in the corners, Troupial beams with a commitment to specialty coffee. Founder Majo Laprea says Troupial “recognizes coffee as an expression of the earth.” Made from doppio, or double espresso, tonic water and garnished with a dried orange slice, Troupial’s spin on the perfect espresso tonic comes from the process of grinding the espresso itself. The drink is served in decorative colored glassware and recommended to be savored alongside their signature cheese bread.
A hyperlocal take on an espresso tonic can be found at PERC. The local roastery’s Quality Assurance team member Dani Borris uses rosemary simple syrup and lemon. Named in memory of civil rights activist Hosea Lorenzo Williams, who passed from a three-year battle against cancer in 2000, the Hosea Williams is a nod to PERC’s location on Hosea L. Williams Drive in Atlanta and the rosemary bushes dotting Savannah’s roaster and cafe. (The antioxidants found in rosemary are believed to help prevent cancer.)
The orange rind in Foxy Loxy’s espresso tonic complements notes of orange in Foxy’s Flywheel espresso.
Founder Jen Jenkins notes that the two share “a symbiotic relationship, elevating the bright citrus acidity inherent in the espresso.” The same concoction can be found at fellow Foxy family outposts, including The Coffee Fox and Fox & Fig Cafe.
Sour and sweet meet in Floral Mornings, a take on the espresso tonic found inside St. Neo’s Brasserie at The Drayton Hotel. Lavender syrup pairs with lemon saline and provides a twist to start the day. Assistant Food and Beverage Director Peter Hernandez uses Fever-Tree as his go-to tonic, noting the botanicals in the elixir make for a bustling buzz. “It’s a refreshing and bright way to get your dose of caffeine,” says Hernandez. “It reminds me much more of an iced coffee drink rather than a boozy beverage.”
At Stevedore — the bakery and coffee shop adjacent to The Thompson Savannah in Eastern Wharf — the espresso tonic is all about the layers. Tonic, ice and espresso serve as the fundamental trio, then the experiments begin. This season, Stevedore bakery manager Ericka Grime is trying out new combinations, including bringing Georgia pride to the party with the addition of peach.
Eden’s Tonic is named appropriately for Savannah’s blooms. Origin Coffee co-owner Matt Higgins describes the inspiration as one that, “came from thinking about Savannah’s rich, fruity and floral nature, which had us drawing parallels to our beautiful city in full bloom, like a Garden of Eden.” The drink pops with fusing flavors of organic hibiscus syrup, pink grapefruit tonic water, Origin’s own Colombian Espresso and a flamed grapefruit peel.
After the barista works their magic, the drink can be approached in two ways. Either, start with the straw at the top and enjoy the espresso, or slowly dip the straw into the drink to start with the tonic at the bottom. Sip with caution: Jenkins notes that making a “plunge” with a spoon or straw will cause a small volcanic eruption, complete with bubbles.
Recent investments in Black-owned restaurants are heating up the local culinary scene — and showing the need for more fire
Written by CAROLINE HATCHETTGROWING UP, BRIDGETTE FRAZIER KNEW that if her grandmother was cooking a pot of gumbo, she’d be stuck in the kitchen all day with her, regrettably not playing with her cousins outside. Frazier chopped onions and peppers from the garden and tasted the gumbo over the course of several hours as okra, ham hocks and pigtails transformed it to proper stew. “Don’t rush no pot,” Frazier recalls her grandmother, affectionately known as Ma Daisy, telling her. “Good food takes time to come together.”
In 2015, with that immersive, elder-enforced Gullah culinary training, Frazier opened a food truck and catering company, Chef B’s Eatz, selling dishes like fried shrimp, whiting and okra, plus hamburgers and wings. And next fall, in downtown Bluffton, the chef, activist and town councilwoman will christen Ma Daisy’s Porch, a complex with a brick-andmortar Chef B’s Eatz, bakery, retail space for Black businesses and a Gullah heritage center.
Food lies at the center of Frazier’s plans to preserve and share Gullah heritage in a region that is growing so rapidly and attracting new residents who many be unaware of her roots. For Frazier, red rice is a reminder: Black people shaped culture here.
She’s not alone. Dottie’s Market, which opened this spring, celebrates Ericka Phillips’ grandmother’s hospitality with shrimp po’ boys and bowls of country captain and gumbo, served on fanciful china for guests who dine in at the fastcasual restaurant on Broughton Street. Before that, Todd Harris took over the kitchen at The Garage at Victory North late last year, and though the Savannah transplant never expected to cook collards or catfish, he’s doing just that, albeit with international flavors woven in. And Bernard Bennett, whose Okàn food truck sells griot and jollof rice at Starland Yard, opened his brick-and-mortar Okàn in Bluffton in June.
“Young Black people have become visible,” says Joe Randall, an influential Black chef and James Beard Foundation Hall of Fame cookbook author who moved to Savannah in the late ’90s, opened an eponymous cooking school and started the Edna Lewis Foundation. “We were here cooking all the time, but it was as if we were invisible.”
Savannah and Bluffton, no doubt, have talent to celebrate, and how the cities got to this point is part of a larger national story, one where professionals like Randall worked for decades to raise the profile of his peers, write books that integrated race and cooking, and teach America that, as he says, “Southern food is Black food.”
More recently, the Black Lives Matter movement inspired chefs to lean into their histories and advocate for more resources. Ma Daisy’s was sparked through a chance encounter between Frazier and entrepreneur Billy Watterson at a 2020 Juneteenth festival. “This unlikely friendship morphed into something that no one could have ever imagined,” says Frazier, who, with Watterson, also launched programs including Black Equity University and a Black Business Directory.
For Bennett, the convergence of Black Lives Matter and the pandemic reinforced his goal of owning a business, as it did for a growing number of Black entrepreneurs. Starting in 2021, the number of new Black businesses rose nationally by 38%. “It made it evident that people want to do their own thing and stop working for other people,” says Bennett. “For me, specifically, I don’t want anybody else telling my story.”
Locally, the region’s we’re-open-for-business approach during the pandemic served as a powerful recruitment tool for out-ofwork chefs (not to mention new, diverse residents). Bennett and Harris both arrived in 2021 and quickly found jobs and restaurant partnerships.
Then, of course, there’s the Mashama effect. When Mashama Bailey opened The Grey with partner John Morisano in 2014, she proved Savannah could sustain a world-class restaurant, not to mention one run by a Black woman.
Last year, and nearly a decade after Bailey arrived on the scene, Bennett earned a James Beard Foundation Awards semi-finalist nod for his work on the Okàn food truck. With his sparkling new 122-seat restaurant, complete with a wood-fired hearth, Bennett now has the space and resources to dig deeper into West African-meetsCaribbean-Lowcountry cooking. A self-professed rice obsessive, the chef features Nigerian jollof rice, Haitian djon djon rice, and Caribbean rice and peas on his menu. He’s also serving curried oxtails, duck and oyster gumbo, and a Rastafarian vegan Ital stew.
“I want to break the stereotype of what African American cuisine is,” says Bennett, noting that Okàn will not serve fried chicken. “There’s nothing like Okàn for 200 miles.”
At The Garage, Harris, who’s a partner in the restaurant, makes Southern-inflected food with a pantry without boundaries and the attention to detail he learned in Michelin-starred kitchens. He stirs foie gras butter into middlins, turns macaroni and cheese into crispy croquettes and serves his fried chicken Korean style with spicy-sweet gochujang. Harris and Bennett, who coincidentally met last year at a Juneteenth event, also host a regular pop-up called Africa to Afros, in which they explore dishes from the African diaspora (things like Senegalese-style grouper and rice and Ghanaian cocoyam leaf soup) through a $125 seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings.
Drop that dinner into any city in the country, and it tastes like progress. But it does not solve Black representation in restaurants. Bennett, Harris, Frazier and Phillips don’t exactly make up a critical mass, or even an upward swing. Cheryl Day, who’s a mentor to Harris, has told him she’s worried that her Back in the Day Bakery will soon become Bull Street’s last Black business.
“When we opened The Grey in 2014, I saw more Black-owned restaurants represented in downtown Savannah. They were more mom-and-pop-type shops and that older guard of business owners,” says Bailey. “Since then, there’s been a little bit of a lull.”
Covid hit the Black restaurants hard, says Bailey, and she would like to see her adopted city offer its full-throated support for the
Black community and their businesses.
Moncello Stewart, president and CEO of the Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce, says the money is there. The region’s population has risen. There’s more Black tourism, and diversity and inclusion efforts mean Black businesses get a percentage of corporate conference budgets. “But we don’t get the piece we desire or should, especially in a city that’s 48% African American,” says Stewart, whose organization has programs to help restaurant owners with permitting, liquor licenses and other traditional stumbling blocks.
For the city and his own dining benefit, Stewart says Savannah needs more high-end Black restaurants à la The Grey and Good Times Jazz Club, whose menu Randall consults on. For Harris, Savannah is missing restaurants like Chicago’s Virtue, a modern Southern restaurant owned by Erick Williams, who earned a James Beard Award last year, alongside Bailey’s Best Chef win. Virtue’s team is mostly Black, its walls are lined with Black art. It’s located in a historically Black neighborhood, and the food — exceptional gizzards, dirty rice, and all — speaks directly to the Black American food history.
What would it take to get a Virtue-esque restaurant in Savannah? “Somebody has to give me the right amount of money,”says Harris.
How Savannah and Bluffton — both riding a boom in tourism and development — decide to invest in Black talent now will make a deep impression on their respective culinary futures. There are decades of neglect, and worse, to make up for.
Okàn and Ma Daisy’s, in particular, demonstrate development trying to do right. When describing Matt Cunningham, who built the mixed-use Bridge Collective in Bluffton and recruited the chef to open Okàn within the community, Bennett says, “It sounds cliché, but he’s down for the cause. Matt’s whole thing is putting people of color and women in positions of power. If in five years he still has equity in Okàn, he says he’s done something wrong. Matt wants management and the people who work here to own it.”
Once Ma Daisy’s build-out is complete, the property will feature three affordable housing units reserved for supervisory staff so they can afford to live in central Bluffton, save money and repair their credit. The open-air market, too, will provide retail space for Black and Gullah business owners who couldn’t otherwise afford commercial property, says Frazier, who compares the multifaceted project — with its food, cultural preservation, equity and advocacy work — to a big, long-simmering pot of gumbo.
“Good food takes time to come together.”
— Ma Daisy, Bridgette Frazier’s grandmother
THIS SUMMER, after more than a year of supply chain delays, The Darling Oyster Bar is finally opening at 27 Montgomery St. Helmed by owners Ben Russell-Schlesinger and Robert Young and Executive Chef Derick Wade, a culinary maestro with international experience in far-flung locales like Russia, Alaska and South America, the swanky Charleston oyster bar is ready for its debut in the Hostess City.
Fanfare proceeds both the menu and construction, with the restaurant taking home a 2023 Historic Savannah Foundation Preservation Award thanks to the efforts of Bobby Young of B &B Savannah, LLC, Andrew Lynch of Lynch Associates Architects and Choate Construction Company.
Here, Wade dishes on The Darling’s incomparable culture, his undying love for Southern food and the fascinating (and sustainable) science of oyster farming.
In Savannah, we are sticking with the same concept as our Charleston restaurant, so we will still have all of our big sellers: our lobster roll, oysters, local clams and our shrimp and grits.
We’ve also been doing R&D over the last year and a half with some new items that we are looking to put on the menu that are a little more distinct to Georgia.
The overall reception and attitude are very welcoming in Savannah. I’ve worked all over, and some areas aren’t so welcoming to newcomers, but Savannah has been very open and hospitable. It’s been a breath of fresh air.
For cocktails, our Captain Bloody Mary is a lot of fun. It’s got hush puppies, pickled shrimp, a crab leg and lobster claw in there, and our oyster shooters are a great way to start brunch.
For dinner, oysters are what we do the best. If you want to experience The Darling, get the plateau and sample four or five types of oysters from North Carolina up to Canada.
For dessert, our Key lime pie is a huge hit. It’s one of our main desserts that will definitely be going down to Savannah.
I’ve had the opportunity to go out to every farm within the Lowcountry area and work closely with oyster farmers. When I’m getting oysters for the restaurant, they’re getting pulled out of the ocean in the morning and delivered to the restaurant that day. I feel the love the farmers put into their work and what they are trying to do for the environment.
We are one of the largest recyclers of oyster shells. We collect them for the Department of Natural Resources, and they put them back into the coastlines to help future oysters grow. The more oyster farms we have, the better the coastlines are. One oyster filters about 50 gallons of water per day.
Being a part of something like that is awesome. We’re not just serving food. We are contributing to the future growth of different oyster species and sustainability.
I grew up with a big family, and we spent a lot of time at my grandma’s house. She owned a restaurant called the Sundown Diner in Poplar, Wisconsin. Between her having a restaurant and cooking at the house, I learned at a young age that communal family times were always centered around the kitchen.
There’s no better way to learn about a person’s culture than through their food. You could live a million lifetimes and not even scratch the surface of what food is. It is constantly evolving; it is not some algorithm or computer system you can learn fully, it’s 24/7.
I really enjoy the communal aspect of the South and the way people eat — the oyster roasts and Lowcountry boils. When you live in Wisconsin, half the year it’s freezing, and you can’t really go outside and do too much. But here, the year-round outdoor activities and communal aspects of the culinary community are great.
The Darling hosts a bunch of oyster roasts and Lowcountry boils. Everyone gets in there with their hands, and it opens up a layer of social interaction that leads to better community. We are all about that at The Darling. Even the way our raw bar and high tops are designed — there are no reservations. You can sit down and watch the oysters being shucked in front of you as you talk to the shuckers and then be sitting next to someone you might otherwise never cross paths with. But you have this opportunity to engage in conversation on an equal playing field. It’s a lot more fun than fine dining — a little less pretentious.
“You can sit down and watch the oysters being shucked in front of you as you talk to the shuckers and then be sitting next to someone you might otherwise never cross paths with. But you have this opportunity to engage on an equal playing field. It’s a lot more fun than fine dining — a little less pretentious.”
TYBEE ISLAND MARITIME ACADEMY (TIMA) is a public K through 8th grade charter school located on Savannah’s beach town Tybee Island and the only K-8 STEAM (Science, Technology, ngineering, rt, ath) certified school in Southeast Georgia. Its innovative approach to learning guides students through a rigorous, hands-on, STEAM curriculum linking maritime careers and community connections through projects. TIMA provides a supportive and immersive learning environment, promoting the highest academic achievement and character enrichment focused on the economical, natural, and historical context of Tybee Island and the surrounding Savannah area. TIMA is the only school in the state of Georgia with an educational program focused on career choices emphasizing maritime education integrated with the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE).
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Calvary Day School provides exciting ways to equip students with quality instruction and a means for expressing God-given talents in performing and visual arts. The Fine Arts department is dedicated to building confidence, fostering creativity, valuing teamwork, and improving communication skills.
Our Arts programs offer a fully developed range of opportunities to explore and express creativity on the stage, in a sketchbook, and nearly all areas students may show interest. Calvary is dedicated to developing the creative potential of every student and encourages them to take risks, step outside of their comfort zones, and stretch the limits of their imaginations. Students participate in school programs throughout the year and take part in music lessons, dance lessons, art classes, and theatre productions.
Calvary’s Fine Arts Academy also offers extracurricular lessons to hone students’ passions both during and after school. Classes in singing, sewing, instruments, dance, and visual arts allow one-on-one and small group skill strengthening by experts. Private and group lessons are available to Calvary Day School students as well as the public.
Hometown hooper Flau’jae Johnson balances music, basketball and fame — all while studying for class
Written by JESSICA LYNN CURTIS // Photo courtesy LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
ONE COULD SAY that NCAA Basketball National Champion, rising rap artist, Louisiana State University student and native Savannahian Flau’jae Johnson is going places. One could also argue she has already arrived.
Much of Savannah remembers Johnson’s electrifying first performance on “America’s Got Talent” in 2018. The then 14-year-old, who already went by just “Flau’jae” in her music career, bounced onto the stage with a smile bigger than her hot pink hoop earrings, then turned serious when it was time to tell her story. “I started off because my father was a rapper. He died before I was born, so he couldn’t really fulfill his dream. So that’s what I’m here to do,” she told America.
“He was the hardest lyricist coming out of Savannah,” the now 19-year-old shares about her father, Jason “Camoflauge” Johnson. “He put us on the map in a way. In the early 2000s, he had big hits. He was really respected in the industry. And he was about to take off when he was tragically murdered in front of his recording studio in Savannah.”
It was already clear from performances around the city and on Lifetime’s “The Rap Game” that the young artist had inherited her dad’s musical talent and star power. But it was that first “America’s Got Talent” performance that let America know.
With her proud mother and manager, Kia J. Brooks, looking on tearfully, the first beats of Johnson’s anthem “Guns Down” came on, and the young girl transformed into a powerhouse with a message: “If he would have put that gun down, then he would have been here right now!” This refrain continued until Johnson’s first verse: “Do you know what it’s like to not have a father? No one to talk to when you get mad at your Momma? I know you ain’t gonna pick up the phone. I still call you. The reason that it hurts so bad — I never saw you.”
The song ended with the plea, “Everybody put your guns down.” The awed crowd and judges rose to their feet. Simon Cowell, the judge long known for his gruff persona, went backstage to hug and personally congratulate her.
“That really just shot my confidence through the roof,” Johnson says. “Having someone like Simon Cowell tell you you’re gonna be a superstar — it makes you put things in perspective on a bigger scale, like I can really do this.”
And she’s done even more. Growing up, in addition to creating her music, Johnson was a three-sport athlete with baseball, basketball and cheerleading.
“I wanted to play football, but my mom wouldn’t let me, so I cheered instead,” she says with a laugh. But it is basketball where she truly excels.
In her senior year of high school, Johnson earned MVP honors at the Jordan Brand Classic after scoring 27 points. She also played in the McDonald’s All-American Game and was the only girl to play in the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic.
The following year, she entered LSU as its starting shooting guard — and helped them make history this past April with LSU’s first-ever National Championship in women’s basketball. “That was very cool, just knowing the impact it had on our coach,” Johnson says. “Coach Mulkey took a lot of different
pieces and made them fit, and we just went in and worked hard every day like she told us to. We all had one goal. And I was just thankful to be a part of it and change the history at LSU.”
In March 2023, Johnson was also named Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Year.
How does she do it all — while also studying for exams?
“I just learned how to be disciplined and consistent,” Johnson says. “You have to always want to learn, want to listen. Don’t be a know-it-all — always be ready to grow.”
As she grows, Johnson stays close to her roots and still gives back to Savannah. In 2019, she played a key role in the Keep Savannah Clean campaign. A rap she wrote ended with, “It’s so easy to go put it in a basket. This is my home — don’t trash it!” That final line, with Johnson’s name and drawn image, appeared on signs all over the city.
“That was a dope campaign,” Johnson reminisces. “Mr. Parker (Parker’s CEO Greg Parker) asked me to be a part of it, and I was all about it. Panhandle Slim did that artwork on it. I loved it!”
This summer marks Johnson’s first Savannah homecoming after the National Championship. On July 28, she is hosting a day of giving back and presenting a $10,000 check to the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club, where she shot hoops as a kid. On August 24, the intersection at Abercorn Street and West Montgomery Cross Road will be dedicated as Flau’jae Johnson Intersection.
It’s not her final destination — but Savannah’s phenom has indeed arrived.
“I just learned how to be disciplined and consistent. You have to always want to learn, want to listen. Don’t be a know-it-all — always be ready to grow. ”
— Flau’jae JohnsonKIA J. BROOKS Flau’jae Johnson on the set of “America’s Got Talent”
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The Alida joins modern life with the timeless charm of Savannah’s revitalized Entertainment District along River Street. Get to know the rich history of River Street while discovering a neighborhood that is industrious, flourishing and always evolving. Anchoring it all is The Alida, an inviting hideaway that offers travelers unparalleled access to Savannah’s local artists, makers, and thinkers in a luxurious setting along the Savannah River. 412 Williamson
The race to recovery for Georgia’s sea turtle population is slow and steady. Still, turtle folk are here for the long haul.
Written by COLLEEN ANN MCNALLY
WHEN THE CALENDAR FLIPS TO MAY, sea turtle nesting season officially starts in Georgia.
With its arrival comes a barrage of activity in the Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative Facebook group. The 2,600-plus members — who affectionately refer to themselves as turtle folk — follow along from near and far for dispatches from the coastal region (a.k.a Turtleland). The group is primarily composed of volunteers, researchers and agency employees who patrol beaches daily during nesting season to mark, monitor and protect sea turtle nests. One egg from each viable nest is extracted and sent to the University of Georgia research labs for further study.
This year, the return of nesting season comes with cautious excitement. Last year, the state’s loggerhead sea turtle nest count hit a landmark high of 3,960 — eclipsing the 3,950 nests in 2019, the previous record since comprehensive surveys began in 1989.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the region’s population of loggerheads, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, has been increasing by an average of 3 to 4% each year since the 1990s.
While the numbers are promising, loggerheads’ path to recovery is long and not without obstacles.
“In 2004, we were down to less than 400 nests in the state. We almost lost them as a species,” says Mark Dodd, coordinator of the Georgia DNR’s Sea Turtle Program.
“We ask people to modify our behavior so we can have this really cool, iconic species continue to nest on our beaches and use our coast,” he says. Common examples of this are minimizing beachfront lighting during nesting season and using turtle excluder devices in fishing gear. “They leave for 30 years, travel the whole North Atlantic, and ultimately come back. We think of them as our turtles — they are Georgia loggerheads.”
The first nest of the 2023 season was spotted at the Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge in McIntosh County, according to the Georgia DNR.
Soon after, the roll call begins. On Facebook, people from Tybee Island to Cumberland Island eagerly share reports of turtle sightings and nest egg counts along with grinning, seaside selfies.
Dodd serves as an administrator of the cooperative’s Facebook page. Today, the co-op continues the critical work that began on Little Cumberland Island in 1964 — one of the first sea turtle conservation programs in the country — by Dr. Jim Richardson, then a student at the University of Georgia.
“When he first got out there and started tagging turtles, he became pretty concerned very quickly that the population was declining and reproductive success wasn’t high enough for the population to sustain itself,” Dodd says. “He started enlisting help from people on adjacent islands — writing to people and talking to them about what nesting levels were like.”
Of course, social media and smartphones greatly speed up the spread of information across 13 organizations and agencies along Georgia’s 110 miles of coastline, which includes 15 barrier islands on the Atlantic Ocean — only four of which are accessible by car. The need for a cooperative is not just because of the expansive geography, however, but due to the variety of land owners within the region. There are state-owned islands, such as Sapelo and Ossabaw, which are overseen by Dodd and his team. There are also private entities, such as Sea Island and Little St. Simons Island, which provide staff to survey the beach and count turtle nests. Volunteer programs, such as the one run by Tybee Island Marine Science Center, help fill in the gaps.
“Everyone has their place,” Dodd says. “All the islands are different. They are similar in a lot of ways with the habitat, but they have different cultural histories and life on them.”
indicate the population will plateau at current levels for about the next 20 years before loggerheads fully regain their role in the ecosystem.
“We see a lot of annual variability in nesting,” Dodd says. In other words: there’s not necessarily a need to panic if this year’s total number of nests doesn’t surpass the 2022 numbers. “Sea turtles don’t nest every year. They will come and nest five to seven times during the course of a three-month period. Each nest is 115 eggs on average. That’s a lot of protein, so it takes them a while to get back into reproductive condition. Some turtles come back every two years, some every three, and they switch around.”
Wassaw Island is home to the Caretta Research Project (CRP), the oldest continuously run turtle tagging project in the United States. While Kris Williams Carroll has served as the project’s director since 1996, she credits the recovery process to those who came before her.
“When I first got to CRP, there were way fewer turtles,” Carroll says via email. (During the season, she is patrolling the beach all night with volunteers.) “It takes 25 to 35 years for hatchlings to reach sexual maturity, so back then, we were still waiting to see if past conservation efforts had worked, and thank goodness they were hugely successful.”
Named after the scientific term for loggerheads, Caretta caretta, the nonprofit’s origins trace back to 1973. Founders Charlie Milmine and the late herpetologist Gerry Williamson followed the example of what Richardson started nine years earlier.
At the time, Milmine was the director of the former Savannah Science Museum. He is also part of the family who transferred some of ownership of the land to form a National Wildlife Refuge on Wassaw Island in 1969.
“We were using cattle ear tags, which worked very well. We realized the turtles were coming back to the same beaches, and there was a pattern developing,” Milmine says. “I remember right at the beginning, Gerry was very insistent that we had continuous data and, of course, now I understand why.”
The perpetuation of CRP is possible through a partnership with Wassaw Island, LLC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nature Conservancy and an army of volunteers who pay a fee to spend a week working alongside biologists during turtle season. In its first 50 years, CRP has identified 2,065 individual loggerheads nesting on the island, protected nearly 5,800 nests, released more than 400,000 hatchlings and contributed to 60 scientific publications, all with support from 3,660-plus people from all 50 states and six countries in hands-on sea turtle research and conservation.
“Long-term tagging datasets are proving invaluable for helping coastal managers and government agencies develop long-term management plans,” adds Carroll. In addition to flipper tagging and passive integrated transponders, CRP will also soon utilize two satellite tags to attach to two females, after they finish nesting in July, to monitor their migratory movements and identify their foraging areas.
Thanks to data from CRP and the Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative at large, UGA and the U.S. Geological Survey have established models that
While technology advances, knowledge accumulates and the population strengthens, Williams describes the overall experience of CRP as not changing much since those early days. The cabins are still very rustic with limited electricity, the bugs are horrific, the heat and humidity are stifling, and there is no privacy. Sleep-deprived teenagers and retirees patrol side by side, from dusk to dawn, motivated by the hope of finding a turtle laying eggs before a raccoon, crab or wild hog interferes, or a king tide washes the nest away.
“If you can put up with that for a week, the turtles are amazing and you’ll be so happy you helped,” Carroll says. You’re one of the true turtle folk.
“The people, especially the ones who have been around here for a long time and are still doing the work, have similar characteristics as the turtles themselves,” says Dodd. “They are people who are not easily deterred. They are very strong-headed. If they see a problem, they are going to go at it head first and stick with it until it’s fixed. … One of my favorite words is endurance, which means to sustain without yielding. That’s the way I would probably describe turtle folk. They see the long game.”
Minimize beachfront lighting during nesting season. Turn off, shield or redirect lights. When walking the beach at night, don’t use flashlights or flash photography. They can deter turtles from coming ashore to nest or cause them to abort nesting.
If you encounter a sea turtle on the beach — including hatchlings — remain quiet, still and observe them only from a distance.
Leave turtle tracks undisturbed. Researchers use them to identify the species and mark nests for protection.
Properly dispose of your garbage. Turtles may mistake
plastic bags, Styrofoam and trash floating in the water as food.
Protect beach vegetation
It stabilizes sand and the natural coastline.
When boating, stay alert and avoid turtles.
Report any dead or injured sea turtlesto the DNR at 800-2-SAVE-ME.
Donate and volunteer
In addition to hands-on research support, Caretta Research Project seeks volunteer captains to transport people and supplies by boat to Wassaw Island during turtle season (May through August).
A newcomer to Savannah jumps into the region’s open water — and discovers a newfound hobby and appreciation for local rivers along the way
Written by GRACE WILSON // Photography by PETER COLIN MURRAY
A wild swim movement resurfaced during the summer of 2020. Swimmers across the country found indoor pools closed, but the streams and rivers, lakes and seas wide open, and free. Once they got in open water, they found much more than just a spot to exercise — they found escape, healing waters and a new level of restoration.
During this time, my husband and I were also exploring all our new home in Savannah had to offer. As avid swimmers, we dreamed of swimming free in open waters without the interruption of pool walls. But we had lots of questions. Where could we access open water? Is river water clean and healthy? Are coastal waterways safe for swimming?
Research revealed a Facebook page for the Savannah Triathlon Team. Even though
I’m hesitant on a bike and intimidated by Ironmen, I reached out to learn how they train for open water swims in Savannah’s rivers. What I found was less training and sport, and more return to the root of swimming and recreating in nature.
The Savannah Triathlon Team was largely started by John Jensen, a retired professor of ceramics and sculpture, who found escape in Savannah’s river many years before the trendy wild swim movement. He has been swimming in the Skidaway River for decades and innately understands the flow, the currents inside the creeks and the mood swings of the tide. The river is a place the artist can recharge his creative juices — not by dreaming up unique sculptures as he swims, but by letting his mind rest while his body falls into a meditative rhythm.
“The gift of being able to swim and commune with nature is free, and it’s what we need more and more of every day,” Jensen says.
He prefers to paddle across the water like a sleek kayak as he strokes by the reeds. Using a posture that places him on top of the water, he’s further lifted by the buoyancy of the salinity in the coastal river. This combination of fine-tuned posture and float sends him skating across the surface with every strong pull.
This method has taken Jensen far, and quite quickly too. With the current at his back, he’s sailed 10 kilometers down the Skidaway River from Modena Island, curving around Isle of Hope and landing on Butterbean Beach, a sliver of a beach off Rodney J. Hall Boat Ramp. He once extended this annual swim with a launch
Since moving to Savannah, I've learned the best way to escape the summer heat is to head to the water. It may be thrilling to speed over the water in a boat or peaceful to skim across the surface in a kayak, but a true connection to the water is deepened if you are brave enough to jump in.
I have discovered many of our coastal waterways are clean and safe for swimming, but there is more work to be done to make swimming in our waters accessible for all. The more I swim, and experience numerous benefits to my wellbeing, the more I seek to preserve the wild waters in our own backyards.The author swims alongside members of the Savannah Triathlon Team
from Landing’s Harbor, which clocked in at over 10 miles.
Jensen’s tales of freedom and escape found in the river attracted fellow flow seekers. In 1997, the nonprofit Savannah Triathlon Team was formed for athletes of all abilities and motivations to connect for group rides, runs and swims. With insurance and liability waivers in place, they were ready to invite the rest of Savannah to their training playground.
Today the group hosts organized swims in the Moon River every other Tuesday evening from late spring until the sun starts setting behind the western treeline in the fall. Some swimmers do train for triathlons and use the weekly swims to both build endurance and test the shoulder mobility of their wetsuits. However, most swimmers enjoy the feel of the river’s flow and the rebellion of submerging in seemingly forbidden dark water.
My first open water swim with Savannah Triathlon Team started at 6 o’clock on an average Tuesday night. The team marched down the aluminum ramp to our friend’s floating dock. I joined the swimmers and strapped a neon float around my waist. Other team members served as escort paddlers and clomped down the ramp with a kayak or paddleboard hoisted against their hip.
Jumping into the river for the first time took courage. I threw myself off the dock before I could second guess my actions, submerged and entered another world. However, I quickly popped back up thanks to buoyant salt water that lifted me higher than I had ever felt in the water. I looked back at the dock, only to find it a few feet further behind where I had lept. The current was already sending me forward. The swim had begun.
Once I got into the right body float and set my strokes into a rhythm, I found it was easy to lift my head and spot the neon floats tethered to each swimmer. Every few strokes, I lifted my eyes to sight the escort kayakers and paddlers who chart the best swimming course and keep watch for boaters on the horizon. I felt safety and solidarity when I fell into pace with a fellow swimmer by my side.
The moment I emerged from the water, my wild swim experience was all I would talk about. I couldn’t believe I could swim in nature and that the river was accessible for everyone to enjoy. Some couldn’t believe it either.
“Is it safe to swim in the river?” was usually the first reaction.“Is the water clean?”
These questions continued to float to the top of my mind as well, so I turned to local authorities who steward our waterways.
“Jumping into the river for the first time took courage. I threw myself off the dock before I could second guess my actions, submerged and entered another world.”
— Grace Wilson
Savannah’s coastal rivers and waterways are monitored and protected by the Savannah Riverkeeper and the Ogeechee Riverkeeper. These nonprofits serve to protect and improve the water quality of the waterways in their river basins and showed me just how unique and complex the network of Savannah’s rivers is.
Georgia has the second largest amount of salt marshes in the United States. Fresh water flowing from the Ogeechee and the Savannah rivers is mixed with a flood of salt water from the Atlantic Ocean each tide cycle. Science tells us that every 12 hours, fingers of the rivers spent from draining are then flushed with salt water that weakens bacteria and dilutes any pollution from river runoff. The result is estuary waters with water quality that is remarkably healthy. The water may be dark, but that doesn’t mean it's dirty. The color of the river comes from sediment, some from the marsh reeds and some from blackwater rivers filled with tannins from tree bark and leaves. In some areas, the darker the water, the better — dark tannins have some natural properties that kill certain bacteria.
Both riverkeepers are dedicated to monitoring the quality of water along their
respective waterways and routinely test the waters with a comprehensive panel that ranges from bacteria levels to dissolved oxygen. Together, they present water quality data on a publicly — accessible and streamlined website called Know Your River. This site hosts a map lit with hundreds of blue dots for water access locations, such as boat ramps, and dozens of green dots where water quality tests give a green light for recreational use. Coastal waterways extending from the Ogeechee River and the Savannah River are highlighted in blue to show overall safety in designated use.
Damon Mullis, executive director of the Ogeechee Riverkeeper, and his team regularly test the water quality in the Ogeechee River watershed. The popular Butterbean Beach swimming spot along the Skidaway River has been coded blue, safe for swimming. However, other areas, such as the Vernon River which runs through south Savannah, show poor water quality due to stormwater run-off, litter and other sources of pollution.
“While many of the canals and small streams that feed into our coastal waters struggle with high levels of bacterial contamination, we rarely see levels in the
larger water bodies that would prevent swimming,” says Mullis. “It’s our job to clean up these canals and small streams to protect these rivers for generations to come.”
These rivers are vital to life in Savannah. The Savannah River provides energy upstream, hosts the fourth busiest port in the nation at its mouth, and supplies drinking water to more than 1.5 million people. Local ecology also depends on our rivers — the Nature Conservancy estimates that the Savannah River basin is teeming with such a myriad wildlife, the diversity rivals that of a South American rainforest.
It’s natural to have a respectful fear for wildlife swimming in dark water, but most fish dart away from a threatening shadow splashing on the surface. Dorsal fins that peak above the surface usually belong to dolphins that tempt boats to race and invite swimmers to play with a squeak only audible underwater. Every local swimmer has their own tall “tail” to tell, but the general consensus is that higher levels of salt in coastal waterways deter alligators, and sharks stick closer to the feeding frenzies created by fishermen by the pier at Tybee Island.
On a typical Saturday afternoon, Butterbean Beach is packed. Over a dozen kayakers land in reeds and sea oxeye, close enough to the beach. A puddle jumper zips past with a bucket of sand. Off to the side, a fisherman casts in a shadow by the reeds. A dog bounds into the water after a ball. I put on my yellow cap to swim from piling to piling in the designated swim zone.
There’s a reason Butterbean Beach is popular. It is conveniently located at the Rodney J. Hall boat ramp, down the road from Pin Point and below the Diamond Causeway Bridge. The boat ramp has ample parking, a covered pavilion and a few picnic tables under the shade of cedar and live oak trees. The small bean-shaped beach still has enough sand to accommodate a zero-depth entry into the Skidaway River.
But Butterbean Beach is also popular because it is one of the few spots the public can access the river on foot. Savannah has many public boat ramps scattered along the coastal waterways, and each offers a varying level of accessibility for kayakers, paddlers and swimmers.
In Chatham County, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitors water quality regularly on the beaches of Tybee Island, and swim advisories can be found at CoastalGaDNR.org
We have a right to recreate in our waters, boat or no boat. According to the DNR, all waters that are affected by the ebb and flow of the tide are considered to be in the Public Trust, meaning they are available for the public to use recreationally. Land access to the water may be private, but the flow of the water itself remains one of the last spaces that belongs to all. We need to share public access points and make these entry points safe for everyone to use. Without access for all, we limit our freedom to explore all the ways we can connect with the waters in our area.
The more I swam in the river, the better my body felt. I may emerge from a river swim with a bit of pluff mud, but it’s nothing compared to the way chlorine dries my skin and causes me to sneeze after every pool swim. My posture is lengthened and my muscles are stretched when I reach for the horizon with every stroke.
Simply breathing salt air benefits our lungs and wellbeing, but submerging in saltwater buoys these benefits even further. Various studies have linked the minerals in saltwater — magnesium, zinc, iron and potassium — to a range of positive outcomes, from reduced inflammation and healthier skin to reduced stress and better sleep to boosted moods and immune systems, among others.
When we preserve our river, we preserve a sacred space that can offer total body restoration. By swimming in our wild waters, we can raise water quality standards. Swimmers won’t settle for polluted creeks and canals, waterways that squeak by safety requirements, and rivers dredged and distorted. The more we swim in our wild waters, the more we advocate for increasing public access to our waterways. Perhaps the most impactful way we can show support for the preservation of our wild coastal waters is to team together and jump in. Along the way, we’ll preserve a bit of ourselves.
GRACE WILSON isa writer and avid open water swimmer. Since moving to Savannah and swimming with the Savannah Triathlon Team, she has joined the Georgia River Network as the communications director, further helping to improve water quality and increase access to waterways statewide.
Swim at your own risk and never swim solo. Have a paddler escort the safest route for swimming. Always obey signs at the beach or advisories from official government agencies.
In addition to knowyourriver.org and CoastalGaDNR.org, you can monitor water quality at mywaterway.epa.gov
Check the tides to understand which direction the current is moving and how strong. The best time to swim is as the high tide falls. If you are swimming out and back, swim against the current to build endurance and then ride the tide on the return trip. Ask a fellow swimmer about tide timing and swim spots.
Do not swim during the presence of thunder or for a day or two after heavy rain, as stormwater runoff may temporarily pollute certain waterways.
JOIN
The Savannah Triathlon Team conducts seasonal swims for annual members.
Georgia River Network has built water trails that list public access points across the state. Join their mission to increase access to swimming in coastal Georgia.
As the caretaker of two wooden schooners and captain of Old Coast Adventure Company, Thomson Moore invites others aboard his living sculpture
THOMSON MOORE, the owner of Old Coast Adventure Company, is easy to spot among the crowded bar at Bubba Gumbo’s. For starters, he probably isn’t wearing any shoes.
Then, there is his smile. What Moore lacks in teeth — he goes by Captain Toothless on Instagram — is made up for with a mischievous, megawatt grin.
Regulars at the Tybee Island dive may actually recognize his voice before seeing Moore.
While Southern in nature, there is no slow drawl. The accent is hard to pin down. Like a modern-day Tom Sawyer, Moore speaks quickly with excitement, as he shares stories from a childhood in the swamp of South Georgia to sailing around the globe.
“I grew up in a blink-and-you-would-miss-it town called Naylor, between Valdosta and Waycross. As an only child growing up on a tobacco, cotton and peanut farm, my imagination was my best friend,” Moore says before taking a swig from his can of Red Stripe beer. “All it had was a flashing light, a volunteer fire department and the post office. That’s it, dude.”
As he tells it, his distinct voice played a pivotal role in how he bought his first boat. Several years ago, Moore was in a laundromat in Boulder Creek, California — a small, rural mountain community in the coastal Santa Cruz Mountains — when a woman approached him.
“She said, ‘I know your voice. You tried to buy my boat,’” Moore recalls.
As it turns out, the wooden schooner named Faith was still for sale, waiting for him on Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles.
“It started out as an internet love story,” he says of the one that almost got away. A few years before the laundromat encounter, he had seen the for-sale listing online and immediately felt attracted, but didn’t have the cash.
This time, Moore had enough money saved and wouldn’t let the opportunity pass him twice. They struck a deal.
“You never really say that you are the owner,” says Moore, noting that it’s also “bad juju” to change a boat’s name. “You’re the caretaker. You keep her alive until you pass her along to someone else.”
“You never really say that you are the owner. ... You’re the caretaker. You keep her alive until you pass her along to someone else.”
— Thomson Moore
...
Like its caretaker, the circa-1956 schooner stands out at a crowded Tybee Island Marina behind Bubba Gumbo’s on Lazaretto Creek.
The design of the 50-foot boat is something special, says Moore. Special enough to take down the masts, load on to a semitrailer and transport it across the country to bring Faith home to Georgia.
“It’s hard to come across schooners, specifically in the style that I have,” says Moore. “They dwindled. Wood rots, and this region is not kind to wooden boats. When you go up to Connecticut and Maine, that’s where they thrive. Here, we have worms that eat them. People put sacrificial pieces of wood in the bottom of them to attract worms.”
The skinny beam and shallow draft make the boat appear older than it is — like something a buccaneer would commandeer. He attributes the design to the famed naval architect and maritime historian Howard I. Chapelle. According to the Smithsonian Institution Archives, Chapelle was a giant among small-vessel naval architecture.
“The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum downtown is big on Chapelle because one of the main feathers in their hat is the SS Savannah, one of the first steamboats to cross the Atlantic Ocean, which was documented by and written about by Chapelle,” he says. “Faith is a pedigree vessel.” (Editor’s Note: The museum’s models of the SS Savannah and the Wanderer are based on the research Chapelle completed for the Smithsonian.)
Moore always had a natural affinity for design. He credits his late mother — an interior designer — for encouraging his creative
side from a young age. He studied sculpture and modern painting at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
As a student, Moore was first introduced to sailing thanks to his friend Brock Scott and Scott’s parents, David and Wanda. With a few colorful expletives — as sailors do — Moore recounts the story of his first time at sea on the Scotts’ schooner, Jubilee, which was built in Daffin Park and coincidentally also a Chapelle design.
“There were six or seven artists on this boat, and we went straight to Sapelo Island,” he recalls. A storm came on quickly. There were sharks. Moore remembers feeling terrified.
And yet, he was hooked. “If something scares me, I run towards it.”
After graduating from SCAD, Moore spent a decade in Panama working on creative projects that adaptively reused spaces and existing structures throughout the country to serve the community in new ways. (He was doing consulting work in California on that fateful laundry day.)
While living abroad and traveling through the Caribbean, Moore’s yearning to weigh anchor grew stronger. Around this time, he also suffered the tragic loss of his mother.
So, when he met a captain at a party who gave him the opportunity to join a 38-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean, Moore jumped on board in Antigua. They traveled up to Bermuda, jumped across to Portugal, passed through the Broughton Strait, on to Ibiza — and the list goes on.
“I was completely green,” he says. “I thought it was a deck, not a floor. I thought it was a bathroom, not a head. I thought it was left, not port,” he says. “But when I got back from the trip, it was this metaphor.
You will make it to the other side. I will prevail. It did something to me that was so significant. I realized this is living. After that trip, I came back and realized I wanted my own boat.”
A few years and many adventures later, after Moore finally took the helm of Faith, he sailed the vessel nearly 500 miles up the west coast to Big Sur. “I ended up stopping in Monterey Bay. I lived on her in this marine mammal sanctuary, Moss Landing, and I met the most amazing man of my life, Richard Arnold.”
A former captain of the Anheuser-Busch megayacht during the ‘70s, Arnold was 76 years and a seasoned shipwright when Moore arrived at the boatyard.
“He had already wanted a schooner but never had one,” says Moore. “He took me under his wing.” For a year, the unlikely pair worked together to restore the ship. “We became best friends. I learned everything,” Moore adds. “I became connected with it and understood the philosophy of wooden vessels — what they are. They were once living forests. They [weathered] storms. They had birds living in them. You take all this energy, and then you transform it and preserve it. … The ship is like a living sculpture.”
Since that inaugural, transatlantic trip, Moore has ventured out into the wild blue yonder again and again — racing to Zanzibar off the coast of Africa and running a catamaran yacht from Grenada to the West Indies. Last year, he worked with The University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography on the research vessel Savannah and spent 167 days at sea.
“My feet swelled up. I had ocean sores. That’s another whole story to tell.”
Now, he feels ready to stay closer to Faith, his family and the farm where he was raised.
“I realized I wanted to spend my time barefoot and swimming,” he says. “It dawned on me: I can sculpt my own life.”
Through Old Coast Adventure Co., Moore does just that. With help from his friends and fellow guides Bennett Bacon and Kyle Sheffield of Georgia Coast Charters and Sundial Charters, Moore offers private sailing charters on Faith through the salt marsh and winding tidal creeks. As he hoists the sails, he charms his passengers with stories from the sea and extols the virtues of the region’s remarkable biodiversity — all told in his inimitable voice.
“Growing up, I never really knew my own backyard. I used to think, ‘The water is brown. Everything is gray. Who the heck wants to come here?’ Later in life, I realized the Georgia coast was one of the most important places on planet Earth.”
Recently, the Scott family passed Jubilee to Moore, too — expanding his fleet of vessels available for a sunset cruise or a day of bumming on a sand bar.
“I feel incredibly honored to take care of her,” Moore says of Jubilee. “Everything I was looking for was in front of my face this entire time. It was a full hero’s journey. … Hopefully, I can get a business set up where I can pass that torch — just like people have passed it to me.”
INSPIRED BY THE CITY’S inimitable beauty and creative spirit, Savannah magazine launched our first-ever photo contest earlier this year. Between January and March, we called for professional, amateur and student (under 18 years of age) photographers to share their best original images that capture the essence of the Greater Savannah area and Georgia coast in exchange for cash prizes — and bragging rights, of course.
More than 100 people answered our call and shared 500-plus images. Here, we’ve rounded up our favorites with help from a panel of esteemed judges. Next, we need help from you to determine our Readers’ Favorite. Visit savannahmagazine.com to cast your vote before Aug. 1. One winner will be announced in our September/October issue and receive a $200 prize!
Born and raised in Savannah, Ansley Connor has been a proud member of the tourism marketing world for the past four and a half years. She began her career as the communications coordinator for Visit Tybee, and through the years and many opportunities at the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Connor now serves as the content and social media manager for Visit Savannah.
As a Savannah native, Connor is passionate about producing authentic, valuable and aspirational content that truly captures the essence of her hometown. When she isn’t creating content, you can find her at an OrangeTheory Fitness class or on a trip with her friends. Follow along @VisitSavannah and @VisitTybee.
Erin Dunn is curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Telfair Museums. Her projects are wide-ranging, but one driving focus is the interpretation and communication of social and cultural issues addressed through the medium of photography, explored previously through exhibitions like “Watershed: Contemporary Landscape Photography,” awarded the 2016 Coastal Museums Association Exhibition of Excellence, and “Youthful Adventures: Growing Up in Photography.”
Since joining the curatorial department in 2014, Dunn has organized numerous exhibitions including the first full-career survey of American painter Phillip J. Hampton, a retrospective of the photographer Bruce Davidson and solo exhibitions with contemporary artists Sonya Clark and Noel W Anderson. Upcoming projects include the first major museum exhibition of the photographer Frank Stewart co-organized with The Phillips Collection and opening at Telfair Museums in February 2024.
In addition, Dunn has spearheaded several shows for Telfair’s #art912 initiative, which raises the visibility and promotes the vitality of artists living and working in Savannah.
Dunn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University and an MA in art history from the University of Georgia.
Frank Marshal started his career as a fashion and portrait photographer in Philadelphia and New York, shooting for brands such as Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.
Ultimately he felt called to make the move to Europe — first to Paris, fashion capital of the world — then London and Barcelona to shoot for publications Vogue and Marie Claire and fashion houses Chanel and Dior.
After five years in Europe, Marshal relocated to New York permanently to concentrate his efforts on editorial work and fine art gallery shows. He began printing fine art prints for a list of acclaimed photographers including Avedon and Bruce Weber. In the early 2000s he opened Fiberbase B&W, an elite black-and-white printing studio. Here, Marshal first met and later married photographer Karen Hill.
Marshal shifted the focus of his work to fine art photography, winning The Urbanautica’s 2021 Award and garnering acclaim from The Humblearts Foundation.
Marshal has been published in Vogue, Marie Claire, F-Stop Magazine, Worbzmag, Hutspot Magazine, Extraordinary Magazine and the BOOOOM publication CIRCLES. His work has been exhibited in numerous gallery shows worldwide. Marshal now calls Savannah home and is a photographer for Karen Hill Photography. karenhill.com
Jaclyn Cori Norman is a lensbased artist who is a passionate and poetic storyteller. Her work is narrative, based on both fact and fiction. For the past decade, she has been photographing her twin daughters, creating an idiosyncratic and lyrical family album, “Born on the Same Day.”
In 1994, she began her career as a professor of Photography at Savannah College of Art and Design. She is included in Who’s Who Among American Teachers and quoted in “Teaching Photography: Tools for the Imaging Educator.”
Her work has been exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions at venues including the Cork Street Gallery in London, the Cole Pratt Gallery in New Orleans, WithInSight Gallery in Chicago, the Hagedorn Gallery in Atlanta, the Photo Place Gallery and The Darkroom Gallery in Vermont. Images from “Born on the Same Day” have been published in F-Stop Magazine, All About Photo, Art Ascent and Art Square New York. The work is included in the recently published book “Eye Mama.” She was also featured on Lenscratch Mother’s Day 2023.
Savannah has been Cori Norman’s home for nearly 30 years. With her husband, Chris Norman, she is raising inspiring twin daughters currently in seventh grade at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy and STEM Academy at Bartlett. Find her work at jaclyncorinorman.com
ART DIRECTOR’S FAVORITE Professional Category
Lighthouse
EDITOR’S FAVORITE Professional Category
This photo of a marina was taken on the way to Tybee Island. This has been one of my favorite photos for a while, and I won first place with this photo in my high school’s art show. I really like how the black and white makes the details on the water and boats stand out.
— Madison
HEAVY
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The real buzz behind the damp lifestyle trend — and where to find the city’s best mocktails
COASTAL IMAGING AND THE CENTER FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH was designed to be a haven for women and put them at ease during a vulnerable and personal time. Fellowship-trained mammographer, Dr. Jessica Wilder is on-site for every diagnostic and biopsy patient, and personally delivers results to them. When giving a breast cancer diagnosis, Dr. Wilder works hand in hand with the patient’s care team to establish the best course of action and is with the patient every step of the way.
THE FIRST TIME I was editor of Savannah magazine’s Health Guide was in 2018, and with each subsequent issue, I have a moment of panic, thinking what if there’s nothing new in health to talk about?
Of course, there’s always something new, often too much for one issue, because in the world of health and wellness, things are always changing — always evolving.
I couldn’t have imagined five years ago that there would be medicine on the market that may have the potential to have a huge impact on obesity, perhaps even changing the way our culture views those who struggle to lose weight (page 146). I also couldn’t have foreseen exercising in a room with infrared light to make my workout more efficient (page 161), or that a lifeguard could come in the form of AI (page 144).
I’m not an innovator, a lifesaver or a fixer of broken systems — but I do get to tell the stories of amazing folks who are, and Savannah is home to an astounding number of people passionately working to improve the health and wellness in our community. There are people like Dale Thorpe, who has been planting trees for future Savannahians for more than 30 years (page 199), and Ryan Fann, an amputee who has turned a childhood accident into a career of helping others and has earned a couple of Paralympic medals along the way (page 153).
But looking back on that first issue, there is one thing that disappoints me — one thing that hasn’t really evolved over the past few years: me.
In my Editor’s Letter, I wrote, “Coming to terms with [aging] can be tricky, so I’m trying instead to be more focused on what can help me feel and be my best right now. I’m concerned about my hearing, my aches and pains, my dental health, my skin — in short, I’m worried about the things I took for granted for the past four decades.” I’m still worried about those things, but I’m not really doing much about them. And considering I live in a place where we have access to top-notch medicine and health resources, there’s no excuse.
So — mark my words — this summer I’m going to make those long overdue eye and dermatology appointments. I’ll enroll with a general health practitioner. I’ll stop using the fact that my running partner moved away almost two years ago as an excuse not to run. I might even floss. Then, when next year rolls around, I hope a healthier me will tell you all about it.
Stay tuned,
Andrea Goto Editor
want me to spend my winters in Iowa, so we began looking for a place here for me to live.”
Although Dody (as she’s known) would usually spend her winters in Arizona and Florida, she says she still longed for a more active lifestyle. “I’m still a very active person, but I don’t play golf or bridge. After taking a look at several places in the area, we then decided to take a look at Savannah Square.”
Immediately Dody and her son Fred were struck by the welcoming atmosphere of the senior living community, which offers elegant and comfortable residences for seniors with a range of lifestyles and requirements. With their spacious cottages and apartments, Savannah Square’s independent living accommodations are perfect for seniors on the go, but the community also features Palmetto Inn, a personal care residence with an on-site health center. “My son told me that this is a place that I was going to just love, so he put down the deposit without telling me. He had already made up my mind, so to speak,”
laughs Dody, “But in the end he was right. I do love it, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live.”
Savannah Square’s amenities include restaurant-style dining, a full-service beauty salon, clubhouse, fitness studio, library, and a 24-hour staff. Located just three miles from St. Joseph Candler Hospital, their midtown location provides convenient access to all the best dining, shopping and cultural attractions that historic Savannah has to offer. Situated on several acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, Savannah Square offers an abundance of organized educational, social and recreational activities for all its seniors.
There is also laundry and housekeeping services available, and Savannah Square provides
KELLI HARTLEY, Sales Director KIMBERLY SMITH, Executive Director
Advanced medical services are popping up all over Savannah, bringing specialized care to the local community – and beyond. The Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, a national destination for cancer care, recently celebrated the opening of the region’s most comprehensive lung cancer center. Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed and aggressive cancers, which is why the Advanced Thoracic Oncology Center (22 Candler Drive, Suite 201) aims to expedite treatment by finding tumors early and determining the best course of treatment for each patient — all under one roof. The center is a collaboration of multiple specialists led by Advanced Thoracic Oncology Center Medical Director and Interventional Pulmonologist Dr. M. Douglas Mullins, with Southeast Lung Associates, and Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Marc Bailey, with St. Joseph’s/Candler Physician Network. Subscription-based primary care is gaining momentum (see article on page 150). Seeing how the model benefits both healthcare workers and their patients, longtime friends
Dr. Adrienne Fabrizio and Nurse Practitioner Angie Mixon, opened Premier Medical Direct Primary Care on Whitemarsh Island (1020 Bryan Woods Loop, Suite 4). Also new to the subscription-based medicine scene is Coastal Wellness of Savannah (7505 Waters Ave., Suite D5). There, Dr. Milagros Rivera takes a holistic approach to medicine. She also offers bilingual services to the city’s Latino community. ExperCARE Urgent Care has opened a fifth location, expanding its reach to Statesboro (121 Tormenta Way), and it has two more in the queue, bringing top-quality, on-demand healthcare to both Rincon (461 S. Columbia Ave.) and Hinesville (632 W. Oglethorpe Highway), respectively. Also growing is Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Savannah (6510 Seawright Drive), a specialized hospital providing inpatient rehabilitation for stroke, brain injury, hip fracture and other complex neurological and orthopedic conditions. Their building expansion includes the addition of an in-house dialysis suite, pharmacy and extended therapy gym, along with 10 additional beds.
Savannah cares about bringing health equity to the community. Wayne Boutwell, CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, has been named the American Heart Association Southern Coast Leader of Impact Winner for being a driver of equitable health in the region. Boutwell participated in the Southern Coast’s first-ever impact campaign, raising the most funds and awareness of the seven local change agents. Additionally, Healthy Savannah — a public-private partnership of more than 150 businesses, nonprofits, faithand community-based organizations, schools and healthcare and government agencies — was the recipient of the Centers for Disease Control’s REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity Challenge. Healthy Savannah received this honor for their work toward making Savannah a healthier place to live, with a particular focus on reducing health disparities and increasing health equity for African Americans with low income and disproportionately affected by chronic disease.
ForSight’s Dr. Erika Morrow is seeing double — in a good way. Morrow was named both the Young Optometrist of the Year by the Georgia Optometric Association and Young Optometrist of
the South by SECO International, making her the first female and only the second optometrist in Georgia to win both.
Arianna Gavrilas just graduated from Savannah Arts Academy, and her future is already looking bright. Gavrilas was nominated to serve as a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve others in the future as a physician or medical researcher. During the three-day Congress held in June at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Campus, Gavrilas was joined by students across the country to hear from esteemed pioneers in medicine, learn about cutting-edge medical advancements and listen to inspiring stories told by patients who are living medical miracles.
Memorial Health University Medical Center continues to level up. The hospital has been designated a Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center (ECCC) by The Georgia Department of Public Health, the first in southeast Georgia to earn this distinction. A Level I designation indicates that Memorial Health provides the highest level and most comprehensive emergency cardiac care services around the clock.
THEY SAY A TEACHER NEVER STOPS TEACHING — and in rare cases, even posthumously. Dr. David Byck provided over three decades of service to Memorial Health University Medical Center as an OB-GYN before passing away in November 2020. In honor of Byck’s commitment to excellence and compassionate care for patients, Mercer University School of Medicine dedicated its three state-of-the-art simulation labs at the Savannah campus to the respected faculty member and Savannah native.
The cutting-edge simulation facilities equip medical students with the necessary skills for their future roles as physicians, allowing them to practice hands-on, invasive procedures without the risk of harming patients. In short, they prepare Mercer students to follow Byck’s lead and lasting legacy.
IN OUR QUEST FOR ADVENTURE, relaxation and relief from suffocating heat, swimming pools hold an undeniable allure — especially for children. This makes swim lessons and water-safety training essential for even the littlest guppies, and necessitates the watchful eye of an adult — or two. But as any parent knows, short of limiting your child’s pool experience to splashing in the dog’s water dish, you never can be too safe. (And even then…)
Here’s why: according to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death for children between the ages of 1 and 4, and according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, pool- or spa-related fatal drownings involving children younger than 15 years of age has spiked from an average of 389 annually pre-COVID to 6,800 in 2021.
Advanced technology isn’t a failsafe for drowning, but it can enhance water safety. MYLO, the world’s first Artificial Intelligence lifeguard system, actively monitors a pool 24/7. An above- and belowwater camera uses smart technology to detect drowning risks and identify drowning scenarios, sending a series of escalating alarms to mobile devices and in-home alarms. At $1,500, MYLO isn’t cheap, but our children are priceless.
Cutting-edge simulation lab both prepares medical students and honors an exemplary physician
Diabetes drugs like Ozempic are the next big thing in weight loss, but is there more than meets the eye?
Written by ZACHARY HAYESAFTER DECADES OF FAD DIETS, sensationalist infomercials and failed New Year’s resolutions, it seems like we are witnessing the impossible: something is changing in the world of weight loss. Jenny Craig, the legacy weight-management titan, is closing its doors after 40 years in the industry. Diet culture, long touted as the key to shedding those stubborn pounds, is giving way to a focus on nutrition and individual wellness. Meanwhile, everyone from Weight Watchers to Elon Musk seems to be throwing their, well, weight behind a newer generation of diabetes drugs — including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro — as the newest revolution in weight loss. But after so many supposed miracle drugs have fallen flat over the years, we have to ask: are these the real deal?
So far, the results appear promising.
One 2021 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine saw patients taking Wegovy — a higher dose version of Ozempic approved for weight loss — lose about 15% of their body weight on average over 68 weeks. A similar study saw patients taking Mounjaro — a newer medication featuring a two-pronged approach — losing even more: up to nearly 21% on average. Reliable, rapid weight loss like this without the major health concerns of more traditional weight loss drugs was unheard of up until recently. So, what’s the catch?
“In general, they’re safe for pretty much any adult,” says Dr. Lauren Wood, internal medicine specialist with Memorial Health. There are exceptions, of course — those with a family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer or those at risk for pancreatitis — but overall, there aren’t many serious concerns. In fact, studies show these medications actually have
some significant cardiovascular benefits, such as decreasing blood pressure and reducing the likelihood of heart attack and stroke.
Originally designed to treat Type 2 diabetes, these drugs — known as GLP-1 agonists — mimic a hormone in the body that binds to a certain pancreatic receptor, increasing insulin production and lowering blood sugar after you eat. It also slows the rate at which food leaves your stomach, making you feel fuller sooner and helping your body to better metabolize the food you do eat. In large part, therein lies the secret to Ozempic and kin: eat less, lose weight.
Despite their recent surge in popularity, these are not new drugs. “This class of medication has been around for a long, long time,” says Dr. Ismary De Castro,
president of Savannah Endocrinology. “It’s just that the agents have gotten better, the tolerability has improved and the accessibility of these medicines has expanded.”
When the first GLP-1 agonist, Byetta, was approved back in 2005 for diabetes and being used off-label for weight loss, it was a twicedaily self-injection, something many patients associated with being prescribed insulin. “People were afraid of it,” says De Castro. “They didn’t understand how it worked.”
In comparison, most of the mainstream GLP-1 agonists today are injected only once a week, are more effective and generally have fewer side effects, though nausea and other gastrointestinal ills may still occur. De Castro also credits the obesity awareness brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and social media for their recent surge in popularity. #Ozempic alone has nearly a billion views on TikTok. But let’s face it, a lot of the buzz brought on by social media chatter and celebrity finger-pointing has fed into the misconception that these are simply miracle drugs, capable of melting away bushels of fat in a matter of weeks at the stick of a needle. As miraculous as these drugs may be, they are no silver bullet.
“I do think that these medications are a great adjunct to lifestyle modifications, including diet and exercise,” says Wood. “However, the big keyword there is
‘adjunct.’” In other words, you shouldn’t take these drugs and just carry on with your life as normal. Just about every professional medical voice on the matter will tell you that diet and exercise are a must if you’re trying to lose weight healthily and keep it off. And it’s not just the doctorly thing to say; there are serious consequences to ignoring this advice.
“Oftentimes, not only is there fat reduction, but we’re also seeing some skeletal and muscle tissue being absorbed as well,” says Wood. This can happen to anyone on a calorie-restricted diet. She explains that if you’re not getting enough physical activity and protein and nutrients from your diet, your body will not pull from your fat deposits alone, but from your muscles and bones as well. And while these drugs are meant to be used indefinitely, should you ever need to stop taking the medication and you haven’t made those lifestyle changes, you’re at a high risk of gaining weight back.
“Education is really important for patients, just as much as building a game plan and being an advocate for them,” says Sandy Odom, founder and clinical director of Odomí Medical Spa. “But they have to meet you halfway.” Accountability is a big factor for Odom. Since she began offering GLP-1 agonists in January, Odom has tweaked the program to require patients to come to the clinic for their weekly injections. The act of driving there and being physically engaged
with the program, she says, has led to greater patient compliance and success. “If someone is coming back to me next week, they’re going to think twice about putting that donut in their mouth,” says Odom.
And then there is the so-called “Ozempic face” — the gaunt, sagging appearance some patients get after quickly losing a significant amount of weight on these drugs. “What some people don’t understand is that in a rapid weight loss situation like these drugs produce, it is going to be an evenly distributed loss,” says Dr. Tim Minton of Savannah Facial Plastic Surgery. “You’re not going to just lose it from your belly; you’re going to lose it from every part of your body.” Losing fat in the face, he explains, can make you appear more aged, and patients who are not overweight but taking GLP-1 agonists for aesthetic weight loss are far more likely to experience this effect. Fillers, fat transfers and facelifts can go a long way to help, of course. For a cost.
Speaking of cost, these drugs are expensive. With no generics on the market at this time, it often comes down to insurance to foot the bill, and while this isn’t a problem for diabetics taking the drugs, many insurance providers won’t cover weight loss prescriptions.
“I’ve had some patients be able to get Ozempic or Wegovy for no cost out of pocket depending on their insurance, and I’ve had
patients have to pay up to $200 or $300,” says Wood. “Without any insurance coverage, it’s over $1,000 for each month’s dose.”
While those with clinical obesity may have an easier time getting insurance to pick up the tab, unless you have money to burn, you might be better off weighing other options with your doctor.
And even with insurance or a healthy cash flow, patients still might struggle to access these medications. With their explosive rise in popularity and the ease of access provided by telehealth prescribers, drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro have experienced severe shortages over the last year that are still being resolved. According to analysis by J.P. Morgan, Ozempic prescriptions alone have more than doubled over the last year, and with demand growing by the day, it’s hard to say when the supply will fully catch up.
Amidst all the hype, it’s important to consider just how revolutionary these drugs might be in tackling America’s growing obesity epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the obesity rate was nearly 42% in 2017, and that number has likely only grown since the pandemic. This problem has been pinned on everything from nuanced socioeconomics to abject laziness, but our solutions have almost always been tainted by judgment.
A number of studies over the years have established a serious and detrimental weight bias by many healthcare providers, often based on the belief that obese patients simply lack self-control, leading to subpar care and more negative treatment outcomes. This stigma has been well-documented in the general population as well. But placing
the blame solely on behavior is not only unsympathetic, it’s unscientific.
Diet and exercise are key to maintaining a healthy weight, but researchers have come to understand that our bodies have built-in mechanisms that actively fight against weight loss, making it harder to lose weight and keep it off in the long run. With that in mind, GLP-1 agonists just might offer a new path forward, giving obese patients a safe, reliable chance at a healthier life. “It’s amazing,” says De Castro. “With many patients, it’s clearly an instant improvement, like turning on a light switch, and they do so much better.”
So perhaps the real revolution of these drugs is how they will help us to understand that obesity is not just about personal responsibility alone, that there are complex metabolic factors at play. Perhaps that is the change we needed all along.
“With many patients, it’s clearly an instant improvement, like turning on a light switch, and they do so much better.”
— DR. ISMARY DE CASTRO OF SAVANNAH ENDOCRINOLOGY
Meet the Experts at Georgia Ear Nose & Throat. The fellowship-trained, board-certified and highly-respected physicians at Georgia Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists always strive to make the most complex of treatments easily understood – even to the youngest of patients.
Michael Poole, MD
Dr. Poole is a Pediatric Otolaryngologist and the only ENT physician in the U.S with a doctorate in microbiology. He is considered his specialty’s top expert in antibiotic treatment of ENT infections and has authored or coauthored several national and international guidelines concerning treatment of sinus and ear infections.
Stephanie Ambrose, MD
Dr. Stephanie Ambrose is a highly trained expert, board certified in Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology. She provides expertise in cleft and lip palate corrective surgery and other complicated ENT conditions including pediatric tumors and airway reconstruction, as well as more common ENT issues such as tubes, tonsils and adenoids.
Tyler DeBlieux, MD
Dr. Tyler DeBlieux specializes in disorders of the ear, nose and throat. He has special interests in sleep surgery, thyroid and parotid surgery, and sinus surgery.
Robert Logan, MD
The first Otolaryngology resident in the Emory University / Grady Memorial Hospital program, Dr. Logan also brought the first Otolaryngology laser to Savannah for surgical use. He specializes in ear pain, hearing loss, dizziness and Hearing Aids.
Dr. Michael Poole
FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, visiting a primary care practice can be a headache. They may spend more time in the waiting room than with their doctor. There is extensive and time-consuming paperwork, not to mention the inevitable calls to insurance carriers that seem to confuse more than clarify. It’s not the doctors and nurses — it seems to be the system.
To improve this experience, various Savannah-based practices came up with a solution: subscription-based medicine.
Comprised of two different types — membership medicine and direct primary care — subscription-based medicine aims to provide a consistent, convenient and high-quality experience for patients at the cost of a monthly payment.
“Both of these models are designed to create a much more pleasant customer experience than you get through traditional insurance medicine,” says Scott Pierce, co-owner and chief operating officer of Coastal Care Partners, which offers membership medicine.
Coastal Care Partners provides patients with various amenities in addition to their health-insured medical visits. No more waiting
room, no more repetitive paperwork. With the membership fee, patients can text or call their doctor and receive a response within a day, allowing for more immediate care and an enhanced personal relationship. While health insurance covers everything medical, the membership covers all the conveniences.
With direct primary care, health insurance isn’t required. The monthly fee ($75 on average) covers the visit, certain procedures and typically provides cost-reduced labs, imaging and medicine. Several practices in the Savannah area provide a direct primary care option, including Harvest Health MD and Braun Internal Medicine.
“I did a Pap smear on a patient the other day, and the only thing they were charged for was pathology to actually read the sample,” says Dr. Jamal Lawrence, founder of Harvest Health MD, the first Black-owned direct primary care practice in Savannah. “My time to do the procedure, the scheduling — all of that is included in the membership.”
“I chose direct primary care because it was one of the only ways I saw that I would be able to be the doctor that I’d dreamed of — to be able to practice unencumbered by the current medical system and to
be part of the solution, not be part of the problem,” says Lawrence.
The benefits of membership medicine and direct primary care not only provide a better experience for patients but for doctors as well. With traditional insurance medicine, doctors may have to take in 35 to 40 patients per day just to keep their practice afloat. This means less time with patients and a lot more paperwork.
“It had become increasingly difficult to remain profitable,” says Oliver Braun, practice manager at Braun Internal Medicine in Pooler. These struggles inspired the practice to convert to a direct primary care system.
With subscription-based medicine, the consistency of a monthly fee allows doctors to see fewer patients per day, develop personal relationships and keep their practice open. It’s a win-win.
“You can’t change math,” says Pierce. “And you can’t change the nature of insurance. What we can change is the nature of the visit by asking patients who want to invest more in their health care and prefer a better experience than they get from the typical insurance world. Then we can create a model that makes a better experience, and that’s what we’re doing.”
“I chose primary direct care because it was one of the only ways I saw that I would be able to be the doctor that I’d dreamed of — to be able to practice unencumbered by the current medical system and to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”
— DR. JAMAL LAWRENCE, FOUNDER OF HARVEST HEALTH MDCoastal Care Partners, left to right: Dr. Amanda Bryan, Scott Pierce, Amy Pierce, and Nurse Practitioner Melanie Brainard Dr. Jamal Lawrence Founder, Harvest Health MD COURTESY COASTAL CARE PARTNERS COURTESY DR. JAMAL LAWRENCE
NESTLED ON SKIDAWAY ISLAND , you’ll find Thrive on Skidaway, a senior living community that redefines the concept of older adult living.
With a coastal-inspired design and a resort-like feel, Thrive on Skidaway exudes elegance and contemporary luxury. It is unsurpassably warm and inviting — creating the perfect place to call home for so many wonderful Savannah seniors. Not only is the community breathtaking to admire, but its approach to care is also what sets it apart.
Thrive focuses on a core philosophy of creating meaningful relationships with its residents. The team takes the time to truly know each individual, including their personal history, family connections and career background. Delving even deeper, the Thrive team learns about their residents’ preferences, such as their morning
routines, favorite foods and what brings them joy. By forging these meaningful relationships, it leads to an even deeper level of care.
For assisted living and memory care residents, the community provides around-the-clock nursing oversight and personalized care plans that are consistently reviewed and updated. This unwavering commitment ensures that residents receive optimal care, enabling them to live life to the fullest.
To encourage socialization, engagement and purposeful living for all its residents, the community offers a wide range of incredible programs. Residents can participate in gardening, fitness classes, pet therapy, art classes, outings to local attractions, walking clubs, church services, happy hours and so much more.
There’s also an abundance of amenities, including pickleball, bocce ball, a salon and barbershop, billiards, Convivium Coffee Co., an athletic center as well as on-site physical, speech and occupational therapy. And the cuisine is topnotch, featuring locally sourced, nutrient-rich and seasonally inspired dishes.
Thrive on Skidaway provides independent living, assisted living and memory care options, all with bright and modern private apartments. To learn more, stop by or call to schedule a tour.
‘‘Our philosophy centers around creating a truly exceptional life for our residents — one imbued with purpose and meaning. What truly warms my heart is the delightful sound of laughter echoing through the community as our residents wholeheartedly embrace the joy of each day. Witnessing their happiness is what truly makes our community wonderful.”
— Kaylynn Evans, community president
Written by MADELINE MARKS
“THERE THEY ARE,” says Ryan Fann, director of Reform Prosthetics Savannah. He points to a shadowbox on the wall of his clinic’s new, bigger location in midtown Savannah, which opened this past May. Inside the red, white and blue frame hang two Paralympic medals in track and field: one bronze, one gold. Fann won them in Athens, Greece, in 2004, for the Men’s 400 meter and 4x400 meter, respectively.
“It was incredible,” he says. “I’m just a country dude from Nowhere, Tennessee, and to run in front of around 60,000 people — it was humbling.”
Fann also competed in the World Championships and the Parapan American Games. But an entirely different success story of his began in January 2020 when he opened Reform Prosthetics — a big step in a journey that dates back to when he was very young.
The Road to Reform
Fann has used a prosthetic leg for almost all of his life. When he was 3 years old, he was hit by a truck, which resulted in the loss of his left foot. With the support of his parents, as well as a prosthetic running leg that was donated to him, he grew up playing sports and staying active.
“I was very fortunate in that my parents allowed me to set my own limitations,” Fann says. “I quickly found out I didn’t have any.”
Fann was playing football by the time he was 5 and participated in the sport all the way through high school. He ran track at Tennessee State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and started his path to becoming a Paralympian and international track and field competitor, running races in the Netherlands, Finland and Brazil.
After receiving a graduate degree in prosthetics from Northwestern University and working at a prosthetic clinic in Savannah, Fann felt determined to open his own clinic — one that was inviting and offered compassionate care, unlike some of the offices he’d visited when he was young.
“A lot of the places I went to were really dark and dingy,” he recalls. “My goal is to make it a bright, welcoming place where you can renew yourself.”
Fann’s friend Zach Weber, with whom he completed his residency at the Surgical Clinic in Nashville, had the same idea. The two decided to open a clinic. Working with the same core values in mind, the two friends founded Reform.
“His mantra was educate, motivate and reform,” Fann says of Weber. “That’s exactly what we’re trying to do.”
At Reform, Fann prioritizes individualized, specialized care because he understands that every person’s experience with prosthetics is unique. But for every patient, some days are harder than others. Despite limb loss being a physically and emotionally taxing experience, many patients don’t receive the mental health care they need.
“A lot of people have mental breakdowns here,” Fann says. “You just have to remind them that this moment may be horrible, but just like good moments go away fast, so do bad moments.”
Fann endeavors to bring mental health support to the community, emphasizing its importance to doctors, physical therapists and patients. Some are receptive and some aren’t, but he is confident that the next generation of practitioners will continue to lead the charge.
Fann also gives back to the community through the nonprofit Amputee Blade Runners. He co-founded the organization with prosthetist and occupational therapist Aaron Fitzsimmons in 2011, and they currently provide free running prostheses for 20 to 25 people a year.
While Fann would love to grow his clinic, he always wants to be able to provide individualized care for every patient. He’s grateful to support patients as they step into a new part of their life — because helping someone achieve what they didn’t think they could is like winning a gold medal in its own way.
“It’s a shot of life,” Fann says. “It’s exactly what you need at the right time.”
Historic cities often prove challenging for those with a disability or limited mobility, but the Hostess City has made strides in making a more welcoming place for all to experience
Written by CAI MACLERLIVING WITH ANY SORT OF DISABILITY or accessibility need can be incredibly challenging, if not completely impossible. Without knowing what streets don’t have enough curb cuts or how long guests must stand during tours can make cities feel impossible to visit.
“As a city that is nearly 300 years old, being completely accessible is extremely difficult,” says Joseph Marinelli, president of Visit Savannah. “However, the City of Savannah and our tourism and business community partners work hard every day to be as welcoming as possible to all local residents and visitors.”
Learn about five places to visit in Savannah that are working to make this historic city more inclusive through their accessible locations.
As many Savannahians know, Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scout Movement, was born in a house off Oglethorpe Avenue. The house was saved from demolition in the 1950s and transformed into a museum. In 2020, the museum was given a grant for Access for All, wherein the government awards funds in return for accessible renovation. This project was started in 2020 and will continue to be an ongoing effort to ensure the museum facilities are as accessible as possible. With elevators going to every floor, a quiet room for sensory needs, wheelchairs available for visitors, audio descriptions and braille, captions on videos, and so much more, when looking for an accessible museum in Savannah, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace will not disappoint. 10 E. Oglethorpe Ave., juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org
Travel back in time to the early 1900s with wax figures, costumed guides and a speakeasy, all with modern accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Located in City Market, this 100-year-old red brick building provides an immersive historic experience that anyone can enjoy. An elevator runs to every floor, a ramp leads up to the front door and wide hallways allow room for mobility aids as well as oversized historical costumes. While there aren’t too many places to stop and sit along the tour, it only takes about an hour, and at the end of the tour is the speakeasy — a place to relax that serves both food and drinks. Immerse yourself in the riveting stories of law breaking, notorious gangsters and the fight for rights during the long struggle against prohibition without worrying about any access issues throughout the tour. americanprohibitionmuseum.com
Overwhelmed by all the history and ready for some sun? Tybee Island is a short 20-minute drive from downtown Savannah and it’s wheelchair accessible. Visit the sandy beaches, walk the long, wooden pier and
maybe try your hand at fishing. There are mobility mats — large mats rolled over the sand dunes to allow for wheelchair access to the beaches — located at North Beach, Second Avenue and 16th Street, respectively. The Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion offers ramps leading from the parking lot up to the pier. There are even fat-tired beach wheelchairs available for use at the Ocean Rescue HQ located near the pier, though they advise calling ahead for availability as the chairs are first come, first serve. 912.786.4573, ext. 119
While Old Savannah Tours offer wheelchair-accessible trolleys (call ahead to get one, but be advised they don’t let you off until the end of the tour), these trolley tours also provide a manageable way to see the city for those who may have trouble walking long distances. For example, River Street, one of Savannah’s most visited spots, is made up of uneven, narrow cobblestone paths and steep, crumbling steps, and as such, isn’t the most accessible. Trolley tour buses cruise along River Street and many other places that might be hard to access throughout the district. With Old Savannah Tours, you can sit down, enjoy the stories and see more of the city than may be possible on foot. They also allow pets and service animals along for the ride. oldsavannahtours.com
Forsyth Park, the single most photographed part of Savannah, is entirely wheelchair accessible and even outfitted with a sprawling wheelchair-accessible playground. With large, smooth concrete sidewalks, any manner of mobility aid can move through the scenic park. Admittedly, getting there is the challenge. Parking is limited and many of the sidewalks leading to the park from downtown are uneven, cracked and missing curb cuts, so make sure to plot a safe route ahead of visiting. visitsavannah.com
Rising along the Savannah Riverfront, the mixed-use Eastern Wharf development includes retail, restaurants, hotels, residences and ample parking, all centered around a two-tiered park designed to provide convenient access from Port Street down to the Riverwalk. The completion of the Riverwalk extension now connects the old historic walk, the Marriott Savannah Riverfront and 2,000 feet of walkway in front of Eastern Wharf, plus 800 feet of accessible dock. theparkateasternwharf.com
Few historic cities are ever truly accessible, but the City of Savannah, City of Tybee and a number of private businesses throughout both have made strides in merging the historic beauty with inclusion for most and offers opportunities for anyone looking to visit.
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Demand for low- and no-alcohol cocktails, beer and wine is on the rise. We turn to the experts for the real buzz behind the trend.
Written by CATIE MCCOY // Photography by MICHAEL SCHALK
THE “DAMP” LIFESTYLE TREND has made a significant buzz online, prompting an eye-opening conversation and the chance to reflect on how many of us view our relationship with alcohol. For adults of legal drinking age, a damp lifestyle doesn’t mean cutting out alcohol entirely, but rather mindfully drinking in moderation — whether that be relegating the enjoyment of a few cocktails to strictly special events, or opting for beverages with low- and no-alcohol by volume (ABV) after a long day at work or during a social outing.
Choosing to live damp benefits the body and mind in a handful of different ways. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that excessive alcohol usage can lead to long term health risks such as high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, heart and liver disease, digestive and cognitive problems, as well as an increased risk for cancer. According to recommendations in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults can drink in moderation by limiting intake to two drinks or less per day for men, or one drink or less per day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed.
It’s easy to aschew the guidelines and
overlook the health risks when we’re in the market for a quick fix in terms of stress relief or charging our social battery. However, as we begin to grasp a better understanding of the importance of synchronously maintaining our mental and physical health, it may beg the question as to how alcohol is really affecting us.
Many who have chosen to participate in a damp lifestyle claim to recognize notable benefits in their health, particularly regarding their sleep patterns, energy and anxiety levels. These improvements are known to lead to longterm benefits such as healthier hair and skin, weight management, increased levels of serotonin and maintained or improved memory function.
“I have noticed I feel a lot sharper mentally, and my energy isn’t fully reliant on caffeine, which has been a big switch for me,” says Maren Gudmundsson, who intentionally made the shift to limit her alcohol intake in 2022.
Gudmundsson offers a unique perspective on choosing to pursue a dry or damp lifestyle, as she has worked as a mixologist for the popular local restaurant group Ele and the Chef since 2020. She
has also assisted in creating cocktail menus for a number of the restaurant group’s downtown hotspots such as Peacock Lounge, Chive and Arco, but Gudmundsson notes that the menus have recently been revised to provide more “mocktail” options due to the high demand for low- and no-ABV options.
“I’ve been really excited to help curate a few new nonalcoholic options for our cocktail menus, moreso after realizing the benefits myself,” she says. “I love that it’s such a simple way to make socializing at bars more ideal or enjoyable for people living a dry or damp lifestyle who don’t necessarily want to miss out on a good time but do want to miss out on the hangover — myself included,” Gudmundsson adds with a laugh.
While weighing the pros and cons of swapping out a dirty martini for a virgin spritzer may vary from time to time, the beauty of the damp lifestyle is its complete flexibility to your personal experience. With little room for error, making this conscious choice to improve your mental and physical health is certainly worth a shot — perhaps a nonalcoholic one?
While locals and tourists alike can agree a good cocktail isn’t hard to come by in Savannah, happy hour can feel a bit more daunting when looking for low-to-no ABV beverages. If you’re in the market for a buzz-free bar crawl, here are six locales that offer something for everyone.
With an ever-changing menu and pages of cocktails to choose from, Alley Cat Lounge (207 W. Broughton Lane) continually keeps mocktails in mind when curating a fresh assortment. Customers can always expect to find a minimum of 10 low- and no-alcohol cocktails, as well as nonalcoholic beer and cider options. The ACL Fall Pimms Cup remains a fan favorite year-round — consisting of Pimms, smoked blueberry, lemon, ginger, cucumber and soda.
“I love that our nonalcoholic options at Alley Cat are as equally enjoyable and thoughtfully crafted as anything else you’ll find on the menu,” says bartender Dheeraj Chatlani. “There are so many benefits to slowing down when it comes to alcohol consumption — whether it be for a few hours or a few months. It’s great that craft cocktail lounges like Alley Cat give people the option to do so without missing out on a good drink or a good time.”
Located in the heart of downtown just steps away from Broughton Street, Peacock Lounge (37 Whitaker St.) offers an intimate and upscale setting with an equally impressive cocktail menu. While their nonalcoholic options may seem limited at first glance, the staff is more than happy to customize any of their signature cocktails to comply with your ABV preferences — or create something entirely from scratch.
“We’re constantly getting new nonalcoholic spirits to implement into our cocktail selection, and we want to play around with them and figure out what works together,” says Gudmundsson, who bartends at the lounge. “We’re always happy to create something new with your preferences in mind.”
Offering a trendy, eclectic atmosphere and a variety of tasty light bites, Savoy Society (102 E. Liberty St., Suite 109) has quickly become a bustling favorite for their craft cocktail menu, which includes nonalcoholic options like the Carrot Colada and Virgin Old Fashioned, allowing guests to enjoy the buzz without the booze.
“The mocktail and nonalcoholic options at Savoy have definitely taken off, and rightfully so,” says server Justin Taylor. “In addition to specifically crafting standalone mocktails, we’ve also started carrying nonalcoholic beer, which I know a lot of customers have really appreciated and been excited to try.”
While you might not see a particular spot carved out on their menu for nonalcoholic drinks and cocktails, Zunzibar (236 Drayton St.) carries five different nonalcoholic liquors that they are happy to substitute for any of the spirits in their cocktails, frozen drinks, shots and shooters.
“Our Pineapple Express is hands down the most popular requested mocktail,” says Zunzibar employee Alec Ganley. This fan favorite is composed of Ritual’s nonalcoholic rum substitute, peach puree, pineapple, almond milk, cane sugar and lemon.
A popular downtown eatery and bar, The Public (1 W. Liberty St.), aims to embody their farm-to-table mission wherever possible — cocktails included. With a seasonally rotating menu, you’ll find locally sourced fresh juices, shrubs and garnishes crafted into low- and no-alcohol alternatives without skipping out on any of the flavor.
“While you’ll notice there is not a specific section of our menu dedicated to nonalcoholic options, all of our bartenders are more than happy to concoct something for you specifically related to not only your personal flavor preferences, but what’s fresh, in season and complementary to your meal,” says bartender Harris Cutcher.
Offering a luxurious ambience, breathtaking views over River Street and eight delicious low- and no-alcohol cocktails, Arco Cocktail Lounge & Coastal Fare (42 E. Bay St.) is undoubtedly worth the trek across Savannah’s historic cobblestones. Customer favorites include The Genco Freedom — amethyst lemon, cucumber, honey and seltzer — as well as The Hudson Express — pineapple, coconut water, orgeat and fresh citrus.
“Something that comes into play when crafting a mocktail is how it fares with the flavors highlighted in our current entree and appetizer selection,” says head bartender, Mark Acasio. “In the same way you wouldn’t want to begin your meal with something rich and heavy like a smoked old fashioned, we put the same thought into crafting and suggesting a low-to-no ABV cocktail when pairing with food. It’s always fun experimenting in terms of highlighting different notes and flavors with a mocktail, allowing us to deliver the same experience that a wine or liquor suggestion offers.”
As more consumers look to reap the benefits from less alcohol, we expect more mocktails will fall onto our favorite menus. With so many well-crafted options to choose from, there’s no better time to skip the tipsy, but not the taste.
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MANY OF US HAVE HIGH HOPES for our wellness, but it often falls to the wayside. After a long day, most people don’t have the energy to hit the gym, complete an elaborate skincare routine and chug some green juice. It would be much easier to knock everything out at once, and infrared technology does just that. In less than an hour of your day, infrared treatments combine skincare, muscle recovery and metabolism support to make wellness work for you.
Infrared light wavelengths are invisible to the naked eye and generate heat in a unique way. “They heat the body directly, creating a deeper impact on the tissue system,” says Marjani Smith, owner of The Corner Suite. This direct heating method energizes cells, which speeds up healing, metabolism and detoxification. The result is a dry heat perfect for infrared saunas.
Norma Maytag, general manager at Restore Hyper Wellness, explains that the body enters a stress state in the roughly 130-degree infrared sauna. As your core temperature rises, your body works to cool itself down. This burns calories and causes
you to sweat, which pulls heat and, according to some studies, heavy metals and toxins from the body.
“You sweat out all the negative stuff, then rehydrate, and you're kind of a clean slate," Maytag says.
While the body is hard at work, the mind can relax. “Many of our clients simply love the mood-elevating effects,” Smith says. Those good feelings are a result of serotonin, a mood-boosting neurotransmitter promoted by infrared light. To maximize the effect, The Corner Suite clients unwind with a calming tea service before stepping into the sauna. Once inside, clients can listen to a playlist of their choosing and let their minds wander beyond to-do lists.
Although sweat is beneficial in the infrared experience, Restore Hyper Wellness and IV Parlour Medspa also offer cooler options.
“Some people can't tolerate extreme or moist heat, so Red Light Therapy is more of a temperate, controlled means of fat loss,” explains Shali Reynolds, nurse practitioner and owner of IV Parlour Medspa. Red Light Therapy beds use a mix of blue, red and infrared wavelengths to create vibrations within fat cells and break down their membranes. “It's basically a lay-down, takea-nap treatment to pull out fat instead of working it out at the gym,” says Reynolds.
But sometimes you want to feel the burn,
and HOTWORX — a fitness boutique offering workouts surrounded by infrared wavelengths — caters to every fitness goal. HOTWORX uses a three-dimensional approach to fitness that combines heat, infrared and exercise. During each session, one heater generates regular heat to promote sweat while another generates infrared wavelengths to boost metabolism. Adding exercise to the mix maximizes calorie burn and mood-boosting endorphins. Whether you choose a 30-minute isometric workout or 15-minute cardio workout, each session aims to make the most of your time.
“The beauty of it is that even if you only have 15 minutes, you can come in, grab a spin class and then go pick your kids up or pop back into work,” says Brittany Miller, co-owner of HOTWORX Sandfly, which opened in June.
Can’t find time during the workday?
The 24-hour boutique can always pack a punch by penciling you in with their virtual trainers. Each session can torch anywhere between 250 and 400 calories, and they say you can burn 300 to 600 calories in the hour after you leave.
Whether it's intense workouts or soothing siestas, infrared treatments can be a convenient addition to any lifestyle. So crank up the heat. Your ideal wellness routine awaits.
IN THE FALL OF 2020, sought-after interior designer and mother of two school-age children
Leah Bailey was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 43. A cancer diagnosis is devastating under any circumstances, but Bailey was particularly shocked because she’d always been so scrupulous about her screenings. “I never missed a mammogram, even during COVID,” she says. “I had a routine mammogram in March of 2020 and my results came back fine.” But less than a year later, she was having a tumor removed from her left breast.
Bailey’s story, like every survivor’s story, is singular. Yet she shares a commonality with roughly 40% of the population — one that helps to explain why a regular mammogram failed to detect her cancer. Bailey has dense breast tissue — a type of tissue that can conceal malignancies on routine mammograms, resulting in missed opportunities for early detection and treatment.
Dr. Jordan Dixon, director of Women’s Imaging at St. Joseph’s/Candler Telfair Pavilion, explains that though mammograms are “the gold standard for breast imaging,” mammography’s X-ray technology has a crucial blind spot: it can’t see through the more dense, fibrous or glandular tissue in a breast.
Many women have relatively little dense tissue, but it’s perfectly healthy and common to have a higher percentage. However, dense tissue can obstruct the appearance of cancerous masses on a mammogram because it shows up as white — the same color as burgeoning abnormalities.
But a new imaging technology called Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) addresses this shortfall. ABUS uses high-frequency soundwaves to
capture comprehensive images of breast tissue in an exam that’s quick, comfortable and radiationfree. The first supplemental screening tool approved by the Food and Drug Administration and specifically designed to spot cancer in dense tissue, ABUS improves breast cancer detection by 35.7% over mammography alone. Dixon says it will help radiologists find small cancers earlier in women with dense tissue, hopefully leading to increased intervention and improved outcomes.
If you’re wondering whether you might have dense breast tissue and how you can find out, you’re not alone: though having dense tissue has been linked to a higher cancer risk, many women have never been made aware of its existence, much less informed about its impact on their health-care decisions.
“I can’t tell you how many educated women I know who do not understand and are not educated by their doctors as to what dense breast tissue even means,” says Bailey.
Such oversight is particularly problematic. “Breast density is only determined by mammograms,” says Dixon, which means that women are at the mercy of imaging centers to inform them of the need for additional screening. This obstacle has stood in the way of many women understanding the full picture of their breast health.
“Many women are not given the proper education,” says Bailey, a sentiment echoed by the slew of survivor-led movements for education and notification unfurling across the country in recent years.
In 2019, Georgia’s campaign culminated in the passage of Margie’s Law, which requires health care facilities to include information about breast density and additional screening on mammogram reports. A recent ruling from the FDA takes that requirement national, mandating that all facilities inform patients of their density and advise them that supplemental screening — like that done with ABUS — may be necessary. It’s a move that survivors and doctors alike hope will empower women to better monitor their breast health.
Now in remission, Bailey is passionate about such empowerment. “Being my own advocate and teaching other women to be their own advocate is what got me through it.”
William L. Mansour, M.D. • Branden S. Hunter, M.D. • Gregory D. Borak, M.D. • Travis F. Wiggins, M.D. Ansley S. Tharpe, M.D. • Isaac E. Perry, D.O. • Jordan T. Houston, PA-C • Samantha H. Hess, PA-C Kristen Rosales-Vasquez, PA-C • Sara L. Barrett, PA-C • Stephen J. Lightfield, PA-C
ALMOST HALF THE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES starts the day by reaching for their glasses, but one simple surgery can change that — and this time it’s not LASIK.
Sight augmentation has come a long way since Italian monks crafted the first magnifying glasses in the 13th century. Now, the nearsighted can have an Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) installed directly into their eye, offering a convenient solution to easily misplaced glasses and unwieldy contacts.
ICL surgery, which gained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022, is the process of inserting an artificial lens between the iris and the eye’s natural lens. Think of it like a permanent contact, except unlike a contact, you can’t see or feel it.
Prior to ICL, LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, was a common, go-to solution, but it does have some downsides. In addition to not being able to treat the extremely nearsighted, it can’t help those who experience dry eyes or people with abnormally shaped corneas (the clear part of the eye above the iris). LASIK also involves shaving the cornea with a laser, which can give potential recipients pause, despite the fact that the procedure is painless.
Dr. Richard Schulze of Schulze Eye Care understands some of the hesitancy around LASIK. “Otherwise good placement candidates say they’re afraid of doing something that permanently changes their eye, but we can put the ICL in, and it’s removable.”
While ICL surgery only recently gained FDA approval for use in the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America have been doing the procedure since the early ‘90s. Schulze performed his first ICL surgery in the Dominican Republic in 1999 and has seen it evolve exponentially since.
“In early versions of the surgery, you had to do what we call a laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI), which involves using a laser to poke a microscopic hole into the iris,” says Schulze. “Otherwise, if you put
the implant in without the LPI, the pressure could go up, potentially causing glaucoma.”
Seeking to remove the risk and pain associated with the LPI, STAAR Surgical (which, despite the capitalization, is not an acronym) reengineered the implant and released what they call their “Evolution in Visual Freedom,” or EVO lens, in 2011, which was a relief to doctors like Schulze. Now, the procedure is mostly painless and takes less time than the average lunch break.
A study by STAAR regarding their EVO lens implant showed that over 99% of patients would do the surgery again — a high satisfaction rate for what is considered an elective procedure. A study published in Journal of Eye and Vision came to a similar conclusion: five years post procedure, extremely nearsighted recipients reported a nearly 95.5% satisfaction rate.
“To have that level of satisfaction with the procedure speaks volumes to its efficacy,” Schulze says.
Although the technology improves sight, even a collamer lens cannot stop the inevitable effects of aging.
“Cataracts are a normal part of aging and unavoidable if you live long enough, but ICL surgery can accelerate that process,” says Dr. Christopher Richmond, an ophthalmologist with Georgia Eye Institute. Although, he does offer a solution. “When a ‘touch-up’ is needed after ICL surgery, my preference is to do LASIK instead of swapping the lens. Now that most of the prescription is treated, those folks would then be eligible to have LASIK.”
A lot of us take our eyes for granted, putting off regular eye exams and living with less-than stellar vision. But eye exams are not only necessary, they provide an opportunity to talk to your doctor about the best options for you — be it glasses, LASIK or ICL.
Because, let’s face it, all of us can benefit from seeing the world a little clearer.
SAVANNAH: 803 E. 68th St.
912.351.3038
THE VILLAGE ON SKIDAWAY ISLAND: 6 Skidway Village Walk 912.598.0616
POOLER: 1000 Towne Center Blvd., #200 912.351.3038
ahassavannah.com
OUR APPROACH TO AUDIOLOGY PATIENTS: We pride ourselves on treating each individual and each hearing loss as unique to that patient’s needs. Getting to the core of what environments are troublesome to the patient and causing them difficulties in communicating is the key to a successful fitting of hearing devices. Treating hearing loss is a lifetime journey that changes and needs monitoring.
OUR MOST REWARDING MOMENTS AS DOCTORS OF AUDIOLOGY: When we see patients who have socially isolated themselves or who are having tension within their families and friend groups due to the hearing loss, it is so rewarding to be able to intervene and see the patient evolve. Over time, even with mild hearing loss, people will back out of their favorite things to do so as not to be embarrassed by the hearing loss when communicating in a group situation.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON: Our service to each patient. We want all of our patients to have a feeling that they are with family and have the support they need to succeed in getting the best hearing possible.
WE WISH MORE OF OUR PATIENTS WOULD: Get a baseline hearing test at an early age. Studies now show if we catch even a mild hearing loss between the ages of 45 and 65 that there is evidence that some of the longer-term effects of untreated hearing loss, such as earlier dementia, can be reversed.
WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Changing lives! With more than 60 years of combined experience, we build lasting relationships with our patients.
OUR GOAL: To keep patients active and leading their best lives.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science, Jacksonville University; Doctor of Medicine, University of Florida, College of Medicine
RESIDENCIES: General Surgery, Chief Resident, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia; Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Miami
FELLOWSHIP: Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Miami
BOARD CERTIFICATION: American Board of Plastic Surgery and American Board of Surgery
GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF PLASTIC SURGERY
5361 Reynolds St.; Locations also in ffingham ounty, Statesboro and on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 912.355.8000 • mycosmeticsurgeon.md
I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: Cosmetic breast, body and facial procedures. I also perform several breast reconstruction techniques for breast cancer patients following mastectomies and skin cancer and lesionremoval procedures. Lastly, I perform various complicated reconstruction procedures from large abdominal wall reconstructions to gynecological reconstructions.
I’M MOST PROUD OF: The relationship I have with my patients, staff and practice partners. I am proud of the practice we have been able to build since joining The Georgia Institute for Plastic Surgery.
MY FAVORITE WAY TO STAY FIT IS: Peleton! #CYCLESURGEON is my leaderboard name
MY FAVORITE MEAL IN SAVANNAH: Zunzi’s Conquistador.
MY PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE MY BEDSIDE MANNER AS: Excellent. I am always available for my patients, and I always let them know I don’t stop being their surgeon at p.m. or on the weekends.
IF I WASN’T A DOCTOR, I WOULD BE: A mechanic. I love taking things apart, figuring out how they work and putting them back together.
I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD STOP: Using Dr. Google.
ONE THING I WOULD TELL AN ASPIRING DOCTOR: lways keep the best interest of your patients a priority, and communication is key!
THREE FOODS THAT CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH ARE: Clean proteins, fresh vegetables and, of course, chocolate.
QUALIFICATIONS: 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
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.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: Pain treatment from degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, arthritis of the spine, SI (sacroiliac) joint problems, sciatica, peripheral neuropathy, shingles, re ex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and other causes of persistent pain.
MY TRAINING ENABLES ME TO: Construct a rehabilitation plan designed to return you to those activities that your pain prevents you from doing.
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. inety percent of those with a herniated disc will improve within six months after nonsurgical treatment.
RESIDENCY: Medical College of Georgia (General Surgery)
FELLOWSHIP: University of Tennessee
Memphis (Plastic Surgery)
AFFILIATIONS: AOA, ASPS
CHATHAM PLASTIC SURGERY 8 Stephenson Ave.
912.446.1985
chathamplasticsurgery.com
I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: Cosmetic surgery of the face and body.
I WAS ATTRACTED TO THIS FIELD OF MEDICINE: Because the intricacies and details of plastic surgery inspire and challenge me.
I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: The no-touch technique for breast augmentation to minimize post-op pain and capsular contracture.
I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A DOCTOR WHEN: My mother survived breast cancer. I always felt that her surgeon gave me more time with her.
MY MOST REWARDING MOMENTS AS A DOCTOR ARE WHEN: Patients cry because they are happy with themselves and how they look.
MY GO-TO SPOT IN SAVANNAH IS: My house because I love my dog.
ONE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Steffi Graf I want to know what she thought about while competing.
YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: I am a good bowler.
THE LAST BOOK I READ WAS: “Call Me by Your Name” by André Aciman.
I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD STOP: Comparing themselves to images on social media.
ONE THING I WOULD TELL AN ASPIRING FUTURE DOCTOR: If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.
MEDICAL DEGREE: Louisiana State University
POST-GRADUATE TRAINING: Baylor College of Medicine
RESIDENCY: Medical College of Georgia
AFFILIATION: American Academy of Ophthalmology
GEORGIA EYE INSTITUTE
4720 Waters Ave. 912.354.4800 gaeyeinstitute.com
I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: Cataract and refractive surgery.
I WAS ATTRACTED TO THIS FIELD OF MEDICINE: Because of its ability to positively impact patients’ lives and their most important sense – vision.
I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: The use of gene-editing technology to eliminate eye disease.
I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A DOCTOR WHEN: I shadowed by uncle in the operating room during mission trips in rural India.
MY FAVORITE WAY TO STAY FIT IS: Doing triathlons.
MY FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX IS: Playing golf with my kids.
A DAY DOESN’T GO BY THAT I DON’T: Tend my garden and harvest the day’s crop.
MY GO-TO SPOT IN SAVANNAH IS: Common Thread. They always have original and exciting food from myriad cultures and backgrounds.
I ENJOY VOLUNTEERING THROUGH: The Lions Club of Savannah.
THE LAST BOOK I READ WAS: “Talking to Strangers” by Malcolm Gladwell – it’s a great insight into the human experience.
I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD STOP: Rubbing their eyes.
THREE FOODS THAT CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH ARE: Kale, broccoli and collard greens.
322 Stephenson Ave., Suite A
CLINIC LOCATIONS: Savannah, Claxton, Hinesville, Millen, Reidsville, Statesboro, Sylvania and Vidalia
COMING SOON: Rincon 912.721.2262
optimhealthsystem.com
INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT:
A medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of pain using minimally invasive techniques. Pain specialists use a variety of techniques to relieve pain such as injections, nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation.
PAIN SPECIALISTS ARE EXPERTS IN: The diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. They help patients who have tried other treatments such as medication and physical therapy and have not found relief. Pain specialists help patients with medical conditions that make medication or surgery risky by providing alternative options proven to provide pain relief for several weeks to several months or even a year.
BENEFITS OF INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT:
• elps reduce pain significantly, often to
the point where patients can resume their normal activities.
• Improves quality of life.
• Does not use addictive medications, a major benefit for patients who are at risk for addiction or have other medical conditions that make medication risky.
• Offers shorter recovery times than surgery.
THESE TREATMENTS ARE IDEAL FOR:
• Patients who have tried other treatments for pain such as medication and physical therapy but have not found relief.
• Patients who are at risk for addiction or have other medical conditions that make medication or surgery risky.
• Patients who want to reduce their pain and improve their quality of life.
IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH CHRONIC PAIN: Ask your doctor to refer you to Optim Pain Management.
CERTIFICATION: American Board of Internal Medicine
INTERNAL MEDICINE OF SAVANNAH
SAVANNAH: 6413 Waters Ave., Suite 102
POOLER: 114 Canal St., Suite 102
912.349.6624
internalmedicineofsavannah.com
WE FOCUS ON: Adult medicine. We diagnose and treat diseases in adults and manage chronic diseases. Preventative care is also an important part of our practice — updating vaccines, doing annual wellness exams, recommending cancer screenings, encouraging healthy lifestyle habits and working with patients to help control risk factors such as elevated blood pressure, obesity, elevated blood sugars and high cholesterol. We establish a partnership with our patients for lifelong health, working closely with them throughout the ups and downs of life to keep them in the best health. We strive to help patients improve their quality of life and achieve their wellness goals.
OUR HEALTH MISSION: To put your healing needs first.
ON WORK-LIFE BALANCE: As a full-time physician, business owner, wife, mother and
daughter, I find achieving work-life balance to be a wildering quest. Still, I allocate 30 minutes to exercise three days a week. Staying physically healthy is just as important as any other aspect of my life, so I schedule other engagements around that time. motional and mental fitness play equally crucial roles in my life. Positive vibes and self-improvement help me live the best life I can. Having just 5 minutes to myself after work helps me wind down from a busy day and enables me to spend quality time with my family in the evening. Then, I set aside another 5 minutes before bed for spiritual devotion. When someone or something is creating negative vibes in my life, I remind myself to stay kind.
ON WELL-BEING: A healthy diet, routine exercise and a proper amount of sleep make for a good life, but adding positivity and kindness makes for a great one.
MEDICAL DEGREE: State University of New York
RESIDENCY: Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery
FELLOWSHIP: Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Latham, New York
AFFILIATIONS: American Board of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, America College of Surgeons (Fellow)
SAVANNAH FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY MINTON MD HAIR RESTORATION
5356 Reynolds St., Suite 510 912.644.0744
savannahfacialplasticsurgery.com
I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: Facelift surgery and rhinoplasty.
I WAS ATTRACTED TO THIS FIELD: Because I felt it would keep me challenged and rewarded throughout my career. Success in this field requires being a meticulous surgeon, an artist and compassionate.
I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Deep plane facelift surgery. This technique provides extremely natural and long-lasting results and is a highly sought-after procedure that only a small percentage of plastic surgeons in this country perform. I perform more than 100 of these operations per year, with many of those patients traveling here from other states.
MY MOST REWARDING MOMENTS: Are when I perform a surgery or procedure that results in a significant improvement in a patient’s quality of life and self-confidence.
I’M MOST PROUD OF: Building a successful facial plastic surgery practice in Savannah and having the most hard-working, compassionate and dedicated team in the business
MY FAVORITE MEAL IN SAVANNAH: lympia af one of my first meals in Savannah and still one of my favorites.
ONE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH : My late grandfather, a cardiovascular surgeon who passed before I went to medical school.
I GIVE BACK THROUGH: My Facial Plastic Surgery cademy, which provides pro-bono surgery for victims of domestic violence and injured veterans.
I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD STOP: Using Google to make healthcare decisions.
MEDICAL DEGREE: Doctor of Optometry, Master of Vision Science
AFFILIATIONS: American Optometric Association and Georgia Optometric Association
FORSIGHT UNIQUE EYE CARE & EYE WEAR
350 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 912.483.6600 forsighteye.net
I’M A LEADING EXPERT IN: Specialty contact lenses including medically necessary and myopia control.
I WAS ATTRACTED TO THIS FIELD OF MEDICINE: Because I get to help people see their very best every single day.
I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: The technology that I’ve invested in that allows me to fit advanced specialty contact lenses. Patients who have corneal conditions such as keratoconus, astigmatism or scarring can have 20/20 vision again with specialty contact lenses. I am the only provider in this region who has an Eaglet Surface rofilometer. This technology scans the surface of the eye, taking more than 350,000 measurements in one image, allowing me to customize a specialty lens to fit your eye exactly.
MY MOST REWARDING MOMENT AS A DOCTOR WAS: Fitting an electrician who suffered from severe keratoconus with a custom scleral lens. He saw 20/20 for the first time in his life. rior to being referred to me, he was wearing a soft contact lens that provided his good eye with 20/50 vision and his bad eye was only correctable to count fingers
IF I WASN’T A DOCTOR, I WOULD BE: A professional organizer.
I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD: Value their eyes more. Saving money is important, but clear, comfortable vision should be a priority when choosing contact lenses or glasses. Plus, glasses and contacts are the only accessory that you wear every single day (for one to two years) that are fashionable and functional. hoose wisely
310 Eisenhower Drive, Building 5 912.436.6789
savannahbehavioralpediatrics.com
OUR MISSION IS: To expand access to the highest quality psychological assessment and treatment services for children and families struggling with developmental, behavioral or learning challenges.
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.
WE’RE 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 or adolescent is exhibiting challenging behavior, anxiety, social delays or learning
difficulties, we are the best specialists trained to identify, treat and monitor your child throughout the developmental period.
WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Offering unmatched care for children and adolescents in the Lowcountry. We offer the best and most comprehensive evaluations and effective, evidence-based behavior therapy. There’s no rule book for raising a child, but we are the next best thing! Through knowledge, practice and partnership, we help you and your child be your very best.
ONE QUICK TIP FOR IMPROVING CHILD BEHAVIOR IS: Catch your child being good (i.e. quiet, calm, polite, etc.)! Adult attention, particularly parental attention, is behavioral fuel, so catch and label good, appropriate behaviors to see them more often.
MEDICAL DEGREES/RESIDENCIES: Indiana University and The Ohio State University (Damron); Medical College of Georgia and University of Louisville (Pesto); Dental College of Georgia and Case Western Reserve University (Mattox)
AFFILIATIONS: American College of Surgeons (Pesto); AAOMS, ABOMS, SSOMS, Georgia Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, ADA, GDA, OMSPAC
SAVANNAH: 4815 Paulsen St. • 912.352.2324
POOLER: 143 Canal St., Ste. 300 • 912.330.8801
RICHMOND HILL: Coming soon seoralsurgery.com
WE ARE EXPERTS IN: Oral and maxillofacial surgery (surgery of the face, mouth and jaws), dentoalveolar surgery, including surgical management of impacted teeth, dental implants and bone grafting; facial trauma; head and neck odontogenic infections; pathology and the anesthesia management of patients ranging from local to general anesthesia.
OUR APPROACH TO SURGERY IS: To present our patients with enough information to facilitate them making an informed decision. We coordinate with patients to create a treatment plan for the best possible outcome.
WE ARE MOST PROUD OF: SOMSA serving the community – and our outstanding track record of quality patient care – for more than 50 years!
WE ENJOY VOLUNTEERING FOR: We have strong connections with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire organization and passionately support its mission to enhance the health and wellbeing of seriously ill and injured children and their families.
WE GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BY: Sponsoring and participating in health and wellness events, donating pediatric and adult dental services and providing dental-related continuing education courses, training and seminars to the community.
WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: The advancements in dental implant technology. These developments allow us to provide more natural-looking and durable solutions for patients with missing teeth, improving their quality of life significantly.
MEDICAL DEGREES: New York Medical College (Marnell); University of Oklahoma (Brock)
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS: General Psychiatry (Brock and Marnell) and Addiction Medicine (Marnell)
RESIDENCIES: University of Chicago (Marnell); Medical University of South Carolina (Brock)
FELLOWSHIP: Addiction Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern (Marnell)
SHRINK SAVANNAH
SAVANNAH: 1601 Abercorn St.
POOLER: 114 Canal St., Suite 301 912.712.2550 shrinksavannah.com
I’M EXCITED ABOUT: The new and evolving treatments we are using to treat addiction and other psychiatric disorders. – Marnell
MY PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICINE: You must start by establishing a good relationship with the patient. – Brock
I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT: Educating physicians-in-training and serving as a community advocate for the expansion of addiction treatment in the Savannah area. – Marnell
OUR PRACTICE CONTINUES TO BE A LEADER IN THIS AREA FOR: Alternatives for treatment-resistant depression. With the addition of more therapists and physician assistants to our team, we are able to offer Ketamine-assisted therapy as well as Ketamine-infusion treatments. Many patients state their experience teaches them to
reframe the way they perceive their stress or anxiety. – Brock
MY FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB: Patient care and seeing the incredible improvements in their lives. I’m really proud of my team at Shrink Savannah and enjoy the sense of family we’ve built. – Brock Teaching residents and seeing patients recover from addiction. – Marnell
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING:
I’m riding my mountain bike or working with the Southeast Georgia Chapter of Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SEGA-SORBA) on building and maintaining the mountain biking trails at Tribble Park off Largo Drive. – Brock I am spending time with my family. – Marnell
MY FAVORITE SAVANNAH ACTIVITY: Getting out on the water in the summertime and exploring Savannah’s food scene. – Marnell
HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Memorial Health St. Joseph’s/Candler ffingham ealth System
4425 Paulsen St. 912.355.6615 chathamortho.com
WE’RE EXPERTS IN: rthopaedic surgery and pain management.
OUR APPROACH TO MEDICINE IS: To serve the needs of our patients and community by providing patient-focused, evidence-based orthopaedic care and pain management.
WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Receiving ewsweek magazine’s o. 2 rthopaedic mbulatory Surgery enter in the ation award
OUR MOST REWARDING MOMENTS AS DOCTORS ARE: When we know that people have a choice for the orthopaedic provider whom they select for their care. We are honored and humbled when they choose our physicians and practice.
WE ARE MOST PROUD OF: Serving Savannah and the surrounding areas for more than 0 years
OUR PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE OUR PRACTICE AS: Small enough to care, yet large enough to provide patients with comprehensive orthopaedic care and services.
A DAY DOESN’T GO BY WITHOUT: Giving thanks for the opportunity to care for our patients.
YOU’D NEVER GUESS: We offer afterhours orthopaedic urgent care seven days a week at our 442 aulsen St. location.
WE ENJOY VOLUNTEERING FOR: umerous local charities.
MEDICAL DEGREES: edical School at San uan autista School of edicine (Perdue); edical School at San artin de orres niversity School of edicine (Watanabe)
FELLOWSHIPS: ospice and alliative are at ercer niversity at trium ealth (Perdue and Watanabe)
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS: ospice and Palliative Medicine and Internal Medicine (Perdue and Watanabe)
1 2 isenhower Drive 912.355.2289
hospicesavannah.org
WE’RE EXPERTS IN: Providing effective, compassionate hospice and palliative care in our community.
OUR PHILOSOPHY IS: You don’t have to suffer just because you are sick.
WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Our ongoing affiliation with St. oseph’s andler enter for alliative are in partnership with The Steward enter. We recently relocated the alliative are utpatient linic to the third oor of the eart and ung uilding next to andler ospital. The larger office space has enabled us to see more patients, work more efficiently and drastically decrease wait times.
OUR MOST REWARDING MOMENTS AS DOCTORS ARE: When our patients and their families get the much needed help they deserve.
WE ARE MOST PROUD OF: Our ability to manage symptoms and provide a better quality of life.
OUR PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE OUR PRACTICE AS: A holistic, team approach to helping those who are suffering from a serious illness.
OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO STAY FIT ARE: Walking and running.
OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO RELAX ARE: Spending time with family and friends.
YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT WE: re uent in Spanish as well as nglish.
OUR PATIENTS OFTEN ASK US: If they can receive palliative care while pursuing curative treatments. The answer is es
AREA OF EXPERTISE: Total Joint
FELLOWSHIP: Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction Fellowship, Rush University
OPTIM ORTHOPEDICS
912.644.5300 • 210 E. Derenne Ave. • optimorthopedics.com
MY GOAL: As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement and reconstruction, my primary objective is to restore my patients to an active lifestyle. Through surgical interventions aimed at alleviating joint pain and dysfunction, I enable individuals to regain the ability to engage in activities that they may have had to give up. Witnessing my patients regain their mobility and once again enjoy sports, hobbies and everyday activities brings me immense fulfillment.
WHAT’S MOST REWARDING: The positive impact my work has on my patients’ lives is truly rewarding and serves as a constant motivation for me. Knowing that I can make a tangible difference in improving people’s quality of life is a driving force behind my dedication to excellence in my field. I strive to deliver the highest standard of care and provide personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each patient. Ultimately, my goal is to empower my patients to reclaim their independence, mobility and joy in leading an active and fulfilling life.
AREA OF EXPERTISE: General Orthopedics
FELLOWSHIP: Maricopa Medical Center
OPTIM ORTHOPEDICS
912.644.5300 • 210 E. Derenne Ave. • optimorthopedics.com
WHY I WANTED TO BE AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON: My philosophy as an orthopedic surgeon is rooted in a personal experience that ignited my passion for the field. It all began on the ski slopes when I sustained a skiing injury that ultimately required ACL reconstruction. The surgeon who performed the procedure happened to be the team doctor for , and he took the time to explain the intricacies of the surgery, providing me with a deeper understanding of the process.
MY APPROACH TO CARE: This personal experience not only sparked my interest in orthopedics but also instilled in me a commitment to patient education and communication. I believe in empowering my patients by thoroughly explaining their conditions, treatment options and surgical procedures. I aim to provide them with the knowledge and understanding they need to actively participate in their own care and make informed decisions.
AREA OF EXPERTISE: Hand and Wrist
FELLOWSHIP: Harvard University at Massachusetts General Hospital
OPTIM ORTHOPEDICS
912.644.5300 • 210 E. Derenne Ave. • optimorthopedics.com
MY GOAL: Driven by a passion for anatomy, surgical precision and delivering exceptional care, I provide the highest quality treatment tailored to individual needs. While surgery can be transformative, I am committed to exploring nonsurgical options first. mbracing innovative techniques and technology, I leverage advancements such as regenerative medicine and stem-cell injections to optimize well-being and facilitate efficient recovery, minimizing the need for invasive procedures.
MY APPROACH TO CARE: Developing strong doctor-patient relationships is a cornerstone of my practice. By fostering trust, collaboration and clear communication, I ensure that patients actively participate in their healing journey. Empathy and patient-centered care are at the forefront of my approach, as I strive to empower individuals by alleviating pain, restoring mobility and enhancing their overall quality of life. By embracing innovation, leveraging technology and continuously expanding my knowledge, I provide my patients with the most advanced and effective treatments available.
AREA OF EXPERTISE: Orthopedic Spine
FELLOWSHIP: Stanford University Spine Surgery
OPTIM ORTHOPEDICS
912.644.5300 • 210 E. Derenne Ave. • optimorthopedics.com
WHAT SETS ME APART: With a sole focus on spine surgery and dedicated fellowship training at Stanford University Hospital, I utilize advanced surgical techniques to address complex spine conditions. This specialization allows me to stay updated on the latest advancements in the field and employ evidence-based practices.
WHY CHOOSE A SPINE SPECIALIST: Patients can expect comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs. Collaborating with a network of specialists and partners, I ensure a holistic approach to treatment. atients benefit from a surgeon who has dedicated their career to mastering the intricacies of the spine, resulting in the best possible outcomes and a personalized treatment plan. Opting for a spine specialist provides patients with the assurance that they are receiving care from a surgeon who possesses the specific knowledge and experience required to address their spine-related concerns effectively. This patientcentric approach promotes optimal results and enhances the overall quality of care provided.
CHILDREN’S EYE INSTITUTE OF SAVANNAH
340 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 1400A 912.353.1001 • ceisav.com
EXCITING ADVANCEMENTS IN TREATING MYOPIA AND AMBLYOPIA (LAZY EYE) IN CHILDREN: Besides increasing outdoor time and limiting screen time, we are using nightly low dose atropine eye drops as well as special contact lenses such as MiSight contacts to slow down the progression of nearsightedness in children younger than 12 years old.
For decades we have used patching and full-dose atropine drops to treat amblyopia. Now there are several new binocular therapies that may allow some kids a more fun alternative! Luminopia uses a VR headset in which children watch cartoons daily for one hour and is now FDA approved for kids 4 to 7 years old and available for kids up to 11 years old. CureSight uses a computer on which children 4 to 9 years old can watch parent-controlled internet videos and movies for one hour a day through special glasses.
RevitalVision, which focuses on the brain’s visual processing, may help patients with nystagmus, a condition in which the eye makes rapid, repetitive, uncontrolled movements.
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BENEFITING RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES® OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
4 – 5 PM Registration and VIP Hour
5 – 8 PM General Ticket Holders
The Club at Savannah Harbor
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2023
Ronald Open Golf Tournament in memory of Richard Chambless
10 AM shot-gun start
The Club at Savannah Harbor
V
JOIN US BOTH DAYS: www.rmhccoastalempire.ejoinme.org/2023BGCG
HABERSHAM VILLAGE:
4511 Habersham St.
912.777.6002
precisionbytackl.com
WE BELIEVE IN: Equipping our clients to take charge of their health and well-being.
WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Our new Weight Loss Protocol, which begins with lab assessments and health checks and combines medical weight loss with health technology, IV vitamin infusions and support from a team (think registered dietician, nurse, psychologist, personal trainers, etc.). We believe it’s the most powerful weight-loss program available, and our clients are seeing tremendous results. We’re also excited about our Hair Re-Growth Protocol, which combines stem-cell technology, FDA-approved health technology and serums that create exponential results for our clients, many of whom lost hair as a result of COVID.
OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO STAY FIT INCLUDE: The health technology, services and IV vitamin infusion at Precision paired
with activities like biking, hiking, yoga, rowing, running and weight training. The vitamin infusions give energy to counteract the long work days. And if there isn’t time for a 60-minute cardio class, then 15 minutes of our Exercise with Oxygen Training offers the same health benefits.
OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO RELAX ARE: Spending time in nature, yoga, gardening and going to the beach.
A DAY DOESN’T GO BY THAT WE DON’T: Stop for a moment to appreciate all that God provides, which is easy to do in Savannah.
DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE. A HEALTH FAD TO AVOID IS: Getting 10,000 steps a day. It was a marketing tool from a Chinese pedometer company. Studies have shown that more than 4,000 steps a day is considered an active, fit day.
THE TEAM :
ayman Griffin, , : 2 years of spa and medical skin-care experience
ichelle Turley, , : 4 years of spa and medical skin-care experience
egan Waltemyer, , : years of spa and medical skin-care experience
Stephenson ve.
12.44 .1
chathamplasticsurgery.com
chathamplasticsurgery
WE’RE EXPERTS IN: edical skin-care protocols, facials, cosmetic laser procedures and medical skin-treatment devices.
OUR PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE OUR PRACTICE AS: blend of physician and esthetician treatments addressing aging, redness and pigment for correction and prevention as well as long-term skin and body maintenance for our cosmetic surgery patients. We also hear that we have a lot of fun. We admit, you are most likely to hear laughter in our hallways. ur staff loves what we do, enjoys working together and is passionate about helping our patients get the healthy, glowing skin they desire.
OUR PHILOSOPHY: To create a path to healthy, beautiful skin that is unique to each patient. We don’t have a menu for the masses. We approach skin with a
diverse selection of products, treatments, and laser and light treatments specific to the individual in our chair. We create a plan for the person, taking into account the current condition of their skin, their personal goals and medical history. We want to create a unique and impactful experience at every appointment.
OUR PATIENTS OFTEN ASK US: an you make me look like this filter
WE WISH MORE OF OUR PATIENTS WOULD STOP: omparing themselves to what they see on social media.
A DAY DOESN’T GO BY THAT WE DON’T: pply sunscreen everyone should
YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT WE: ll have green eyes. We did not plan that
MEDICAL DEGREES: Master of Science
Physician Assistant Studies, South University (Stearns, Hilliard, Triplett, Yates); Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies, Augusta University (Tilley); Masters of Science in Nursing, Georgia Southern University (Mell)
SAVANNAH: 1601 Abercorn St.
POOLER: 114 Canal St., Suite 301
912.712.2550 • shrinksavannah.com
I’M EXCITED TO LEARN: More about psychiatry’s use of psychedelics as a way to help patients get the relief and recovery they need. – Stearns More about Ketamine therapy and the different ways we can apply it to our field. – Hilliard
I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT: The use of Botox for the treatment of depression. Psychiatry is experiencing a major paradigm shift. No longer is depression a disease of norepinephrine and serotonin deficiency. Today, we are exploring in ammation, methylation, epigenetics and neuroplasticity as major players, and we are using innovative treatment interventions such as Ketamine, magnets, psilocin, anti-in ammatories and even botulinum toxin. – Triplett
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT MY JOB: Being a part of a team who is actively working
to nullify the stigma attached to mental illness. – Mell
Getting to know my patients and seeing the improvements that they make. – Hilliard
THE MOST REWARDING PART OF PATIENT CARE IS: Helping people. It’s nice to reassure patients that they are not alone in their mental and emotional health crisis and to give them a hand toward a better life and see many come through to the other side feeling hopeful and more positive. – Stearns
WHEN I’M NOT AT WORK: I am likely spending time with my husband and two young children. We love spending time outside, either near the water or in the country. Working part time at Shrink Savannah has provided me the opportunity to be more present with both my family at home and my patients in the practice. – Yates
130 Tibet Ave., Suite 105 912.376.0761
theparkaesthetics.com
@theparkaesthetics
WE’RE EXPERTS IN: Facial balancing, an aesthetic approach that considers the face in its entirety, aiming to harmonize facial features through the strategic use of fillers and Botox. We pride ourselves in taking time to understand and appreciate each patient’s unique facial features and personal goals so we can deliver exceptional results.
OUR PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE OUR PRACTICE AS: A calm, welcoming haven where expertise meets warmth and genuine care. eeling more confident and beautiful in your own skin should be easy, starting right from the moment you book your appointment.
WE ARE MOST PROUD OF: Our results. Achieving facial harmony and anti-aging outcomes is a blend of both science and artistry. We maintain a small, curated list of treatments that focus on achieving remarkable patient transformations.
WE WISH MORE OF OUR PATIENTS WOULD: Take a proactive approach to antiaging and be open to the conversation of nonsurgical alternatives. Anti-aging doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. While surgical interventions can be the best option for some patients depending on their goals, we focus on open and honest communication to ensure our patients are well-informed and empowered to make the best decisions for themselves.
WE’RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Education. We are committed to staying at the forefront of the aesthetic field, continuously learning and incorporating the latest advancements into our practice to bring the best to our patients.
A DAY DOESN’T GO BY THAT WE DON’T: Order a sweet treat! Savannah truly has the best desserts.
BUCKINGHAM SOUTH
5450 Abercorn St.
912.355.5550
buckinghamsouth.com
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES: Address both the health-care needs as well as the social and emotional well-being of each resident. An assisted-living community will provide medication monitoring, daily housekeeping, transportation and stimulating recreational, social and cultural activities.
WHAT SETS BUCKINGHAM SOUTH APART: Is the unparalleled, personalized approach, tailored to provide the highest quality of health care and medical attention. Buckingham South is able to provide continuity of care as one’s medical needs increase. Twenty-four-hour, around-the-clock nursing care including a full-time registered nurse, licensed medical technicians, certified nursing assistants, a medical director and security are all on call to ensure the finest care. ecause uckingham South is locally owned and operated, management is on location 24/7 to address family questions and concerns and to ensure the highest level of individualized attention. Buckingham South is truly Savannah’s finest assisted living community
MIDTOWN: 130 Stephenson Ave., Suite 102
WILMINGTON ISLAND: 315 Johnny Mercer Blvd., Suite D 912.712.3999
thespeechclinic.org
WE ARE EXPERTS IN: Speech and language pathology. We are knowledgeable in the assessment and treatment of articulation disorders, receptive/expressive language delays, pragmatic/social delays, uency stuttering, vocal disorders, oral motor weakness, apraxia, dysarthria, aphasia and feeding disorders.
WE ARE MOST PROUD OF: Our relationships with our clients and their families. Every client receives individualized therapy to address their specific needs, and families are provided guidance on how to support their loved one at home. Engaged therapy sessions paired with carryover at home leads to major progress on therapy goals.
WE ARE HAPPY TO OFFER: Services at local daycares, preschools and private schools. Several schools have collaborated with us, allowing us to provide services during the school day and making therapy more convenient for families. We also offer free screenings for children 5 and younger at the beginning of the school year.
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 St., Suite 204 912.349.3259 • CoastalDentalSurgery.com
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 D 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 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 post-surgical 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 same-day beautiful restoration is delivered. Minimally invasive gum grafting beautifies the smile and improves oral health.
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, Building 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: rushing and ossing 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-ofthe-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: Is 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.
MEDICAL DEGREES: DMD from Medical College of Georgia (Sweeney) and University of Florida (Smith); DDS from Virginia Commonwealth University (Redenz)
RESIDENCY: Advanced Education in General Dentistry, Medical University of South Carolina (Redenz)
AFFILIATIONS: Gallerite Advanced Invisalign Alumni, Molis Advanced Invisalign Alumni, reathe Institute ffiliate for Sleep Dentistry, Digital Smile Design ember, ertified in Botox and Dermal Fillers (Sweeney); American Academy of Clear Aligners, GDA, AGD, ADA (Smith); American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, GDA, AGD (Redenz)
SAVANNAH: 815 E. 68th St. RICHMOND HILL: 12650 GA 144 912.355.8821 • savannah.dental
I WAS ATTRACTED TO THIS FIELD OF MEDICINE BECAUSE:
I’m also a patient. I had trauma as a child that caused me to need extensive dentistry to prevent developmental and esthetic issues. I’ve had Invisalign, in-office whitening, root canals, crowns, tongue tie surgery, Botox and laser lip plumping. I am happy to provide these same services that have allowed me to live my best life with a healthy, confident smile. – Sweeney I have always loved working with my hands and science, and dentistry is a great combination of both. – Redenz
MY PATIENTS OFTEN ASK ME: Are dentures the only way to replace missing teeth With dental implants, there is no longer a need to have something that is removable or requires glue to stay in your mouth. Dental implants are long-lasting, beautiful and feel like a real tooth! – Smith
I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Digital dentistry. So much can be done with new and evolving technology like scanners, mills and D printing. These advancements make cosmetic dentistry much more predictable. – Redenz
I’M MOST PROUD WHEN: patient who was anxious about seeing the dentist tells me how comfortable and at-home they feel when in my office. – Smith
MY GO-TO SPOT IS: The Wyld great food and a great location. – Redenz
THE LAST BOOK I READ WAS: “Breathe, Sleep, Thrive by Dr im. any parents don’t understand that the way a child breathes will impact every aspect of their development including their sleep quality, learning, behavior, jaw and facial development and future health. – Sweeney
MEDICAL DEGREE: Doctorate of Dental Medicine
RESIDENCY: Pediatric Dentistry
AFFILIATIONS: Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry; American Academy of Pediatric Dentists; Georgia Dental Association
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY OF SAVANNAH
310 Eisenhower Drive, Building #6 912.349.4021
pediatricdentistryofsavannah.com
I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Incorporating esthetic materials, dental lasers and safe sedation options to provide the best care for our pediatric patients.
MY MOST REWARDING MOMENT AS A DENTIST: When one of our 5-year-old patients asked to host her birthday party at our office.
I’M MOST PROUD OF: Maintaining the patient-centered focus that inspired us to open our practice 13 years ago.
MY PATIENTS WOULD DESCRIBE MY CHAIRSIDE MANNER AS: A big heart for little patients.
MY FAVORITE WAY TO STAY FIT IS: Chasing after my four sons – ages 5,4, 3 and 1!
A DAY DOESN’T GO BY THAT I DON’T: Appreciate the joy and chaos of working with children.
MY GO-TO SPOT IN SAVANNAH IS: Auspicious Baking Company – it’s worth the sugar splurge.
I ENJOY VOLUNTEERING FOR: Savannah Volunteer Dental Clinic. We provide free dental care for children in our community.
I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS WOULD STOP: Bragging about the big bucks that the Tooth Fairy brought them. I’m still convinced the going rate is $2 a tooth.
MY PATIENTS OFTEN ASK ME: At what age should I start bringing my child to the dentist first visit by their first birthday sets kids up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
MEDICAL DEGREE: Doctor of Dental Surgery at Howard University College of Dentistry
RESIDENCY: General Practice Residency at Brooklyn Hospital Center
AFFILIATIONS: American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Savannah Dental Society and National Dental Association
GEORGETOWN FAMILY DENTAL
821 King George Blvd. 912.927.8484
georgetownfamilydental.com
OUR PHILOSOPHY IS: Always putting the patient’s needs first. We value patient comfort in the office and find that a relaxing environment helps relieve patient anxiety.
WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Our new CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) machine, which allows us to take 2D and 3D facial scans for our patients. This technology gives us very clear images and data to develop realistic and quality patient treatment plans.
MY MOST REWARDING MOMENTS AS A DENTIST ARE: When I get to see my patients regain their confidence after adjusting their smile appearance. It is amazing to see patients thrive when they are proud of their teeth and smile.
I’M MOST PROUD OF: My team at Georgetown Family Dental and the addition
of Dr. Bozena Kierski. Dr. Kierski is just as passionate as I am about providing understanding, judgment-free dental care in a relaxing environment.
OUR PATIENTS OFTEN ASK US: If they can afford their dental care if they do not have insurance. We offer multiple payment options to make it affordable.
ONE THING I WOULD TELL AN ASPIRING FUTURE DENTIST: Is that continuing education is paramount. Technology is changing dentistry so fast; it requires doctors to stay up to date and provide the best in dental care.
WHEN I AM NOT IN THE OFFICE: I am spending time with my wife and two boys. At ages 2 and 4, they keep me running.
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, Invisalign and Implant Restoration
COHEN DENTAL
310 Eisenhower Drive, Building 2 912.353.9533
savannahdentalcentre.com
MY APPROACH TO PATIENT CARE: My family has been in the retail business in Alma for nearly 100 years. Growing up and working in the store — starting at age 6 — I learned the value of stellar customer service from my grandfather and father. They said, being fair, selling quality products and treating customers as if they were family will keep them coming back. Being a dentist isn’t much different. I’m selling myself and my skills to gain my patients’ trust and confidence. That’s how I have built my practice for more than 30 years, and the fact that I am now treating four generations of some families proves what I learned was true. I’m proud to display the original 1 40s ohen’s sign in my office hallway, a continual reminder to me of the lessons I learned — treat people right, and they’ll keep coming back!
MY TEAM AND I FREQUENTLY: Attend continuing education courses to keep our
office up to date on the newest changes in dental technology and techniques in dental medicine.
I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A DENTIST WHEN: My godmother gave me a junior dentist kit at age 8. I loved the tools and the aluminum foil shavings for filling the cavities
I SUPPORT MY COMMUNITY BY: Donating and raising funds for local, national and international charities. We have challenged our Facebook following to raise money for Greenbriar Children’s Center Christmas fund, and we also raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities at its Wine, Women and Shoes annual event.
I WISH MORE OF MY PATIENTS
WOULD: Understand how important oral health is to their overall well-being.
LOOKING OUT HER LIVING ROOM WINDOW in Ardsley Park, Dale Thorpe starts each day as she has since childhood, taking a moment to appreciate the lush canopy of live oaks that line her street. Growing up in Savannah, her appreciation for the city’s native trees took root at a very young age and informed her dedication to urban forestry. Of the many lessons she’s learned from these trees, her resolute modesty is the hardest to miss.
“To be honest, I never thought much about it. They were always here, very much a part of my life,” she says, gesturing to the moss-draped branches that nearly touch her front door. Thorpe recalls that it wasn't until she started volunteering with the Savannah Tree Foundation (STF) nearly 30 years ago, that she discovered the value of what she loved.
Then, in 1994, Thorpe was invited to join the STF board, where she led countless community tree plantings, attended conferences, and pushed for the strategic expansion and preservation of Savannah’s urban forest. The foundation’s many triumphs in her 23 years on the board speak to her impact. This past April, the STF celebrated Thorpe’s achievements by naming her the 2023 Tree Champion at their 2nd Annual Green Gala.
Still, urban forestry is a long game. Thorpe says most of the pride she felt in her years of service to Savannah’s natural infrastructure
was accumulative. “Really, it’s just fun to drive around to see the trees we’ve planted, and say, ‘Look at those. Don’t those look good?’”
Thorpe and the STF team have always encouraged an awareness of the higher purposes these trees serve as well. From Southern magnolias to live oaks, every tree you see in downtown Savannah should be for future generations to reap their many benefits. Trees planted in urban environments supply a necessary relief from summer air temperatures by providing shade, releasing water into the atmosphere and reducing harmful pollutants. Studies have also shown that the presence of trees can lead to a decrease in stress and inflammation levels, as well as an increase in physical activity and immune system functioning.
For Thorpe, it’s the mental benefits that take the arboreal cake. “Even just looking at trees, you sort of relax,” she says. “You look at a tree and you see strength and endurance — think about all the history it’s seen.”
Knowing all that trees provide for our community, Thorpe stresses the importance of giving back. She recalls a developer she met at a tree conference in Columbus, Georgia, who told her that he makes an effort to go sit on a property before any planning or development begins. “I thought that was wonderful,” she says. “Before you develop or landscape, think of the trees. They need to be treated with respect.”
The Savannah Tree Foundation and supporters gathered at Tiedeman Park for the second annual Green Gala. Held on Earth Day, this sustainable soirée honored this year’s Tree Champion of the Year, Dale Thorpe, for her three decades of dedication to protecting the tree canopy in Chatham County.
Royce Learning Center and Chatham Academy brought together art enthusiasts and philanthropists at the Ships of the Sea Maritime useum for its first auction. The event raised awareness about educational programs for people with disabilities and funds for the new Connection Center at oyce, which will serve students with Level 1 utism Spectrum Disorder ( SD1).
MAY 3
Hosted at the Isle of Hope home of Dr. Juha and Holly Jaakkola, this al fresco event included live entertainment, spirited libations, Big Bon Pizza and an exclusive silent auction to benefit the conservation of loggerhead sea turtles on the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge.
More than 300 attendees raised approximately $50,000 at Park Place Outreach, Inc.’s fourth annual celebration of the Kentucky Derby. Sponsored by The Olde Pink House and Woodford eserve, the event benefits the local nonprofit’s efforts to serve at-risk youth and their families.
The 2023 campaign wrapped up with a Grand Finale Celebration at the Savannah Convention Center, collecting more than $860,000 for towards LLS’s mission to find a cure for blood cancer and provide support to patients and their families.
MAY 10 – 11
The ninth annual edition sold out Kehoe Iron Works at Trustees’ Garden for two days of fun and fundraising, including the signature luncheon and fashion show followed by a night of wine tasting, shopping and more.
The local designer offered words of wisdom and a
of
With a new name and a new approach to its annual gala, Mary’s Place encouraged self-empowerment and strength at this fundraiser held April 7 at Victory North.
Dancing Stars of Coastal Georgia
The Georgia chapter sparkled brightly at the 11th annual gala on May 20 at the Savannah Convention Center.
TWELVE YEARS AGO, my husband and I dropped our daughter off at elementary school for her first day of kindergarten. And by “dropped,” I mean we broke the rules carefully set out for us at orientation and not only walked her to her class, but tried to enter the classroom. Her well-seasoned teacher stopped us at the doorway with piercing eyes that immediately saw us for the helicopter parents we were. She shooed us out and escorted our daughter to her seat.
Sullen, we retreated to the hallway, muttering in rapid succession things like “She’s our kid,” and “We know what’s best for her.” When I picked her up that afternoon, she was crying, not because she didn’t like school, but because I wasn’t yet schooled on the intricacies of the car-rider line — that early was late and on time meant your kid thought they’d been abandoned.
We both cried that day.
School was as much a learning curve for us as it was for our daughter — maybe more. With each passing year, my husband and I had to learn to give up another fraction of control to her teachers’ experience and to her own burgeoning independence. Ironically, every time it felt like we were losing something, it also felt like we were gaining. We watched our daughter begin to be more confident in our absence, learn to negotiate difficult situations and make some of her own decisions. Sometimes she succeeded, sometimes she failed miserably.
We did the same.
But here we are, a dozen years later that somehow passed at lightning speed in spite of the many memories I can recount along the way. To her, it’s been a lifetime. To us, it’s a blip. Another painful irony: the kids want to grow up and yet time slogs along; the parents desperately want to bottle the baby scent, the unhinged giggle, the feeling of being needed — really needed — and it all slips away so quickly. Too quickly.
This year, our daughter begins her senior year of high school. It’s the first of many lasts. The last first day of school. The last time I’ll pack her lunch, check her grades and email the front office explaining that I kept her home from school because she needs to “take a knee” (the helicopter is strong in this one). There will be senior pictures, senior prom, the senior prank and graduation.
And then it will be the last day our child — our only child — lives under our roof before she goes to college. I have friends who have already experienced this, and I’ve seen them teeter unsteadily between suffering and celebration.
I think back to the day I so easily left my parents’ house and ventured across the country to pursue a life and dream of my own.
And there’s the biggest irony of all: if I had known as a teenager what I now know as a parent about that deep, visceral love that’s completely unmatched, I might not have left. But leave they must.
So, yes, we’re facing down another new school year. Another new beginning. And for a number of us, it’s the first of the lasts. Sometimes, the thought of it is too much, so I compartmentalize. I put the panic in a little mental box to deal with later. But while it sits on that shelf, I watch our daughter stretch and grow, and I realize that it’s not my place to get in the way.
