Statesboro Magazine - May/June 2023

THE URGENCY OF GOOD CARE

DR. DEGA

DR. MUNGER

FOR THE GOOD LIFE

injuries. We’re pioneering concussion research to make athletes safer. Helping to manage vaccine distribution throughout the Coastal Empire? Yeah, we’re doing that too.

We’re ready to bring the “good life” to southeast Georgia. Ready to heal. Ready to thrive. Because ready is what we do. Learn more at GeorgiaSouthern.edu

The bulk of the U.S. healthcare system remains focused on treating illness and disease, but most of us know medical professionals who have embraced a more proactive approach. Statesboro is fortunate to be home to East Georgia Regional Medical Center and other medical groups serving patients by prescribing both prevention and treatment, as evidenced in our story about two of Statesboro’s finest physicians, Dr. Sreevalli Dega and Dr. Ian Munger. At their places of practice, Statesboro Urgent Care and EGRMC Emergency Room, the doctors show just how adaptable and innovative today’s physicians need to be with patient interaction and care. Read how Dr. Dega doesn’t mind coming to your car for curbside treatment if necessary, and how Dr. Munger takes the role of Emergency care to a whole new level.

As a bonus, you’ll also find over 100 doctors with specialties ranging from pediatrics to pathology; urology to neurology, who are experts at diagnosis, excellent bed-side care, and surgery if necessary. We are pleased to include in this issue East Georgia Regional Medical Center’s Official 2023 Physicians Guide. Keep this issue on hand as your personal medical resource to be used throughout the year as needs for a doctor’s appointment arise.

We’re also taking a look at the 10th Anniversary of the Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s benefit concert. We spoke with organizers Darron Burnette and Chandler Dennard to get all of the details about how the funds raised benefit the community, and how much fun the concert series has proven to be. Did you know that “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” is the second greatest rock song of all time according to Rolling Stone Magazine, behind Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone?” So naturally this year’s concert is featuring Jumpin’ Jack Flash, a Rolling Stones tribute band that promises to be amazing! To date $750,000 has been raised that comes right back into our community for Alzheimer’s caregivers and patient support. This year let’s help them top $1 million. I know we can do it!

Enjoy!

Jenny Foss, Editor

ESTABLISHED MARCH 1, 2000

Jenny Starling Foss

Editor

Joe McGlamery Publisher

Hunter McCumber

Senior Creative Director

Ashton Brown Director of Sales & Marketing

Frank Fortune

Contributing Photographer

Statesboro Magazine is proudly produced by:

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MAILING ADDRESS: P. O. BOX 1084 Statesboro, GA 30459 p: 912.489.2181

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: One Herald Square, Statesboro, GA 30458 f: 912.489.8613

ABOUT THE COVER

Their impact begins at Statesboro Urgent Care, the practice they founded in 2020 to meet the need for urgent medical care 7 days a week. Broken bones, bad colds, sports physicals, Dr. Sreevalli Dega has seen and done it all. Dr. Dega also practices parttime at East Georgia Healthcare Center in Sylvania. Dr. Munger is CEO and practice administrator, plus an ER doctor with Georgia Emergency Associates, and Medical Director for Bulloch County EMS. Fans of treating the whole body, their next adventure is called DRIPBaR, an infusion lounge to keep you hydrated and healthy. The doctors are pictured here by award winning photographer Frank Fortune. #TheFortuneImage.

Ric Mandes

Ric Mandes, a popular essayist, retired after 27 years as Director of Public Relations and Development for Georgia Southern. His memories about growing up and living in South Georgia inspire his writings. He’s a published author and former newspaper columnist for the AJC.

Lazar Brown Oglesby

Lazar Brown Oglesby is the owner of Honey Catering and Dolan’s BBQ both located in Statesboro. Lazar attended Ogeechee Technical College where she earned a Culinary Arts degree. In 2012 Lazar followed a lifelong dream and opened Honey Catering and Café. She enjoys cooking Southern food with an adventurous twist! Lazar is known for her famous cheesecakes of which she has over 100 flavors. Lazar recently started the Honey Blog to share her recipes and stories. Visit her at Dolan’s & Honey’s new location on South Main Street.

Rev. John Waters

Since 2005, John Waters has been the lead pastor of First Baptist Church Statesboro. Raised in a military family, he spent his childhood years in Tokyo, Japan, and Selma, Alabama. He earned a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. As a teenager, he once worked a weekend as a circus clown but now enjoys collecting fountain pens, reading across many genres, and visiting the great cathedrals of the world. His wife, Cynthia, is a retired elementary school teacher, and they have two married adult daughters and five grandchildren.

Carolyn Altman

Carolyn Altman is the Director of the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University. She holds degrees from Cornell University, Portland State University, and the University of Nebraska and has published, produced, and taught creative work of all forms, including dance, film, and writing. She spends as much time as possible outside, and has backpacked the Pacific Crest, telemark-skied the Northwest, white water paddled the Northeast, cycled Europe, and bike raced throughout the South. These adventures provide opportunities to learn local plants and how people live among them. Her son, Colby Parker, and daughter-in-law Jordan Miller, are USAF musicians who join Carolyn on wildflower expeditions in the Rockies and river trips through the Ogeechee cypress.

Doy Cave

From Eagle Nation is a column brought to you by Georgia Southern University, where we cherish our place in the larger Statesboro community. In each issue, we hope to bring interesting and informative stories to the readers of StatesboroMagazine. Doy Cave is the Marketing Content Manager in the Office of Marketing and Communications at the University, and resides with his family in Statesboro.

Frank Fortune

Frank is the national award winning freelance photographer who holds the distinction of shooting 24 years’ worth of covers for Statesboro Magazine. He retired from Georgia Southern after having been responsible for capturing the University’s history on film and video for 30 years. Throughout his career Frank’s enjoyed all aspects of photography, including sports, still-life, landscape, and architecture. He and his wife, Mandy, are the proud parents of Jack and Cate.

YEARS OFROCKIN’ OUT ALZHEIMER’S THE URGENCY OF GOOD CARE DR. DEGA & DR. MUNGER

FRIDAYS – TUESDAYS

STATESBORO MAIN STREET MARKET2GO

FRIDAYS – TUESDAYS @ 10:00 P.M.

STATESBORO MAIN STREET MARKET2GO

Order the season’s freshest local fruits, vegetables and homemade baked goods, preserves, jams, jellies, candies and relishes. You’ll also find locally sourced meat, seafood, spices, dairy and eggs. Home and garden items, honey and locally grown flower bouquets. Shop online Friday – Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. @ https:// statesboromarket2go.locallygrown.net/. Pick-up on Thursday afternoons at the Statesboro Visitors Center, 222 South Main Street or in Sylvania at the Victory Garden General Store, 124 West Telephone Street.

EVERY SATURDAY!

STATESBORO MAIN STREET FARMERS MARKET

9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

222 SOUTH MAIN STREET

NEW EVENT VENUE: VISIT STATESBORO WELCOME CENTER

Enjoy the season’s freshest local fruits, vegetables and homemade baked goods, preserves, jams, jellies, candies and relishes. You’ll also find locally sourced meat, seafood, spices, dairy and eggs. Home and garden items, honey and locally grown flower bouquets at Statesboro’s Main Street Farmers Market. Savor homemade products from jellies to jerky; from honey to muffins. Plus, Craft & Jewelry vendors and food trucks! Applications for the 2023 Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market are here! If you are interested in signing up to become a vendor at the Saturday market or online at Market2Go, follow the link below and download an application and the 2023 Market Guidelines. You can also pick up an application in person at the Visit Statesboro! office located at 222 South Main St.

MAY 5

F1RST FRIDAY! FIESTA DE MAYO!

5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

COURTHOUSE LAWN | DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

Fiesta de Mayo is a celebration of Latin culture in the heart of downtown Statesboro. DJ Randy will provide a variety of Spanish music throughout the night. Some of your favorite downtown businesses and vendors will be open to provide a great shopping experience & food for any and everyone.

MAY 6-7

BEAUTY & THE BEAST

COTTON ROSE SCHOOL OF DANCE

7:00 P.M. SATURDAY | 3:00 P.M. SUNDAY

$25/PERSON | $20/MEMBERS/MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDERS/CITY & COUNTY EMPLOYEES

$15 STUDENTS

Emma Kelly Theater | Averitt Center for the Arts

Beauty and the Beast is a classic fairytale set in France during the mid-1700’s. Except this tale has much more magic and fantastical beasts than our real history. The students at Cotton Rose School of Dance will bring this classic storybook tale to life in a new, graceful way with combinations of many dance styles. You’ll see beloved characters like Belle, Gaston, Cogsworth, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, and more, light up the stage on their quest to soothe the cursed princeturned-beast and save the castle. It’s a tale as old as time, but it’s always a pleasure to see. For tickets visit www.AverittCenterfortheArts.org.

MAY 4

HYPROV: IMPROV UNDER HYPNOSIS

PRESENTED BY COLIN MOCHRIE

$25/PATRON | $22/GS FACULTY & STAFF

$17/YOUTH (17 & UNDER) | $10/GS STUDENTS

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | GS STATESBORO CAMPUS

Improv comedy legend Colin Mochrie and Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci have created an original, mind-blowing, and hilarious show! At the start of the show 20 volunteers from the audience will be put under hypnosis and pared down to the 5 best “subjects.” Then, the show turns into nothing short of an improv extravaganza as Colin improvises with those who are still under hypnosis, creating a hilarious, unique, and unforgettable experience! For tickets visit academics.georgiasouthern.edu/pac/ticketinformation/ticket-prices/.

MAY 9 – 11

GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

10:00 a.m. Tuesday (Colleges of Art & Humanities, Science & Mathematics, Health Professions, and Public Health).

10:00 a.m. Wednesday (Colleges of Business and Education)

10:00 a.m. Thursday (Colleges of Behavioral & Social Sciences and Engineering & Computing).

Allen E. Paulson Stadium | Georgia Southern University

MAY 13

THAT’S SO 2000S

STEPZ STUDIO RECITAL 2023

3:00 P.M. | $15/PERSON

EMMA KELLY THEATER | AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Join Stepz Studio dancers as they present “That’s so 2000s” a retrospective of dance from the early 21st century. For tickets visit www.AverittCenterfortheArts.org.

MAY 20-21

SPLASH IN THE BORO OPENING WEEKEND!

10:00 A.M.

$19.99/PERSON/DAY (ONLINE) | $85.00/SEASON PASSES

MILL CREEK RECREATION PARK | HIGHWAY 24 NORTH

The ONLY dual Flowrider in Georgia! Get your own unbroken wave to slide down, carve a turn, and ride up the wave surface…If you can hold on! Or try 800 ft. of floating fun! Pick up an inner tube at any of the Lazy River entrances and float around Splash! The river encircles the play and leisure pools. Five (5) lane thrill ride on the Mat Racer! Stands on a 45-foot-high tower that’s higher than the tree tops! Relax by The Play Pool. It’s designed to accommodate a variety of ages with its low-level water. A zero-depth entry area provides a place for toddlers to enjoy safe splashing in less than a foot of water! Every minute, the Splash bucket fills and dumps 600 gallons of water onto the play area! Children can also enjoy the Play Pool’s play structure with tunnels, slides and climbing/playing area. To purchase tickets, visit www.SplashintheBoro.com.

MAY 20

1ST ANNUAL PECAN FESTIVAL!

10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

21 MAIN STREET | REGISTER, GEORGIA

Come out and enjoy a day of family fun! Food Trucks, Kid Zone, 50+ Vendors, Good Music, Adoptable Pets, Hay Ride, Face Painting, Petting Zoo, Raffles and more! This event is hosted by Register Baptist Church and The Town of Register.

MAY 20

THE HUSHPUPPIES LIVE!

AMBUCS BENEFIT CONCERT

7:30 P.M. | $25/PERSON

EMMA KELLY THEATER | AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

For over 25 years, The Hushpuppies Band has been cooking up a mess of “Southern Fried” rambunctious country and rock-n-roll. With a lot of help from their rabid and loyal fans called “Pupheads,” the Hushpuppies have blazed through GA, FL, AL, TN, and the Carolinas with a show unlike any other country or rural rock act. The success of “Songs from The Big House,” “Ruff Tracks,” DVD Promo “Live from The Buckhead Saloon,” and the most recent album “Sweet Magnolia,” exponentially increased their fan base. The Hushpuppies will perform live in Statesboro to benefit AMBUCS, an organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities regain mobility and independence. They make therapeutic tricycles. Audrey Thomas, a volunteer supporter of the Statesboro AMBUCS club, is organizing this fundraiser to raise money for adaptive tricycles. So, please join us for another great musicfilled night, in the classic Emma Kelly Theater, and raise a few bucks for a good cause. For tickets visit www. AverittCenterfortheArts.org.

SEND US YOUR EVENTS! EMAIL THEM TO EDITOR@ STATESBORO MAGAZINE.COM

MAY 29

MEMORIAL DAY

JUNE 1

THE TAMS LIVE!

CITY OF STATESBORO SUMMER CONCERT SERIES!

6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

EAST MAIN STREET @ COURTHOUSE

DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

The 2023 City of Statesboro Summer Concert Series is the first of its kind. The intent is to establish a local community event that will generate excitement and draw visitors to the downtown Statesboro area. The Concert Series’ targeted audience will include funfilled events for senior adults, young adults, teens, and youth, including live entertainment, dancing, and food concessions. „

JUNE 2-3

AN EVENING FOR THE K9S

7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. FRIDAY KICK-OFF

$20/PERSON

6:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.

SATURDAY EVENING FOR THE K9S EVENT

$20/PERSON

$115/VIP PACKAGE INCLUDES FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENTS!

OAK ROOM – JACK HILL BUILDING | OTC

The Evening for the K9s weekend is the largest annual fundraising event for the K9 Foundation. Over 1,000 attendees experience a redcarpet atmosphere while enjoying food, drinks, raffles, entertainment, meeting K9 heroes, the most incredible silent auction you have seen, and much more, all for a low-cost entry donation which includes a general raffle ticket. You don’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind event! Be sure to also check out our new Friday Night Kickoff Event! More details to come for all of the exciting offerings for the event weekend! For tickets visit www.GaPoliceK9Foundation.org.

JUNE 3

F1RST FRIDAY! BOROFEST !

5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

COURTHOUSE LAWN | DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

Summer block party with live bands, cornhole tournament, food/ drink vendors, and Kid Zone coming to Downtown Statesboro! This inaugural event is packed full of activities for the entire community. Downtown Statesboro summers have never sounded better.

JUNE 29

GRAPEVINE BAND LIVE!

CITY OF STATESBORO SUMMER CONCERT SERIES!

6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

EAST MAIN STREET | DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

The 2023 City of Statesboro Summer Concert Series is the first of its kind. The intent is to establish a local community event that will generate excitement and draw visitors to the downtown Statesboro area. The Concert Series’ targeted audience will include fun-filled events for senior adults, young adults, teens, and youth, including live entertainment, dancing, and food concessions. S

East Georgia Regional Medical Center Honors Medical Staff on Doctors’ Day

In recognition of National Doctors’ Day, East Georgia Regional Medical Center recognized the dedication of the medical staff. “On Doctors’ Day, and every day, we are grateful to work with our dedicated and skilled providers. We recognize their tireless efforts to give safe, quality and compassionate care to every patient, every time, always,” stated Stephen Penningtion, CEO.

The hospital chose to honor the medical staff on Doctors’ Day by making donations to community organizations, chosen by the providers, in lieu of gifts. This year’s recipients were Fostering Bulloch, Bulloch County Boys & Girls Club, Christian Social Ministries, the Hearts and Hands Clinic, and Ogeechee Area Hospice.

The first United States Doctors’ Day observance was March 28, 1933, in Winder, Georgia. This first observance included the mailing of cards to the physicians and their wives, flowers placed on graves of deceased doctors, including Dr. Long, and a formal dinner in the home of Dr. and Mrs. William T. Randolph. After the Barrow County Alliance adopted Mrs. Almond’s resolution to pay tribute to the doctors, the plan was presented to the Georgia State Medical Alliance in 1933 by Mrs. E. R. Harris of Winder, president of the Barrow County Alliance.

On May 10, 1934, the resolution was adopted at the annual state meeting in Augusta, Georgia. The resolution was introduced to the Women’s Alliance of the Southern Medical Association at its 29th annual meeting held in St. Louis, Missouri, November 19–22, 1935, by the Alliance president, Mrs. J. Bonar White.

Since then, Doctors’ Day has become an integral part of and synonymous with, the Southern Medical Association Alliance.

The United States Senate and House of Representatives passed S.J. RES. #366 during the 101st United States Congress, which President Bush signed on October 30, 1990, (creating Public Law 101-473), designating Doctors’ Day as a national holiday to be celebrated on March 30.

*East Georgia Regional Medical Center is owned in part by physicians

EGRMC Cornerstone of Statesboro and Southeast Georgia

The skilled and compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members of East Georgia Regional Medical Center support the health and well-being of patients. Beyond providing clinical care, East Georgia Regional Medical Center is a cornerstone of the community and a major contributor to the economic health of Bulloch County as a major employer and tax-payer and through resources invested to expand and enhance the medical services available close to home. The overall impact is significant and totaled more than $193.5 million in 2022.

Care was provided at more than 270,900 patient encounters last year, including more than 48,300 emergency department visits, more than 8,500 inpatient admissions and more than 9,700 surgeries. Over 203,000 patients received care across the three primary care clinics, four specialty care physician clinics, the pain management center, wound healing center, outpatient endoscopy center, outpatient rehabilitation services clinic, sleep lab and the satellite imaging center. Joy was delivered to local families with the birth of more than 1,500 babies.

East Georgia Regional Medical Center applies its resources to medical services, facilities and technologies that are important to patients. These capital improvements totaling more than $1.5 million include new surgical and imaging equipment, expansion of the cardiac monitoring system, the addition of specialized laboratory equipment and respiratory technologies to enhance patient care. The recruitment of primary care providers and physician specialists means more service options here locally. With new surgeons and the hospital’s robotic surgical system, patients have access to complex, minimally invasive, surgical options in specialties of gynecology, thoracic, vascular, bariatric weight loss and general surgery.

East Georgia Regional Medical Center also gives back to the broader southeast Georgia region by providing over $93.9 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable. And the payment of $5.7 million in property and sales taxes helps support civic resources and services.

Support for local charitable and community organizations such as the Hearts and Hands Clinic, Christian Social Ministries food bank and Safe Haven, includes financial donations and outreach. Support for the Hearts + Hands Clinic promotes healthy living and health education by providing free primary health services for citizens of Bulloch County. The Christian Social Ministries Thanksgiving Meal drive provides over 800 families with meals for the holidays and food drives are held for the food bank. Safe Haven supports adult and child victims of domestic violence.

To help the community live healthier, East Georgia Regional Medical Center offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at https://www.eastgeorgiaregional.com/enewsletter-sign-up.

*East Georgia Regional Medical Center is owned in part by physicians

Southeast Bulloch Wins at FCCLA Regionals

Congratulations to Southeast Bulloch Middle School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members who qualified at regionals to compete at the 2023 State FCCLA Leadership Conference in Athens, this spring.

Chloe Lin and Sophia Estrada earned a bronze medal in the Sustainability Challenge competition. Isabella Conley and Rachel Clay earned a Silver Medal in the Professional Presentation competition. Bailey Chaney and Hali Long earned a gold medal in the Food Innovations competition. Mia Kersey earned a silver medal in the Public Policy competition, and she will now advance to the National Leadership Conference in Denver, Colorado, on July 2-6, 2023. Kate Cowan, the school’s Family & Consumer Science teacher serves as our FCCLA advisor.

Wright Honored for Service to Community

Current Metter resident and retired attorney Wallace H. Wright recently won the Georgia legal profession’s 23rd Annual Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service for Judicial District 8. Wright was one of eight legal professionals from various judicial districts of the state who received the awards March 2nd during the 23rd Annual Justice Robert Benham Community Service Awards Ceremony at the Nathan Deal Judicial Center in Atlanta.

Wright was honored, along with his therapy Goldendoodle, Tyler, for his work with children, hospital patients and seniors in the area. A certified therapy dog, Tyler brings about a calming influence on those he interacts with, relieving pain, suffering and anxiety in the young and the elderly. Wright, a certified handler, adopted Tyler after retiring from Wright & Edwards, P.C., a firm he founded in 1984 and from which he retired in 2008.

Wright has served on the board of directors of the Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Joseph’s Home for Boys and Ogeechee Area Hospice. He is a charter member of Forest Heights Country Club, a member of Metter Rotary Club, and the Statesboro-Bulloch and Metter Chambers of Commerce. He is currently serving on the board of directors for the Communities in Schools program in Candler County.

2023 Georgia Southern Alumni Association Awards Honor Alumni

Georgia Southern University’s Alumni Association recognized the highest levels of achievement and service among the University’s alumni during the 2023 Alumni Awards ceremony, held at the Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau on April 14th.

“As we gather here tonight, I am honored to recognize our outstanding alumni for their remarkable service, exceptional business acumen and overall excellence,” stated Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero at the event. “With a growing network of more than 146,000 Georgia Southern and Armstrong alumni, each success story further strengthens our University’s reputation as a center for excellence.”

“These exemplary alumni, who lead with distinction and honor in their respective industries, remind us of the transformational power of education and its importance for our students,” said Georgia Southern’s Director of Alumni Relations Ava Edwards. “We are grateful for their impact around the world and at Georgia Southern University.”

2023 iGot Campaign Raises Over $1M for OTC Foundation

In an unprecedented iGot campaign, the Board of Directors of the Ogeechee Technical College Foundation are proud to announce that the 2023 campaign raised $1,003,918 to support ongoing needs at Ogeechee Technical College.

“We are overwhelmed by the support our communities have shown Ogeechee Tech during this year’s campaign,” said Michelle Davis, VP for College Advancement. “Having almost doubled last year’s record setting campaign is a testament to just how much our community believes in what we do at OTC and wants to support the future of our workforce.”

This year’s campaign held separate iGot kickoff events with community volunteers in Bulloch, Evans, and Screven counties. The money raised in each year’s campaign gets dispersed to cover several critical needs of the College including but not limited to; funding scholarships, providing students with emergency funds, supporting the adult literacy program, assisting with GED testing scholarships, purchasing and leasing state-of-the-art equipment for classrooms and labs, and purchasing property to donate to the College for campus expansion.

“I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand how well Ogeechee Tech prepares students to enter the workforce,” said Adam Kennedy, OTC Foundation President and Director of Claxton-Evans County Economic Development Authority. “Our communities have rallied around technical education, and the results of this year’s campaign will have a generational impact on students who continue to live and work right here in our region.”

The iGot Victory Celebration was held on March 22nd in downtown Statesboro at the Visit Statesboro! Welcome Center at 5:00 p.m. In attendance were members of the OTC faculty, staff, and students, OTC local and foundation board members, and community partners.

If you would still like to give to the 2023 iGot Campaign visit, www.giveotc.com. S

The Urgency of Good Care

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

Dr. Sreevalli Dega & Dr. Ian Munger

My first experience with Statesboro Urgent Care was early during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was hoping to return my mother to her assisted living facility after spending the Christmas holidays with the family at my home. She needed a negative COVID rapid test to reenter her living quarters. We drove up into the parking lot of the only medical offices offering rapid tests for patients on a Saturday, Statesboro Urgent Care. A young lady in full PPE garb approached the car and swabbed my mom’s nose. She disappeared inside with the test kit. A few minutes later Dr. Sreevalli (who goes by Sreelu) Dega came to the car window.

“Your mom has tested positive for COVID-19,” she said. “Do you understand? You must take her home and take care of her. You must take good care of her. I will call some prescriptions in for you. What pharmacy do you prefer?” We were stunned because my mom had no symptoms.

On Monday, we went to the health department to get tested, both of us, just to be sure. Those tests results came back Wednesday morning. By then, we both definitely had COVID-19. We survived 2020 COVID with good meds, lots of soup, and the comfort of healing together. And, we will never forget the compassionate care we received from Dr. Dega. In hind sight, she saved our lives.

You could say that Urgent Care is her calling. She believes strongly in the nature of the medicine she practices, along with her husband, Dr. Ian Munger, co-owners of Statesboro Urgent Care.

“I have been in evaluations when one minute the patient is sick and the next minute, they don’t seem to be,” said Dr. Dega. “Urgent care provides a bridge for same day care when the patient is at their worst and needs immediate care for non-emergency situations. We can help with short wait times and quick responses, to get the patient taken care of and on their way to a healthy outcome.”

The couple met in 2009, during their first year of residency at the University of Iowa Medical Center. Dr. Dega’s residency was in family medicine and urgent care. Dr. Munger was working on family medicine and emergency care. They both like helping people, and working with a variety of outcomes.

By 2013, the couple had married and moved to Statesboro. Dr. Munger has family in Jacksonville, Florida, and Dr. Dega has a sister and brother-in-law in Savannah. The couple wanted a smaller town „

We can help with short wait times and quick responses, to get the patient taken care of and on their way to a healthy outcome.

Dr. Sreevalli Dega

that was near to both sets of relatives. Dr. Dega’s father and mother, also physicians in plastic surgery and OBGYN, respectively, were friends with Dr. Rani Reddy, a long-time Statesboro physician. After speaking with the Reddys, they liked the prospects of practicing in a university town, with great public schools for their two daughters, Nimi and Nishi.

“The community has really been here for us,” said Dr. Dega. The doctors have also given back greatly to the community. Dr. Dega is a past participant in Dancing with the Statesboro Stars. She is a member of the Statesboro Service League, Downtown Rotary, and serves on the EGRMC Board of Trustees. Both Dr. Dega and Dr. Munger have been honored by the Statesboro Herald as one of the 20 Under 40. And, both are graduates of Leadership Bulloch, Dr. Dega in 2018, and Dr. Munger in 2020.

In the beginning, the doctors opened Statesboro Urgent Care with one other employee. They worked together to build the business which is open seven days a week, and offers tele-medicine to patients as well.

“Saturdays and Sundays are our busiest days,” said Dr. Dega.

“I handle the business administration side of things,” said Dr. Munger. “She has a better bedside manner, so Sreelu works directly with our urgent care patients.”

In addition to being CEO and administrator of the practice, Dr. Munger is also an Emergency Room physician/owner with Georgia Emergency Associates, a company of ER doctors that staffs St. Joseph’s, Candler’s and East Georgia

Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Rooms. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Munger is one of only 11% of physicians in the U.S. that provides a unique patient-centered approach to emergency medicine. He is trained to listen and partner with patients to understand how lifestyle and environment contribute to illnesses.

“It’s like a puzzle when a patient comes into the ER,” said Dr. Munger. “You are there to find the answers and fit them together. You are seeing people in their worst moments. It takes a look at the whole patient, including lifestyles, to understand the broader picture. It also takes a less emotional type of personality that calms patients.”

In addition to being an ER physician, Dr. Munger is a trained EMT and Medical Director of Bulloch County EMS, the county-wide Advanced Life Support ambulance team, which responds to emergency calls received in the 911 center. He is also chairperson of the Region 9 Trauma Advisory Committee (RTAC) which serves Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Tattnall, Toombs, Ware, and Wayne counties.

The RTAC is an administrative body within each EMS region comprised of trauma healthcare stakeholders focused on the improvement of the Georgia Trauma System. The purpose of an RTAC is to develop, implement, and monitor a regional trauma system plan to facilitate networking within a region. The RTAC Chairs (there are 10 regions), the Georgia Trauma Commission, Trauma Centers, EMS Agencies, EMS Councils, and other agencies track and ensure progress of process improvement activities and trauma quality care initiatives throughout the state of Georgia.

Dr. Munger is also currently working with Rafe Waters, of Air Evac Lifeteam 95, on future administrative work with that team.

“Urgent Care is similar,” said Dr. Dega. “About half my patients are emergency visits and half are uncomfortable. You have to work on what to do for them, or where to send them, if they present with something a specialist needs to see.”

Dr. Dega also works parttime in Sylvania with the East Georgia Healthcare Center (not affiliated with EGRMC), under CEO Jenny Denmark and CFO Peyton Frye. She spends a couple of afternoons a week seeing patients at the clinic on Mims Road.

Always working on ways to expand their reach for their patients, the doctors are currently working on a weight loss program in partnership with Coastal Compounding Pharmacy in Savannah, that includes a general health screening and individual counseling. They currently have 20+ patients in the program who are doing well. The practice also partners with 180 Fitness to include gym memberships with the weight loss program.

They will also be offering on-site sports physicals for area students getting ready to return to school this fall.

The newest wellness outreach being developed by Dr. Dega and Dr.

"Munger is an Infusion Clinic, called The DRIPBaR, a place where you can go get IV infusions rich in vitamins, minerals and electrolytes which will boost your immune system and keep you hydrated. The facility will be located in the Miraya Plaza on Fair Road next to Orchid Restaurant and will be run by an R.N. Check the website for opening dates. www.thedripbar.com/statesboro.

“We’re very adaptable,” said Dr. Dega. “You have to be. We triage our own patients. We help out with each other in the office. Everybody works well together. Plus, our patients understand just how much we care.”

Statesboro Urgent Care has a well-rounded staff of providers which includes Office Manager Jack Bailey, RN; Scott Fouch, PAC; Karen Anderson, FNP-BC; Jean Bailey, NP-C; and Henry Bower, FNP-C.

And the practice still sees patients in the parking lot.

“We have children that are running a fever and not feeling well. It can be so hard for Mom to get them out of the car and inside, so I just get into the car with them like a passenger and evaluate them,” said Dr. Dega. “Whatever it takes to get them feeling better as quickly as possible, we will do.” S

It’s like a puzzle when a patient comes into the ER. You are there to find the answers and fit them together. You are seeing people in their worst moments. Dr. Ian Munger

The administration and staff at East Georgia Regional Medical Center are pleased to provide you with this physician directory.

We are proud of the physicians who practice at our facility, and have designed this directory to introduce you to our expanding medical staff. The listings will help you select the best doctor for you and your family.

In order to offer the high quality medical care you have come to expect from East Georgia Regional Medical Center, we continue to expand our experienced medical staff by recruiting some of the finest physicians across the nation. You can be confident that our physicians are fully committed to providing your family with medical care that is both personal and technologically advanced.

If you would like more information about a physician or the services provided by East Georgia Regional Medical Center, please call (912) 486-1510.

Thank you for your continuing support of our medical center.

TABLE OF CONTENTS SERVICES

Built in July 2000, East Georgia Regional Medical Center is a four-level, 149 bed acute care hospital featuring a Women’s Pavilion and an adjacent medical office building. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, a distinction awarded only to those healthcare facilities that maintain the highest standards of quality.

East Georgia Regional Medical Center’s healthcare team consists of over 800 employees and over 100 physicians representing a wide range of specialties. The ongoing expansion of medical services and professionals, along with a major investment in technology, has firmly established East Georgia Regional‘s reputation for providing a higher medical standard.

East Georgia Regional Medical Center offers a 24-hour physician-staffed emergency department, a Level II neonatal center, outpatient services including endoscopy, same day surgery and ambulatory care, a pain management center, a wound care clinic, a cardiac catheterization lab, outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures including digital mammography, MRI, CT, PET/CT, nuclear medicine and interventional radiology.

The Women’s Pavilion provides dedicated services to women of all ages, and includes eight labor, delivery and recovery suites. Our cardiology program allows patients needing angioplasty and/or stent placement to receive these services without leaving Statesboro. Electrophysiology services and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation services are also available. These services have dramatically increased the quality of care in our community. In 2019, the Hospital received Chest Pain Accreditation by the American College of Cardiology. Also, in 2020, the Hospital was awarded Stroke Accreditation by Joint Commission.

EGRMC is pleased to offer patients the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System which is a sophisticated robotic system that offers a state-of-the-art minimally invasive option for major surgery. Our expert surgeons can perform general surgery, bariatric, gynecological and colorectal procedures. This highly specialized tool allows for less scarring and faster recovery times for patients.

In Spring 2021, our Bariatric program was launched which includes both surgical and non-surgical weight loss options. An interdisciplinary team of weight loss experts including board certified physicians, nurses, dietitians and other health care professionals, are available to provide highly personalized care for all patients.

anesthesiology

AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST manages the medical care and life functions of patients under stress for anesthetic and surgical procedures. An anesthesiologist is specially educated in the management of unconscious and critically ill patients, and in the problems of pain relief and respiratory therapy.

Thomas Blackwell, M.D.

Board Certified in Anesthesiology 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2392

Tony James, M.D.

Board Certified in Anesthesiology 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2392

Albert Lee, M.D.

Board Certified in Anesthesiology 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2392

Dawn Ledbetter, M.D.

Board Certified in Anesthesiology 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2392

Stevens Yang, M.D.

Board Certified in Anesthesiology & Board Certified in Pain Management 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2392

bariatric surgery

BARIATRIC SURGERY is a surgical option for weight loss if dieting and exercise have failed.

John Allen, M.D.

Board Certified in General Surgery

Cedar Surgical Associates, P.C. 1497 Fair Road, Suite 200

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-7100 • Fax (912) 871-7110

cardiology

CARDIOLOGY

is a medical specialty and a branch of internal medicine concerned with disorders of the heart. It deals with the diagnosis and treatment of such conditions as congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, electrophysiology, heart failure and valvular heart disease.

Anthony Chappell, M.D.

Southeastern Cardiovascular Associates, LLC

1076 Bermuda Run Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-7810 • fax (912) 871-7820

Kendall Griffith, M.D.

Board Certified in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology

My Heart Doctor 1058 Bermuda Run Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 243-9274 * Fax (912) 341-6513

Ajay Jain, M.D.

Board Certified in Cardiology Cardiovascular Associates of Eastern Georgia 1497 Fair Road, Suite 305

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-2273 • fax (912) 681-2278

cardiology interventional cardiology

Abraham Lin, M.D.

Board Certified in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology

Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

David Nabert, M.D.

Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

Julio Schwarz, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology

Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

Stanley

Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

electrophysiology

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

is the cardiology specialty that diagnoses and treats heart arrhythmias, or problems related to the heart’s electrical system, including syncope, ablations, pacemaker and implantable defibrillators.

David

Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

Kendall Griffith, M.D.

Board Certified in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology

My Heart Doctor 1058 Bermuda Run Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

912) 243-9274 * Fax (912) 341-6513

Abraham Lin, M.D.

Board Certified in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology

Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

Julio Schwarz, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology

Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

Stanley Shin, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

colorectal surgery

COLORECTAL SURGERY

manages cancer of the colon, rectum and and anus as well as the surgical management of diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, complex anorectal disease, endoscopic interventions and pelvic floor disorders.

R. Tyler Cowart

Board Certified in General Surgery

Cedar Surgical Associates, P.C. 1497 Fair Road, Suite 200 Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-7100 • Fax (912) 871-7110

J. Shin, M.D.

Nabert, M.D.

emergency medicine family medicine

Ruthie Crider, M.D.

Board Certified in Emergency Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

Alan Scott, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

Douglas Sommers, M.D.

Board Certified in Emergency Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

family medicine

A FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN is specially trained to care for the health and emotional problems of the family, including preventive medicine and individual family counseling.

Robert Benson, M.D.

East Georgia Primary Care & Internal Medicine

4451 Country Club Road, Suite 3A Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-2273 • fax (912) 489-4762

Scott Bohlke, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine Bohler Family Practice

128 North Parker Avenue Brooklet, Georgia 30415

(912) 842-2101 • fax (912) 842-2103

Carla S. Branch, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine Statesboro Family Practice Clinic 658 Northside Drive East, Suite A Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-9684 • Fax (912) 489-8676

Aaron Clark, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Clark Medical Group 117 Hill Pond Lane Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 623-2155 • fax (912) 623-2156

Iris Clark, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Clark Medical Group 117 Hill Pond Lane Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 623-2155 • fax (912) 623-2156

Amy Clemons, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Clemons Family Practice 1555 Brampton Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 480-9444 • fax (912) 480-9588

Glen Dasher, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Southern Family Medicine 1140 Brampton Ave. Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-2273 • fax (912) 871-2274

Angela Davis, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Family Health Care Center, P.C. 23702 US Highway 80 East Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-4090 • fax (912) 764-5028

family medicine

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Statesboro Family Practice Clinic

658 Northside Drive East, Suite A

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-9684 • Fax (912) 489-8676

family medicine

T.J. Miller, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Southern Family Medicine

308 East Long Street Claxton, GA 30417

(912) 290-5235 • fax (912) 290-5236

Daniel Okungbowa, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine with subspecialty certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Student Health Services

Georgia Southern University

984 Plant Drive

Statesboro, Georgia 30460

(912) 478-5641 • Fax (912) 478-1893

John Gerguis, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine with subspecialty certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Total Health Center for Family Medicine

1203 Brampton Avenue

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-7890 • fax (912) 871-7897

Luke Krautter, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Southern Family Medicine

1140 Brampton Ave.

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-2273 • fax (912) 871-2274

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Family Health Care Center, P.C. 23702 US HIghway 80 East

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-4090 • Fax (912) 764-5028

Board Certified in Family Medicine with subspecialty certification in Geriatric Medicine

Statesboro Family Practice Clinic

658 Northside Drive East, Suite A

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-9684 • Fax (912) 489-8676

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Victoria Family Practice 23 Coach Lee Hill Blvd. Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 225-1836 • fax (912) 225-0646

Matthew Phillips, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Bohler Family Practice

128 North Parker Avenue

Brooklet, Georgia 30415

(912) 842-2101 * Fax (912) 842-2103

Kevin Purvis, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Statesboro Family Practice Clinic 658 Northside Drive East, Suite A Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-9684 • Fax (912) 489-8676

Thad H. Riley, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Family Health Care Center, P.C. 23702 US Highway 80 East Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-4090 • fax (912) 764-5028

gastroenterology

A GASTROENTEROLOGIST

is a practitioner who specializes in diseases of the stomach, intestines, and digestive tracts.

Brian Deloach, M.D.

Angie Gerguis, M.D.

Scott Mikell, M.D.

Zachary McGalliard, M.D.

gastroenterology

Patrick Dorvilus, M.D.

Access Gastro & Hemorrhoid Center

380B Cedar Street

Metter, Georgia 30439

(912) 685-1215 • fax (912) 685-1216

William Hallmon, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

East Georgia Gastroenterology Institute 1497 Fair Road, Suite 101 Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1600 • Fax (912) 871-3342

Joseph Hathaway, M.D.

Board Certified in Gastroenterology

East Georgia Gastroenterology Institute 1497 Fair Road, Suite 101 Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1600 • fax (912) 871-3342

general surgery

A GENERAL SURGEON performs a wide variety of operations on many different parts of the body, including colorectal surgery and gastrointestinal procedures; cancer surgery; vascular and non-cardiac thoracic surgery; skin lesions and skin cancer; and breast, endocrine, and endoscopic procedures.

general surgery

K. Brian Walton, M.D.

Board Certified in General Surgery

Board Certified in Thoracic Surgery

Cedar Surgical Associates, P.C. 1497 Fair Road, Suite 200

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-7100 • Fax (912) 871-7110

hospitalist

HOSPITALISTS

provide general medical care for a patients while in the hospital. Hospitalists will also develop treatment plans, teach patients about their conditions and consult with other physicians in various specialties to determine the best care for their patients.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

William Cantrell, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine 1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

Andrew V. Cichelli, M.D.

Board Certified in General Surgery

Cedar Surgical Associates, P.C. 1497 Fair Road, Suite 200 Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-7100 • Fax (912) 871-7110

R. Tyler Cowart

Board Certified in General Surgery

Cedar Surgical Associates, P.C. 1497 Fair Road, Suite 200

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-7100 • Fax (912) 871-7110

Board Certified in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine & Sleep Medicine

East Georgia Pulmonary & Sleep Disorder Medicine, L.L.C. 1601 Fair Road, Suite 600

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-4911• fax (912) 681-6911

Sherry Cline, D.O.

Board Certified in Family Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

W. Ross Bryan, M.D.

John Allen, M.D.

Lacey Colvin, D.O.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • Fax (912) 871-2261

internal medicine

Hamilton Emokpae, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Supreme Internal Medicine, P.C. 1207 Merchant Way Statesboro, GA 30458

(912) 243-9080 • fax (912) 243-9084

Ogechi Mbakwe, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine with subspecialty certification in Addiction Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2489

Dawn

Board Certified in Internal Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

Board Certified in Family Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

internal medicine

AN INTERNIST

specializes in the health problems of adults and is also an expert at diagnosing and treating more unusual, complicated illness.

Saraju Dalsania, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine Internal Medicine Associates of Statesboro

1601 Fair Road, Suite 700

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-8488 • fax (912) 681-4337

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Frontline Internal Medicine

6 Coach Lee Hill Boulevard Statesboro, GA 30458

(912) 681-8999 • fax (912) 681-8989

Brian Moogerfeld, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

1449 Brampton Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-7111 • Fax (912) 871-7794

Maria Moogerfeld, M.D.

1449 Brampton Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-7111 • Fax (912) 871-7794

Mark Crick, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine East Georgia Primary Care & Internal Medicine

4451 Country Club Road, Suite 3A Statesboro,Georgia 30458

(912) 764-2273 • Fax (912) 489-3482

Rani Reddy, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Candler Internal Medicine

106 Briarwood Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-5000 • fax (912) 681-1444

Daryl McCartney , M.D.

L. Richard Lawoyin, M. D.

Mannings, M.D.

nephrology

NEPHROLOGY

is the branch of medicine that deals with the physiology and diseases of the kidneys.

Courage Atekha, M.D.

Board Certified in Nephrology

Atekha Nephrology Clinic

1030 Bermuda Run Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-8396 • fax (912) 764-7188

Will Jackson, M.D.

Board Certified in Nephrology

East Georgia Nephrology

450 Georgia Avenue, Suite B

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-2200 • fax (912) 871-2220

neurologist

A NEUROLOGIST specalizes in the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system.

Kashyap Patel, M.D.

Board Certified in Neurology and Internal Medicine with subspecialty certification in Clinical Neurophysiology

East Georgia Neurology & Neurodiagnostics

114 Hill Pond Lane

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1140 • fax (912) 486-1908

Michael A. Taormina, M.D.

Board Certified in Neurology and subspecialty certified in Headache Medicine, Behavioral Neurology and Neurocritical Care. The Neurological Center of East Georgia, P.C.

1601 Fair Road, Suite 400

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-8900 • fax (912) 871-8901

neurosurgery A NEUROSURGEON

specializes in surgery of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.

Donald V. Graham, D.O.

Board Certified in Neurosurgery

Statesboro Neurosurgery

1211 Merchants Way, Suite 401

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-7777 • fax (912) 871-7172

obstetrics/gynecology

OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY (OB/GYN)

A branch of medicine that specializes in the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth, and in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the female reproductive organs.

James Hiller, M.D.

Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology

Southern OB/GYN

1094 Bermuda Run Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-3111 • fax (912) 681-3461

Francis Lake, M.D.

Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology

Southern OB/GYN

1094 Bermuda Run Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-3111 • fax (912) 681-3461

Chelsea Mikell, M.D.

Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology

Ogeechee OB/GYN, P.C.

1310 Brampton Avenue

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-6206 • fax (912) 681-8558

obstetrics/gynecology

Al Palmer, M.D.

Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology

East Georgia Women’s Center, P.C.

1012 Bermuda Run Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-4800 • fax (912) 871-4900

Lisa

Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology

Statesboro Women’s Health Specialists 1523 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-2000 • fax (912) 871-2500

James Small, M.D.

Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology

Ogeechee OB/GYN, P.C.

1310 Brampton Avenue

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-6206 • fax (912) 681-8558

Gary

Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology

Statesboro Women’s Health Specialists 1523 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-2000 • fax (912) 871-2500

Barbara

Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology

Statesboro Women’s Health Specialists 1523 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-2000 • fax (912) 871-2500

ophthalmology

AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST is a physician who specializes in the diagnosi and medical and surgical treatment of diseases and defects of the eye and related structures.

ophthalmology

Atys Cope, M.D.

Cope Eye Clinic 81 East Jones Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-8080 • fax (912) 764-8083

Aaron H. Davidson, M.D.

Board Certified in Ophthalmology

911 East Inman Street

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-3678 • fax (912) 489-3698

oral and maxillofacial surgery

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY encompasses the art and science of diagnosis, surgical and related treatment of disease, injuries, defects, and esthetic aspects of the oral and maxillofacial area. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats patients with abnormalities of the face and mouth.

Troy Lawhorn, D.M.D.

Board Certified in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Statesboro Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center 4463 Country Club Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-4495 • fax (912) 764-3650

Suketu Patel, D.M.D., M.D.

Board Certified in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

East Georgia Center for Oral & Facial Surgery

1222 Brampton Avenue

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-5435 • Fax (912) 764-9789

Brian Sellers, D.M.D.

Board Certified in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

East Georgia Center for Oral & Facial Surgery

1222 Brampton Avenue

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-5435 • Fax (912) 764-9789

S. Rogers, M.D.

B. Sullivan, M.D.

Williams, D.O.

oral and maxillofacial surgery

Board Certified in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

East Georgia Center for Oral & Facial Surgery

1222 Brampton Avenue

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-5435 • Fax (912) 764-9789

orthopaedics

AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving bones, ligaments and tendons, and the preservation and restoration of the function of the skeletal system, its articulations and associated structures.

Don Aaron, M.D.

Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery

Optim Healthcare

16741 Highway 67 South, Suite A

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-2500 • fax (912) 681-2025

Delan Gaines, M.D.

Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery

Optim Healthcare

16741 Highway 67 South, Suite A

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-2500 • fax (912) 681-2025

Jordan

Optim Healthcare

16741 Highway 67 South, Suite A

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-2500 • fax (912) 681-2025

Stephen

Tankersley, M.D.

Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery

Optim Healthcare

16741 Highway 67 South, Suite A

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-2500 • fax (912) 681-2025

otolaryngology

AN OTOLARYNGOLOGIST is a specialist trained to surgically treat problematic conditions involving the ear, nose, and throat.

Thomas M. Crews, M.D.

Board Certified in Otolaryngology

Statesboro ENT & Hearing Clinic

106 Proctor Street

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-8200 • fax (912) 489-2954

Linc Lippincott, M.D.

Board Certified in Otolaryngology

Statesboro ENT & Sinus Center, L.L.C. 120 S. Zetterower Avenue

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-7368 • fax (912) 681-3687

pain management

PAIN MANAGEMENT

East Georgia Regional Medical Center’s pain management services are designed to give you relief from pain and help you regain control of your life.

Justin Rountree,

Board Certified in Pain Management

Board Certified in Anesthesiology 1497 Fair Road, Suite 206

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1121 • fax (912) 871-2483

A Higher Medical Standard

M.D.

Rodrigo L. Uribe, D.M.D.

Paynter, M.D.

pathology PATHOLOGY

The science of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.

Anjana Vijayvargiya, M.D.

Board Certified in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology

1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1616 • Fax (912) 871-2393

pediatrics

Cheryl Perkins, M.D.

Board Certified in Pediatrics

Bulloch Pediatrics, P.C.

1044 Bermuda Run Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-4847 • fax (912) 871-5562

Prasad I. T. Rao, M.D.

Board Certified in Pediatrics

South Georgia Pediatrics 1230 Brampton Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-5437 • fax (912) 489-5550

Eric Stout, M.D.

Board Certified in Pediatrics

KinderCare Pediatrics of Georgia 1497 Fair Road, Suite 204 Statesboro, GA 30458

912-259-9991 • Fax 912-259-9992

pediatrics

PEDIATRICS

A pediatrician is medical doctor who manages the physical, behavioral, and mental care for children from birth until age 18. A pediatrician is trained to diagnose and treat a broad range of childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases.

Anna Benson, M.D.

Board Certified in Pediatrics

Mama Doc Pediatrics

4451 Country Club Road, Suite B

Statesboro, GA 30458

(912) 871-5437 • fax (912) 623-2037

Michael Deal, M.D.

East Georgia Pediatrics

450 Georgia Avenue, Suite A

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 489-3325 • fax (912) 489-7334

Austin Whitlock, M.D.

Board Certified in Pediatrics

Bulloch Pediatrics, P.C. 1044 Bermuda Run Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-4847 • fax (912) 871-5562

plastic surgery

A PLASTIC SURGEON

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery.

Marc Bisseck, M.D.

Board Certified in Plastic Surgery

Statesboro Plastic Surgery

1402 Brampton Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-3330 • fax (912) 681-3303

podiatry

A PODIATRIST

is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the foot, including its anatomy, pathology, medical and surgical treatment, etc.

Todd Becker, D.P.M.

Board Certified in Podiatric Surgery

East Georgia Foot & Ankle Center

17 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-8000 • fax (912) 681-8500

Howard Gale, D.P.M.

Board Certified in Podiatric Surgery

East Georgia Foot & Ankle Center

17 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-8000 • fax (912) 681-8500

Kristian Jeffress, D.P.M.

Board Certified in Podiatric Medicine

Affinity Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC

110 Hill Pond Lane

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912)489-3668 • fax (912) 489-4795

pulmonology

PULMONOLOGY

Pulmonologists diagnose the causes of breathing problems. Pulmonary medicine is the subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and management of disorders of the respiratory system.

Andrew V. Cichelli, M.D.

Board Certified in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine & Sleep Medicine

East Georgia Pulmonary & Sleep Disorder Medicine, L.L.C.

1601 Fair Road, Suite 600

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-4911 • fax (912) 681-6911

radiology

A RADIOLOGIST is a physician who diagnoses injuries through interpretation of x-rays, CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and MRI studies.

Benjamin Cahan, M.D.

Board Certified in Diagnostic Radiology

East Georgia Radiology

1499 Fair Road • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1620 • fax (912) 871-2396

Statesboro Imaging Center

8 Coach Lee Hill Blvd. • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-5656 • fax (912) 764-5659

Colin Dodds, M.D.

Board Certified in Diagnostic Radiology

East Georgia Radiology

1499 Fair Road • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1620 • fax (912) 871-2396

Statesboro Imaging Center

8 Coach Lee Hill Blvd. • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-5656 • fax (912) 764-5659

Janine Dodds, M.D.

Board Certified in Diagnostic Radiology

East Georgia Radiology

1499 Fair Road • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1620 • fax (912) 871-2396

Statesboro Imaging Center

8 Coach Lee Hill Blvd • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-5656 • fax (912) 764-5659

Kha Nguyen, M.D., Ph.D.

Board Certified in Diagnostic Radiology

East Georgia Radiology

1499 Fair Road • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1620 • fax (912) 871-2396

Statesboro Imaging Center

8 Coach Lee Hill Blvd. • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-5656 • fax (912) 764-5659

Khoa Nguyen, M.D.

Board Certified in Diagnostic Radiology

East Georgia Radiology

1499 Fair Road • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1620 • fax (912) 871-2396

Statesboro Imaging Center

8 Coach Lee Hill Blvd. • Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-5656 • fax (912) 764-5659

sleep medicine

SLEEP MEDICINE

is a medical specialty or subspecialty devoted to the diagnosis and therapy of sleep disturbances & disorders.

Andrew V. Cichelli, M.D.

Board Certified in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine & Sleep Medicine

East Georgia Pulmonary & Sleep Disorder Medicine, L.L.C.

1601 Fair Road, Suite 600

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 681-4911 • fax (912) 681-6911

thoracic/vascular surgery

THORACIC/VASCULAR SURGERY

is the specialty which encompasses cardiac surgery, peripheral vascular surgery and general thoracic surgery.

K. Brian Walton, M.D.

Board Certified in General Surgery

Board Certified in Thoracic Surgery

Cedar Surgical Associates, P.C.

1497 Fair Road, Suite 200

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 871-7100 * Fax (912) 871-7110

urology

UROLOGY

A urologist is a doctor who specializes in treatment of the urinary tract for men and women, as well as treatment of the male reproductive system. Patients may be referred to a urologist if their primary physician suspects they need treatment for conditions relating to bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys, and adrenal glands.

Tim Thaller, M.D.

Board Certified in Urology

East Georgia Urologic Clinic, P.C.

614 East Grady Street

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 764-9001 • fax (912) 764-3166

wound care/hyperbaric medicine

THE WOUND CARE CENTER is dedicated to the provision of state-of-the-art outpatient clinical wound care and hyperbaric therapy.

John E. Martin, Sr., M.D.

Medical Director

Board Certified in General Surgery

Comprehensive Wound Healing Center 1497 Fair Road, Suite 103 Statesboro, Georgia 30458

(912) 486-1163 • fax (912) 486-1165

emeritus staff

Camille Atallah, M.D.

General Surgery

Robert Cushner, DPM Podiatry

Daniel M. Feldman, M.D. Pediatrics

Akram Hassanyeh, M.D.

General Surgery

George Piros, M.D. Radiology

James Routon, M.D.

Pain Management

H. Randolph Smith, M.D. Family Medicine

Paul A. Whitlock, M.D. General Surgery

honorary staff

Frederick M. Laun, M.D.

Orthopaedic & Hand Surgery

Paul Tilson, M.D.

Urology

coming in 2023

Tarek Amoun, M.D. Pulmonology

Richard Petrella, M.D. Cardiology/Interventional Cardiology

EAST GEORGIA CENTER FOR ORAL & FACIAL SURGERY

We provide a revolutionary and contemporary treatment plan of replacing your teeth with a full, permanent dental bridge anchored on 4 – 6 implants. If you have no teeth or very few teeth, then the TEETH-IN-ONE DAY treatment concept will give you the ability to chew and smile normally. Both treatment time and costs are reduced with this treatment plan compared to traditional methods. The TEETH-INONE DAY treatment concept has been

scientifically proven and documented with favorable results in a multitude of clinical studies. Typically, in one surgery, failing teeth are removed, dental implants are placed, and a temporary set of teeth can be delivered on the same day. The temporary teeth allow you to lead a normal life immediately after surgery. After a healing period, your dentist will place the final bridge. Your quality of life is improved, and you can start enjoying your favorite foods again with renewed confidence.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

WILD GEORGIA SAFARI PARK

open habitats. Expand your experience by embarking on a personal safari with an expert guide, who narrates your adventure with compelling facts about all the wild animals you’ll encounter. The only thing you’ll need is a camera to capture all the fun!

The year-round Petting Zoo & Safari Adventure, is owned and operated by the Mosley family on a generational family farm. Founded in 1996, the park has undergone several expansions, the latest in partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program, which supports and encourages agribusiness development throughout the state. Through Georgia Grown, Wild Georgia Safari Park has expanded marketing efforts and added products produced in Georgia in the their store for visitors. From hand-made treats to jarred preserves; the freshest fruits in-season to roasted pecans. Your adventure includes an excellent choice of products to take home and enjoy!

Start an animal adventure at Wild Georgia Safari Park soon, book a Wild Safari today! www.wildgeorgiasafaripark.com

PROFESSIONAL EYE CARE TM

Thank you for voting us THE MOST FABULOUS EYE CARE CENTER

Dr. Horace Deal, O.D. & Dr. Dylan Piette, O.D.

Since 1997, Vision Source - Professional Eye Care has served as a dedicated and caring provider of quality vision services to Statesboro and the surrounding communities.

As a patient, you can expect friendly and attentive care from our experienced team of eye care professionals. We leverage advanced diagnostic technology to provide modern eye care services, including comprehensive eye exams, vision correction, and more.

KIDS SHOULD GROW STRONGER

Their

nearsightedness shouldn’t

Dr. Horace Deal, O.D. Dr. Dylan Piette, O.D. 214 Savannah Ave.

MiSight® 1 day soft contact lenses are specifically designed for myopia control and are FDA approved* to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8-12 at initiation of treatment1†

soft contact lenses are specifically designed for

Indications and Important Safety Information. Rx only. Results may vary. ATTENTION: Reference the Patient Information Booklet for a complete listing of Indications and Important Safety Information. *Indications: MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal. Warnings: Problems with contact lenses could result in serious injury to the eye. Do not expose contact lenses to water while wearing them. Under certain circumstances MiSight® lenses optical design can cause reduced image contrast/ghosting/halo/glare in some patients that may cause difficulties with certain visually-demanding tasks. Precautions: Daily wear single use only. Patient should always dispose when lenses are removed. No overnight wear. Patients should exercise extra care if performing potentially hazardous activities. Adverse events: Including but not limited to infection/inflammation/ulceration/abrasion of the cornea, other parts of the eye or eyelids. Some of these adverse reactions can cause permanent or temporary loss of vision. If you notice any of the stated in your child, immediately have your child remove the lenses and contact your eye care professional. †Compared to a single vision 1 day lens over a 3 year period. Reference:

Tracy Thompson, Office Manager | Sean Starling, LDO/Optical Manager | Aranza Linares, LDO

| Ali Evans, Optician | Lauren Reynolds, Front Office Lead Ashley Griffin, Front Office | Haley Marrow, Insurance Specialist | Melissa Scull, Dr. Deal Lead Technician/Ophthalmic Scribe- CPOT Amanda Couillou, Dr. Piette Lead Technician/Ophthalmic Scribe -CPOT | Shyann Lindsey, Technician/Ophthalmic Scribe

As we enter the Spring season, the real estate market is expected to heat up There are several factors to consider if you ' re thinking about selling your home.

Spring Real Estate Market

Spring is the perfect time to sell your home! With the weather warming up, the days getting longer, and gardens and trees in full bloom, your home will look its best, giving potential buyers an excellent first impression. Additionally, spring is traditionally one of the busiest seasons in the real estate market To prepare your home for sale, simply declutter and depersonalize your space, and make small upgrades to give it a fresh, updated look. If you ' re thinking of selling, don't hesitate to contact me – I can help you navigate the market and get the best possible price for your home. Let's make the most of the spring real estate market together!

Paul began his real estate career in 2005 and established Statesboro Real Estate in 2015 Statesboro Real Estate quickly became the Top Independent Real Estate Company in Bulloch County In the past 18+ years, Paul has been fortunate to help a multitude of people realize their real estate goals An avid supporter and contributor of Georgia Southern, Paul has been named the Official Real Estate Agent of Georgia Southern Athletics, and Statesboro Real Estate was selected as one of the Top 3 Georgia Southern Alumni Owned businesses of 2023. Call Paul today to see how he can help you buy, sell, or invest in real estate

Broker/Owner

Paul Newman

Growing Our Commitment to Orthopedic Excellence: Discover Our New Facility

Optim Orthopedics, the foundation and leader in orthopedic care in Statesboro, is expanding its services with a brand new facility that is set to open soon. With the expert care that the practice is known for, the new 22,283-square-foot facility, designed by architect Paul Stegenga and built by BAK Builders, will o er a more spacious environment for patients, as well as 30 exam rooms for expanded services.

The new state-of-the-art facility at 17007 Highway 67 will o er patients expanded parking, larger waiting room and additional x-ray facilities alongside the MRI services that Optim Orthopedics already provides. The increased physical footprint will also allow the practice to provide a more comprehensive healthcare experience to its patients.

In addition to their top-quality orthopedic care, Optim Orthopedics also o ers physical and occupational therapy services that can help patients recover from injuries and improve their overall physical function. Physical therapy can be especially helpful for athletes and people with active lifestyles who want to get back to their favorite activities as quickly as possible.

John McCormick, MD Orthopedic Spine

Optim Orthopedics has o cial partnerships with local athletic organizations such as Tormenta FC and Georgia Southern University and the new facility will give the same trusted physicians a greater opportunity to serve the community, including welcoming Jordan Paynter, MD to the Statesboro clinic. Dr. Paynter, who specializes in general orthopedics and total joint replacement surgery, is a graduate of the University of Georgia and has completed his medical school and orthopedic surgical residency at the Medical College of Georgia.

“Our passion is patient centered orthopedic care.”

“Many of the employees at Optim Orthopedics and our patients have called Statesboro home for their entire life, including myself. Optim Orthopedics continued investment in our community is not just in brick and mortar but also in our sta , our patients and our level of care we can provide. The new facility will allow us to continue to grow as our extended families and new friends look to call the Statesboro area their home. We are very excited for this growth.”

Don Aaron, MD Sports Medicine

foster a sense of community in Statesboro by continuing to support youth athletics. Through its partnership with over a dozen local high schools, Optim Orthopedics is helping to provide athletes with access to high-quality coaching and training programs. This investment in youth athletics not only helps to promote physical health and tness, but it also helps to build character, promote teamwork, and teach valuable life skills that will serve young athletes well throughout their lives.

Overall, the new facility is a symbol of Optim Orthopedics' commitment to growth and to serving the community and is poised to continue providing top-quality healthcare services to Statesboro and the surrounding area.

and excited

Jordan Paynter, MD Total Joint

"We are excited to provide the Statesboro community the highest quality rehabilitation services in a new state of the art facility. We have experienced strong support over the years from this community and are honored to be trusted with their care."

Jud Williams DPT, Director Physicial Therapy

10 YEARS OF ROCKIN’ OUT ALZHEIMER’S

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROAD COMMITTEE

If you haven’t already gotten your tickets for this year’s Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s concert, you might want to do it now. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the successful fundraiser and promises to be a super exciting show by the Jumpin’ Jack Flash band, a Rolling Stones tribute band at the Blue Room on August 4, 2023. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. The concert starts at 7:00 p.m.

We’ve always had two fundraisers for Alzheimer’s,” said Darron Burnette, Division CEO of Synovus Bank. “Bulloch Academy organized a softball tournament, Striking Out Alzheimer’s, which began the year my mom died of the disease. The first ballgame was July 31, 2012.”

“I was at Bulloch Academy at the time,” said Chandler Dennard, Operations Director for Georgia Living Management, Inc., parent company of Willow Pond Senior Care. “We already had a tournament for girls’ softball, and the Burnette family has strong ties to the school, (Burnette’s wife Kim is lower school director and daughter Courtney is a teacher), so we decided to use the tournament as a way to raise money for Alzheimer’s research, in honor of Darron’s mom.” „

PAST PERFORMANCES

Tokyo Joe – A Tribute to Tom Petty

Purple Xperience – Prince Tribute

Tony Kishman – Paul McCartney Tribute

Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band

Journey Tribute Band

Elton John Tribute

Yacht Rock Revue

Originally, the group of supporters operated in connection with the Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia. But the organizers didn’t see a great benefit for the Bulloch County area to help patients and caregivers here. The ROAD committee eventually formed their own southeast Georgia private foundation – the Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s Foundation, a 501c3, non-profit.

“We still contribute $10,000 per year to the Georgia Alzheimer’s Association, but the bulk of our fundraising dollars benefits people right here,” said Dennard. “Getting rural residents access to the proper diagnosis is crucial. We wanted to support initiatives locally.”

Managing the funds locally has paid off in a partnership with The University of Georgia’s Cognitive Aging Research and Education Center (CARE). CARE was formed to assist care-givers of Alzheimer’s patients. CARE has resources to help with expectations, daily living, emotional support groups, and developing CARE “teams” of caregivers for each individual impacted by the disease.

“Partnering with CARE means our residents affected by the disease will have access to the latest information in Alzheimer’s research and care,” said Burnette. “This extension service of UGA positively impacts every rural area of the state. Together we are able to bring benefits to residents of Statesboro and Bulloch County.”

The CARE program schedules visits to Bulloch County, the most recent one on April 18th with a full panel of doctors who came to spread information, listen to caregivers, steer them to the proper treatment providers, provide support for caregivers, and assess the needs in our area.

In addition to working with CARE, the ROAD Foundation funds four GSU nursing scholarships for nurses going into geriatric care. They also fund scholarships for Ogeechee Technical College students in the Certified Nurse Assistant program.

“Our footprint reaches surrounding counties, too,” said Dennard. “Actually, this partnership with CARE has been the biggest initiative to impact southeast Georgia. We’ve given out 5,000 –

6,000 of the CARE Partner Guide, a resource developed for caregivers that assists in preparing them for what to expect and how to handle their loved one with Alzheimer’s. We have found that caregivers need partners and resources, access to proper diagnosis, and the proper medication to make the patient feel safe and comfortable.”

The ROAD Foundation also funds the CARING Closet at the Outreach Center on Denmark Street operated by the Pilot Club of Statesboro. The Caring Closet assists families caring for individuals with dementia. They stock basic items for patients who have a physician’s diagnosis of dementia, and are still living at home. Personal care items, pull-ups, gloves, bed pads, creams, etc., are stocked and distributed as a free service designed to help in shouldering some of the costs associated with memory care.

Chandler does a great job booking the bands. And, this will mark the third year we’re holding the event at the Blue Room, a popular musical venue in Statesboro.

Darron Burnette

have a glimpse into the world of dementia. The VDTs were funded by ROAD.

“We need more resources on the diagnosis side and the behavior side,” said Dennard. “It would be great if our patients had the meds, they need within a 60-mile radius without having to leave the area for assessment before new drugs can be introduced. I am dedicated to that.”

With the aging Boomer population, one of the nation’s largest groups of senior citizens, experts expect Alzheimer’s to affect double the number in the next few years.

We’ve been voted best fundraiser in Statesboro,” said Burnette. “The community support we have received has been amazing.”

“We say it’s a good time for a good cause,” said Dennard.

With so many local and regional initiatives being funded by the ROAD Foundation, organizers hope the funds raised at this year’s concert will exceed previous years.

“Our concerts have continued to draw large crowds of generous fans each year,” said Burnette. “Chandler does a great job booking the bands. And, this will mark the third year we’re holding the event at the Blue Room, a popular musical venue in Statesboro.”

“Because it’s our 10th Anniversary, we hope to exceed previous years in donations,” said Dennard. “We have consistently done over $75,000.00 each year for a total of $750,000 in funds. We’re hoping to reach $1 million for the 10th Anniversary!”

“To kick it off friends at Synovus; the advisory board and company, have given $20,000 to start,” said Burnette.

The Willow Pond family will be giving, too,” said Dennard. “We realize how important this is for the Alzheimer’s community. We are fortunate in Statesboro to have several great facilities with Memory Care.”

Both Willow Pond Senior Care and Bethany Senior Living have a Virtual Dementia Tour that assists caregivers (and sometimes the public) in experiencing through a guided virtual tour with patented devices the limited senses and feelings of an actual Alzheimer’s patient. The tour allows the participant to experience the physical and mental challenges that those with dementia face, from picking up a spoon to putting on eyeglasses. The Virtual Dementia Tour was developed to provide a way for members of the community to

Tickets can be purchased through BigTix.com. S

TRUST THE TEAM WHO HAS TAKEN CARE OF YOUR RADIOLOGY NEEDS FOR THE LAST DECADE!

East Georgia Radiology is the exclusive provider of imaging and interventional radiology services at East Georgia Regional Medical Center and Statesboro Imaging Center. We utilize state of the art equipment and are accredited by the American College of Radiology in all modalities. We are proud to be named as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the ACR, an honor given to only a select few women’s healthcare facilities in Georgia. We offer sameday radiology reports on most studies and we are proud to serve you in-house, at both locations.

FOR YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT, CALL: 912.764.5656

For more information visit egradiology.com / eastgeorgiaregional.com

The Nation's Leading Provider of Orthotic & Prosthetic Care

With approximately 900 locations across the country, we create customized solutions for people of all ages— including state-of-the-art prostheses, braces, and other devices—designed to increase the mobility and function of each person we serve.

52 statesboromagazine.com May/June 2023

STATESBORO | (912) 764-2148

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE EVALUATION TODAY CONNECT WITH US

Colin Dodds, MD, Interventional Radiology

Benjamin Cahan, MD, Women’s Imaging & Musculoskeletal

Janine Dodds, MD, Director of Women’s Imaging

Kha Nguyen, MD, PhD, Musculoskeletal Radiology

Khoa Nguyen, MD, Interventional Radiology

Our eye specialists are dedicated to providing the quality of medical care you expect, using state-of-theart technology and advanced medical techniques.

From the latest advances in cataract care and glaucoma management, to treatment for diabetic eye disease and comprehensive eye exams, call Georgia Eye Institute

420 Gentilly Place | 912.489.3606

For over 18 years, Southern OB/GYN has provided the highest level of service and care to the women of Statesboro and the surrounding area. Our goal as providers is to provide the most up-to-date, evidence based care while keeping in mind each patient’s individual thoughts concerning the care they receive.

Southern OB/GYN understands that the doctor patient relationship is the key in a practice providing optimal care. Since each patient we see is an individual, each patient’s cares and concerns are handled on a case by case basis to ensure their satisfaction.

Senior Care has a new Meaning

Southern Manor at Candler Senior Living stands ahead of the rest. Nestled on 12+ acres and minutes from Metter, we are committed to maximizing resident satisfaction and providing necessary care. Our residents regularly take advantage of local events and activities available in Metter and in Statesboro. We are conveniently located near eating establishments, parks, and other activities.

Our community fosters an environment that embraces our residents and their families with an atmosphere of belonging. We value the caregivers involvement in the lives of our residents. Our staff is available to families for support and answer any questions they may have. We provide a friendly home with a variety of options for suites so every resident can express themselves and make it home.

NikkiEvans, BSN, RN, NREMT-P & Owner | RalphE.Cowart,Jr.,ALA-NBC, FACHCA, CEO & Owner

Southern Staples

WRITTEN BY LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY

There are three items that every southern cook needs in their repertoire. You may own one, all, or none. If you are missing any of these vital kitchen essentials, I suggest you run to your nearest purveyor and remedy the situation.

A well-seasoned cast-iron skillet is a necessary tool for novice cooks and veterans alike. Many sizes and styles of cast-iron cookware are available at your nearest hardware store, but some of my best cast-iron pieces were acquired second-hand. I have collected pieces while junking and my sister and I both treasure one of my grandaddy’s extra-large skillets we use for catering. Next time you are at your local thrift store or yard sale look for dusty and rusty stacks of discarded cast-iron. I find that folks are intimidated by the mere thought of seasoning a neglected old skillet. The seasoning process is quite simple. Just scrub the piece with a little hot, soapy water and fine steel wool, dry the piece completely, and rub the entire piece with shortening inside and out. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Repeat the process if needed.

Cast-iron is very versatile and can be used for cooking many different dishes. One of my most requested dishes as chef at Beaver Creek Plantation was Skillet Banana Pudding. Quail hunters would return to the lodge for lunch after a morning hunt to find a large skillet at the end of the buffet piled high with golden brown peaks of meringue. The hunters also loved Skillet Apple Pie! A cast-iron Dutch oven yields itself to stove-top cooking, oven roasting, and can even be used over an open fire to cook soups, stews, biscuits, fried chicken, and fruit cobblers. My cast iron corn stick pan can be seen as décor in my kitchen hanging on the wall until needed for crispy cornbread.

If I had to choose one dish that is synonymous with the South I would bypass the obvious fried chicken, grits, boiled peanuts, and collard greens. Don’t get me wrong I love all the above, but can I get a “Hallelujah” for the South’s unsung hero of BBQs, Easter Sundays, brunches, appetizer plates, and covered-dish suppers? The deviled egg!!! The origins of the deviled egg can be traced back as far as Ancient Rome. Here in the South this popular dish has started popping up on fine dining menus and cookbooks feature recipes including many variations like the addition of jalapeño, pimento cheese, or even finely chopped shrimp. I don’t know which came first the chicken or the egg but I do know if you plan on serving this southern staple, a deviled egg plate is imperative. There is nothing worse than crafting the perfect plate of fancy eggs embellished with paprika and have them slide all over the plate, making a mess! Deviled egg plates are expertly crafted to nestle each egg half safely in its own little indention. Deviled egg plates come in all shapes, sizes, and colors making them a fun item to collect.

A good Bundt pan is an absolute must. Not the dark shiny non-stick versions of modern-day box stores. I detest those toxin-laced vessels. Once again, I recommend visiting thrift stores, yard-sales, or your great aunt’s pantry shelves to find the perfect pan. My favorite Bundt pans are made of shiny aluminum. Some are straight-edged like the two-piece angel food „

SKILLET BANANA PUDDING

INGREDIENTS:

5-6 Over-ripe Bananas

1 box Nilla® Vanilla Wafers

PUDDING:

4 c. Sugar

1 c. Flour

12 egg yolks (reserve the whites)

½ gallon Whole Milk

1 Tbsp. Vanilla

MERINGUE:

12 Egg Whites

½ c. Sugar

1 Tbsp. Cream of Tartar

PREPARATION:

Combine sugar and flour in heavy bottom pot and whisk until combined. Add egg yolks and milk and whisk until combined. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thickened. Add vanilla.

Place a layer of pudding in the bottom of a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Place a layer of Nilla® vanilla wafers over pudding and then place a layer of banana slices over cookies. Top banana and cookies with pudding.

For the meringue, whip egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Spoon meringue over pudding. Be sure to cover all the pudding with meringue. Bake at 350˚ for 10-20 minutes until meringue is golden brown. Serve warm. This can be made in a 9 x 13 baking dish if you don’t have a skillet, but the skillet makes a show-stopping presentation.

buzz worthy bites

cake pans that have small feet to help the cake separate safely from the pan. I love the brightly coated fluted Bundt pans of the 70’s era. Bundt pans are synonymous with pound cake but can be used for coffee cakes, monkey bread, fancy stuffed meatloaf, and savory breakfast bread rings. I like to stack my pans on the open shelving in my kitchen. The display is pretty and nostalgic. I use my grandmother’s copper Bundt pans and Jell-O® molds to decorate my kitchen themed Christmas tree.

Another favorite use of the kitchen trifecta is giving them as a gift. Gather a good cast iron piece, a colorful deviled egg plate, and a vintage Bundt pan and include recipes on handwritten cards. I love to throw in a cute tea towel, small kitchen gadgets, and even fancy seasonings. New brides, fledgling cooks,and seasoned kitchen veterans will surely appreciate a practical gift with a personal touch. S

STRAWBERRY BUNDT CAKE

INGREDIENTS:

CAKE:

3 c. Sugar

3 sticks Salted Butter

3 oz. box Strawberry Jell-O®

3/4 c. Fresh Strawberry Purée

GLAZE:

2 c. Powdered Sugar

2 Tbsp. Butter

1/2 c. Fresh Strawberry Purée

PREPARATION:

8 oz. Cream Cheese

3 c. Cake Flour

6 Eggs

1 Tbsp. Vanilla

2 Tbsp. Butter

1 Tbsp. Vanilla

Cream sugar, butter, and cream cheese. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into Bundt pan sprayed with non-stick baking spray with flour. Place pan in cold oven. Turn oven to 300˚. Bake for 1.5 hours. Test with a toothpick and cook an additional 10-15 minutes if needed. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Remove cake from pan. Allow cake to cool another 30 minutes. Pour glaze over cooled cake.

Glaze: Melt butter and combine with sugar and purée. Whisk until smooth. Pour over cooled cake.

DEVILED EGGS

INGREDIENTS:

6 large Eggs

3 Tbsp. Dukes® Mayonnaise

2 Tbsp. Sweet Pickle Cubes (I use Wickles® brand pickles)

Dash Salt and Pepper

PREPARATION:

Bring the eggs to a boil and let them cook for 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and put a lid on the pot. Let pot sit with lid on for 15 minutes. Cool eggs and peel. Slice eggs in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and place in a bowl. Place the whites on an egg plate. Mash the yolks to a fine crumble with a fork. Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. Fill each white with yolk mixture. Chill until ready to serve. (You can garnish with paprika!)

Home is where the heart is.

Our Home Care Program at Ogeechee Area Hospice provides comprehensive care to assist in that goal. Our caring home services provide patients an opportunity to experience as much independence as possible by providing the appropriate in-home support.

For over twenty years, Ogeechee Area Hospice has been serving individuals with life-limiting illness and their families in Bulloch, Evans, Candler, Jenkins, Screven, Tattnall and in the nearest parts of Emanuel, Bryan and Effingham counties.

Here’s ‘the 988’ on Mental Health Awareness

WRITTEN BY DOY CAVE

Let me start this column by acknowledging there will be several astute readers who aren’t able to read any further until I explain “the 988.”

No, I am not completely disconnected from current American slang. I know when things are either “lit” or “fire.” No cap. “The 988” is something completely different. I’ll get to it, but you’ll have to “wait for it” as the kids say…or as everyone says, I guess.

What I’d like to talk about is mental health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time for people to learn more about mental health, learn how to help their family and friends, and push back against the stigma that comes with mental health issues.

Jodi Caldwell, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and executive director of the Counseling Center at Georgia Southern University. She says anxiety is one of the most pervasive mental health issues today. According to The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety affects 40 million adults in the U.S. alone.

You might say to yourself, “Who hasn’t felt

anxious at some point in their lives?” We feel anxiety with the stress of a big test or when there’s a pressing deadline at work. We feel the crushing anxiety that comes from trying to seem like a “cool Dad” by using slang. But we tend to tell ourselves and others, “Get over it.” However, Caldwell says we don’t “name” anxiety as a problem until it becomes something worse.

“When we name anxiety and talk about it in general, what we’re talking about is the anxiety that starts to interfere with our ability to perform in some area of our life,” she said. “Once that anxiety rises to the level that it’s actually impairing our typical level of functioning or our ability to function optimally, that’s when we tend to really name it, and that’s when it becomes concerning.”

So how can we recognize anxiety and help those who are struggling with it?

IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT

“Anxiety can lead us to isolate ourselves a lot of times,” said Caldwell. “It’s timely to talk about anxiety because nationally anxiety has increased.”

While estimates range, research has found as much as a 30% increase in the reporting and diagnosis of anxiety disorders nationwide.

One of the first steps to dealing with anxiety is recognizing and acknowledging that you’re dealing with it. It’s okay to feel anxious, and it’s important to give yourself permission to feel that way.

Then, once you’ve identified it, you can reach out to a trusted friend, family member or mental health professional about what you’re experiencing.

IT’S ALSO TIME TO LISTEN

“The first thing we can do to help is counterintuitive for most of us, but we just need to listen non-judgementally,” said Caldwell. “You’re there to hear them, you’re not going to tell them what to do, give them advice or try and fix it. Listening to a person who is experiencing anxiety is huge.”

When we listen without judgment, Caldwell says we’re helping someone normalize asking for help. And being able to ask for help is a huge step for someone dealing with mental health issues.

Let them know you’re there to support them in any way you can. Offer to go with them to a therapy appointment or check in on them. Assure them they aren’t going through this alone.

And you might even take some time to educate yourself about anxiety and learn how it affects people. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to help someone who’s struggling.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE 988?

We’ve rapidly arrived at the end of the article. That wasn’t such a long wait, was it?

Far from being a new “bussin’” term the kids use, 988 is a new nationwide number for mental health emergencies.

“So many calls to 911 had been about mental health-related issues for decades that they’ve created a new, nationally accepted, accessible number, which is 988,” said Caldwell. “So, whether you’re having a mental health crisis, like ‘I feel like I’m going to hurt myself now,’ or just ‘I just need to talk to somebody right now,’ you call 988. It’s free, and you immediately talk to a licensed mental health professional.”

So, there it is. I’ve given you “the 411,” or “the tea,” as the kids say. I hope it was “straight fire” — “dope,” even.

I also hope my kids are reading this. S

Dr. Angela Davis, Dr. Thad Riley, Dr. Zach McGalliard, Kelly Tillman MSN, FNP-BC, Kellie Whitener MSN, FNP-BC, Alex Weathersby MSN, FNP-BC

Less is More for Good Garden Health

WRITTEN BY CAROLYN ALTMAN

Health advice often centers on all the actions one can take to maintain body and soul. The same is true for gardens. In either case, the to-do lists can be overwhelming, and sometimes it’s tempting to just throw in the towel and give up. Sometimes, though, NOT acting can be quite beneficial. Here are a few things to NOT do in your garden.

1. DO NOT VOLCANO MULCH.

Please never, ever pile mulch up in cones around your trees. The vast majority of tree roots are in the top ten inches of soil all the way out to

the drip line, where rain falls from the outermost leaves. Mulch that is too thick will suffocate a tree, and mulch piled up high around the trunk traps moisture, encouraging disease and insect damage. Imagine if you were getting your all-important night of sleep, and someone covered your face with a foot of wet pillow. A thin, even layer of mulch is much healthier for the tree, and think of the money and labor you will save.

2. DO NOT OVER-FERTILIZE.

It is not true that if a little is good, more is better. Too much fertilizer can increase soil salinity, destroying the important microorganisms that create good environments for plants. Too much fertilizer alters soil pH, making it difficult for plants to take up the nutrients they need. The growth spurt caused by too much fertilizer can cause a plant to outgrow its root system,

causing chronic trouble. We’re not just talking flower beds here. A lawn is comprised of many, many grass plants, and too much fertilizer on a lawn not only compromises the lawn, but finds its way to our rivers and the ocean, causing eutrophication, a process that causes massive algal blooms, lack of oxygen in the water, and life-threatening conditions for the creatures who live in the water. Most mature lawns have plenty of nutrients built in to the soil, and do not need fertilizer at all.

3. WHILE WE ARE TALKING LAWNS, DO NOT CUT YOUR GRASS TOO SHORT.

It’s tempting to think that cutting it short will mean one can go longer between cuttings, therefore more time in the chaise with the iced tea. Think of it from the grass perspective, though. If nearly all of the grass plant is eliminated in a single slash, the plant has essentially no leaves to help it grow. This makes the plant vulnerable to all sorts of diseases and intolerant of drought. Be kind to your grass and let it grow a little.

4. DO NOT PLANT INVASIVE SPECIES.

We all have some plants that take over a garden and become the bane of our existence. English ivy, Bermuda grass, Elaeagnus (Autumn olive), Chinese Wisteria, and Tree of Heaven are but a few of the plants that will quickly outgrow a gardener’s intentions and take over the world. These plants are common in Bulloch County, and it is important to not plant them, even when they are available for sale. They quickly crowd out the plants that belong here and feed our wildlife, not to mention that they are a pain to weed. That said, do try to remove them if you can.

5. DO NOT FORGET TO WATER.

Okay, so this is something to do, but if you plan it well, you can make watering a whole lot easier. Install simple drip irrigation on a timer, all

affordable and easily available at your garden center or home improvement store. Putting drip together is like playing with Legos, and anyone can do it. If you connect it to your spigot with a seven day timer, watering will happen without you on a regular basis, whether you are at home in your hammock or away on vacation. Your plants will reward you for your thoughtfulness, and so will your water bill.

6.

DO NOT BECOME SO OBSESSED WITH PERFECTION THAT YOU FORGET TO ENJOY YOUR GARDEN.

A garden is a work in progress, and part of the fun is trying new things and seeing what works. It’s okay if the edging doesn’t happen exactly on schedule, or if you miss deadheading and some seed pods form. Use the time you have from not doing things to reduce your stress and enjoy your beautiful, healthy, patch of heaven. S

Extreme Makeover

WRITTEN BY REV. DR. JOHN WATERS

Ever wonder why those home renovation shows are so popular? There are more of them on television than I can name, but it seems like shows are on 24 hours as people flip houses, renovate older homes, or provide complete makeovers.

I suppose part of their popularity comes from our natural desire to see old things made new. After all, who doesn’t like to see something take on new life? Our world is full of brokenness, decay, and deterioration, so we find joy in seeing an item remade and set on a course for a new beginning.

We see examples of new beginnings all throughout the Scriptures. Instead of flipping houses, the Lord flips lives and gives men and women a new heart and a new start. Jonah tried to run away from God in disobedience, but God gave him a new start in the form of a second chance. Rahab was a woman in ancient Jericho dabbling in the world’s oldest occupation, but God’s grace brought her into a new way of living, which eventually led to Jesus being one of her direct descendants. David committed adultery, Abraham lied about his wife Sarah, and Saul of Tarsus wreaked havoc with the first century church. Yet each of them experienced a complete makeover of the heart, setting them on a new course.

And do we even have time to talk about Peter? At one moment he is boldly proclaiming his trust and belief in Jesus, and then the next moment has him backing away from his faith and denying any relationship with Jesus whatsoever. After his famous denial of Jesus, which came on the heels of bragging that he would never do such a thing, Peter encounters Jesus on the seashore of Galilee

to answer some difficult questions. It is in that famous conversation that Jesus asks him three times, “Do you love me?” with Peter answering affirmatively each time. At the end of the story, Peter is made over into a new man, humbler yet bolder than before. Jesus flipped his script and gave Peter a fresh start.

Are you looking for something like that in your own life? The busyness and stress of life have a way of wearing us down, like winter storms wear down an old barn. Season after season, we feel more tired, more run down, more in need of a renovation than before.

Many people look for a fresh start in the things around them. Looking toward new cars, new homes, and new spouses, they quickly realize that such new things don’t make them feel new after all. Pursuing all those things eventually makes them feel worse, and the tireless pursuit of worldly possessions and worldly pleasures is no more satisfying than drinking from a waterless well.

The Apostle Paul, who was remade from the man mentioned earlier as Saul of Tarsus, wrote that in Christ Jesus we become “a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This talk of being a new creation was not a theoretical concept for the Apostle Paul, because he lived it and experienced it. As a former Pharisee, he experienced the extreme makeover that comes only by faith. God’s grace turned his faith upside down and his life inside out.

Centuries before the Apostle Paul, the prophet Isaiah spoke for God saying, “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” (Isaiah 43:19). God is in the business of making the old become new. He takes what is broken, empty, and worn and gives it new life. Just as he renovated the lives of men and women all throughout the Scriptures, so he can give you a new start as well.

News such as this seems too good to be true, but it is too good not to be true. With childlike trust and genuine faith, you can experience God’s plan in ways you never thought possible before. And the best part is that God does not just make you better than before; he makes you different.

So, the next time you long for a new start, allow his grace to change you and his love to direct you. His renovation plan is unlike anything you have ever seen, and the greatest makeover you experience is what happens within your heart. S

Rockin’ OUT Alzheimer’s

Our annual concert provides funding for Alzheimer’s awareness, financial and educational support for caregivers, and scholarships for nurses choosing senior care.

The Caring Closet has supplies to assist families caring for individuals with dementia. We are pleased to offer this service to Bulloch County and surrounding counties through donations received by the Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s disease foundation.

August 4, 2023

Doors Open 6:30PM | Concert at 7:00PM

THE BLUE ROOM

1830 Chandler Rd, Statesboro

JumpinGJackFlash

Granny

WRITTEN BY RIC MANDES

It’s Friday night. Late.

The convenience store is crowded: kids are on their way home from dates; mill workers stop for a cake and a pint of milk.

Ice box doors pop open as customers reach in for cool canned goods. Someone puts the finishing touches on a hot dog. Two teenagers idle with comic books. And the lonely stand around watching the others.

A lot of folks thank me for writing about my years with Granny.

Granny was special. She took me in when I was nine, a tangled-up puppet standing on the front porch of a broken home.

My daddy had just said goodbye to me forever. And my mother was sitting inside crying.

This took place on a cold December night just outside of Philadelphia.

No more Saturday morning football games, when my dad would take all us little tykes and face the big boys of the neighborhood. No more walking me to the corner drugstore for a milk shake on Friday nights.

Granny, after she lost her husband of thirty-nine years, moved to the warm climate of Georgia. She was to live the rest of her life there.

Dock Junction, Georgia, was the hamlet where Gran built her small two-bedroom home.

It was there she held me and where the healing process began.

Her teachings were simple: listen to her; carry out the chores she asked me to do; love the Lord, and say my prayers each night.

Granny had born six children: three boys and three girls. They were all grown and married, except Aunt Min, by the time I came to Dock Junction.

During turkey season, Uncle Carroll and Uncle Delmar, two of Gran’s boys, would drive down from Philly and spend Thanksgiving week

with us. They’d get up early in the morning and go out to Paulk’s pasture, and hunt turkeys.

It was always festive when Uncle Carroll and Delmar would visit us. They’d laugh and cut-up with Granny, reminding her of her mothering days when they were little boys. “Better watch out for Granny’s Irish temper.” they warned. “She’s sweet as long as things go her way. But if they don’t look out.”

They loved Granny. I could see it in their eyes; hear it in their voices. It was something all three of us had in common.

Days turned into weeks; weeks into months; and months into years. My time with Granny was storybook. And like all good things well read, my decade with her was over, when at the young age of nineteen, I was drafted into the U.S. Army.

I remember the day Granny and Aunt Min drove me to the Thalman Train Station twenty miles outside of Brunswick. I was leaving for a twoyear stint in Europe.

I came home from basic training for a few days before traveling to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, where I would move on to Statton Island and board a troop ship. With twelve-hundred other lost soldiers, we would ride the Atlantic for twelve days to Bremenhaven, Germany.

During my furlough, life with Granny remained wonderfully the same: she cooked my special dinners; we’d get up early and have hot chocolate and talk. Later in the day, we’d drive to town. She would sit in the back with the car windows down. The soft summer breeze would touch her hair lightly.

We went to Sunday School and Church the day before I left.

Brother Moss preached a good sermon working himself into a sweat. Now and then during one of his strong points, my Granny would whisper...”amen.” I would carry that special sound with me the rest of my life.

My ten years in Dock Junction brought me many special soul items: how to be a good friend to Jennings, Simon, Lamont, Jim and Gene; buddies all, running on dirt roads to the canal for a swim.

Lying in bed at night, with my pillow in the window sill at the foot of my bed, looking at the stars and dreaming boy dreams.

Most of all I came to accept loving and trusting again, thanks to Granny. She only asked that I “take her word for it.”

She was a woman of deep Christian faith. Each day of her life, she read her Bible before going to bed. She would have me kneel by her as she said her prayers.

It was ten years every little boy wishes for... S

SOUTHEAST LEADERS IN FELLOWSHIP TRAINED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS

John McCormick, MD Orthopedic Spine

Juha Jaakkola, MD Foot & Ankle

Greg Kolovich, MD Hand & Wrist

Je rey Goldberg, MD Foot & Ankle

Don Aaron, MD Sports Medicine

Delan Gaines, MD Sports Medicine

Jordan Paynter, MD Total Joint

Statesboro Service League

50th Anniversary Celebration

Monday, May 1, 2023 | Georgia Southern Botanic Garden

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04.19.23

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04.20.23

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04.19.23

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03.28.23

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03.15.23

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02.27.23

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02.07.23

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02.07.23

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01.31.23

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02.05.23

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02.04.23

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