Statesboro Magazine - May/June 2024

AS WE STEP INTO THE VIBRANT SPRING SEASON, IT BRINGS ME IMMENSE PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE OUR Healthcare issue, a testament to the resilience and innovation within our local medical community. This edition is particularly special as it marks the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ogeechee Area Hospice, a beacon of compassion and care in our region. Our cover features four outstanding citizens who volunteer to serve on the Ogeechee Area Hospice’s board of directors. They are committed to continuing the support that has made it possible for residents to have access to the area’s only non-profit hospice for three decades.

Within these pages, you'll find stories that illuminate the remarkable individuals shaping the landscape of healthcare right here in our own backyard. We shine a spotlight on the tireless efforts of Dr. Andrew Cichelli and Dr. Tarek Amoun, two Pulmonologists & Critical Care doctors whose dedication and expertise have transformed the field. Dr. Cichelli's establishment of the Sleep Lab at East Georgia Regional Medical Center stands as a testament to his commitment to advancing patient care, while Dr. Amoun's pioneering work in robotic laser surgery of the lungs heralds a new era of innovation in our community.

We also delve into the heart of rural healthcare with a feature on a local hospital imbued with a hometown feel, Optim Medical Center – Screven in Sylvania, led by the dynamic CEO Lagina Evans, RN. From her birth at the very hospital that she now commands, Evan’s journey, along with the many longtime employees who work so hard to provide the very best healthcare for their neighbors, exemplifies unwavering dedication to the community's healthcare needs.

In addition, our special bonus section, the EGRMC 2024 Physicians Guide, provides a comprehensive resource for readers seeking top-tier medical care. No longer do our residents need to trek to larger cities; our regional hospital boasts an array of specialties, ensuring quality healthcare is readily accessible to all. Keep this issue to reference the very best providers in the area.

Speaking of providers, we have another special section highlighting three of the area’s healthcare professionals. Read all about them in our Top Provider Profiles section.

As you peruse through our pages, take a moment to appreciate the wealth of talent and expertise present within our community. From celebrating milestones to embracing innovation, this issue serves as a reminder of the fortitude and unity that defines us.

Thank you for joining us on this journey of discovery and celebration. Enjoy!

ESTABLISHED MARCH 1, 2000

EDITOR

Jenny Starling Foss

PUBLISHER Joe McGlamery

SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR Melanie Schmermund

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Mindy Boyette

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Frank Fortune

Statesboro Magazine is proudly produced by:

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, PLEASE E-MAIL: mboyette@StatesboroMagazine.com

FOR EDITORIAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE E-MAIL: editor@StatesboroMagazine.com

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

Meet the four outstanding community leaders who volunteer to steer the area’s only nonprofit hospice, built by its citizens: Ogeechee Area Hospice, celebrating 30 Years of providing comfort and care. Pictured (L-R) The executive committee of the board of directors: Ellis Wood, VP; Chad Avret, Treasurer; Doug Lambert, President; and Michelle Davis, Secretary. Captured in front of OAH 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.

VIRGINIA ANNE FRANKLIN WATERS

Virginia Anne Franklin Waters is a fourth generation Bulloch Countian and loves all things about her hometown of Statesboro. She graduated from UGA and is a CPA. She spent her career in the hospitality industry. Her passions include entertaining friends at home and working in her gardens. Virginia Anne enjoys everything Gardening—planting seeds, arranging flowers, using raised beds, protecting native plants, propagating camellias and even pulling weeds. She has been a member of the Sprig-N-Dig Federated Garden Club since 1985. Virginia Anne has served on numerous philanthropic boards in our community and is currently the Executive Director of the Bulloch County Historical Society.

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.

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.

MELANIE SCHMERMUND

Melanie is Statesboro Magazine’s Senior Creative Director. Owner of Schmermund Design Studio, LLC, she is an experienced freelance graphic designer specializing in editorial design & branding. She is also a frequent contributing designer to Savannah Magazine. She holds a degree in Art from Auburn University and loves traveling & exploring the world, always looking for new places to visit. Her knowledge & passion are invaluable assets ensuring that each project she works on is of the highest quality.

FRANK FORTUNE

Frank is the national award winning freelance photographer who holds the distinction of shooting 25 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.

20 BUILDING HOPE, BRICK BY BRICK: CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF OGEECHEE AREA HOSPICE’S COMMITMENT TO COMFORT & COMPASSION

28 BREATH OF WISDOM & INNOVATION

DR. ANDREW CICHELLI & DR. TAREK AMOUN

64 TRANSFORMING RURAL HEALTHCARE

LAGINA EVANS, RN & OPTIM MEDICAL CENTER – SCREVEN

FEATURES

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY FRANK FORTUNE

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

THE MARKET AT VISIT STATESBORO!

9:00 A.M.- 12:30 P.M | FREE ADMISSION FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

222 SOUTH MAIN STREET

Shop the season’s freshest local fruits and vegetables, from area producers, along with artisans, artists and craftsmen. Find select honey, fresh baked goods, candles, flowers, handmade crafts and more! EBT accepted. Bring the whole family for a Saturday morning full of fun. Enjoy music from local artists and specialty food from a variety of food trucks and booths. See you Saturday!

MAY

9

DOVER – STATESBORO RAILROAD

BULLOCH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MARKER DEDICATION | 1:00 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT

BORO PARK DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

Join the Bulloch County Historical Society as they dedicate a permanent historical marker describing the history of the Dover – Statesboro Railroad. Light “hobo” refreshments will be served after the dedication.

MAY 14

PATHWAY TO HEALING: A DAY TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH

BENEFITTING THE CAMILLA FOUNDATION

5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. | $50/PERSON$100/COUPLE DONATION | THE BOTANIC GARDEN AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN

The inaugural fundraising event for the Camilla Foundation, whose mission is to create a better future for children by providing access to mental health services to uninsured or underserved children, teens and their families in Bulloch County.

business networking event featuring great food and drinks. This is a FREE member event. For membership information visit www.Statesboro-Chamber.org.

MAY 18

LAZY GOAT SPORTS CARD SHOW TO BENEFIT THE ROOSEVELT CONE, JR. SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | $5/PERSON IN ADVANCE | $8/PERSON AT THE DOOR HOLIDAY INN STATESBORO 455 COMMERCE STREET (BESIDE CHILI’S) You can purchase tickets for the show at Statesboro Sports & Memorabilia. Tickets are $5/person in advance and $8/person at the door. Vendor tables available for $60 per table. Vendors receive breakfast and lunch. All proceeds collected at the door are donated to the Roosevelt Cone, Jr. Scholarship Foundation. Contact Roosevelt Cone, Jr. @ 912-541-2809 or Joseph Stuckey @ 912-536-6042 to buy tickets or reserve a table.

MAY 18

SPLASH IN THE BORO OPENING DAY

10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | $25/DAY

PURCHASED ONLINE @ SPLASHINTHEBORO.COM/TICKETSPASSES/ | $85/PERSON INDIVIDUAL SEASON PASSES | CHILDREN 2 AND UNDER FREE ADMISSION

MILL CREEK PARK

Over a million gallons of fun are waiting on you at Splash in the Boro! There are many features that appeal to all ages including the wave pool opened in 2017! Feeling adventurous? Try out the only dual Flow Rider in Georgia.

MAY 16

RENASANT BANK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS EVENT

5:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. FREE MEMBER EVENT!

335 SOUTH MAIN STREET

Please join host Renasant Bank for Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours

MAY 18

GOLF PUB CRAWL

2:00 P.M. | $35/PERSON - $120/TEAM OF 4

GNAT’S LANDING

470 SOUTH MAIN STREET

In support of Lift As You Grow, join us for our 1st annual Golf Pub Crawl. Wear your best golf attire and bring your best foursome for a 'HOLE' lot of fun visiting 9 bars down The

Blue Mile. Pub golf is essentially like playing a real game of golf but replacing getting a ball in a hole with consuming specialty, predetermined drinks. You’ll visit holes, 9 different bars along with your game, each of which will have a set of rules and a scorecard. Depending on how your team performs, what you drink and how you act, (more on this later), you’ll gain ‘strokes’. The team with the lowest score at the end of the pub golf game is deemed the winner. There will also be a team winner for best dressed! Starting Hole: Gnat's Landing. Additional details will be sent out to registered teams/ individuals leading up to the event.

MAY

23

PINE NEEDLE PLANTATION RIBBON CUTTING & GRAND OPENING BY STATESBORO-BULLOCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS BY THE METTERCANDLER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.

FREE BUSINESS/CHAMBER EVENT

2891 ELLIS ROAD | REGISTER, GEORGIA

Join us for the Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening of our area's newest Wedding & Event Venue - Pine Needle Plantation. The Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce will host the Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening

of the venue and the Metter-Candler Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After Hours following the opening ceremony. Preregistration for the event is encouraged! Visit the event page – Pine Needle Plantation Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening & Business After Hours on Facebook to register to attend.

MAY 30

DOWNTOWN LIVE! LIQUID PLEASURE

7:00 P.M. | FREE ADMISSION COURTHOUSE SQUARE & EAST MAIN STREET

Bring your own chair, and or blankets for great music, family fun, food, drinks, games and more! Part of the Downtown Live! Summer Concert Series. Join the fun!

JUNE

BOROFEST

1

3:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

This event is sure to provide a day of fun for all ages! For children, there will be a kids center where they can color and play. For the adults, a beer relay from Tandoor & Tap to Eagle Creek Brewing Co. and back. Registration for the relay will be available on-site. With over 60 different vendors, there will be lots of shopping, eating and fun to be had! Attendees can purchase beer, wine and cocktails to enjoy throughout the event from local downtown restaurants. There will also be a classic car show and live music from Dan Larkin and Hip-Oh! For more information follow BoroFest on Facebook, or visit the website www.boro-fest.com.

JUNE 13

DOWNTOWN LIVE! DUKES OF COUNTRY

7:00 P.M. FREE ADMISSION

COURTHOUSE SQUARE & EAST MAIN STREET

Bring your own chair, and or blankets for great music, family fun, food, drinks, games and more! Part of the Downtown Live! Summer Concert Series. Join the fun!

JUNE

15

SUMMER COMEDY JAM PART 2

7:30 P.M.

$15.00/PERSON

EMMA KELLY THEATER

AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Fresh, young comedian Eric Bailey is performing live here at the historic Emma Kelly Theater for his 2nd summer comedy jam soon! We hope to see you in the crowd no matter

in the Boro

which older generation you’re from. Come out and support this modern comedian during his summer comedy jam! Tickets are available online, over the phone, or in person and they are $15 for general admission. You must be 18+ to attend. www.averittcenterforthearts.org.

JUNE 21 –

22

AN EVENING FOR THE K9S

6:00 P.M. FRIDAY NIGHT KICK-OFF EVENT

$20/PERSON

CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CHURCH

AN EVENING FOR THE K9S SATURDAY

GALA EVENT

5:00 P.M. VIP ENTRY - $115/PERSON

(SEE BELOW FOR ADDED BENEFITS)

6:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. GENERAL

ADMISSION - $20/PERSON THE VENUES AT OGEECHEE

TECHNICAL COLLEGE

The Evening for the K9s weekend is our largest annual event. Over 1,000 attendees enjoy a red-carpet atmosphere while enjoying food, drinks, raffles, entertainment, meeting K9 heroes, the most incredible silent auction

you have seen and much more all for a lowcost entry donation which includes a general raffle ticket. VIP Package includes a special VIP pass package, a VIP gift at the door on Saturday night event, and access to Friday Night Kickoff Event for no additional donation. You will also receive a complimentary raffle ticket which we will automatically put into the raffle. All you need is your VIP badge to enter the events. You don’t want to miss this oneof-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!

JUNE 27

DOWNTOWN LIVE!

SWINGIN’ MEDALLIONS

7:00 P.M. | FREE ADMISSION

COURTHOUSE SQUARE & EAST MAIN STREET

Bring your own chair, and or blankets for great music, family fun, food, drinks, games and more! Part of the Downtown Live! Summer Concert Series. Join the fun!

JUNE

29

FIRECRACKER FEST!

5:00 P.M. CELEBRATION BEGINS FREE, FUN, FAMILY EVENT!

5:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. KIDS ACTIVITY FIELD 5

5:30 P.M. – FROG JUMPING CONTEST FIELD 3

5:30 P.M. – 9:15 P.M. LIVE MUSIC

FEATURING FANTASY BAND FIELD 1

9:15 P.M. – NATIONAL ANTHEM FIELD 1

FIREWORKS BEGIN AFTER THE NATIONAL ANTHEM | MILL CREEK PARK

Bulloch County’s Annual Independence Day Celebration! Full concessions will be available at the hub (building between Fields 1-5) We will also have food vendors throughout the event. Child safety armbands are available at the information tent or the tent on the games field. These armbands are placed on the child with parental contact information in the event you are separated.

Send us your events! email your event, with one image, to editor@statesboromagazine.com for possible inclusion in next month's calendar.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY REACHES ANOTHER MILESTONE IN PUBLIC IMPACT RESEARCH

Georgia Southern University has reported a new record for its research activity, marking a new milestone in its growth as a nationally designated research university and the home for public impact, real-world research.

According to the University’s latest annual report submitted to the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey, research expenditures surged to more than $40 million during fiscal year 2023, a notable increase from the previous year’s $36.2 million.

“This record-breaking achievement underscores our continued progress on our path to research excellence and our commitment to bolster public impact research within the region,” said Christopher Curtis, Ph.D., interim vice president for research and economic development at Georgia Southern.

Georgia Southern is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Research-Doctoral

Georgia Southern University hosted its annual Gratitude Gala to recognize key donors for their longtime support of institutional initiatives. The event was held on March 29 at the JW Marriott Plant Riverside in Savannah where honorees were presented with awards.

“The Gratitude Gala is a chance for us to celebrate you,” Trip Addison, vice president for University Advancement, said to the group. “The people in this room represent Georgia Southern’s most loyal alumni, friends, faculty, staff, corporations

and foundations — those who have given $25,000 or more to the University, equipping our mission of helping students reach their academic and career goals.

“Each one of you has gone above and beyond in your support of the University, and for each student who is chasing an incredible dream, your support is helping them to take hold of it,” Addison continued. “Because of supporters like you, more than $4 million in scholarships were awarded this year. Over the past few years, we have also experienced record years of charitable support, proving that our

University with high research activity (R2), making it one of only 277 research universities in the country and one of nine in Georgia.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the primary source of data concerning research and development expenditures at the more than 4,000 colleges and universities across the U.S. Its annual HERD Survey details the amount of money spent on research across the nation by subject area and the diverse array of funding sources to include the federal government, state and local governments, as well as businesses and private organizations.

In addition to setting a new benchmark for total research activity, Georgia Southern also increased its research in dollars received through highly competitive federally-funded grants by more than 10 percent. The steady increase in research expenditures underscores the university’s pivotal role in driving cuttingedge research and innovation within the region.

(L-R) Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero, Darron Burnett, Kim Powell, DeNorah Huggins, Walt Huggins, Dr. Dennard L. Scoggins, Wanda B. Scoggins, Stephanie Sanders, Robbie Sanders, Maria Sanders and Georgia Southern Vice President of University Advancement Trip Addison.

alumni and friends believe in what Georgia Southern is doing and the impact it will have on our campuses, communities and state. Together, we soar.”

THE 2024 RECIPIENTS ARE:

• THE LEGACY AWARD: Dr. Dennard L. and Wanda B. Scoggins

• THE PRESIDENT’S AMBASSADOR AWARD: Walt and DeNorah Huggins

• THE PRESIDENT’S INNOVATOR AWARD: Synovus

• THE PRESIDENT’S VISIONARY AWARD: Mike Sanders

Director of the Institute for Water and Health Asli Aslan, Ph.D., and Public Health doctoral student Luke Roberson test water samples at Kings Ferry, Georgia.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN RECOGNIZES EXEMPLARY DONORS AT 2024 GRATITUDE GALA

Held on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology on March 30, the club’s members medaled in 14 of the 24 individual events, including eight first-place finishes, two second-place medals, and four third-place.

“This is a big accomplishment,” said Danielle Hibbs-Heiser, a science teacher at Southeast Bulloch, who is the club’s STEM coach. “Congratulations to this remarkable group of young scholars.”

The Georgia Science Olympiad provides a fun, competitive platform for students to collaborate and deepen their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) knowledge. It is open to students in grades 3-12, with various competitions available throughout the school year.

THESE ARE THE STUDENT TEAMS WHO MEDALED IN THE EVENT AND THEIR GRADE LEVEL:

• Detector Building, first place, Joseph Reddin (12) and Krupa Pandya (11)

• Dynamic Planet, first place, Isabelle Cruz (11) and John Toole (10)

• Flight, first place, Chris Reyes (11) and

SEB HIGH SCHOOL’S STEM CLUB IS CLASS A STATE CHAMPION FOR THE GEORGIA SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

Ethan Pryor (10)

• Microbe Mission, first place, Emma Grace Lowe (11) and Ohm Pandya (10)

• Optics, first place, Thom Mortimore (12) and John Toole (10)

• Robot Tour, first place, Joseph Reddin (12) and Quinn Stoy (10)

• Tower, first place, Mina Griner (12) and Mattie Shaw (12)

• Wind Power, first place, Ethan Pryor (10) and Ohm Pandya (9)

• Air Trajectory, second place, Ethan Pryor (10) and Quinn Story (10)

• Codebusters, second place, Malliaka Tariq (12), Krupa Pandya (11), and Carolyne Petkewich (11)

• Astronomy, third place, Mina Griner (12) and John Toole (10)

• Disease Detectives, third place, Thom Mortimore (12) and Emma Grace Lowe (11)

• Experimental Design, third place, Malliaka Tariq (12), Krupa Pandya (11), and Chris Reyes (11)

• Science in the News, third place, Thom Mortimore (12) and Ohm Pandya (9)

ASHLEIGH WRIGHT

TOP FINALIST FOR GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR

On March 12, the Bulloch County School System was thrilled to receive a surprise visit from State School Superintendent Richard Woods, who came to reveal that our Bulloch County Teacher of the Year, Ashleigh Wright, is a Top-10 Finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Wright is now one of 10 teachers from whom the state will select its top educator. The 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year will be revealed in May 2024.

Mrs. Wright is an American Government and an Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics teacher at Southeast Bulloch High School. She has been a teacher for 18 years, 15 of those with Bulloch County Schools. She was also selected as Southeast Bulloch High School’s Teacher of the Year for the 2014-2015 school year.

She is a triple Eagle. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Georgia Southern University, and she went on to obtain a master’s degree in social science education and a specialist degree in teaching and learning.

TCSG APPOINTS DR. RYAN FOLEY AS PRESIDENT OF SAVANNAH TECH

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ryan Foley as the new President of Savannah Technical College. The decision by TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier to name Dr. Foley as President was announced at the April 2024 State Board Meeting of the Technical College System of Georgia in Albany.

“Dr. Foley has consistently demonstrated a remarkable dedication to student success and a

profound understanding of the transformative power of technical education,” said TCSG Commissioner, Greg Dozier. “His leadership will help Savannah Technical College reach new heights, ensuring its continued impact on the community and the economy.”

Dr. Foley’s journey in technical education spans more than two decades, with a remarkable tenure at Ogeechee Technical College. Starting as a Human Resource Coordinator in 2003, Dr. Foley has demonstrated his dedication and passion for empowering students. He has held various leadership roles at Ogeechee Tech, including Director for Enrollment Services, Vice President for Student Affairs, and most recently, Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

“As President of Savannah Technical College, I am committed to fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration, and student-centered learning,” said Dr. Foley.

“Together with our dedicated faculty and staff, we will help our students achieve their goals and fulfill their potential, while also meeting the evolving needs of our community and industry partners.”

Dr. Foley holds a bachelor’s degree in management and a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgia Southern University. He also earned his Doctor of Education Degree in Higher Education Management from the University of Georgia.

Dr. Ryan Foley assumed his role as President of Savannah Technical College on April 5.

(L-R): Benjy Thompson, immediate past chair of the Georgia Economic Developers Association; Christopher Curtis, Ph.D., Georgia Southern interim vice president for Research and Economic Development; Asli Aslan, Ph.D., MSc, director of the Georgia Southern Institute for Water and Health; Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero; U.S. Representative Buddy Carter, R-GA; Victoria Clower, second-year Georgia Southern doctoral student in the Community Health Behavior and Education program and Institute for Water and Health graduate research assistant; Annalee Ashley, Ed.D., Georgia Southern vice president for External Affairs, Communications, and Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff to the President; Carl Reiber, Ph.D., Georgia Southern provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN’S INSTITUTE FOR WATER & HEALTH

ALLOTTED $2.04 MILLION FOR COASTAL GEORGIA SAFE WATER RESEARCH & EDUCATION

Georgia Southern University proudly announced today $2.04 million in federal funding to support the Institute for Water and Health’s (IWH) Safe Water Together initiative. This significant allocation, secured by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, underscores a commitment to ensuring sustainable access to safe water among coastal Georgia communities.

“The Safe Water Together project will unite partners across a wide range of networks –including municipalities, environmental agencies, businesses, school districts, and local communities – to collaboratively address current challenges to water resources through research and education, and to apply innovative approaches to water quality diagnostics,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “This new initiative will allow Georgia Southern to further our reach and our impact — all to better serve the people who live and work in Georgia.”

Water security stands as the cornerstone of community resilience and is inseparable from issues of economic growth, food security and environmental health. The IWH is dedicated to bridging scientific and technological solutions to support a collective vision of safe water, sustainable environment and resilient communities. Through the Safe Water Together program, IWH will accomplish key elements of its public impact mission.

Marrero cited Carter’s role as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials as a crucial position to influence the coastal Georgia community’s water resources infrastructure and thanked him for being an advocate for the project.

“I want to thank our partner Representative Buddy Carter, an unwavering champion of Georgia Southern, for seeing the vision and for securing the necessary funding for this project to move forward,” Marrero continued. “Representative Carter understands the practical impact of water on our region’s ability to attract and retain business and industry, to grow jobs and ultimately to improve our economy. I also want to offer my sincere appreciation to our U.S. Senators, Senator Warnock and Senator Ossoff, for their support of this project in the Senate.”

The Safe Water Together initiative will engage partners from various sectors to tackle issues stemming from the region's rapid population growth and economic development, its aging infrastructure, the longstanding presence of natural and man-made contaminants, and saltwater intrusion into the Floridan aquifer. By leveraging cutting-edge water quality diagnostics, the program aims to serve the unique needs of local communities while providing a model for public-private partnership solutions.

“Our district has been blessed with rapid economic growth and development, attracting people and businesses from around the world who want to call it home. Safe water collection practices are critical to maintaining GA-01 as a great place to live and work. I’m proud to support Georgia Southern’s Safe Water Together Initiative, which will boost our local economy and preserve our district’s health and beauty by ensuring safe and sustainable water access for all coastal Georgians,” said Carter.

Established in 2021, the IWH harnesses transdisciplinary research expertise to provide scientific and technological solutions to

support a collective vision of safe water, sustainable environment, and resilient communities. With 18 affiliated faculty members spanning natural sciences, public health, environmental engineering, education and social sciences, the Institute is at the forefront of water sciences research. The IWH team is engaged in grant-funded projects sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Division, National Science Foundation, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The team leads convergent water research projects, applies cutting-edge technologies, and partners with communities to tackle complex issues supported by data driven solutions.

The funding announcement took place during a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of the IWH. Situated within the Georgia Southern Research Complex on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, the 6,000-square-foot facility enhances the Institute's capacity to provide timely and accurate water analyses and solutions for coastal communities. The IWH's real-world impact extends beyond research, offering community water testing and environmental risk assessment, hydrologic modeling, K-12 environmental education, and professional development services.

Although the facility formally opened today, the IWH has already been making a meaningful impact across the communities throughout southeast Georgia and the entire state. The research facility represents another landmark in the growth of the University's real-world impact upon the region and its development.

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Building Brick by Brick:

We have to educate the public on our services and on how we differ from for profit hospices. People tend to think all hospices are the same. It can be confusing for patients who may be facing a terminal illness, or who are in need of residential care. We often find they will switch over to us when they realize that we are the only community hospice in the region.”

- TINKER LANIER

FOR THIRTY YEARS, OGEECHEE AREA HOSPICE HAS BEEN SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH LIFELIMITING ILLNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN the nine-county area of the Ogeechee River region. The families served come from Bulloch, Evans, Candler, Jenkins, Screven, Tattnall and the nearest parts of Emanuel, Bryan and Effingham counties. Founded in 1994, by community members who saw the need for a hospice facility for area residents affected by life-threatening illnesses or grief, Ogeechee Area Hospice (OAH) exists to provide expert care, comfort and bereavement support to patients and their families during the final stages of life.

The only non-profit hospice in the region, OAH has a skilled team of physicians, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, home health aides, chaplains and volunteers, who are all trained to provide the specialized care needed whether it be at home or at the facility. Originally built with 12 beds, community members again rallied to raise funds to expand the facility in 2011. Over $2.35 million was raised to add a 13-bed residential unit, adding 1,505 square feet to the facility and raising the patient capacity to 25 beds. This addition dramatically increased OAH’s ability to care for area patients in a home-like, peaceful setting with caregivers.

OAH is governed by a 10-member volunteer board of directors made up of local citizens and business leaders who donate their time and expertise to ensure that the finest professional care and compassionate support is provided to the patients and their families. Currently serving on the executive board are President Doug Lambert, Vice President Ellis Wood, Secretary Michelle Davis and Treasurer Chad Avret (showcased on Statesboro Magazine’s cover). Other members include Rose Mary Gee, Dr. Marion Lane, Dr. Jesse Scott, Jappy Stringer, Rev. Dr. John Waters, City Manager Charles Penny, Elliott Marsh, Charlie Aaron and Trish Tootle. The board participates in fundraising activities and many serve in volunteer roles within the facility as well.

Because there is no “owner” or group of investors to pay, reimbursements and other funding go directly toward patient services. With all funds serving the patient and family directly, each patient receives exceptional care and care options that may not always be provided by a for-profit hospice.

From the Board of Directors to Executive Director & Administrator Vanessa Ramirez, RN MSN, to the caring staff, all serve with a common spirit of showing compassion, dignity, and comfort to the over 300 patients per year who use the facility and its services, and their families.

“We have to educate the public on our services and on how we differ from for profit hospices,” said Tinker Lanier, Manager for Donor Relations, Facilities & Marketing for OAH. “People tend to think all hospices are the same. It can be confusing for patients who may be facing a terminal illness, or who are in need of residential care. We often find they will switch over to us when they realize that we are the only community hospice in the region. Doctors and hospital case workers provide patients in need of our care with a list of hospices operating in the area, so it is the patient’s choice. We want them to ask for us by name, so they can be sure they are in a locally operated residential facility with the proper support services to see to all their needs.”

There are four main levels of care provided by OAH:

IN-HOME CARE

Most of OAH’s patients are at home. The Hospice provides an in-home nurse or volunteer for patients, who will spend the night if necessary to provide professional care, comfort and attention in the patient’s own familiar surroundings. 1 3 2 4

Respite Care

When the patient is cared for at home, but the caregiver may need a break, the patient may be admitted to OAH for a set period of time. In-patient care at OAH differs from other hospices who have to use nursing homes to house patients when the family needs help. OAH offers private rooms with en suite bathrooms for all patients.

General Inpatient Care

The continuous highest level of care. When symptoms are not improving and the patient’s care needs become complex, or death is imminent and the family prefers for the patient to have a restful end of life. It doesn’t mean that the patient can’t return to their home, it just gives patients a chance to get pain under control, or have a little more care by an RN in comforting surroundings. Some patients rest and get better under the soothing atmosphere and can return home.

Palliative Care

Patients may be at home, in assisted living or a nursing home, with a history of problematic symptoms from facing severe, chronic disease. The patient can continue to receive standard medical treatment or home health services while in palliative care. The goal is to improve the quality of life for these individuals.

“We’re your hospice, instead of the hospital,” said Lanier. “Patients at other hospices have to go to the ER for out-patient services and then pay for hospital care. We have a 24-hour nurse on staff with excellent inpatient facilities if needed.”

“The greatest misconception is that you go to hospice to die,” said Ramirez. “If you have a terminal diagnosis, we are here to insure you have a great quality of life. If people would come in earlier to hospice, they can live longer in a comforting and quality care environment. We do a lot of evaluations that we don’t end up admitting. We work with them within their homes. Educating our physicians to have that difficult conversation earlier, would benefit both the patients and their families.”

“We want families to know they need to be the family and let us be the caregivers,” said Lanier. “It’s a hard role trying to be the caregiver and the family member. We want folks to let us be the ones to administer the medication, and take care of the patient, so the families can comfort and love on the patient; it is hard to do both.”

The director and staff of OAH are currently working hard on Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) accreditation. Only nine hospices in the state of Georgia are certified, of those only four are non-profit.

“It’s another seal of approval for us,” said Ramirez. “We hold ourselves to a higher standard. We walk the walk. We are more strict than even the CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services) codes.”

“We’ve been recognized by the Statesboro Herald as Best of the Boro, by Statesboro Magazine as The Most Fabulous Hospice Facility, and by Discovering Bulloch as Reader’s Choice,” said Lanier.

There is a volunteer program in place for community members who may want to help support Ogeechee Area Hospice. There are currently 50 – 60 citizens helping. You have to be 18 years or older,

and serve at least 3 hours/month. Volunteers can do anything from welcoming visitors at the reception area to answering phones, distributing blankets, attending memorial services, pet therapy companions, taking patients to doctor’s appointments, relieving loved ones, or fundraising. You can choose your area of service.

“Most of our volunteers have had patients here and they want to give back,” said Lanier.

“Five percent of our operational hours annually must be volunteer hours,” said Ramirez. “Each year we have surpassed that. Even during COVID. We did not use any waivers. We had 90 volunteers pre-COVID, and we are now building back up.”

OAH also serves the community with bereavement counseling monthly for those who have lost loved ones. There are several groups including men’s, women’s, general, and a new children’s group being formed. Twice each year, in the spring and fall, bereavement events are held at Statesboro’s Primitive Baptist Church.

OAH needs the community’s support for their upcoming 30th Anniversary fundraising gala to be held on Saturday, June 8 from 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at the Venues at Ogeechee Technical College in the Jack Hill Building.

The 30th Anniversary Celebration will include music by the Vistas, a silent auction, door prizes, plus great food from Blue Mile Catering, formal attire is requested. Tickets are $100/person or you may purchase a table for $1,000. To purchase tickets to the gala or to reserve a table contact Lanier at 912-764-8441 or email her at tlanier@oahospice.org

You can contact Lanier to purchase $10 tickets now for the drawing to win a 4-passenger 2024 REV Lifted Golf Cart with HD aluminum twin rail frame, reverse back-up camera, lithium battery with 8/year warranty, onboard charger, Bluetooth stereo, 15” Empire wheels, 23” all terrain tires and a hard top. All proceeds go to benefit Ogeechee Area Hospice’s patients and their families. You do not have to be present to win the golf cart.

OAH also has a memorial brick campaign which started in 2014. Families may purchase a memorial brick for $250 to honor their loved one. The Brick Fund is close to the goal, which means in the near future plans will begin on a new courtyard by the General Inpatient Care entrance..

Other future plans include a guest house. OAH is in the early stages of planning for this facility which will be similar in function and purpose to the Ronald McDonald

It’s

a hard role trying to be the caregiver and the family member. We want folks to let us be the ones to administer the medication, and take care of the patient, so the families can comfort and love on the patient; it is hard to do both.”

-

TINKER LANIER

Houses. The Bulloch County Hospital Authority has already deeded the land and rezoning of the parking lot area across from OAH has been approved.

“We have to be self-sustaining,” said Ramirez. “We only have us to do the work, market and compete with the for-profit hospices in the area. It has been so rewarding to see the many community leaders, our staff and volunteers come together to support this mission of providing comfort, dignity, and compassion to individuals and families facing life-limiting illnesses. Thank-you to all who have supported Ogeechee Area Hospice during our 30 years of serving the area. I hope we are able to continue to serve the region for many years to come.” S

WISDOM TEETH (also known as third molars) generally erupt between the ages of 17 and 26 years, in a position in the back corners of the mouth. The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth, not 32. As such, it is common for wisdom teeth to fail to erupt or to do so only partially and become impacted. In fact, 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth, according to the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. The term asymptomatic or disease-free wisdom tooth is used when there are no signs or symptoms of disease affecting your wisdom tooth or nearby structures. Wisdom teeth removal is almost always recommended when third molars cannot properly erupt, even in asymptomatic cases. Teens and young adults should be evaluated to have their Wisdom Teeth removed by a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Failure to remove Wisdom Teeth in a timely manner can lead to greater risk for tooth decay, gum disease, infection, and formation of jaw cysts or tumors. Even when Wisdom Teeth grow into the mouth, their far location can make it very difficult to care for. Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to bacterial invasion and create health issues later in life. Lastly, teenagers recovering from surgery tend to heal faster and have a smoother recovery than if the teeth were left for later removal as adults. As South Georgia’s leading oral and maxillofacial surgery practice, the team at East Georgia Center for Oral & Facial Surgery has performed thousands of successful wisdom teeth extractions.

DR. TAREK AMOUN

Breath of WISDOM & INNOVATION

Dr. Andrew Cichelli & Dr. Tarek Amoun

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

BREATHING IS SUCH A REFLEXIVE AND FUNDAMENTAL PART OF LIFE THAT WE DON’T EVEN THINK about it until we have a problem. Thankfully, East Georgia Regional Medical Center has a team of pulmonary specialists in place that can address anything to do with our lungs. By combining the wisdom and experience of Sleep Lab founder Andrew Cichelli, M.D. with the modern techniques and innovations mastered by Tarek Amoun, M.D., EGRMC has created a dynamic duo with a deep understanding of sleep disorders complemented by surgical finesse and innovation.

Dr. Cichelli has over 43 years in the medical field and founded the Sleep Lab in Bulloch Memorial Hospital in 1997 with two beds. He came here from Drexel University, formerly Hahnemann University School of Medicine, where he completed his residency in 1982, and taught at his alma mater for 15 years. He is a critical care specialist that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions

that affect the lungs and respiratory system. Dr. Cichelli is board certified in Internal medicine, sleep medicine, critical care and pulmonary disease.

The Sleep Lab at EGRMC has four private bedroom/bathroom combinations in which patients spend the night so their sleep patterns can be monitored. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is used which monitors brain waves and can help in the diagnosis of sleep disorders. Patients are not watched, the EEG is, but a camera monitors them in case of a problem.

The most common reason a patient comes to the Sleep Lab is because his or her sleep partner complains of snoring. Some of the causes of snoring could be sleeping position, nasal congestion, obesity, sinusitis, sleep apnea, smoking, aging or alcohol. Doctors will look for medical reasons like cardio problems with atrial fibrillation (AFIB) or blood pressure. Sleep apnea can often be the cause and Dr. Cichelli urges doctors to order a sleep study early in the diagnosis process.

DR. ANDREW CICHELLI

In sleep apnea the patient often snores loudly and sometimes chokes or wakes up gasping for air. The oxygen level drops, your brain senses that you can’t breathe, and briefly wakes you so that you can reopen your airway.”

- DR. CICHELLI

DR. ANDREW CICHELLI

“In sleep apnea the patient often snores loudly and sometimes chokes or wakes up gasping for air,” said Dr. Cichelli. “The oxygen level drops, your brain senses that you can’t breathe, and briefly wakes you so that you can reopen your airway. It can happen 5 – 30 times a night. The patient wakes up tired with no memory of the incidents. It makes it hard to reach the deep restful phases of sleep. Untreated it can lead to more serious problems like heart trouble or high blood pressure.”

Because of Dr. Cichelli’s experience and training in internal medicine and critical care, he is able to help identify multiple issues which may be contributing to patient outcomes.

“The critical care team at the hospital is excellent,” stated Dr. Cichelli. “I’m proud of Respiratory Therapy and the Sleep Lab. The stuff on sleep is massively fascinating to me.”

Dr. Cichelli often mentors medical students from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and has been teaching them for many years. He was honored with the Excellence in Clinical Education Award in 2018 for teaching students on a core clinical clerkship/rotation at EGRMC during their third or fourth clinically intensive years of medical school. Students voted to determine the winner of the award.

“They send students for clinical training,” said Dr. Cichelli. “The dean tells them their basic responsibilities. Their basic job is to learn. I usually take one student at a time.”

Dr. Cichelli meets with Dr. Amoun on Fridays to go over cases.

“All the things Dr. Amoun is mastering now: endo bronchial ultrasound, radiation catheters in lungs, lasers, he is very good at,” stated Dr. Cichelli. “I send all patients that need navigation to him. He is able to teach me things, too.”

Dr. Tarek Amoun received a Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery from Beirut Arab University in Lebanon in 2015. He completed an additional year in the Fundamentals of Medical Research in collaboration with Lebanon University. He did sub-internships at Rafic Hariri University Hospital, Makassed General Hospital and American University Hospital of Beirut Medical Center. Dr. Amoun was recruited to Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey, in July of 2020, during COVID, where he completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Pulmonary & Critical Care in the RWJ Health System which includes Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center and Jersey City Medical Center. He is board certified in critical care, internal medicine and pulmonology. He came to EGRMC in August of 2023.

Like Dr. Cichelli, Dr. Amoun’s specialties cover sleep apnea, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, external lung diseases with arthritis, Lupus, auto immune diseases and lung transplant patients. But he was especially drawn to pulmonary and critical care because of his experiences with critical patients during COVID.

“I was drawn to pulmonary by the critical care part,” said Dr. Amoun. “It is rewarding to take care of complex disease pathologies reversing advanced types of illnesses. Once in the field, I started exploring more procedures that can be done. Those not done often, but which can be life-changing for patients.”

The new research that interests Dr. Amoun includes bronchial thermoplasty – the burning of the smooth muscles to control asthma; brachial therapy – the burning of mucus cells to leave airways open.

“I like the challenge,” said Dr. Amoun. “These procedures are not easy, but I really enjoy seeing good results.”

These procedures are very safe, painless, require a short time in recovery with great outcomes, and good answers concerning their lung health."

- DR. AMOUN

DR. TAREK AMOUN

The doctors have the latest in robotic equipment released in 2020.

“Maybe two more places in Georgia have robotic broncoscopy,” said Dr. Amoun.

With the robotic equipment Dr. Amoun is able to do minimally invasive procedures of the lungs including lung biopsy, ultra sound, guided biopsy, dilation of stenosis, stents in the lungs to bypass tumors or obstructions, and resections taking polyps or tumors.

“We do everything through the scope,” said Dr. Amoun. “All same day surgeries. Our maximum is 1.5 hours. I operate the control pads with my hands and when on target I can pass needles. It is very stable. Before, surgery was irreversible. Now we are in the lungs with a scope. There is no opening of the chest and advanced recovery times for the patients.”

The interventional procedures that the doctors are performing are not done anywhere from Brunswick to Augusta. Before patients had to wait 4 – 6 months for an appointment, then had to wait to schedule a procedure if needed.

“Now we get patients in for appointments in 1-2 weeks,” said Dr. Amoun. “Then we can perform the procedure immediately. With the laser bronchoscopy we now are able to get 90% of nodules. Before with radiology outside the chest, there was risk for pneumothorax and a 40% rate of lung collapse. With the robotic bronchoscope there is less than a 1% chance.”

These new pulmonary procedures add to the effectiveness of the Sleep Lab studies and benefit patients in many ways.

“We should let patients know that these procedures are very safe, painless, require a short time in recovery with great outcomes, and good answers concerning their lung health,” said Dr. Amoun.

Plans are moving forward to continue expanding the Pulmonary Department with the addition of one of Dr. Amoun’s colleagues, Dr. Basil Bangash, in August of this year.

“There are updates in the software we are using and all kinds of changes in therapy coming,” said Dr. Amoun. “We are looking at building our own bronchoscopy suite, like interventional cardiology has, but not in the OR. We have protocols in place for standardized care. Everything is based on the latest evidenced medicine.”

Both doctors give credit to the amazing teams they work with in both critical care and pulmonology for the success of the departments.

“Whether we are responding to critical care patients or pulmonary, our teams make the difference,” said Dr. Amoun. “Acute COPD patients who require a ventilator are first stabilized in the ICU. There the doctor assesses, adjusts, places lines, starts drug therapy and tests, administers meds for life support such as blood pressure, orders scans or MRIs. Critical care will involve different team members but RNs still give feedback to the physicians and assist with anything the provider needs help with. We also call in any specialist needed. For example, if the kidneys are involved, we will call the Nephrologist. We involve who’s needed for the best outcome for the patients.

With this genuine spirit of collaboration and growth, Dr. Cichelli and Dr. Amoun are set to continue to advance the field of pulmonology and critical care through their combined expertise and dedication. Their complementary skills and the team they have built are responsible for the overall success of the Pulmonary Department at EGRMC. S

FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS

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.

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 approximately 1000 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,

personalized care

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

BARIATRIC SURGERY

A surgical option for weight loss if dieting and exercise have failed.

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

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

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.

Erin Payne, M.D.

Board Certified in Anesthesiology 1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2392

Stacie Wong, M.D.

Board Certified in Anesthesiology 1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2392

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 & 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

David Lariscy, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

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 & 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

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

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 Nabert, M.D.

Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY

Interventional Cardiology uses specialized imaging and other diagnostic techniques to evaluate blood flow and pressure in the coronary arteries and chambers of the heart, as well as technical procedures and medications to treat abnormalities that impair the function of the cardiovascular system.

Richard Petrella, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology 1497 Fair Road, Suite 205 Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 259-9881 • fax (912) 259-9883

Julio Schwarz, M.D.

Board Certified in Cardiology & 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 Cardiology

Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

Kendall Griffith, M.D.

Board Certified in Cardiology & 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 & Interventional Cardiology Statesboro Cardiology

5 Grady Johnson Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 489-6246 • fax (912) 489-6346

Richard Petrella, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology 1497 Fair Road, Suite 205 Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 259-9881 • fax (912) 259-9883

CARDIOLOGY (CONT.)

Julio Schwarz, M.D.

Board Certified in Cardiology & 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, M.D.

Board Certified in General Surgery

Board Certified in Colon & Rectal Surgery Cedar Surgical Associates, P.C. 1497 Fair Road, Suite 200 Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 871-7100 • fax (912) 871-7110

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Emergency medicine is the medical speciality concerned with the care of illnesses or injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Emergency physicians specialize in providing care for unscheduled and undifferentiated patients of all ages.

Ruthie Crider, M.D.

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

Alan Scott, M.D.

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

Douglas Sommers, M.D.

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

Robert J. Wagner, 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.

Ian Munger, M.D.

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

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 Avenue 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

Brian Deloach, 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

Angie Gerguis, M.D.

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

Total Health Center for Family Medicine 1203 Brampton Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 871-7890 • fax (912) 871-7897

Jason Hollis, DO

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Southern Family Medicine 1140 Brampton Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 871-2273 • fax (912) 871-2274

Luke Krautter, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Southern Family Medicine 1140 Brampton Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 871-2273 • fax (912) 871-2274

Zachary McGalliard, 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

(CONT.)

Scott Mikell, M.D.

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

T.J. Miller, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Southern Family Medicine 308 East Long Street Claxton, Georgia 30417 (912) 290-5235 • fax (912) 290-5236

Daniel Okungbowa, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Victoria Family Practice 23 Coach Lee Hill Boulevard Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 225-1836 • fax (912) 225-0646

GASTROENTEROLOGY (CONT.)

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

Patrick Dorvilus, M.D.

Board Certified in Gastroenterology

East Georgia Gastroenterology Institute 1497 Fair Road, Suite 104 (912) 486-1600 • fax (912) 871-3342

William Hallmon, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Joseph Hathaway, M.D.

Board Certified in Gastroenterology

East Georgia Gastroenterology Institute 1497 Fair Road, Suite 104 Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1600 • fax (912) 871-3342

GENERAL SURGERY

A general surgeon is a doctor who specializes in evaluating and treating conditions that require surgery, or physically changing the human body.

East Georgia Gastroenterology Institute 1497 Fair Road, Suite 104 Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1600 • fax (912) 871-3342 GASTROENTEROLOGY

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

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

R. Tyler Cowart, M.D.

Board Certified in General Surgery

Board Certified in Colon & Rectal Surgery

Cedar Surgical Associates, P.C. 1497 Fair Road, Suite 200 Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 871-7100 • fax (912) 871-7110

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.

W. Ross Bryan, M.D.

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

Sherry Cline, D.O.

Board Certified in Family Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

Lacey Colvin, D.O.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

Uche Ezeigwe, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine 1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

Luke Krause, D.O.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine 1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

Dawn Mannings, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine 1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

Daryl McCartney, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine 1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

Patricia Morissette, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine 1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

Anil Nair, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine 1499 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

(CONT.)

Ijeoma Nnanabu, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1000 • fax (912) 871-2261

INTENSIVISTS

An intensivist, also known as a critical care doctor, specializes in the care of critically ill patients.

Tarek Amoun, M.D.

Board Certified in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine & Internal 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

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 Rd., Ste. 600 • Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 681-4911 • fax (912) 681-6911

L. Richard Lawoyin, 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

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

Hamilton Emokpae, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine Supreme Internal Medicine, P.C. 1207 Merchant Way Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 243-9080 • fax (912) 243-9084

Ogechi Mbakwe, M.D.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine Frontline Internal Medicine 6 Coach Lee Hill Boulevard Statesboro, Georgia 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

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

NEPHROLOGY

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

Specalizes in the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system.

Kashyap Patel, M.D.

Board Certified in Neurology & Internal Medicine with subspecialty certification in Clinical Neurophysiology East Georgia Neurology & Neurodiagnostics

114 Hill Pond Lane • Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 486-1140 • fax (912) 486-1908

Michael A. Taormina, M.D.

Board Certified in Neurology & subspecialty certified in Headache Medicine, Behavioral Neurology & Neurocritical Care

The Neurological Center of East Georgia, P.C. 1601 Fair Rd., Ste. 400 • Statesboro, GA 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 55 Granade Street Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 871-7777 • fax (912) 871-7172

OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY

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

(CONT.)

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

Tony Reed, 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

Lisa S. Rogers, M.D.

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 B. Sullivan, M.D.

Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology

Statesboro Women’s Health Specialists 1523 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 871-2000 • fax (912) 871-2500

Barbara Williams, D.O.

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.

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 & 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

Rodrigo L. Uribe, 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

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 Paynter, M.D.

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 116915 US Hwy. 67 South Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 225-6499 • fax (844) 785-1429

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 Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy 120 S. Zetterower Avenue Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 681-7368 • fax (912) 681-3687

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, M.D.

Board Certified in Pain Management

Board Certified in Anesthesiology 1497 Fair Road, Suite 206 Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1121 • fax (912) 871-2483

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.

Keath Wade, M.D.

Board Certified in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology & Cytopathology 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1616 • fax (912) 871-2393

Anjana Vijayvargiya, M.D.

Board Certified in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology & Cytopathology 1499 Fair Road Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 486-1616 • fax (912) 871-2393

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, Georgia 30458 (912) 871-5437 • fax (912) 623-2037

Maggie Blackwood, M.D.

Board Certified in Pediatrics

Mama Doc Pediatrics

4451 Country Club Road, Suite B Statesboro, Georgia 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

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, Georgia 30458 912-259-9991 • fax (912) 259-9992

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

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

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.

Tarek Amoun, M.D.

Board Certified in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine & Internal 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

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, GA 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, GA 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, GA 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, GA 30458 (912) 486-1620 • fax (912) 871-2396

Statesboro Imaging Center

8 Coach Lee Hill Blvd. • Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 764-5656 • fax (912) 764-5659

Khoa Nguyen, M.D.

Board Certified in Diagnostic Radiology

East Georgia Radiology 1499 Fair Road • Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 486-1620 • fax (912) 871-2396

Statesboro Imaging Center

8 Coach Lee Hill Blvd. • Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 764-5656 • fax (912) 764-5659

SLEEP MEDICINE

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

Tthe 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

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. 1497 Fair Road, Suite 102 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, D.P.M. Podiatry

Daniel M. Feldman, M.D. Pediatrics

Akram Hassanyeh, M.D. General Surgery

George Piros, M.D. Radiology

Thad Riley, M.D. Family Medicine

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 2024

Basil Bangash, M.D. Pulmonology

Catherine Featherston, M.D. Internal Medicine/Hospitalist

Issac Fordjour, M.D. Internal Medicine/Hospitalist

Dwayne Gard, M.D. Internal Medicine/Hospitalist

Thomas Sorbera. M.D. Urology

NOTES

Guiding You & Your Family Through Life’s Change

• INPATIENT HOSPICE CARE

• INPATIENT RESPITE CARE

• HOME CARE

• PALLIATIVE CARE

• BEREAVEMENT SERVICES

• VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

For thirty 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.

Dr. Tony Reed, MD, FACOG

Dr. Chelsea Mikell, MD, FACOG

Shannon Hall, PA-C

Dr. James Small, MD, MEd, FACOG

Tressa Cheney, FNP-C

Sarah Kent, lbCLC

Denise Peebles, FNP-C

Nikiya L. Lewis, DNP, FNP-C

Jamie Bohler, FNP-C

Swainsboro

Sylvania

Metter

Pembroke

Claxton

Millen

Top Provider

PROFILES

BRIAN SELLERS, D.M.D. DENTIST

JOSH MCCOOK, PHARM.D., RPH PHARMACIST

Matt Hollis, D.O.

OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

Statesboro is blessed to be home to a regional hospital, urgent care clinics, family and nurse practitioners, hometown pharmacists, veterinarians, physicians from a wide range of specialties, dentists, oral surgeons, and the support staffs that work with these professionals to bring the very best healthcare to the community, and the region.

Statesboro Magazine has selected three of these Top Providers to showcase in our annual Healthcare issue. In the following pages, you will meet outstanding dentist, Dr. Brian Sellers, distinguished pharmacist, Dr. Josh McCook, and noteworthy doctor of osteopathic medicine, Dr. Matt Hollis. These three providers represent the very best healthcare clinicians in our area, who practice with passion, expert care, and a focus on bettering the lives of all patients.

BRIAN SELLERS, D.M.D.

EAST GEORGIA CENTER FOR ORAL & FACIAL SURGERY

Dr. Brian Sellers grew up in nearby Hazelhurst, Georgia. He attended Georgia Southern University and graduated in 1996 with a BBA in Business/Marketing. Upon graduation he pursued a career in sales and then IT with the Center for Disease Control. After starting a business with his brother, he was met with a life changing event when it was destroyed by fire. That led to him and his brother changing their career direction to dentistry.

He attended Augusta University and graduated in 2015 with his DMD and continued to pursue his specialty degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, graduating in 2021.

Dr. Sellers married wife, Mia, in 1998 after meeting her while at Georgia Southern. They have two boys Kyle (24) and Carter (20). Their sons are attending Dental College of Georgia and Georgia Southern University, respectively.

When not in the office, he enjoys playing golf and Carolina Shag dancing with his family.

The greatest part about being back in Statesboro is running into friends from all stages of my life. I rarely go a week without seeing someone that I knew in Y-Club, college, or sports. It is a lifelong dream to be able to help the community that I love; which gives so much back to me.

JOSH MCCOOK, PHARM.D., RPH

MCCOOK PHARMACY

Josh McCook is a Statesboro native who graduated with honors from Statesboro High School in 2006. He completed his studies at Georgia Southern University and then graduated from South University School of Pharmacy in 2013, with a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree. He received several academic awards throughout pharmacy school including being on the President’s List and Dean’s List. He works alongside his parents, Len and Janie McCook, at locally owned McCook’s Pharmacy as a board-certified licensed pharmacist. He is a member of the Georgia Pharmaceutical Association. Josh also serves on the Advisory Board of Renasant Bank and is a member of First Baptist Church. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing in his spare time. Josh is married to Charlie McCook and they have two sons Adam (3) and Sawyer (1).

I enjoy serving the Statesboro community because it allows me to make a positive impact and help others, giving back in the same way and to many of the same people who supported me on my path to where I am today. As a pharmacist, I am able to contribute to the overall health and well-being of my community. Whether it's providing vaccinations, counseling on healthy lifestyle choices, or managing chronic conditions in patients, I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of many people. Statesboro has been so good to our family; working here has been a great opportunity to give back.

MATT HOLLIS, D.O.

SOUTHERN FAMILY MEDICINE

Dr. Hollis originally hails from the Ozark Mountains. His journey to practicing medicine might be considered unconventional by some. Prior to pursuing his passion of medicine, he spent six years working for Caterpillar. After this he attended Arkansas State for his undergraduate studies. This was followed by medical school at William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

While vacationing in Savannah, Dr. Hollis fell in love with South Georgia. This led him to move to Savannah to practice medicine for a few years before eventually moving to Statesboro, to practice medicine with Southern Family Medicine.

When he is not practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, and his three children and grandson. They enjoy trips to the beach, fishing, working in the garden, and spending time around the house. Dr. Hollis and his family are members of Compassion Church and feel truly blessed to be a part of Statesboro and the surrounding communities.

I love practicing in Statesboro because it feels like home. It has a small town feel but also has so many amenities. It is a town full of values and allows for the intimacy of close patient relationships. The people of Statesboro truly trust their physicians. I am so blessed to be able to practice here.

Insurance can be complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. Working with an Independent Agent means more choices from someone with your best interests in mind. And when you choose Grange, you can be sure they’re looking out for you, too.

For more information, call us at 912.764.9602 or visit bbwhins.com

MADISON GASTON Hospice Liaison

DR. JASON GLOW Medical Director

ACROSS THE COUNTRY 35 RURAL HOSPITALS HAVE

closed within the last five years. Financial instability, often rooted in low patient volumes and high operational costs, magnified during the pandemic causing many to shut down. Rural hospitals typically serve smaller populations with a higher proportion of uninsured and underinsured patients, leading to significant financial strain.

According to the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA), since 2010, Georgia hospitals have seen some $700 million in Medicare cuts due to legislative or regulatory action. By 2025, the figure will reach $12 billion. The cuts are hitting rural hospitals especially hard.

For our immediate area, the good news is Optim Health Systems has stepped in to enrich the lives of rural residents through community partnerships. By acquiring rural hospitals in places like Sylvania, Optim has provided resources that the hospital could not afford on its own, such as help with compliance, supply costs and marketing.

“Rural hospitals really struggle,” said Optim Medical Center – Screven CEO Lagina Evans. “It is hard now for a county with a lesser population to support all of the services provided by a rural hospital. It requires such a large overhead. During the pandemic, we saw a 35 – 45% increase in medical supplies. For a facility like ours, that can be crippling. It also gave us a new perspective on how

important a hospital like ours is to the community and the care of our citizens in Screven and surrounding counties.”

Ten years before the pandemic, in 2010, Optim Health Care Systems acquired Screven County Hospital and has since invested in the facility through renovation and the addition of state-of-the-art equipment and services.

Currently, Optim Medical Center-Screven offers an emergency department; a variety of diagnostic services, including a laboratory; ultrasound and CAT Scans; mobile mammography; wound care; and endoscopy services such as colonoscopies. Also, for those who may need extra time healing after a hospital stay or surgery, Optim offers inpatient rehabilitation services with its swing bed program and outpatient rehabilitation like physical and occupational therapy.

“In July 2022, we opened our new ER,” said Evans. “We now have a stroke program through the ER called Reach Call, that allows board certified neurologists at Georgia Regents University (GRU) in Augusta, to diagnose and treat stroke patients in rural hospitals like ours, giving all patients access to the treatments they need. This has been a lifesaver for local residents.”

It also means patients don’t have to go to Savannah or Augusta to get incredible care and service. They can get it in their own home town.

Evans is a native of Sylvania, as are many of her long-time employees. There is a home town feel and level of caring about neighbors that is not found in big city hospitals.

“I was born in this hospital,” said Evans. “In July, I will have worked here 30 years.”

Rural hospitals really struggle, It is hard now for a county with a lesser population to support all of the services provided by a rural hospital."

– LAGINA EVANS

Evans started in high school as a CNA at Screven County Hospital before she went to UGA and the Medical College of Georgia for a BSN. She raised her family and eventually took over as OR Supervisor.

“When Optim bought the hospital in 2010, they gave me a unique opportunity to grow,” said Evans. “I loved being a surgical nurse, and that experience really helped me, especially during COVID when it was ‘All hands on deck!’ The whole staff pulled together to keep the hospital going for our patients. We cleaned rooms, we made beds, we did whatever it took to keep things running for the community. We knew how badly they needed us.”

In return the community poured support back into the hospital by providing meals for the staff on a rotating schedule and prayer vigils in the parking lot.

“It was heartwarming to see how much the community cared about us,” said Evans.

Ongoing plans are in place for improvements and an expansion of the hospital facilities to further benefit area residents. In addition to a new ER, the hospital is in the middle of a renovation project that will expand and remodel the entrance. Phase 2 will expand the Laboratory and Outpatient Auxiliary Services. The CT and Nursing Areas will be renovated. Phase 3 will include Outpatient Physical Therapy, which will have outdoor facilities in the glassed-in Legacy interior courtyard around which the hospital was built. Improvements to the courtyard also include a pergola, a walking/running track, putting green, and a sitting area for families and visitors. Phase 4 will renovate the

Surgical Department. An enhanced ventilation system and more negative-air-pressure rooms will also be added.

Optim Medical Center – Screven has expanded care for patients as well offering services that include: Laboratory, Pharmacy, Radiology & Imaging, Surgical Procedures, Specialty Care Clinics, Rehabilitation & Therapy, including a Swing Bed Rehabilitation Program. A Cardiology program including stress tests; outpatient Obstetrics & Gynecology provided by Ogeechee OBGYN; outpatient surgery for gall bladder & hernia by Metro Surgery; Ophthalmologist Dr. William Degenhart provides cataract surgery; Dr. Anthony Foley & Dr. Santosh Reddy are Gastroenterologists with Metro Surgical, all associated with the Optim Health Care System.

One of Evan’s dreams was to provide better nutritional alternatives for residents of Screven County. The addition of Healthy Home Café, an outreach of the hospital’s Dietary Services, has been a blessing to both the staff and the community.

“We had a disastrous flood in 2022, that ended up being a blessing,” said Evans. “I always had a vision for a place where the community could come to eat healthy food. We expanded the dining room and added a patio outside in a shaded area, plus an

exterior entrance to make it more accessible to local citizens. We offer healthy breakfasts and lunches at a low cost. Local ladies work here in the Café and they get so excited when people come in off the street to eat with us. It has been more successful than we could have imagined.”

The staff, some of whom have worked at the hospital for more than 25 years, add so much to the level of care and home town feel of the hospital.

Alice T. Thomas, LPN, a staple in the ER, has put in over 35 years at the hospital. She also grew up in Screven County. The Healthy Home Café lunch lady, whom everybody calls “Miss Barbara,” has over 40 years with the Dietary Department. Linda Davis, Housekeeping Supervisor, has served 40+ years.

Susan B. Durrence has been a medical records insurance clerk for over 35 years.

Karen B. Anderson, an FNP-BC has been a nurse practitioner for over 25 years. Cleveland D. Robertson, MT(AAB), has been with the laboratory as a medical technician for over 25 years. Angela R. DeLay, RPH, in the Optim Primary Care – Screven pharmacy, has been a pharmacist for 26 years.

“It takes everybody to make our facility successful,” said Evans. “In addition to the patients and the visitors, the janitor is just as

important as the doctor. The way people are greeted, the lighting, the kindness shown, the outstanding services, respectfulness. It all adds up to making people feel like they are getting great care, and they are.”

Evans says the greatest success so far has been the expansion of services.

“48% of the population is 45 and below, which means we serve an older population that includes my parents,” said Evans. “If my own parents have to drive a great distance for care, transportation can be difficult. It is so much better to have these health care services in our home town. Patients are cared for by people they know. The success rate is greater for them if they can get tests and services locally. With the state-of-the-art equipment we’re bringing into the facility, we offer the same services as larger cities. We are expanding our outpatient footprint. We are constantly looking for service areas to connect patients with the care they need.”

By being committed to the well-being of her community, Evans passion for healthcare and service, combined with her leadership style, has had a positive impact on the hospital and the community in which she was born. By fostering a culture of compassion, innovation and excellence, she is steering Optim Medical Center – Screven on a course of success for many years to come. S

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.

Dodds, MD, Interventional Radiology Benjamin Cahan, MD, Women’s Imaging & Musculoskeletal

Janine Dodds, MD, Director of Women’s Imaging

Expl ring Nearby Gardens & Historic Sites

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS

In May and June when it’s not yet really summertime, we think it’s the best time to explore the beautiful botanic gardens with historic homes within our region. Plan a day trip or spend the weekend exploring the beautiful natural settings and planned gardens nearby.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN BOTANIC GARDEN

Right here in our own backyard is the most unique and beautiful garden spot in the region. The Georgia Southern Botanic Garden is located on over 11 acres at the old homestead of benefactors Dan and Catharine Bland, between Fair Road and Georgia Avenue. Native and heritage plants bloom along the paths and trails, surrounding the early 20th century cottage and its outbuildings. A canopy of shade trees including oaks, pines and magnolias creates rooms decorated with carpets of grass and bouquets of azaleas, hydrangeas and jasmine. “The Garden offers woodland trails, a landscape garden of coastal plain natives, a native azalea collection, an arboretum, a children’s garden, a complex of early 20th-century farm buildings, the Rural Life Museum, the Whelchel Camellia Garden, heritage gardens, wetland gardens, and the Kennedy Outdoor Classroom. The Garden is a research and educational resource for faculty and students and provides undergraduate and graduate programs, projects, and internships as well as continuing education programs of interest to the community.” Admission is $5/adult. There is no charge for Garden members, students and children. Spring & Summer hours are Monday – Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Open on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed for private events on Saturdays. For information about membership and special events please visit the website, https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/academics/garden/.

GSU

JONATHAN

M. CHICK

THE GARDEN OF FRAGRANCE AT FORSYTH PARK

The Garden of Fragrance is located on the western boundary of Forsyth Park. The garden was dedicated on April 3, 1963, at which time it was known as the Fragrant Garden for the Blind in Savannah. Filled with many scented flowers and plants, the garden was created specifically to appeal to people with limited sight. Plants include Meyer lemon trees, winter daphne, mountain witch alder, cape jasmine, ginger lily, Florida anise, roses, lilies, irises, violets, and rhododendrons. The names of the plants are listed in English, Latin, and Braille. There is also a fountain and benches. The garden is surrounded by three walls that were the remnants of a local military company's fake forts built in 1915 to train Savannah's Volunteer Guard. The garden's fourth side is an ornamental iron fence. The entrance to the garden is through the iron gates from the Old Union Station, donated in memory of Frances Smith Littlefield by members of her garden club and friends. In 2002 Savannah’s Park and Tree Department in collaboration with the Trustees Garden Club and the Junior League began much needed renovations. A garden plan was designed by John McEllen. Surfaces were pressure washed, painted, and new fragrant plants were added. You can visit the garden for free Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. It is closed on weekends and holidays. https://www.savannahga.gov/769/Garden-of-Fragrance-in-Forsyth-Park.

ANDALUSIA – HOME OF FLANNERY O’CONNOR FROM 1951 – 1964

First settled in 1814, Andalusia was a cotton plantation and farm until it was purchased by Flannery’s uncle, Dr. Bernard Cline in 1931. During the O’Connor’s residency, the site contained 14 buildings with over 520 acres of land that was used for dairy and beef farming near Milledgeville. Following a diagnosis of Lupus in 1951 at just 25 years old, Flannery moved to Andalusia to live under the care of her mother, Regina Cline O’Connor. During the 13 years she lived at Andalusia, she completed her 2 novels and 32 short stories centered around the American southern gothic genre. The farm’s environment influenced the setting of many of her writings and the people of Milledgeville often inspired her characters. Following her death in 1964, the farm remained in the care of the family until 2003 when it was given to a private foundation for use as a museum. In August 2017, the site was gifted to O’Connor’s alma mater, Georgia College & State University. Today, Andalusia serves as a museum whose mission is to care for, collect, interpret, and exhibit items that illustrate the history of the site during the time which Flannery O’Connor lived on the property (19511964). Andalusia is open for public tours Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays & holidays. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. In 2019, Andalusia was listed as a "Distinctive Destination" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and in 2022 was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. For more information, please visit https://www.gcsu.edu/andalusia and https://www.visitmilledgeville.org/

COASTAL GEORGIA BOTANICAL GARDENS

A unit of University of Georgia Extension, CGBG is an historic property with trees and farm buildings dating to the 1920s, 30s and 40s, when "the Bamboo Farm" was an active USDA Plant Introduction Station. Among the gardens to enjoy are the Cottage Garden, Woodland Shade Garden, Native Plant Trail, Crepe Myrtle Allee, Water Garden, The Barbour Lathrop Bamboo Collection, Orchid House, Mediterranean Garden, Rose Garden and Judge Arthur Solomon Camellia Trail. Numerous cold-hardy palms, bamboo species and camellia species are highlights in their botanical collection. Today, new gardens and paths are being developed and installed. By increasing the plant diversity on the 51-acre property, CGBG aims to bring people in touch with the wonders and beauty of the plant world. Admission charge, free parking and amenities include a Gift Shop and two public restrooms on site.

$5/adults and $3/children 6-16. Children 5 and under enter free. Open Tuesday –Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sundays, noon – 4:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays. For more information, please visit https://coastalbg.uga.edu/the-gardens/. S

DAILY

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS Summer Time!

Summer is here.

FINALLY! BREAK OUT THE FLIP FLOPS, FLOPPY HATS, AND SUNGLASSES, AND START PLANNING SOME OUTDOOR PARTIES. HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR GAMES, FOOD, SAFETY, AND KEEPING THE SEASON FUN FOR ALL.

Back Yard Fun

Sun and waterplay go together like lemonade and ice. When the temperature goes up, kids love to cool down with water. But you don’t have to go to the ocean, lake or river to splash around. Remember when you were a kid and all you needed was a hose and a sprinkler in the yard for hours of fun? You can still create those cool summer memories for your kids. Get them out of the house and into the outdoors for a change. Wham-O still makes the Slip ‘N Slide, updated with a built-in sprinkler to making slipping and sliding easier than ever! It’s available at multiple retailers for under $20. You don’t have to buy a Slip ‘N Slide to enjoy the water. Here are some activities that will take their playfulness to the next level.

Rainbow(l) Fill

Provide your kids with colorful plastic bowls to place on their heads while they stand under or near the sprinkler. When they think their bowl is full, have the kids walk or run to a large bucket and see how long it takes them to fill it up. You can even have a group of kids work together in teams to see whose bucket fills up the fastest.

Hokey Pokey

Put your foot in, put your foot out, put your foot in, and shake it all about. Continue through the body parts with the biggest laughs coming when your kids put their hair or rearends in. Make sure everybody turns themselves around.

Water Gymnastics

Add a little H2O to your kids’ favorite movements by having them cartwheel, front or back walkover, or scissor jump through the sprinkler.

Animal Walks

Kids love to imitate animals. Have them gallop like a horse, hop like a bunny, jump like a kangaroo, waddle like a penguin, or crawl like a bear through the sprinkler. And if their mouths aren’t full of water from laughing, making the noise to accompany each animal movement will amp up the fun.

Water Park

If your yard has a swing set, move the sprinkler close to the equipment and kids can swing through the water and glide down the wet slide.

Sponge Relay

Sponges are great at absorbing water (and for cleaning windows!) But how long can a kid run with a wet sponge before all that water drips away? The aim of this game is for kids to fill sponges with water from the sprinkler and to then run and squeeze them into a container. How many times will they need to run back and forth until the container is full? Place the sprinkler at one end of your yard and containers at the other.

Dance Party

Sprinkler time is the very best time for your child to learn new dances. If your child doesn’t know “The Sprinkler,” what better time to show them? Parents and older kids can jump in and teach kids “The Twist,” “The Macarena,” “The Conga Line,” “The Chicken Dance,” and, if your dance knowledge is limited, maybe the just plain “The Running Man”? Kids can make up their own dances and put on a performance. “So You Think You Can Dance” – Sprinkler Version, anyone?

Jumping, running, dancing, sliding, and laughing are all ingredients of super

summertime activity. Set up those sprinklers and your kids will splash their way to a fun-filled day. Or, if you prefer to keep things dry, here are some activities that can be held outdoors, weather permitting, or indoors in the cool air conditioning when temperatures climb.

Selfie Station

Hang an empty picture frame from a tree by a rope and take selfies inside the frame. You can get some silly hats and scarves as well as party-themed goods at the dollar store.

A Cool Tent

If you have a tent that isn’t too hard to set up, consider setting up a tent for the kids. Put coloring books, crayons, and some games inside so they have a cool place to play in. You can also string up a rope and hang some sheets from it for the same effect and place a sheet on the ground underneath it.

Hula Hoops, Beach Balls, and Glow Sticks

Hula hoops can be used on their own, as targets, and as basketball hoops for little ones taped to a step ladder or the back of a chair. Get some blow up beach balls and the kids will make up their own games. Glow sticks are fun for all at night. Or go “old school” and see if you or your kids can catch lightening bugs in a jar.

Yard Bowling

Save ten large soda bottles, take the wrappers off, get a ball, and set up a bowling area between two broom handles. Place about a cup of sand in each bottle. Glow sticks inside are great for night bowling.

Su er’s Even Be er in Me er!

DOWNTOWN METTER IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR LUNCH OR FOR FINDING THAT PERFECT GIFT.

Food Safety Party Tips

If you have a kid’s pool or an inflatable pool raft, fill it with ice, place your refrigerated foods in bowls on top of the ice and you have a safe means of keeping your food cold for hours. You can also place large plastic trays full of ice beneath platters.

We all know how pesky flies, bees, and yellow jackets are around sweet drinks. Take cupcake liners, turn them upside down and put a straw into the middle. Place this on top of your drink with a rubber band and the bugs can’t get in!

Keep watermelons on ice in the shade for cutting and sharing after the games end and the kids are hungry for a treat. When the watermelon feast had ended, start the water games again to wash away the sticky juice.

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Nothing compares to a cold bowl of homemade ice cream on a hot summer day. Treat your kids or guests to an

old-fashioned churn of your favorite recipe. You won’t have to worry about leftovers.

To Keep the Adults Busy When They Bring the Kids to the Party

It’s always nice to have a couple of decks of cards, dominoes, and maybe some dice for a Bunco game for adults to play on the porch.

Balloons

water bottles, etc. This saves on trash and helps people know which drink is theirs. Set up a bucket or station with bug spray, wet wipes, sunscreen, and some extra hats and bandanas for those who forget to bring their own protection. Just remember the reason for all these summer games and helpful tips – to enjoy the beautiful weather and the great outdoors! S

There are a number of games adults can play with balloons – table volleyball, passing it from one person to another holding the balloon under their chins or between their elbows. “No hands!” is the rule.

Other

Helpful Hints

Have a sharpie marker available next to the large plastic drinking cups. Put a sign out asking guests to label their cups,

splashintheboro.com/

SUMMER BLUEBERRY QUINOA SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. cooked Quinoa

4 c. Salad Greens

½ c. Feta Cheese

½ c. Toasted Pecans

½ c. Craisins

1c. Fresh Blueberries

1 c. Diced Granny Smith Apple

1 c. Braswell’s Balsamic Herb or Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

PREPARATION:

Place salad greens in a bowl. Top with chilled quinoa and slightly toss. Top with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately. I like to add sliced grilled chicken for a full meal!

Byne’s Blueberry

WRITTEN BY LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY

HAVE YOU EVER MET A PERSON AND BECOME INSTANT FRIENDS? I MET

Mr. Dick Byne from Waynesboro nearly 10 years ago when he stopped in to grab lunch at Honey Café. It was a typical busy day at the restaurant, and I was running around doing all my managerial duties. He pulled me to the side for a quick conversation and we became fast friends. He wanted to know if we would be interested in selling his blueberry products. I didn’t have to think twice about carrying Byne’s blueberry products. He handed me a jar of velvety jam with flecks of real blueberries. It was so dark blue it bordered on aubergene. The label on the jar instantly caught my eye. Pictured front and center on the label were his four beautiful daughters. I was intrigued to say the least. I love a successful farm family and I had to know their story!

He’s a “talker,” so it didn’t take long to hear about his passion for farming, his family, and selling all things blueberry. He has real knowledge! I could tell he genuinely loved and believed in what he was selling! Our conversations always led to friendly banter about the food industry and the intricacies of running a small business. I always feel I leave our conversations with a renewed zeal for tackling the day.

I like to surround myself with other small business owners who have a real passion for their products and making their businesses grow. They are a treasure trove of knowledge. I promise if they can’t help you with a question, they know someone who can. Mr. Dick gave me invaluable knowledge that helped

me formulate a product that won the Baked Goods category in the Flavor of Georgia competition. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that we used Byne’s Blueberry Preserves in our award-winning Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake. He coached me on what makes a winner and helped me throughout the whole process. I learned from the best as he is the first business to win Flavor of Georgia five times! He knows the recipe for success.

Bynes Blueberry Farms has been in operation since 1980, with Mr. Dick running the show. He is an eighth-generation farmer. With the help of his father, brother, and mentor, Roosevelt Chance, he decided to start one of the oldest organic blueberry farms in the United States. He started with 15 acres of blueberry bushes that he lovingly planted on land passed down through the Byne family for five generations. He still harvests berries from the original plants and has added an additional 7 acres through the years. He prefers the sweet “Rabbit Eye” variety. All Byne’s blueberries are organic. Never sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. With the help of his wife and four daughters the farm went from a pickyour-own operation to a wholesale operation offering any blueberry product Mr. Dick could imagine. In 2007, he won a Flavor of Georgia Award for Blueberry Salsa. In 2009, the Farm was runner-up for Blueberry Pecan Glaze. Also in 2009, Bynes received Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Master Farmer designation! An alumnus, it was at ABAC that Bynes decided he wanted to make farming a career.

RIBS WITH BLUEBERRY BBQ SAUCE

RIB INGREDIENTS:

1 rack Pork Ribs

Salt and Pepper

1 Tbsp. Chili Powder

2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

PREPARATION:

Season ribs lightly with salt and pepper. Rub ribs with chili powder and brown sugar. Place ribs in foil and sprinkle vinegar over top of ribs. Tightly wrap the ribs in foil and place on baking sheet. Bake at 300˚ for 2 - 2 1/2 hours or until tender. Remove the ribs from foil and cover with Blueberry BBQ sauce. Broil for 5 minutes or until nicely browned.

BLUEBERRY BBQ SAUCE INGREDIENTS:

1 c. Ketchup

1/2 c. Brown Sugar

1/2 c. Blueberries

1/4 c. Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 Vidalia Onion chopped fine

3 Tbsp. Butter

1 tsp. Pepper

1 tsp. Granulated Garlic

PREPARATION:

Sauté onion in butter in a small sauce pot until tender. Add remaining ingredients to the pot. Stir until combined and simmer for 5-8 minutes. Stir frequently. Use spoon or whisk to mash the berries while cooking.

BLUEBERRY DELIGHT

CRUST INGREDIENTS:

2 c. Plain Flour

2 sticks Salted Butter

½ c. Sugar

1 c. Pecans (finely chopped)

PREPARATION:

Melt butter. Mix flour, sugar, and pecans until combined. Add butter to flour mixture and stir to combine. Press the dough into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake at 350˚ for 10 - 15 minutes until lightly browned. Cool completely.

FILLING INGREDIENTS:

2 8 oz. blocks Cream Cheese (softened)

2 c. Powdered Sugar

2 c. Freshly Whipped Cream

PREPARATION:

Beat cream cheese and 1 cup of powdered sugar until fluffy. Whip cream with 1 cup of powdered sugar until stiff peaks from. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese. Smooth filling over cooled pecan shortbread crust.

The Bynes use every part of the blueberry! Some of their bestselling products include: preserves, jam, jellies, BBQ sauce, syrup, chocolate coated berries, and even blueberry powder used in juicing! My personal favorite is the dried blueberries. I enjoy them as an afternoon snack, mixed in a green salad, or as a sweet addition to trail mix. We use the dried blueberries in Honey’s Georgia chicken salad. A special recipe formulated to showcase Georgia grown ag products: blueberries, peaches, and pecans.

Blueberries are considered a “super food” because they are low in calories and high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals! When I asked Mr. Dick his favorite way to enjoy blueberries, I wasn’t surprised when he said, “Any way they come. I like creativity.” He is always looking for new ways to enjoy and promote his product. I even learned they have a whole cookbook devoted to family recipes! I created a few recipes to showcase Georgia’s number one fruit crop! Yes, blueberries beat out peaches with 18,328 acres producing 39 million pounds valued at over 120 million dollars!

You can shop online at byneblueberries.com You can also find Byne blueberry products in Whole Foods, Fresh Market, and Piggly Wiggly. When blueberries are in season you can visit the farm and pick your own! The season starts in June, so plan now for a trip to 839 Story Mill Road in Waynesboro, Ga! S

TOPPING INGREDIENTS:

4 c. Fresh Blueberries

1 jar Bynes Blueberry Jam

PREPARATION:

Place jam in a small pot. Add 2 cups blueberries. Cook until jam melts and mash berries slightly with spoon while stirring constantly. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the other 2 cups of berries. Cool completely. Spoon over cream cheese mixture. Chill until ready to serve.

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Deciding on prostate cancer treatment can be difficult. Every case is different, and we understand that. At South Georgia Cancer Care, we believe knowing all your prostate cancer treatment options is essential. Our board-certified radiation oncologists are here to provide you with a custom-tailored treatment plan unique to your diagnosis, tumor size, location, and involvement.

We deliver top-tier radiotherapy with our state-of-the-art Varian Halcyon system, ensuring precise and prompt treatment while minimizing side effects. With this advanced technology, there’s no need to travel to a large city. You can receive expert care close to home, surrounded by the support of your loved ones and community, regardless of your cancer diagnosis.

MOST OF US GARDENERS ANTICIPATE SPRING AND SUMMER IN BULLOCH COUNTY BY GOING TO THE FEED AND SEED STORE TO buy young plants. Tillman, Brannen, and Minick is still serving us as a locally owned store with a tremendous variety. Back in the day, we visited Bradley and Cone on Walnut Street. If you were lucky, you took a trip out to Mrs. Arthur Brannen’s home, which was located near the new Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center. We were looking for annuals to plant in our color beds. Things like marigolds, zinnias and petunias were my favorites. “Miss Lois” Mallard Brannen had the best home-grown plants in Bulloch County. They were all blooming and the first thing that Momma made me do was pinch off that pretty bloom. We know the meaning now is to encourage a bushy, round plant. However, as a child, this was heart breaking.

The older I get the more I value perennials in my landscape. They can be nurtured for several years reducing the time and expense of replacing annual plants each season. Annuals are short-lived plants that complete their entire life cycle within one growing season. Biennials normally do not bloom until the second season, form seeds and then die. Perennials live from year-to-year with varying bloom times.

Perennials are further classified as woody, (trees and shrubs that produce woody above-ground stems and branches that live from year to year) or herbaceous, (plants that produce comparatively soft tissues which die back to ground level at the end of the growing season). Herbaceous perennials persist by means of various underground storage structures—bulbs, corms, tubers, and crowns.

Both the homeowner and the commercial landscaper are experiencing an interest in perennials. Some are not well suited to our Southeast Georgia intense summer heat, but there are many to choose from that work well. I like to combine perennials with annuals and grasses. Height, spread, color, time and length of bloom and plant habit should be given careful consideration. Sun and shade are big factors. Purchasing plants by botanical name and variety is a good idea because common names vary from region to region. Also, please be cognitive that some perennials are invasive! Do NOT put any plant on or near a property line that may have this growth habit. Your neighbor will thank you. Never plant Monarda (bee balm) or Physostegia (obedient plant) in your yard unless you want to fight it spreading in every direction for the rest of your life. Many catalogs say these two naturalize easily. That is plant talk for “they will take over your yard.”

Georgia Perennials include the following: Stokesia, hairy alumroot, blue moon phlox, and purple coneflower. Let’s learn more about these four beautiful natives.

A favorite of mine is Stokesia also known as Stoke’s Aster. It blooms white, blue or lavender. My childhood home on College Boulevard had Stokesia and I loved the blue flowers. It will grow in full sun or partial shade and likes moist soil with good drainage. It will grow 18 inches tall and spread to 20 inches wide. It has a compact mounding habit that always looks neat. The July and August blooms attract butterflies. It loves heat and humidity.

Heuchera, commonly known as hairy alumroot or coral-bells, is a great native substitute for Hosta in the shady border. Joe McGlamery gave me these plants and they come back in the spring with amazing color. They have beautiful and colorful leaves in bronzy and purple shades. Some of these plants look like they have been sprayed with lacquer. Heuchera works well among tree roots. It makes a lovely shade groundcover. It has long stems of pink flowers that rise above the handsome foliage from May through July. They provide a nectar source for hummingbirds and cover for small wildlife. Heuchera grow well under hardwood trees and are deer resistant.

Perennials for Georgia Gardens

WRITTEN BY VIRGINIA ANNE WATERS

Eastern Purple Coneflower is one of the great butterfly magnets of the native Georgia perennial garden. Coneflowers are easy to grow in average, well-drained soils. Flowers are large with orange-gold spikey centers. They are very drought tolerant. Echinacea purpurea is excellent for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Finches love their seed in the fall. I enjoy bringing coneflowers inside, as they are excellent cut flowers.

If you lived in Statesboro in the 1960’s or 1970’s, you knew spring had arrived when the edges of the winding brick walkway on College Boulevard turned blue. Thad and Eloise Morris’ stately home had blue, woodlawn phlox planted here. It has a trailing mass of fine green foliage and covers itself in deep violet-blue flowers. Butterflies and native insects love phlox. It likes the morning sun or semi-shade. It grows only twelve inches high. Phlox gradually multiplies by rhizomes and spreading stem that root at the nodes. The foliage is burgundy in winter, providing another season of interest.

The four perennials mentioned are winter hardy in our area. Use perennials more in your color beds and enjoy multiple years of beautiful plants. S

Through the Fire

WRITTEN BY REV. DR. JOHN WATERS

ONE OF MY BOYHOOD HOMES HAD A LARGE HEATER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LIVING ROOM WE FEARFULLY CALLED “THE FURNACE.” IT was an ugly piece of equipment, apparently added to the house in order to provide warmth to the old structure. It stood as a silent monster, ready to gobble up small children if we dared come too close to it. As a boy, I was afraid of it. Very afraid.

During the summer months, it sat harmlessly in its place, and Mom even put potted plants and decorations on it from time to time. But during the winter, as the temperatures began to drop, the furnace would warm up and send forth hellish heat, laughing at us and mocking us to keep our distance. We were forbidden to touch it or even approach it, knowing that it would burn us quickly and mercilessly.

At night when the house was silent, I could hear the horrible monster inside the furnace rumbling and grumbling, just waiting for a child to come too close so it could engulf him in flames. My parents even deepened my fear of the furnace, telling me terrible stories of children who were burned and maimed because they ventured too close within the reach of its range of death. I’ve been afraid of fiery furnaces ever since.

As an adult, I now realize that fiery furnaces come in all shapes and sizes. Some include literal flames that burn hot with smoke and heat, while others include the fire of painful circumstances and difficult moments. These types of fiery furnaces burn as hot and dangerous as those that burn the flesh, and they are just as painful as the real thing. And like the child-eating, monstrous “Furnace” in my boyhood home, they still frighten me.

A journey through cancer and chemotherapy is a fiery furnace. The loss of a job and the ability to provide financial stability for your family is a fiery furnace. Strained family relationships, rebellious children, and a troubled marriage all represent various thermostat settings on the furnace of life. And standing by the graveside of a loved one is certainly a fiery ordeal of grief, loss, and pain.

What are Christians to do when we face such tragic and difficult circumstances? Singing happy songs and thinking happy thoughts never seem to make the fire disappear, regardless of how much we believe in the power of positive thinking. Do we act like the fire is not there, ignoring its presence and pain, hoping that somehow it will magically disappear?

Because of the all-too-familiar painful experiences of life, many Christians descend into the depths of desperation and depression, losing hope and questioning their faith. Do we have to be afraid of the furnace, cowering in its presence, or is there another choice?

As told in the Old Testament Book of Daniel, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego provides hope and encouragement to us when we face the fire of pain and suffering. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon erected a golden statue of himself, commanding all people to bow before the image in order to show homage and respect to him as king. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the statue, so they were sentenced to death by fire; more specifically, they would face the flames of a literal, actual fiery furnace. Their response and steadfast faith teach us how to face our own fiery furnaces.

Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, most people don’t deserve the fiery furnaces or painful circumstances they face. One of the truths seldom admitted about the Christian faith is that bad things do indeed happen to God’s people, even if those bad things are unfair, undeserved, and unwelcomed. Faith does not prevent problems from coming into the lives of God’s people, and fiery furnaces have a way of greeting faithful people on a regular basis.

The unwavering faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego encourages us during our own moments of suffering. None of us wants problems to come into our lives, but God allows them anyway, providing His sustaining grace and enduring presence in the midst of them. Through faith and trust in God, we know that He remains in control, even when circumstances seem out of control. So, whatever your fiery furnace may be at the moment, allow God to strengthen and sustain you in the midst of the fire. S

IA Cold Night in a Parking Lot

WRITTEN BY RIC MANDES

T’S TEN-THIRTY.

SATURDAY NIGHT.

THE PARKING LOT IS COLD AND WINDY.

A young security guard standing watch over a couple hundred college students partying at the local country club leans into my car window: “Can I help you sir?”

Inside, where the party is going on, is warm. Laughter and music are the frills.

Out here, in the parking lot, you earn your pay. January nights, even in South Georgia, can be crisp.

I told him I was checking on my son, who was working as a waiter for the social. “Wasn’t sure what time he got off. Thought I’d come by.”

The guard smiled. “I like that. More Dads need to check on their children.” His comment wasn’t accusing. Just serious.

He was tall, well built. Young, around thirty.

A few minutes passed. He seemed to want to talk.

“Mighty pretty car you got.”

I thanked him and laughed. “It’ll be prettier when I get it paid for.”

He glanced through my windshield and pointed to an aging white pick-up truck.

“Mine too. Isn’t as nice as yours. But I sure do like the way she drives.” He went on. “Know what I figure? Doesn’t make any difference how much money we got or how big a house we live in, seems like we’re all payin’ off something.”

“You’re right,” I answered. I asked him if he did this full time.

“No. I do concrete contracting during the day. I work security at night when folks need me. Between the two I make it.”

Another pause...

“I’ve been married nine years,” he continued.

“Just once?” I asked.

“Yes sir! I don’t believe in changing around. So much of that stuff is going on now. Not me. I married my wife when she was fifteen — and we’re fine. We’ve got a four-year-old daughter,” he added.

So much is written about anxiety brought on by personal relationships; financial difficulties; the children...

Books, pamphlets, films, even door-to-door counselors, now in abundance, offer relief to our tribulations. One never knows how or when simple answers — clear and concise — unfold...

If I could capture the essences of my watchman’s conversation, the tone, the sound of his voice, I’d let him go head-to-head, toe to toe with some of our television evangelists.

It took all of fifteen minutes.

But it will serve as a reminder, that as I drive through life or parking lots... I’ll remember this young security guard who leaned into my car and life and, with the dashlights catching the grey of his eyes, gave me a lot to think about:

a four-year-old daughter he loves; a woman whom he married at fifteen whom he loves; a white pick-up truck; two jobs to make ends meet; but most of all, a spirit for living!

I thanked him, told him to tell my son to give me a call when he was ready to come home. Shook his hand and said, “Keep up the good work.” He said he would.

The last thing I remember was watching him walk into the night toward a young couple. They were facing the cold and the wind.

He asked if he could help them.

I’m sure he did. S

Dr. Horace Deal, O.D.

Dr. Dylan Piette, O.D.

Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo 2024

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“I

— SHELBY HOOK