Seniority Magazine - Spring 2017 by The Island Packet

Sen•ior•i•ty

SPRING • SUMMER 2017

[ Upbeat magazine for active Beaufort County retirees ]

No Slowing Down

Hilton Head Island man shares his love for speed by teaching others how to drive at the race track

Published by The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette

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THE THE THE LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN MOTOR MOTOR MOTOR COMPANY COMPANY COMPANY John John JohnEvans Evans Evans Lincoln Lincoln LincolnBrand Brand BrandChampion Champion Champion John former of Evans John John was was was former formerinowner owner owner of of Stu Stu StuArea Evans Evans Lincoln Mercury the Detroit where 4920 Independence Boulevard Lincoln Lincoln Mercury Mercury in in the theinDetroit Detroit Area Area where where 4920 4920 Independence Independence Boulevard Boulevard he was the #1 Dealer the USA for 10 Hardeeville, SC 29927-4340 he he was was the the #1 #1 Dealer Dealer in in the the USA USA for for 10 10C. O.C. Welch Ford Lincoln, Inc. Hardeeville, Hardeeville, SC SC 29927-4340 29927-4340 years straight. John has been with O. O.C. O.C. Welch Welch Ford Ford Lincoln, Lincoln, Inc. Inc. 843-288-0212 years years straight. straight. John John has has been been with with O. O. C. C. Welch since and has since 843-288-0212 843-288-0212 Welch Welch since since 2011 2011 2011 and and has hasChampion. since since achieved achieved achieved www.ocwelchlincoln.net the recognition of Brand His www.ocwelchlincoln.net www.ocwelchlincoln.net the the recognition recognition of of Brand Brand Champion. Champion. His His high level of service is like that of no othhigh high level level of of service service is is like like that that of of no no othother. John recently moved to Sun City and er. er. John John recently recently moved moved to to Sun Sun City City and and loves it there. loves loves itit there. there. John.evans@ocwelchfordlincoln.com John.evans@ocwelchfordlincoln.com John.evans@ocwelchfordlincoln.com 843-288-0140 843-288-0140 843-288-0140

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SPRING 2017

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Ta•ble of Con•tents Sen•ior•i•ty Family affair

Sisters who opened consignment shop are following in their parents’ footsteps.

Victory lap

Lend a helping hand

Hilton Head man swaps skis for race cars in a need for speed.

is a publication of The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette

Sara Johnson Borton President and Publisher Bryan Osborn Vice President Advertising/General Manager Sandy Gillis Ad Operations Manager Cate Fitzpatrick Special Sections Editor

Explore the volunteer opportunities available throughout Beaufort County.

At your service

Operation R&R gives military families much needed rest and relaxation.

on the cov•er Dave Auer of Hilton Head Island races a Spec Racer Ford at the Sports Car Club of America National Championship Runoffs at Daytona International Speedway.

Seniority Magazine is geared toward active Beaufort County residents age 50 and older. Each issue will feature interesting, local people doing unique and inspiring things and bucking traditional retirement. The views, opinions and ideas expressed by the authors and advertisers in this publication do not necessarily state or reflect those of Seniority Magazine. Although Seniority Magazine endeavors to provide accurate, current information, Seniority Magazine, the advertisers, the publisher, editors and their servants or agents make no representations or warranties expressed or implied and explicitly disclaim and exclude all warranties regarding the health materials, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages associated with such use. Seniority Magazine is under authority of Lowcountry Newspapers. Nothing contained within may be reprinted wholly or in part without the prior written consent of the publisher, Lowcountry Newspapers.

O.C. Welch Ford Wins Salute to Dealers Award O.C. Welch Ford received the 2016 Salute to Dealers award by Ford Motor Company on March 31, 2016 in Las Vegas at the National Automobile Dealers Association annual convention. “When I looked at past winners and what they did for their communities, I felt like I never would have a chance,” said Welch, who had been nominated for the honor three times before. Ford’s Salute to Dealers awards recognize dealers who go above and beyond when it comes to giving back to the communities in

O. C. Welch, III, President 4

which they live and work. As part of the award, Ford Motor Company Fund is donating $10,000 to a charity the dealership supports. Welch said that to him, the honor is less about the winnings and more about highlighting what a person does with their life. “I went from shining shoes to front page news. It took me a long time to get here,” he said. “It’s important to spend your time on Earth making the most of it in a good way.” According to a press release, Welch is a founding member of the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, which provides financial assistance to the surviving spouse and children of first responders who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. Welch’s giving includes donating more than half a million dollars to the Benedictine Military School, the military faith-based institution where as a young man he learned important lessons about life. The dealership owner credits his customers as the reason he’s able to give back to the community as much as he does. SEN•IOR•I•TY

“I’ve been giving back to many organizations for a long time. I am fortunate to have a big customer base because without them I couldn’t do any of this,” Welch said. Welch also spent $3 million dollars to renovate the Bacon Park Municipal Golf Course, where he got his first job, the press release states. “There’s a lot of opportunity to do good things for people. God gives you all this stuff and it’s not so you can keep it, but so you can share it,” he said. “The more you give, the more He’ll give you to give away.” SPRING 2017

ALL FAMILY Kathie Tofaute, Janet Adams, and Carol Monahan (L to R) are the three sisters behind Three Sisters Resale & More on Hilton Head Island.

in the

Three sisters come together after more than 40 years to pursue parents’ dream By Cate Fitzpatrick

ou could say the three sisters were destined to be collectors. Growing up in Martins Ferry, Ohio, Kathie Tofaute, Carol Monahan, and Janet Adams — owners of Three Sisters Resale & More on Hilton Head Island — learned at an early age the thrill of the search and the joy of a one-of-a-kind find. “Our dad was a picker,” Carol said of their father, John. “He would go to the dump and would even drive down the alleys in our neighborhood on trash day looking for interesting things to bring home.” Their mother, Betty, enjoyed the same hobby and together she and John would visit flea markets and garage sales rounding up unique finds. Little by little, the couple amassed a house — and before long, a garage — full of old furniture and glassware, antique jewelry and 6

housewares they hoped to one day sell. They even bought a storefront downtown that housed the spillover of their collecting, which they lovingly referred to as “Aunt Tique’s and Uncle Junk’s.” “Mom thought she collected antiques but she thought dad’s stuff was junk,” Janet said. “They collected things in hopes to sell them, but they never really opened the place as a store. They were just really into collecting.” And no matter how tall the pile, the rule

‘‘

THE WAY I SEE IT, WE’RE THE ONLY ONES LEFT TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, SO WE BETTER. Janet Adams SEN•IOR•I•TY

was you weren’t allowed to get rid of the other person’s treasures. “My mother would go on a lot of trips. And when she was gone, dad would get rid of some of her stuff. And, oh yeah, she always knew!” Carol said. Although their parents have passed, Betty in 1997 and John in 2004, Kathie, Carol and Janet are now, decades later, following through with their parents’ dream of opening a resale business. ◆◆◆

Three Sisters Resale & More held its grand opening in December 2014. Stop in Monday through Saturday and you’ll find one of the sisters working the register. The two-story consignment shop occupies nearly 3,000 square feet across two storefronts in The Village Exchange. Inside, walls and shelves are teeming with SPRING 2017

ABOVE: Kathie, Carol and Janet pose for a photo with their parents on Janet’s first birthday in 1958. LEFT: A photo of John and Betty on their wedding day hangs in the sisters’ consignment shop. ◆◆◆

more than 8,000 repurposed, reclaimed, upcycled and vintage items, as well as featured displays from local, national and international artists, artisans and authors. The store also has things for sale that were originally collected by their parents and passed along. “Whenever we would go home, our parents would say ‘take this with you’ or ‘put your name on the bottom of that,’ ” Janet said. “Living so far away from each other it was difficult to go through the things. I didn’t want to get rid of something dad had given me before Kathie or Carol saw it.” Once the sisters moved to the Lowcountry, they were able to sift through the hand-me-downs. And that lead them to wonder: What should they do with the pieces no one wanted? “We didn’t want to donate these items because they still had sentimental value,” Janet said. “So we thought about selling the leftover pieces and that’s kind of how the store happened.” SPRING 2017

Like every item in their consignment store, the sisters have their own backstory of how they came to settle together in the Lowcountry after more than 40 years of being apart. After college, Kathie, the first-born, Carol, the middle child, and Janet, the baby by 10 years, spread out across the country, starting families and pursuing careers. Carol worked in purchasing and contracting with the Air Force and then with The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Kathie’s background is in banking and she worked as a cashier, branch manager and bank officer up and down the East Coast. And with her education in nursing, Janet went into a career in healthcare marketing. Although each sister took her own winding route to the Lowcountry — Janet by way of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Virginia; Kathie through North Carolina (three times), Virginia (twice), upstate South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Florida; and Carol by way of Michigan, Indiana, Georgia and Virginia — all three point to a St. Patrick’s Day run in Pensacola, Fla., that served as the catalyst that changed the course of their future. “The race turned out to be more of a SEN•IOR•I•TY

drinking event than a running event,” Janet said laughing. “And in our tipsy state, we started discussing taking a trip to Hungary, where our maternal grandparents were from. Pretty soon I talked Kathie and Carol into handing over their credit cards and booked the flights.” The sisters rented an apartment in Budapest — at the back of the Gucci store and across the street from the opera house — and spent two weeks exploring the city and reconnecting as family. While they were abroad, Kathie and Carol’s husbands were in the Lowcountry doing some connecting of their own -- with birdies, bogeys and the occasional eagle. They enjoyed themselves so much, when the sisters returned, they couldn’t wait to share their idea: We should all retire here together. “When the husbands said that, it kind of seemed like fate,” Carol said. ◆◆◆

Going into business with family can be a tricky field to navigate. But the sisters make it work. “We have disagreements but we work it out, probably because of our upbringing. There wasn’t a lot of conflict growing up,” Janet said. “The way I see it, we’re the only ones left to take care of each other, so we better.” 7

There can never be too much laughter

Tracy McCallay is the Life Enrichment Director at The Palmettos of Bluffton. 8

At The Palmettos of Bluffton Assisted Living, the primary focus is the overall well-being of all residents. Staff members at the assisted living community realize the importance of staying engaged with residents. They’re committed to maximizing freedom and privacy while ensuring a healthy and active lifestyle for each resident. With these goals in mind, the community is thrilled to welcome Tracy McCallay as the facility’s Life Enrichment Director. Tracy earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy from Georgia Southern University. His enthusiasm for his work is infectious and will surely bring residents together. “My main goal is to see residents smile and to see them interact in activities that bring joy and fulfillment to their day,” Tracy said. “I feed off their laughter. The more laughter I can bring to their day, the better!” At The Palmettos of Bluffton, residents will make new relationships while living in a beautiful and caring environment. And they’re guaranteed to have a great time along the way! To schedule a tour of the community, call 843-707-9400 or go to www.thepalmettosbluffton.com.

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SPRING 2017

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Your Aging Wellness Center One Stop Shopping For Your Aging Needs

Timothy Scharold, MD

Call Today 843-681-9300 Two locations to serve you: Hilton Head 96 Main Street, Suite B Bluffton 1 Mallett Way, Suite 101

Timothy Scharold, M.D. is Board Certified in internal Medicine and Geriatrics. He and Merianne Lorenzen, PA-C and our whole team, will work together to provide you with the best personalized traditional healthcare possible.

Hilton Head Hospital enhances emergency care

Hilton Head Hospital offers the area’s first and only senior-friendly emergency department. 10

At Hilton Head Hospital, seniority matters. The hospital’s new senior-friendly emergency department debuted in March, making the facility the only hospital in Beaufort County to offer catered, specialized care to our local aging population. Hilton Head Hospital sees approximately 8,500 patients a year in its emergency room, with 40 percent over the age of 65. Because of the rising number of geriatric patients, the hospital has enhanced its emergency care to meet these specific healthcare needs. The new Senior-Friendly Emergency Department will also aim to reduce anxiety that many of these patients face in the emergency room by offering a customized healing environment. Each senior-friendly emergency room includes body warming devices and warm blankets, soft lighting, visual aids, thicker, more comfortable mattresses and non-slip socks and floors to prevent falls and promote patient safety. In addition to these customized rooms, the staff have been hand selected and trained by a national program, NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders), that is geared toward improving care for older hospitalized adults. SEN•IOR•I•TY

SPRING 2017

An Affiliate of National Healthcare Corporation

Call to schedule a tour! 843.707.9400 ThePalmettosBluffton.com LIFE MAY CHANGE, BUT IT NEVER GETS OLD.

Short Term & Long Term Rehabilitation Long Term Care • Memory Care 843.705.8220 nhcbluffton.com

SPRING 2017

SEN•IOR•I•TY

Dave Auer sits in a Spec Racer Ford before the start of a national championship race in Daytona in 2015.

LIFE To in the FAST LANE

Do you have a need for speed? Dave Auer can help you get there

By Cate Fitzpatrick

hear Dave Auer tell it, his move from up North to down South was somewhat of a change. And that’s putting it mildly. “Just after moving here, I went to visit a nephew who worked at the marina in Palmetto Bluff. And I remember driving past a sign that read, ‘Elevation: 22 feet.’ And I thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me. What am I going to do down here?” he recalled. Dave was a New Englander. Snow and crisp mountain air were in his blood. Raised on the ski slopes of upstate New York, he started skiing competitively at age 8 and was a champion downhill skier well into his 20s. His parents opened a small ski shop that he helped build into a booming million-dollar business. He was president of Fischer Skis, for crying out loud, and rubbed elbows with Olympic greats such as Bode Miller. What in the Sam Hill was he going to do in the Lowcountry? “If I can’t be in the mountains, I’m going to be at the race track. I like going fast, so I got back into racing cars,” he said.

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SPRING 2017

Dave Auer started skiing competitively at age 8 and continued until he was 26 years old and participated in a handful of mini pro tours. Here, Dave is shown skiing on the Eastern B-Pro tour in 1977 (he won the tour in 1975), left, and at age 10 skiing with his parents and sister in Stowe, Vt., right. ◆◆◆

Dave grew up on the mountains. Raised in Buffalo, N.Y., Dave’s parents got him into skiing at an early age. He started hitting the slopes when he was 5, and began ski racing when he was 8. He raced competitively until he was 26. In addition to being avid skiers, his parents were also entrepreneurs. In 1961, they opened a ski shop in the garage of their two-story Colonial home. (“Because living in Buffalo you know it’s going to snow, right?” he quipped). Since the neighborhood didn’t allow signs, customers had to drive through and look for the white house with the red door. Thus, The Red Door Ski Shop was born. After college, Dave returned home and put his heart and soul into building the family business. He brought in name-brand ski and apparel lines and opened a second locations. Dave would later go on to open two more, expanding Red Door to four locations by the 1980s. “But then I didn’t want to work for my father anymore,” Dave said. “So I left to go be a ski rep.” Dave rose through the ranks quickly. After 11 months, he was asked to be the eastern sales manager. Simultaneously, he was also offered, at age 27, to became director of

IF I CAN’T BE IN THE MOUNTAINS, I’M GOING TO BE AT THE RACE TRACK. dave auer ◆◆◆

Dave Auer welcomes drivers to Performance Driving Experience events at race tracks in Georgia, Virginia, Florida and Alabama.

marketing for Dynastar Skis, a division of Rossignol, which he accepted. He was later was promoted to VP of sales and marketing. In 1998, Dave sold Red Door, left Dynastar and Lange and accepted an offer to become the CEO of Fischer Sports USA. Over the course of 12 years, he helped rebuild the struggling ski manufacturer. Within a few years, Fischer was back in game as a major sponsor of the U.S. Ski Team, and Dave was signing and working with athletes such as Bode Miller onto the company’s skis. “But then, after a wonderful 12 years with Fischer and 38 years in the ski industry, I decided I’d had enough and sold my company to Fischer Austria,” Dave said.

Dave Auer, in the yellow No. 71 car, races in Daytona in 2015.

Dave started racing cars in the mid-1980s. On a whim and at the request of a friend, he attended a Skip Barber Racing School at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. Turns out, Dave loves speed. “Racing cars is such an extension of ski racing,” he said. So he kept going. Dave raced Formula Fords then onto Formula 2000s in Canada, earning a spot on the podium time after time. “Then I got married, we had our first child, and my wife says one day ‘you’re going to get killed.’ So I stopped,” he said. In 2003 at age 53, Dave stepped back behind the wheel. Today, he competes in Spec Racer Fords at the Sport Car Club of America (SCCA) competing in the National Championship Runoffs at Daytona International Speedway. Dave also operates his own driving school that teaches people of all ages and skill levels how to drive on a race track.

Now in its seventh year, PDE (Performance Driving Experience) holds between 13-15 events from January to December and attracts between 50-90 drivers to each event. The driving school visits seven race tracks throughout Alabama, Florida, Virginia and Georgia, with the nearest track being Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomingdale, about 30 minutes west of Savannah. Dave has a team of more than 270 instructors whose No. 1 focus is safety, followed closely by having fun and learning. “We are not about competition, we are not about racing. We’re about providing drivers of all experience levels with a safe and friendly atmosphere where they can learn a few things about their cars, and about themselves,” Dave said. “At the end of the day it’s about the big smiles.” Drivers sign up for the class for different reasons, he said. For some, it’s an experience that’s been on their bucket list while others are interested to see just how fast their car can go. And for a few, their ultimate goal is

Dave Auer, owner of Performance Driving Experience, stands with a team of volunteer instructors following a race track event. The driving school provides a safe and controlled environment where drivers of all ages and skill levels can experience what it’s like driving on a race track.

to move on to competition driving. “I had a woman at the Virginia International Raceway show up with her 528i BMW station wagon. She wanted to drive the race track. So we put an instructor with her and taught her how to drive the track,” Dave said. As successful as the business is, it’s really

only a hobby for Dave. He doesn’t want to make it full-time work. “I still want to go race cars on the weekends and I’ve had a very full career,” he said. “This is something I love to do and it keeps me busy. And I have to stay busy. I just can’t go rock on the porch.”

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SPRING 2017

Home Health • Pallative Care • Hospice

Quality Care to Improve Quality of Life Compassus is dedicated to quality excellence, compassionate care, and providing comfort and support to patients and their families. Our services, including home health, palliative care and hospice, are centered on improving the quality of life for our patients and their families. We deliver personalized care that puts our patients’ goals and preferences at the forefront of their individual care plan, regardless of their condition.

From home health services that help patients maintain their independence, to palliative care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness at any stage, to hospice care that assures end-of-life physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs are met, our colleagues are committed to serving patients and their families with heartfelt compassion.

Paul Long, MD practices as an internist in Hilton Head. His office is located at 89 Main St, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 and he can be reached at (843) 681-5305. Dr. Paul M. Long is also the Medical Director for Compassus, a hospice and palliative care company. Compassus.com

Beaufort • Jasper • Colleton • Hampton

Volunteer opportunities in the Lowcountry •AMERICAN RED CROSS

•HILTON HEAD HEALTH SYSTEMS

Volunteers are needed for help with preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and assisting our service members and their families. Specific tasks include office work, responding to home fires, assisting with community outreach, providing emergency communications to service members, and more. Ongoing positions available with flexible schedule. Details: Carly Fountain, 843-480-4247, carly.fountain@redcross.org; Becky Bowie, becky.bowie@redcross.org; redcross. org/sc/volunteer.

The hospital is seeking help in all ongoing positions, both clinical and non-clinical, at all locations (Hilton Head Hospital, Coastal Carolina Hospital, Bluffton Medical Campus, Bluffton Okatie Outpatient Center). No previous experience required. Details: Terrilyn Sassmann, 843-6898201; hiltonheadregional.com/volunteering; coastalhospital.com/volunteering.

• FAMILY PROMISE

•BEAUFORT HISTORY MUSEUM

The museum needs volunteers for its Volunteer Greeter Program to make initial contact with patrons, aid docents by directing visitors to exhibits or existing tours, answer general, non-historyrelated questions about the museum, collect visitor information and take tickets. The requirements include joining the museum, attending a two-hour training session, being available for duty

at the museum approximately six hours a month and volunteering for duties at occasional special events. As part of the training, greeters will “shadow” a seasoned docent/greeter for a minimum of three hours prior to working a scheduled shift. The museum is located in the Arsenal, 713 Craven St., Beaufort. Details: 559-362-3237, lburleyknowles@beauforthistorymuseum.com

Seeks front-desk greeters and adults to stay overnight with families. Greeters will work at the Day Center to answer phones and perform clerical duties. Openings are available for either the morning or afternoon shifts Sunday through Saturday. Volunteers are needed to stay overnight with families in host congregations located in Beaufort, Bluffton and on Hilton Head Island. Volunteers are needed to stay once a week, twice a month, or once a month. Training is provided. Details: 843-815-4211, alicepfamily promise@gmail.com.

Weekend Get-Aways - Scottie Davis A local journalist, radio personality and popular speaker, Scottie Davis is widely recognized as the go-to guru on places to visit nearby. Her tour company, Weekend Get-Aways on a Tank of Gas, attracts thousands of travelers who join her to explore these destinations. In the 1980s, Davis began writing about this area for The Island Packet and other local publications, developed a weekly radio show and became a sought-after speaker on places to visit two to five hours away. Eight years ago, when asked to put motor coach trips together to some of these places, she did not hesitate. Davis now devises one-day and overnight trips to the most fascinating places she’s discovered in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and northern Florida, from the islands to the mountains, festivals to city tours, musical events and historic sites. The neighborhood around us is so incredibly rich and diverse, she says. I truly enjoy introducing people to it. After 30 years of exploring the area, I still get excited about discovering new things to see, do and share. Owner and founder of Weekend Get-Aways on a Tank of Gas, Scottie Davis.

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SPRING 2017

• THE HERITAGE LIBRARY

The library seeks experienced genealogy researchers, specifically for Fridays, to work with patrons. Must have computer skills and experience with Ancestry.com and other genealogy websites. Details: 843-686-6560. www.heritage lib.org.

• THE HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

Volunteers needed for gift shops at Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital. Details: Terri Sassman, 843-689-8201.

• THE LITERACY CENTER

Volunteer tutors, substitute tutors, and one-on-one tutors are needed for the Adult Education and Family Literacy programs. A high school degree is required. The Adult Program needs volunteers September to May. The Family Literacy 360 Program has six-week sessions from September through May. Details: Ann Skinner, 843-815-6616 (Bluffton and Beaufort); Mike Powers, 843-681-6655 (Hilton Head Island); Merle Williams, 843-681-6655 (Family Literacy 360). www.theliteracycenter.org.

• MEMORY MATTERS

Volunteers are needed in the social day program to help with camaraderie and companionship. Flexible schedule with shifts Monday to Friday. Details: Melissa, 842-842-6688. www. memory-matters.org.

•NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH

Needs ongoing volunteers for afterschool tutors, administrative help, event planners, and fundraisers. Volunteer application and background check required. Locations include Bluffton, Beaufort and Hilton Head Island. Details: admin@noc-sc.org; 843-6814100; www.noc-sc.org

•THE SALVATION ARMY

Volunteers are needed to help with light office work, to work in the food pantry, and to work in the Family Store. The Salvation Army office is located at 2505 North St., in Beaufort. The store is located at 164 Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort. Details: 843-524-3727 (office); 843524-5206 (store).

• SCORE

Volunteers are needed to mentor individuals who want to start a company, to assist companies already in business, to be presenters for business-related subjects, to serve in leadership positions in the organization, and to fundraise as needed. SCORE is a national nonprofit organization. The work is mainly in Northern Beaufort County. Details: Paul Fuetterer, 843-524-7866; 843-470-0800. www.score.org.

•VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE CLINIC HILTON HEAD ISLAND

VIM currently needs professional volunteers in the following medical fields: physicians, orthopedists, psychiatrists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, psychologists, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, clinical assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, X-ray technicians and electronic medical record transcriptionists. VIM also has openings for interpreters (Spanish/English), wellness program volunteers and appointment reminder callers. Details: Stan Stolarcyk, sstolarcyk@ vimclinic.org, 843-681-6612, ext. 238; www.vimclinic.org.

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Dr. Paul Long, MD Paul Long, MD practices as an internist in Hilton Head. His office is located at 89 Main St, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 and he can be reached at (843) 681-5305. Dr. Paul M. Long is also the Medical Director for Compassus, a hospice and palliative care company. At Compassus, our mission is to provide hospice care to terminally ill patients and their families with Compassion, Integrity and Excellence. The Colleagues of Compassus are committed to keeping The Hospice Promise by delivering the highest quality of care, serving the needs of patients and families and spreading the stories of hospice to those whom they come into contact. Our goal is to provide the greatest possible comfort and care for those who experience one of life’s most intimate and challenging moments. Compassus also provides palliative care to improve quality of life for patients and families who may also be seeking aggressive treatment for their serious illness. Compassus palliative care services can offer relief from symptoms and pain and a care plan based on your values and needs.

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SPRING 2017

Robotic surgery performed at Coastal Carolina Robotic surgery is not just science fiction. While it is still considered to be in its infancy, robotic surgery has a promising future that could lead to faster recovery, reduced pain, lower infection risk, a shorter hospital stay and smaller scars. At Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, robotic surgery is an option for some patients. Surgeons at the hospital, including a general surgeon, a urologist and several OB/GYNs use the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System.

Dr. Ardra Davis-Tolbert, an OB/GYN at Coastal Carolina Hospital, with the hospital’s da Vinci robot. SPRING 2017

Robotic surgery is not a procedure performed by a robot. Rather, it’s a technique that allows a physician to perform an operation using a computer that remotely controls tiny instruments attached to a robot. During this type of surgery, the physician sits at a computer station and directs the robotic movements. Small instruments attached to the robot’s arms match the doctor’s hand movements. A monitor displays highly magnified, 3-D images of the body for the physician. Robotic surgery is similar to laparoscopic surgery where instruments are inserted through small incisions and the physician can view images on video monitor. However, during robotic surgery, the physician has a better view of the area, sits in a more comfortable position, and can move in a more natural way with seven degrees of motion like the human wrist and hand. SEN•IOR•I•TY

Dr. Carlos Montenegro, a general surgeon at Coastal Carolina Hospital, with the da Vinci robot.

Robotic instruments can also be used to access hard-to-reach areas through smaller incisions. This type of surgery has been successfully used in many operations including hysterectomies, gallbladder removals, and radical prostatectomies, which are performed by surgeons at Coastal Carolina Hospital. For more information about robotic surgery being performed at Coastal Carolina Hospital, go to www.coastalhospital.com. 19

AT YOUR SERVICE The founders of Operation R&R are committed to giving military families some much needed rest and relaxation

By Cate Fitzpatrick

ach year, Dr. Grant Evans, founder of Operation R&R, tells himself the same thing: this year will be the last year. “The whole program was started on a whim. It was supposed to be two or three families, one condo, that’s it. It was never supposed to be a 501(c)3 organization or grow into what it has,” Grant said. Between late-night writing grant applications, organizing volunteers, attending board meetings, and giving talks to the public, there’s always that one email, he says, that gets him every time and convinces him to keep going. It’s happened every year for the last nine years. “Inevitably, I get an email from a wife who attended the program saying that she reconnected more with her husband in five days on Hilton Head Island then she has in the three months since he’s been home,” Grant said. “So often we get caught up in the details of the business that we forget the big picture, that what we do really matters to these families.” 20

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Operation R&R founders Dr. Grant Evans and his wife, Mia, pose for a photo on the beach at North Shore on Hilton Head Island, where the couple hosted the nonprofit’s first military family nearly nine years ago.

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A fleeting notion as he watched news footage of local troops nature cruises, museums and movie theaters showing their support. deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008 has, nearly a decade Today, the group has recruited 60 local restaurants and about 35 later, become close to a full-time job for Grant, who had a successful other businesses to provide goods and services to visiting families at chiropractic career in Ohio for little or no cost. more than 30 years and continues to “We would brainstorm together practice in Bluffton. about what we could do to make “We both have been very blessed. these vacations more and more After a successful career I reached special, and Grant would go out and the point where I was finally able to make it happen,” Mia said. give back,” Grant said. ◆◆◆ The nonprofit group Operation In its inaugural season, Grant R&R, which Grant and his wife, and Mia welcomed close to 45 now Hilton Head Island residents, families to the island, the first founded in January 2008, offers being a chaplain and his wife and “virtually free” vacations to the children. Since offering their own island for area active-duty service beach condo for free to those first members and their families. few military families, Grant, Mia The organization brings troops and the groups’ other members Dr. Grant Evans, center, speaks with troops. from Fort Stewart, Hunter Army have persuaded more than 400 Airfield, and Marine Corps Air individual owners and 13 short-term Station Beaufort, and their families to the management companies to contribute their island for four to seven nights during the beach front homes and condos. offseason, September through May. “It really does take a village,” Mia said “I was watching soldiers in Fort Stewart of getting Operation R&R off the ground. leaving for 14-month deployments and, That “village” also includes more than casually, I turned to Mia and mentioned 100 volunteer greeters to welcome the that we ought to let some of them stay in families, and a board of directors. All of our condo when they got back,” Grant said. that support blossomed into the founding The way Grant saw it, it made sense. of the 501(c)3 organization. Grant has also Their place in North Shore was empty in been the face of the program on national dr. grant evans the winter. They would pay for the cleaning and local news stations. service. So why not invite one or two As interest in the program continued to families down to stay for the week? build, Grant toyed with the idea of “He’s a doer. The wheels in his taking Operation R&R national. But mind are always turning,” Mia said. it never took off because, according to ◆◆◆ Mia, the other leaders didn’t have the Grant wrote a letter to their same passion. property management company “When I began thinking about detailing their idea with the hope building a franchise, I started seeing that a few more folks might jump dollar signs and lost a little bit of the on board. What happened next was passion. When I refocused to Hilton completely unexpected. Head, the passion came back,” “Owners came out of the Grant said. woodwork wanting to donate their ◆◆◆ properties, “ Grant said. “I grossly Today, Operation R&R is A participant in the Operation R&R program enjoys the beach. underestimated the amount of people focused on quality experiences. In in the area who would want to help.” their largest season, the charity has The reason this program took off was because so many property welcomed about 240 families to the island. owners are veterans or have family— sons, daughters, grandsons, “We started as a way to give a vacation to a young military family granddaughters — who are serving or have served,” Grant said. who couldn’t afford a weekend away,” Grant said. “But because ◆◆◆ of the multiple deployments at the time, it morphed into a way to Then Grant got another idea: Let’s see if we can get business help with re-integration issues — divorce, suicide, the anxieties — involved. Restaurants jumped on board offering buy one/get one allowing the families a stress-free environment to get to know each free dining deals. Then came golf courses, bike shops, outfitters, other again,” Grant said.

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I GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATED THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD WANT TO HELP.

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SPRING 2017

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Beaufort Memorial receives national recognition For a non-profit community hospital, Beaufort Memorial has received the kind of national recognition generally earned by much larger medical centers. In the last two years, its breast care center, cancer and orthopaedics programs have all achieved coveted designations for meeting the highest standards of care. Last fall, the Commission on Cancer not only reaccredited the Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center, it honored the community cancer program with an

Beaufort Memorial’s state-of-the-art Joint Replacement Center has been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval for hip and knee replacement from The Joint Commission.

Outstanding Achievement Award. It was the second time BMH has received special recognition from the Commission. Four years after it opened, the Keyserling Cancer Center was awarded the New Program Outstanding Achievement Award. The Commission on Cancer also designated the Beaufort Memorial Breast Health Center (formerly the Women’s Imaging Center) as an Accredited Breast Center, a hallmark of excellence earned only by an elite group of healthcare facilities that have shown a commitment to providing the best in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Accredited breast centers must offer patients coordinated, comprehensive care, access to a full range of cutting-edge services and information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options. BMH has been equally successful with its Joint Replacement Center. In just its second year of operation, the innovative

The Commission on Cancer recently honored the Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center with an Outstanding Achievement Award.

center received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for hip and knee replacement. The disease-specific certification was awarded to the hospital following a rigorous, onsite review of the program. “We’ve worked hard to gain national recognition for clinical excellence,” said BMH President & CEO Russell Baxley. “While this is a source of pride for our team, for patients it means they can receive advanced, high-quality care close to home.”

Early Detection - Save Your Life and Your Community Sister’s Life A big THANK YOU to the women of Hilton Head! Because of you, 15 of your community sisters have had a chance to be breast cancer survivors. Serving our community was a goal when SouthCoast Health Imaging opened 3 years ago. We were excited to be the ﬁrst to offer 3D mammography in the Low Country, so we combined our goal and our passion. For every 10 mammograms we have performed,

we have donated a mammogram to Volunteers in Medicine. When women have an annual screening mammogram, most breast cancers are diagnosed at stage 0 or stage 1. Nearly 100% of these women will be alive and well in 5 years, a breast cancer survivor! Unfortunately, the survival rate decreases as the mass enlarges or metastasizes: stage 2 - 93%, stage 3 72%, stage 4 - 22%. In spite of these statistics, only 65% of eligible women in South Carolina have their annual mammogram. Screening mammography is covered without a deductible or copay as a prevention service on health insurance. For patients with health insurance, there is no ﬁnancial reason not to have an annual mammogram. Women can even self refer, no order is needed. Unfortunately, 15% of non-elderly adults SEN•IOR•I•TY

living in South Carolina still do not have health insurance. Join our team in supporting Volunteers in Medicine. Have your annual mammogram. Do it for you. Do it for those you love. Do it for your community sisters. Make it possible for every woman on Hilton Head Island to have her annual mammogram and if a breast cancer is diagnosed, to be a survivor! SPRING 2017

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