V3 - January 2023

LIKE A R.O.C.

For the last 20+ years the team at Rome Orthopedic Center has gone above and beyond to keep the Greater Rome area up and moving.

live playfully

This is what life is supposed to feel like. When you aren’t held back. When you have a health partner that doesn’t just treat part of you – they care for all of you. That’s why more people prefer Atrium Health, with the most complete care that lets you get back to the moments that matter. That’s what it’s like to live fully.

Many of us see our goals dwindle from sight every year. Tammy Barron explores the power of motivation in achieving what we want most from 2023.

Rome Orthopaedic Center offers top-notch medical care with a compassionate small-town attitude that makes their patients feel like family.

Prime Time Wrestling debuts with stories to tell, grudges to hold, and rivalries to build.

Georgia Museums Inc. of Cartersville offers complete immersion into art, history, and fun through four distinct museums.

What is it about a new year that brings about so much optimism? I suppose fresh starts are appealing to just about anyone. Whether the year prior was good, bad or meh, hitting the reset button seems to energize most and I certainly fall in that category. I usually use the last few weeks of the year to evaluate all phases of my life, which is quite a chore and one that can be taxing depending on the year.

OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin

Truly, Madly, Deeply opened doors

By Tammy Barron

UNDOUBTEDLY, YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED A DOZEN TIMES OR WONDERED, "What do I want from 2023?" Declaring new resolutions is always an act of hope, a developed plan to inch closer to one's potential. It's a great time to evaluate our priorities and relinquish old habits that keep us stagnant. Is your priority to get fit, learn new skills, or spend more time with family? All these lifestyle choices are great; however, the challenge is to follow through. How do we keep our resolve to reach our goals? How do I stay committed to the person I want to be in 2023? Disappointingly, my unachieved goal this year is the same as it was in 2022, 2021, or 1987 for

that matter. The underlying problem for most of us whose resolutions dissolve by February is we fail to internalize our motivation for change.

Lifestyles don't just shift. We won't wake up on January 1st thirsty for cardio exercises or fluent in conversational French. Our lifestyles are rooted deeply in our daily habits. These habits form who we are and how we see ourselves. Any change we seek in our lives must first begin with a change in how we see ourselves. I am a person who values health. As a person with this value, I make choices that align with this identity. I don't struggle to live a healthy lifestyle. It's just who I am. However, I am also a procrastinator. This habit of postponing my work is debilitating, crushing, and catastrophic to what I want most for myself.

At the end of the day, we always get what we want, and it's our choices that dictate what we want. Do I go work out, or do I stay on the couch? Do I play with the kids or catch up on my favorite Netflix

series? Do I practice my French lesson, or do I call a friend? We all have the same hours in the day, and our success in reaching any goal depends on our resolve. How badly do I want it? Am I willing to sacrifice for it, feel uncomfortable, and change for it?

I've always seen myself as a writer. Through the eyes of a child, this image was much more dramatic. The job required a fedora and leather whip, Tammy the next Indiana Jones, famous archaeologist/ author/adventurer. This self-identity inspired my first project, "Dinosaurs," my non-fiction Crayola masterpiece drafted in the second grade. Sadly, the page-turner was lost somewhere in the chaos of childhood. In middle school, I wrote collections of short stories that toyed with absurdism, a blatant attempt to cope with the awkwardness and confusion of adolescence. This chapter of my life exposed me to the absurdist playwrights Eugene Ionesco and Harold Pinter, inspiring a love for theatre and its power to suspend disbelief. The fourth wall became an

Here we are, a new beginning.

obsession of mine. I was fascinated by the reciprocity of a performer's relationship with an audience, unlike the static relationship between author and reader. Shifting my studies to the theatre, I wrote two State award-winning monologues in my junior and senior high school years. This passion followed me through college and beyond, but the reality of rent heaved me into pragmatic adulthood with the need for reliable income. Years passed, and priorities changed; I have been trying to find myself ever since.

V3 rekindled my passion for storytelling. My monthly opinion essay, Opened Doors, strives to convey personal insight and mindful perspective into the adventure we call life. Over the last couple of years, you have gotten to know my family and me as you've read about our successes and failures one thousand words at a time. It is a privilege to reach such a dedicated audience. Additionally, the people of Rome and Cartersville have shared their lives with me trusting me to tell their stories with authenticity.

These were the most fun and challenging to write. Painting pictures of life-sized goals and commitment, I put to words the astonishing courage it takes to put everything on the line and reach for the stars. Starting a business, overcoming illness, revitalizing neighborhoods, serving those in need, and making a positive difference in the lives of others; are the dreams you dreamed. These are the stories we told together. It takes tremendous bravery to believe in yourself, which is what inspired me the most in each of the articles.

This is my last Opened Doors column with V3 Magazine. I'm compelled to open the door to my goal this year: to finish my book. It might be an incredible novel that changes the world, or it might be total crap. Unless I commit, I'll never know. For a lifetime, I've harbored this desire. Every January, I whisper to myself, "This is the year." But it always got lost in the priorities of family and farm, and any time I did chisel out to write has been for this publication.

I can't wait another year, month, or day wondering if I can do it. When I consider my motivation, I want my book. I want it truly, madly, and deeply. Inspired by the people of this amazing community who dared to embrace their ambitions, I enter this year determined to dream big and give it all I have for the sake of living the life I always wanted and being the person I have always known myself to be. Thank you to all the people who have helped me rediscover my passion for the written word; I hope you continue to open doors.

*The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine

EXCELLENT CARE PROVIDED

BY HARBIN CLINIC’S PRIMARY

CARE PHYSICIANS

Healthy relationships are a cornerstone of happiness and living a full life. They're mutually beneficial when both parties maintain contact on a regular basis, and nurturing that communication helps us help each other. That's not only true in friendships and marriages but also in professional relationships, such as between coworkers. Another vital connection to maintain is the one between a patient and his or her primary care provider (PCP). However, recent studies report that about one in five Americans have not seen their PCP in over five years. That is an unfortunate statistic, but it is, perhaps, not a surprising one for most people. In these days of hectic schedules and overcommitment, many attempt a shortcut by turning to “Dr. Google” to self-diagnose instead of going to see a physician in person. True, the internet is quick—answers can be found at the click of a mouse—but depending on it can cause people to miss the underlying causes of acute medical conditions.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, BUILDING BETTER HEALTH

A PCP can help with much more than a simple diagnosis, especially when regular visits have built a trusting long-term relationship between patient and doctor. Having a physician who knows a patient’s medical history is of immeasurable value to that patient’s welfare and overall health. Also, unlike a website, a doctor can help a patient build personalized healthy habits—a tailor-made plan—to prevent serious medical conditions. Through regularly scheduled appointments, a doctor can keep a finger on the pulse of the state of a patient’s wellness. “As a primary care physician, we can help our patients set goals and reach them while keeping their physical and mental health top of mind,” says Dr. Garvin Chandler, Family Medicine Adairsville. “One of the best parts of what I do is seeing patients annually, making sure they’re on a healthy track, answering any questions they may have, and continuously building upon these relationships year after year.”

Dr. Chandler’s excellent medical care does not go unappreciated. One of his patients says, “I can’t begin to tell you how much of a difference Dr. Chandler and his nurse have made for me. They have been so kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a primary care doctor in a heartbeat. I already have several friends who also see him and have told me how happy they are with the medical care his team provides. Thank you, Dr. Chandler and Maleah!”

Dr. Garvin Chandler, Family Medicine Adairsville

A TEAM EFFORT

Patients have the added comfort of knowing that Harbin Clinic’s primary care providers do not work in isolation. These medical professionals have ready access to a wide range of other specialties, so if a serious medical problem arises, the continuity of care between doctors is seamless. For those who have fallen into the habit of neglecting their health, scheduling an appointment with a PCP is a great first step to building a strong foundation.

One of the four physicians at Harbin Clinic Internal Medicine Rome is Dr. Katharine Ammons. She says, "My position as a primary care provider allows me to support my patients through big and small changes and help every step along the way,” says Dr. Ammons. “More than just seeking acute medical treatments, it is important for people to visit their PCP in order to prepare for their future health. Your primary care physician is an excellent resource when jumpstarting a new health journey.” One long-time patient is enthusiastic about the care she has received from Dr. Ammons, saying, “Dr. Ammons is brilliant and patient and kind! She is always swift in returning my calls or my need for information or care. Most every time I reach out to her, she contacts me within minutes. I know from some of my friends that most doctors do not respond as quickly. I have been seeing her for over twenty-five years. She really listens to me and always includes what I’m experiencing and what I think I need in her decisions regarding my care.”

Research suggests that people who annually see a PCP maintain a higher quality of life. This stands to reason since such patients have highly trained physicians paying close attention to their medical needs. Given such personalized attention, it is more likely that any developing health concerns will be caught early. A PCP should be the first point of contact for patients’ health care needs, and they are able to further refer the patient to a specialist if necessary.

Incorporating certain lifestyle changes and establishing a wellness routine also supports healthy living. This can include losing weight, gaining muscle, getting more physical activity, eating more nutritious foods, quitting cigarettes, cutting back on alcohol, reducing stress, and sleeping better. It is also important to visit your primary care provider at least once a year. The Harbin Clinic Family Medicine and Internal Medicine care teams are here to help people reach their health goals, no matter how big or small.

To schedule an appointment, visit harbinclinic.com

Dr. Katharine Ammons, Internal Medicine Rome

Dr. Mary Katherine Barfield, Primary Care Cartersville

At Stonebridge Golf Club, Launchbox features covered bays with state-of-the-art technology to help perfect your golf game. By utilizing Top Tracer shot tracking, as seen on the PGA Tour, Launchbox provides instant feedback on every shot with results sent directly to your phone!

Launchbox offers a variety of games that players of all skill levels can enjoy. You can kick back and have a fun time playing “Go Fish” or play 18 holes on famous golf courses including Pebble Beach. No matter which game you choose, Launchbox is sure to take your golf experience to the next level.

Bring your group out to enjoy bays that are designed for comfort with outdoor furniture, televisions, music and wonderful food and beverage services. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, Launchbox is built for everyone to enjoy at an affordable price (as low as $5 per person).

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FROM ASIA TO EGYPT, artwork from the days of antiquity shows people grappling, tumbling, hoisting one another into the air, and throwing their opponents to the ground. And wrestling has long combined competition with theater. The ancient Greeks, for instance, knew two things that still hold true today: people love a good show—whether it’s comedy or tragedy—and they also love wrestling. Narrative. Big personalities. Grudges. Threats. Anticipation. The final showdown. Enthusiasm for such things has passed the test of time and is still going strong today. It’s more popular than ever in the South, and a new enterprise is now jumping into the ring. With a love for athleticism and a flair for showmanship, Prime Time Wrestling is bringing its brand of classic wrestling to Northwest Georgia and the wider Tri-State Area.

Wrestling roots

The two driving forces behind Prime Time Wrestling, based in Rome, Georgia, are Shawn Ambrose, promoter, and Rocky Shaw, wrestler and community relations man. As with many Americans, their fascination with wrestling began when they were children. “When I was a boy,” says Ambrose, “I became a fan when I watched

WrestleMania I in 1985. I was nine years old. After that, my best friend and I would watch wrestling on TV every chance we got, then we’d go outside and wrestle on the trampoline, pretending we were our favorite wrestlers. Of course, we’d get in trouble with our parents because, inevitably, someone would get hurt.”

Shaw’s earliest memories of wrestling were of watching legends like Ric Flair and Sting on TV. Typical of little boys, entertainment demanded action and inspired imitation. He says, “When I was eight or nine years old, my friend Jeremy and I would go to his grandfather’s house, where the front yard was perfect for wrestling. It had trees arranged almost like a wrestling ring. We did every move on each other that we could think of.” As with Ambrose and his childhood friend, Shaw’s matches sometimes ended with minor injuries. “Once I climbed up a tree,” says Shaw, “and I flew off and fractured a couple of ribs.” But Shaw’s grandparents weren’t of the generation that ran to the ER with every bump and bruise, so “my grandmother just taped up my ribs and sent me back outside.”

Hero worship

When answering who his favorite wrestler is, Ambrose doesn’t hesitate a moment. He says, “My favorite wrestler is, was, and always will be Hulk Hogan. When I was a boy, he was a superhero. Larger-than-life. I was in awe.” For Ambrose, that fascination continues until this day, informing his concept of what makes this hybrid form of sport and entertainment appealing to so many. He says, “That’s what intrigued me so much about wrestling…it wasn’t just Hulk Hogan who was larger-than-life; it was all of them. You felt like you knew them, even though, really, they were just playing characters on TV. It’s very powerful.”

Growing up, Shaw was inspired by wrestling great Shawn Michaels (also known as the “Heartbreak Kid” or “Mr. WrestleMania”). Despite not being as physically imposing as many of his competitors, Michaels won a heavyweight championship, which impressed Shaw. “He was a smaller guy,” says Shaw, “and so was I back then, so I thought, ‘Hey, if he can do it, maybe I can too.’” After that, Shaw got involved with the gym and started working out.

Some sports have been around for so long, no one knows where they started.

Wrestling is one of those.

Into the ring

In his 20s and 30s, Shaw did not pursue wrestling as a possible profession. He had a career in sales while following wrestling as a fan. Then a chance encounter changed all that. Shaw says, “When I was forty years old someone said to me, ‘You’re in good shape. Would you be interested in getting involved in wrestling? I think you can do it.’” That got Shaw thinking, but he was uncertain. He says, “Part of me wanted to try it, but another part of me said, ‘Hey…you’re forty years old.’” His wife encouraged the dream, pointing out that he had always enjoyed martial arts, and this might be a natural extension of that. For a long time, he had practiced Jeet Kune Do, a fighting style developed by actor and martial artist Bruce Lee, so he knew he was not likely to be intimidated in the ring. His decision was made easier when his wife pointed

out: “You’re always telling our girls [Lana and Lola] to chase their dreams, but you can’t say that without doing it yourself.”

Ambrose was also drawn into the wrestling world in an unexpected way. He has been a member of a tribute band called The Georgia Blues Brothers since 2007. Thirteen years ago, the band was invited to perform during the intermission of a wrestling show in Calhoun, Georgia. Ambrose says, “I insisted on us playing inside the ring; I’d never been in one before. After the show, we sat around talking to the promoter, and we started discussing the possibility of doing a fan fest, where we could bring in all the guys that entertained us when we were growing up. We talked about a wrestling fan fest in North Carolina called Mid-Atlantic Memories, where a lot of old wrestlers that we grew up watching came and sat at tables, met the fans, and signed autographs.” Ambrose knew he had to try something like that. So he did.

As a promoter, Ambrose brought Impact Wrestling to Rome. He says, “Back then, Impact was the second biggest wrestling promotion behind the WWE We brought in guys like Kurt Angel, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy, and Rob Van Dam.” When the event was a success, Ambrose realized

that Northwest Georgia had a real desire for wrestling, so he set about to help fill that need. He says, “I thought, hey, this isn’t so hard. I think I could do this.”

Ambrose found a mentor in Tracy Myers, the organizer of America’s biggest wrestling fan fest, WrestleCade. “Tracy easily pulls in ten thousand people at his events,” Ambrose says, “and when I contacted him and told him I wanted to do something similar in Georgia, he gave me a lot of great advice.” Ambrose established Superstars Fan Fest I. “Our very first headliner was Ric Flair. We also had Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, Scott Hall, and other big names.” That show brought in more than 1,500 fans, so Ambrose knew he had found his market.

After Shaw had been performing in the ring for a while, Ambrose took note of him, called him up and asked, “Hey, you’ve built up a good fan base. Do want to learn how to do this professionally?” Ambrose used his connections to help Shaw hone his craft. Shaw says, “I got to train with Mike Golden—the Golden Boy—and Jimmy Wang Yang, and others. They really helped me sharpen my craft and learn the ring. Everyone was just incredible.”

New show, old-school attitude

In this new venture, Ambrose and Shaw have a vision for making Prime Time Wrestling more like the wrestling they remember from their childhoods, in the golden days of the sport. Ambrose says, “This is old-school wrestling meets the Attitude Era of the WWE.” The Attitude Era is widely considered the most popular period in the history of professional wrestling. Ambrose explains, “That was the time of Stone Cold Steve Austin, D-Generation X, and The Rock. It was reality-based, but it was edgy.”

Shaw and Ambrose agree that the most important thing in wrestling is the story, the narrative that is created to engage and entertain the fans. Ambrose goes on to explain that the 1980s were the best time for telling a story through wrestling. “That’s when it took three or four months to build up the story, then they’d pay it off on a big pay-per-view event. But nowadays, it all happens in only three or four weeks.” Prime Time Wrestling wants to bring that magic back to their beloved sport by reintroducing that slow-

burn element to the drama. Ambrose says, “We want to draw the story out for a few months, let the characters build their grievances, and then settle it all with a big show. Then, we’ll start over with a new story. That’s how we’ll keep it fresh.”

Shaw sees classic wrestling narratives as abiding memories in the collective conscience of the fanbase. “Storytelling is the top of the pyramid,” he says. “Nobody can forget that great match between Hulk Hogan and André the Giant and all that led up to it. André had turned on Hogan and it broke Hogan’s heart. All of that led up to that Big Slam, and now it’s all history. It left its mark. The Four Horsemen were a big part of Georgia's history, and Art Anderson was born right here in Rome. So, this is our history, and we want to help keep that sort of thing alive in Georgia.”

Another way Prime Time Wrestling is seeking to evoke wrestling’s classic past is by restoring the territory system. Wrestling shows used to run in regional circuits. An organization would do a show in one town and then move on to the next city, making the rounds in the places where their fans lived and worked. Ambrose says, “Eventually,

all the territories got eaten up by Vince McMahon and WWE, which basically eliminated all the competition.” Ambrose goes on to say, “So, we’re going to build our own territory, running shows not just in Georgia, but also in Alabama and Tennessee. A Tri-State territory. But our base will be in Rome.” Through this burgeoning territory system Prime Time Wrestling will not only produce regular shows featuring their top talent but will also continue offering their annual Superstars Fan Fest, where fans can come and meet some of their heroes of the ring. It’s oldfashioned family fun, with attitude.

Shaw says, “We want to bring back the passion for the sport—that sense we got from Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair. We want to let people live that story again and experience the physicality of it. And we want to be the people telling that story, honoring that history, and passing it on to the next generation.”

For more information go to www.primetime-wrestling.com or visit primetimewrestlingrome on Facebook.

GOOD FOR THE BODY, HEALTH FOR THE BONES

Rome Orthopaedic Center provides expert care to its patients through medical assessment, treatment, surgery, and physical therapy—all in one facility.

TEXT: Paul Moses PHOTOS: Andy Calvert

THEY MAKE US STRONG, AGILE, ACTIVE, and ready to face life in a world that demands movement and vitality. When something goes wrong with a person’s bones and muscles because of injury, disease, or deformity, it falls to orthopaedic medicine to step in and right what is wrong. The dedicated medical professionals at Rome Orthopaedic Center provide their patients with the kind of compassionate treatment and care that restores the physical function they need to return to the things they enjoy.

Rome Orthopaedic Center (ROC) provides medical expertise in sports medicine, joint replacement, and in dealing with issues regarding hand and wrist, elbow, foot, ankle, hip, knee, and shoulder, as well as trauma and workers’ compensation.

Who is the patient?

In a broad sense, ROC serves three kinds of patients. First, those who get injured, perhaps in a fall or a car accident. Second, people who injure themselves but do not know it right away, like someone who damages a ligament in the knee but doesn’t realize it until it begins to hurt sometime later. Third, those who suffer a slowdeveloping injury over time, like arthritis, a bad knee, or a worn-out rotator cuff—from general overuse and wear and tear. These three groups of patients cover all age ranges. Recently, ROC’s patients have covered the scale in age from eight months to 105 years. Among children, some of the most common injuries come from play, things like accidents on trampolines and monkey bars. Northwest Georgia, being largely rural, also sees its share of four-wheeler and ATV accidents. Work-related injuries typically occur in people in factory jobs and agriculture.

The doctors, physical therapists, and advanced practice providers (APPs) at ROC encourage people to not delay seeking treatment if they have an injury or some sort of persistent or periodically reoccurring pain. They also stress to their patients the importance of giving their injuries adequate

time to heal after surgery, treatment, and physical therapy. Some people, especially athletes, tend to want to return too quickly to their favorite activities before their bodies are ready for them. However, in this regard, every patient is unique as to motivation. Some need to be pushed a little, while others must be cautioned to take it easy and allow the healing to happen at its own pace. For the staff at ROC, this often requires a nuanced approach to analyze each patient’s personality and help them along the path that will help them safely reach their goals.

Sports medicine

With so many middle schools, high schools, and colleges in Northwest Georgia, there is strong demand for sports medicine providers. Athletes, young and ambitious to win, sometimes get injured. ROC is there to do its part to restore them to full health and get them back in the game. The sports medicine surgeons at ROC have been selected as the official team physicians and orthopaedic providers to local high school and college sports teams as well as U. S. national teams.

The human form gets its structural integrity, as well as much of its aesthetic beauty, from its underlying skeletal system and musculature.

Dr. Stephen Brown says, “I grew up playing sports, and I played football through college. Early on, I thought I would practice interventional cardiology, but I shifted gears.” Now, along with Dr. Charles May, he specializes in sports medicine. This includes dealing with injuries consisting of ACL reconstructions, rotator cuff repairs, total joint replacements of the knees and shoulders, and general orthopaedic trauma and fracture care. “I’ve always enjoyed working with athletes,” Dr. Brown says. “They’re always motivated to get back quickly, and they’re generally healthy people.” Smiling, he adds, “And I still like the smell of the grass on the football field.”

All in one place

A huge benefit for Rome Orthopaedic Center’s

patients is the convenience of having every aspect of a medical need met in one facility: assessment, surgery, and physical therapy. To expedite appointments, ROC employs a number of physician assistants: Andrew Harper, PA-C, Heather Hoyt, NP-C, Colin Matheny, PA-C, Chandler Holcombe, PA-C, and Brooke Bingham, PA-C. With physicians and APPs seeing patients daily, the goal is to reduce wait times for visits to no more than a few days. The PA and NP staff bring a wealth of experience in treating orthopeadic injuries and problems.

“Also, sometimes it’s more economical for the patient to have it done in an outpatient setting,” says Dr. May. “We do everything from carpal tunnel procedures to arthroscopic procedures to same-day joint replacements right here in our

on-site surgical center.” Dr. May explains that if a patient had a serious health problem—like heart disease or diabetes—ROC would do the surgery in a local hospital. He says, “Any patient that requires an overnight stay would need to go to a hospital, but we do most of our outpatient work right here.”

Dr. Justin Dunn performs total joint replacements including direct anterior total hips. He also performs total joint revisions. “We perform a wide range of outpatient orthopedic procedures at our surgery center,” Dr. Dunn says, “including total joint arthroplasty. In order to provide our patients with the most advanced techniques in joint replacement, we are excited to have recently added robotic technology.”

Dr. Michael Paxten is a hand, wrist, and elbow surgeon. He performs fracture, tendon, and nerve repairs. He also performs another form of joint replacement, CMC joint arthroplasty at the base of the thumb. He performs other common procedures, such as endoscopic carpal tunnel releases, trigger finger releases, and ganglion cyst excisions.

Patients can be assured that at ROC’s surgery center they will receive a high level of care. In addition to the superb nursing care provided, the surgery center is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, which holds them to a standard of excellence.

Very often, physical therapy begins the day after surgery. It wasn’t always that way. As Dr. May describes it, “When I started practicing, if you had a knee replacement you stayed four

nights in the hospital. But now our patients go home from our surgical center that same day.” He goes on to explain, “For instance, I may do an ACL surgery on an athlete—we’ll have everything coordinated beforehand. The patient doesn’t have to call us; we take care of it.”

Typically, physical therapists wind up spending more time with a patient than doctors do, and they are there to help complete the cycle that began with the patient’s first consultation. ROC’s highly skilled physical therapists include Cory Tucker, Hunter Treglown, and Alea Vick. Director of physical therapy Cory Tucker, says, “One of the unique scenarios here is that we’re able to provide care from front to back. Based on the physicians’ recommendations, we can come alongside the patients and help coach them through their decision-making process as they’re returning to their sport or other activities in their lives.”

Balancing the facets of medical assessment, treatment, surgery, and physical therapy takes a great deal of coordination, and requires a skilled individual to ensure each aspect of the practice runs smoothly. “I know that I speak for all of the doctors when I say that Office Manager Melissa Sullivan is the glue who holds the office together,” says Dr. Stephen Brown.

The why

All the medical professionals at ROC are bright and talented individuals; it stands to reason they could have done any number of other things with their careers. So, why medicine in general, or orthopaedics in particular? Motivations vary slightly, but they follow a similar line of thinking.

They want to help people, to contribute to patients improving the quality of their lives.

Dr. Scott Bowerman, for instance, says, “I’ve been here twenty-six years. My father was a physician, so when I was growing up I thought, ‘Hey, Dad’s a doctor; maybe I could be one too.’ And I found that I cared about people and wanted to help them.”

Then there are those who first took note of this field of medicine as a patient. For instance, Tucker says, “While playing college baseball I had an injury, and going through the process of physical therapy gave me a passion for it.”

Dr. Stephen Brown says, for him, it comes

down to “helping people restore functionality. We can take someone from a debilitating position and treat them—either surgically or non-operatively— and then they are able to do what they couldn’t do before. That’s very rewarding.”

For the medical professionals at ROC, one plus to working in a small city like Rome, Georgia, is getting constant reminders of the good they are doing. They receive a common

L-R: Andrew Harper, PA-C, Heather Hoyt, NP-C, Colin Matheny, PA-C, Chandler Holcombe, PA-C, Brooke Bingham, PA-C

source of reassurance that their work matters when they run into former patients in public and hear updates on their progress. These surgeries, treatments, and physical therapy sessions have quite literally given people their lives back. These previous patients (satisfied customers, if you will) like to talk about the improvements to their everyday lives. The stories keep coming of how

the doctors and physical therapists at ROC are making a difference in serving others.

Then there’s the satisfaction of seeing the emotional change that takes place in the patients’ lives. Often, by the time patients get around to seeing a doctor about their medical issue, they are already suffering from long-term depression and discouragement over declining health. Sometimes they’ve endured these things for years before seeking help. They may be in chronic pain or live in a perpetual state of fatigue from a lack of sleep, making their lives pretty bleak. But then the staff at ROC intervenes with a treatment plan which may include surgery, and the patients may begin to see an improvement in how they feel and what they can do. Add to that weeks or months of rehab and the patients can regain functions they have not enjoyed for a long time.

Tucker explains that, in his experience, patients that take the time to care about their physical therapy are always, afterward, glad they did, even if initially they were reluctant. He says, “In PT, we spend about an hour with each patient per visit—about three hours per week—so we get to see the whole emotional arc from their first session to their last one. And we sometimes get to meet and know their families—kids and grandkids.”

When Dr. Bowerman first opened his office in Rome, he was in solo practice for the first four years. He says, “I had an idea that it would do well, but I had no way of knowing that it would grow like it has. Charlie [Dr. May] came along, and we recruited others. Rome made that easy—this is a great place to raise a family—and we grew from there. It’s been twenty years since we moved into this building, and now we’re outgrowing this space.”

Dr. May credits his work’s degree of personal satisfaction as his motivation to practice in this field. That is, the work itself energizes him to keep on doing it. He says, “It’s like what I tell my children—as long as you’re helping other people, you’ll be happy with whatever you do.”

That’s what it comes down to with the medical professionals at Rome Orthopaedic Center: helping people, giving them the gift of renewed strength and movement and hope. They walk with their patients through some dark times, encouraging, educating, healing. It’s what they do best, returning people to the lives they love.

For more information about Rome Orthopaedic Center, license number 057-410, call 706-292-0040 or visit their website at www.romeortho.com

L-R: Charles May Jr, MD, Stephen Brown, MD, Cory Tucker, DPT, Alea Vick, DPT, Hunter Treglown, DPT, Scott Bowerman, MD, Justin Dunn, MD, Michael Paxten, MD

Northwest Georgia’s Heart Care Leader

World-class innovation and nationally ranked expertise, close to home. Your heart knows what it wants. A team of experts. State-of-the-art facilities. And a network of connected care. AdventHealth’s connected cardiovascular network is here to take care of your heart so you’re ready for the road ahead. Learn more at GeorgiaHeartExperts.com or call 706-237-9451.

Night at the Museum(s)

A gem within Northwest Georgia, Cartersville has much to offer through Georgia Museums Inc. With four museums in proximity, residents and visitors have a unique opportunity to dive into sophisticated culture and rich history in a memorable way.

Text: Karli Land Photos: Ivan Felipe

“My favorite thing to do is to wander the galleries, see couples, or families, interact with the exhibits, and hear their comments. I love hearing that they learned something new or that they were ‘Wowed’ by something they saw. They’re seeing things that they don’t get to see anywhere else in the Southeast. I also love working with a dedicated, professional, and enthusiastic staff to make the museum the exceptional experience that it is.”

- Jose Santamaria, Executive Director

Tellus Science Museum

TELLUS SCIENCE MUSEUM is an expansion of the Weinman Mineral Museum, a 9,000-square-foot facility built by the city of Cartersville in 1983. In 2001, the Weinman became part of Georgia Museums Inc., a 501(C)(3) public charity, and a much larger museum was envisioned. Tellus opened the doors of its 120,000-square-foot science facility in 2009.

This museum provides unique educational opportunities to the region. Nowhere else in the Southeast can visitors experience exhibits and programs on rocks and minerals, dinosaurs, transportation technology, hands-on science, astronomy, and alternative energies, all in one institution. Additionally, the Museum showcases the only all-digital planetarium in the region open for daily public shows and a state-of-the-art 20-

inch telescope in the observatory. Since opening in 2009, Tellus has served nearly 2.6 million visitors including more than half a million schoolchildren who have participated in the museum's STEM programs.

There is plenty to see and do at one of four permanent exhibit galleries at the Tellus Science Museum; the Weinman Mineral Gallery, the Fossil Gallery, the Millar Science in Motion Gallery (a transportation gallery), and the Collins Family My Big Backyard (an interactive, handson science gallery).

The museum’s collections include minerals, gems, meteorites, and fossils. The primary focus is collecting these geological specimens relating to Georgia and the Southeast. Tellus has the best and most comprehensive collection of Georgia minerals in the world, and the museum’s fossil collection ranks nearly as high. The collection

also includes transportation-related objects such as automobiles, aircraft, and hardware related to space exploration. The museum’s curatorial staff actively adds to the mineral and fossil collection through purchases, seeking donations, and field collecting. A team of curatorial staff, volunteers, and interns catalog new specimens and add them to the museum’s database. They are also involved in preparing specimens for exhibit.

The Vulcan Materials Gem Panning and the Vesta Dalia Fossil Dig are two popular exhibits. Here, one can pan for gems, dig for fossils, and keep their finds. The Bentley Planetarium is also a favorite and offers exciting shows every 45 minutes. In addition, the museum offers a wide array of special events, evening and daytime lectures, workshops, symposia, and other public programs.

Booth Western Art Museum

THE BOOTH WESTERN ART MUSEUM was started in 2003 by an anonymous family. These individuals, who call Cartersville home, were western art collectors for many years and wished to share their art with the community. The Museum was named after their good friend and mentor, Sam Booth.

The Museum’s collection is everything and a lot of work goes into storing and maintaining it. The curatorial department is elite in keeping its collection safe as art always has to be stored at a certain temperature and humidity. Temporary exhibits are exchanged every three to four months in four galleries, resulting in 12 to 15 exhibitions per year, the most in any Georgia art museum. With galleries changing and a total of 18 making up the Museum, there is constantly something new to see.

Among all of these fun exhibits, this familyfriendly museum offers educational fun for everyone. Sage Brush Ranch is an interactive, hands-on play area designed for kids. History buffs are sure to enjoy the War is Hell gallery where you can study battles in chronological order. Original letters from every US President are displayed in the Carolyn & James Millar Presidential Gallery and Native American artifacts can be found in Artful Objects of the West. And for those that have a passion for Western Art, the Remington to Contemporary Western Art exhibit hosts the best. The staff of the museum often refer to it as “art for people that don’t like art.”

The Booth offers free admission to the public on the first Thursday of every month and countless events for children and adults yearround.

“I couldn’t ask for a better place to work. Leaving every day knowing I have promoted and brought people of all demographics into the Booth to learn about America’s history and the West is so rewarding. Being a horseman myself I am always in awe of the Museum and its art, it makes for a great lunch break!”

- Grace Adams, DirectorofMarketing

Bartow History Museum

THE BARTOW HISTORY MUSEUM officially opened its doors on April 7, 1987, under the name The Bartow History Center. The museum was originally part of what was known as the Etowah Foundation whose first location was in an old pool hall building before it moved to 13 North Wall St on the Downtown Square. Finally, after years of restoration, the museum was able to move into its current home in the 1869 Courthouse, located at 4 East Church St.

The museum’s collection is comprised of a variety of objects that represent the history of Bartow County. From local pottery to military uniforms, to plows and sewing machines, this collection is as eclectic as the people who call Bartow County home. A Registrar is responsible for overseeing donation and cataloging procedures, as well as regular object maintenance. An archival/paper collection is separate from the other objects and is managed by an Archivist. Much like the Registrar, the Archivist is in charge of handling donations, cataloging, and maintenance, but she also assists researchers on a regular basis. Both of these collections are cataloged using software that acts as a digital index of each item's physical location.

The museum offers educational programming for people of all ages. They often host school field trips for grades K-12 as well as Traveling Trunks, a program that brings the museum into classrooms. In addition to these school offerings, the museum offers summer and Girl Scout camps and works with local daycares and afterschool care programs to bring a museum experience to their campuses.

And while plenty is offered for the little ones, there is so much for adults of all ages to enjoy. They host a variety of lecture events by speakers ranging from professors and historians to local business people. And you won’t want to miss their Sip n’ Strolls, which are Downtown walking tours with historic themes. Participants learn about local history, get to stop at local businesses they might not normally frequent, and sip wine and enjoy snacks along the way. You can partake in workshops, cemetery tours, bus tours, and holiday-themed programming as the seasons allow and the museum is home to the quaintest of gift shops and sells a variety of locally crafted goods.

“The thing I love most about my job is getting to be at the center of my community. I grew up in Cartersville, and as a teenager, I was pretty determined that I wanted to leave. But now, as an adult, I see it with different eyes and I think working at the museum has played such a huge role in that. Not all places are fortunate to have institutions like the Bartow History Museum, which have people that are so dedicated to preserving everyday stories. Our Director, Trey Gaines, and our Archivist, Sandy Moore, have both been at this museum for 24 years. They built the archives from nothing but a few newspapers to a fully functioning research center because they care about people having a place to connect to their past and learn about it. Nothing makes me smile more than when people come in and find the family member they’ve always heard stories about. Or when a student comes in on a field trip and learns more about something they’ve read in their history book. It clicks with them that it was real, that it happened where they live, and then their faces kind of light up with realization.”

- Lauren Storey-Rhodes, MarketingManager

Savoy Automobile Museum

THE SAVOY AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM opened to the public on December 8th, 2021 after the grading of the property began in 2018, construction of the Vehicle Storage Building in 2019, and finally the museum in 2020. The campus is a stunning 37 acres and consists of a Vehicle Storage Building, Showgrounds, and an outdoor Pavilion area. The beautiful scenery is quite hard to miss, which is a good thing because you won’t believe what is inside this 65,000-square-foot building. The museum houses a Great Hall, four exhibition galleries, a state-of-the-art Theater, an extensive Research Library, the Savoy Café, two private Dining Rooms, the Savoy Store, Archives, and administrative offices. Within its exhibits is entertainment for the serious car collector or a casual car enthusiast. The museum exists to educate and entertain by providing visitors with unforgettable experiences. And for those looking

for a truly educational visit, be sure to get in on a Highlight Tour which is offered every Wednesday and Thursday at 11 am for the first 15 guests to arrive with regular admission.

The Savoy Automobile Museum got its name during the clearing of the property when an abandoned 1954 Plymouth Savoy was discovered on the grounds. This Savoy has been preserved and is now part of the landscape. There are plenty of other cars to see as the museum’s car collection sits at around 100 cars, with about 40 of those being displayed at a time. Savoy also hosts events on their site including car shows, car-club meetings, concerts, cruise-ins, demonstrations, and lectures. And art enthusiasts will be happy to see a substantial collection of original, automotive-themed art displayed throughout the museum.

If you love automobiles and have a passion for automobile history, you can serve the community by becoming a Savoy volunteer. They are always looking for volunteers who enjoy learning and making new friends.

museum, the exhibits, and the vehicles to our audience. Included are a wide and exciting array of vehicles, some of which individuals might not be familiar with or had the opportunity to see in person. For instance, since our opening last December some of the vehicles we have had on display include a 1933 Pierce-Arrow, Silver Arrow, a 1948 Tucker #144, Richard Petty’s 1970 Superbird, and a 1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II with Ford 429/375 HP.”

- Lisa Romans, DirectorofMarketing

“As the Director of Marketing, I enjoy the opportunity to promote the

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