Congratulations to Dr. Dudley Stone of Coastal Pediatrics on being voted Savannah’s Best Pediatrician in Savannah Magazine’s “Best of Savannah” September/October 2018 issue.

New to the area & in need of a pediatrician? Coastal Pediatrics has offices in Savannah & Pooler.

Call to set up an appointment with Dr. Stone: (912) 353-7744

Stay connected with Coastal Pediatrics & informed about children’s health news, by ‘liking’ Coastal Pediatrics on Facebook here. 

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Learn more about Coastal Pediatrics here.

Coastal Pediatrics- Savannah
2 Wheeler Street
Savannah, GA 31405

Coastal Pediatrics- Pooler
1000 Towne Center Blvd
Building 1000B
Pooler, GA 31322

Coastal Pediatrics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Cardiologist Roy D. Flood Jr. (winner)

Family Medicine/General Practitioner Kristen A. Updegraff (winner)

Foot Specialist Craig K. Skalla (winner)

General Surgeon Jeffrey S. Mandel (winner)

Infectious Disease Nenad Avramovski (winner)

Nephrologist Nizar S. Eskandar (winner)

Neurologist Victor W. Rosenfeld (winner)

Nutritionist Elizabeth Hesley (winner)

Optometrist Edward D. Sammons (winner)

Physical Therapist Lisa M. Bettio (winner)

Radiologist Nathan P. Fergus (winner)

Savannah Magazine’s “Best of Savannah” 2018 winners and runner-ups were announced this month.

SouthCoast Health was honored in 18 categories related to the healthcare/ medical field and was featured in Savannah Magazine’s September/October 2018 issue. SouthCoast Health winners are pictured in this post.

Savannah Magazine conducts a yearly poll to name the city’s most influential people and ideas. The magazine emphasizes that “only reader votes” determine the winners and that votes are limited to one per person.

“We are proud of our physicians, providers, and organization for this year’s recognition by Savannah Magazine. Acknowledgment from the Savannah community for our commitment to quality health care is a great honor,” SouthCoast Health Administrator John Marrero said. “SouthCoast Health’s representation in 18 categories with the rigorous selection measures makes it more meaningful. It reflects our goal of providing Total Wellness for Life™ to our patients.”

SouthCoast Health winners (pictured above) and runner-ups were recognized in the following categories:
1.Allergist
Wasil Kahn (runner-up)
2.Cardiologist
Roy D. Flood Jr. (winner)
3.Family Medicine/General Practitioner
Kristen A. Updegraff (winner)
Leland R. Dampier III (runner-up)
4.Foot Specialist
Craig K. Skalla (winner)
5.General Surgeon
Jeffrey S. Mandel (winner)
6.Infectious Disease
Nenad Avramovski (winner)
Scott E. Rojas (runner-up)
7.Internal Medicine
Robert W. Grant (runner-up)
8.Nephrologist
Nizar S. Eskandar (winner)
Garrett White (runner-up)
9.Neurologist
Victor W. Rosenfeld (winner)
Scott D. Callaghan (runner-up)
10.Nurse
Barbara Lutz (runner-up)
11.Nurse Practitioner
Tammie E. Walz (runner-up)
12.Nutritionist
Elizabeth Hesley (winner)
13.Ophthalmologist
Stephanie D. Croll (runner-up)
14.Optometrist
Edward D. Sammons (winner)
15.Osteopathic Physician
Troy A. Murphy (runner-up)
16.Physical Therapist
Lisa M. Bettio (winner)
17.Radiologist
Nathan P. Fergus (winner)
18.Urgent/Immediate Care Clinics
SouthCoast Health (runner-up)

Learn more here. 

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Congratulations to Savannah pediatrician Dr. Ben Spitalnick of Pediatric Associates of Savannah on another Best of Savannah award in Savannah Magazine.

New to the area & in need of a pediatrician? Pediatric Associates of Savannah has offices in Savannah, the Islands and Pooler. Learn more here.

Stay connected with Pediatric Associates of Savannah & informed about children’s health news, by ‘liking’ Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Facebook here.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.comOn Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

We know you’ll find your place at the Y!

Come try the Y and join the Y community.

YMCA of Coastal Georgia is hosting open houses at all locations the first Saturday of each month this fall (October through December). Come visit, explore Y programs and see why their members love being at the Y.

Join and save up to $100 with no joiner’s fee!

Learn more about the Y here.

Nine YMCA of Coastal Georgia branches: 
Effingham YMCA
Golden Isles & McIntosh YMCA
Habersham YMCA
Islands YMCA
Liberty County/ Armed Services YMCA
Richmond Hill YMCA
Tybee Island YMCA
West Chatham YMCA

YMCA of Coastal Georgia is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

Sometimes you know it’s coming and other times it happens and you’re caught totally off guard. Urine leakage. Most women don’t like to talk about it but it’s actually more common than you might realize, and not just among postpartum women.

Urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary leakage of urine.  This can be further broken down into stress urinary incontinence (SUI), leakage that occurs during physical exertion (ex. sneezing, coughing, or laughing) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI), leakage that occurs prior to a strong urge to void.

A study looking at 144 female athletes between the ages of 18-21 that have never had children, found that 28% suffered from SUI.  Another study (Fantl et al, 1996) states that 4 out of 10 women and 1 out of 10 men suffer from some form of incontinence.

Urinary incontinence is letting you know that something in your body is not working correctly.  It could be that you are not firing your pelvic floor muscles properly.

The good news is that physical therapy could be the answer. Yes, that’s right.  There are physical therapists who specialize in treating the pelvic floor muscles, which support your bladder, bowel, rectum and uterus. The pelvic floor is very important and plays a key role in urinary continence, core stability, and sexual health.

Optim Therapy recently launched their Pelvic Health & Wellness Program and Physical Therapist Stacey McKenzie can work with you one-on-one to make sure you are successfully activating your pelvic floor.  It can be accomplished in as little as one visit.

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Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

I am very excited to start a Pelvic Health & Wellness Program at Optim Therapy. I have gone through three pregnancies and deliveries so I’m excited that women now have a place to go for individualized treatment for their overall pelvic health.

If you suffer from pelvic pain, urinary incontinence or an overactive bladder, these symptoms could be related to your pelvic floor muscles, which are the muscles that support your bladder, bowel, rectum and uterus. The pelvic floor is very important and plays a key role in urinary continence, core stability, and sexual health.

Women need to know that they do not have to suffer or put up with pain and incontinence. There are options out there for them and physical therapy could be the answer. As a physical therapist who specializes in treating the pelvic floor, I’ll work with you to make sure you receive the most from your visit.

At your first visit, I’ll meet with you for an evaluation in a private, closed-door environment. We’ll talk one-on-one and go over all your treatment options.

Have you ever wondered if you are firing your pelvic floor muscles properly? Do you have any soft tissue restrictions that are causing you pain or preventing you from activating the muscles optimally? These are some of the things that I can assess at the initial evaluation to help you understand your pain and dysfunction better.

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Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

As parents, you know emergency room visits usually result in a wait time of more than seven hours.

That’s too long if your child is sick or hurt.

Which is why we’re relieved to see that SouthCoast Health is expanding its non-emergent, urgent care-style services with additional locations now available in Savannah, Hinesville, Richmond Hill, and Rincon.

These new locations are for for non-routine medical needs that do not require a visit to the emergency room. Think sprains; earaches; sore throats, colds, fevers; cuts and minor lacerations; vomitting/diarrhea.

Expert physicians, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners and medical professionals of SouthCoast Health’s Urgent Care clinic are available to treat you with the convenience of walk-in appointments, minimal waiting and at a lower cost than emergency rooms.

Patients ages 14 and older can visit the Savannah, Hinesville, and Richmond Hill locations. Urgent care for pediatrics is available at the Rincon, Richmond Hill, and Savannah locations.

Visit the SouthCoast Health website here for specific hours and addresses for Urgent Care locations. You can use online reservations to schedule urgent care visits. That means doing the majority of your waiting from home and avoiding the long wait time of an emergency room for non-routine medical needs.

When existing patients use SouthCoast Health Urgent Care, the staff can access the patients’ medical records and update with details of their urgent care visits. SouthCoast Health Urgent Care allows new patients the opportunity to get established with a primary care doctor who can help manage and maintain the patients’ future health and wellness goals.

THESE URGENT CARE SERVICES ARE OPEN TO ALL PATIENTS. (You do not need to be an existing SouthCoast patient)

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SouthCoast Urgent Care Locations

SouthCoast Health Savannah Campus, Building 1, 1326 Eisenhower Dr, Bldg 1 912.691.4100 (Ages 14 & older)
Savannah, GA SouthCoast Health Pediatrics, Savannah, Eisenhower Drive Medical Center, 310 Eisenhower Dr, Bldg 16 912.303.3500 (Kids)
Rincon, GA SouthCoast Health Pediatrics, Rincon, 814 Towne Park Dr East 912.826.4866 (Kids)
Hinesville, GA SouthCoast Health, Hinesville Suite 203, Liberty Medical Office Building, 455 South Main St, Ste 203 912.876.3552 (Ages 14 & older)
Richmond Hill, GA SouthCoast Health Richmond Hill Campus, 89 Interchange Dr 912.527.5301 (Adults & Kids)

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Coastal Pediatrics in Savannah & Pooler is one of the first pediatricians offices in our area to have the flu shot available this flu season.

Coastal Pediatrics first flu clinic of the 2018-2019 flu season is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22 2018 and only flu shots will be provided. No FluMist will be available at all this season.

If you cannot make it to the flu clinic on Sept. 22, there will have another flu clinic on Sat. Oct. 27 and additional weekday options available in the future, but those have yet to be determined. Flu shots also available @ regularly scheduled well and sick appointments.

Please use the online scheduler and avoid calling the office to schedule flu appointments, if possible.

Children must be 6 months old or older to receive the flu shot. Click here to schedule your child or children’s appointment(s) for this flu vaccine. Flu shots are also available to parents who would like to receive them for $40. The flu clinics are only open to Coastal Pediatrics patients and their caregivers.  Please arrive a few minutes prior to your appointment to complete your required forms.

If you are attending the Saturday flu clinic, there will be raffles for gift cards and giveaways, as well as snacks and trips to the treasure chest, so don’t miss out.

▪ Important: Your child CANNOT receive the flu shot if they have a severe allergy to eggs or a serious adverse/allergic reaction to a previous flu shot. Please click here for more information regarding the flu shot.

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Learn more about Coastal Pediatrics here.

Coastal Pediatrics- Savannah
2 Wheeler Street
Savannah, GA 31405

Coastal Pediatrics- Pooler
1000 Towne Center Blvd
Building 1000B
Pooler, GA 31322

Coastal Pediatrics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Navigating life alone can be scary; counseling can be a positive step in the right direction!

As a third year graduate student with Wake Forest University, Hunter G. Ray is excited to be completing her internship experience with C. Williams & Associates located in downtown Savannah. As a counselor-in-training, Ray is offering free counseling services to the uninsured population as well as individuals insured with Medicare and Medicaid.

Ray would love the opportunity to create a unique counseling experience for you!

If you have questions or would like to make an appointment, please send a confidential email to hunter@cwilliamsandassociates.com or call (912) 447-5530.

We appreciate the Keep Your Child Safe this School season post on the SouthCoast Health Web site here as we know school safety is prevalent on the minds of parents at the start of the school season. Topics covered include how to deal with bullying.

SouthCoast Health Pediatrician Dr. William Webb

“Education is incredibly important for children,” explains SouthCoast Health Pediatrician Dr. William Webb. “But equally as important is establishing a feeling of safety, especially in their school environment. Not feeling safe can seriously impact a child’s ability to learn, develop, and grow.”

Help your student feel comfortable and secure at school by following these tips here. 

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SouthCoast Health Pediatrics locations

Savannah: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Savannah
Eisenhower Drive Medical Center
310 Eisenhower Dr, Bldg 16
912.303.3500

Richmond Hill: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Richmond Hill
St. Joseph’s / Candler Medical Office Park
10055 Ford Ave,Ste 4A
912.527.5352

Rincon: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Rincon
814 Towne Park Dr East
912.826.4866

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

As part of SouthernMamas.com “Ask Me Anything” series with pediatricians @ Pediatric Associates of Savannah, PC, SouthernMamas.com readers submitted questions for an exclusive Q&A with Savannah pediatrician Dr. Chintak B. Patel.

Great questions. Great responses by Dr. Patel. Thanks everyone for participating.

See the video of Dr. Patel answering questions submitted by SouthernMamas.com readers here.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

Do you notice…
frequent urination day or night?
difficulty emptying your bladder?
a “falling out” feeling in your pelvis?
trouble with constipation?
difficulty controlling bowel movements?

Do you have…
painful urination?
painful bowel movements?
painful intercourse?
pain in your genitals?
pain when you squat and/or stand?

Do you ever leak urine…
when you cough or sneeze?
on the way to the bathroom?
when you stand up?
during exercise?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, these symptoms could be related to your pelvic floor muscles, which are basically a bowl-shaped set of muscles that support your bladder, bowel, rectum and uterus.

The good news is that physical therapy could be the answer. Yes, that’s right. There are physical therapists who specialize in treating the pelvic floor and I’m proud to be one.

At your first visit, I’ll meet with you for an evaluation in a private, closed-door environment. We’ll talk one-on-one and go over all your treatment options. There’s significant and exciting research out there about treatments for urinary incontinence and pelvic pain.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Beloved Savannah pediatrician Dr. Ben Spitalnik @ Pediatric Associates of Savannah shares everything you need to know about the upcoming flu vaccine season here. 

Find out here who should get the flu vaccine; when the best time is for your child to get the flu vaccine; the flu shot vs. nasal flu spray vaccine; how effective the vaccine is; when the flu season typically spikes in the Savannah area.

Pediatrics Associates of Savannah locations

Pediatric Associates in Savannah
4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100,
Savannah 31404
912.355.2462

Pediatric Associates of Savannah in Pooler
110 Medical Park Drive
Pooler 31322
912.330.5010

Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Whitemarsh Is.
1001 Memorial Dr
Savannah 31410
912.898.9800

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.com On Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

Are you having low back or pelvic pain and are pregnant? With an increase in the hormone relaxin making our joints and ligaments have more laxity and the increase in weight and size of our abdomens, pregnancy puts great demand on our bodies.

The good news is that physical therapy could be the answer. Yes, that’s right. There are physical therapists who specialize in treating the pelvic floor and I’m proud to be one.

At your first visit, I’ll meet with you for an evaluation in a private, closed-door environment. We’ll talk one-on-one and go over all your treatment options.

Physical therapists can teach you exercises to help strengthen your core and hips as your baby and belly are growing! We can also teach you safer ways to move to protect the spine. If needed, we can even try some taping techniques or instruct in braces that may help to take some load off of your spine or to help stabilize your pelvis. Pregnancy should be an exciting time in your life. Don’t let pain take that away from you.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

We appreciate the Safe Sleep post by Savannah pediatrician Dr Brandy Gheesling on the Pediatric Associates of Savannah web site here.

Dr. Gheesling writes: “As I prepare for the arrival of my third child, I have been busy getting everything together for the nursery. There are so many different gadgets and sleeping devices available, so I thought it would be a good time to review what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends for safe sleep. “

“Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby less than 1 year of age that usually occurs while they are sleeping.  Sadly, per the AAP Policy Statement on SIDS published in 2016, “Approximately 3,500 infants die annually in the US from sleep related deaths, including SIDS and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.”   

Dr. Gheesling reminds us that parents’ behaviors and health can also affect our baby’s SIDS risk.

“Parents should avoid smoke exposure, alcohol, and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth.Pregnant women should obtain regular and early prenatal care. Breastfeeding is recommended and has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS by 50% if the baby is exclusively breastfed for the first month of life,” writes Dr. Gheesling.

Read Dr. Gheesling’s Safe Sleep post in its entirety here.

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Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser