Issuu

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

After nearly 300 years, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office is still making history.

WORD FROM HINCHEY If you talk to any of our local ment—about their incredible work, they will often respond that they are “just doing their job.” But doing your job well, with passion and commitment, can have Paul P. Hinchey President/CEO

Sometimes, it can even make history. ing deputies at the Chatham County

rank. Colonel McArthur Holmes came out of retirement to

CONTENTS

enthusiasm that made their achievements possible, all while “just doing their job.” Learn their stories in this issue. Speaking of a history of excellence, St. Joseph’s/Candler has

past 18 years. Now, after more than 14,000 robotic surgeries, another revolution has arrived in the form of the da Vinci 5. Learn more about this state-of-the-art, cutting edge technology in this issue.

Please enjoy this edition of Smart Living, and also feel free to share any comments you have with us at SmartLiving@sjchs.org.

Our Living Smart weblog has new content each week at sjchs.org/living-smart Follow us on X at x.com/chooseSJC

/LewisCancerandResearchPavilion /MaryTelfairWomensHospital

SmartLiving is published bi-monthly by the St. Joseph’s/Candler Marketing and Public Relations division to provide free health and lifestyle information for southeast Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry. 5353 Reynolds Street, Savannah, GA 31405 | smartliving@sjchs.org

6 8

CLEAN SLATE

Small, Simple Habits Can Help Ward Off Winter Colds

BADGES OF HONOR

Meet Lt. Col. Nicole Scott-Bond and Chief Deputy McArthur Holmes

BALANCE SHEET

Know the Signs of a Heart Attack

RIGHT ON TARGET

Advancements in Medical Oncology

A REVOLUTION IN SURGERY

Why the da Vinci 5 is the Best Robotic System Yet

13 FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Super Good Cauliflower Wings

14 ASK A MAGNET NURSE

Your Outpatient Surgery Experience

DOCTOR’S ORDERS

ANNA F. SPELTS, MD

Clean Slate

Small, simple habits can help ward off winter colds In January, we start the new year wondering about the possibilities ahead. But as the kids go back to school and we go back to work, one thing is inevitable—someone’s going to catch a cold. With chilly temperatures keeping people inside and in close quarters, viruses and bacteria spread easily in the winter months. In theory, you could protect yourself by disinfecting every shared doorknob, grocery cart handle, or elevator button that you come across. But that way of life doesn’t often match reality. “Having an expectation of every surface being clean at all times is going to cause you anxiety, and you’re going to miss out on life,” says Anna F. Spelts, MD, of St. Joseph’s/Candler Primary Care in Richmond Hill.

the oldest: hand hygiene.

Spelts says. “Your hands go a lot of places in a day, from the gas station pump to your steering wheel to “If you can get into the habit of handwashing at the right moments each day—such as after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, Washing your hands, or keeping a small bottle of or blowing your nose—it will have a big impact,” Dr. alcohol-based hand sanitizer easily accessible through- Spelts says. “And I encourage people to always 1 have out your day, can break the critical chain of transmissome sanitizer in their car. Little things like that will sion of germs from your hands to areas like your eyes, help you stay healthy without having to give up your nose, or mouth, where they can enter your body. life.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

CHIEF DEPUTY M C ARTHUR HOLMES 2

LT. COLONEL NICOLE

Badges of Honor

MEET LIEUTENANT COLONEL NICOLE M C ARTHUR HOLMES

This July, the United States of America will turn 250 years old. But the country is still younger than the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.

many changes throughout the years, but its mission remains the same: to provide the highest standard of protection and service to the people of Chatham County. August of 2025, Major Nicole Scott-Bond was promoted to Lieutenant African-American in the history of the Colonel McArthur Holmes came out of

Lt. Col. Scott-Bond says she became “like a sponge,” learning everything she could about each department. Along with corrections, Lt. Col. Scott-Bond has

“We are engaged with the community....”

Both of these milestones come from a lifetime of service.

PURSUING EXCELLENCE enforcement as a teenager, watching shows like 21 Jump Street and wondering if she might be a good cop. But her strengths as an athlete led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education. She taught public school for a few years after graduation, but still felt the pull of law enforcement. said I should give it a try,” she recalls. “I started working

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

very supportive environment, working for women and with other women. It helped me see what was possible for my career.”

worked in street operations, court services, and special investigations. She also earned a Master’s degree while raising her two boys. Her sons were there at her pinning ceremony in August, along with other family and friends. “I just try to build on what I’ve done,” she says. “For me, the pursuit of excellence is about always applying yourself. I am a mentor to some of the newer female to success. Just stay focused, and you can do this, too.”

THE NEXT LEVEL as they became available is also what shaped the career of Chief Deputy McArthur Holmes. 3

know that for some parts of the job, you have to learn as you go. And I had no problem with that. I made myself available to whatever was needed.” Chief Deputy Holmes held several positions throughout his career, an experience he says is unique in law enforcement. “We deal with the streets, we deal with corrections, and we deal with the courts,” Holmes says. “We are engaged with the community, and we interact with every other law enforcement agency—federal, state and local.” Gunsmoke. But when the call came to serve as Chief Deputy, Holmes proudly accepted. It was not only a milestone for his career but for the organization—Holmes is

had that we can work together and take Chatham County to the levels that we know it can reach.”

DID YOU KNOW THE CHATHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE HELPS PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA? As passionate as Lt. Col. Scott-Bond and Chief Deputy Holmes are about law enforcement, they also emphasize how quickly rescue patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia who become lost or disoriented. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in ten people living with dementia may become confused about their

locate them quickly. and other community meetings throughout Chatham County. “Working with people, making sure everyone is treated well and feels safe, that has always been my passion,” Lt. Col. Scott-Bond says. “We’re here to help,” adds Holmes. “Whatever the needs of the community may be, we try to meet those needs. We are here for you.”

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COMPARATIVE SYMPTOMS

Balance Sheet:

Know The Signs Of A Heart Attack

WOMEN CHEST PAIN

MEN CHEST PRESSURE OR PAIN

JAW, NECK, OR BACK PAIN

JAW, NECK OR BACK PAIN SHORTNESS OF BREATH

SHORTNESS OF BREATH NAUSEA OR VOMITING

NAUSEA OR VOMITING

Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease at some point in their lives, according to American Heart Association. Both men and women should make heart health a major focus at their yearly checkups, and keep up with their heart-related numbers such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

PRESSURE OR PAIN IN LOWER CHEST/UPPER ABDOMEN

DIZZINESS OR FAINTING

FEELINGS OF INDIGESTION OR REFLUX

EXTREME FATIGUE

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STEPHEN “DREW” WHITE, MD

RIGHT ON TARGET Advancements in medical oncology are leading to a new level of individualized treatment

resilience, and tirelessness. Physicians and caregivers hope to go into that battle with the latest, most advanced weapons.

delivered through a variety of drug types and is commonly used for cancers like breast, lung, colorectal, and certain types of leukemia

For certain types of cancer, medical oncologists now have the equivalent of a guided missile in their arsenal. It’s an approach called targeted therapy.

A RANGE OF POSSIBILITIES include:

Small-Molecule Inhibitor cancer gene expression,” explains Stephen “Drew” designed to selectively act on tumor cells, and thereby avoid the toxicities to normal cells that can often accompany chemotherapy.” 6

A class of drugs called small-molecule inhibitors can slip inside cancer cells and dismantle their inner workings. Kinase Inhibitors target proteins called kinases, which act like internal switches that tell a cell to grow, divide, or survive. In cancer, these switches JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

are often stuck in the ON position. The inhibitors physically fit into the active site of the kinase switch, preventing it from functioning. By blocking the signal, they force the cancer cell to stop growing and eventually die. Proteasome inhibitors target a protein complex called the proteasome, which acts as a cell's garbage disposal. Cancer cells are typically very busy, generating lots of faulty proteins that need to be broken down. By jamming the proteasome, these drugs cause the abnormal proteins to build up inside the cancer cell, eventually overwhelming and killing it.

Another type of monoclonal antibody is known as an protein called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, or VEGF, which a tumor releases to build its own blood supply. Anti-angiogenesis inhibitors prevent new blood vessels from forming and may even damage existing ones. By starving the tumor of oxygen and nutrients, they slow or stop its growth.

More Options, Individualized

Small-molecule Inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies are just some of the many targeted therapy options mutations across various cancers. For Dr. White and his colleagues at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, having these options is essential to delivering individualized treatment, with precision medicine as a guiding force.

Poly-ADP ribose polymerase, or PARP, is a family of proteins that is targeted by a class of drugs called PARP inhibitors. Cells use PARP to inhibitors block this last line of defense against DNA damage in cancer cells that are already genetically weak. Without this backup repair system, the cancer cell’s DNA damage becomes too extensive, and the cell self-desome ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Another targeted therapy approach uses large proteins made in a lab that act like natural antibodies in the called monoclonal antibodies.

“THE FIELD OF MEDICAL ONCOLOGY HAS AN INCREASING ARSENAL OF DRUGS THAT SPECIFICALLY TARGET

treatment at the LCRP is tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

ABNORMAL GENE

“Our patients in chemotherapy are monitored closely with laboratory testing and other means to adjust doses and treatment schedules,” Dr. White says. “Any physical or emotional challenges arising from chemotherapy are addressed collectively at the LCRP, not just through medical and radiation oncologists, but also surgeons, palliative care specialists, social workers, nutritionists and nurse navigators. We have an incredible team here.”

EXPRESSION.”

Surface receptor blockers sit on the surface of cancer cells. Cancer cells often have too many of these receptors, which constantly attach to the receptor, blocking the growth signals from reaching the cell's interior.

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“It is personally very gratifying to participate in the care of patients with targeted therapy,” Dr. White says. He concedes that for some patients, conventional chemotherapy is still the most appropriate treatment. But every patient’s cancer

MARC BAILEY, MD

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

A Revolution in Surgery Why the da Vinci 5 is the best robotic system yet The arrival of the da Vinci robotic surgical system to St. Joseph’s/Candler in November 2007 was a game-changer for Savannah and the surrounding region. Robotic-assisted surgery offered much smaller incisions, a shorter recovery time and less blood loss for patients. These results were achieved through the synthesis of the surgeon’s masterful touch and the robot’s ability to replicate the surgeon’s movements precisely and to scale, while also providing high-definition imaging unlike anything surgeons had seen before. With such a revolutionary advance in surgery, there appeared to be very little room—or need—for improvement. Yet, after 18 years and more than 14,000 robotic surgeries, another revolution is here. It’s called the da Vinci 5. While the previous model, the da Vinci Xi, was already a high bar for excellence, the da Vinci 5 introduces a computing capacity more than 10,000 times greater than its predecessor. This was more than an upgrade; it’s a re-engineering aimed at making delicate surgery safer, gentler, and smarter. As the newest entry to St. Joseph’s/Candler’s arsenal of da Vinci systems, the da Vinci 5 will be used in a variety of minimally-invasive procedures for urology, gynecology and general surgeries such as hernia repair. It will also be used for complex thoracic procedures by cardiothoracic surgeon, Marc Bailey, MD. “This is the most powerful surgical robot in the world, and we have it here,” Dr. Bailey says. “It has changed how I take care of patients. Robotic surgery has always allowed for smaller incisions and less blood loss, and we can get you walking around faster, with less pain. It was hard to imagine it getting any better, but now it has.” USING THE FORCE One of the most significant new features of the da Vinci 5 is its Force Feedback technology. Think about how your hands feel 9

pain, and even faster, more comfortable recoveries. It makes delicate suturing and tissue handling more precise than ever before. ADVANCED INSIGHTS da Vinci 5 boasts the highest quality and most image processing technology gives the surgeon an -

ment is crucial for complex procedures where preserving delicate structures is essential for maintaining the patient's long-term function and quality of life. da Vinci 5's computing power allows the system to be much smarter—not just during the operation, but also for future improvements. millions of previous surgeries—measuring force, when threading a needle or tying a knot—you can feel the resistance, the tension, and the pressure. Previous robotic systems gave the surgeon amazing sight and movement, but they couldn't replicate the sense of touch.

to help surgeons review their performance, optimize their techniques, and continually improve patient outcomes long after the procedure is done.

da Vinci 5 changes that. It uses sophisticated sensors right at the tip of the surgical instruments to measure the exact amount of force being applied to instantly sent back to the surgeon's controllers at the pressure as if their own hands were inside the patient. In pre-clinical trials, the Force Feedback technology resulted in surgeons using up to 43 percent less force -

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DESIGNED FOR THE FUTURE da Vinci 5 was also developed with the surgeon’s comfort in mind. It is an obvious yet often undervalued principle in surgery that in order to ensure the best outcome for the patient, the surgeon must feel empowered da Vinci 5 types, including surgeons who are pregnant. All in all, more than 150 design innovations were made in the development of the da Vinci 5, sparking a new revolution in robotic surgical care.

already here. We are in the future now.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

DO DATES

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

1/17 Telfair BirthPlace: Prepared Childbirth Class

2/7 Telfair BirthPlace: Prepared Breastfeeding Class

help prepare expectant parents for their labor and delivery experience.

understanding of lactation and breastfeeding through a relaxed, informative session with an expert. Cost is $25 total for BOTH

include anatomy and physiology of the birth process, techniques in coping with labor and an emphasis on

Telfair Classroom at Executive Court, 5105 Paulsen Street, Suite 225D. Go to www.sjchs.org/telfair-registration for a list of Telfair BirthPlace events, times and locations.

person. Classes are designed for those in the seventh or eighth month of fair-registration for a list of Telfair BirthPlace events, times and locations.

2/20 Candler Clays Charity Shoot and Auction

EVERY WEEKDAY SilverSneaker Chair Aerobics

Lowcountry boil at the Forest City Gun Club on Saturday, 2/21. Since its inception, this event has raised more than $2.7 million to support Advancements in Cancer Care at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion.

neaker Chair Aerobics is a low-impact chair-based class that is conveniently held on each weekday. Classes are scheduled at various times in Suite 100 of the Heart & Lung Building at Candler Hospital, 5356 Reynolds Street. Call 912-819-8800 for class times and more.

Presented by JE Dunn Construction, Candler Clays is an annual two-day event combining a charity live auction and reception on

For questions or to get involved, call the St. Joseph’s/Candler

SEE ALL OF OUR EVENTS AND CLASSES AT WWW.SJCHS.ORG/EVENTS.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Super Good Cauliflower Wings

No deep-frying. No heavy fats from meat. Plenty of tangy goodness and a perfect addition to your football-watching party. Baked cauliflower can give you that satisfying, low-calorie crunch while also providing vitamins C and K as well as folate and many other nutrients. INGREDIENTS ⅔ (lightly spooned and leveled) ¼ cup cornstarch 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon granulated onion

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 450°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. 2. starch, granulated garlic, granulated onion, paprika, and salt. Add the water and whisk until smooth. 3.

1 teaspoon paprika

arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking

½ teaspoon sea salt ¾ cup water

sauce. Bake for another12 to 15 minutes, or until

5. Remove from the oven and brush with more homemade)

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crunchy, healthy vegetables such as carrots or celery.

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ASK A MAGNET NURSE

Outpatient Surgery Nurses Focus on a Comfortable, Seamless Experience Outpatient Surgery—Candler Hospital Smart Living: Surgery is a major decision that can SL: Do most patients go home the same day? What cause some patients anxiety. How do nurses in Outpa- can their loved ones expect? tient Surgery ensure that patients have a safe and EL: Yes, most patients do go home the same day, but comfortable experience? we also have a newly-renovated Post-Surgical Unit for Erin Lanier: We are here to guide you through every those who need additional monitoring. And all of our step of the way. And it starts with trust. I’m a facilities have a comfortable waiting area for loved people-person; I love talking with patients and asking ones. We want the experience to be stress-free for them questions. It can really help with their anxiety everyone. and make their whole experience better. I try to build that trusted relationship throughout the pre-operative We work with our pharmacy to help supply patients phase, as we complete the physical assessment, review the patient’s chart, establish IV access and administer huge relief to patients and families, especially those who live outside of Savannah. It’s all about focused, any necessary pre-operative medications. personalized care. Our team is always working to give We also use this time to educate the patient, making sure they understand the procedure, the expected timeline, and what to anticipate post-surgery.