Smart Talk - March 2026

SJ/C Offers Contrast Enhanced Mammography

As part of our tireless commitment to improving breast cancer detection rates, St. Joseph’s/Candler now offers contrast enhanced mammography, or CEM, as well as contrast enhanced biopsy procedures. These services expand SJ/C’s advanced diagnostic options, supporting earlier detection and more precise tissue sampling for patients.

CEM is performed following a traditional mammogram to further evaluate indeterminate or abnormal findings. An IV-administered contrast agent, like those commonly used in CT imaging, highlights areas where cancers may be forming or growing, helping detect cancers that may not be visible on standard mammography.

“This is another diagnostic service offering that we are proud to offer as a comprehensive breast center,” said Megan Hopf, Manager of Telfair Ambulatory Services. “There is great benefit to patients who are high risk, including those with dense breast tissue, those who cannot undergo MRI, staging for those on treatment, as well as those with inconclusive imaging with or without persistent symptomatology.”

For certain patients, dense tissue can hide tumors on a standard mammogram. The contrast agent highlights abnormal blood flow to tumors, making them easier to spot. The ability of CEM to detect smaller

quality 2026

A message to our co-workers:

cancers is comparable to a breast MRI, which makes it a viable alternative to patients who cannot undergo MRI.

If imaging reveals an area that needs to be sampled to determine whether it is benign or cancerous, SJ/C also now offers contrast enhanced biopsy. This process is similar to other breast biopsy procedures, but contrast is used to help the physician more precisely identify and target the area of concern.

After contrast is administered through an IV, the highlighted tissue guides the physician to the exact location that requires sampling. This approach can be especially helpful when the area of concern is subtle or not well seen with other imaging methods.

As you know, Quality is one of St. Joseph’s/Candler’s six values. At the heart of this value is a simple, non-negotiable commitment: to provide not only the highest quality care but also the safest possible environment for healing. Reaching this level is a continuous process, and as we look ahead at our quality metrics for this year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the core principles that guide our work. As co-workers, we often discuss data points and benchmarks, but we can’t forget that the true measure of our success is the trust our patients place in us.

Our focus this year is centered on taking the practices that we do well and discovering what can be refined. This will include processes such as:

• Computerized Physician Order Entry

• Bar Code Medication Administration

We will also focus on outcomes, which include:

• Healthcare-Associated Infections, such as CLABSI, CAUTI, MRSA, and C. diff.

• Surgical Complications

• Hand Hygiene

• Nursing Workforce

• Nurse And Staff Communication

• Patient Experience

These efforts require collective discipline. Whether you are in a clinical role or a supporting department, your focus on these high standards is what transforms a clinical objective into a reality. Thank you for your tireless dedication to excellence. Together, we are not just meeting expectations; we are setting a new standard for what it means to care.

Best,

Paul P. Hinchey President/CEO

mission critical

Foundations Awards Nursing Scholarship

Jackie Dean RN, a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital, received the Hazel O. Brunson & Anita Cole Bellows Nursing Scholarship to help further her education. This scholarship was established first in 1993 by Robert Brunson in memory of his wife. In 1998, a second scholarship was created by a gift made in memory to former co-worker Anita Cole Bellows , RN. This dual scholarship is awarded to SJ/C nurses who strive for excellence in care, through both education and leadership.

Wear Red Day

Health Fair at Black Heritage Festival

St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Harold Oglesby, Manager of Respiratory Therapy at Candler Hospital, and Tyrone Acker, Team Leader in Diagnostic Radiology at St. Joseph’s Hospital, were part of the annual Community Health & Wellbeing Fair at the Savannah Black Heritage Festival.

The fair was hosted by the 100 Black Men of Savannah, Inc., and included free screenings performed by students from Savannah State University as well as representatives from the Department of Public Health, the Medical College of Georgia and South University Pharmacy. Screenings included blood pressure, heart health, glucose and more. rn mnit (magnet nurses in touch)

Over the past few months, our Med-Surg and Float Pool nurses have been participating in an interactive “who done it” education experience called Code Gold – Continuous Bladder Irrigation (CBI). The mystery sessions highlighted nursing assessments, documentation, hands-on skills, and included problem-solving and teamwork, which makes learning engaging and memorable!

Using a simulated patient case study, nurses worked through the investigation of a preventable outcome related to CBI. They analyzed clinical cues, reviewed documentation, identified potential gaps in care and used root cause analysis principles to determine

SJ/C celebrated American Heart Month by raising awareness through social media posts, videos with our expert cardiologists and appearances in the Savannah Morning News and local TV stations.

We kicked off the month with Wear Red Day, the national observance created by the American Heart Association to show support for heart patient and their loved ones. Pictured here are co-workers from The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Cardiac Rehab department at Candler Hospital.

what went wrong. A line-up of possible “suspects” was created to reinforce essential concepts of accurate intake and output, proper CBI setup and maintenance, early recognition of concerns and timely escalation to providers. This very creative approach to education highlights our commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence and meaningful professional development. Code Gold was developed and implemented by Tara Barrett, RN, Clinical Nurse Educator; Marta Workman, RN, Clinical Nurse Educator; Abigail Moore, RN, Clinical Nurse Manager; and Nettie Giuseffi, RN, Clinical Nurse Educator. And yes, we solved the mysteries!

By Alicia Motley, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC Director, Professional Practice, Specialty Services & Infection Control, Magnet Program Director

meet carla macmillan a co-worker

profile

Fourteen years ago, Carla MacMillan started working at St. Joseph's/Candler as a subcontractor with Cardinal Health, helping to facilitate access to certain medications for uninsured or underinsured patients. The Director of Clinical Pharmacy at the time, Dr. Ray Maddox, told her she could join SJ/C as a full-time co-worker whenever she felt ready. When that day came, MacMillan was joyful.

“I felt very connected to this hospital. I love coming to work here every day and I love working within the Pharmacy department. I call the Pharmacy the ‘ant colony.’ Nobody sees them, but their work touches every patient that comes into the hospital.”

MacMillan serves as the Patient Assistance Program Coordinator, an expanded role that builds upon the work she did as a subcontractor. Her program helps qualifying patients access medications for chronic disease or cancer at little to no cost.

“This program works with drug manufacturers who can supply certain medications at no cost. This way, an uninsured or underinsured patient doesn’t have to go without care, and we can provide that care without incurring a loss of reimbursement. It’s a win-win for the hospital and the patient.”

MacMillan sees how the SJ/C value of Compassion defines not only her program

moving forward

Co-worker Named Case Manager Of The Year

Congratulations to Susan “Soo” Frischer on being named the Georgia Health Care Association’s EDWP Case Manager of the Year. Frischer is a case management specialist at the Georgia Infirmary. The EDWP is the GHCA’s Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, which provides in-home nursing and community-based services as an alternative to a nursing home.

"This award highlights and embodies everything Soo stands for,” said John Albright , Director of the Georgia Infirmary. “Her compassion, empathy, dedication and desire to make the lives of the people we serve better are just a few reasons why she is so deserving of this recognition."

march events

19 Wellness Center Lifestyle Lecture

Join Victoria Dekle, RDN, LD, for “Losing Weight with MyPlate.” This lifestyle lecture will teach you the importance of portion management and how to balance food groups to manage weight using the MyPlate guidelines.

This lecture will be held through Zoom on Thursday, March 19, at Noon. Please email Victoria Dekle to pre-register at thomasvic@sjchs.org. The Wellness Center needs a valid email address to allow you to join Zoom virtual lectures.

26 McAuley Award Ceremony

Join us for the announcement ceremony of this year’s McAuley Award recipient on Thursday, March 26, at 2 p.m. in the cafeteria at St. Joseph’s Hospital. With a long list of deserving and dedicated nominees, it is anyone’s guess who will be named this year’s recipient. If you are able, join us in the SJH cafeteria on March 26 for the live announcement.

28 Get Your Rear In Gear 5K

This is North America's largest 5K race series raising awareness and money for colon cancer prevention. Our event starts and ends at the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion. The Kids Fun Run will start at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K Run/Walk will start at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28.

The funds raised for this event will stay in the local community, helping with prevention, early detection and treatment, and healthy living initiatives for colon cancer. The Angels of Mercy will also be there to help make the event a success. To volunteer, please contact Sarah Copeland at copelandsa@sjchs.org for more information.

but also the many outreach programs created by St. Joseph’s/Candler, from the Good Samaritan Clinic to Mobile Mammography to St. Mary’s Community Center and more.

“Compassion is the umbrella over all of the other SJ/C values. I love working for a faith-based hospital because my philosophy is that if you take care of all of God’s people, then God will take care of your hospital. I consider it a privilege to work here.”

in memoriam

St. Joseph’s/Candler extends its deepest sympathies to the colleagues, family, and friends of Celeste Shearouse. Her 37 years of service at St. Joseph’s/ Candler made an impact that is still felt today.

Celeste started at SJ/C as a medical technologist. In 2007, she received the prestigious Lientz Humanitarian Award. She eventually retired from the health system as Director of Organization and Strategic Planning. She passed away on January 30 after a long illness. Our prayers are with Celeste’s loved ones.

She will be deeply missed.

welcome to St. Joseph’s/Candler!

Please join us in welcoming the following new co-workers to the St. Joseph’s/Candler family:

Noemi Abejo | OR, Candler

Toneshia Aiken | 6 South, Candler

Carina Akshar | PT, St. Joseph's

Krystal Atkinson | Specialty Phys. Rev. Cycle

Kenya Bass | Lab Outreach Svcs

Leslie Bateman | Primary Care, Pembroke

Shantoy Bell-Lindo | St. Joseph's Cardiology

Timmesha Bostick | 7 North, St. Joseph's

Arice Brown Jr. | Safety/Security, Candler

Sebrina Caldwell | St. Mary's Community Ctr

Junelie Canete | OR, Candler

Diane Capobianco | 7 North, St. Joseph's

Angela Carpenter | 7 North, St. Joseph's

Lynda Carter | Primary Care, Richmond Hill

Caitlynn Jo Cavallo | Ins./Pymt. Verif

Maria Charles | OR, Candler

Chantel Cintron | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Ashley Claffy | LCRP, Bluffton Campus

Carly Clark | Telfair BirthPlace

Zoe Clement | 5 South, St. Joseph's

Kayla Collins | Urgent Care, Pooler

Chiquita Cook-Ferguson | LCRP

Chaquita Cox | Patient Registration, Candler

Annslee Cribb | Diagn. Radiology, Candler

Taralin Dameron | 6 South, Candler

Jahmonica Davis | Primary Care, Richmond Hill

Latoya Davis | Oncology, Hilton Head

Angela Deleon-Muniz | ED, Candler

Erin Dowdy | 6 South, Candler

Robbin Dozier | Neurology

Jordan Drake | OR, Candler

Alexis Duch | ED, St. Joseph's

Mali Dzienis | Telfair BirthPlace

Melisa Elder | Health Information Management

Johnise Etheridge | Ins./Pymt. Verif

Victoria Evans | Patient Accounting

Belinda Flavien | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Kamora Ford | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Chelsea Fountain | CCU, St. Joseph's

Cheryl Frazier | Ins./Pymt. Verif

Janice Frazier | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Jazmynn Frazier | 6 South, Candler

Monica Frazier | Hyperbarics & Wound Care

Marc Gaumond | Plant Ops, St. Joseph's

Rebecca Goodman | Pharmacy, St. Joseph's

Kayley Grosskopf | PT, Candler

Robert Grossman | Education

Aless Gullikson | Lab Otr. Svcs, St. Joseph's

Shakayla Hackley | Home Health, Savannah

Ashley Hall Urgent Care, Pooler

Brandilyn Harden | Urgent Care, Pooler

Kayla Harter | ED, St. Joseph's

Elizabeth Hayes | OT, St. Joseph's

Katelyn Heller | CVICU, St. Joseph's

James Helverson | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Truc-Mi Hoang | 6 South, Candler

Sherry Hunter | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Victoria Ingram | OB/GYN

Diamond Jenkins | Dietary Svcs., St. Joseph's

Jomell Johnson | RT, St. Joseph's

Zyquez Johnson-Dukes | Envr. Svcs., Candler

Nakia Jones | Sports Medicine

Salena Jones | Urgent Care, Pooler

Shafeequah Jones | RT, St. Joseph's

Karmisha Kapers | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Brooklyn Kelley | Urgent Care, Bluffton

Lakisha Kelly | Sterile Processing, St. Joseph's

Mariah Kimbrell | Amb Surg Svcs, St. Joseph's

Brandy King | Dietary Svcs., St. Joseph's

Starry Dale Ladia | OR, St. Joseph's

Cathryn Landon | ATOC

Alison Lawson | ED, Candler

Mone'T Lewis | 6 South, Candler

Cassandra Martinez | Histo/Cyto, Candler

Tyler Materna | NICU

Cortney Meader | ICU, Candler

Kiana Mike | ENT

Brittany Mills | RT, St. Joseph's

Gellion Nevins Clarke | Envr Svcs, St. Joseph's

Sophie Noel | Oncology Clinical Trials

Meghan Odendaal | Urgent Care, Bluffton

Monique Odendaal | Primary Care, Bluffton

Ragan Overby | Urgent Care, Savannah

Scott Page | IS

march birthdays

1

Jennifer Dobbs

Sharon Fagerstrom

Sheridan Lynch

Kimetra Meachum

Michelle Rockett

Catherine Ronaghan, MD

Holly Smith

Denise West

Tamika Williams

2

Lina Blazyte

Julie Boatright

Nolan Brackenrich, DO

Maria Calderon

Jace Eversole

Robin Hinely

Elaina Mansell

Temekaa Pearson Jackson

Shannon Saadey

Emma Wilson

Amanda Winslow

3

Garrett Crafton

Chelsea De La Cruz

Dana Eisenberg

Debbie Jackson

Philisa Legrier

Kristen Mason

Mark Mirabito

Rodolfo Nonesa

Amy Westberry

Martha Weston

Tonya Young

Cynthia Zambito

4

Cheryl Capers

Gary Corrigan

Kathy Cowart

Ronald Culberson

Tracee Graham

Melba Hawkins

Peter Hunt, MD

Rasheed Knowles

Lori Lanier

Beverly Lippert

Reginald Merckerson

Katherine Neuenfeldt

Jailene Rodriguez

Kim Thompson

Mary Whitfield

5

Kafayat Abass

Joenie Almeida, MD

Angela Argroves

Angela Carter Serena Cunningham

Jennifer Garcia

Jeremy Gonzales

Natasha Green

Autumn Hamrick

Stewart Haynes

Sarah Marks

Jason Pierce

Alison White 6

Melissa Bonds

Danielle Cutter

Monique Edwards

Kenneth Eugene, MD

Karen Gaddy

Cynthia Hudson

Rosemary Jerkins

Diana Martinez

Vicki Miller

Nena Phillips

Amanda Stevens

Nicole Valentine

Shaneeka Walker

Ebony Weldon 7

Jane Bock

Felita Crook

Courtney Lassiter

Scheilo Lizaire

Chelsea Manor

Michael Roach

Pamela Smoak

Madelin Walker

Faith Williams 8

Brennen Arkins

Courtney Carter

Cynthia Dubberly

Lamar Johnson

Analisa Martinez-Laster

Jessica Mighty

Kurt Nemeck

De'Ja Sanders 9

Niruba Albright

Britany Archer

Kevin Bell

Wendy Collett

Geri Cook

Latonya Jenkins Leslie Kegley

Shimeka Randolph

Elizabeth Sells

Dani Thomas Melissa White

Anjelica Williams 10 Haley Adams

Lauren Fears

Hamsher

Starks Stephanie

14

Alesha

Alyssa Avendano Karen Boyer

Sara Claxton

Shelby Myers

Needham

Shalotta Jeffries

Phyllis

Rejuana Gadson Shannon

Christiana Paradowski | Surg. Specialty Ctr

Ashley Patterson | OB/GYN

Isaac Patterson | Patient Accounting

Xiomara Perez | Urgent Care, Rincon

Thomasina Phelps | Neurology

Morgan Pillow | Diagn. Radiology, Candler

Alfreda Polite-Dancy | OB/GYN

Nikia Popley | Sterile Processing, St. Joseph's

Hayley Porter | Ins./Pymt. Verif

Sharon Register | Lab Otr Svcs, St. Joseph's

Joseph Reid | Purch. & Dist., Candler

Angela Rice | Non-Invasive Cardiology

Angel Roberson | 6 South, Candler

Kendal Rubin | CT Scan, Candler

Holly Sawyer | PCU, St. Joseph's

Allison Shane | Patient Placement Centralized

Karlee Shores | Diagn. Radiology, St. Joseph's

Lillie Simmons | 6 South, Candler

Lily Slusser | CVICU, St. Joseph's

Lealia Smalls | 7 North, St. Joseph's

Sharhonda Smart | Specialty Phys. Rev. Cycle

Zykia Smart | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Ronald Smith | Dietary Svcs., St. Joseph's

Zachary Smith | IS

Samantha Soto | PCU, St. Joseph's

Amber Stevens | Urgent Care, Bluffton

Kayla Stokes | LCRP

Jerri Lynn Thomas | Primary Care, Pembroke

Gage Thompson | Patient Financial Svcs

Zita Varga | OR, Candler

Kristen Verdeyen | Patient Accounting

Tangi Walden | 6 North, Candler

Cheryl Waller | Hyperbarics & Wound Care

Krystal Warf | 6 South, Candler

Cynthia Watkins | 6 South, Candler

Shannon Watson | OR, St. Joseph's

Adam Wentz | RT, St. Joseph's

Yolanda White | Specialty Phys. Rev. Cycle

Latoya Williams | Envr. Svcs., Candler

Monique Wilson | Urgent Care, Pooler

Paula Winborn | Envr. Svcs., Candler

Marilyn Ziemba | Amb Surg Svcs, St. Joseph's

Shontrice

Quentina

Debra Aylmer