Smart Talk April 2026

Candler Clays Celebrates Another Record Breaking Year

The 24th Annual Candler Clays Charity Shoot and Auction raised $313,514, another record-breaking amount for this popular event. The funds provide ongoing and critical support to SJ/C Foundations’ Advancements in Cancer Care initiatives across Savannah, Bluffton, Hilton Head and surrounding regions.

SJ/C President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey congratulated the Foundations team and Candler Clays Committee on yet another record-breaking total.

“Their efforts as well as the generous support of our donors and sponsors will continue to connect fellow community members to the latest innovations in cancer care and treatment,” Hinchey said. “It is truly wonderful to see people come together every year in support of their neighbors and friends for this fun event that makes such a huge impact here at home.”

Notably, $145,050 of this year’s total will go directly to oncology nurse navigation services offered by the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion (LCRP).

Many generous sponsors contributed to Candler Clays, including the returning presenting sponsor JE Dunn Construction, the Mingledorff Family as platinum sponsor, and Batson Associates and the Kicklighter Company as gold sponsors.

Each year the event honors a survivor or memorializes someone who died of cancer. This year’s honoree was survivor DeDe Cargill. Diagnosed in 2004 with advanced colon cancer, she had immediate surgery and later began a clinical trial for a new chemotherapy regimen. In her Candler Clays dinner speech, Cargill recalled receiving treatments at Candler Hospital while watching the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion being built across the street.

SJ/C Foundations Executive Director Vernice Rackett expressed gratitude to not only the sponsors and committee but also Candler Clays’ enthusiastic volunteers.

happy easter

Capturing the joy and promise of the season

A specially-decorated tree on 7 South at St. Joseph’s and an early visit from the Easter Bunny at The Children’s House are just two of the many ways St. Joseph’s/ Candler is celebrating Easter this year. May all co-workers, patients and visitors experience the deep peace and renewal of this season.

“Year after year, there is a true sense of family with all our supporters,” Rackett said. “This is grounded in the desire to assist our patients’ needs to enable them to focus on feeling better.”

Since its inception two decades ago, Candler Clays has raised more than $3 million for the LCRP.

mission critical

Angels Of Mercy Build Joy For Seniors And Beds For Youth

Each month, volunteering with SJ/C’s Angels of Mercy gives coworkers an opportunity to serve on a variety of projects, both large and small. Two recent examples included a Bingo Social and a Bed Build. The Bingo Social was held at The Woods of Savannah, an apartment community that is specifically designed for elderly and disabled residents. Prizes for the lucky winners included non-perishable foods, household items and hygiene products—all of the essentials for a great quality of life.

The Bed Build was a project that originated with the Savannah chapter of a national group called Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). The allvolunteer organization is dedicated to providing bunk beds for children who lack safe and comfortable sleeping conditions. This was the third collaboration between SJ/C and SHP, and volunteers used all of the open space available at SJ/C’s Good Samaritan. Even though the beds are built from scratch, the Bed Build uses assembly stations designed to allow anyone to help, no matter their level of experience. The Angels of Mercy also made a financial donation to SHP to help them continue their mission.

congrats, crystal!

Known for her compassion, enthusiasm and her gift of making every person feel special when she talks with them, Crystal Horton is this year’s recipient of the McAuley Award.

We will have a profile of Crystal in the next issue of SmartTalk, but you can see photos from the ceremony and read the press release on the home page of The Hub right now.

st. patrick’s day

Temperatures were chillier than normal for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, but the atmosphere in downtown Savannah could not have been warmer or more cheerful. St. Joseph’s/ Candler was honored to participate again this year, and our specially-designed float celebrated not only the upcoming 250th anniversary of our country’s birth, but also the Irish people who helped build this country from day one. In Georgia and in Savannah in particular, the Irish helped build the railroads, created our city’s shipping industry from the ground up, and forever changed Savannah’s skyline by building the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist.

In keeping with the theme of celebrating a long and cherished history, all of the co-workers who joined President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey and COO Kyle McCann on the float had more than 40 years of service at SJ/C.

Our float received the Aloysius James Handiboe Jr. Award this year. Mr. Handiboe was a World War II veteran who served and supported Savannah’s iconic parade for his entire life, including serving as Grand Marshal in 1973.

likes & loves

“Great staff! Friendly, professional and efficient. I have used this facility a couple of times now since it is so close to my house. Building is always clean and welcoming. The staff and physicians are personable and helpful.”

– Google review (with 5-star rating) of St. Joseph’s/Candler Urgent Care – Black Creek Campus by Debbie

“This was my first time having physical therapy at St Joseph's/Candler. The staff made you feel like you were right at home. This was a great experience for me. And the expertise at the physical therapy department is outstanding.”

– Google review (with 5-star rating) of St. Joseph’s/Candler Pooler Campus by Mary

Follow us on:

facebook.com/StJosephsCandler Instagram & Twitter: @chooseSJC

meet misty hurst a co-worker profile

This month, Misty Hurst and her co-workers are celebrating an anniversary. It’s been one year since the opening of St. Joseph’s/ Candler’s Black Creek Campus, which includes Urgent Care. Hurst is a Customer Service Representative for the Urgent Care practice, which shares its space in Building One with the Development Authority of Bryan County. The positive feedback from residents of Ellabell, Black Creek and the surrounding communities was immediate.

“The number one thing we’ve heard in the past year is, ‘Thank God you are here.’ Many of our patients appreciate that they don’t have to drive as far as they did in the past to receive this kind of care.”

As a Customer Service Representative, Hurst is the first point of contact in the office, responsible for greeting patients, verifying insurance, collecting co-payments, managing intake paperwork, and handling incoming phone calls. She helps make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

“The thing I love most about this role is meeting new people. I want to make sure they have everything they need and that I can answer their questions. I tell them, ‘If I don’t know the answer, I can find out.’”

The Black Creek campus is uniquely positioned to provide increased medical access to residents and workers along the Interstate 16 corridor. The project will

tulip awards

be developed over a multi-year period to ultimately create a 40,000-square-foot, multi-story, advanced medical facility. But for now, the small team at the Urgent Care office is a perfect fit for this area.

“This is generally a quiet place to live and work, and everybody knows everybody. People here are very down-to-earth. I love the people I work with and the patients love them, too.”

St. Joseph’s/Candler established the TULIP Award to allow patients and families to recognize Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for their essential part in high-quality care.

TULIP stands for Thoughtful, Unforgettable, Lasting, Impact, Patient Care.

The latest TULIP Award recipients are:

Phyllis Allen, PCT

Phyllis is a Patient Care Technician on the Coronary Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Phyllis has worked for SJ/C for almost 32 years. She was nominated by a patient, who said, “Phyllis is an awesome asset for St. Joseph’s. She took unbelievable care of me as well as my wife.”

april events

30 Wellness Reward Discount Deadline

For co-workers and their spouses enrolled in SJ/C’s health insurance plans, the Wellness Program annual requirements are due by Thursday, April 30. This is the deadline for securing your Wellness Reward Discount for the upcoming plan year!

Discounted premium requirements include biometrics, fasting labs, and preventive screenings. Co-workers and spouses can review their Rewards page and track wellness completions by logging in to the new Personify Health platform.

To get to Personify Health, go to the homepage of The Hub

Click on the drop-down menu named Co-Worker Central and select Benefits. That will open a second drop-down menu. Select Personify Health (formerly Virgin Pulse.) There is a QR code on this page if you still need to create your account.

Peggy Jones, PCT

Peggy has worked for SJ/C for for 23 years, starting out in housekeeping and later becoming a Patient Care Technician on the Rehab Unit at Candler Hospital. She was nominated by a nurse (pictured with her above) on her unit, who said, “Peggy puts her heart and soul into everything she does without ever expecting anything back.”

in memoriam

St. Joseph’s/Candler extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues, family of Allan Kennedy. Allan served at St. Joseph’s/Candler for 13 years as Vice President of the SJ/C Physician Network. He passed away suddenly on March 11.

Our prayers are with Allan’s loved ones. He 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:

Lina Albis | Primary Care on the Islands

Jennifer Arlow | 4 North, St. Joseph's

Lesley Bailey III | Transportation, Candler

Alasha Bartley | Health Info. Mgmt.

Kayla Bell | SJ/C Physician Network - OB/GYN

Caroline Berry | Foundations

Sara Bevill | Telfair BirthPlace

Aaliyah Blocker | OR, Candler

Jalise Bonds | Insurance/Payment Verification

Fatima Boone | 6 North, St. Joseph's

Taylor Borchardt | LCRP

Clinton Brif | Physician Network

Leeanne Brooks | OR, St. Joseph's

Kemoni Brown | OR, St. Joseph's

Kyla Brown | OR, St. Joseph's

Lionel Brown Laundry & Linen, St. Joseph's

Phyllis Brown | Finance

Leandra Carlyle | LCRP

Kimbal Carter | Dietary Services, St. Joseph's

Sierra Christian | Wound Care, Hinesville

Lauren Cobb | Occupational Therapy, Candler

Sha'Kera Coleman | Georgia Infirmary/SOURCE

Ashley Colson | Histology/Cytology

Marcella Dominguez | Ctr for Hyperbarics & Wound Care

Courtney Drescher | Physician Network

Cherilyn Dunn | Dialysis, St. Joseph's

Dylan Duvall | Infusion Services, Pembroke

Amli Earnest | 5 North, St. Joseph's

Dana Elkins | Home Health

Archie Fernandez-Segura | Primary Care, Southside

Mckenzie Finnicum | Amb. Surg. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Tyriq Fraser | Dietary Services, St. Joseph's

Jasmine Frazier | Home Health

Tajah Frazier | Georgia Infirmary/CCSP

Shannon Gerido | Respiratory Therapy, St. Joseph's

april birthdays

1

Megan Callison

Cathy Combs

Raigan Crawford

Melissa Foster

April Garrett

Megan Hooks

Malissa Kennedy

Amanda Lamm

Angie Malone

Alvita Schley

Erin Sensing

Theresa Stanley

Magen Talpey

2

Logan Bradley

Anna Busteed

David Bynum

Stephanie Green

Clarenx Luxeus

Megan Murphree

Robert Robinson

Devonta Samuels

Keeya Watson

Theresa Wilkins

3

Brandy Bradley

Melanie Brown

Tanya Coggins

Rebecca Gordon

Natalee Greene

Shameka Maddox

Adrianna Miller

Christina Morris

Hannah Sasser

Seneca Walker

4

Stephanie Byrd

Kristie Gerner

Natasha Harris-Haggan

Rachel Howell

Jessica Lewis

McKenna Matthews

Jessica Miller

Lauren Pare

Jasmine Singleton

Marquita Warren

Kyhairra White

5

Gisele Beaubien

Jessica Diaz

Eileen Fenlon

Tabatha King

Sammar Mohammad

Rebecca Sotello

Demetria Stephens

Emma Thompson

Angela Grant | Managed Care

Fuchsia Green | ED, Candler

Emily Griner | ED, Candler

Tycene Hamilto | Insurance/Payment Verification

Montranese Hardy | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Kendra Hayes | Dietary Services, Candler

Monica Hendley | PCU, St. Joseph's

Leah Herrin | Wellness Ctr

Kiewandra Heyward | Wellness Ctr

Lashae Heyward | Dietary Services, Candler

Kathryn Howell | Ultrasound, Candler

Tina Huynh | Amb. Surg. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Joseph Ivey, Jr. | Amb. Surg. Svcs., Candler

Ruth Jeune | Gastroenterology, St. Joseph's

Kevin Johnson | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Mattarine Johnson | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Latimothy King | ED, Candler

Cecelia Kurtz | Georgia Infirmary/SOURCE

Marie Lafortune | Wound Care, Hinesville

Victoria Leggett | ED, St. Joseph's

Morgan Link | Specialty Physician Revenue Cycle

Jazmare Logan-Rodriguez | Urgent Care, Bluffton

Kendra Mack | Dietary Services, Candler

Anthea Mackey | Dietary Services, Candler

Sharon Maningas | Rehab Unit, Candler

Ivari Marable | CT Scan, Candler

Lateshia Maxwell | Rehab Unit, Candler

Dariel Mccullough | LCRP, Statesboro

Kimora Mcdonald | Laundry & Linen, St. Joseph's

Lisa Mine | MRI, Candler

Kayla Munoz | LCRP

Kayla Nixon | PCU, St. Joseph's

Mary O'Hara | Amb. Surg. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Taylor Orr Steele | Lab Outreach Svcs., St. Joseph's

Lauren Pare | LCRP, Bluffton Campus

Alicia Peralta | ICU, Candler

London Peters | LCRP, Hilton Head

Stephanie Pitts | Health Info. Mgmt.

Molly Poland | Neuro Intensive Care Unit

Sarah Povie | ICU, Candler

Naomi Pruitt | OR, St. Joseph's

Catia Quarterman | 6 South, Candler

Molly Reece | Interventional Radiology, Candler

Luis Rivera, Jr. | Envr. Svcs., Candler

Jonah Roberts | ED, St. Joseph's

Jaquandra Robinson | LCRP

Ida Roets | Health Info. Mgmt.

Vanessa Rosales | Envr. Svcs., Candler

Che'Nelle Russell | Pelvic Flr. & Continence Ctr

Mara Screen | 4 North, St. Joseph's

Lagreetta Sherman | Georgia Infirmary/CCSP

Cameron Simmons | Diagn. Radiology, St. Joseph's

Natalie Smart | Dietary Services, Candler

Isaiah Smith | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Kayla Snyder | Telfair BirthPlace

Kelly Stahl | 6 South, Candler

Kerry Stanford | Insurance/Payment Verification

Cherie Talarino | LCRP

Jamontae Taylor | Envr. Svcs., Candler

Jason Taylor | Amb. Surg. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Kayon Taylor | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Desaray Tolbert | Dietary Services, St. Joseph's

Eva Trujillo Avila | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Lafeta Underwood | Primary Care in Pembroke

Jennifer Vargas Latorre | Primary Care in Pembroke

Floydtecia Walker | 6 North, Candler

Ashley Winkels | ICU, Candler

Renee Young | Insurance/Payment Verification

10

Michele Tuten

Elizabeth Wiedman

Jennifer Woelber

Jaleigh Wright

Renee Young 6

Pamela Bebon

Kimberly Brayboy

Romarshall Burroughs

Amanda Creech

Amber Earls

Chrikeisha Eason

Skyler Heller

Barbara Hobby

Karie Levesque

Carla MacMillan

Jaleesa Mcqueen

Jerijah Mobley

Margaret Moku-Olu

Heidi Schweier

Hervina Shuman 7

Devan Cokley

Amber Feitosa

Benjamin Friar

Laterris Grant

Latonya Kaymore

Amy Kearnes

Cassandra Kirk

Cecelia Kurtz

Maya Maxwell

Ashley Mcclune

Ava Mcclung

Joseph McElveen, Jr.

Unnati Patel

Yelizaveta Pierce

Ajla Porobic

Madison Prince

Heather Rice

Jametria Stewart

Cynthia Viteri

Imani West

Melanie Willoughby

8

Addison Allen

Elizabeth Bruce

Steven Eckert

Janet Gangell

Cleve Latimore

Breyonia Sterling Adriana Williams

9

Andrea Anderson

Ashley Anderson

Bessie Ellison

Starry Ladia

Tulsi Patel

Josie Callaway

Dionne Campbell

Doris Carlton

Michael Houston, Jr.

Ti'Geria Johnson

Abigail Kuebler

Andrea Kurtz

Amy Mese

Nicholas Missler

Patrick Moody

Danielle Smith

Samantha Summers

Brandi Zimlich 11

Sarah Barfield

Bridget Beres

Evelyn Daniel

Diane Dickson-Kenny

Tamika Ford

Mario Miglietta

Amanda Mixon

Mercy Njenga

Jennifer Perez

Jennifer Petrillo

Cierra White

Gary Youngblood 12

Sara Bevill

Taralin Dameron

Natasha Davis-Tremble

Whitney Gadson

Ashley Hannah

Monique Harrison

Soukaina Hasbi

Melanie Humphus

Pamela Manuel

Jenee' Murray

Areli Saucedo Baza, MD

Susan Frischer 13

Natasha Brooklin

Shaiane Pinto

Charlie Lawson

Blake Meeks

Jeremy Poppell

Salathia Williams 14

Rebecca Balkom

Suzanna Burke

Skylar Caldwell

Kristen Hossanah

Michelle LaFleur

Donna Leab

Teresa Swift

Leila Perkins

Venus Stevens

Aaron Webb

Sharon Young 15

Catherine Bradley

Cynthia Brown

Clifford Cajayon

Vincent Curry

Nicole Holt

T'Erica Killens

Sydney Lewis

Lisa Mine

Dinh Nguyen

Nena Peoples

Frank Pilcher

Helen Racz

Shelli Rey

Stephanie Schnaible

Cassandra Sweat

Zachary Zoback 16

Janet Barnhouse

Clark Evans

Sharon Everson

Elizabeth Joyner

Julia Lepore

Caroline Loyek

Michael Matthews

Casey Middleton

Danielle Morris

Coleman Mosley

Ashley Overstreet

Nicholas Taylor

Rachel Thomas

Alyssa Thornton

Tierra Walker 17

Shakerra Anderson

Vicki Boguszewski

Laquanna Brown

Phyllis Cliatt

Sha'Kera Coleman

Niccole Duncan

Victoria Norris

Thomasina Phelps

Charlene Prince-Wright

Katrina Singleton

Ben Taylor

Tammy Waller

Charlene Wojcik

18

Agnes Arnsdorff

Nancy Besorio

Latonia Cason

Kaycia Fennell

Jasmine Grant

Sheena Harmon Nell Leren Ann Nguyen Sheldon Nugara Joel Stevens Kimberly Walker

Linda Barrientos

Beach

Cowart Claire Crotty Jessica D'Angelo

Denison Toni Hales Yu-Wen Huang

Lanier

Laumeyer

Victoria Czarkowski

Madeline Bacon Jefferson Balleras

Tina

Sabrina