Smart Talk June 2026

Co-Worker Newsletter of St. Joseph’s/Candler june 2026

Middle School Students Choose SJ/C For STEM Project

If the eighth-graders at Richmond Hill Middle School are any indication, the future of healthcare is in good hands. SJ/C gave them a problem to solve and they came up with some excellent ideas.

It was all part of the Wired To Win Project Based Learning project at Richmond Hill Middle School. For this project, organizations and companies from around the area were invited to propose engineering and workflow challenges for the eighth-grade STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students to solve.

Fifty-eight groups out of 262 chose SJ/C’s challenge, which was design a process that improves how IV pumps are stored, tracked and delivered to patients, without adding new storage space or buying new pumps. The students had to demonstrate how their process would work step by step and describe how it would improve patient care.

Many of their solutions reflected the world these students have grown up in, and included wireless tracking devices, apps, QR codes and more. Leaders from SJ/C were invited to the STEM Showcase at the end of the semester, where all of the students’ work was displayed.

“When we proposed our idea to the students in January, we weren’t sure what kind of response we would get,” said Laura Friday , Clinical Nurse Educator in Specialty Services. “To see all of these prototypes, and the enthusiasm of all of these students as they presented their work, was really impressive.”

moving forward

Residency Program Gets Major Green Light

St. Joseph’s/Candler and the Medical College of Georgia have officially received accreditation for the health system’s first Internal Medicine residency program. With this news, SJ/C moves full-steam ahead to form the inaugural class of residents focused on Internal Medicine.

The program received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. This designation acts as another green light

for a program that aims to relieve the doctor shortage in the Savannah region and throughout Georgia.

“With limited residency opportunities, coastal Georgia medical school graduates have had to seek opportunities outside the communities in which they study,” said SJ/C President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey. “This new residency program seeks both to stem the number of physicians leaving the region as well as increase local interest

in pursuing medical degrees. This will give local residents more access to medical care where we live or work.”

If you know a medical school graduate who is seeking top-tier training right here in Savannah, ask them to visit www.sjcresidency.org

mission critical

Movement Disorders Seminar Returns

SJ/C’s Institute for Neurosciences Movement Disorders Program brought back its annual Movement Disorders Seminar last month. The event was held at the Armstrong Center on Georgia Southern University’s Savannah campus. This was a free event for movement disorder patients, family members and caregivers, and included lunch and several educational sessions with local physicians.

Topics included all aspects of neurological health, including a talk by gastroenterologist Dr. Travis Wiggins (pictured above) on the lesser-known connection between gut health and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

Honoring Pastors And Community Leaders

SJ/C was honored to be a part of the 7th Annual Pastors and Community Leaders Appreciation Luncheon hosted by Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care, Inc. Albert Grandy, CEO of Curtis V. Cooper, said the luncheon was created to make sure that local clergy and other community leaders knew that their hard work and compassion did not go unnoticed. SJ/C President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey was able to attend to offer his gratitude and support to these local leaders who play a vital role in the health of many Savannah communities.

John Wesley Day

Each year in May, SJ/C hosts a celebration for the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. The Methodist tradition has been at the center of Candler Hospital’s history since 1930, when Savannah Hospital was acquired by the Georgia Hospital Board of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and renamed in honor of the Bishop Warren A. Candler.

May is not the Wesley’s birth month but rather marks the time when his faith became centered in his heart rather than just his mind. This was one of the central points shared by our guest speaker, Pastor Matt Waldron from St. Luke United Methodist Church. Pastor Waldron (pictured above) spoke at both the Candler Hospital luncheon and the breakfast at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Bargains On Bee

The unpredictable spring weather postponed the Bargains On Bee Sale hosted by the Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary, but the Angels of Mercy made themselves available for the rescheduled date and had a great time helping with set-up. The outdoor sales event on Bee Road raises funds for many of the Salvation Army’s community projects. The Women’s Auxiliary is a civic group of more than 100 community-minded women who organize fundraisers to expand both the quality and quantity of services that the Salvation Army can provide in Savannah and the surrounding counties.

(magnet nurses in touch)

Another Nurses Week is behind us. I hope you all had a fantastic time kicking up your boots and celebrating during our Wild, Wild West festivities! You bring so much energy to each of your units and you truly deserved a bit of fun.

Nurses Week naturally gets me thinking about the incredible path we’ve walked together. It is hard to believe a year has passed since we achieved our sixth Magnet designation.

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

Hitting that incredible milestone was, of course, a thrill when it happened, but for the past year it has also worked as a daily reminder of the excellent care and deep compassion you deliver to our community.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication, expertise and tireless commitment. I am profoundly honored to be part of such an extraordinary team.

thank you, co-workers!

The classic cookouts returned for our co-workers system-wide, with burgers, dogs, chips, cookies and ice-cold drinks served on both main campuses for both the day and night shifts. There were also mobile picnics for the Pooler and Bluffton Campuses and to-go boxes ready for our other outlying offices. Meals were served by SJ/C leadership, who loved having the chance to say in person, “Thank you for all you do.”

There were also gift shop specials and short de-stressing and relaxation sessions at both campuses during the week.

You can see many more photos from this year’s Co-Worker Appreciation Fest on The Hub

june events

10 Wellness Center Lifestyle Lecture: Snack Smart

Can snacks support long-term heart health? Find out in the Zoom lecture called “Snack Smart for a Healthy Heart” on Monday, June 22, at Noon. This lecture will be held through Zoom by Victoria Dekle , MS, RD, LD. Please email Dekle to pre-register at thomasvic@sjchs.org. The Wellness Center needs a valid email address to allow you to join Zoom virtual lectures.

27 Beaufort DragonBoat Race

The Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion is seeking volunteers to be a part of the 13th Annual Beaufort DragonBoat Race Day on Saturday, June 27. The team will paddle specially-designed boats as part of a friendly competition on the water. Friends and family members are welcome to be a part of the SJ/C team.

All the funds raised from this event help support local cancer patients. To learn more, contact Sarah Copeland at copelandsa@sjchs.org or by phone at (912) 819-5167.

tulip award

The latest TULIP Award recipient

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.

Chandayle

The latest TULIP Award recipient is Chandayle “Cici” Griffin. She works on the Rehab unit at Candler Hospital and was nominated by a former patient, who wrote that “from day one, CiCi has made me feel like a part of her family instead of like a patient of the hospital. There has never been a time when I needed something and she did not provide. I am thankful I was able to cross paths with such a beautiful soul, a patient soul.”

welcome to St. Joseph’s/Candler!

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

Melanie Acosta | Surgical Oncology

Olivia Amato | NICU

Vivian Avella | Path Lab, St. Joseph's

Kiara Baker | Good Samaritan Clinic

Anna Balboni | ICU, Candler

Dominique Banks | Urgent Care, Savannah

Lesley Battle | OR, Candler

Alma Beasley | Surgical Oncology

Carter Beaty | CCU

Hanifah Benbow | 2 North, Candler

Mariyah Blackshear | OB/GYN

Lamondra Blanchard | OR, St. Joseph's

Robyn Bland | Clinical Care Coordination

William Bolden | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Aliyah Brathwaite | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Lelia Brisco | Human Resources

Lateshia Brown | Specialty Phys. Rev. Cycle

Raven Brown | Patient Reg., St. Joseph's

Shannon Brown | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Tre'Shawn Brown | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Erica Bryant | PCU, Candler

James Bryant | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Destiny Campbell-Wright | ED, Candler

Delmetria Carter | LCRP

Bonnie Charles | OR, Candler

Dana Collier | Urgent Care, Pooler

Jamie Copeland | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Amareya Davis | Patient Accounting

Brianna Davis | 4 North, St. Joseph's

Carli Rae Depeyster | Urgent Care, Hinesville

Jaquasia Dewitt | PCU, St. Joseph's

Rena Dukes Turner | ATOC

Nyzir Duncan | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Sequoia Eldridge | Oncology Clinical Trials

Arttavis Ellis | Patient Reg., St. Joseph's

june birthdays

1

Jordan Bennett

Montaviya Burton

Uzoamaka Dike

Shaily Doshi

Liza Estes

Tamika Fields

Lindsey Fye

Laura Hanewinckel

Racine Hearns

Taylor Kajfez

Lauren Lee

Vernita Mathis

Phoebe McBride

Alisa Mccormick

Erica Miller

Christina Mueller

John Pablo, MD

Kelly Pasztor

Adam Shermer

Beth Simpson

Griffin Tassier

Donald Welch

Dorothy Williams

Claudette Wright

Skyler Ziter

2 Ashlyn Beasley

Lisa Bozik, MD

Shameka Broadnax

Amanda Byrd

Nailah Crawford

Edward Daniels

Stephanie Ellison

Carrie Jackson

Delivrance Jean

Alexis Jones

Margaret McClellan

Troy Miller

Seth Raney

Peggy Singleton

Amanda Suggs

3

Stephen Allen, Sr.

Ilaria Berni

Alexis Best

Thalia Catapano

Lygeia Concepcion

Grace Fulford

Tammy Legate

Claude Livingston

Nicole Villella

4

Veronica Bell

Abigail Brown

Monica Capizzi

Tia Fletcher

Deanna Frazier

Genevieve Landin

Linda Magondu

Maureen Morin

Sonia Robbins

Coreanda Ellison | Telfair Pavilion

R'Keyah Evans | ATOC

Joselyn Fields | SPD, Candler

Deneisha Fleming | Urgent Care, Pooler

Kimberly Foix | 4 North, St. Joseph's

Porcelain Forrester | CCU

Kaitlin Golden | Communication Svcs.

Diamond Goods | OR, Candler

Jacob Goodwin | Candler Prescription Ctr.

Jurni Gordon | 7 South, St. Joseph's

Aurrelle Gore-King | ED, Candler

Taylor Gould | 7 North, St. Joseph's

Kaitlin Griffin | 6 North, Candler

Jasmine Hearst | 6 South, Candler

Tabitha Herring | ED, Candler

Carmen Hill | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Amelia Holmes | 6 North, Candler

Shanquita Howard | Dietary Svcs., St. Joseph's

Timeka Hunter | ED, Candler

Aseel Jahmani | Home Health, Savannah

Emma Jenkins | St. Joseph's Cardiology

Rolonda Johnson | 4 North, St. Joseph's

Candy Jones | Rehab Unit, Candler

Kennethia Keye | 6 North, Candler

Kassandra Kile | PT, Pooler

Wendy Lequernaque | Gastroenterology, Candler

Jaydin Lewis | Non-Invasive Cardiology

Nichole Maliwauki | PT, St. Joseph's

Aaron Maningas | TCU, Candler

Esmeralda Martinez Gonzalez | Human Resources

Corshay Mason | Patient Reg., Candler

Samantha Mastin | Specialty Svcs.

Standley Mathias | PCU, St. Joseph's

Alisa Mccormick | Urgent Care, Savannah

Elizabeth Mitchell | Pharmacy, St. Joseph's

Gretchen Chamberlain

Rileigh Sisco

Lucy Smith

Sandra Thomas Jau'Cinta Wallace

5

Donald Adams

Ben Anderson IV

Alyssa Banks

Stephanie Bell

Jonathan Dickinson

Sandra Durden

Lakeisha Fields

Annette Hayman

Mallory Heape

Ha Huynh

Estevanica Jackson

Nily Kazeneh

Jeanette Padgett

Jeannette Powell

Jennifer Rahn

Nicolasa Roberts

Naomi Sitton

Kiesha Stevens

Cherie Talarino

6 Kairi Balow

Heather Cary

Ellie Dean

Catherine Glyn-Jones

Sheila LeBrun

Analiza Lipat

Shelley Lippmann

Brian McKay

Teresa Moir

Brianna Rampersaud

Linda Smith

Mary Smith

Spring Turner

Nicole Walker

7

Ashley Cooper

Vanessa Green-James

Steven Minton

Taylor Taliaferro

Michelle Weil

8

Roel Abad

Clinton Brif

Michelle Davis

Janice Edenfield

Webb Elvington, Jr.

Kimberly Leaman

Cleveland Lovett

Abigail Martinez

Lewis Potter

Danielle Richardson

Juan Rodriguez

Christine Ryals

9 Haley Burns

Rhonda Clifton

Lisa Cripps

Mickey Dixon

Mary Kassegnin

Emily Lisicia

Alejandro Olpindo, Jr.

Taniqua Price

Kristi Rowe

Maianna Saxon

Latisha Scriven

Toni Tella

Ashley Williams

10

Aileen Bloodworth

Dina Catalfamo Royek

Summer Cone

Emily Drinkard

Benjamin Franks

Josie Gregory

Emily Ivory

Lisa Miller

Barbara Myles

Justin-Thien Nguyen Tina Roundy 11

Olivia Chatman

Maria Drown

Sydney Duarte

Jasmine Frazier

John Hernaez

Paula Madrid

Alexis Nesmith

Lisa Nguyen Margaret Sharpley

Mary Sizer

Jermey Smith

Katelyn Travers

Shaquida Williams 12

Jessica Arrison

Heather Carter

Kristopher Hazlett

Lovette Mbenga

Addie Mccracken

Marlene McKinley

Kristina Mcneil

Monica Munden

Sita Patel

Randy Price

Farris Smith

Rebecca Taylor 13

Gwendolyn Arnold

Askew

Tammara Barnes

Czarisse

Lisa Moore | Patient Accounting

Tonya Morris | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Kerryanne Narvaez | Amb. Surgical Svcs.

Keluwor Newton | Patient Reg., Candler

Alicia Ochoa | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Jacob Pappas | Urgent Care, Richmond Hill

Jasmin Perez Ramos | OT, St. Joseph's

Shannen Pringle | Dietary Svcs., Candler

Kanesha Pruitt | Surgical Oncology

Karliah Reed | PT, Candler

Sherry Reinhard | Envr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Ethan Sargent | PCU, St. Joseph's

Kathleen Saxon | Oncology Clinical Trials

Thomas Simmons | Envr. Svcs., Candler

Marie Sinkiewicz | South Carolina Cancer Care

Maya Snyder | ED, Candler

Chantel Sterner | St. Joseph's Cardiology

James Stokes III | Transport, St. Joseph's

Taylor Taliaferro | 6 South, Candler

Courtney Thornton | Lab Otr. Svcs., St. Joseph's

Shantrelle Turner | Envr. Svcs., Candler

Olga Umana | Patient Fin. Solutions Ctr.

Marie Vazquez | PT, Pooler

Daija Wade | OR, Candler

Elizabeth Walker | Infusion Svcs., Hilton Head

Tanzania Walker-Brown | Ins./Pymt. Verif.

Caitlyn Walters | ED, Candler

James Williams II | ED, Candler

Alishantai Williams | Transport, St. Joseph's

Anica Williams | GYN Oncology

Rickia Williams | 6 North, Candler

Sharon Williams | Dietary Svcs., St. Joseph's

Talicia Wright | Specialty Phys. Rev. Cycle

Courtney Young | PCU, St. Joseph's

Latory Young | Patient Reg., Candler

Shandrika Burrison Rachel

Rachel Musgrove Peter Nyamora

Zynosky

Prindiville