Southern VIP

03/16/2026

Dr. Thomas Hodgkiss was back in the recording studio with Live at 9:00, CBS Memphis. Dr. Hodgkiss was invited to discuss how his practice's focus on peripheral artery disease diagnosis and treatment is making a difference in Mississippi and Tennessee, and how Southern VIP's Foot Rescue procedure addresses blockages not only in the legs but also in the feet and toes. The segment is scheduled to run later this month.

03/13/2026

🤔 Can PAD Progression Be Slowed and Circulation Improved?

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) doesn’t simply disappear, but with the right care, its progression can often be managed, and circulation may improve.

Learn more in our latest blog: https://southernvip.com/can-peripheral-artery-disease-pad-be-reversed-what-doctors-want-you-to-know/

In vascular care, “progress” means:

✅ Less leg pain during daily activity
✅ Better wound healing support
✅ Lower risk of serious complications
✅ Improved mobility and comfort
✅ Ongoing monitoring for long-term health

At Southern VIP, we focus on comprehensive PAD management, combining medical therapy, lifestyle guidance, and minimally invasive Foot Rescue™ procedures when appropriate.

🦶 With proper care, your arteries can function better and support a more active life.

📞 Explore your options 👉 https://southernvip.com/contact/

03/09/2026

One of the most moving testimonials we have ever received came from Kimberly Gardner, a patient at our Southaven, Mississippi, location. Ms. Gardner came to see John Scallions and was treated by Dr. Hodgkiss after losing a limb after two unsuccessful surgeries at another Memphis vascular practice.

https://youtube.com/shorts/4B073gDiRFE?si=tRDRGpJLc3rCSufh

According to Ms. Gardner, she immediately felt improvement after one Southern VIP procedure, but Dr. Hodgkiss did not stop until he restored all the blood flow to both of her legs. While Ms. Gardner admits that her journey to find Dr. Hodgkiss was difficult, she is grateful for the treatment she received at Southern VIP, which saved her remaining leg.

03/06/2026

This 3-minute video on PAD and its warning signs could change (or even save) your life. https://youtu.be/5U5qLrhHoA4?si=kEHJ8uKjFfDpJd_B

John Scallions sat down with Now That's Memphis to discuss peripheral artery disease, its symptoms, and why it is so important to check your vascular health regularly.

Southern VIP Nurse Practitioner John Scallions speaks with Now That's Memphis about peripheral artery disease and its symptoms as part of PAD Awareness Day p...

03/03/2026

Meet the PAD boss.

One of the things Southern VIP patients love most about Nurse Practitioner John Scallions is his eagerness to educate them about peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and help them to find ways to gradually adjust to their PAD New Normal.

In this video, NP Scallions discusses the benefits of exercise and how to incorporate increased activity into your daily life. Small changes in diet and exercise can go a long way toward keeping PAD and its symptoms from progressing.

View now: https://youtube.com/shorts/fRrSJAieMDw

02/27/2026

Throwback Thursday: The Spiderman

One of our most popular patients is Mr. Larry Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell first came to Southern VIP in 2024 when his toe was bitten by a spider, and the wound would not heal. Non-healing foot wounds are often a sign of acute Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), and in Mr. Mitchell's case, that was the diagnosis. Read more about how Mr. Mitchell's story unfolded and how he attributes his recovery to John Scallions, Dr. Thomas Hodgkiss, and the spider who brought his PAD to light.

https://southernvip.com/how-a-spider-bite-helped-to-save-the-spidermans-legs-from-peripheral-artery-disease/

02/23/2026

Diabetes can affect circulation to the feet and toes. Make sure you take off your shoes and socks and take a look.

Good diabetic foot health starts with removing your shoes when you visit your physician. The medical practitioner will check your feet for skin discoloration, reduced temperature, hair loss, and non-healing wounds. They will ask you about neuropathy, numbness and tingling, leg cramping at night, and pain when walking. These are common symptoms of PAD (peripheral artery disease), a condition in which fatty deposits can build up in the arteries of the lower legs and feet.

A complete diagnosis will include a TBI (toe-brachial index) to assess blood flow in the toes and compare toe blood pressure with that of other parts of the body, and an arterial ultrasound to check for blockages.

02/21/2026

Happy Red Sock Day!

Red Sock Day was established in 2022 by the Global PAD Association to raise awareness and educate patients about Peripheral Artery Disease by wearing "red socks" and discussing how arterial circulation can be compromised by diabetes. As you can see, the Southern VIP team understood the assignment and had a lot of fun with it.

Learn more about Red Sock Day and peripheral artery disease:
https://southernvip.com/red-sock-day-the-global-movement-raising-pad-awareness/

02/19/2026

Throw Back Thursday-

Check out this important information on PAD symptoms and treatments in the African American community. Learn how awareness, early diagnosis, and interventional treatments could greatly reduce our amputation rate in Mississippi.

“If I had gone in sooner, maybe I wouldn’t have lost my toe.” It’s a sentence we hear far too often, and not because patients don’t care about their

02/19/2026

This Saturday, February 21, is PAD Awareness Red Sock Day. Our practitioners at our Southern VIP clinics will be wearing red socks and PAD educational socks all week in order to build awareness of this prevalent disease.

Enjoy these fun photos from Red Sock Day 2025.

02/16/2026

🧦 Red Sock Day is almost here!

Every February, people across the world wear red socks to raise awareness for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition that affects millions but often goes undiagnosed.

Southern VIP is proud to support PAD Awareness Week by wearing artery-pattern socks, sharing education, supporting Global PAD Association, and encouraging early screening in our communities.

PAD is treatable, and awareness saves limbs.
🩸 Learn more: https://southernvip.com/red-sock-day-the-global-movement-raising-pad-awareness/

02/13/2026

You first met Ms. Brittman last year when she shared her experience as a Southern VIP patient.
https://youtube.com/shorts/hnsEj9UrL08?si=Mw28LuTUcHcsFscm
She came in with so much pain, but look at her now. Her toe-brachial index (TBI) is elevated, indicating improved circulation in her feet, and she is proud to show off her enhanced energy and movement with her friend and nurse practitioner, John Scallions.
https://southernvip.com/john-scallions/