St. Joseph's/Candler

02/23/2026

It’s estimated nearly three million Americans live with a pacemaker. Some may use a newer type of pacemaker that requires less equipment in the body and can be a less invasive procedure. It’s called a leadless pacemaker.

Cardiologist and electrophysiologist Dr. Michael Chisner explains in the comments who can benefit from this new technology.

02/20/2026

Sonja Northcutt, 43, had been experiencing pain in her shoulder and chest with restless nights for several months before her life changed one evening in September 2025.

She was walking into a local grocery store when things took a bad turn. She made it inside but felt a heavy pressure on her chest and couldn’t hear.

“In that moment, I was just saying, Lord, help me. Lord have mercy,” Northcutt said. “I felt the tightness. I felt uncomfortable. I couldn’t breathe, and I couldn’t hear what’s going on around me… this time felt different.”

Learn what doctors discovered and how Northcutt was treated at St. Joseph's Hospital:

Sonja Northcutt, 43, had been experiencing pain in her shoulder and chest with restless nights for several months before her life changed one evening in September 2025.

02/20/2026

Meet Renaldo Sneed, second shift manager of Environmental Services at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Renaldo has worked here for 33 years, mainly at St. Joseph’s Hospital on the night shift. As night shift manager, Renaldo is the housekeeper, the floor tech and anything else needed to make sure everything is covered. He is responsible for the cleaning of every area of the first, second and third floors, but you may see Renaldo anywhere around the hospital making sure everything is clean and in its right place.

“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to be here this long. I started out in the ‘90s as a floor tech, made my way up to coordinator, and then all of a sudden, I was offered the manager position. When I started, older co-workers would always tell me that I’d be working here for a while so I might as well buy a house now. And then I got married, had kids and then became a single parent. I got help with Christmas a couple years in a row and got bills paid. I feel like now this is my way of giving myself back. I enjoy that.”

“I also enjoy meeting new people, and I am on a great team. Honestly, it doesn’t seem like I’ve been here that long. I look at it like it’s cold outside, and I’m not working in the cold. I just left the cafeteria and got me a home-cooked meal. I’m good here.”

Meet other featured co-workers on our website: https://www.sjchs.org/home/about-us/our-coworkers

02/20/2026

Don’t let the name fool you. Just because it’s called fatty liver disease doesn’t mean you’re fat or that you will one day be diagnosed with it if you are overweight.

“I’ve had patients that don’t weigh 100 pounds and they’ve never had a drink of alcohol in their life, yet they have cirrhosis because of an undiagnosed fatty liver,” says Dr. Matthew Mishoe, gastroenterologist with Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah. “I’ve also seen people who meet criteria for obesity, and they don’t have fatty liver disease.”

So what is fatty liver disease?

Also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), fatty liver disease occurs when fat builds up in your liver due to extra body weight, high blood sugar, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

The liver works as a filter, and when it can’t filter all the fat that accumulates, it can lead to an inflammatory response, explains Dr. Mishoe. If not treated, that inflammatory response can lead to scarring, which is cirrhosis of the liver.

“It’s very important to figure out what’s going on early,” Dr. Mishoe says. “If we can find a way to eliminate the fatty accumulation within the liver, the liver can get better. When you get to the point of chronic scarring or cirrhosis, you are never going to get back to that 18-year-old liver you had.”

Unfortunately, there are not necessarily warning signs of a fatty liver. Learn the risk factors in the comments.

02/19/2026

Congratulations to our latest TULIP Award winner, Phyllis Allen. Phyllis is a Patient Care Technician on the Coronary Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Phyllis has worked for St. Joseph’s/Candler for almost 32 years. She was nominated for the TULIP Award – which recognizes PCTs and nursing assistants for excellence in patient care – by a former patient.

Here’s her nomination:

“Phyllis is an awesome asset for St. Joseph’s. She took unbelievable care of me as well as my wife. One can tell that she is compassionate and caring. She made my stay as pleasant as she could. Thank you, Phyllis.”

And that’s not even Phyllis’s first nomination. She’s also been nominated by several of her co-workers. Thanks to Phyllis’s compassion, many patients leave not only healthier but also feeling truly cared for and appreciated. She exemplifies the best of what we strive for at St. Joseph’s/Candler, reminding us that sometimes the simplest acts of kindness have the greatest impact.

Meet all our TULIP winners at the link in the comments.

02/18/2026

🥗 Could one lifestyle change lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, AND Alzheimer’s? (According to multiple sources including the American Heart Association and Alzheimer's Society) 🧠❤️

If you’re looking for a way to eat that supports your heart, brain, and overall longevity, look no further than the Mediterranean Diet. Dr. Anemaria Lutas, primary care provider at St. Joseph’s/Candler in Bluffton, recommends this "lifestyle" (not just a diet) for almost everyone.

What’s on the plate? 🍽️ It’s less about restriction and more about high-quality, delicious fuel:

💠The Stars: Tons of veggies, fruits, beans, nuts, and seeds.
💠The Healthy Fat: Extra virgin olive oil is the go-to.
💠The Protein: Plenty of fish and seafood; some white meat.
💠The Swaps: Trade white rice and pasta for whole grains like farro, barley, or quinoa.

What’s off the menu? 🚫 To see the real benefits, Dr. Lutas suggests avoiding processed foods, fried foods, and keeping red meat to a bare minimum.

The research is clear. Following this path can lead to:
✅ Better Heart Health: Lower cholesterol and reduced risk of heart attack/stroke, according to the American Heart Association.
✅ Brain Protection: Decreased risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, according to several sources including the Alzheimer’s Society and National Library of medicine.
✅ Disease Prevention: Lowered risk of certain cancers (colorectal, prostate, and breast), according to the National Institutes of Health.
✅ Blood Sugar Control: Improved management for Type 2 diabetics and reduced risks during pregnancy, according to the AHA.

Pro-Tip from Dr. Lutas: While this is a powerhouse for health, weight loss still comes down to the big picture—calorie intake and regular exercise are key partners to a healthy diet.

📍 Ready to take control of your health? Dr. Lutas is currently accepting new patients in Bluffton and is ready to help you reach your wellness goals.

02/17/2026

At St. Mary’s Community Center, our mission is to empower the Cuyler-Brownsville community with the resources you need to thrive. We are proud to offer FREE tax preparation services through February 28 to help you keep every dollar that you are eligible for.

If your household income is less than $80,000, visit us to get your taxes filed professionally at no cost.

📅 WHEN & WHERE:
Dates: January 26th – February 28th
Mondays - Thursdays: 3 pm – 6 pm
Saturdays: 8 am – Noon
Location: 812 W. 36th Street, Savannah

Questions? Call us at 912-447-0578.
(Note: These services are for those taking the standard deduction; no itemizing.)

💸 Tax Changes This Year

Tax laws have changed significantly for 2026. St. Mary's Community Center accountant and money coach, Shana Ellington, wants to make sure you take advantage of these new benefits:
👵 $6,000 Senior Bonus: A brand-new deduction for those 65+ (on top of the standard deduction!).
⏰ Overtime Savings: You can now deduct the "extra half" of your time-and-a-half pay.
🚗 Car Loan Interest: Interest on personal car loans started after Dec 31, 2024, is now deductible.
💻 Digital Refunds Only: The IRS is no longer mailing paper checks. We’ll help you set up Direct Deposit so your refund is 16x safer.

Please help us spread the word! Even if you don’t need these services, sharing this post could help a neighbor, a senior, or an hourly worker in our community get the financial boost they deserve.

02/17/2026

Is it frustrating to see people ignore advice about taking care of their heart?

Interventional cardiologist Dr. Akinniran Abisogun offers hope.

02/16/2026

Interventional cardiologist Dr. Akinniran Abisogun spends his days looking at the inside of arteries. 🩺 These are the 5 foods he'd personally avoid to keep his heart in top shape.

02/14/2026

February is American Heart Month, and at St. Joseph’s/Candler, we’re shining a light on a critical truth: a heart attack doesn’t always look like it does in the movies. 🎬🚫

While we often imagine someone clutching their chest in sudden pain, for many—especially women—the signs can be much more subtle.

Amanda Brodmann, RN, BSN, CCRN, from our Coronary Care Unit, shares what every woman (and the people who love them) needs to know:

Men often experience that classic "crushing" chest pressure, but women may experience symptoms that are easily mistaken for something else. Watch for:
❗Dull pain in the back, neck, or jaw
❗Nausea and abdominal discomfort
❗Shortness of breath or extreme fatigue
❗Trouble sleeping as a precursor to a heart event

"Often females are focused on their family and the needs of others, so they may not notice symptoms as quickly," says Brodmann. Many of our patients in the CCU started their journey simply by telling their doctor, "I just feel a little off."

Don't wait for a crisis to be proactive. You can reduce your risk today by:
✅ Keeping up with regular physicals and lab work.
✅ Monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol.
✅ Prioritizing a healthy diet, exercise, and staying smoke-free.

This Heart Month, make a promise to listen to your body. If it "doesn't feel right," reach out to your healthcare provider.

02/14/2026

What a groovy time! 🕺✨ Our annual Valentine’s Day Dance was a total blast from the past, and the energy was absolutely electric.

We spent the afternoon traveling back to the 70s, tearing up the dance floor to those nostalgic disco hits and enjoying some delicious treats with the best company. A huge thank you to the Smart Senior members who joined us and made the day so special—you all certainly know how to boogie!

If you aren't a member yet, now is the perfect time to join the St. Joseph's/Candler Smart Senior program. Beyond our themed dances, members enjoy:
✅ Educational seminars and health screenings.
✅ Group travel opportunities and social outings.
✅ Discounts at various local merchants and SJ/C cafeterias.

Learn how to join at the link: https://www.sjchs.org/about-us/community-involvement/smart-senior

02/13/2026

Meet Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Michael Babcock, board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology.

His special interests include radial cardiac catheterization, Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), structural heart disease and peripheral vascular interventions.

✅ Medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in 2007,
✅ Internship/residency at Wake Forest University, Department of Internal Medicine from 2007 to 2010,
✅ Fellowship in cardiology at the University of Florida at Jacksonville from 2010 to 2013,
✅ Fellowship in interventional cardiology at the University of Wisconsin from 2013-2014,
✅ Member of the American College of Cardiology and Society of Cardiovascular Interventions.

💖Have concerns about your heart? Ask your primary care provider for a referral.