St. Joseph's/Candler

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St. Joseph's/Candler

More than 300 years of medical expertise and today's latest technology. At St. Simply put, St. Joseph's/Candler is smart medicine. Whether you are visiting St.

Joseph's/Candler, our physicians, nurses, medical researchers and other clinical staff take great pride in being on the cutting-edge of health care, offering the most advanced medical procedures and breakthrough technology available nearly anywhere. Joseph's Hospital, Candler Hospital, one of our St. Joseph's/Candler medical group locations, any of our community outreach programs or our Web site, you instantly become part of a historic tradition of distinguished health care excellence. It is one that has been an integral part of the Savannah landscape for more than 325 cumulative years. Our faith-based mission is to treat illness and promote wellness for all people and we diligently strive to provide the highest quality health care and service to all who may need it. Yet, we also know that great care involves more than just great medicine. It involves being pro-active about one's own health, taking charge on the preventive front, educating oneself and others, and using all the available tools to ensure one's own health and that of their family. In an effort to enhance the available tools, we have provided this beneficial Web site and healthcare portal. As you navigate, please use the information provided to learn more about the services and resources that we offer to our patients and visitors, as well as the educational resources and interactive opportunities that we have designed for you.

12/11/2025

🎉 Shoutout to our incredible volunteers! 🎉

Your dedication goes above and beyond! Thanks to the amazing work of our volunteers running the St. Joseph’s/Candler gift shops and special fundraising sales throughout 2024 and 2025, they have successfully raised a phenomenal $400,000.

This tremendous contribution is directly benefiting our community's healthcare by funding the purchase of new, essential equipment for expanding patient beds on Candler Hospital's second floor and St. Joseph’s Hospital's fourth floor.

Every purchase supports exceptional care. Thank you!

12/11/2025

What if you could turn the feelings of overwhelm and endless rushing into genuine joy and calm?

You deserve a holiday season filled with contentment and peace, not just to-do lists.

“This time of the year isn’t about rushing – it’s about savoring," says Sarah Hanson, our Bē Health and Well-Being® Navigator and Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

Ready to slow down and stay grounded? Embrace these simple mindfulness practices right now to keep your body calm, your mind grounded, and your heart open to what truly matters:

✨ 3 Must-Try Holiday Mindfulness Tips

1️⃣ Pause for One Minute: Whenever you transition between activities (before a meal, arriving home, or stepping into a gathering), take one slow, deep breath. This single mindful minute instantly resets your nervous system and improves your mood!
2️⃣ Savor the Small Moments: Notice the warmth of your mug ☕, the twinkle of the lights ✨, the sound of laughter. Allow yourself to embrace these tiny, innocent moments of joy.
3️⃣ Set Gentle Boundaries: It is absolutely okay to say “no thanks” to anything that feels overwhelming. Protecting your time and energy is the best gift you can give yourself this season!

✨ Maintain Your Sanity: Healthy Habits to Support Your Calm

✅ Keep Routines Intact: Stick to regular sleep, meals, and short movement breaks whenever possible.
✅ Plan Simple, Not Perfect: Choose easy traditions, easy meals, and easy gatherings. Done is better than perfect!
✅ Share Responsibilities: Invite family members to help with shopping, cooking, or hosting tasks. Connection grows when we work together!

➡️ Read all of Sarah's tips (and more!) in our full blog post in the link in the comments.

💖 Looking for a physician or specialist to help you get control of your health? Click the "Find a Physician" tab in the link.

12/09/2025

Headaches becoming a reoccurring problem? Get yourself a journal.

“Any little sensitivity can set off a headache, so it’s important to note all of the different factors that might contribute to it,” says Nolan Brackenrich, DO, a family medicine physician at St. Joseph's/Candler Primary Care located in Pooler.

“There are so many, including diet, nutrition, caffeine intake, water intake, alcohol, exercise and even the weather.”

Journaling helps patients become more aware of their triggers and also helps Dr. Brackenrich to see what he can’t see in an office visit—the patient’s daily life and habits.

“On the next visit, looking over your journal, we may discover that the last time you had a migraine, you drank two cups of coffee instead of one,” Dr. Brackenrich says. “Now we have caffeine as a potential culprit and a modifiable change that you can apply.”

Triggers can often be lowered or eliminated once they are identified, allowing some patients to manage or prevent their headaches without using medication.

For more about managing headaches, click the link in the comments.

12/08/2025

Jo Frayler’s cancer journey began 20 years ago. She was just 48 when diagnosed with breast cancer. After a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, she thought it was behind her.

Then in 2014, cancer cells were discovered in her pectoral muscle. Jo had the muscle removed and underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

“Then, unfortunately, at the beginning of this year, we found it was metastatic and in my bones," Jo said. "To hear it was metastatic – I was shocked. I was angry. It immediately set me into a downward spiral. But I have a daughter, and I have to stay positive for her.”

For breast cancer survivors like Jo, who has already faced mastectomy, chemo, and radiation over a 20-year journey, the idea of a new, less toxic treatment is a massive relief.

Jo is enrolled in the groundbreaking ASCO CDK4/6 Inhibitor Dosing Knowledge Study (CDK), offered right here at St. Joseph’s/Candler—one of only 13 facilities in the country.

This isn't about placebos. It's about figuring out if a lower starting dose of the approved drug, IBRANCE, can help patients tolerate the medication better and stay on it longer.

Jo's experience is overwhelmingly positive:
✅ Significant lesion reduction
✅ Minimal side effects
✅ No pain

"You can’t live in a negative state all the time. If you do so, then you are not enjoying the time that you are here," Jo says.

👉 She's proof that new-generation treatments are making it possible to fight cancer and still enjoy life.

If you're interested in innovative, quality-of-life-focused breast cancer care, learn more about the research happening at St. Joseph’s/Candler. Find out more about how clinical trials are changing the face of cancer care at the link: https://www.sjchs.org/services/lcrp/survivors/jo-frayler

12/05/2025

We tried to get a nice, formal picture of the SmartSenior Holiday Party... but then the DJ dropped the beat, and the Cupid Shuffle was mandatory.

The St. Joseph's/Candler SmartSeniors were shuffling with the kind of energy we've come to expect from this vibrant and engaged community of people ages 55 and older representing southeast Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Members of SmartSenior receive access to a bi-monthly newsletter, educational seminars and weekly activities such as fitness classes, line dancing, Mahjong and more.

12/04/2025

As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, you might be feeling more than just the usual chill. Are you experiencing a noticeable shift in your mood and energy that seems to happen every year when winter rolls around?

You may have heard of SAD—Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s a real form of depression that affects millions, and it’s specifically tied to cyclical, seasonal changes.

"Seasonal affective disorder is a subtype of an underlying depression disorder... With this condition, a patient’s depressive symptoms demonstrably follow a cyclical, seasonal pattern each year," explains Dr. Russell Lake, a family medicine physician with St. Joseph’s/Candler Primary Care in Richmond Hill.

🤔 Do Any of These Symptoms Sound Familiar?
If you notice a consistent, yearly pattern of these symptoms in the winter, it may be time to investigate:
💠Low energy/feeling sluggish
💠Significant changes in sleep (too much or not enough)
💠Increased appetite, especially for carbs, or decreased appetite
💠Withdrawal, isolation, or "hibernating"
💠Feelings of hopelessness or guilt

🩺 What You Can Do Next:
SAD is treatable. Dr. Lake uses screening tools to help diagnose the condition and recommend options. Click the link in the comments to learn more.

12/03/2025

Even if you handle an illness like the flu or COVID fine, you could pass it to a friend or family member who might get severely ill. A healthy immune system is a gift to your community.

Your immune system is your body's defense and repair network, constantly fighting off germs, bacteria, and viruses. Give it the support it needs with these key steps:

🧼 Wash Your Hands: This is the #1 defense against spreading illness! Scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to limit infection exposure to your nose and mouth.

💉 Get Vaccinated: Vaccines protect you and create a safer circle around vulnerable loved ones. Have you gotten your flu shot yet? Talk to your doctor about other recommended vaccines.

🍎 Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on fruits and vegetables (especially high in Vitamin C and antioxidants!), whole grains, and lean proteins.

📉 Decrease Stress: High stress impacts your immune response. Find time for activities that help you relax—music, hobbies, exercise, or meditation.

😴 Get Enough Sleep: Your body repairs itself during sleep. Adults need 7-8 hours, teens need closer to 10. Prioritize good sleep hygiene.

🏃 Exercise Regularly: Improved circulation and blood flow keeps your immune system working properly. Aim for at least 150 minutes of activity per week.

🛑 Stop Smoking: Smoking severely burdens your immune system, forcing it to focus on damage repair instead of fighting off new infections.

🍬 Limit Sugar: Too much sugar makes it harder for your immune system to fight off infection effectively.

🍳 Properly Prepare Foods: Wash produce, cook meat thoroughly, and avoid cross-contamination, especially with raw meat.

💊 Be Aware of Medications: Some medicines suppress the immune system. If this applies to you, simply be extra diligent with all the protective measures above. (Never stop medication without talking to your doctor first.)

Find more at the link in the comments.

Caring for your health is an act of love for your family and friends. Which of these tips will you focus on this week?

12/01/2025

Does a sudden sneeze, a light jog, or a deep belly laugh with friends catch you off guard these days? If you’ve been noticing leaks more often, we want you to know two things:

1) You are absolutely not alone.
2) You don’t just have to "live with it."

As Carol Barbee, our Nurse Practitioner, says, "Pelvic floor complaints and concerns are highly personal. It takes a lot to go to your doctor and say, ‘I’m having this problem.’"

We understand the hesitation, but we also know the relief that comes with treatment. At the Pelvic Floor & Continence Center, we specialize in helping women regain control and confidence through diagnosis and personalized therapy.

Ready to stop worrying and start living fully again? Talk to your physician about a referral, or request one directly through our office.

📞 Call us: 912-819-4870

11/30/2025

The discount code EXPIRES TONIGHT!

Register today for the 11th annual Get Your Rear In Gear 5K at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion.

SPECIAL OFFER: Use code THANKFUL for a discount on your registration!

Join us as we honor the memory of WTOC’s Mike Manhatton and raise vital funds for colon cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment. Best of all? Every dollar raised stays right here in the Savannah area.

Event Details:
🗓 When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
📍 Where: Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion (225 Candler Drive)
🏃 Time: Kids Fun Run (Free!) @ 8:15 AM | 5K Run/Walk follows

Don’t miss the discount! Sign up today:
👉 https://www.sjchs.org/services/lcrp/about-us/community-outreach/get-your-rear-in-gear-5k

11/29/2025

Having a stroke used to point to a usually grim outcome.

If the stroke occurred too deep within the brain, there was nothing neurosurgeons could do. The risk of damage to dense and delicate brain tissue was too great.

“These patients would linger in the Intensive Care Unit for weeks, and rehabilitation would take months,” explains board certified neurosurgeon Jay U. Howington, MD, of Neurosurgical & Spine Institute.

But incredible new technology is changing this reality.

A new system of technologies allows neurosurgeons to reach those deeper levels of the brain, without damaging tissue on its way there, to remove deep-seated brain tumors and evacuate blood clots caused by stroke. Developed by NICO Corporation, it is known as the BrainPath system.

“If you do a scan of the patient’s brain the day after the procedure, you can’t even see the path that the instrument took to get there,” Dr. Howington says. “But the clot or the tumor will be gone.”

Dr. Howington explains how the system works at https://www.sjchs.org/resource-hub/smart-living-magazine/november-december-2023/the-advanced-path

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http://www.sjchs.org/

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