Health Matters

Have you ever been sick or injured and wondered, “Do I really need the ER, or can I go to urgent care?” You’re not alone – and making the right choice can save you time, stress and money. In this episode of Health Matters, our emergency and immediate care physicians break down exactly where to go for common injuries and illnesses, from sprains and fevers to more serious, life-threatening symptoms....

When beloved Santa performer Tony Adams was diagnosed with breast cancer just before the 2024 holiday season, he faced a unique challenge: how to begin treatment without giving up his long-standing role as Santa. In this moving Health Matters episode with his oncologist, Duane Moores, MD, PhD, Tony shares how they worked together to balance his health and identity—and how he's now in remission. A...

When Mallory Manners learned she was pregnant after careful planning later in life, her excitement was matched by a thoughtful awareness of the journey ahead. A recent move to a new town made finding a doctor she could truly trust especially important. In this episode of Health Matters, Mallory and Trace C. Deighan, MD, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, sit down for an open, easy-to-u...

Anna Moore, mamá primeriza, no anticipaba cuánto apoyo necesitaría después de dar a luz, pero cuando surgieron desafíos con la lactancia, acudió al equipo de lactancia de Southeast Georgia Health System y encontró su comunidad de apoyo. En este episodio de Health Matters, Anna está acompañada por Celia Robertson, RN, IBCLC, consultora de lactancia del Health System. Juntas comparten una conversaci...

How do you know when big toe pain has crossed the line from annoying to needing surgery? Big toe pain can quietly take over daily life, affecting how you walk, exercising and even stand comfortably. In this episode of Health Matters, board-certified orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon Jason Bowman, MD, joins patient Brenda Podoll for an honest, informative conversation about big toe fusion (1st MTP...

Una lesión en la cabeza no siempre parece grave, pero las conmociones cerebrales pueden tener efectos duraderos si no se tratan. En este episodio de Health Matters, Shelley S. Callender, MD, médica certificada por la junta en Summit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery, explica cómo las conmociones cerebrales afectan el cerebro, cuáles son los síntomas sutiles que con frecuencia pasan desaper...

What happens when a woman who spent 40 years at the pinnacle of the pharmaceutical industry—championing patient relations—suddenly becomes the patient herself? In this moving episode, we sit down with Mary Frances Harmon, Senior Vice President at PTC Therapeutics, and her physician, Evan H. Fountain, MD, pulmonologist with Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Pulmonary Medicine. After surviving...

What does it really take to control diabetes? In this episode of Health Matters, Jim Williams, a devoted father and grandfather, shares his journey from diagnosis to empowerment, revealing the lifestyle changes and strategies that have transformed his health. He’s joined by Allison Hendry, RDN, LDN, CDCES, Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Alexandra Hubbar...

Los medicamentos pueden salvar vidas, pero para algunos pacientes también pueden resultar confusos, frustrantes y hasta dar miedo. Este episodio del podcast Health Matters está dedicado a responder preguntas difíciles sobre las recetas médicas, los efectos secundarios y qué sucede cuando se dejan de tomar los medicamentos. Exploramos la ciencia detrás de los medicamentos, las consecuencias de susp...

Lana Wright, líder de equipo civil retirada del Army y actual alguacil judicial del Sheriff de Wayne, disfruta de un estilo de vida activo y pleno. Por eso, a finales de 2023, cuando fue diagnosticada con cáncer de mama, se negó a permitir que ni siquiera un diagnóstico de cáncer la frenara. En este episodio de Health Matters, Lana conversa sobre su experiencia con el cáncer junto al oncólogo radi...

A head injury may not always seem serious—but concussions can have lasting effects if left untreated. In this episode of Health Matters, Shelley S. Callender, MD, a board-certified physician at Summit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery, breaks down how concussions impact the brain, the subtle symptoms that are often overlooked and when it’s critical to seek medical care. She also shares gui...

¿Y si la persona sentada a tu lado en el área de emergencias fuera una víctima de trata de personas y nadie lo supiera? Lamentablemente, esta pesadilla es muchas veces una realidad. En este episodio, destapamos el mundo oculto de la trata de personas, donde muchas víctimas ni siquiera se dan cuenta de que están siendo explotadas. Desde entornos controlados y dinámicas de abuso hasta vidas consumid...

What happens when a routine mammogram turns into a life-changing diagnosis? In this episode, we welcome Dicy A. Peppers, Supervisory Training Instructor with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Academy, breast cancer survivor and founder of Wonders of Womanhood, as she shares her powerful journey from diagnosis to recovery. Joining her is Stephen G. Barrett, MD, general surgeon, who l...

In this episode of Health Matters, baseball legend Jim Kaat opens up about his remarkable journey to the Baseball Hall of Fame and the unexpected challenge he faced with hip pain after his long, successful career in the major leagues. Join Denny A. Carter, MD, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, and Karah Brown, MSPAS, PA-C, an accomplished physician assistant, as they discuss the crucial hip sur...

Medications can be life-saving, but they can also be confusing, frustrating, and scary for some patients. This episode of the Health Matters podcast is dedicated to answering tough questions about prescriptions, side effects, and what happens when you stop taking your meds. We explore the science behind medications, the consequences of stopping them too soon, and how to have open, honest conversat...

First-time mom, Anna Moore, didn’t anticipate how much support she’d need after giving birth—but when breastfeeding challenges arose, she turned to Southeast Georgia Health System’s Lactation team and found her village. In this episode of Health Matters, Anna is joined by Health System Lactation Consultant, Celia Robertson, RN, IBCLC. Together, they share an honest, heartfelt conversation about th...

Winiferd “Winnie” Lockett, a foster and adoptive mother in Glynn County, shares her experiences navigating pediatric therapy for children with medical and therapeutic needs. Since 2014, Winnie has cared for numerous children requiring occupational, feeding, physical and speech therapy, many of whom have been treated at Wolfson Children’s at Southeast Georgia Health System. In this podcast episode,...

Are you struggling with obstructive sleep apnea? Always feeling tired and sluggish? Did you know that repeated interruptions to your breathing during sleep can lead to serious health complications, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and in extreme cases, even sudden death? Join us for an insightful Health Matters podcast episode on the revolutionary Inspire procedure, a...

After being diagnosed with high blood pressure, Jerome Sheldon made the difficult decision to change his eating habits and improve his heart health. Despite these efforts, he experienced exactly what he was trying to avoid: a heart attack. In this episode of Health Matters, Jerome and his team of cardiac experts discuss his journey back to a healthier heart, including surgery, cardiac rehabilitati...

What if the person next to you in the Emergency Care Center was a human trafficking victim, and no one knew? Unfortunately, this nightmare is oftentimes a reality. In this episode, we uncover the hidden world of human trafficking, where many victims don’t even realize they’re being exploited. From trap houses to lives consumed by addiction and trauma, these stories will open your eyes to a crisis...

Recibir a tu bebé en el mundo es una experiencia llena de alegría, y nada es más personal y especial que alimentarlo. Escucha este episodio de *Health Matters* para una interesante discusión con nuestros consultores de lactancia. Hablarán sobre cuánta leche es suficiente, además de darte toda la información sobre el calostro y la nueva tendencia: la recolección de calostro.

Our health care experts unpack the confusing world of insurance and hospital care in our newest episode of Health Matters! From understanding key terms like co-pays and deductibles to choosing the right plan (PPO, HMO, CDHP), this discussion is bursting with essential insights. We’ll also explore how physician practice clinics are using new technology to improve your health care experience. Whethe...

Being screened for lung cancer isn’t always a top priority, but for those at a higher risk of developing this deadly disease, doing so may just save your life! In this episode of Health Matters, we learn about Janis Gilder’s journey to wellness after being diagnosed with lung cancer using a low-dose CT scan, and board-certified pulmonologist, Rafael Alba Yunen, MD, discusses how the innovative Ion...

A retired Department of Army Civilian Team Leader and current Bailiff for the Wayne Sheriff, Lana Wright enjoys a rich and active lifestyle, so in late 2023 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she refused to let even a cancer diagnosis slow her down. In this episode of Health Matters, Lana discusses her cancer journey with board-certified radiation oncologist Kenyon Meadows, MD, and how Cyb...

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders, but because the gastrointestinal (GI) tract processes nutrients and fights diseases, gut health impacts overall health. In this episode on Health Matters, board-certified gastroenterologist, Dr. Huitt Mattox, discusses gut health, how the medical industry has made significant advances in treating GI issue...