Unsurpassed Patient Experience

For Rachel Brandon, a 57-year-old Valdosta, Georgia resident, devoted mother of three, loving grandmother, and SGMC Health employee of nearly 24 years, life seemed to be moving along as usual.

As a scheduler at the Pearlman Cancer Center, she’s no stranger to the importance of prioritizing health, but when she began to feel unusually tired for no reason, she didn’t think much of it at first. 

It was her husband of 38 years who encouraged her to reach out to her primary care doctor, Madison Hill, DO. Concerned by Rachel’s fatigue, Dr. Hill ordered a stress test—and it was a pivotal moment.

Rachel failed the test and was referred to SGMC Health Interventional Cardiologist, Eddie Distler, DO, for further evaluation.

An echocardiogram revealed a congenital heart defect: her heart valves were pumping blood in the wrong direction, a condition she had unknowingly lived with her entire life. 

Rachel’s case was complex, and her treatment plan shifted. Instead of the stent placement initially planned, she required open-heart surgery to correct the defect.

Although her original care plan would have taken her to Atlanta, Rachel’s surgery was performed right here at SGMC Health by Cardiothoracic Surgeon Randall Brown, MD. Within a single week, she underwent three surgeries, including one to reroute her heart’s valves to function as they should have since birth. 

Recovery wasn’t easy, but Rachel was determined.

The sense of community at Langdale Place has been a highlight of JoAnn’s experience.

"Oh yes! I have made lovely friends. The community is very friendly and welcoming. It’s easy to be happy at Langdale Place!" she said with a smile.

With daily lunches together and a variety of social events, she feels engaged and connected. She also enjoys walking on the scenic walking trails, which help her stay active and appreciate the beautiful surroundings. 

Looking back, JoAnn knows that moving to Langdale Place was the right decision, especially because it brought her closer to her daughter, granddaughter, and her family.

"That’s a big plus to me," she said.

When asked what she would say to someone considering a move to Langdale Place but feeling uncertain, her advice was simple yet heartfelt:

For JoAnn, the key to making the most of senior living is participation.

"You have to participate in what is offered. That is how you meet people and what keeps you engaged!" she advised. 

Grateful for the thoughtful care and attention she receives, JoAnn is overwhelmed with appreciation for the opportunity to spend these years of her life in such a wonderful place.

"I’m truly thankful to be here, surrounded by such warm-hearted, dedicated people. Langdale Place has become my home, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s a blessing to be part of this beautiful community, and I will always cherish my time here." 

When Hudson Garrett was born, Lindsey never could have imagined the journey ahead.

Complications during his birth led to Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, a condition caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to his brain. That moment shaped everything that followed.

Every challenge, every milestone, every decision they made as a family traced back to that beginning. 

By the time Hudson turned five in August 2024, Lindsey and her family had already navigated years of complex medical care. But from November 2022 to May 2023, Hudson’s health took a turn for the worse.

He had a particularly rough several months, and after a long hospital stay in Jacksonville, a palliative care specialist gently suggested hospice.

Lindsey remembers the conversation clearly. Someone saw her exhaustion, her relentless advocacy, and the weight of it all. They told her hospice could help and referred her to Hospice of South Georgia (HOSG). 

"No one wants to hear that their loved one needs Hospice, but especially your young child," shared Lindsey. "It took me a while to come around to the idea." 

She had always associated hospice with giving up, and the thought of it for her son felt unbearable. But as Hudson’s needs continued to grow, she realized something had to change.

His care had always been around the clock, but it reached a point where it took everything they had just to keep up. She finally agreed to the referral, and in May 2023, HOSG became part of Hudson’s team. 

Hudson’s nurse, Kristi, and his nurse practitioner Emily, came to meet the family, explaining what hospice could provide.  

"I wasn't really excited about it, but looking back, it was exactly what I needed in that season," said Lindsey. 

Those were some of the hardest months of their lives, and hospice helped them hold it together and make the best decisions for Hudson. 

One of the most important things for Lindsey was that Hudson could receive care at home.

Before hospice, it felt like their family was constantly being separated by hospital stays. With hospice, that changed.

If Hudson needed help, Lindsey didn’t always have to rush him to the hospital. She could talk to his nurse or work with the hospice team and his pediatrician to manage his care at home.  

At 97 and 96 years old, Sara and Henry Carr have shared a lifetime together.

But when health challenges and behavioral changes began to impact their well-being, their daughters, Anehea and Cindy faced the difficult realization that they could no longer remain at home. 

After much thought and deliberation Sara and Henry moved to Fellowship Home so they could receive more supervised care.

After the move, Henry adjusted well, but Sara began exhibiting signs of depression and aggressive behavior. Concerned for her safety and well-being, the staff at Fellowship Home recommended to her family that she receive specialized care at SGMC Dogwood Senior Behavioral Health in Nashville, Georgia. 

“When we met with the Dogwood staff, they were wonderful,” Anehea recalls. “They explained everything clearly, and we left with a good feeling that this would help her.”

Recognizing the need for intervention, his care team recommended that he also receive treatment at Dogwood. He spent three weeks at the facility, where medical professionals adjusted his medications to help manage his mood and behavioral challenges. 

Throughout their time at Dogwood, Anehea and her family found reassurance in the compassionate care provided by the team.

The facility’s Medical Director, Joe Morgan, MD, and his staff played a key role in helping the family understand the treatment process, answering their questions, and ensuring they felt at ease. 

“They explained everything that was going on and took the time to answer all of our questions,” Anehea says. 

Following their time at Dogwood, both Sara and Henry were able to return to Fellowship Home, where they continue to do well. 

For other families navigating similar challenges, Anehea emphasizes the importance of trust.

“You have to ask questions, but also trust the people who have more knowledge than you do about these issues,” she advises. “Dogwood was highly recommended to us, and after our experience, I would absolutely recommend them to anyone facing similar struggles.” 

SGMC Dogwood Senior Behavioral Health provides specialized care for adults 55 and older facing mental health conditions such as dementia with behavioral changes, depression, anxiety, and more.

With a team of dedicated professionals, individualized treatment plans, and a strong emphasis on family involvement, Dogwood offers hope and healing to seniors and their loved ones. 

Steve Wise, a 70-year-old retiree from Dallas, Texas, found himself in Valdosta volunteering with the Minuteman Disaster Response team following Hurricane Helene.

Steve joined the organization in 2017, dedicating his time to disaster response and cleanup efforts, helping communities recover from hurricanes and tornadoes.

As part of the volunteer group based in McKinney, Texas, Steve was proud to serve as part of a team whose mission is to provide assistance in the immediate aftermath of a disaster through the deployment of highly trained and equipped volunteers.  

Steve describes the volunteer work as being “the hands and feet of Christ,” providing hands-on assistance to those in need. He was one of a large group of volunteers from the organization, who set up a base camp in the Lowe’s parking lot following the storm. Each volunteer goes through extensive safety training and is provided all necessary personal protective equipment to assist with disaster cleanup.  

On October 9, 2024, Steve’s volunteer work took a sudden and dangerous turn.

While working as a spotter for a team cutting down a tree at a two-story house in Dasher, GA, the tree unexpectedly shifted.

Before Steve could react, it fell and struck him on his right side, causing severe injuries. The impact shattered his clavicle and scapula, fractured several ribs, and damaged his spine.

SGMC Health EMS was first on the scene of the accident and quickly transported Steve to SGMC Health Main, a Level III Trauma Center.  

Upon arrival at the Emergency Room, his condition was critical. He couldn’t breathe due to the severity of his rib fractures, so General Surgeon Jared Sanders, MD, and Emergency Room Physician Bradley Kinney, MD, intubated him.

He was then moved to the ICU and into surgery, where Cardiothoracic Surgeons Joe Johnson, MD, and Patrick Murrah, MD, stabilized his chest, placing plates to repair his ribcage.  

Despite the severity of his injuries, Steve remained humble and focused on his mission. When retelling his story, he stated, “This is not about me. This is about Him,” reflecting his deep faith and commitment to serving others.

For Steve, the accident wasn’t the story—his real passion was the work being done to help those affected by the hurricane. He has always believed in the importance of stepping up when others are in need, and this experience has only reinforced his dedication to that cause.  

Throughout his stay at SGMC Health, Steve received exceptional care. He expressed deep gratitude for the doctors, nurses, and staff, who he said provided not only top-notch medical attention but also genuine kindness and support. Steve spoke of how the SGMC Health team treated him like family, ensuring he felt comfortable and cared for during his recovery.  

One member of his care team, physical therapist Karishma Patel, stood out as a bright spot in his healing journey.

Steve described her as an absolute delight, always pushing him to go further than he thought possible, while offering encouragement every step of the way.  

Steve has been married to his wife Linda for 34 years, and together they have two adult daughters, both married to Air Force servicemen, and five grandchildren. His family’s love and support have been crucial as he recovers from his injuries, even sending him artwork from the grandchildren to hang up in his hospital room.  

On October 24, SGMC Health celebrated Steve’s transfer back home to Texas. There, he will undergo further physical and occupational therapy at Baylor Scott & White Health for continued rehabilitation. While he will wear a back brace as his spine heals, Steve remains hopeful that he will continue to be involved with Minuteman Disaster Response, though in a different, less physically demanding capacity.  

For Steve Wise, the road to recovery has been a humbling experience, but his focus remains on his calling to help those in need.

His time at SGMC Health, marked by outstanding care and compassion, has been a “true blessing,” but his heart remains with the volunteer efforts he holds so dear.  

Five months after Steve's accident, his journey of recovery has been marked by perseverance, faith, and an outpouring of support from his community. 

Returning home was an emotional milestone for Steve.

"It was unbelievable," he recalled. "When I got back here, it was great to be able to talk and see my family. We have two wonderful daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. They have been there for us every step of the way," he shares. "And when I say family, I also mean my church family, friends, and Minuteman Disaster Response. We've gotten so much support. It was wonderful to reconnect with everyone.”  

That support has remained constant throughout his recovery. His family and friends have been by his side, sending food, prayers, and countless cards that he hung on the walls of his rehab hospital room as a source of encouragement. 

The road to recovery, however, has been long and difficult.

"I have to be honest and say it's been slow," Steve admitted.

His injuries, including fractured ribs, a shattered clavicle and scapula, and spinal damage, have presented ongoing challenges. “The doctors were right when they said it would be painful. It’s been frustrating, but I expected this.”  

In February 2025, he underwent back surgery, a turning point that significantly eased his discomfort and allowed for more noticeable progress. Since then, he has built up to walking an hour a day, performing rehabilitation exercises, and even running errands with his wife, Linda, while wearing his back brace.

As of March, he is preparing to start outpatient therapy on his arm, a step that brings him one stride closer to regaining full mobility. 

Through it all, Steve’s faith and the unwavering support of his loved ones have carried him forward.  

"The amount of encouragement we’ve received has been overwhelming," he said. Family, friends, church members, and fellow volunteers from Minuteman Disaster Response have continued to check in on him, reinforcing the deep sense of family he feels within the organization. "They have provided unbelievable support. They are a part of my family." 

Steve remains grateful for the care he received at SGMC Health, where staff members not only treated his injuries but also lifted his spirits.  

"This team literally saved my life," he said, as he got emotional. "Many of them went beyond the call of duty, and my wife and I are beyond grateful to each of them." 

Linda has not forgotten the compassion they experienced there, including many special memories of Chelsea Carter, Trauma Program Manager, Dr. Johnson, and others who brought tremendous comfort and help. She and Steve eagerly await the day that they are able to travel again to return to Valdosta, saying, “We're gonna come back and hug on y’all someday.” 

One of the most humbling moments of Steve’s journey was the send-off he received from the hospital staff.

“The staff lining the hallway was so humbling,” he said. “We've shown the video to so many people.” It was a moment that encapsulated the kindness and dedication of the SGMC Health team, a moment that will stay with him and his family forever. 

Although his recovery is far from over, Steve remains steadfast in his belief that a strong support system is essential for anyone facing a difficult journey.

“It’s critical to have a strong support system, including family, friends, and church. A strong faith in Christ. Prayer. I don’t know how people would handle this situation without it.” His resilience and faith have been unwavering. As Linda put it, “He never complained. He never got angry. He never lost faith. He’s done an incredible job.” 

As Steve continues healing, he remains hopeful about the future. He is grateful for the second chance he’s been given to be present for his family, to continue inspiring others, and perhaps one day, to return to the work he loves with Minuteman Disaster Response, although in a new capacity. 

For Steve Wise, this journey has been a test of patience and endurance, but he remains focused on his calling to serve, both to people in need and to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His story is a testament to the power of faith, the strength of community, and the resilience of the human spirit.