SGMC DR SOHINKI 2

Unsurpassed Patient Experience

Setting the Pace in Heart & Vascular Care

When it comes to matters of the heart, access, speed, and expertise can make all the difference.

Across South Georgia and North Florida, patients turn to SGMC Health for advanced cardiovascular care that brings leading‑edge treatments closer to home. 

As the region’s only Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center, SGMC Health is equipped to respond rapidly when every second counts—delivering coordinated, high‑acuity care for heart emergencies with precision and urgency.

That capability is supported by one of the most comprehensive Heart & Vascular programs in the region, offering services found nowhere else in South Georgia, including open‑heart surgery, a dedicated Structural Heart Center, cardiac electrophysiology, and a state‑of‑the‑art Hybrid Operating Room that allows teams to move seamlessly between minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches.

Heart and Vascular

Innovation continues to expand what’s possible for patients. SGMC Health’s heart team has performed 200 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures, including the region’s first alternative‑access transcarotid TAVR, providing new options for patients who are not candidates for traditional surgery.

The program has also introduced first‑in‑region advancements such as PFO closure, expanded electrophysiology treatments, PET Cardiac Stress Testing, and the use of the Impella 5.5® heart pump—technologies that improve diagnostic accuracy, support critically ill patients, and shorten the path to recovery.

Heart care at SGMC Health extends well beyond hospital walls.

Through the HeartReady Communities program, the health system partners with first responders, schools, churches, and community organizations to strengthen cardiac emergency preparedness across the region.

The initiative has supported the placement of 29 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in community settings and delivered more than 100 cardiac‑focused education and training sessions, equipping hundreds of residents with lifesaving skills before emergencies occur.

By reinforcing the chain of survival, HeartReady helps ensure that more people are prepared to act when seconds matter most.

“SGMC Health excels in heart and vascular care because our entire team shares a unified vision—to improve access and enhance the quality of life for the patients we serve. Our team‑based approach ensures that every patient receives the highest level of care, right here at home.” 

Luke Seibolt, MD, Interventional Cardiologist and Chief of Cardiology at SGMC Health.

From breakthrough procedures to prevention, education, and outreach, SGMC Health remains focused on one goal: helping patients live longer, healthier lives—supported by heart care that leads the region forward.

From Our "What Brings You In Today?" Podcast

Check out these episodes with our Heart & Vascular team at SGMC Health.

Dawood with patient
Moving Forward with Confidence

Comprehensive Orthopedic Care, Designed Around Patients

When pain or injury makes everyday movement difficult, having the right orthopedic care close to home matters.

SGMC Orthopedics continues to expand access to comprehensive musculoskeletal care in South Georgia, bringing together specialized physicians, modern facilities, and convenient services designed to help patients move forward with confidence.

A Growing Team with Specialized Expertise 

SGMC Orthopedics has strengthened its physician team, offering patients access to a wide range of orthopedic specialties under one roof. Each provider brings a focused area of expertise, allowing care plans to be tailored to each patient’s needs.

  • Rehan Dawood, DO specializes in sports medicine, caring for athletes and active individuals with joint, ligament, and tendon injuries, as well as minimally invasive treatments designed to restore mobility.
  • Anthony D’Abarno, DO focuses on adult reconstruction of the hip and knee, including advanced joint replacement options for patients living with arthritis or chronic joint pain.
  • Kevin Keith, DO, an orthopedic trauma surgeon, provides expert care for fractures and complex injuries, helping patients recover after accidents or traumatic events.
  • John Kendrick, MD offers comprehensive orthopedic care with a focus on joint replacement, fracture care, and sports medicine, treating both acute injuries and long‑term orthopedic conditions.
Ortho providers

Together, the team treats a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions, from everyday joint pain to advanced surgical needs, with an emphasis on personalized treatment plans that may include surgical, rehabilitative, or non‑operative options.

A New Clinic Built for Convenience

To support growing demand, SGMC Orthopedics relocated to a new, expanded clinic in Valdosta, designed with patient experience and efficiency in mind. The modern space brings evaluation, imaging, and treatment planning together in one location, reducing the need for multiple appointments or referrals.  

The clinic features on‑site X‑ray services, allowing providers to quickly diagnose injuries and develop treatment plans during the same visit. This streamlined approach helps patients move from diagnosis to care without unnecessary delays.

Appointments are available by scheduling ahead, and walk‑ins are welcome, making it easier for patients with sudden injuries or worsening pain to access care when they need it. 

onsite xray

Care That Extends Beyond the Clinic

When surgery is needed, procedures are performed at SGMC Health’s Main and Smith Northview hospitals, ensuring continuity of care within the health system. For recovery, patients benefit from access to rehabilitation services that support healing, strength, and long‑term mobility.  

From diagnosis through recovery, SGMC Orthopedics brings specialized expertise, modern resources, and coordinated care together—helping patients get back to the activities that matter most. 

From Our Podcast

Find our podcast on these streaming services:

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Care That Supports How You

Think, Move, Sleep, and Heal

From sleep and movement to memory and recovery, neuroscience care plays a vital role in everyday health.

At SGMC Health, a coordinated network of specialists brings together neurology, neurosurgery, sleep medicine, memory care, pain management, and physical rehabilitation—ensuring patients receive seamless, expert care close to home.

This integrated approach allows teams to diagnose conditions earlier, personalize treatment plans, and support recovery across every stage of care. 

Programs At A Glance

  • Neurology & Neurodiagnostics 
  • Neurosurgery (brain, spine, peripheral nerves) 
  • Sleep Medicine (in‑lab and home testing) 
  • Memory Care & Cognitive Evaluation 
  • Pain Management 
  • Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy 

Comprehensive Care, Working Together

Neurology specialists evaluate and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the brain, spine, nerves, and muscles, supported by advanced neurodiagnostic testing and inpatient neurohospitalist coverage. Memory Care services focus on early identification of cognitive changes, guiding patients and families through evaluation, education, and access to specialty resources.  

When surgery is needed, SGMC Health’s Neurosurgery program offers both minimally invasive and complex procedures for brain and spine conditions, working closely with neurology, pain management, and rehabilitation teams to support recovery and long‑term outcomes.  

Sleep Medicine addresses disorders that impact overall health, offering in‑lab and at‑home testing, personalized treatment plans, and advanced options such as Inspire® therapy for eligible patients.  

Pain Management and Physical Rehabilitation extend care beyond diagnosis—helping patients reduce pain, restore function, and regain independence through coordinated, evidence‑based therapies.

New Services

Inspire® therapy for obstructive sleep apnea
Infusion‑based treatments for certain dementia related conditions

Why It Matters for Patients

Interventional Psychiatry
  • Earlier diagnosis and coordinated treatment
  • Fewer handoffs between specialties
  • Advanced care options available close to home
  • Support from diagnosis through recovery

From Our Podcast

Find our podcast on these streaming services:

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Know, Then Go:

Guiding Care, Expanding Access

Choosing where to seek care can feel overwhelming, especially when symptoms are unexpected or time feels critical.

SGMC Health’s Know, Then Go campaign was designed to simplify that decision—helping patients understand when primary care, urgent care, or the emergency department is the right choice, and making each option easier to access across the region.

At the heart of the campaign is a simple goal: connect patients to the right level of care at the right time.

By The Numbers

12
Primary Care Locations
103,000
Primary Care Visits
2
Urgent Care Locations
32,000
Urgent Care Visits
4
Emergency Departments
104,000
ED Visits

The Know, Then Go resources clearly outline what conditions are best treated by a primary care provider, when urgent care is appropriate, and when emergency care is necessary. By guiding patients to the most appropriate setting, SGMC Health helps reduce unnecessary emergency department visits, shortens wait times, and supports better outcomes for both patients and care teams. 

Primary Care

Weekday – Office Hours

For regular medical problems or most medical needs.

  • Annual check-ups
  • Health advice
  • Medication refills
  • Physicals
  • Specialist Referrals
  • Routine tests
  • Vaccines

Urgent Care

Every day – Extended Hours

For common things that need to be treated soon, but your primary care provider is not available. 

  • Allergic reaction/rash
  • Mild breathing difficulty
  • Cuts requiring stitches
  • Cough, cold symptoms
  • Minor burns
  • Moderate back pain
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Diarrhea, dehydration
  • Sprains or strains

Emergency Department

24/7 – 365

For serious, life-threatening conditions. 

  • Heart attack symptoms
  • Chest pain
  • Stroke symptoms
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Seizures
  • Broken bones

From Our "What Brings You In Today?" Podcast

Find our podcast on these streaming services:

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