OsteoarthritisofFoot near Hardeeville, SC

Biography: Dr. Wheeler graduated from the University of Georgia before receiving his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He then attended the University of Florida where he completed his internship and residency in Orthopaedic Surgery. He has also completed two Sports Medicine fellowships after residency. His fellowships were at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and at North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre in Sydney, Australia.Dr. Wheeler has been very involved in local, state, national and international Sports Medicine, including the 1996 Olympic Games and seven World Championship events. He has served as team physician for Armstrong Atlantic State University for 18 years and at Savannah College of Art and Design for 16 years. He continues to treat many Olympic and professional athletes, as well as weekend warriors.Dr. Wheeler specializes in arthroscopy of the knee and shoulder, but also continues to treat general orthopaedic problems.

Biography: Through thousands of surgeries and years of experience, Dr. Kolovich has emerged as one of the region's most gifted hand specialists and while his reputation is one that's well earned, the journey there didn't always run in a straight line. Starting out in his academic career, Kolovich pursued engineering while attending Atlanta's Georgia Tech University with the goal of eventually working for NASA. But it was a side job at an organ and tissue procurement company during college that ultimately set him on the path to orthopedics. He would ultimately earn his engineering degree, but only as a stepping stone to medical school at The Ohio State University. Following a Harvard University Fellowship, he set his sights on Georgia and found his new home at Optim Orthopedics, specializing in the treatment of fractures, carpal tunnel, trigger finger and traumas. While Dr. Kolovich offers the latest in cutting-edge surgical techniques, he first explores all non-surgical options from physical therapy to regenerative medicine, including stem cell injections.

Biography: Dr. Ray is a graduate of South Carolina State University and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a residency in podiatric medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center/Presbyterian in Philadelphia, and a foot and ankle surgery residency at Drexel University College of Medicine/Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia. Dr. Ray is an avid sports fan who enjoys flying as a private pilot. He is also an active community organizer.

Biography: Dr. Douglas Scott is an orthopedic surgeon and a fellowship-trained subspecialist. His expertise focuses on the shoulder and elbow, including the sports medicine, trauma, minimally-invasive arthroscopy, replacement, and complex reconstruction aspects of these joints. He earned an undergraduate degree from Clemson University and attended medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. He then completed his orthopedic surgery residency at St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City, affiliated with Columbia University. Additional training during his residency included service at the DuPont Institute for pediatric orthopedics, and Memorial Sloan Kettering for orthopedic oncology. Dr. Scott further completed the prestigious orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship at Brown University, focusing on the upper extremity including shoulder resurfacing, total shoulder and reverse total shoulder replacement, as well as advanced minimally-invasive techniques of shoulder and elbow arthroscopy. Most of his colleagues and mentors from the fellowship have continued to perform research and help patients at Brown, and one of his fellowship directors is now the Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at Yale University. Dr. Scott is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and a member of numerous other professional orthopedic and medical societies. He has authored peer-reviewed journal publications and academic book chapters for orthopedic surgery. This includes being the lead author for a shoulder chapter in the 2020 edition of Orthopedic Knowledge Update:Shoulder and Elbow 5, a research-based text designed for orthopedic surgeon education, published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Scott has performed hundreds of shoulder and elbow surgeries annually since beginning practice in the Lowcountry in 2012, and has recently been voted "Best Orthopedist" by local residents in our local magazine. Dr. Scott is an avid reader and golfer, and enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons.

Biography: Dr. Paul Balthrop is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the care of complex fractures, limb deformities and bone infections. Dr. Balthrop has extensive experience in both urgent orthopedic trauma care and limb salvage after severe fractures. He works closely with his patients and other doctors to preserve function and help return people to a healthy and active lifestyle.

Care Philosophy: Dr. Blocker takes great care to listen to his patients. In addition to general orthopaedic procedures he specializes in the most up to date total joint replacement and arthroscopic surgeries. He has stayed on the leading edge of his field. He utilizes minimally invasive surgical techniques and when indicated employs computer assisted navigation in his surgeries, a tool which has greatly increased the precision of certain orthopedic procedures.

Biography: When I decided to specialize in elbow and shoulder surgery, I wanted to understand much more than just the basics. That's why I received fellowship training in elbow and shoulder surgery, and then became a visiting professor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. There, I studied the most advanced techniques for the treatment of complex elbow problems. \n I enjoy clinical research and have stayed involved with it throughout my career. My patients benefit from my involvement in cutting-edge research and training on the most advanced technology available. That includes minimally invasive and arthroscopic techniques. These can address complex elbow and shoulder problems with minimal incisions and shorter recovery times. In cases where minimally invasive surgery is not indicated, I also complete complex reconstruction and shoulder replacement procedures. In some cases, I use advanced imaging to build anatomically correct joint replacement prosthetics. I believe every patient deserves a treatment plan that makes the most sense for their lifestyle and meets their treatment goals.

Biography: Dr. Joe Christian is an internal medicine specialist working alongside a dedicated care team in Savannah, GA to support the health and wellness of his patients. He is passionate about caring for others and provides annual wellness visits, check ups and immunizations.

Biography: Dr. Thomas Hogan is a board certified internal medicine specialist providing preventive care and wellness checkups for patients in Savannah, GA.

Biography: Dr. Roel Laygo provides primary care services in Savannah, GA. He is an internal medicine specialist and helps his patients manage chronic conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma. He also provides annual wellness checkups and physicals.

Biography: Dr. Jessica Kang provides internal medicine and family medicine services for patients in Savannah, GA. She is board certified and provides dedicated care and treatment for a variety of conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and allergies.

Biography: Dr. Wilfredo Dolor provides primary care services for patients in Savannah, GA.

Care Philosophy: At Optim Orthopedics, we know you're not yourself when even just one part of you is hurt. Because in orthopedics, everything is connected: bones, joints, ligaments, and cartilage. We're connected too. Our doctors cover every bone in the body and we work together as a team for our patients. We call our approach - Combined Strength, and we use it to get you back to you.

Biography: Dr. Deshpande is board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and specializes in orthopaedic trauma, joint replacement, anterior hip replacement and general orthopaedics. Double majoring in Marine Biology and Secondary Education at Boston University, he then attended New York Medical College where he received his MD. After completing his internship and residency at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, Dr. Deshpande completed a fellowship at the Georgia Orthopaedic Trauma Institute in Macon. In May 2013, Dr. Deshpande was recognized for his work in the field with a nomination for physician of the year. Dr. Deshpande has given lectures and presentations for various orthopaedic events across the U.S. since 2006. He has also been involved in orthopaedic research and has several peer-reviewed publications. In addition to his orthopaedic work, Dr. Deshpande has volunteered his time as a captain, driver, lieutenant and other positions in community fire departments.

Biography: Dr. John Moore is a dedicated internal medicine physician providing care and guidance to better the health of his patients. He practices as the Waters Avenue location of Memorial Health University Physicians Primary Care and provides annual wellness checkups and immunizations.