Kay Rhodes, FNP-BC; Peyton Usher, R.N., BSN; Edgar Leeon Rhodes, II, M.D; and, Damon Brantley, M.D.
ST. MARYS, Georgia: March 24, 2022 – It takes dedication and fortitude to open a health care facility in the middle of a global pandemic, but that’s exactly what Southeast Georgia Health System accomplished in 2020 when they officially cut the ribbon on the Wound Care Center on their Camden Campus. Although the Center operates in partnership with Healogics, the nation’s leading wound care provider, its doctors, nurses and staff are members of the St. Marys community.
“Our patients are the same people we see around town. It’s very fulfilling to care for such a closely-knit community, and convenient, too, because chronic wounds require constant care,” says Kay Rhodes, FNP-BC. Ms. Rhodes, along with her husband, Edgar Leeon Rhodes, II, M.D., have practiced at the Wound Care Center since its opening.
Dr. Rhodes, a board-certified vascular surgeon and wound care expert, attended Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. He completed a surgical internship and residency at the Emory-affiliated Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta as well as his fellowship training in surgical research and pediatric cardiology. He furthered his surgical knowledge through an additional residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Before joining the Health System, he worked at the Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville. Additionally, he previously served as a medical director at the Redmond Wound & Hyperbarics Center in Rome, Georgia, and held leadership positions at hospitals throughout the U.S. Dr. Rhodes is widely published in his field and has received numerous accolades for his work at diversified clinical services centers.
“As a native Georgian, I was excited to bring high level wound care to a rural community where such expertise is desperately needed. Many residents are disproportionately affected by diabetes, a major cause of chronic wounds. They need access to specialized care without having to drive long distances,” says Dr. Rhodes. “And now, we provide that service at a convenient location for Camden County.”
Also a native Georgian, Ms. Rhodes is a family nurse practitioner who holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton and a Master of Science from Kennesaw State University. In addition to her prior wound care experience at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Redmond Wound & Hyperbarics Center, she has worked in cardiology, emergency medicine, family care, radiology and surgical settings.
Impressively, Dr. and Ms. Rhodes have nearly 20 years of combined wound care experience.
The Rhodes aren’t the only friendly faces one will see at the Wound Care Center in St. Marys. Patients can also expect to meet clinical nurse manager, Peyton Usher, R.N., BSN.
Ms. Usher chose to become a nurse after a tragic experience. “My niece was in the NICU for two weeks before my family had to decide to take her off life support. It was one of the worst times of my life, but the nurses who took care of her were so compassionate. That made a huge impact on me, and I decided to become a nurse.” Usher received her Bachelor of Science from The College of Coastal Georgia. She underwent specialized training in wound care and discovered a passion for the field. Ms. Usher enjoys her role as the clinical nurse manager and feels she makes an important contribution to her community.
“Chronic wounds can disrupt a person’s life and be devastating if left untreated. Patients can feel defeated after months of trying to heal wounds on their own,” says Ms. Usher. “The Wound Care Center provides care, education and resources. The sooner we can intervene and determine what’s preventing the wound from healing, the sooner patients can return to doing the things they enjoy.”
The Wound Care Center team is supported by board-certified emergency medicine specialist, John Earl Long, M.D., and board-certified general surgeons, Damon Brantley, M.D., and Benjamin Asher Bograd, D.O. Drs. Long, Brantley and Bograd provide a variety of services while managing chronic, non-healing wounds, such as specialty wound dressings, debridement, total contact casts, hyperbaric.
Photo: Peyton Usher, R.N., BSN, clinical nurse manager, with patient in hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
About Southeast Georgia Health System
Southeast Georgia Health System is a not-for-profit health system comprised of two acute care hospitals, two long term care facilities, two comprehensive Cancer Care Centers and multiple specialty care centers, including orthopedic and spine care, joint replacement, breast care, maternity, outpatient rehabilitation, sleep management and wound care. The Brunswick Campus Cancer Care Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and offers the only CyberKnife® M6 with MLC technology in Georgia. Additionally, the Southeast Georgia Physician Associates medical group includes more than 140 providers working in 20 different medical specialties at more than 50 locations. The Health System is part of Coastal Community Health, a regional affiliation between Baptist Health and Southeast Georgia Health System forming a highly integrated hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. For more information, visit sghs.org.
