On November 3rd, we joyfully celebrated the transition of leadership at Healthy Savannah, marking the end of an incredible chapter with outgoing Executive Director Paula Kreissler and the beginning of a new one with incoming Executive Director Armand Turner.  

After 17 years of dedicated service, Paula is passing the baton to Armand. Her journey with Healthy Savannah began as a volunteer before she became the Director of Healthy Living and Community Development. Throughout her tenure, Paula led impactful initiatives that significantly enhanced the health and wellness of Savannah and Chatham County residents. One of her notable achievements was championing the "Breathe Easy" Ordinance, which prohibited smoking in restaurants and stores.  

Under Paula’s leadership, Healthy Savannah was awarded $9 million in Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) funding. She and Armand also launched the Healthy Walk Initiative in 2020, encouraging the community to prioritize physical activity.  

This is just a glimpse of Paula’s incredible contributions. Her unwavering dedication has made the healthier choice the easier choice for so many in our community. We are deeply grateful for her passion and leadership, which have left a lasting legacy in Savannah, Georgia.  

At our last Savannah-Chatham Food Policy Council meeting, we had the pleasure of visiting the SCAD Hive Community Garden! It was an inspiring experience to learn about the garden’s mission and sustainable practices while exploring the vibrant space. We even had the opportunity to sample some of the delicious fresh produce and take a few treats home!  

The visit provided a unique setting for council members to connect, network, and exchange ideas in a relaxed and collaborative environment. It was a wonderful reminder of the importance of community spaces like this in promoting healthy, sustainable food systems. A big thank you to the SCAD Hive Community Garden for hosting us and sharing their passion for urban agriculture!  

Considering Vaccination? Here’s what you need to know:

• Consult your healthcare provider: Talk to your Primary Care Physician, OB/GYN, or Pediatrician for expert advice tailored to you and your baby’s needs.  
• Explore affordable options: Check with your local health department for free or low-cost vaccine programs available to eligible families.
• Make an informed decision: Do your research, ask questions, and choose what’s best for your family’s health and well-being.  

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do for you and your family. One way to do that is to get regular physical activity. Increased physical activity can improve your sleep, reduce stress, and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

We are joining other local and national organizations in supporting the Moving Matters campaign, part of the Active People, Healthy Nation℠ initiative, to help promote the benefits of physical activity, encourage people to find small ways to incorporate movement into their day, and remind people that physical activity can be fun.

Visit cdc.gov/MovingMatters to learn more about the campaign and explore ways to get moving!

In November, our Faith and Health Coalition meeting focused on Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) training! We held a focus group to discuss the training's effectiveness and gathered feedback from participating members of local faith-based organizations. Participants expressed satisfaction with FAN, noting how it encourages healthier options at church events, incorporates movement into worship, and better supports members with chronic conditions. Faith-based organizations that completed FAN training were honored and recognized for their commitment to creating a healthier faith community. Special thanks to Southern Palate for catering our focus group!

If you are a faith-based organization interested in completing FAN training or joining Healthy Savannah's Faith and Health Coalition, email our Nutrition Strategy Manager, Ruby Castro, here. 

With the REACH grant, Healthy Savannah is implementing initiatives that:

• Increase access to nutritious foods by creating a local food policy council and improving food environments.
• Encourage physical activity through projects like the Tide to Town urban trail network and the Healthy Walk Initiative. 
• Promote breastfeeding by encouraging breastfeeding-friendly work environments and resources.
• Boost vaccination rates in communities with historically low access to immunizations.

The grant enables Healthy Savannah to engage deeply with Savannah's communities, fostering partnerships, building trust, and addressing social determinants of health. These efforts aim to create policy, systematic, and environmental (PSE) changes that reduce health disparities and promote long-term wellness for all of Savannahians.