On November 21, 2009, The Landings Company, the real-estate arm of The Landings on Skidaway Island, opened its 2009 Holiday Designer Showhouse to benefit Savannah's Community Health Mission. The 4,800 square foot Design House was located within the Midpoint section of The Landings, Savannah's premier residential community. Six talented local designers transformed the empty home into an extraordinary beauty, complete with paint, furniture, accessories, and holiday decorations. During its five open weekends, hundreds of people visited the Showhouse, enjoyed the interior design, and generously contributed to the Community Health Mission. "It was a huge project and the decorators did a fabulous job", said Rosemary Longueira, Director of Public Relations at The Landings Company. "It was exciting to see the generosity of the visitors and to be able to contribute to an organization that is setting the standard for helping the uninsured in Savannah".
The funds will pay for medical care for a full medical exam, wellness programs such as nutrition classes, diagnostic screening tests such as Pap smears and mammograms, and access to medication. "It is a great New Year's gift for our patients," said Dr. Miriam Rittmeyer, Executive Director of CHM.
Community Health Mission (formerly Community HealthCare Center/Savannah Health Mission) gives medical help to the uninsured. It is composed of a Board of Directors, a Medical Advisory Board, an Ethics Committee, a paid staff and volunteers. Run by 19 paid staff and 65 community volunteers (physicians, nurses, health promoters), Community Heath Mission provided 19,867 FREE patients visits in 2009 to the uninsured in Savannah.
CHM serves a diverse population of patients who are unable to afford health insurance and don't qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. The majority of patients are women working in small businesses or in jobs that don't pay benefits. The health care offered by CHM is valuable to the community as well as patients. "It's important because you can diagnose at an early stage cervical or breast cancers, as well avoid complications from an uncontrolled diabetes," Dr. Rittmeyer said. Early diagnosis means a better chance of success and avoiding emergency room visits. When the community doesn't invest in primary health care and diagnostic tests, it pays in more expensive treatment later. "It's more costly to the hospital and the patient," she said.
The mission of the CHM is to provide access to primary health care in a dignified and compassionate way. The Community Health Mission is part of the Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) with the model of a free health clinic/center that utilizes retired health care professionals. The "Culture of Caring" is the heart and soul of our center. It is based on an ethical standard in medicine. How people are treated during a visit to the clinic is as important as the medical care they receive.
The generous financial contributions of Memorial University Medical Center together with time contributed by retired and volunteer physicians, other medical and technical professionals and daily volunteer office support make it possible to provide quality medical care, education and lifestyle changes for people in need in Chatham County and nearby communities.
About The Landings on Skidaway Island
The Landings is located on Skidaway Island, just 15 minutes from historic Savannah. The community offers homes from $250,000 to $2 million, and amenities including marinas, golf courses, a tennis center, fitness/wellness center, biking and walking trails, pools, clubhouses, playgrounds, dog park, and more. If you would like more information about The Landings on Skidaway Island, visit www.TheLandings.com, or call (912) 598-0500, or (800) 841-7011.
