News Summary
Savannah healthcare professionals received recognition in the 2025 Best of Awards by Savannah Magazine, celebrating their excellence in patient care and innovative approaches. Among the top winners are Sonshine Therapy, lauded in pediatric therapy, alongside individual awardees from various specializations, including allergy, anesthesiology, and audiology. The awards ceremony highlights a commitment to exceptional healthcare in Savannah, inspiring community engagement and child advocacy initiatives.
Savannah: Local Healthcare Providers Honored in Savannah Magazine’s 2025 Best of Awards
Local healthcare professionals in Savannah garnered recognition for their exceptional services in the 2025 Best of Awards published by Savannah Magazine. The awards celebrated various specialists and clinics across many medical fields, highlighting their dedication to patient care and innovative techniques.
Top Winners in Pediatric Therapy
Sonshine Therapy emerged as a dominant force in pediatric therapy, clinching multiple awards. Sophia Vargas, MS, CCC-SLP, was named Best Pediatric Speech-Language Therapist, while Reed Cetti, MOTR/L, earned the title of Best Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Additionally, Sonshine Therapy was recognized as the Best Pediatric Outpatient Therapy Clinic, showcasing the clinic’s commitment to delivering comprehensive and compassionate care to children and their families.
Recognitions Across Medical Disciplines
The awards extended beyond pediatric therapy, honoring leading healthcare providers across various specialties. Bruce D. Finkel, MD from Coastal Allergy & Asthma was named the top Allergist/Immunologist, with Wasil Kahn, MD, PhD from SouthCoast Health as the runner-up. The field of anesthesiology saw William M. Fuqua, MD from American Anesthesiology Associates of Georgia earning first place, followed closely by Corey A. Stack, MD from the same institution.
Other winners include Susan Timna, AuD, CCC-A from Expert Hearing as the top Audiologist, and Oliver C. Whipple, MD from Memorial Health, recognized as the leading Bariatric Surgeon. Each award recipient illustrated a critical balance of empathy, expertise, and advanced medical practices.
Event Highlights and Additional Winners
The recognition ceremony took place on September 1, 2025, and featured numerous other winners and runners-up across different medical specialties, including cardiology, vascular surgery, and more. The awards not only highlighted individual accomplishments but also aimed to inspire a culture of excellence in healthcare throughout Savannah.
Pediatric Advocacy Through Community Events
In addition to the awards, local doctor Kristi Hofstadter-Duke, a pediatric psychologist with Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics, is set to showcase her commitment to child welfare by participating in the upcoming event Dancing with the Savannah Stars. This event, scheduled for May 3, 2024, at 6:30 PM at Victory North Savannah, aims to raise funds for Brightside Advocacy, an organization focused on supporting child welfare initiatives.
Focus on Child Welfare and Community Support
Dr. Duke’s participation in Dancing with the Savannah Stars emphasizes the importance of child advocacy and community engagement in tackling issues surrounding child abuse and neglect. Her commitment reflects a broader movement within the local healthcare community to address the needs of vulnerable families and children.
Conclusion
The success of Savannah’s healthcare professionals, as recognized in the Best of Awards, signifies a community dedicated to high-quality patient care. The combination of patient empathy, expert knowledge, and the integration of state-of-the-art technologies continues to shape the health landscape in Savannah, reinforcing the critical role of healthcare providers in enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
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Additional Resources
- Savannah Magazine: Best of Savannah Doctors 2025
- Savannah Tribune: Savannah Speech and Hearing Center Offers Free Parent Training
- Statesman: University St. Augustine Offers Free Clinic for Children with Cerebral Palsy
- Hypepotamus: SCAD Graduates Transform Children’s Physical Therapy with VR
- Grice Connect: Dr. Kristi Hofstadter-Duke to Participate in Dancing with the Savannah Stars
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
