Ever felt like you're the only one overthinking every social interaction while everyone else navigates life effortlessly? Our conversation with Patricia Watley, a licensed clinical social worker at MedLink, reveals the truth: we're all just trying to keep our heads above water.

Patricia breaks down anxiety with refreshing clarity, describing it as "an unhealthy hyper-awareness" that creates "uncomfortable urgency" in our lives. From the person rehearsing their restaurant order multiple times to the musician apologizing for mistakes the audience never noticed, anxiety tricks us into believing our minor stumbles are catastrophic failures. But as Patricia reminds us, most people either genuinely care about us or aren't paying attention to our perceived missteps at all.

Drawing from her own journey from being "terrified of everything" to becoming a therapist who helps others, Patricia shares practical, sometimes unconventional coping strategies that actually work. Her approach combines sensory grounding techniques (comfortable clothes, calming music, familiar surroundings) with psychological reframing. Perhaps most memorably, she describes visualizing her anxiety as "a little purple girl monster" sitting on her shoulder – a technique that allows her to externalize and even speak to her anxiety when it threatens to derail her day.

The conversation offers both validation and hope, acknowledging that managing anxiety is "a daily fight, multiple times during the day" while providing actionable tools to make that fight more winnable. Whether you're dealing with social anxiety, generalized anxiety, or simply want to understand someone who does, this episode delivers practical wisdom from someone who's walked the path herself. Listen now and discover how naming your anxiety monsters might just help you reclaim your peace of mind.

Ever wondered why bedtime turns your sweet child into a professional negotiator? Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s the foundation of your child’s growth, learning, and emotional wellbeing.

In this episode, Dr. Kelly Montgomery, pediatrician at MedLink Georgia, explains how sleep fuels physical health, sharpens memory and learning, and helps regulate mood and behavior. She also reveals how lack of sleep can disguise itself as hyperactivity, food cravings, or meltdowns—making it easy to miss the real issue.

Dr. Montgomery offers practical tips for creating effective bedtime routines, avoiding common sleep mistakes, and recognizing the signs your child isn’t getting enough rest. Whether you’re battling toddler bedtime standoffs, focus struggles in school, or a teen’s late-night schedule, her advice is realistic, compassionate, and immediately useful.

For personalized support, schedule an appointment with Dr. Montgomery at MedLink Georgia’s Colbert or Oconee offices.

Summer brings outdoor fun—and serious risks for young riders. Pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Reece and pediatric nurse practitioner Jennifer Rubner from MedLink share essential safety tips to help families avoid ER visits.

They go beyond basic helmet advice, explaining why fit matters, hand-me-downs don’t cut it, and why even short rides need protection. The episode also tackles ATV and dirt bike safety, emphasizing that these are powerful vehicles—not toys—and should never be operated by kids under 16.

Lawn mower safety, often overlooked, gets special attention. Learn why children should never ride as passengers, when kids are old enough to mow, and how to prevent accidents caused by noise and flying debris.

Whether your child is biking, riding, or helping with yard work, this episode offers practical, expert-backed safety guidance. Subscribe to MedLink Health Connections and visit medlinkga.org for more family health resources.

Summer fun comes with hidden risks—but pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Reece and pediatric nurse practitioner Jennifer Rubner are here to help. In this episode, they share expert tips on sun protection, trampoline safety, and insect bite prevention every parent should know.

Learn why sunscreen matters even on cloudy days, how to apply it effectively, and what to do for babies under six months. Discover why most trampoline injuries happen with multiple jumpers and how to keep backyard play safe. Plus, get practical advice on avoiding mosquito bites, removing ticks, and protecting kids from Georgia’s summer bugs.

Don’t miss this essential summer safety guide from trusted pediatric experts. Subscribe now and visit medlinkga.org for more family health resources.

Summertime in Georgia means fun in the water—but it also brings serious safety concerns. Pediatric experts Dr. Elizabeth Reece and Jennifer Rubner, PNP, share life-saving insights on how to keep kids safe around pools, lakes, and boats.

Drowning is often silent, not dramatic. That’s why constant, undistracted supervision is critical—even for strong swimmers. The conversation covers surprising statistics, such as teens being the second-highest risk group, and offers practical tips, including bright swimwear, secure pool fencing, and clear safety rules.

Natural water adds hidden dangers like currents and submerged objects. Life jackets are essential, no matter your child’s swimming ability. As Dr. Reese shares, even confident swimmers can struggle in real conditions.

Tune in for expert advice that could save lives—and visit medlinkga.org for more family safety resources.

Diabetes can silently damage your eyes long before you notice any vision changes. In this episode, ophthalmologist Dr. Evans explains how high blood sugar affects the tiny vessels in your retina—and how early detection can help prevent permanent vision loss.

With clear analogies and expert insight, Dr. Evans walks us through the stages of diabetic eye disease, why the brain might hide signs of vision loss, and how lifestyle changes can help your body heal.

Whether you're managing diabetes or supporting someone who is, this episode offers essential, hopeful information to help protect your sight.

What if healthcare came to where students already are?
At the Hawks Health Center in Hall County, that's exactly what's happening. Located on the Chicopee Woods Campus, this full-service clinic removes barriers to care by offering checkups, vaccinations, chronic condition management, and behavioral health support—right on campus.

By reducing missed school, minimizing parents' time away from work, and offering translation and flexible payment options, the center makes care more accessible for all families. The results speak for themselves: better attendance, earlier diagnoses, and life-changing mental health support.

From helping a child overcome chronic illness to guiding families through the healthcare system, the Hawks Health team is proving that when we meet students where they are, we change lives.

For additional details—including hours, address, and phone number—please visit the Hawks Health Center page here: https://medlinkga.org/locations/school-based-health-centers/hawks-health-center/

Feeling constantly on edge, like you're waiting for the next shoe to drop? You're not alone. Stress affects everyone—but understanding it and learning to manage it can make a big difference.

Licensed clinical social worker Savannah Smith explains stress as a natural response and how to recognize it through signs like irritability, fatigue, and overwhelm. Awareness, she says, is the crucial first step to addressing it.

Smith shares simple, effective coping tools—from adult coloring books to flexible routines—and uses a helpful analogy: trying to handle every stressor at once is like carrying open boxes. Things spill. Tackle one box at a time.

She also reframes self-care as essential, not selfish: “If we don’t take care of ourselves, it’s hard to take care of anyone else.”

Whether you're facing work stress, family demands, or just the chaos of everyday life, this episode offers clear, practical guidance. Listen now—your future self will thank you. Subscribe today for more health insights.

Struggling with intense emotions or relationship challenges? You’re not alone — and there’s help. In this episode, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Caroline Broom from MedLink Georgia walks us through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a powerful approach that blends validation with meaningful change.

Caroline breaks down practical DBT tools like mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation — including the life-changing TIP technique to manage emotional crises. You’ll also hear the inspiring story behind DBT’s creation and how it can support those facing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and more.

Tune in to learn skills you can use right away — and take the first step toward emotional balance and connection. 🎧💙

What happens when patients can finally afford the medication they truly need instead of settling for what they can pay for? The answer is transformative healthcare.

Pharmacy Director Dennis Kimbrell shares a surprising revelation from his experience with the 340B drug pricing program at MedLink. When he first joined the organization, he expected to help patients save money on their existing medications. Instead, he discovered something far more impactful – patients weren't using effective medications at all because they simply couldn't afford them.

 This conversation shows how the 340B program helps in two big ways: it saves patients money, and it also helps MedLink keep offering important health services to the community. Thanks to these savings, MedLink has been able to grow and add dental care, mental health help, addiction recovery support, and imaging services — all of which are hard to find in rural or low-income areas. 

 Dennis also talks about how hard it is for some people to get proper healthcare, especially in places where there aren’t enough doctors or many people don’t have insurance. The 340B program lets clinics like MedLink offer care at lower costs, using a sliding fee scale based on how much money a family makes. This way, people can get the care they need — no matter their financial situation.