Maurizio Buscarini
M.D., Ph.D., MPH-MBA
What is your specialty? I’m a board-certified urologist who is also fellowship-trained in robotic surgery, endourology and laparoscopy. I specialize in urologic oncology, reconstructive urology and stone treatment, with about 90% of my work centered on treating urological cancers.
Why did you become a physician? Being a physician has been a dream of mine ever since I was a young boy. My mom had breast cancer, and I remember thinking it was incredible that one day you can be sick and dying, and the next day you’re recovering and can live a normal life. I wanted to be able to do that for people.
What is exciting about your field right now? Urology is evolving rapidly. New robotic systems, including single-incision technology, are making it possible to perform complex cancer surgeries with just one small cut. This shift means patients often go home the same day instead of staying in the hospital for days. In prostate cancer, we can now target only the cancerous lesions rather than removing the entire gland, preserving healthy tissue and minimizing side effects. Artificial intelligence is also starting to play a role in both research and clinical practice, opening new possibilities for patient care.
What advice would you give someone who just started their career? For those pursuing a career in medicine, my advice is to focus on the patient first and foremost. We are physicians before we’re surgeons. Also, maintain your skills and keep them up-to-date. Our field changes so rapidly that if you’re doing the same thing that you were doing five years ago, you’re probably doing something wrong. It’s exciting to be a part of a field that advances so quickly, but it can also be a challenge.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I have been volunteering with Doctors Without Borders for the last 25 years and have completed over 50 medical missions with the organization — with another one planned for the Middle East this spring. Outside of medicine, I enjoy sailing and fishing, and hope to be able to do both now that I live here in the Lowcountry!
What are you watching on Netflix these days? I don’t watch TV – I don’t even own one. I’m an avid reader and am currently enjoying “Outlive” by Robert Attia and John Grisham’s latest, “The Widow.” And I’m currently writing a medical fiction mystery thriller!
What skill or craft would you like to master outside of your profession? Mid-career, I pursued a master’s degree in business administration, which keeps me up to date with business literature, management and leadership – all things that you don’t learn about in medical school. We come out of medical school with very little knowledge of how the world works or the economy shapes the healthcare industry, so I want to continue pursuing that.
When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time? I meditate every morning for 30 minutes, and I practice mindfulness and prayer as well. I also try to go to the gym and exercise – I hate it, but it’s what my internist wants me to do!
Beaufort Memorial Urology Specialists
1055 Ribaut Road, Beaufort
122 Okatie Center Blvd. North, Okatie
(843) 524-7607
BeaufortMemorial.org/MaurizioBuscariniMD
Dr. Ravina Balchandani
You Feel Healthy, But Are You Protected? (Advertorial by Dr. Ravina Balchandani)
If this is your first time “meeting” me, here’s what you should know:
• I am an interventional cardiologist, and I’ve been practicing here in the Lowcountry for the past 17 years. In all that time, I’ve become the doctor who won’t stop talking about prevention.
• I’ve been saying “prevention is better than the cure” my entire career – and I know how easy that phrase is to gloss over. It sounds responsible. Sensible. Slightly boring.
But I don’t say it because it’s a slogan. I say it because I’ve seen what happens when we ignore it.
I would shout this from the mountaintops if Hilton Head Island had any – instead, I’ll say it here.
Most people who land in a cardiac catheterization lab never thought they would be there. They exercised. They ate “pretty well.” Many had been told their labs were “fine.” Almost all of them say the same thing afterward: “I thought I was healthy.”
As a cardiologist, I don’t just treat heart attacks. I see what comes before them – often years before. Cardiovascular disease develops quietly while people are doing everything they believe counts as taking care of themselves.
That’s why preventative cardiology matters.
Primary prevention should include cardiology, not just after something goes wrong, but while you still feel well. Today, we have tools that go far beyond a basic cholesterol panel. Advanced lipid testing, inflammatory markers, genetic risk, and family history tell a much fuller story.
Two people can look identical on paper and have very different levels of risk.
I think of a patient I’ve cared for over many years – now in her late 70s, active, and deeply engaged in her health. Her family history is striking: Her parents, grandparents, and close relatives who all suffered significant cardiac events. Genetically, her risk could not have been stronger.
Together, we focused on what could be influenced. We tracked her labs consistently, addressed her genetic risk directly, refined her nutrition, corrected deficiencies, and adjusted her plan as new data and treatments became available. Over time, her numbers improved, her risk profile changed, and she gained clarity about how to care for her heart – despite the family history she carries.
Genetics matter, but they are not destiny.
Prevention also doesn’t stop after a cardiac event. Secondary prevention – the work done after someone has already had a heart attack, stent, or procedure – is just as important, and it is never too late to start. Thoughtful cardiology care at this stage can dramatically reduce the risk of future events and help people live longer, fuller lives.
Prevention isn’t just about avoiding a first event; it’s about shaping the trajectory of health over time. When we intervene intentionally, we’re not only protecting the heart, but supporting the entire vascular system that feeds the brain, kidneys, and the rest of the body. Good cardiac prevention is foundational medicine: It influences how we think, how we age, and how long we maintain independence and quality of life.
If you’re in your 30s or 40s, now is the time to establish a baseline. If you’re older – even if you’ve already had a cardiac event – it’s never too late to refine your strategy.
Feeling healthy is a good place to start. Knowing your heart is protected is the point.
Heart Associate of Hilton Head, LLC Hilton Head Island, 35 Hospital Center Commons, Suite 101
Bluffton, 14 Westbury Park, Suite 103
(843) 682-HOPE (4673), heartassociateofhiltonhead.com
J. Eric Turner, M.D.
What is your specialty? My specialty is medical oncology and hematology – I take care of patients with all types of cancer, as well as benign blood problems and blood disorders.
Why did you become a physician? Both of my parents were cancer survivors, and so when I was growing up, I spent a lot of time around the healthcare profession. That piqued my interest, and I began a career in cancer research, which solidified my desire to go back to school to become a physician.
What is one aspect of the job that you find particularly rewarding? Helping patients navigate what is undoubtedly one of the hardest points in their life after being diagnosed with cancer. There are lots of moving parts to cancer treatment and working with staff to make that journey as seamless as possible is what I find most rewarding.
Are there any challenges in the profession? What are they and how do you overcome them? One of the biggest challenges in my profession is helping patients overcome barriers to care- whether it’s transportation, financial assistance, or navigating insurance. Thankfully, Beaufort Memorial has an outstanding team of nurses and social workers who go above and beyond to support patients.
What is exciting about your field right now? It’s exciting to see the changes that have come about in cancer treatments in the last decade or so. Advances in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drugs have revolutionized care – helping patients live longer with a better quality of life.
What advice would you give someone who just started their career? For anyone pursuing a career in medicine, my advice is simple: treat every patient as you’d want your own family treated- with respect, hope, and compassion. Whether they’re facing a curable condition or a complex, incurable disease, this approach builds trust and ensures patients feel valued. In the long run, it not only improves their experience but also brings you greater fulfillment and satisfaction in your work.
“If I wasn’t a doctor, I’d be…” Before an injury sidelined me in high school, I wanted to pursue a career in professional baseball! But I did think briefly about teaching before I went to medical school. I could see myself as a science or math teacher who also coaches high school baseball.
What skill or craft would you like to master outside of your profession? I really want to learn how to play the guitar! It’s been a lifelong goal that I’ve never pursued in any serious fashion.
What are your hobbies and interests outside medicine? I enjoy playing golf and tennis. I also have been around the automotive industry for my entire life, so I’m into classic cars, going to car shows and working on my own classic cars. I also am a sports fan and love sporting events, particularly college basketball and football!
What are you watching on Netflix these days? I’m watching “Full Swing,” which is a sort of documentary series that follows the life of various professional golfers.When I’m watching TV, I’m probably either watching that or a sporting event.
When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time? I love listening to music to decompress. My favorite genres are probably country and classic rock. It helps me clear my mind.
Beaufort Memorial Oncology Specialists ,,Beaufort Medical Plaza, Suite 310, 989 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, (843) 522-7350, BeaufortMemorial.org/EricTurnerMD
Optical Solutions Team
When Dr. Michael Campbell Sr. opened his first Optical Solutions office in the Plaza at Shelter Cove in 1987, he wasn’t just creating a business. He was pouring the foundations for a legacy. Now 40 years later, as he prepares for retirement, he does so knowing that the future of the company is in the very capable hands of his sons, Dr. Kevin Campbell and Dr. Michael Campbell Jr.
However, “retirement” might be a strong word. “His version of retirement is just working one less day a week,” Michael Jr. said. “But he’s definitely taking more time to be with the grandchildren and live a little.”
The brothers have been operating the practice for three years now, bringing in the most advanced technology and practice modalities to create a more comprehensive eye exam and accurate disease treatment.
Now that the official passage to the next generation was finalized, the Campbell brothers are finding new ways to build on Optical Solutions’ renowned reputation for cutting-edge techniques partnered with strong customer care. As one example, Kevin expanded the capabilities of the practice by adding a dry eye clinic that leverages the latest treatments to help patients avoid daily eye drops.
“Dad laid such a great foundation of how to run an optometric practice focused on customer satisfaction, and Michael and I have continued that,” Kevin said. “But with both of us having graduated more recently, we were exposed to new techniques and technologies that we’ve been able to bring into the practice to take it to the next level.”
The brothers split their time between the three locations of the practice – Plaza at Shelter Cove, Hospital Center Commons, and in Old Town Bluffton, leaving them just one day a week where they’re in the same location. But the partnership between them runs 24/7.
“We’re constantly calling each other and checking up on things. Luckily, we have a very good relationship inside and outside of work,” Kevin said. “With having a family of doctors, including two other associate doctors, the patients at Optical Solutions get a team of eyecare providers that is unmatched.”
The two associate doctors are Dr. Jessica Sirak and Dr. Megan Cope. Dr. Sirak has been with Optical Solutions for three years and is seeing patients five days per week in the Bluffton location.
The newest addition to the family is Dr. Cope. She moved down from Boston in May 2024 and began at Optical Solutions in July 2025. Dr. Cope has been practicing optometry for 20 years and is excited to bring her skills and compassionate care to the Lowcountry. “I have enjoyed being closer to family and do not miss the snow in Boston,” she said. “It has been great developing new relationships with patients down here and I look forward to developing many more.”
This year is going to be a big one for the Optical Solutions Team. With the growth of the Bluffton area, they will be transitioning into a 10,000-square-foot, state of the art office on Bluffton Parkway. Just a mile down the road from the original Bluffton office, the doctors and team of Bluffton will be providing advanced eye care in this larger space.
“It has been amazing to see the growth of Bluffton in the past five years. Although we have loved the quaint feel of the current Bluffton office, this larger space will allow us to give better care to our patients and meet the demand of the Lowcountry growth,” Kevin said. The new address is 109 Persimmon Street on Bluffton Parkway and appointments will be available starting in February.
“Education is such an important factor when it comes to the eye exam, and our ability to educate patients about their eye diagnosis allows us to work as a team and keep their eyes as healthy as possible,” Kevin said. “My dad has laid down a foundation that we will continue for another 40 years.”
Optical Solutions, Hospital Center Commons, 10 Hospital Center Commons, Suite 100, (843) 681-6682
Shelter Cove, 50 Shelter Cove Lane, Suite G, (843) 785-8008
Bluffton, 109 Persimmon Street, (843) 706-0607, dr.michaelcampbell.com
Dr. George Sutherland Jr.
George Sutherland, MD is a sports medicine specialist with over 16 years of experience in the medical field. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, he graduated with honors from Eastern Virginia Medical School.
After graduation, he completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Dr. Sutherland received his fellowship training from the Hughston Sports Medicine Clinic in Columbus, Ga. He is trained to treat and identify all forms of injury to your musculoskeletal system including the bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joints. After making a diagnosis, Dr. Sutherland will resort to surgery when all other treatment options have already been exhausted or ruled out. His expertise in performing shoulder and knee reconstruction is unsurpassed and constantly keeps up to date with the latest advancements in medical-technology and treatments.
“In my practice, I cover a lot of sports medicine injuries with a lot of shoulder & knee injuries but my training lends to the entire musculoskeletal system. Which is to say, I have a lot experience in an array of different areas,” Sutherland said. This cross-training between trauma and sports injuries has given him a uniquely well-rounded perspective. Patients might need the attention from Dr. Sutherland for torn ligaments, fractures, sprains, and more.
Dr. Sutherland performs surgery at Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hedeeville S.C., Hilton Head Hospital on Hilton Head Island, S.C., and Doctors Hospital of Tattnall in Reidsville, Ga. He performs outpatient surgery at Optim Orthopedic Center in Savannah, Ga. He is currently seeing new patients at the Bluffton clinic on Buckwalter Pwky.
Optim Orthopedics, 8201 Pinellas Dr, Bluffton, (843) 705-9401, optimorthopedics.com/george-sutherland-jr-md
