Heidi Harrington, M.D.
Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, Beaufort Memorial Okatie Medical Pavilion, Suite 220, 122 Okatie Center Blvd. North, Okatie , (843) 707-8020, BeaufortMemorial.org/HeidiHarringtonMD
What is your specialty? I am a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, which means I perform a broad range of reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries with the goal of restoring form and function – whether it be after trauma, cancer, aging, childbirth, weight loss, etc.
What is one aspect of the job that you find particularly rewarding? The most rewarding part of my job is the relationships I form with my patients. I get to walk them through a transformation, whether it be a cosmetic transformation or reconstructive. Getting to an end result where my patient feels better about herself or himself and knowing I’ve helped them get back to where they once were, or to where they always wanted to be so they can reclaim who they are, makes my heart happy.
What drew you to medicine? I was always a helper and a fixer, and I was always drawn to biology because I always loved learning about how animals worked. I grew up on a horse farm and was in awe of our vet who would always come to the rescue during the scariest times. Fast forward to high school, when a sports injury put me in the hands of an amazing orthopedic surgeon, and I thought, “That’s what I want to do” – help people that have something bad happen to them, and get them back to what they love doing.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of medicine? I love the pursuit of wellness and fitness. I’ve been a competitive athlete my whole life: showing horses at the national level, field hockey, basketball, collegiate rugby, amateur Muay Thai kickboxing, CrossFit, Olympic lifting, trail running, you name it. In recent years, I’ve gotten very involved in competitive cornhole and compete all over the country.
“If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be …”I’d be a professional athlete, of course! But since that ship has sailed, I would actually love to be a professional event and holiday decorator. I am very detail oriented, and I love making moments and events beautiful, fantastical, and memorable. I love the process of imagining something amazing that no one else can see and then bringing it to life with my own hands and seeing the smiles it brings. Come trick or treating at my house next year, you’ll know what I mean!
What are you watching on Netflix these days? I’m a big documentary person – I love learning. People are fascinating; I like to learn about the beautiful things they’ve done and the terrible things they’ve done and why. The last documentary I watched on Netflix was “Martha.” It was great!
What skill or craft would you like to master outside of your profession? I really want to learn how to use a sewing machine; that has been on my to-do list for 30 years. And with all this beautiful water here, I want to become a boat person. So, I’m in the market for a mentor with a boat … who also knows how to thread a Singer!
Heather Hinshelwood, MD
The Fraum Center, 1403 Main Street , Hilton Head Island, SC 29926, (843) 428-6650, fraum.co
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?I’m a board-certified physician with a passion for restorative and integrative medicine. After years of working with patients in traditional healthcare settings, my partner and I purchased The Fraum Center in 2023. We wanted to create a space that offers comprehensive, non-surgical solutions to pain and health challenges. We help people regain control of their health and stay active without the need for invasive medical procedures.
What sets The Fraum Center apart from other healthcare providers? Our team takes a patient-centered approach to care. We specialize in offering alternatives to surgery, such as restorative medicine therapies, chiropractic care, and advanced pain relief techniques like spinal decompression and laser treatments. Our focus is not just on addressing symptoms, but on identifying and treating the root cause of health issues so our patients can enjoy long-term wellness.
Who is the ideal patient for The Fraum Center? Our primary patients are older adults who desire to maintain an active lifestyle and are seeking alternatives to surgery for conditions like knee, back, or joint pain they may have started to experience while aging. We also focus on patients who may not yet realize how much their discomfort is limiting their lives, helping them discover options to restore their mobility and vitality.
What inspires you most about your work? Seeing patients reclaim their lives and enjoy the activities they used to do! We live in an incredible area to get out, see, and do life in! There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone avoid surgery, get out of pain, and return to doing what they love. It’s what drives me every day— to provide solutions and treatments that change and extend active lives for all ages.
Couzens Dental
21-A New Orleans Road, Hilton Head Island, (843) 380-5964, couzensdental.com
Three exceptional female dentists are redefining dental care at Couzens Dental on Hilton Head Island. With advanced technology, a nurturing approach, and a focus on overall holistic wellness, Dr. Susan Couzens, Dr. Dianna Lenick, and Dr. Mary Ann Childs offer patients more than just beautiful smiles – they provide transformative experiences.
These dentists specialize in creating comfortable and personalized visits, complete with warm blankets, headphones, fresh flowers, and other thoughtful touches. Their dedication to patient comfort extends to the advanced techniques they use, including CEREC technology for same-day custom crowns and VELscope for early oral cancer detection.
Dr. Couzens sees dentistry as her calling – a way to give back to the Hilton Head community she loves. What truly sets Couzens Dental apart is the team’s holistic philosophy.
“Dentistry is about more than teeth,” Dr. Couzens said. “It’s about making meaningful connections.”
The team addresses not only dental needs but also the emotional and social impacts of oral health. Whether it’s ensuring a denture fits comfortably for dinners with loved ones or crafting a smile that lights up family photos, their comfortable care enhances every facet of their patients’ lives.
Patients leave with improved smiles and a renewed sense of connection and confidence.
“When our patients feel seen, cared for, and valued in ways that matter most to them, we know we’ve created an experience that goes beyond dentistry,” Dr. Couzens said. “Our goal is to transform their confidence and well-being.”
Couzens Dental blends the latest in dental technology with a sincere and caring touch, creating a unique dental experience that has won over many patients by making a difference in their smiles and their lives.
Dr. Ross Spires
Riverside Women’s Care, 75 Baylor Drive, Suite 200, Bluffton, SC, (843) 540-5857, novanthealth.org
What is your specialty? Obstetrics and gynecology, robotic surgery for fertility (fibroids) and pelvic floor support.
What is one aspect of the job that you find particularly rewarding? The most obvious reward is with obstetrics. Getting to be a part of someone’s most special day on a regular basis is very uplifting. Outside of that, I get a great deal of satisfaction from complicated robotics, which has been a passion of mine for 15 years.
Are there any challenges in the profession? What are they and how do you overcome them? There can be many challenges. OB care can be long hours with people delivering all day and night. Sleep seems to be more important the older I get, so that can be a challenge. I do try to find a good work/life balance to decrease stressors and have more family time while still giving my patients the excellent care they need and deserve. Given the current structure of abortion and IVF laws, we find ourselves in a challenging position when it comes to managing situations involving women facing serious health concerns, particularly in the context of a miscarriage or a critically ill baby. We are consistently collaborating with maternal-fetal medicine specialists and risk management lawyers to navigate these complexities as the situation continues to evolve.
What drew you to medicine? I worked in a hospital in college. I started out as an orderly and worked up through central sterile supply cleaning surgical instruments before becoming a scrub tech. I gained a few mentors through the process that turned me on to medicine. One of those mentors delivered my first child (26 years ago) and I decided to become an OB/Gyn.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of medicine? I enjoy saltwater fishing, boating, internet gaming, gardening and growing vegetables, and bird-watching.
“If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be …” I would do something outside for sure. I have been convinced that I would be happy as a farmer – growing my own food, living off the land, managing some livestock, etc.
What are you watching on Netflix these days? I enjoy A.P. Bio on Netflix. I also enjoy Hacks and House of the Dragon on HBO Max, and What We Do in the Shadows on Hulu.
What skill or craft would you like to master outside of your profession? I love to boat and fish, but I have struggled thus far with saltwater fly fishing. I am looking forward to the time that I can practice/perfect this (or at least be a little less frustrated with it).
Dr. Bretton Powell
SC-Internal Medicine, 89 Main Street, Hilton Head Island, SC, (843) 681-5305, SC-InternalMedicine.com
Dr. Bretton Powell arrived in the Lowcountry just one year ago, joining the concierge internal medicine practice of the well-known and highly respected Dr. Paul Long, an internist on Hilton Head Island since the 1980s. As Dr. Long looks toward retirement, Dr. Powell was recruited to work alongside the revered physician and eventually take the helm of the practice.
Dr. Powell, highly respected in his own right, came to the island by way of his native West Virginia, where he grew up on his family’s small farm. He learned from a young age the values of hard work and perseverance. Along with performing the chores of farm work, the young man focused on his studies at school.
His dedication to his studies paid off, with Powell earning scholarships to multiple universities. When it came time to decide, he chose Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, which allowed him to stay close to his family.
While some people may be born into a legacy or an expectation to become a physician, this was not the case for Dr. Powell. His inspiration and desire to help others came from seeing firsthand how just one day in a doctor’s life could immediately change a patient’s life and their family’s forever. This came from his own experience of seeing his father’s life-saving liver transplant and the miraculous recovery that occurred within a few hours’ time. That’s when he knew his calling was to help save lives and to become the compassionate and caring person that patients deserve in the most difficult times of their lives.
As his passion to care for others grew, he was accepted into the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall. Focused on his goal, Powell often recalled the challenges his father faced and the lack of medical resources available in their rural community.
After completing his medical degree, Dr. Powell served his residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. There, he chose a specialty in internal medicine and trained in primary, hospital, and critical care. Following his residency, Dr. Powell returned to his hometown, where he regularly practiced inpatient, outpatient, and ICU medicine at Pleasant Valley Hospital.
Dr. Powell moved back to Huntington in 2019 and worked as a night hospitalist, admitting patients and responding to emergencies throughout the hospital wards. His expertise and compassion were put to the test during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he worked tirelessly on the front lines, providing life-saving care and support to patients and their families.
As COVID-19 continued, thousands of health care professionals experienced burnout, and Dr. Powell was one of them.
Seeking refuge from the on-going mental fatigue, he cut his hours and began to consider other avenues of healthcare.
Around this same time, Dr. Long had been looking for just the right successor to join his concierge internal medicine practice, offering personalized, comprehensive care to his patients. His practice focuses on preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and overall wellness, ensuring that each patient receives the attention and care they deserve.
Dr. Long recognized that Dr. Powell’s patient care philosophy was similar to his own – empathetic with a dogged determination to know his patients and achieve better outcomes, allowing for healthier, happier patients.
Dr. Powell joined the practice in January 2024. He has taken the reins as the primary physician, although Dr. Long fills in when Dr. Powell needs to take time off to care for his father.
As he honors his father’s legacy of hard work and ongoing fight for his health, Dr. Powell also recognizes Dr. Long’s legacy of healthcare on Hilton Head Island. In tribute to both men, he continues to serve with sincere compassion while providing excellent care for his patients.
Dr. Powell is now accepting new patients. His commitment to personalized care and his extensive experience make him an excellent choice for anyone seeking quality medical care.
Dr. Timothy Alikakos
Hilton Head Heart, 8 Hospital Center Blvd, Suite 130, Hilton Head Island, (843) 682-2800, novanthealth.org
What is your specialty? General and interventional cardiology, which includes evaluation and treatment management of issues related to the heart and vessels of the body.
What is one aspect of the job that you find particularly rewarding? I particularly enjoy being able to correct the problems with the heart’s arterial vascular system including issues related to coronary artery blockages associated with heart attacks, angina, and low blood flow. I also enjoy performing procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab that are associated with the vessels and structure of the heart. I find it particularly rewarding to be able to offer immediate relief for many issues causing discomfort, stress, and life-threatening cardiac disorders.
Are there any challenges in the profession? What are they and how do you overcome them? The work hours in our profession can be particularly challenging, unpredictable, and long but sometimes those end up being the most rewarding times, satisfying us with a good result for the patients and their families. We overcome the difficulties each time by seeing the immediate benefits provided to the patients and families in those situations.
What drew you to medicine? I helped my father get back and forth to his cardiologist’s office for many years and really did see how my father was calmed by those meetings and how he benefitted from that good advice offered by his doctors many times. I saw how our lives were affected by those interactions, and I thought perhaps I could help in those ways as well someday.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of medicine? I spend my home time with my wife and kids, and our dog, Tanner. We spend a lot of our free time with their activities including school, soccer, and dance. I’m trying to improve my photography as much as possible – thus far a difficult endeavor. I like driving to new places in our new home state and the Southeast. I like to work on home projects and on our automobiles. I really enjoy learning more about U.S. and world history, particularly regarding military engagements, wars, and European conflicts.
“If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be …” Not really sure about that. I can tell you that prior to trying to get into medical school, I was considering the military and law enforcement. I also really loved my college courses in history.
What are you watching on Netflix these days? When I can, I try to catch some Black Sails – pirates as both good and bad guys.
What skill or craft would you like to master outside of your profession? I would love to be a better photographer, and I would love to be able to work on my car more successfully.
Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers
1505 Main Street, Hilton Head Island, (843) 547-5832, 108 Buckwalter Pkwy., Suite 2G, Bluffton, (843) 594-1787, rosehearinghealthcarecenters.com
Why did you decide to pursue a career in hearing?
Randy Rose: My grandparents were hearing impaired. I saw how much it affected them. After leaving the Marine Corps, I was in college and they offered courses on audiology. So, I entered into a career that I truly love. We help people have better lives through better hearing.
Caleb Campbell: I’ve always had a passion for helping people. I have a background in emergency medicine, but an opportunity arose to pursue a career in the hearing health care industry and I haven’t looked back.
Steve Krehbiel: Out of college, I landed a job with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), doing hearing testing for factory employees. I found many young people suffering from noise exposure, which led me into a hearing health care career.
When someone comes to you with a hearing issue, what does a typical first visit look like?
Rose: Generally, most people come to us with problems understanding speech, TV, groups, and spouses. Most patients have sensorineural and central hearing loss. Hearing aids are truly amazing today and are the only options for these problems.
Campbell: We always begin with a comprehensive hearing evaluation that includes educating the individual on their hearing loss and the importance of establishing a plan to improve their overall quality of life.
Krehbiel: The first thing is always an ear canal inspection. We explain all the parts of the auditory process. Then we continue with a complementary hearing evaluation and I explain our findings and what needs to be done.
How do you stay informed about advancements in your field?
Rose: We generally attend continuing education every year. It is a requirement to maintain our license to practice. The technology today for custom hearing systems is amazing.
Campbell: I enjoy participating in continuing education lectures both online and in person that discuss the latest technology from manufacturers. I also rely on material provided from hearing review journals and education portals from the International Hearing Society.
Krehbiel: I attend the North and South Carolina International Hearing Society conference where there are public speakers who update us on all changes in the industry and new technology.
What are some of the biggest challenges health care workers are facing right now?
Rose: I am not sure we are facing any big challenges currently. The industry has never been better. Our technology and knowledge has expanded beyond what I thought would be possible 45 years ago, coming into this field.
Campbell: As good a resource as the internet is, I believe that one of the biggest challenges in our industry is the inundation of online services that push individuals into self-care instead of seeking professional help.
Krehbiel: Misinformation about OTC hearing products.
When you are not assisting our community with their hearing needs, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Rose: I enjoy working around the house, going for walks, and working out. We travel as much as possible, and I love spending time with the grandkids.
Campbell: Since having children, we don’t seem to have much spare time. But any extra time we do have, I enjoy outdoor activities with my wife and kids. I’m also very involved with my church and my faith.
Krehbiel: Fishing, running, and spending time with my family.
NOVO Regenerative
Hilton Head Island’s Stem Cell Specialists, 15 Moss Creek Village, Suite 105, Hilton Head Island, 29926 , (843) 836-5800, novoregenerative.com
Since opening its doors in 2022, Novo Regenerative, along with its sister office in Aiken, has treated hundreds of chronic pain sufferers with positive outcomes. Stem cell therapy, once accessible only to the wealthy or elite athletes, is now available to everyone in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort area.
The Novo Regenerative clinic, located at 15 Moss Creek Village, Suite 105, offers cutting-edge treatments that leverage mesenchymal stem cells to enhance the body’s natural ability to heal and regenerate. As the Lowcountry’s premier stem cell clinic, Novo Regenerative is dedicated to helping patients find relief from chronic pain without invasive surgeries or long-term medication.
Dr. William Durrett, medical director of Novo Regenerative, is a South Carolina board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management physician with more than eight years of experience in stem cell therapy. His journey with regenerative medicine began after successfully treating his own post-surgery complications using stem cells.
Realizing the power of this therapy, Dr. Durrett made it his mission to offer an alternative for patients suffering from conditions like osteoarthritis, degenerative knees and hips, and neck and back conditions.
“Stem cells have helped hundreds of patients find relief from the chronic pain from these degenerative, aging-related conditions,” Dr. Durrett said. “We’re proud not only of the therapy we offer but also of the expertise we bring to every step of the process – from diagnosis with video fluoroscopy, to precise injections, to personalized aftercare. With a very high success rate reported by our patients, delivering results is our top priority.”
Dr. Grant Evans, co-owner of Novo Regenerative, shares his personal success story with stem cell therapy. “I was facing a knee replacement until I met Dr. Durrett. I decided to give stem cells a try, and it changed my life,” he said. “I went from being unable to bend down while golfing to pain-free movement on the golf course and cycling again. That was two years ago, and I’ve avoided surgery altogether.”
Why Expertise Matters in Stem Cell Therapy
Dr. Evans and Dr. Durrett emphasize the importance of receiving stem cell therapy from specialists. “We often hear from patients who tried stem cell therapy elsewhere without success, only to discover it wasn’t administered correctly – or wasn’t real stem cell therapy at all,” Dr. Evans said. “This field requires precise expertise, particularly when injecting sensitive areas like the spine.”
“Many generalists or clinics without the right training may perform these procedures inaccurately,” Dr. Durrett said. “For example, a generalist might inject stem cells into surrounding muscles rather than directly into specific spinal areas. This kind of imprecision can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of the treatment.”
How do people know if they’re a good candidate?
The Novo Regenerative clinic offers a complimentary in-office consultation to determine if a patient is a good candidate for stem cell therapy. The consultation includes a video fluoroscopy exam. If treatment is recommended, the process involves pre-treatment protocols, precise stem cell injections, and follow-up care, which may include laser therapy or booster injections if needed.
“Our approach is simple and effective,” Dr. Evans said. “Our goal is to help patients regain their quality of life and return to their favorite activities pain free.”
To schedule your complimentary consultation, visit NovoRegenerative.com or call us (843) 836-5800 and discover how stem cell therapy can transform your life.
Hilton Head Island’s Stem Cell Specialists, 15 Moss Creek Village, Suite 105, Hilton Head Island, 29926 , (843) 836-5800, novoregenerative.com
