71 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com capture video of the event. Mello suggested I arrive early, before the crowds. As often happens with good ideas, the project grew organically. Mount Pleasant Magazine and Charleston Women captured interviews with Novant Health leaders Kirsten Royster, president of Novant Health’s South Carolina region; Catherine Baker, director of operations, women’s services; and Nancy McInroy, chief philanthropy officer. My enthusiasm for the new center comes not only from the Novant interviews I captured but also from the thousands of votes cast each year in our “Best Of” voting. Both Lowcountry OB/GYN and East Cooper OB/GYN are located within the 40,000-square-foot Novant Center for Women’s Health and consistently receive overwhelming support from the readers of Mount Pleasant Magazine. I have seen firsthand how these practices serve the community, and they truly stand out in their fields. You can see why I hold their services in such high regard at www. BestofMP.com. After our interviews, we joined the crowd gathered in front of the center. Royster spoke about the new facility and then invited Mayor Will Haynie to address the crowd. To my surprise, Haynie scanned the attendees, pointed me out and mentioned that Mount Pleasant Magazine had published his favorite recipe that his mother Annie Haynie would make for him. At first, I wondered what our magazine had to do with the grand opening. He explained that, when he was invited to a lunch meeting with Novant Health shortly after the organization joined our community, Novant Director of Food and Nutrition Brian Fox prepared that very dish: Charleston red rice. Fox had searched online and found the recipe we published in 2000. After spending a considerable amount of time at the grand opening, it became clear that Fox’s effort to find Haynie’s favorite dish reflected the deep roots Novant Health strives to put down in the communities they serve. health & beauty Joshua & Anne Marie Long, co-owners of Senior Resource Specialists, bring years of expertise in guiding families through the often overwhelming process of finding the right senior living options. As a locally based, relationship-driven team, they understand the unique challenges Charleston families face when navigating care decisions. In this “Ask the Expert” segment, they answer real questions from local families, offering insight and clarity to help you make informed choices with confidence. Senior Resource Specialists WE HAVE SENIORS COVERED Question: Hi Joshua and Anne Marie, we’re trying to understand the difference between assisted living and memory care. My mom has been more forgetful lately, but we’re not sure what level of care she actually needs. How do we know the right fit? Answer: You’re not alone—this is a very common question we help families navigate! In South Carolina, both assisted living and memory care can provide similar hands-on support with things like medications, bathing, and daily routines. The key difference is how that care is delivered. Assisted living focuses on independence with support available as needed, offering a more flexible, lifestyle-driven environment. Memory care is more specialized, with secured settings and structured programming designed for those experiencing cognitive decline. For many families, it comes down to safety and consistency. Assisted living is often a great place to start, with the ability to transition to memory care if and when it becomes appropriate. ASK THE EXPERT
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