If you’re looking for true concierge healthcare services available 24/7 in the convenience of your home or your island home away from home, you can turn to Dr. Mike Erwin of Seaworthy Health. EIL recently chatted with Dr. Erwin to learn more about him and his practice.
Seaworthy Health is a locally owned healthcare practice offering immediate urgent and primary care services in the privacy of your home, office, or vacation home on St. Simons Island. They will come to you so there is no time wasted waiting in emergency rooms or physicians’ offices. Dr. Erwin and Nurse Practitioner Lauren Koncul are fully licensed and insured and offer 24 hours a day, seven day a week availability. “Meeting you where you are, any time,” is their motto.
Lauren Roberts, The Darkroom Photography
Seaworthy Health Nurse Practitioner Lauren Koncul and Dr. Michael Erwin
Dr. Erwin completed his residency training in Anesthesiology from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in 2009. Following a very short detour in Spartanburg, SC, he and his wife Christy serendipitously arrived on St. Simons Island with their new baby Elyse and Golden Retriever Abby. Thus began his career providing Anesthesia in Southeast Georgia. He says, “We were lucky to find a rental house in Devonwood with the most wonderful, generous, and caring landlords and began making the friendships and island relationships that have become the foundation of Seaworthy Health.” He continues, “Fast forward 10 years, we’re a family of 6 now—still here in Devonwood. Elyse is now 11 and just graduated 5th grade. Our son Ben who’s 9 is heading to 4th grade at Oglethorpe Point Elementary. A new black lab puppy, Coco Bear, has joined the family as our second dog.”
Community means everything to Dr. Erwin and he wants you to know that Seaworthy Health is there to keep the heart of it beating healthily. They see patients of all ages, from infant to adult and can help with a wide variety of healthcare issues. Dr. Erwin also offers healthcare for small businesses, because he understands they’re our lifeblood here and having healthy employees is essential. He says, “This summer, people will travel to St. Simons Island from all over the world. I know we’re ALL concerned about COVID-19 and the impacts on our community. We’re here to provide our local residents, tourists, and businesses with 24/7 access to help navigate whatever healthcare issue you may have, via house calls, telemedicine, or simple phone consultations.”
Medical services Dr. Erwin offers include minor wound repair and suturing, as well as treatment
Lauren Roberts, The Darkroom Photography
Seaworthy Health Dr. Michael Erwin
for minor burns, so don’t hesitate to call if an oyster bed gets the better of you or there’s an accident in the kitchen. Seaworthy Health can provide treatment for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, including administration of IV fluids. Was it due to a rowdy night out? They even offer hangover therapy. Dr. Erwin knows how to deal with pain too, providing trigger point injections for acute pain, migraine headache treatments, and non-narcotic treatments for back and neck pain. Seaworthy Health can assist you with asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and allergy issues, and administer tests for strep throat and flu. In addition, Seaworthy Health has partnered with Lab Corp to provide a full range of comprehensive laboratory services and testing including COVID-19 tests and COVID-19 antibody tests that can be done in the convenience of your home or office. From B12 shots to blood pressure management, they want to keep you in the best physical condition possible. Routine health exams, wellness checks, referrals, bloodwork, medication reviews, adjustments, and prescription refills are also services they’re happy to provide.
Dr. Erwin’s patients aren’t shy about singing his praises. One recent review stated, “Excellent service to have on the island! As a mom of two toddlers, the time to run to urgent care for myself is pretty much non-existent. Dr. Erwin arrived at my house in 15 minutes and provided not only treatment for my immediate concern (ear infection) but gave wonderful advice for long term allergy management in our pollen-filled spring and fall seasons.” Another patient said, “Top notch! My kids actually ENJOYED a doctor visit! Dr. Erwin was her within minutes after calling him. I really can’t think of anything better than excellent care, all in the comfort of our own home. Life changing for me and my family.”
If you’re thinking all this personal attention and 24/7 availability must mean it’s expensive, Dr. Erwin is quick to point out that’s not the case. Compared to a standard ER visit, which costs about $1,200, the average cost of a Seaworthy Health visit is less than $200. They are unable to accept private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare, but their prices are competitive with most urgent care centers. If you’re worried about cost, Dr. Erwin can give you an estimate when you call.
In fact, that’s another thing that sets Seaworthy Health apart from other medical services: there’s no answering service or call center. When you call 912.506.6368, you’ll be speaking directly to Dr. Erwin. So, whether your medical needs are urgent or non-urgent, day or night, this doctor is in—and he’ll come to you wherever you are; just call.
Lauren Roberts, The Darkroom Photography
