Optim Medical Center-Screven celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated courtyard on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The transformed outdoor space is designed to play a vital role in the rehabilitation process for patients, particularly those enrolled in the hospital’s Swing Bed Rehabilitation program.
The formerly overgrown area has been completely reimagined into a serene and functional space featuring a putting green for occupational therapy, a walking track for physical and pulmonary rehabilitation, and a vibrant mural created by local artist and Screven County native, Leslie Daniell.
Lagina Evans, Chief Administrative Officer of Optim Medical Center-Screven, spearheaded the project, which began with a simple cleanup effort by nursing staff and their spouses.
“It just kind of warped into a bigger project,” Evans explained during the ceremony, expressing her gratitude to Optim leadership for their support of the vision. She emphasized that the courtyard serves a dual purpose, providing not only a dedicated rehabilitation area but also a tranquil retreat for both patients and employees.
“Sometimes difficult things happen in a hospital, and you need a place where you can step away, take a deep breath, and reset. That’s part of what this space is meant to offer,” she noted.
The new features of the courtyard are specifically designed to aid in patient recovery. As Evans highlighted at the ceremony, the space offers opportunities for step training, sidewalk training, and incline training. The putting green assists with hand-eye coordination for occupational therapy, while the walking track allows patients to practice six-minute walks as part of their therapy regimen.
“When you’re trying to recover in a hospital room, it can feel confining,” Evans explained. “A big part of the rehab process is your mindset and how you’re approaching recovery to get back to everyday life. Most of our patients just want to go home and feel normal again. Bringing them into an outdoor space like this, one that feels more like home, provides a real mental boost.”
Chamber Director Candace LaNasa, representing the Screven County Chamber of Commerce, welcomed attendees and praised the project as a “testament to OPTIM’s commitment to their promise to provide a journey for the health care for their neighbors and family members along with friends in surrounding counties.”
The mural, a key element in the courtyard’s beautification, was a collaborative effort involving artist Leslie Daniell, a rising senior at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and Meg Pace, Optim's System Director of Marketing and Communications.
Daniell, whose family has deep roots in the community, created a piece that captures the essence of Screven County. “We went through probably 10 or 12 renderings to kind of settle on where this is,” Daniell explained. The mural features recognizable local landmarks, offering a sense of place and familiarity for patients.
Will Zeigler, owner of Georgia Lawn Care, was the contractor who brought the vision to life. The challenging project required the use of a crane to move equipment into the courtyard. Zeigler generously completed all the work at cost. Evans expressed her sincere appreciation for Zeigler’s dedication and patience throughout the process, noting that the courtyard is “as beautiful at night as it is during the day” thanks to the thoughtful lighting design.
Over 40 local businesses and individuals contributed to the Courtyard Legacy Project, highlighting the strong community support for Optim Medical Center-Screven. The newly unveiled courtyard promises to be a valuable asset for patients, providing a unique and therapeutic environment for their rehabilitation journey.