<em>Photo above from left: LaShanta Smith and John McGraw, MD.</em>
<h2>Arts Council hires Outreach and Theater Director</h2>
The Arts Council of Beaufort County is proud to announce LaShanta Smith as the new Outreach and Theater Director to further develop class programming and community outreach.

LaShanta comes to the Arts Council with a wealth of experience, having spent the last twenty years in education and the arts. In her experience of program planning, recruiting, management, and curriculum development, LaShanta brings welcome skills to the Arts Council as they are in the process of expanding their class offerings and developing a long-term strategic plan.

Dick Stewart, President of the Arts Council of Beaufort County says, “We are delighted to have LaShanta as part of our team. LaShanta brings artistic skills, teaching and mentoring experience and community ties to complement our mission. The Arts Council is in its third decade of making Arts more accessible and exciting. We will be announcing more classes and programs in the near future. LaShanta is the perfect person to participate in those exciting new initiatives.”
<h2>New psychiatrist joins Beaufort Memorial Sea Island Psychiatry</h2>
Beaufort Memorial Sea Island Psychiatry has a new physician on staff. John Melbourne McGraw, MD, has joined Medical Director Wynn Hill, MD, in the growing practice.

Dr. McGraw, who is board certified in both psychiatry and neurology, was in private practice in California for 23 years before moving to the Lowcountry to join Beaufort Memorial Physician Partners. In his former practice, he specialized in treating patients with co-occurring psychiatric illnesses, including major depression, bipolar, post traumatic stress, obsessive compulsive and panic disorders.

Prior to opening his own practice, McGraw served as associate medical director of three substance abuse treatment programs in Northern California. He received his B.A. in Human Biology at Stanford University and earned his medical degree at the University of Colorado.

Over the past year, BMH has added several new staff members to Sea Island Psychiatry to help meet the need for mental health services in the area. Most recently, professional counselor Richard Archer joined the group. To make an appointment with any of the practitioners at Beaufort Memorial Sea Island Psychiatry, call (843) 522-5600.
<h2>Palmetto Animal League appoints new board member</h2>
Palmetto Animal League (PAL) is proud to announce that Laurie K. Brown, founder and owner of Aunt Laurie’s, has been elected to PAL’s board of directors. Laurie brings extensive experience in leadership, strategy, finance, philanthropy, and marketing to the board.

“I am honored to be joining Pal’s board,” said Laurie. “I have tremendous love for animals and our community, and I look forward to working with all the other board members to grow and strengthen the organization.”

Laurie holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management and several certifications in leadership, strategy, and project management. She has over 29 years of experience in the automotive industry and her most recent role was as an executive at Volkswagen Group of America. She is a member of Women on the Fast Track, South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, and a non-trustee committee member at Leader Dogs for the Blind.