Savannah Grunhard, M.D.

A native of Covington, Georgia, Dr. Savannah Grunhard knew from a young age that she wanted to become a physician. Inspired by her mother’s struggles with chronic health issues, she felt a calling to provide the kind of compassionate, whole-person care she wished her family had received.

“I remember watching my mom navigate her health challenges and wishing she had a doctor who truly saw her—not just her illness,” Dr. Grunhard recalls. “That experience sparked something in me, and God opened the door to medicine.”

That door began to open during her senior year of high school, when Dr. Grunhard applied to Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. She was one of just 10 students accepted into Mercer’s prestigious Guaranteed Admission Program for the School of Medicine—bringing her one step closer to her dream.

Originally interested in becoming an OB-GYN, Dr. Grunhard discovered a deep curiosity for all body systems during medical school, which ultimately led her to internal medicine.

“I realized I was most passionate about adult medicine—understanding how everything works at a core level and applying that knowledge to patients 18 and older,” she explains.

As a primary care physician, Dr. Grunhard finds the greatest fulfillment in building long-term relationships with her patients. She values the collaborative nature of care and the opportunity to improve lives through continuity and trust.

“The most rewarding part of my job is helping people work through complex issues, piece by piece, and watching their quality of life improve,” she says. “I love being the doctor they’re comfortable with—someone who walks with them through the journey.”

One patient story stands out: a man dealing with uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension due to mismanaged medications. After stepping in as his new primary care doctor, Dr. Grunhard identified the issues, adjusted his care plan, and helped stabilize his health. Along the way, she built a lasting rapport—and even became a client of his landscaping business.

“I see him every few weeks now when he comes to my home,” she says. “He checks in with me, and I with him. That community connection is something I really value—it’s a privilege to interact with patients both inside and outside the clinic and witness the positive changes firsthand.”

Dr. Grunhard is proud to be part of the SouthCoast Health team, where collaboration and integrated care help ensure patients receive timely, high-quality treatment.

“It’s easy to pick up the phone and speak with a specialist—whether it’s cardiology, infectious disease, or nephrology—because we’re all under the same umbrella,” she notes. “That streamlined access helps our patients get the care they need faster and more efficiently.”

Outside of work, Dr. Grunhard stays active in her church, attends weekly Bible study, and mentors college students in her congregation. She also volunteers with a Savannah-based animal rescue organization. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising, visiting the beach, trying new restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and walking her dog.