On Sunday, November 3, 2024, over 200 community members, local leaders, and public health advocates gathered at the Charles Morris Center in Savannah for Paula & Armand’s Big New Adventure, a celebration of the upcoming retirement of Paula Kreissler, executive director at Healthy Savannah, and to announce the transition to her successor at the end of this year. The celebration marked the culmination of 17 years of Kreissler’s remarkable leadership, first as a volunteer with Healthy Savannah before being appointed its director of Healthy Living and Community Development. During her tenure, she spearheaded numerous initiatives that have significantly improved the health and wellness of Savannah and Chatham County residents.

Among the many community leaders who gathered to honor Kreissler’s outstanding contributions to public health, Ga. State Rep. Edna Jackson, also a former Savannah mayor, presented Kreissler with a proclamation from the State of Georgia, recognizing her work in driving health equity and creating a lasting impact on the community.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, who also attended the event, announced he will present a proclamation honoring Kreissler from the City of Savannah at the November 7 City Council meeting.

Guests attending Paula & Armand’s Big New Adventure celebration were encouraged to wear denim and sneakers in honor of Kreissler’s signature contributions in helping create an environment that makes the healthy choice an easy choice for all Savannahians.

Over the past decade, Kreissler has been instrumental in securing grant funding for health equity initiatives. Most notably, under her leadership, Healthy Savannah was awarded $9 million in Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to combat health disparities in the region. These grants helped implement key projects, such as the construction of the Truman Linear Park Trail, the passing of Complete Streets ordinances, and increased access to healthy food options for underserved communities.

One of Kreissler’s signature achievements was the adoption of the “Breathe Easy” ordinance in Savannah, which prohibited smoking in restaurants and stores, and which is generally credited for a subsequent and significant reduction in heart attacks in the community. This ordinance, along with her advocacy for healthier school meals and workplace wellness programs, underscores her commitment to making Savannah a healthier place to live, work, and play.

Kreissler, along with Armand Turner, deputy director of Healthy Savannah, also championed the Healthy Walk initiative, which they launched in March 2020 at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over four years, this initiative brought hundreds of community members together to engage in physical activity, promoting the idea that “the healthy choice should be the easy choice.” Kreissler’s dedication to promoting active living, both in Savannah and beyond, has inspired countless individuals and organizations to prioritize health and wellness.

Kreissler’s legacy at Healthy Savannah was further cemented when the coalition was honored with the CDC’s 2022 Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity, recognizing its outstanding contributions to improving health equity in Savannah.

During the event, it was announced that Armand Turner would officially assume the role of executive director following Kreissler’s retirement at year-end. Turner, who has served as the deputy program manager for Healthy Savannah and oversaw the Physical Activity strategy for the REACH grant, brings a wealth of experience from his work across various parks & recreation departments in the U.S.

He joined Healthy Savannah in 2019 and has been a driving force behind the coalition’s physical activity initiatives, including the ongoing development of Savannah’s Tide to Town trail network. Turner is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration at Savannah State University, with graduation set for December 2024.

Reflecting on the event, Kreissler shared, “It has been a privilege to serve this community and work with so many dedicated partners over the years. Together, we’ve made tremendous strides in creating a healthier and more equitable Savannah, and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished. I know that Healthy Savannah will continue to thrive under Armand’s leadership.”

As the community gathered to celebrate Paula & Armand’s Big New Adventure, Kreissler’s lasting impact was evident in the many stories shared and the expressions of gratitude from colleagues, friends, and local leaders.

“While I will be stepping down from my role at Healthy Savannah, I am confident that the legacy of health equity, sustainability, and community development that hundreds of advocates across our region have helped us build and supported so strongly over the past 17 years will continue to motivate and shape Savannah’s health equity landscape for years to come,” said Kreissler.