Summer Professional Development Summit

Dr. Paige Marnell, MS, FAPA, FASAM

 Dr. Paige Marnell is a board-certified physician in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, driven by a passion for transforming mental health and addiction care. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Chicago and an Addiction Medicine fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern, building a foundation for a career dedicated to innovative, patient-centered treatment and advocacy.

A passionate advocate for harm reduction and equitable access to care, Dr. Marnell spearheaded Chatham County’s first community-based harm reduction program and continues to champion widespread access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), ensuring that all individuals in need can receive life-saving treatment.

Committed to education and mentorship, Dr. Marnell served as Program Director for the Addiction Medicine Fellowship she helped establish at Gateway Community Service Board. In this role, she guided and taught residents on the complexities of addiction treatment, helped shape the curriculum, mentored emerging physicians, and fostered a culture of compassionate, evidence-based care. Her leadership has been instrumental in training the next generation of addiction specialists and advancing the field within her community.

Her leadership extends beyond clinical practice. She has served on the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association and currently holds faculty appointments as Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at both Mercer University School of Medicine and the Medical College of Georgia.

Dr. Marnell calls the charming city of Savannah, home, where she loves spending time with her husband, their two daughters, and their playful dog, Holly. She is now a proud co-owner of Tide and Branch Psychiatry where she serves as the medical director.

Hunter Bickers, LPC, CMAC, M. Ed.

Hunter Bickers earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Georgia and his Master’s in Counseling and Development from Lamar University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia, a Certified Master Addiction Counselor through the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association, and a Registered Telehealth Provider for the state of South Carolina. Hunter has worked with clients across a variety of clinical settings, providing individual and group therapy, with a particular focus on substance use, recovery, and the development of practical coping skills. His clinical approach draws from cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, and reality therapy.



Before joining Waters Edge Counseling, Hunter served for over three years as a Substance Abuse Counselor with Penfield Addiction Ministries. He later joined Waters Edge Counseling as a full-time clinician before transitioning into his current role as Chief Operating Officer, where he helps lead clinical operations, practice development, and systems that support high-quality care. Hunter also serves on the board of the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association, representing the coastal region. His work reflects a commitment to strengthening ethical, effective, and sustainable counseling services while helping individuals and families move toward meaningful recovery and growth.