FHC Medicaid Eligibility Staff Receives Regional Partner of the Year Award

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1 Volume 4, Issue 2 Spring 2018 FHC PARTNERS WITH CDC FOR THE HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM s, Inc. has partnered with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) for the implementation of a Hypertension Management Program (HMP). FHC will be collaborating closely with both CDC and NORC at the University of Chicago for both the implementation and evaluation of the HMP project for possible replication in similar health organizations nationwide. From left, Marla Vaughan (CDC), Doris Haigler (FHC), John Wittenborn (NORC), Roy Ahn (NORC), Leon A. Brunson Sr. (FHC), Natalie Nelson (FHC), Aisha Tucker-Brown (CDC) and Michelle Spafford (NORC) The s, Inc. and its partners aim to improve the control of hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, by making services more accessible in the community while empowering individuals to manage their hypertension. Representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and NORC at the University of Chicago conducted a two-day site visit recently at Family Health Centers Inc.'s Orangeburg and other locations. Health systems from around the country were nominated and considered by CDC s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. FHC was selected by the CDC/NORC as one of the three finalists for a possible partnership and grant award for implementation of the CDC s novel Hypertension Management Program. FHC Medicaid Eligibility Staff Receives Regional Partner of the Year Award The s, Inc. Medicaid Eligibility Staff was recognized by SC Thrive with the award of Regional Partner of the Year SC thrives presents the Regional Partner of the Year award to one organization in each region that has produced the most applications, trainings, and/or offered the most SC Thrive services in a given year. This award was data-based and determined based on reports and training statistics prior to Annual Training. The regions include Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, and Orangeburg. We at SC Thrive are honored to partner with s, an organization that works tirelessly to bring comprehensive care to their patients, said Lindsey Perret, Business Development Coordinator for SC Thrive. I would like to thank my staff on the remarkable job that they have and are doing, said Justin Johnson, Medicaid Eligibility Coordinator at FHC. This award really means a lot to the team especially after all the challenges that we face. Front left, David Collins, Jordan Page, Justin Johnson, Kimberly Greene, John Churchwell, Andra Saxon, and Jerome Corley SC Thrive is a statewide nonprofit organization offering solutions to South Carolinians in need of resources but facing a multitude of barriers. We provide a variety of training and technology to other direct service organizations so they can more effectively help people access these resources.

2 FHC BRINGING TELEMEDICINE TO CALHOUN AND DENMARK SCHOOL DISTRICTS Beginning fall 2018, FHC will be bringing telemedicine to Calhoun and Denmark School Districts. The s, Inc. was awarded a grant for Telehealth to establish and operate rural based telehealth programs for Calhoun County High School, St. Matthews caption K-8 School, Sandy Run K-8 School, Denmark-Olar High School, Denmark-Olar Elementary, and Demark-Olar Middle School. Technology is changing the face of medicine for several local school districts. Telemedicine will allow students to be seen by a doctor without leaving the school. Telemedicine is technology that allows a sick student to sit in front of a doctor from the school clinic through live video conferencing. Leon A. Brunson, Sr. CEO of FHC, says, If we have a parent that maybe works out of town or don t have access to get their child to the doctor as conveniently because of work or just location; we can use this technology. Leon Brunson said students would be able to receive medical assistance without missing school. We will be using some nurse practitioners, but the doctors will be the only ones who can prescribe medicine. School nurses will be responsible for taking vital signs and inputting information into the computer. The equipment comes with various scopes and attachments, such as the Horus scope, which allows you to show any problem area on the body to the doctor. The stethoscope has Bluetooth capabilities. All nurses at Calhoun and Denmark School Districts will be trained on the new telemedicine equipment and also receive a manual on how to operate the equipment, Brunson said. We're excited because our goal is to help the kids and to keep them healthy so that they're in school. The district's schools would receive between $15-$17 from Medicaid for each student who is treated. Students who do not receive Medicaid may still receive free medical assistance, Brunson said. However, the schools will not receive any funds for those students, he noted. Students with other insurance and non-insured students can also receive medical treatment through the program. IS YOUR WEIGHT IMPACTING YOUR HEALTH? LET S TALK ABOUT YOUR BMI! The s, Inc. knows obesity and morbid obesity are life-threatening conditions. That's why we do everything we can to provide you with all the tools you need to change your life for good through on-going group support meetings, educational workshops, individual counseling, and more. Before any decisions are made about what steps to take, we, for each of our patients, determine their body mass index, or BMI. Body Mass Index is a number calculated from a person s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. It is also an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including, hypertension, dyslipidemia (for example, high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides), Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and respiratory problems, and some cancers. MEASURING PROGRESS As part of SCaleDown, a goal of the SC Obesity Action Plan includes the defined goal to: Improve patient care by enhancing the health care system s ability to effectively diagnose, counsel and refer patients to needed counseling and support services Population targets: Those insured under Medicaid Adults with a BMI I 30 kg/m2 Children with a BMI I 95th percentile Reimbursed services: Six visits with a Primary Care Provider Physician, physician assistant and/or nurse practitioner Six visits with a registered, licensed dietitian TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT OR BMI, CALL (803) p2 Communicator

3 s, Inc. Recognizes Employees of the Year and Employees Years of Service The s, Inc. Employee Appreciation Luncheon was held on May 11, 2018 at the Rotunda in Santee, South Carolina. During the luncheon, s, Inc. recognized a special group of employees for their outstanding achievements. The annual Employee Appreciation program identifies employees who have made exceptional contributions while demonstrating Family Health Centers vision and values through their commitment, leadership and efficiency in meeting customer expectations. This year s 2018 award recipients are Sheree Breaker, Nurse of the Year; Marquita Jones, Assistant of the Year; Dr. Byron Jackson, Provider of the Year; Dr. Brittany Haynes, Pharmacist of the Year; Sabrina Frazier, Customer Service Staff of the Year; Gertrude Gilbert, Enabling Staff of the Year; and Ella Riley, Support Staff of the Year. In addition, each year FHC honors employees based on their years of service to the organization. Employees that have worked at FHC for 5 years or more were recognized and presented with a plaque and a monetary gift. The 2018 Employee Service Award recipients include 5 years, Latista Felder, Ashley Moorer, Shelby Pauling; 10 years, Sandy Furtick, Beaulah Goodwine, Delores Washington; 15 years, Elizabeth Branham, Bernice Rivers, Pamela Ryant; 25 years, Sandra Stephens and Gertrude Gilbert; and 45 years, Ella Riley. Each recipient received a certificate and years of service pin. Also, retirement awards were presented to Marian White for her 28 years of service and Phyllis Johnson-Wolfe for her 27 years of service. In addition, Mr. Leon A. Brunson, Sr, CEO of s, Inc., received the visionary award for his outstanding leadership. The following employees were recognized during the event including staff of the at St. Matthews, Family Health Center at Holly Hill, and Finance Department for their hard work and dedication. Their staff members were presented a stipend. FHC 2018 Employees of the Year Dr. Brittany Haynes Dr. Byron Jackson Ella Riley Marquita Jones Shereee Breaker FHC 2018 Employee Service of the Year Recipients Retirement Awards Phyllis Johnson-Wolfe Bernice Rivers Elizabeth Branham Ella Riley Sandy Furtick Marian White Visionary Award Latista Felder, Shelby Pauling, and Ashley Moore Presented to Mr. Leon A. Brunson, Sr. Communicator p3

4 FHC WELCOMES NEW PROVIDER The s, Inc. Recently welcomed one new provider to our team including an internal medicine physician Dr. Shantae Jenkins has joined FHC as a Internal Medicine Physician. She will be working at the Family Health Center at Holly Hill. Dr. Jenkins is an American Board of Internal Medicine Certified Physician, a member of American Association of Physician Leadership, and a member of Medical Group Management Association. She completed both her Doctorate in Medicine and her Doctorate of Philosophy in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, South Carolina, as well as her residency in Internal Medicine at MUSC. She brings a wide variety of experience to FHC including other Federally Qualified Health Center experience. Dr. Jenkins is married to her husband whom she met in high school, and is mother to her six-year old son. She enjoys live music, watching competitive sporting events, outdoor activities such as jogging, biking, soccer, and admiring the beauty of other people's gardens. She is a lifelong learner with a desire and commitment to serve her community. FHC ANNOUNCES NEW STAFF APPOINTMENTS The s, Inc. Announces and Welcomes the Following New Staff Members Mashanda Williams-Epps, dental assistant, has joined our Dental Department. She will be working on our Dental Mobile Unit. Mashanda recently completed her eleven-month dental assistant program at Fortis College. Her final rotation was with a Pediatric Dentist in Orangeburg. She had also completed rotation with a General Dentist in Orangeburg. Previously working in cosmetology, Mashanda came to the realization that the medical field was her true calling. Receiving braces is what lead her to becoming interested in dentistry. Mashanda was born in Sumter, South Carolina and is the second oldest of five siblings (all brothers). Sylvia Ellis will serve as the Farmer s Market Manager and will manage FHC Orangeburg location Farmer s Market. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Claflin University. She retired from the Federal Government after serving for thirty-three years. Ms. Ellis worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from before joining the U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River Operations Office (DOE-SR). She was awarded the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters CFO Excellence Award for her significant contribution in obligating and managing $1.6 billion direct project funds in regard to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at Savannah Riverside. Kayla Mitchell, Licensed Practical Nurse, will be working at the Family Health Center at St. George. She completed her LPN program at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and previously completed a clinical rotation here at FHC. Kayla has been a LPN in several different settings including previous primary care. She lives in St. George, SC with her two daughters; Rylee age eight, and Miley age six. A fun fact about Kayla is that she was previously a licensed cosmetologist! Kayla enjoys baking and taking vacations and is excited to be joining our team here at s, Inc. Carletta Ryant, Licensed Practical Nurse, will be working at our OB- GYN department at the main site in Orangeburg. She is a military service member transitioning to the civilian sector and is an enthusiastic nursing professional who has been a nurse for five years where she has been a LPN on in-patient pediatrics at Army Tripler Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Carletta first joined the Army as a Combat Medic before shifting her profession to LPN. She is a mother of two boys and one girl. Carletta was born and raised in Orangeburg and we are happy that she has returned to the area. Dorothy Tyler will serve as the Farmer's Market Manager and will manage FHC Denmark location Farmer's Market. In recent years, she has managed and coordinated FHC main site's Farmer's Market. She is retired from the Federal Government after thirty-five years of service. Ms. Tyler started out working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, D.C. and then moved to Atlanta, Georgia to work with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) where she worked for seven years. Post marriage is when she returned to South Carolina to work with the Department of Energy. Ms. Tyler has two adult children living in Atlanta and Columbia and one grandson in Florida. Dr. Teresa Burks Selected to Serve as a 2018 Item Writer for Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Specialty Board Examinations This past February, Dr. Teresa Burks was selected to serve as a 2018 item writer for future Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Specialty board examinations. Dr. Burks traveled to a national item writing workshop in Nashville, Tennessee on March 15th, While there, she worked alongside approximately 10 additional item writers and the Board of Pharmacy Specialties' Ambulatory Care Pharmacy council members. During this time, the group worked diligently to create, review, modify and standardize Ambulatory Care Pharmacy test questions. Approved test questions are saved in a testing bank, waiting for the opportunity to be used for upcoming Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Specialty board exams. Teresa stated the following, "I thank God that he opened this door for me. I felt honored to be one of only a few pharmacists that were chosen nationwide. While at this workshop, I realized that I not only represented myself as an individual. I also represented s, Inc. This was a wonderful experience that I will not soon forget." p4 Communicator Dr. Teresa Burks

5 FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, INC. HOLDS ANNUAL BOARD RETREAT The s, Inc. Annual Board Retreat was held on April 20-22, 2018 at the Embassy Suites Kingston Plantation Hotel in Myrtle Beach, SC. The annual retreat is a time for the board to connect, reflect, grow and strategize the goals and direction of the organization. During the board meeting, members evaluated the organization s progress in relation to its strategic plan for the future. The board was joined by Ms. Vickie Young, Chief Operating Officer at South Carolina Primary Health Care Association, who gave a presentation on State and Federal Updates. The following members of FHC board of directors were present at the Annual Board Retreat: Dr. Samuel Alston, Chairman; Marion Anderson, Dr. James Arrington, Alisa D. Boyd, Crawford Dinkins, Jacob Gillens, Roger Ideozu, Carrie Houser James, Henry Jenkins, Frances Johnson, Julius Jones, Arlethia Lemon-Cusack, Dr. Kenneth Mosely, Stephanie McKune-Grant, Tina Smith, and James Ulmer. In addition, the following FHC staff members were in attendance: Mr. Leon A. Brunson, Chief Executive Officer; Mrs. Doris Haigler, Chief Operating Officer; Ms. Shasonda Amous, Chief Finance Officer; and Ms. Catherine Huggins, Administrative Manager. FHC Distributed Easter Baskets to the Community As part of our commitment to serving those in our community, s, Inc. distributed over 25 Easter Baskets filled with goodies during Easter week. Those who received the Easter baskets include daycare centers, nursing homes, senior citizen center, and FHC patients. Communicator p5

6 FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, INC. CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK Front Row: Carletta Ryant, Alicia Oliver, Debra Chavis, Tracy Gilliard, Latista Felder, Candace Huggins, May Joseph, and Kayla Mitchell Back Row: Sheree Breaker, Georgeanette Barr, Annemie Rivers, April Logan, and Tosha Bradley The s, Inc. joined the American Nurses Association (ANA) during National Nurses Week, May 6-12, in recognizing the important roles of nurses. They provide direct personal health care to patients and families and provide leadership in forming public health policies to improve the quality of care and quality of life for patients of all ages. At the s, Inc., our nurses are on the front lines of patient care every day. Their dedication and compassion shows the very best of what our health care centers have to offer. This year s theme for National Nurses Week was Nurses: Inspire, Innovate, Influence. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has always led efforts to celebrate nursing, ensuring that recognition is promoted as widely as possible; and in 1990 extended it to a week-long celebration of the work of the nation s registered nurses, the largest of the health care professions. ANA's state and territorial nurses associations also conduct celebrations during National Nurses Week to recognize the contributions that nurses and nursing make to the community. Every year ANA selects a theme for the week highlighting a particular aspect of nurses practice. The American Nurses Association (ANA), sponsors of National Nurses Week, have promoted and supported the nursing profession since FHC RAISES $5,903 ON MIDLANDS GIVES DAY For the second consecutive year, s, Inc. participated in the Midlands Gives 2018 online fundraising event that brings the region together as one community, raising money and awareness for local nonprofits in 11 Midlands counties. The Midlands Gives online fundraising event was held on May 1. With your help, we raised $5,903 on Midlands Gives Day. Your generous donation will increase our impact by allowing us to provide healthcare assistance to uninsured patients in our community. Our mission is to promote health and provide quality comprehensive health care to all with courtesy. Thank you again for your support! p6 Communicator

7 FARMERS MARKET AT FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, INC. DENMARK* 5616 Carolina Highway Denmark, South Carolina (803) *3 buildings down on the right from the at Denmark LOCATIONS ORANGEBURG s, Inc. FARMERS CAN CALL TO REGISTER TO BECOME A VENDOR! The s, Inc Farmers Market in the locations of Denmark and Orangeburg will be opening on June 1st. The market hours will be 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. every Friday through October 26th. Stop by FHC Farmers Market and see what s fresh! Get everything you need for fresh, healthy meals while supporting local growers! CASH ACCEPTED! SNAP/EBT ACCEPTED! SENIOR & - FARMERS MARKET VOUCHERS ACCEPTED! The s, Inc. is offering sports physicals to middle and high school student athletes now through July 30, The cost is $20.00 per person. Physicals for students entering grades 5th through 12th will be provided by FHC providers. Students must bring their school s physical form completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian before an examination will be completed. INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS ARE NOT NECESSARY WALK-INS WELCOME! Sports Teams must call and schedule an appointment For questions or more information, call (803) Adult and Pediatric Medicine Hours of Operation: Monday Friday: 8:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Communicator p7

8 s, Inc. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA SC PERMIT # 535 FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS CONVENIENT LOCATIONS s, Inc at Denmark 5616 Carolina Highway Denmark, SC at Holly Hill 922 Holly Street Holly Hill, SC at Norfield 7061 Norway Road Neeses, SC at St. George 401 Ridge Street St. George, SC at St. Matthews 558 Chestnut Street St. Matthews, SC at Vance Old #6 Hwy. Vance, SC Dental Mobile Unit Optometry Mobile Unit Follow us at and like us at