‘Your Healthy Body’ exhibit opens at EdVenture museum

Prisma Health has sponsored a unique exhibit at EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia that debuted at year’s end. The Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands exhibit features an anatomy center with super-sized organs, including the heart, brain, lungs and stomach. Each organ also contains interactive components for learning and imaginative play, such as tracing the journey a broccoli floret takes through the digestive system. Plus, images and references to Buddy the Bear, mascot for the Children’s Hospital, appear throughout the display.

This exhibit was designed to teach visitors about the human body, excite children about taking care of their bodies and pique interest in healthcare careers in a fun, dynamic way. Children can experience a healthcare environment in a stress-free space in hopes of reducing anxiety when they visit clinic settings in real life, too. A similar exhibit, also sponsored by Prisma Health, is on display in Greenville.

In sum, the kid-friendly exhibit offers an example of the Prisma Health purpose: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.

Concussion Clinic makes headway in Sumter

Prisma Health’s Pediatric Concussion Clinic now offers services at 100 N. Sumter St., Suite 200. This location allows patients to receive concussion-related medical care in their own community, reducing travel time and costs.

An extension of the Pediatric Concussion Clinic, part of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia, the clinic is led by Jeffrey Holloway, MD, medical director, and staffed by Jacob Kay, PhD, concussion specialist, and Alexander Wagner, MD, pediatrician.

“Typically, most concussions resolve in three to four weeks, but up to one in four concussed children may develop post-concussion syndrome or have a complex condition,” said Dr. Holloway. “For these patients to be able to return to school and activities, it is necessary for them to receive a proper evaluation and treatment to avoid any further issues. Our clinic can evaluate patients and treat concussion-related injuries near their home, helping prevent more serious issues from developing.”

To better treat all concussion-related symptoms, the clinic offers the expertise of pediatric sports medicine physicians, the University of South Carolina Concussion and Neuroscience Laboratory, and Prisma Health Rehabilitation services, which include physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

The clinic also provides care for those with musculoskeletal or sports medicine conditions or injuries. Through a partnership, the clinic offers services to students and athletic trainers at area high schools. If an athlete is injured at a school sporting event, the athletic trainer has access to the clinic to evaluate and treat the injured student for potential head injuries, including concussion.

“Partnering with the local high schools and their athletic trainers allows students to receive high-level medical care from professionals familiar with the injuries they may face,” said Dr. Wagner. “This will allow us to treat the patients before they face more severe complications and symptoms.”

To schedule an appointment, call 803-434-7995

Hemophilia Treatment Center recognized

The Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina –the state’s only nonprofit advocacy group serving those with bleeding disorders – recognized Prisma Health’s Hemophilia Treatment Center with the 2022 Making a Difference Award. This award is given to an individual, corporation, agency, business, healthcare organization or nonprofit whose efforts have produced a positive impact for patients with bleeding disorders.

With locations in Columbia and Greenville, the Hemophilia Treatment Center was noted for enhancing the lives of patients by providing access to comprehensive treatment. By expanding its outreach and services into the Upstate last year, the center has greatly increased the availability of care for patients of all ages. The association commended Prisma Health for its partnership, too, which has led to easier patient referrals and more patient-centric care.

Tuomey Hospital redesignated as Baby-Friendly

Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital has been recertified by the accrediting body and national authority for the BabyFriendly Hospital Initiative. Tuomey Hospital first received Baby-Friendly designation in 2015. All eight Prisma Health birthing centers have Baby-Friendly Hospital designation.

Elizabeth Patel, director of Nursing for Women and Children at the hospital, said, “We are honored to receive our redesignation as a Baby-Friendly Hospital. This renewal further demonstrates the continued commitment and hard work of our team at Tuomey Hospital in providing support, education, and quality care for breastfeeding mothers and babies.”

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is sponsored by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund. Based on the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the global program recognizes hospitals that offer optimal care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

“Our focus is on how we can help our community live their healthiest lives,” said Joe DiPaolo, CEO of Tuomey Hospital. “This designation helps us support mothers and babies during an important time of their lives where we can help give them the best possible start.”

Dive into our new website

Have you noticed that our Children’s Hospital website looks a little brighter? We’ve recently updated just about everything, making it simple to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s specialties, information, locations or more.

• Updated, colorful style brings the site more in line with the Prisma Health look

• Search for the right provider for your child by specialty, site or doctor name

• Scroll through services and programs for information on camps and other ways we engage with patients and our community

• Find quick links to MyChart, contact information and emergency locations at the top of the page

The new site makes it easier than ever for parents and caregivers to search for information on childhood diseases, the closest pediatrician’s office or children’s hospital, which specialists can provide care for your child’s unique needs and more. Check us out here!

Primary care access expands

Prisma Health has opened a pediatric and internal medicine office at 500 Squires Pt., Suite A, in Duncan (near Greer). Carrie Johnson, MD; Katherine Spinx, MD; and Amber Stroupe, DO, all practice there and are trained in Internal Medicine-Pediatrics. Prisma Health Pediatrics and Internal Medicine–Squires Point is accepting new patients and can be reached at 864-968-5126

Also opened is Prisma Health Pediatrics & Internal Medicine–Stone & Main at 1 E. Stone Ave. (near downtown Greenville). Anthony Petruso, MD (see Page 17), is among the providers there, along with Walt Roberts, MD, and Rebecca Leicht, FNP. The practice is accepting new patients and can be reached at 864-522-6500

It’s working!

• The new website has a bounce rate under 38%; the national average is 45–60%, meaning fewer people leave our site before viewing other pages or taking an action, such as clicking on a link or filling out a form.

• 74% of users are engaged (scrolling, clicking, downloading, etc.) during their website visit, compared to a national average of 55%.

• We are on pace for 60,000 pageviews a month.