Fall 2016 Seeing Better, Living Better Health Care for the Underserved The Doctor Comes to You Via SmartExam Online A Publication of Greenville Health System
New Procedure Keeps Young Mom Healthy—at Home
A Change of Epic Proportion in Your Health Care! Manage Your Own Care with a Few Clicks
Epic, GHS’ new electronic medical record and billing system, offers an innovative tool called MyChart. With MyChart, you can see key parts of your medical record, communicate with your care team and participate in your care—all online or through your mobile device. In the time it takes to order a movie, you can … • • • • •
Access your and your family members’ health information View test results and immunizations Request prescription refills from your doctor Schedule and cancel office appointments Pay bills online
Ask for MyChart at your GHS doctor’s office or request an account online at mychart.ghs.org (your secure online portal to your GHS medical record). Sign up for MyChart and start enjoying benefits now!
ghs.org
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CONTENTS
Helping Kids Thrive 2 GHS is going back to school to provide health care for students in need.
No Bones About It 6
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GHS offers a procedure that expands the donor pool—and the chances of success—for blood and marrow transplants.
Health Care’s Helping Hand 10 GHS is reaching out to underserved communities—and saving lives.
Sight for Sore Eyes 14 Thanks to high-tech aids, people with low vision are seeing things in a new light.
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Departments Message from the President 1 Spotlight 2 What’s Right in Health Care 3 Q & A 16
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Clinical Trials 17 Practice Profile 19 Provider Directory 20
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We welcome your comments, suggestions and ideas. Call (864) 797-7541 or email nparker@ghs.org.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Staying Focused Have you ever heard of Ray Perkins? Didn’t think so. He’s the man who faced the daunting challenge of succeeding Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama. I’m Spence Taylor, MD, the new president of Greenville Health System (GHS). I understand a little of what Coach Perkins must have felt as I take the reins of leadership from Mike Riordan. In his 10 years as GHS president and CEO, Mike provided exemplary leadership as we grew from 250 GHS-employed providers to more than 1,700 today, developed into a multi-regional health system and transitioned from a volume-driven to a value-based healthcare environment. In particular, I witnessed his leadership as we worked together to make the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville a reality. Even with Mike’s big shoes to fill, I’m excited about my new role. A vascular surgeon, I came to GHS in 1992 to help advance the Department of Surgery and its residency program. Since then, as I’ve served in various leadership capacities, I’ve become convinced that GHS is singularly positioned to marry academics and research with clinical practice to provide leading-edge, evidence-based health care second to none. I’m also excited about the transition GHS has made toward a new structure that created an organization known as the Strategic Coordinating Organization (SCO). SCO sets the strategic direction and provides corporate support to GHS and any other affiliates that will join the new organization. Mike Riordan has been named SCO president and CEO.
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While our corporate structure has changed, GHS remains GHS, a not-forprofit health system dedicated to our mission to heal compassionately, teach innovatively and improve constantly. I’ve been asked if I plan to change the focus of GHS, and my answer is “we’re going to stay focused”—focused on the clinician/patient relationship. It’s a core fundamental, the heart of what we do. The corollary to this principle is that everyone at GHS—from department heads to housekeepers—has a role in the clinician/patient relationship. We all touch the lives of patients. We all make a difference. In this issue of Inside Health, we share stories of patients whose lives we have touched. On the cover is Jeannine Pampalone, who is looking forward to having many more years with her family, thanks to a stem cell transplant procedure GHS now offers. You’ll meet Dolores Moxie, who’s enjoying more independence because of the high-tech help she’s received from the GHS Eye Institute for her limited vision. And you’ll see how people in underserved communities are living healthier lives because of GHS’ outreach. Thank you for this opportunity to touch your life with news and information. We would be honored to partner with you as you pursue a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.
Spence M. Taylor President
SPOTLIGHT
Helping Kids Thrive School-based health centers help children receive medical care, giving them better health—and better futures. At Greenville Health System (GHS), Children’s Hospital’s school-based health centers are a key component of the system’s new Bradshaw Institute for Community Child Health & Advocacy. That’s because they increase access to health care for middle school students in underserved communities. These health centers are located at four strategically selected middle schools. A GHS nurse and nurse practitioner (NP) visit each clinic on specific days weekly to see children with health concerns. School nurses also can access Kerry Sease, MD, MPH, senior medical director for Academics and medical director of the Bradshaw Institute, if needed. “School-based health centers are a door to care for communities where it may be challenging for parents to otherwise obtain medical care for their child,” Dr. Sease explained. “It’s helping us keep parents and children where they belong—at work and at school.” On days the nurse is not on-site, she can be reached remotely via telehealth—a video software application through which the off-site NP can partner with the school nurse to conduct a physical examination that allows the NP to see just as much as she would if present for the evaluation. For instance, an otoscope attachment can be plugged into a USB port and held to the student’s ear. The NP then can see an image of the eardrum on the screen of her telemedicine device. “Some people feel like your diagnosis is going to be less reliable with telehealth, but with some of these plug-ins like the otoscope, you potentially get a better view of the tympanic membrane—and a picture that you can attach to the medical record,” said Carley Howard Draddy, MD, senior medical director for Primary Care Pediatrics at GHS. “If a different provider sees the child two days later, that person could know exactly what the tympanic membrane looked like previously.”
School-based health centers are one part of an increasing number of GHS’ telehealth initiatives.
Dr. Sease noted that the centers enable NPs to gain perspective on social factors that influence a child’s health, and they connect the child and family to appropriate community resources. “We know those factors exist, and we know the effect they have on a child’s long-term health,” she reported. “By being where kids are and identifying some of those stressors, we can get services for them earlier.” Community Pediatrics also will conduct pediatric population health management, which involves researching and mapping health issues in the community to determine healthcare “hot spots” and how to improve those issues. For instance, if research uncovers that a pocket of children from a particular community are being treated for asthma, that information provides a strategic direction for targeted intervention that can have a direct impact on child health.
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W H AT ’ S R I G H T I N H E A LT H C A R E
Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on at GHS as we live our mission to heal compassionately, teach innovatively and improve constantly.
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The national ranking GHS’ Patewood Memorial Hospital (PMH) has received in orthopaedics by U.S. News & World Report. It is the only hospital in the state to be ranked in this specialty. PMH also was named high performing in hip replacement, and GHS’ flagship hospital, Greenville Memorial, was named high performing in heart failure, colon cancer surgery and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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$580,000
The amount raised at the 10th annual Dragon Boat Festival in April. The monies—which set a world fundraising record for Dragon Boat—will support cancer research and survivorship programs at the GHS Cancer Institute.
Medical students in the first class to graduate from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, in May. 3 Inside Health
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Clusters (Healthy Child Development, Prevention, Education and Community Pediatrics) within the Bradshaw Institute for Community Child Health & Advocacy. The new institute, which assumes the work of Children’s Advocacy, is made possible by a legacy gift from William and Annette Bradshaw.
Podcasts on ghs.org covering topics from infertility to aging. They run under 12 minutes and feature a GHS physician or clinician. Listen now. https://www.ghs.org/ newsroom/media/podcasts.
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Cancer institutes (one per state) taking part in the PaintFest America Tour. The event came to the GHS Cancer Institute in July. Participants painted canvas murals, which were displayed in the institute. One mural, representing the state, was assembled in the 50-state Stars of Hope exhibit in New York.
Medical residents each year who will participate in GHS’ Emergency Medicine Residency Program, which will begin July 2017.
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Our first priority: taking care of patients and their families.
Inside Health 4
Jeannine Pampalone glows with good health thanks to a stem cell transplant—to the delight of husband Brian and daughters Torie, 8, and Madalyn, 6.
No Bones About It GHS’ Blood and Marrow Transplant Program delivers comprehensive, state-of-the-art transplant services in your own backyard. By Robin Halcomb
GHS’ Suzanne Fanning, DO, is a nationally recognized cancer specialist.
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hree years ago, Greer resident Jeannine Pampalone was a typical 33-year-old, busy in her roles as wife, mother of two young daughters and administrative assistant with a law firm. She’d always been healthy, but at her annual checkup, test results raised a red flag.
Institute of Greenville Health System (GHS) and a nationally recognized hematologist/medical oncologist. In October 2013, Dr. Fanning determined a diagnosis: myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), one in a group of related blood cancers sometimes called bone marrow failure disorder.
“My blood counts were low,” said Pampalone. “My family practitioner—Dr. Hwang at Internal Medicine Associates— wanted to follow up on to see if it was just a fluke infection or something more serious.”
“It was very clear that, because she had a high-risk disease, she needed a transplant early on,” said Dr. Fanning. “As she had no sibling donor and no match in the National Marrow Donor Program, we referred her to Duke University Health System for an umbilical cord blood transplant.”
After Pampalone’s low blood counts were confirmed, Dr. Hwang referred her to Suzanne Fanning, DO, director of Hematology/Stem Cell Transplantation at the Cancer
Unfortunately, the transplant was rejected, and Pampalone returned home. Inside Health 6
A First for GHS’ Transplant Program While Pampalone was recovering from the failed transplant, Dr. Fanning recommended what is known as a haploidentical stem cell donor. Haploidentical donors are usually a 50 percent match to the recipient and may be the recipient’s parent, sibling or child. Pampalone became GHS’ first haploidentical stem cell transplant recipient in 2015. “Ms. Pampalone has done very well with the transplant,” reported Dr. Fanning. “She is under a year without a recurrence—what we term ‘remission.’ When blood-related cancers reach three years post transplant without a recurrence, we say the patient is cured. ” In myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a patient’s bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells. The disorders primarily involve persons over age 65 but also can affect younger patients such as Pampalone. In primary MDS, the cause usually cannot be identified. Secondary MDS is caused by radiation and chemotherapy for cancer. Long-term exposure to environmental, industrial and other unidentified chemicals also may put one at risk for developing the disease. Stem cell transplant is a proven treatment for MDS. First, chemotherapy is used to kill the diseased cells in the patient’s bone marrow. Then, through an allogeneic (from a donor) transplant, new, healthy stem cells are injected to replace those destroyed. Allogeneic transplant, the most common treatment for MDS, involves using cells from either a matched related or matched unrelated donor. Today’s typically smaller family size, however, means there are fewer patients with a sibling who matches completely. When no full matches can be found, haploidentical (50 percent matched) family members may be used as an alternative cell source for transplant. Most people have at least one haploidentical relative, which greatly increases many patients’ potential donor pool. Improvements in medical treatment have greatly reduced the number of complications from haploidentical transplant.
With the number of patients being sent out of the area for a transplant, Dr. Fanning recognized the community needs for a comprehensive service. She and her team began to expand the program with support from system leadership, including Larry Gluck, MD, medical director of GHS’ Cancer Institute, who championed the program. Later this year, the BMT Program will open the McCrary Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit, dedicated to the special needs of transplant patients. The eight-room unit will feature special equipment, including a fitness area and nutrition center as well as an air purification system needed for patients undergoing allogeneic transplants.
“Transplanting” High-tech Transplants to GHS
The unit is focused only on patients needing a transplant, and all staff members are transplant-trained. “All of our physicians live in Greenville,” said Dr. Fanning. “We are community members invested in providing high-quality care for members of communities throughout the Upstate.”
GHS’ Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program, which provides advanced care for adult patients with blood and marrow disorders, features the largest full-service BMT program in the Upstate. The program began with autologous transplants along with a small number of allogeneic transplants in 1992.
The BMT Program is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) for autologous transplantation, including collection and processing, and will apply for FACT accreditation for allogeneic transplants later this year.
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Blood Connection In North Carolina for the cord transplant, Pampalone was separated from her family’s and friends’ support, essential to good patient outcomes. In addition to the 40 days spent as an inpatient at Duke, Pampalone and her mother lived in a rented apartment in Durham for another 19 days. While convenient to the hospital, the apartment was expensive and not covered by insurance. In contrast, Pampalone was an inpatient at GHS for 28 days and undergoes her clinical follow-up as a local outpatient. “Being at Duke was rough because my two little girls and husband had to stay behind and try to maintain some normalcy,” she said. “My mother came with me, but there was a sense of missing out with the rest of my family being so far away. With my second transplant performed at GHS, I could see my husband every day and our kids as allowed. That really meant a lot.” In the course of reflecting on her transplant experience and what her family had experienced, Pampalone began thinking of ways she could help others in similar situations. She and Dr. Fanning are now in discussions about forming a support group for transplant patients and their families.
“Your support system is going through it, too,” Pampalone said. “They take on a lot and need support as much as the patient.” She continued, “With my experience during the first transplant and, knock on wood, the phenomenal recovery I’m having now with the success of this transplant, I have a lot to offer patients who are going through this process.”
Queen for the Day On day 200 of her bone marrow biopsy, Pampalone received a surprise from the staff. “When I came into the office, Dr. Fanning’s staff, whom I adore, made me stem cell princess— even with a tiara!” she recalled. “I’ll never forget that.” To learn more about GHS’ Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, call (864) 370-1393 or visit ghs.org/BMT. If you would like to help patients with blood disorders through a financial gift to the McCrary Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit, please contact Jim Kaltenbach, (864) 797-7734 or jkaltenbach@ghs.org.
“Your support system is going through it, too. They take on a lot and need support as much as the patient.” — Jeannine Pampalone
Chuck Arnold, NP, gives Lidia Guerra-Mata a checkup on GHS’ Mobile Health Clinic.
“On the Mobile Health Clinic, we’ve had some big wins of early detections.” —Jennifer Snow, Director of GHS Accountable Communities
Health Care’s Helping Hand GHS’ outreach programs help bridge the access gap between underserved communities and the health care their residents need. By Lark Reynolds
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or any of us, knowing the right person to call when you have a health concern can be a challenge. What specialists can be seen without a referral? What is a gastroenterologist? For those living in underserved communities, the challenge is magnified by their lack of resources. “Accessing the healthcare system can be complex,” said Jennifer Snow, MBA, director of Accountable Communities at Greenville Health System (GHS). “It becomes even more so if I don’t have transportation and I’m uninsured or can’t afford prescriptions. What am I going to do other than go to the ER for help?” To address these issues, GHS has launched several initiatives to help those living in underserved communities navigate the healthcare system and achieve better overall health.
Making Inroads One initiative is the GHS Neighborhood Health Partners (NHP) Mobile Health Clinic, a 40-foot customized RV with three exam rooms. The vehicle regularly sets up shop in the heart of five underserved communities: the Belmont, Berea, Gantt, Parker and the City of Greenville fire districts. These communities were identified as having the highest rates of ER and emergency medical services use. The Mobile Health Clinic cuts that usage by providing services that include patient education and by diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses. The clinic breaks down the barrier to accessing care created by lack of transportation among the residents of these Inside Health 10
neighborhoods. As word has spread about the clinic, it also has come to be viewed as a safe entry point into the health system. The fact that the clinic integrates a Spanishspeaking nurse practitioner (NP) and the PASOs program— a collaborative approach to the Hispanic community in the Upstate—boosts its acceptance with those individuals. That’s what brought Lidia Guerra-Mata to the Mobile Health Clinic in May. She’d been experiencing abdominal pain for about a year, but it had become nearly unbearable, particularly after eating. With her limited English, Guerra-Mata was hesitant to talk to a doctor about her problem. Guerra-Mata’s sister-in-law told her about the new Mobile Health Clinic and gave her a schedule. “I thought it was just gas in my stomach, but by the time I visited the Mobile Health Clinic, it had been hurting for two weeks—non-stop,” Guerra-Mata said through an interpreter. Guerra-Mata lives in Simpsonville—which isn’t served by the Mobile Health Clinic—and drove to West Greenville on the day the clinic visited to talk to someone about her pain. Chuck Arnold, NP, who saw Guerra-Mata on the Mobile Health Clinic, quickly knew that her condition warranted additional attention. Arnold arranged for an ultrasound four days later at GHS’ Department of Radiology. By then, her condition had grown worse. The ultrasound results showed severe inflammation in Guerra-Mata’s gallbladder along with a gallstone lodged in the neck of the organ. “The surgeon went into action,” recalled Arnold. “He recognized how serious the situation was and immediately reserved an operating room for that day.” By then, GuerraMata was probably less than a week from having a health crisis, Arnold estimated. “The gallbladder would have ruptured, and then she could have developed an infection in her bloodstream, which can be fatal,” he noted. “At best, she would have been in the ICU on intravenous antibiotics for a week or two before surgery. At worst, she could have died.”
It Takes a Team Other patients have come to the Mobile Health Clinic in time to prevent a serious condition from irreversibly damaging their health. One man visited the clinic to have a scab
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checked, which turned out to be skin cancer. A week later, a dermatologist successfully removed the malignancy. And that has all happened in the first eight months since the clinic’s launch. Arnold said the clinic provides a valuable alternative to ERs, where non-emergent as well as emergent conditions are treated regardless of ability to pay, and urgent care centers, where fees often are out of reach for residents. The NHP program also includes the NHP Care Team, made up of community health workers, social workers and community paramedics. Team members conduct free health screenings, set up care plans, help residents find a medical home and perform home needs assessments. The Care Team follows residents enrolled in the state’s Healthy Outcomes Plan—uninsured, chronically ill, high users of the healthcare system. Specifics vary from one case to another, but many of the ways the Care Team assists residents share a focus on social factors impacting their health. “The NHP Care Team might explain to a smoker that he needs to smoke outside because a family member has asthma,” Snow explained. “Or the team might build a ramp for a patient with limited mobility or arrange a YMCA sponsorship for a patient who needs exercise. Essentially, the team works with patients and their families to overcome obstacles to better health and quality of life.” To meet GHS’ goal of providing the right care at the right time in the right place, Care Team members sometimes direct patients away from the hospital—and other times steer them there. Such was the case of an elderly woman who was afraid of being alone and called 911 whenever she was by herself. Care Team members became involved and determined that the patient needed to be in a skilled nursing facility. “They worked with the hospital to get her admitted for a few days, then arranged to have her placed in a skilled nursing facility,” Snow stated. “That’s a win because she was ultimately in the right place to receive the right care.” In addition to the Care Team who works in Greenville County, Snow said there is a community health worker serving Laurens County and one in Oconee County. These two rural counties, however, pose different challenges from inner-city neighborhoods.
For instance, the transportation barrier is harder to overcome. In the Greenville communities, the Care Team assists patients with transportation needs by encouraging them to think of family or friends who can drive them to an appointment or by giving the patient a bus voucher. As a last resort, the team will send a cab for the patient through a partnership with Yellow Cab in Greenville County. “No transit services are available in Oconee or Laurens County,” Snow pointed out. “It’s a huge problem there.” The NHP program also is developing a Medication Assistance Program in collaboration with GHS’ Department of Pharmacy, which will help residents obtain medications for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure.
AccessHealth: Another Avenue to Bridge the Gap GHS leads two AccessHealth networks—one in Greenville County and one in Oconee County—funded by grants from The Duke Endowment and that include community partners. AccessHealth gives participants a medical home where they have ongoing access to a team of doctors who can address preventive care, specialty care, behavioral care, non-emergent hospital care and medications.
AccessHealth Greenville covers the entire county and supports Laurens County. Mountain Lakes AccessHealth in Oconee County serves Oconee and Pickens county residents. Instead of going into the communities as the NHP programs do, AccessHealth Greenville embeds a team member in the ER who follows up with frequent users to help them find care for non-emergent needs in more appropriate ways. Both networks receive referrals from a variety of sources, including the NHP program. In addition to other services, Mountain Lakes AccessHealth offers a dental clinic staffed by volunteer dentists. “A leading reason for an ER visit is tooth pain because so many people who are uninsured don’t have access to dental services,” Snow said. “We often have patients who come to the ER and ask for their tooth to be pulled, because if a tooth gets infected, they can’t get it taken care of any other way.” Behind all of these initiatives is a movement to step outside the walls of a hospital or doctor’s office to help the most vulnerable members of the community achieve better overall health. “We’ve been good at identifying at-risk patients, and now we’re looking at at-risk communities,” Snow remarked. “We’re finding hot spots of patients living in at-risk communities and then determining what resources each community needs to improve the health of its residents.” As a next step, Snow and her staff are working on a community asset map and pursuing sustainable methods— such as community gardens and places to exercise—to help communities maintain better health.
“We’ve done well at the provider level of care and have established our medical neighborhoods,” Snow emphasized. “Now we want to build Accountable Communities where we put resources in place that enable community residents to develop healthier lifestyles.” Jennifer Snow, GHS director of Accountable Communities, meets with community partner Pastor Darian Blue, executive director of the Phillis Wheatley Community Center. Community partners help facilitate GHS’ outreach into underserved neighborhoods.
To help support healthcare outreach to underserved communities, please contact Dania Beck with the GHS Office of Philanthropy & Partnership, (864) 797-7740 or dbeck@ghs.org. Inside Health 12
Sight for Sore Eyes GHS Eye Institute helps people with low vision through innovative aids that increase function and quality of life. By Nancy Parker
Dolores Moxie can again enjoy Southern Living, thanks to a stand magnifier.
Greeter Britney Adams stands by to assist patients, as needed, as they check in.
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ost of us over age 40 reach for reading glasses to tackle crossword puzzles, sew or perform other detailed activities even if up until then our vision has been excellent. This vision loss occurs when the eye’s lens stiffens with age and is less flexible in focusing up close—a normal, if inconvenient, part of growing older. More serious is vision loss that can’t be corrected with glasses, contacts, medication or surgery. “Low vision” is defined as 20/60 in the better eye after correction. (The determining point for legal blindness is corrected vision that is no better than 20/200—when one cannot distinguish the “E” on the eye chart.) Functionally speaking, low vision is uncorrectable vision loss that interferes with daily activities such as driving, shopping, cooking and reading. Low vision often occurs with age-related conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. By one estimate, 17 percent of people over age 65 are either blind or have low vision. Other conditions can contribute to low vision in childhood and/or at any age: diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, albinism, Stargardt disease (a pediatric form of macular degeneration) and retinopathy of prematurity. Making Up for Lost Sight Simpsonville resident Dolores Moxie, 87, was diagnosed with macular degeneration in 2013 after experiencing blurry vision and eventual loss in the center of the field of vision. Realizing she couldn’t see lines on the road, Moxie already had given up driving by the time she received the diagnosis.
“While we can slow the progression of macular degeneration with treatment, there is no cure yet,” said Alan Leahey, MD, chief of Ophthalmology at Greenville Health System (GHS). “That makes compensation strategies, such as adaptive tools for those with visual impairment, all the more critical. At the GHS Eye Institute, we offer a comprehensive line of special equipment to serve these patients.”
Moxie was referred to C. Jane Eddins, OD, an optometrist and low-vision professional at GHS Eye Institute. “Our purpose,” Dr. Eddins noted, “is to help maximize patients’ remaining vision and to increase their independence and quality of life.” The exam Dr. Eddins performs typically takes longer than a regular eye checkup. In addition to assessing the capabilities and limitations of the patient’s visual system, she takes an extensive history to determine functional needs. “It’s important that I have a clear understanding of what the patient’s daily life is like,” she explained. “Does he or she take medications? Do laundry? Pay bills? Have hobbies? Travel?” Armed with that information, Dr. Eddins can determine what adaptive devices will meet the need—she almost always recommends more than one. Just as a chef needs different tools for different tasks, so does a person with low vision. The spectrum of low-vision aids the Eye Institute offers includes handheld devices useful for quick reads such as price tags and recipes, larger stand magnifiers for extended reading (books and magazines), and special telescopes. “Dr. Eddins was very caring and asked a lot of questions,” recalled Moxie. “The first one was ‘what is your main goal, the one thing you really want to be able to do?’ ” Inside Health 14
Her answer, Moxie decided, was to read Southern Living magazine again. For that, Dr. Eddins suggested the stand magnifier, with which the user places a book or magazine under a camera, and an enlarged image of it appears on the monitor above. “I’m very glad I made the investment,” reported Moxie. “It’s like having a super magnifying glass so that I can enjoy reading again.” Little Everyday Activities Are Big Joy Moxie also regularly uses her digital magnifier, which can be handheld or used with its stand, and takes it from room to room. “I love the digital magnifier,” she emphasized. “I can read my own mail. It’s been a blessing.”
“Dolores hadn’t read in years,” Dr. Eddins pointed out. “Adaptive devices allow people with low vision to see what they’ve been missing.” Dr. Eddins continued, “Not only is what we offer an important service, but also it’s one that isn’t available elsewhere in the Upstate. There isn’t another provider in the area offering the extensive line of aids that we do.”
Moxie has returned to baking as well, an activity she’d always enjoyed. In addition to reading recipes with her digital magnifier, she is helped by markers on the oven dials, thanks to the Association for the Blind, a resource for low-tech adaptive aids. And the active octogenarian bowls twice a week. She can’t see the pins, so on her second rolls, her teammates tell her which ones are still standing. “I do everything I want to, except drive,” Moxie commented. “With these aids, I can continue to live independently.“ For information on GHS’ low-vision services, please call (864) 522-3900 or visit ghs.org/eye. A referral is not needed.
“I do everything I want to, except drive. With these aids, I can continue to live independently.“ —Dolores Moxie 15 Inside Health
Q & A
Fast, Secure and Convenient Care with SmartExam
When you’re sick, you want to feel better fast. The good news: Sometimes you don’t need an appointment, just a connection.
How does SmartExam work? SmartExam connects you with a Greenville Health System (GHS) care provider online from your computer, smartphone or tablet. After activating your account, you’ll answer questions about your symptoms. The provider then reviews your information and within one hour responds with a diagnosis and treatment plan. Any prescriptions you need are sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice. You can use SmartExam for your children, too. The average time it takes to answer SmartExam questions is 10-15 minutes.
Do I need to be a GHS patient or employee to use SmartExam?
throat; sinus pain or pressure; flu; ear pain; bladder infection or urinary tract infection (UTI).
When can I use SmartExam? You can log in and answer questions around the clock. Providers respond with answers 8 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week.
What if my condition can’t be diagnosed through SmartExam? A nurse from our Virtual Access Center will call you to refer you to the care setting appropriate for your condition. If you need a physician appointment and don’t have a primary care provider, staff with GHS Physician Finder will help you select one.
No. SmartExam is open to everyone.
What is the fee?
What kind of conditions can be treated through SmartExam?
The cost is $20. If our provider is unable to diagnose your condition or if you are referred to another care setting, you will not be charged.
Common conditions include cough, cold, allergy or chest congestion; sore
How secure is SmartExam? Your records are safe. Safety, security and privacy are of the highest importance to us. The personal information you share about your condition is available only to your trusted care team at GHS. Credit card details are handled by an established third-party vendor and meet the highest industry standards.
How do I get more information? Visit ghs.org/smartexam.
Blix M. Rice, MBA, CHFP, is the administrator of Integrated Health Services for Greenville Health System.
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CLINICAL TRIALS
Participants Needed
Hundreds of clinical trials are conducted throughout Greenville Health System on a variety of drug therapies, surgical devices and other treatments in all areas of medicine. Cancer Survivors for Registry GHS Cancer Institute’s Cancer Survivor Registry is a database of demographics, contact information, and tumor and treatment information. Survivors can receive helpful information about moving forward. Contact Katie, (864) 455-5889 or kdaniels@ghs.org.
Survivors of Cancer This heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) study is for survivors of cancer who have completed radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. The purpose is to reduce symptoms of stress, pain, fatigue, depression, distress and insomnia among survivors. Participants will attend four to six weekly hourlong sessions, during which they will receive one-on-one coaching and individual breathing techniques at no cost. Contact Annie (864) 455-5119 or AAnderson6@ghs.org.
Survivors of Cancer with Insomnia Sleep disturbance, particularly insomnia, is a common problem for survivors of cancer. This study is open to patients who have completed all scheduled surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for cancer within the last 2-24 months and have some type of sleep disturbance. Because there is no ideal standard of care for effectively treating sleep problems in survivors of cancer, the purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of three different 17 Inside Health
treatments for improving sleep problems and determine which is best. The three treatments are yoga, survivorship health education and cognitive behavioral therapy. Call Claudette, (864) 522-4263 or cphinney@ghs.org.
Survivors of Lung Cancer Having Anxiety The purpose of the Reducing Lung Cancer Survivors’ Anxiety (RELAX) research study is to compare the effects of device-guided breathing on anxiety and shortness of breath in survivors of lung cancer. This study is open to survivors of early-stage lung cancer who have completed treatment and are experiencing anxiety. The study will involve using a breathing device daily for 12 weeks and filling out patient questionnaires. Call Claudette, (864) 522-4263 or cphinney@ghs.org.
Breast Cancer Survivors with Neuropathy The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy in breast cancer survivors. Symptoms include pain, tingling, and/or numbness in fingertips or toes. Participants will undergo 18 acupuncture treatments over 12 weeks and complete questionnaires. Contact Armand, (864) 455-6251 or adesollar@ghs.org.
Women with Ovarian Cancer The purpose of this research study is to test an investigational agent called Vigil™ to determine when cancer may recur after receiving Vigil or a placebo and to compare your ability to carry out everyday activities. Vigil is a way of delivering a cancer protein in which the immune system recognizes the protein as foreign and rejects or destroys any cells that have it. Participants must be willing to receive a monthly injection for four-12 months. Call Anna, (864) 522-2063.
Women with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Related to Fibroids This study evaluates the ability of a new investigational device, the Sonata System, to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding related to fibroids. The Sonata System is considered investigational in the U.S. This study device allows a physician to view fibroids with ultrasound and to treat them by heating with radiofrequency energy. The device is placed into the uterus through the vagina and cervix: No incisions are needed. Participants must be premenopausal, ages 25-50, have had heavy menstrual bleeding related to fibroids for at least three months, have no desire to become pregnant and have had no disruptive chronic pelvic pain for the last six months. Call Cheryl, (864) 455-5951.
CLINICAL TRIALS
Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence
Relatives of People with Type 1 Diabetes
This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of an investigational cell therapy in women with stress urinary incontinence (accidental leakage with exercise, laughing, sneezing). For information, go to ResearchMySUI.com or call toll free 1-855-344-1074.
This study is searching for ways to prevent and quickly medically intervene in those newly diagnosed with diabetes. Researchers are seeking to test family members of people with type 1 diabetes to determine if they show signs of developing the disease. Parents, brothers, sisters and children of those who have type 1 diabetes (ages 1-45), and cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and grandchildren (ages 1-20) can be tested for their risk of developing type 1 diabetes free of charge. Benefits of participation include finding out your family members’ risk level for developing diabetes, determining eligibility for an ongoing interventional trial, possibly receiving an early diagnosis of diabetes that would allow for early treatment and contributing to the fight against type 1 diabetes. Adult patients or their relatives may call Shirley at (864) 455-3261. Relatives of pediatric patients may call Lisa at (864) 454-5168.
People with Diabetes This research study involves two FDAapproved basal insulin medications to evaluate their effects on blood sugar levels. If you have type 2 diabetes and have been taking medications for diabetes for at least six months and if you are at least 18 years old, you may qualify to participate in this study. If eligible, you will receive study-related examinations, study-related medication, diabetes testing supplies, and diet and lifestyle counseling at no cost. Call Shirley, (864) 455-3261. Â
Pre-teen and Teens with Type 2 Diabetes The purpose of this trial is to study the blood sugar-lowering effect and the safety of liraglutide when it is given together with metformin treatment in children and adolescents (ages 10-16) with type 2 diabetes. Participants will receive study drugs at no cost and a small stipend. This trial runs for 52 weeks. Contact Lisa, (864) 454-5168 or llooper@ghs.org.
have extremely dry mouth. The study requires saliva collection and patient questionnaires; some patients will be given twice weekly acupuncture for four to eight weeks. The acupuncturist office is located in Greenville. Contact Jennifer, (864) 455-2860 or JCaldwell@ghs.org.
Survivors of Lung Cancer A lung cancer support group has been formed through the collaboration between GHS and Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA). The support group will meet the third Tuesday of every month, 1-2 p.m., beginning in November. This group will meet to connect, have open discussion and provide resource opportunities. Focus groups will take place within the support group facilitated by a LCA facilitator annually for two years. The focus groups will allow participant feedback as well as evaluate the effectiveness of the group. Contact Katie, (864) 455-5889 or kdaniels@ghs.org. To learn more, visit ghs.org/research.
Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer with Dry Mouth after Radiation The purpose of the study is to see if acupuncture can decrease excessively dry mouth that can be caused by radiation treatment. The study is open to patients who had radiation treatment to both sides of their head and neck at least 12 months ago and still
Inside Health 18
PRACTICE PROFILE
(l-r) Drs. Lookadoo, Springle and Earle believe in partnering with the parents of their patients.
Pediatric Associates–Simpsonville A new pediatric practice has joined Children‘s Hospital of Greenville Health System (GHS). But while Pediatric Associates–Simpsonville has just opened, its doctors— O. Perry Earle IV, Stephen Lookadoo Jr. and Kevin Springle— have long been a part of the GHS team. “Our first goal is to provide a true medical home with highquality, centralized care,” said Dr. Lookadoo. “The second is to develop a relationship with families and get to know them well, so we can better treat them. Ultimately, we want to establish a pattern of trust and care.” The practice’s guiding principle is to treat patients with standards of care based on sound medical research—and to promote an atmosphere where children and parents know that they can discuss anything with their provider. That includes providers greeting patients with the attitude of “How can we help you?” and making sure that parents understand what is going on with their child and treatment plan. The practice also offers prenatal visits so that expectant parents can become acquainted with their provider and begin building a relationship. Drs. Earle and Springle are from the Upstate, and all three pediatricians have been active in the Simpsonville area for years. They know many patients from their own involvement in local events, schools, churches and teams. 19 Inside Health
“We feel connected to those we serve,” noted Dr. Lookadoo. “What we enjoy most is being a part of a child’s family as that child grows up. We have patients we met the day they were born who now are attending college—we’ve seen them grow from an infant to the interesting young adult they’re becoming. It is both fun and humbling to be a part of that process.” Providers O. Perry Earle IV, MD Stephen E. Lookadoo Jr., MD Kevin A. Springle, MD Pediatric Associates–Simpsonville 1409 W. Georgia Road, Suite A Simpsonville, SC 29681 (864) 454-5062 ghschildrens.org/pasimpsonville Facebook Hours Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, 9-11:30 a.m.
GHS PRIMARY CARE PRACTICES Having a personal physician with whom you can establish a lifelong relationship is as important as getting your screenings. If you need assistance finding one, here is a list of GHS primary care practices or call GHS Physician Finder at 1-844-GHS-DOCS (447-3627). To find out more about these practices, go to ghs.org/mydoctor. For a complete list of primary and specialty physicians, go to ghs.org. CLEMSON Clemson-Seneca Pediatrics 208 Frontage Rd., Ste. 1, 29631 654-6034 CLINTON Advanced Family Medicine* 210 S. Broad St., 29325 833-0973
The Children’s Clinic* 890 S. Pleasantburg Dr., 29607 271-1450 415 Duncan Chapel Rd., 29617 522-2600 Children’s Hospital After-hours Care (Urgent Care) 890 S. Pleasantburg Dr., 29607 271-3681
Carolina Women’s Center 102 Medical Park Ct., 29325 938-0087
Christie Pediatric Group* 9 Mills Ave., 29605 242-4840 3911 S. Hwy. 14, 29615 522-1340
GHS Internal Medicine–Laurens (slated to open mid-January) 22725 Hwy. 76 E., 29325 833-4545
Cross Creek Internal Medicine* 50 Cross Park Ct., 29605 797-7035
DUNCAN Palmetto Medical Associates* 500 Squires Pte., 29334 968-5123 Pediatric Associates–Spartanburg* 500 Squires Pte., 29334 582-8135 EASLEY Pediatric Associates–Easley* 800 N. A St., 29640 855-0001 GRAY COURT Laurens Family Medicine* 9100 Hwy. 14, 29645 876-4888 GREENVILLE Carolina Pediatrics of Greenville* 200 Patewood Dr., Ste. A120, 29615 454-2670 Center for Family Medicine* 877 W. Faris Rd., Ste. A, 29605 455-7800
Cypress Internal Medicine–Patewood* 200 Patewood Dr., Ste. B460, 29615 454-2226
Internal Medicine Associates of Greenville 1025 Verdae Blvd., Ste. A, 29607 242-4683 MD360® (Urgent Care) 1025 Verdae Blvd., Ste. B, 29607 286-7550 Piedmont OB/GYN 890 W. Faris Rd., Ste. 330, 29605 455-1270 3917 S. Hwy. 14, 29615 522-1360 Riverside Family Medicine–Eastside* 215 Halton Rd., 29607 454-2700 Riverside Family Medicine–Maxwell Pointe* 3909 S. Hwy. 14, 29615 522-1320 GREER
GHS Internal Medicine–Maxwell Pointe* 3907 S. Hwy. 14, 29615 522-1300
The Children’s Clinic* 325 Medical Pkwy., Ste. 150, 29650 797-9300
GHS Pediatrics & Internal Medicine– Wade Hampton* 1809 Wade Hampton Blvd., Ste. 120, 29609 522-5000
Cypress Internal Medicine–Greer* 325 Medical Pkwy., Ste. 200, 29650 797-9550
Greenville Family Medicine* 2-A Cleveland Ct., 29607 271-7761 Greenville Midwifery Care & Birth Center 35 Medical Ridge Dr., 29605 797-7350 Greenville Ob/Gyn Associates 2 Memorial Medical Dr., 29605 295-4210 1025 Verdae Blvd., Ste. F, 29607 286-7500 Greenville Pediatric Health Center*† 1350 Cleveland St., 29607 263-3012 Gynecology Specialists 890 W. Faris Rd., Ste. 510, 29605 101 Halton Village Circle, 29607 455-1600 (for both)
Family Medicine–Mountain View* 426 Memorial Dr. Ext., 29651 877-9066 Greer Family Medicine* 1107 W. Poinsett St., 29650 879-8886 Greer OB/GYN 325 Medical Pkwy., Ste. 100, 29650 797-9200 MD360® (Urgent Care) 1305 S. Suber Rd., 29650 989-4609 Pediatric Associates–Greer* 318 Memorial Dr., 29650 879-3883
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GHS PRIMARY CARE PRACTICES
LAURENS Laurens Family Medicine* 106 Parkview Dr., 29360 984-0571 PIEDMONT/POWDERSVILLE Heritage Pediatrics & Internal Medicine– Wren* 1115 Wren School Rd., 29673 859-0740 MD360® (Urgent Care) 11402 Anderson Rd., Ste. A, 29611 631-2799 (in collaboration with Baptist Easley)
Mountain Lakes Family Medicine 10110 Clemson Blvd., 29678 482-0500
Pediatric Associates–Simpsonville 1409 W. Georgia Rd., Ste. A, 29680 454-5062
Dr. Timothy Sanders Family Medicine 100 Omni Dr., Ste. A, 29672 885-7520
SPARTANBURG
Seneca Medical Associates 11082 N. Radio Station Rd., 29672 882-2314 Upstate Family Medicine 12016 N. Radio Station Rd., 29678 882-6141 SIMPSONVILLE
Pediatric Associates–Powdersville* 207 Three Bridges Rd., 29611 220-1110
GHS Family & Internal Medicine– Simpsonville 727 S.E. Main St., Ste. 300, 29681 522-1170
Premier Women’s Care 209 Three Bridges Rd., 29611 220-4209
Greenville Ob/Gyn Associates 727 S.E. Main St., Ste. 120, 29681 454-6500
SENECA
Heritage Pediatrics & Internal Medicine– Simpsonville* 727 S.E. Main St., Ste. 320, 29681 454-6440
Blue Ridge Women’s Center 103 Carter Park Dr., 29678 482-2360 10110 Clemson Blvd., 29678 985-1799 Clemson-Seneca Pediatrics 109 Omni Dr., Ste. B, 29672 888-4222 Mountain Lakes Community Care (Urgent Care) 100 Omni Dr., Ste. B, 29672 885-7425
Hillcrest Family Practice* 717 S.E. Main St., 29681 963-1548 Keystone Family Medicine* 1409 W. Georgia Rd., Ste. B, 29680 454-5000 MD360® (Urgent Care) 300 Scuffletown Rd., 29681 329-0029
*The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Recognition Programs assess whether clinicians and practices support the delivery of high-quality care and are built on evidence-based, nationally recognized clinical standards of care. †Most insurances accepted, including S.C. Medicaid program and Medicaid Managed Care. The practices listed here are part of Partners In Health Inc. and affiliated with Greenville Health System.
21 Inside Health
Children’s Hospital Spartanburg Night Clinic*† 201 E. Broad St., Suite 210, 29306 804-6998 GHS Family Medicine–Boiling Springs (opening Oct. 17) 2400 Boiling Springs Rd., 29316 599-0731 GHS Internal Medicine–Boiling Springs (opening Oct. 17) 2400 Boiling Springs Rd., 29316 599-0731 Pediatric Associates–Spartanburg* 249 N. Grove Medical Park Drive Ste. 100, 29303 582-8135 Skylyn Medical Associates 1776 Skylyn Dr., 29307 577-9970 Spartanburg Pediatric Health Center*† 201 E. Broad St., Suite 210, 29306 707-2135 TRAVELERS REST Travelers Rest Family Medicine* 9 McElhaney Rd., 29690 834-3192
Inside Health is published by Greenville Health System as a community service. This information is for educational purposes solely—it should not take the place of medical advice or diagnoses made by healthcare professionals. Greenville Health System is known for its comprehensive services and world-class physicians, in addition to being an academic health center and conducting leading-edge research. However, our compassion and strength come from our people—14,000 dedicated professionals, your neighbors, who work together to care for you and your family.
When You Need Smart Health Care ... and Need It Now You’re on the go. Work. Committee meetings. Volunteer commitments. Kids’ soccer games. Errands. Laundry. You don’t have time to be sick. And you don’t have time to go to the doctor. Good news. Now the doctor can come to you via SmartExam. SmartExam connects you with a Greenville Health System care provider online from your home or office for only $20.
Online doctor visits are smart health care. ghs.org/smartexam
ghs.org 16-0548
Editor-in-chief Jerry R. Youkey, MD Executive VP, Medical and Academic Affairs, Greenville Health System Founding Dean, USC School of Medicine Greenville USC Associate Provost for Health Sciences Greenville Art Direction GHS Creative Services Contributing Photographer George Reynolds For more information, contact Nancy Parker, Editor, Marketing Communications Greenville Health System 701 Grove Road Greenville, SC 29605-5601 (864) 797-7541 nparker@ghs.org
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GHS Vision Transform health care for the benefit of the people and communities we serve. GHS Mission Heal compassionately. Teach Innovatively. Improve constantly. GHS Values Together we serve with integrity, respect, trust and openness.
Your Passport to Partnering with Providers MyChart, a free online tool provided by Epic (Greenville Health System’s new electronic medical record and billing system), serves as a centralized site for your health information. It enables you to see key parts of your medical record, communicate with your care team and engage in your care. You also can use MyChart to manage the health information of other family members, such as aging parents (with their permission) or a child, by setting up a proxy account. Through your MyChart account, you can access your records at all GHS practices, both primary care (such as family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN or pediatrics) and specialty care (such as cardiology, orthopaedics or surgery). You also can view visit summaries, medication lists, follow-up instructions, immunization records, preventive care recommendations and billing summaries. You can submit medical questions, make payments and request appointments. Sign up for MyChart at a GHS practice, use an activation code from your after-visit summary or billing statement, or request an account online at mychart.ghs.org. To access MyChart on the go, download the free app to your mobile device.