Fall 2018 GHS Has Rare Answer for Rare Cancer Stopping Diabetes Before It Starts Hi-tech Communication Leads to Better Care A Publication of Greenville Health System
New Center Giving Voice to the Voiceless
Help for Your Health Journey Whether you’ve just started taking the stairs or have been taking a cycling class for a while, you probably could use ideas and encouragement on your journey toward better health. Greenville Health System (GHS) can meet you where you are—any time of day or night—with these health resources: • Join our online fitness community, MoveWell. We provide monthly workouts from one of our fitness specialists, video of the exercise demos and online forums for participants to connect with each other, plus giveaways, community events and more. • Bookmark GHS HealthCenter—your gateway to health information and education. View blog posts, our A-Z Health Library, Healthy All Year calendar, podcasts and more at ghs.org/healthcenter. • Find a primary care provider. If you need help finding Dr. Right-for-you, call 1-844-GHS-DOCS (447-3627). • Sign up for MyChart and get reminders about important health screenings, communicate with your provider, view test results and medical history—all at your fingertips. Enroll at ghs.org/mychart. Let us help you get started—or stay on track—toward achieving your best health!
ghs.org/healthyallyear 18-0127
CONTENTS
Enhancing Communication and Care 2 MyChart pleases both patients and providers.
Finding Her Voice 5
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The ability to speak is easy to take for granted—until you can’t do it anymore. One local educator doesn’t take it for granted—or the GHS Voice Center that gave her voice back to her.
GHS Making Rare Cancer Treatments Not So Rare 9 Thanks to a GHS cancer trial, an upstate resident is outliving a six-month prognosis.
Sweet Success 13 GHS’ diabetes programs prove that turning the tide on diabetes is possible.
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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
Welcome Changes The season is finally changing here, and I’m ready for what fall brings: brilliant colors, cooler temps and college football. Not all change in our lives is so easily received. When my kids left for college, it was hard to let them go. In health care, we recognize that progress can’t come without change. When we develop better treatments, discover better medicines, create better technology, then patients enjoy better, longer lives. In this issue of Inside Health, you’ll meet three people who have benefited from medical progress at GHS. On the cover is Lisa Aucoin, a school librarian who is still reading to students, thanks to our specialist’s expertise and the advanced technology we offer, which successfully addressed a growth on her vocal cord. You’ll also come across the story of Johnny Payne, who has changed the course of his personal health—from heading straight to diabetes to living a healthy lifestyle—thanks to GHS’ innovative, evidence-based diabetes prevention program. Finally, you’ll read the amazing account of Lisa Smith’s battle with rare tumors in her lungs, which disappeared after she participated in a clinical trial here at GHS—the first trial for a tumor of its kind anywhere. She now has outlived the six-month prognosis given to her by an oncologist at another leading institution. In the last year, GHS has been undergoing an important change so that we can continue to offer the highest quality of health care. In November 2017, GHS and Palmetto Health united as one health organization and one team, and are 1 Inside Health
operating as the Upstate and Midlands affiliates of a not-for-profit, locally governed health company. And now we have an exciting announcement: Each entity will rebrand as Prisma Health in early 2019. It’s time to come together under one brand that reflects our combined efforts to improve the patient experience, clinical quality and access to care while also addressing rising healthcare costs. “By sharing one brand, we are making it easier for our patients and their families to understand who we are and what we do when they need our services,” said Prisma Health Co-CEO Michael Riordan. “We want our communities to see the Prisma Health name and know that they can turn to us for patient-centered care, compassion, and a focus on research and education.” As part of the new identity, the current GHS and Palmetto Health brands, including their names and logos, will be retired in early 2019. Additionally, both affiliates have replaced their mission, vision and values statements with the Prisma Health Purpose Statement: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference. At GHS, we’re excited about this change and what it means for the delivery of health care. (If you’d like to know more, please visit PrismaHealth.org.) Even as we welcome these changes, we hold fast to one thing that will never change: our number one priority—taking care of patients and their families. Spence M. Taylor, MD President
SPOTLIGHT
Enhancing Communication and Care MyChart pleases both patients and providers.
GHS primary care patients who use MyChart, the free patient portal platform, have 24-hour access to their health history and results, but that is just the tip of the database and automation iceberg. They also can schedule their own appointments for sick visits and can be added to a wait list system that automatically texts them if a cancellation for an earlier appointment occurs. And they can use e-check-in to review forms and take care of copays before they arrive. Through MyChart, patients can access a database of information on medications, disease processes and exercise regimens for musculoskeletal injuries. Perhaps what makes MyChart most powerful, though, is how it has enhanced communication between provider and patient. “Patients feel like they are directly connected to the provider,” explained Rebecca Smith, MD, a physician with Keystone Family Medicine. “And they’re very happy with this efficient means of communication.” “Patients can both type in a question and check for responses at their own convenience, without waiting for the nurse to call back,” noted Stella Walvoord, MD, a physician with Greenville Ob/Gyn Associates. “For my patients who are college students or who travel for work, it’s great that they can message me on their schedule. And those waiting for test results are especially pleased to check MyChart and not wait for a phone call.”
The phone app and the online version are easy to use and, if needed, proxy access for children and caretakers can be established.
Dr. Walvoord continued, “Sometimes we get ‘Disney messages’—a patient is on vacation and needs a birth control prescription called in where she is, or she has developed symptoms and wants advice as to whether she needs to be seen immediately or can wait until she’s home. With MyChart, she can quickly relay her question, and we can quickly respond.” MyChart also is used to help deliver preventive care. “Too often, patients’ preventive health is considered only when they are sitting in front of their doctor,” observed Dr. Smith. “At many GHS primary care practices, though, patient charts are regularly reviewed for opportunities appropriate for their age and risk, and then they’re reminded via MyChart that it’s time for a particular screening or test.” Joshua Tucker, PA-C, with Riverside Family Medicine–Maxwell Pointe, agreed. “MyChart is great for following up with patients. For instance, if I’m putting a patient on a new blood pressure medicine, I’ll have him check his blood pressure at home and post his readings in MyChart for a couple of weeks before he comes in for the next visit.” Via MyChart, patients can use SmartExam to access a GHS provider for some common health conditions. They can receive a diagnosis, treatment plan and prescription (if necessary) via email—without leaving home or work. One reason online communication has been so successful at GHS practices is because the relationship between the patient and provider is kept in focus. “We use the portal as a communication tool, but also realize its limitations,” said Dr. Smith. “Sometimes a phone call or an office visit is what the patient needs at that moment. Ultimately, we do what’s best for the patient.” Inside Health 2
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.
15,000
Visitors expected in the first year at the Center for Hope and Healing at Greenville’s Cancer Survivors Park. The park, which opened June 3, serves as a respite for people seeking healing, community and education. GHS is one of the park’s major sponsors.
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Undergraduates who will be educated in the first year at the Clemson University Nursing building, which opened August 21 on Greenville Memorial Medical Campus.
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New Center for Family Medicine practices that opened in August— one in Greer and one in Seneca—to care for patients of all ages in the Medicare and Medicaid community. ghs.org/cfm-greer ghs.org/cfm-seneca
325+
Members of America’s Essential Hospitals, a national organization that honored GHS with the 2018 Gage Award for its population health efforts. GHS developed the Patient-Centered Medical Neighborhoods model, which increased healthcare access in at-risk neighborhoods, reduced ER use and lowered medical costs.
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Car seat inspection stations staffed by certified technicians, including the newest one at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Stations are made possible thanks to Kohl’s, Bradshaw Institute for Community Child Health & Advocacy, and Safe Kids Upstate™. Click safekidsupstate.org for an appointment.
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GHS hospitals that received the Premier HIIN Award for Excellence in Patient Safety Across the Board in 2018: Greer Memorial, Hillcrest Memorial and Patewood Memorial. The award recognizes hospitals that demonstrate stellar performance across 13 patient safety areas. This year, 27 hospitals were recognized.
28,500+
The number of you who follow us on social media. Whether it’s FB, Twitter or Instagram—you like us for the latest news and healthy tips.
900+
Infants in the Bryan NICU at GHS Children’s Hospital every year, where webcams now help parents stay connected during their baby’s stay.
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Our first priority: taking care of patients and their families.
Inside Health 4
Finding Her Voice GHS’ Voice Center offers new hope for patients struggling to speak, eat or breathe. By Leigh Savage
Lisa Aucoin enjoys reading to students again, thanks to having her voice restored by GHS’ Voice Center.
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s a media specialist at Summit Drive Elementary School in Greenville, Lisa Aucoin spends seven hours a day interacting with kids and reading aloud. A year ago, her students kept asking her what was wrong. “You sound funny,” they would tell her. “Are you sick?” She wasn’t sick, though she kept getting laryngitis. After treating her with steroids, antacids and vocal exercises, doctors at Greenville Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), part of Greenville Health System (GHS), found a polyp on her right vocal cord, and she became one of the first patients of Robert Eller, MD, who directs the Greenville Voice Center.
He moved to Greenville in summer 2017 and began seeing patients in August. Many area residents previously had to travel to Charleston or out of state for specialty treatment, so Dr. Eller’s arrival at GHS has increased convenience for many local residents while offering an option for out-of-town people from Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Aucoin waited several months so she could have the surgery with Dr. Eller in Greenville. After her procedure November 15,
The Voice Center, part of Greenville ENT at GHS, began operating August 2017 and is the first in the region to offer complete care of the voice, upper airway and swallowing. The team provides comprehensive evaluation and evidence-based treatment, including voice therapy and surgery. The Voice Center’s state-of-the-art equipment includes high-definition endoscopes and laryngeal videostroboscopy that allows close evaluation of the structure and function of the larynx. “Akin to high speed video,” Dr. Eller explained, “videostroboscopy slows down the vibration of the vocal cords, which is too fast to appreciate with the naked eye. Frame-by-frame anaylsis lets us see what’s preventing the voice from sounding right.” Patients with continuing or recurring voice problems may go to their primary care doctor or an ENT doctor who may not have specialized equipment. “If people have had examinations but no improvement, we may be able to help,” Dr. Eller said. “We have the extra expertise and extra equipment to detect what others may have missed.” Dr. Eller graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine before training in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, followed by a fellowship in laryngology at the American Institute for Voice and Ear Research in Philadelphia. He also founded and directed the U.S. Air Force and Army Voice and Swallowing Center in San Antonio, and was deployed to Iraq in 2008, where he performed more than 700 procedures.
When Aucoin returned to work in January, the children were happy to have her—and her voice—back.
This view of Lisa Aucoin’s vocal cords clearly shows the polyp on her right side.
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Speech-language pathologist Alissa Yeargin and Robert Eller, MD, director of Greenville Voice Center, help patients with a range of voice problems.
2017, she spent two weeks on complete vocal rest, gradually increasing the amount she spoke. She returned to work on January 15.
The Voice Center can assess anyone with a voice, swallowing or upper airway problem, including a change in singing voice, swallowing problems or the voice simply wearing out.
A Team Approach
The team works with patients struggling with
When patients like Aucoin need surgery, the Voice Center’s speech pathology team works with them before and after the procedure to make the treatment even more effective. Lisa Barksdale, Emily Manny and Alissa Yeargin, speech-language pathologists, work with Dr. Eller, offering voice therapy and other services to patients whether or not they require surgery. “When we see patients together as a team, we provide a higher level of care with more efficiency,” Dr. Eller pointed out. “Patients leave with a better understanding of what’s needed to improve, and they really buy into the therapy. That can reduce the amount of surgery required.” Yeargin said her team can teach patients better habits that help recovery and prevent similar problems from occurring. While she works with many singers and those who speak a lot in their work, like lawyers and teachers, “we see the whole gamut,” she commented. “Some people just want to project to teach Sunday School class or order at the drive-thru.”
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an aging voice, hoarseness after surgery, Parkinson’s-related voice and swallowing problems, scarring of the vocal cords, growths, cancer of the vocal cords and larynx, and upper airway scarring and narrowing, to name a few. Many people don’t know when to seek help, as allergies, colds and coughs are common and often affect the voice, so Dr. Eller suggests seeking help if problems continue beyond one month. The Voice Center works closely with doctors at the GHS Cancer Institute for patients fighting cancers of the head and neck, offering customized treatment plans to preserve or restore speaking and swallowing. They also team up with pulmonary, neurology, allergy, GI doctors, or others whose patients have voice or airway issues.
Support groups for different patient populations allow people to confide in and compare issues with those facing similar problems. For example, the Voice Center runs a group for spasmodic dysphonia, a relatively rare disorder in which the muscles that generate voice have periods of spasm. This group provides a forum for patients to talk about what treatments work best, including holistic approaches. “They can get tips, and we’ve heard experts from the field,” Yeargin noted, “and also from Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, who has spasmodic dysphonia.” The Voice Center also is reaching out to the community by speaking to schools and organizations about vocal health, supporting a table at the Greenville Drive’s healthcare career night, and speaking at high school and college chorus classes. “We want to educate people about taking care of their voices, and we also want to talk about our profession,” Yeargin said. “There is high demand for speech pathologists, and we’re always trying to educate young folks about this.”
A Storybook Ending For Aucoin, working with speech pathologists and completing vocal exercises were key parts of her journey. Before finding the polyp, she worked with therapists and performed exercises that she thought weren’t working, but she later found that they reduced swelling, which allowed Dr. Eller to use a minimally invasive laser technique to treat her polyp instead of having to cut it out. She then spent two weeks not saying a word—except for one lapse when she accidentally told her husband “Bless you” after he sneezed. While the recovery was difficult, she found ways to get around talking, such as texting with her husband while in the same room and writing notes at Thanksgiving that family members would then act out. She soon was talking for 15 minutes a day, then 30 and slowly progressed back to a normal amount of speaking. “I did everything they told me,” she recalled. “If I didn’t, it wouldn’t have turned out as well.”
Voice therapy also helped Aucoin realize how she had been using other muscles to compensate for her vocal cords, and she was expending extra effort to talk and read to children. Though she doesn’t sing, reading aloud and storytelling require similar range, pitch and vocalization. “Now it’s effortless,” she marveled. Aucoin learned that just like other parts of her body, she has to take care of her voice to keep it healthy. She now uses a portable microphone while reading aloud, as the library at her school is large, and she hadn’t realized how much she was straining to be heard. “I make sure to hydrate, amplify with a microphone, and I force myself to take vocal breaks throughout the day,” she said. During summer break, she faithfully performed her exercises, preparing for her added vocal load in the new school year. Dr. Eller said many people don’t realize how much having a voice problem reduces quality of life. “People can’t do their jobs or talk on the phone. After treatment, their relationships are restored. It’s fun to see that.” Yeargin added, “Or when you don’t sound like yourself, it can affect your career and your life in so many ways. Our voice is a big part of our identity.” When Aucoin returned to work in January, the children were happy to have her—and her voice—back. “They don’t tell me I sound funny anymore,” she reported. “This was my 26th year, and I was worried I might not be able to continue.” As she enters another year of introducing children to the joys of reading, Aucoin’s advice to those experiencing throat or voice issues is simple: Get help. “People think the problem will go away, but if you think there is something wrong, go,” she urged. Dr. Eller agreed. “We’re here to help you find your voice again.”
Find out more about GHS’ Voice Center.
One big perk of the Voice Center was the supportive staff who prepared her for each step of the journey. “They helped me anticipate the challenges of vocal rest,” Aucoin observed. They gave her email addresses and responded quickly to her emailed questions, since vocal rest meant she was unable to call.
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GHS’ immunotherapy trial was the first one anywhere for this kind of tumor.
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GHS Making Rare Cancer Treatments Not So Rare The Cancer Institute of Greenville Health System (GHS) is on the leading edge in nationwide clinical trials for new cancer treatment therapies focused on treating rare cancers. By Robin Halcomb
The tumors in Lisa Smith’s lungs disappeared when she participated in a clinical trial through the GHS Cancer Institute.
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wenty years ago, Lisa Smith of Travelers Rest never dreamed the little girl she was teaching at her church would one day play a key role in her survival.
Smith, a 53-year-old wife and mother of two, had a lump on her jaw for years, but when it started growing in 2015, she sought medical help. The tumor was successfully removed at Duke University Hospital, but later scans showed the cancer had spread to her lungs. After she was told by the Duke doctor nothing else could be done for her, a series of events unfolded that would result in remission of her cancer.
That journey began with a conversation with Kelsey Tallon, who works at GHS Cancer Institute. The exchange led to Smith’s participation in a clinical trial of a new type of cancer treatment called immunotherapy, which uses the human immune system to find and attack cancer cells.
Calling on the Defense In 1893, William B. Coley, MD, observed cases of cancer that went away after a patient contracted a bacterial infection. While he wrongly concluded that the bacteria destroyed the
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tumors, his lifetime of research paved the way for modern immunotherapies that are inspiring clinicians and researchers today. Human beings begin life as a single cell. Through the process of cell division, we have around 37 trillion cells by adulthood. Cells divide for various reasons, including the replacement of old or damaged cells and growth. In the typical adult, nearly two trillion cells undergo division every day. All cancers begin as normal cells. But something happens that causes these particular cells to grow out of control. Historically, cancers have been treated with chemotherapy agents based on where they begin. More recently, the way cancer treatment is determined has undergone a paradigm shift. Now, rather than looking at where the cancer started, treatment is based on an individual tumor’s unique characteristics through a test called molecular profiling. “GHS’ Rare Tumor Center is using molecular profiling to identify targets that can direct a physician to a specific treatment that may have more benefit than a general chemotherapy approach,” said Julie Martin, DNP, director of Cancer Research at the Cancer Institute. Immunotherapy trials at the institute started in 2004 in the Phase 1 Clinical Research Unit with vaccine testing through an affiliation with the National Cancer institute. “We have become experts at managing patients for toxicity and side effects because of our experience with these trials,” Martin noted. The immune system tracks substances normally found in the body and goes on the attack when it finds something that doesn’t belong there. That response can kill foreign substances such as germs—or cancer cells. The problem is that the system doesn’t always recognize cancer cells as foreign. Immunotherapy works by helping the system identify the intruders, so they can be sought out and destroyed. Immunotherapy can be used by itself or administered in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Because it does not affect all cells, it may cause fewer side effects than other treatments. Unlike chemotherapy, immunotherapy often is able to penetrate the shield that cancer cells sometimes hide under.
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Something Better Smith had a type of cancer called adenoid cystic cancer, found in her salivary glands in the left side of her mouth and neck. Salivary cancer is rare and usually associated with slow growth over years or even decades. With the spread of the cancer to her lungs, though, her oncologist at Duke had given her six months to live. “When the doctor walks in and won’t look at you, you know you’re in trouble,” recalled husband Mark. “It was like there was an expiration date. You don’t want the sun to go down because you strike that day off. You have just spent another day from your precious finite number.” Lisa was scheduled for a course of chemotherapy at Duke but was not offered much hope for a change in her prognosis. After repeatedly making the 580-mile round trip to Durham and paying for living expenses there, Lisa and Mark were relieved to find she could receive the chemo treatment in Greenville instead. Just after their return to Greenville, the Smiths shared their story with their church family at Berea First Baptist Church and were overwhelmed with the response. “We wanted to make sure that where God led we followed,” Mark said. “We were praying and, as we got up, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Surrounding us were 500 people, praying.” Lisa continued the story. “The very next day, I received a text from a girl I had taught in a church class years before who now works at GHS Cancer Institute asking if she could talk with me. Within a few days, I had an appointment with Dr. O’Rourke.” Mark O’Rourke, MD, is an oncologist with GHS Cancer Institute. “Adenoid cystic cancers typically follow the pattern of spreading to the lungs and then being very difficult to eradicate,” he explained. “In Smith’s case, the cancer metastases that were found in both lungs in 2016 would normally cause the cancer to be considered incurable.” At the appointment, Lisa told Dr. O’Rourke her story. “I expected that he was going to suggest chemotherapy,” she remarked, “but he said, ‘I have something better for you.’ ” That something better was a clinical trial. The Cancer Institute had developed a research trial for tumors like Lisa’s to see if two types of immunotherapies together can be helpful. Two classes of drugs, CTLA-4 and PD-1, had been
define rare cancers, tumors that are fewer than 6 per 100,000 are ultra-rare and are the subject of the GHS study. Because they don’t occur in a large group of patients, rare tumors don’t receive the research funding of more common cancers such as breast and prostate. “There has been a dramatic change in the oncology world in the last five years,” Dr. O’Rourke stated. “At first, it was just a few cancers under specific circumstances where these immunotherapies help. Now, there are a large number of cancers that they help, and the numbers are increasing.”
“I can remember the hopes of immunotherapy in the 1980s. Those hopes are being realized by these extraordinary drugs.”
– Dr. Mark O’Rourke
approved by the FDA for some cancers but not necessarily for rare cancers like hers. In December 2016, Lisa began receiving immunotherapy treatments once every four weeks, and they continued for one year. She now receives regular checkups. “To our wonderful surprise, the nodules in her lungs were dramatically smaller at two months and even smaller after four months,” Dr. O’Rourke emphasized. “Of the lung nodules, about 20 got smaller and one got bigger. The nodule that grew was biopsied and removed in May 2017 and, since that time, she has been free of cancer to the best of our ability to detect.” “Immunotherapy is exciting to physicians and researchers because of the impressive and dramatic responses we have seen some patients have,” commented Martin. “Having a success like Lisa’s is what keeps us jazzed up!”
Rare But Not Forgotten
Research and clinical trials continue at the Cancer Institute, where a comprehensive approach means trial participants are in the care of clinicians from many disciplines. Specialists in radiology, pathology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, endocrinology and neurology participate in ongoing discussions about immunotherapy, developing individualized treatment plans for each patient. Patients also are cared for through lifestyle programs to help with exercise, diet and the management of stress that comes with coping with cancer. These programs help those who are living with or previously treated for cancer survive and thrive. “What we have now is not the be-all, end-all, so researchers continue to develop smarter drugs,” said Martin. “Although we are making cancer more of a chronic disease in many cases, we want it to be something we can eradicate.” Meanwhile, Lisa Smith has a message that she’s eager to share. “I’m an ordinary person with an extraordinary story,” she reflected, “and I think everyone deserves that—not just to have today, but to have a tomorrow.” At Lisa Smith’s last checkup, her ENT physician discovered a small tumor in her jaw, which was removed surgically in a delicate procedure to avoid damage to the facial nerve. Her oncologists are pleased that this tumor is the extent of her cancer’s progression in over a year. They will continue to watch her closely.
In 2014, the Rare Tumor Center became a reality thanks to a generous gift by Jerry and Harriet Dempsey. If you would like to support the vital work of the center, please contact Jim Kaltenbach, (864) 797-7734 or jkaltenbach@ghs.org.
Lisa was a candidate for the immunotherapy trial because she had a rare tumor for which there is no good conventional therapy, and it was the first immunotherapy trial anywhere for her kind of tumor. While there are a number of ways to Inside Health 12
Sweet Success Greenville Health System is helping people effectively manage diabetes—and helping others from developing the serious disorder. By Anne Smith
Johnny Payne, a participant in GHS’ Diabetes Prevention Program, has adopted a healthy lifestyle—and lost 50 pounds.
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he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 12 percent of adults in the U.S. have diabetes, which causes blood sugar levels to rise abnormally, potentially leading to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputations. Prediabetes (when blood sugar levels are elevated but not enough for a diabetes diagnosis) is critical to understand, according to Michelle Stancil, manager of Diabetes Management for Greenville Health System (GHS). More than one in three adults have prediabetes, but only 10 percent know it. That knowledge gap is devastating, as “prediabetes increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and developing diabetes,” Stancil explained. This progression can cause an array of complications—even death. 13 Inside Health
Some prediabetes risk factors—such as race, age, sex and family history—can’t be changed. Others, like weight, nutrition choices and physical activity levels, “can be improved with education, effort and support,” observed Celia Witt Beauchamp, a GHS registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. “That’s where we can sidestep diabetes and all that comes along with it. That’s how we win this battle: prevention.”
Diabetes Prevention Program: Starting from Within GHS began a CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) last year to combat diabetes “early on, and from the inside out,” said Peter Tilkemeier, MD, chairman of GHS’ Department of Internal Medicine. The lifestyle-change
program focuses on patients with prediabetes, and its first group drew from GHS employees and their adult dependents. Dr. Tilkemeier continued, “DPP identifies those at a high risk of developing diabetes, provides an opportunity to learn and make changes together, then takes that knowledge into our community.” “Elevated blood sugar affects every organ and blood vessel from head to toe; it does damage everywhere your blood goes,” pointed out Beauchamp. “Managing those numbers is vital. Rather than waiting until a patient has diabetes to become aggressive, we are addressing what’s smoldering underneath and tackling those factors early on.” Last November, the first DPP participants began their oneyear, 22-session course focused on making lifestyle changes, receiving diabetes prevention training and improving health behaviors. The goal was to prevent participants from developing diabetes by increasing their activity levels and reducing their body weight by five percent to seven percent, a change shown to positively impact blood sugar in many people with prediabetes. Johnny Payne, an outreach representative for GHS, joined this group to help avoid “moving from prediabetes to a diabetes diagnosis.” He used the program’s blend of education, support and accountability to kick-start a 50-pound weight loss and lifestyle overhaul that brought his blood sugar into normal range. “I tried on my own to eat better, exercise more and get my blood sugar down,” Payne recalled. “But I was missing something. Now I know more about reading nutrition labels, building muscle to burn calories and eating what I love in smaller portions. Every week, I bring my food and activity logs to our DPP meetings, where people encourage me. That’s made all the difference.” GHS Chief Science Officer Windsor Sherrill, PhD, echoed these sentiments. “We plan to bring DPP participants together in six months for a meal and a reunion, underscoring the idea that this isn’t just a short-term behavior modification program. We hope they sustain these changes throughout their lives.”
Reaching Community Members Where They Are The inaugural class saw evidence of success for both the program and its members, according to Stancil, and other groups have begun. Hopes are high that the program’s evidence-based curriculum, along with participant
camaraderie and support from certified lifestyle coaches, can help reduce diabetes across the Upstate. Dr. Sherrill said that the same community-based health promotion strategy is at the heart of an ongoing collaboration between GHS and Clemson University. In late 2017, GHS, Clemson Cooperative Extension and the university’s public health department received a $2.25 million Greenville Health Authority grant supporting two complementary efforts: DPP and a Health Extension for Diabetics (HED) program. These programs are two sides of the same coin, Dr. Sherrill explained. DPP, created from a research-based lifestylechange program recognized by the CDC, focuses on helping people with prediabetes avoid diabetes, while the HED program helps patients with a diabetes diagnosis manage their condition effectively. Both are led by trained lifestyle coaches. The HED program, currently limited to Greenville County residents, hit the ground running. “Our participants have seen decreased hemoglobin A1c, which is a test result indicating average blood sugar levels, and increased weight loss. We expect growth in each program—100 to 200 patients per year coming through—and are designing a robust evaluation model to improve outcomes even further,” Dr. Sherrill described. There is every reason to believe these diabetes prevention and management programs can chip away at the growing epidemic our state faces, she added. “Through these efforts, we anticipate seeing decreased illness and decreased healthcare utilization. These programs have the potential to be replicated, and we hope to expand statewide.”
This fresh approach to diabetes prevention— taking education out of physicians’ offices and into community centers—sets GHS apart. “One of the reasons I came to GHS is our focus on community health and wellness,” noted Dr. Tilkemeier. “We aim to set a standard and improve health care in South Carolina by evaluating how we deliver care to our community. Our partnership with Clemson targets populations who may avoid or otherwise not regularly see physicians. The program’s extension offices are safe spots filled with trusted community members; GHS is keeping people out of hospitals by reaching them right where they are.”
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Education Makes a Difference The GHS Diabetes Self Care Management Program has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for Quality Self-Management Education* and Support. That means GHS’ diabetes education department follows 10 standards of care endorsed by the ADA for its campus-based programs and ensures patients receive stellar education from qualified educators, said Stancil. Meanwhile, ADA-recognized programming continues to guide delivery of the communitybased services. “This is the gold standard for diabetes educators,” commented Stancil, named 2018 Diabetes Educator of the Year by the National Chronic Diseases Symposium. “It demonstrates our deep commitment to staying on the forefront of diabetes research, prevention, management and care.” Dr. Sherrill agreed. “Following CDC and ADA standards narrows our focus to key strategic areas: patient engagement, patient advocacy, nutrition, exercise and symptom management. This is not a clinical program, but participants have access to a dietitian. We are not only focused on symptom management, but we also help participants better manage and improve quality of life with lifestyle and behavior changes.” “This collaboration plays to the strengths of GHS, which strives to improve the health of the population we serve,” Dr. Sherill continued, “and of Clemson, a land grant institution with a service mission to improve the quality of life for the residents of our state. We’ve built a team around a significant community challenge, designed a program that builds on our respective capabilities, and we are having an impact on the problem. These diabetes prevention programs are a powerful example of population health in action.” The ADA updates its standards of care for diabetes prevention and self-management programs approximately every five years. This summer, the organization delivered its newest standards at a symposium hosted by GHS. Stancil was pleased to be part of the symposium and for the learning opportunity. She said, “We’re here to prevent and control diabetes.”
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“We are not only focused on symptom management, but we also help participants better manage and improve quality of life with lifestyle and behavior changes.” – Windsor Westbrook Sherrill, PhD Small Changes, Big Results “Small changes can create real leaps toward wellness, whether or not you’re in a group setting,” Beauchamp emphasized. “You don’t have to join a gym, lose 100 pounds or give up your favorite foods. You just need to be willing to do something. Commit to a daily walk or give up sugar-sweetened beverages. I can tell you that eating in moderation is always a good thing, whether you have a diabetes diagnosis or not. Take fear out of the equation—just get up every day, eat sensibly and move a little bit.” Payne acknowledged that this approach shaped his own fight against prediabetes. “Our DPP educators suggested we lose five percent or seven percent of our body weight; now, I’m well beyond that. If I had set a larger, less realistic goal, I would have become discouraged and quit. I advise my family members, who also are at high risk, that they didn’t get there overnight. It probably took years of slow changes, and it will take time to turn the tide. I can’t wait to have my physical and look at the improvements I’ve made.” “We hear all the time that our participants can’t wait to see their lab work, to see those numbers change,” Stancil concluded. “Once you understand how to self-manage and the benefits of lifestyle modifications and are ready to commit to making changes, you look forward to doctor visits. GHS is thrilled to play a small part in those victories.”
Q & A
Healthy All Year and MoveWell Initiatives What are the Healthy All Year and MoveWell initiatives? Healthy All Year is an initiative to educate and encourage the Upstate to focus on prevention and wellness. A Healthy All Year microsite within the GHS website contains valuable information for preventing common diseases and achieving better overall health every day of the year.
MoveWell, a part of the Healthy All Year initiative, is an online exercise program to help people achieve better fitness without the need for gym memberships or fancy equipment.
With MoveWell, all you need is your phone, computer or tablet, workout clothes and, optionally, a towel. We provide a monthly video workout that can be modified for all fitness levels. There also is a Facebook group and a playlist of every movement used in our monthly workouts, in case you’d like to design your own workouts! How do these initiatives fit into GHS’ overall mission? The Healthy All Year and MoveWell initiatives reflect that our goal at GHS, in addition to treating people when they are sick, is to help them stay healthy in the first place. We want to give people easy access to the information they need to stay healthy and to the resources they need to achieve better fitness.
What has the response been? The Healthy All Year home page has received lots of interest, with a wide array of information. Different health topics resonate with different people, but there is something for everyone, from skin care to colon health. We’re also pleased with the response to MoveWell. People are using it in a variety of ways to help meet their fitness goals. The key is the program’s flexibility, which allows users to work the routines into their schedules and space in ways that make sense to them.
information tied to the awareness months taking place throughout the year, such as Heart Health Month (February) and Diabetes Awareness Month (November), along with information that is relevant to a certain time of year, such as allergy relief during the spring and healthy choices during the winter holidays. MoveWell’s monthly workouts don’t build on one another, so users can start anytime and adjust the workout to their comfort level. All the basic information about the program can be found on the MoveWell web page.
Another popular element is that the videos show three intensity levels for each exercise: Users feel empowered to choose the one that’s right for them without feeling pressure to do more than they’re ready for. Is it too late to participate in either? It’s never too late—neither Healthy All Year nor MoveWell has a real “start date.” Healthy All Year features
Shea Garbett
Manager of Marketing Services for Greenville Health System Inside Health 16
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 Matt, (864) 455-5119 or molinger2@ghs.org.
Survivors of Breast Cancer As Advisers The Breast Cancer Patient Engagement Studio is looking for women who have experienced breast cancer or their family members to help review projects designed to provide better care for patients. Patient opinions are needed! Participation involves meeting as an adviser (not a research participant) with a group of similar patients, researchers and clinicians to review projects as they are proposed. If interested, a patient application is available at hsc.ghs.org/ pes/application. You also may call (864) 455-8894 or email the Studio at PEStudio@ghs.org. If selected, you will receive compensation for taking part on the patient advisory board.
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Patients Beginning Cancer Treatment This study looks at how body composition changes over the course of cancer treatment. Body composition will be evaluated using the SOZO device, which can identify a participant’s fluid status, fat mass, fat-free mass, metabolic report, skeletal muscle mass and hydration index. The study will last the duration of the participant’s cancer treatment. Participants will receive $100. Contact Armand, (864) 455-6251 or adesollar@ghs.org. Survivors of Cancer Age 25-34 The purpose of this study is to learn how cancer affects work ability and labor force participation in young adult survivors of cancer. The study is open to anyone age 25-34, regardless of work status, diagnosed with cancer between two and 10 years ago and currently not on treatment. The one-time study visit will last about 90 minutes and will include a brief computerized questionnaire and cognitive assessment. For more information, call Jennifer, (864) 522-4255, or Claudette, (864) 522-4263.
Survivors of Cancer with Sedentary Behavior The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of listening to audiobooks in increasing physical activity among survivors of cancer. Walking Inspires Seniors (WISE) Audiobook Study will track the number of steps taken by participants over the course of 12 weeks using a Fitbit. Participants will be randomized into either the audiobook group or the control group. This study is open to patients who were referred to CIOS’ Moving On program and were unable to attend. You may be eligible to participate if you are 65 years old or older, able to walk unassisted, able to hear audiobooks and have access to a library. Contact Ginny, (864) 455-5943 or vsimmons@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 questionnaires. Contact Claudette, (864) 522-4263 or cphinney@ghs.org.
CLINICAL TRIALS
Survivors of Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Cancer The purpose of this study is to determine if lifestyle can influence survival and quality of life in those with ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. The study is open to survivors treated for stage II, III or IV disease who have completed all treatment within the past 6 weeks to 6½ months with no evidence of disease. This 24-month study requires diet and exercise telephone coaching, patient questionnaires, wearing a studyprovided pedometer on selected weeks and blood work. Contact Jennifer, (864) 522-4255 or jcaldwell@ghs.org.
Women with Endometriosis This study concerns the safety and effectiveness of a new investigational medication for treating moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. To qualify, participants must be age 18-49, have endometriosis diagnosed through surgery within the last 10 years, experience moderate to severe menstrual and non-menstrual pelvic pain, have regular menstrual cycles, and use only pain medication permitted by the study protocol. Participants must not have undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain not caused by endometriosis, any chronic pain syndrome (fibromyalgia, back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches that require chronic analgesic therapy), major depressive disorder (bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder), history of drug or alcohol abuse within one year, and uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure. Please call Cheryl, (864) 455-5951.
Women Having a Cesarean The purpose of this study is to determine if a drug called tranexamic acid (TXA) will prevent severe bleeding (hemorrhage) after a cesarean delivery. Some bleeding occurs when a woman has a cesarean delivery. Occasionally (in less than five of every 100 births), severe bleeding can place the mother’s health at risk. When too much bleeding occurs, women are given medicines and blood transfusions or possibly may need another surgery. TXA routinely is used to lessen the chance of bleeding after major operations (such as heart surgery) by making the blood clot sooner. It is not routinely used for cesarean sections. Women enrolled will be randomized (like flipping a coin) to receive either 1 gm of TXA or saline solution (no drug) after delivery. All other care and treatment are routine for a cesarean delivery. If you are delivering at Greenville Memorial Hospital, you may be approached about participation. Call Allison or Anthony, (864) 982-4894.
Adults with Type 2 Diabetes OR Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) The purpose of these studies is to evaluate the effect of novel medications for the advanced form of NAFLD called NASH/fibrosis. You may have NASH/ fibrosis if you have hypertension, diabetes, elevated lipids or a previous diagnosis of fatty liver. For a limited time, we are offering a free FibroScan, a non-invasive, painless ultrasound exam that can estimate if you have any fibrosis, a precursor to cirrhosis of the liver. Studies last one to seven years. Study drugs, lab tests, X-rays, etc., are free. Participants receive a small stipend.
Contact Donna, (864) 455-2846 or dwest3@ghs.org or Alicia, (864) 455-2043 or Ajones1df23@ghs.org.
Young Adults with Type 2 Diabetes The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of dapagliflozin on children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who are taking metformin. Throughout this study, participants will be tested to see if the combined effects of the study drug and metformin can reduce average blood sugar levels. Participants in this 52-week trial will receive study drugs at no cost. Contact Lisa, (864) 454-5168 or llooper@ghs.org.
Relatives of People with Type 1 Diabetes This study is searching for ways to prevent and quickly intervene medically 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 (age 1-45), and cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and grandchildren (age 1-20) can be tested free of charge for their risk of developing type 1 diabetes. 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.
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PRACTICE PROFILE
Keystone Family Medicine Keystone Family Medicine puts the “family” in family medicine. “We are family who treat families,” observed Rebecca Smith, MD, managing physician. “We have cared for some patients for decades, and many of our patients bring their family members, neighbors and coworkers here as well.” She continued, “It is not uncommon to take care of a mother, her children, siblings, parents and even grandparents. Those extended relationships provide additional insight into the social situations patients might face as well as their genetic risk factors for disease.” Keystone, with five physicians and three nurse practitioners, offers comprehensive, patient-focused care for the newly born to the long-lived. “Our goal,” said Dr. Smith, “is to improve the health of our neighborhood with excellence, compassion and stewardship.”
At this practice, patients are an important part of the team and are encouraged to be proactive about their health. “We involve patients in decision making,” noted Dr. Smith. The office has a full-service lab to analyze blood and urine samples. Unless insurance requires otherwise, lab work is performed there, and the results are communicated as soon as they are available and reviewed by the provider. In addition, Keystone offers digital X-rays, including chest X-rays, evaluation of injuries and arthritis care. Other equipment available on-site includes an EKG machine, pulmonary function testing (spirometry), cryotherapy, electrocautery and pulse oximeter. Keystone providers were some of the first to embrace MyChart, GHS’ free patient portal, as an effective tool for communicating with and caring for patients.
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Patients can find the right match for their healthcare needs among the five physicians and three nurse practitioners at Keystone Family Medicine.
Dr. Smith commented, “We find that patients have welcomed MyChart as a way not only to make appointments, view test results and request prescription refills efficiently, but also to ask the provider questions—for clarification about upcoming lab work, for instance, or for a referral. “The best part of our job as healthcare providers,” summed up Dr. Smith, “is seeing patients enjoy a healthy lifestyle. That makes our day!” Providers Telicia H. Allen, MD Henry C. Bynum III, MD Annie C. Gersh, DO Jim W. Robinson, MD
Rebecca S. Smith, MD R. Lee Baisden, FNP J. Darby Darley, FNP Jenna E. Knapp, DNP
Hours Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Keystone Family Medicine 1409 W. Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680 (864) 454-5000 • ghs.org/keystone
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 450 Old Greenville Hwy., 29631 653-8964 CLINTON Advanced Family Medicine* 210 S. Broad St., 29325 833-0973 Carolina Women’s Center 102 Medical Park Ct., 29325 938-0087 GHS Internal Medicine–Laurens 22725 Hwy. 76 E., Ste. A, 29325 833-4545 DUNCAN Palmetto Medical Associates* 500 Squires Pte., Ste. B, 29334 968-5123 Pediatric Associates–Spartanburg* 500 Squires Pte., Ste. A, 29334 582-8135
Children’s Hospital After-hours Care (Convenient Care) 890 S. Pleasantburg Dr., 29607 271-3681 Christie Pediatric Group* 9 Mills Ave., 29605 242-4840 3911 S. Hwy. 14, 29615 522-1340 Cross Creek Internal Medicine* 50 Cross Park Ct., 29605 797-7035 Cypress Internal Medicine–Patewood* 200 Patewood Dr., Ste. B460, 29615 454-2226 GHS Internal Medicine–Maxwell Pointe* 3907 S. Hwy. 14, 29615 522-1300 GHS Pediatrics & Internal Medicine– Wade Hampton* 1809 Wade Hampton Blvd., Ste. 120, 29609 522-5000
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 Center for Family Medicine–Greer 109 Physicians Dr., Ste. A, 29650 797-9150 The Children’s Clinic* 325 Medical Pkwy., Ste. 150, 29650 797-9300 Cypress Internal Medicine–Greer* 325 Medical Pkwy., Ste. 200, 29650 797-9550
EASLEY
Greenville Family Medicine* 2-A Cleveland Ct., 29607 271-7761
Family Medicine–Mountain View* 426 Memorial Dr. Ext., 29651 877-9066
Pediatric Associates–Easley* 800 N. A St., 29640 855-0001
Greenville Midwifery Care & Birth Center 35 Medical Ridge Dr., 29605 797-7350
Greer Family Medicine* 1107 W. Poinsett St., 29650 879-8886
GRAY COURT
Greenville Ob/Gyn Associates 2 Memorial Medical Dr., 29605 295-4210 1025 Verdae Blvd., Ste. F, 29607 286-7500
Greer OB/GYN 325 Medical Pkwy., Ste. 100, 29650 797-9200
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 The Children’s Clinic* 890 S. Pleasantburg Dr., 29607 271-1450
Gynecology Specialists 890 W. Faris Rd., Ste. 510, 29605 101 Halton Village Circle, 29607 455-1600 (for both) Internal Medicine Associates of Greenville 1025 Verdae Blvd., Ste. A, 29607 242-4683 MD360® (Convenient Care) 1025 Verdae Blvd., Ste. B, 29607 286-7550
MD360® (Convenient Care) 1305 S. Suber Rd., 29650 989-4609 Pediatric Associates–Greer* 318 Memorial Dr., 29650 879-3883 LAURENS Laurens Family Medicine* 106 Parkview Dr., 29360 984-0571
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GHS PRIMARY CARE PRACTICES
PIEDMONT/POWDERSVILLE Heritage Pediatrics & Internal Medicine– Wren* 1115 Wren School Rd., 29673 859-0740 MD360® (Convenient Care) 11402 Anderson Rd., Ste. A, 29611 631-2799 (in collaboration with Baptist Easley) Pediatric Associates–Powdersville* 207 Three Bridges Rd., 29611 220-1110 Premier Women’s Care 209 Three Bridges Rd., 29611 220-4209 SENECA Blue Ridge Women’s Center 103 Carter Park Dr., 29678 482-2360 10110 Clemson Blvd., 29678 985-1799 Center for Family Medicine–Oconee 139 Lila Doyle Dr., 29672 482-3483 Clemson-Seneca Pediatrics 109 Omni Dr., Ste. B, 29672 888-4222 Mountain Lakes Community Care (Convenient Care) 100 Omni Dr., Ste. B, 29672 885-7425 Mountain Lakes Family Medicine 10110 Clemson Blvd., 29672 482-3148
Seneca Medical Associates 11082 N. Radio Station Rd., 29672 882-2314 Upstate Family Medicine 12016 N. Radio Station Rd., 29678 882-6141 SIMPSONVILLE GHS Internal Medicine–Simpsonville 727 S.E. Main St., Ste. 300, 29681 522-1170 Greenville Ob/Gyn Associates 1409 W. Georgia Rd., Ste. D, 29680 454-5200 Heritage Pediatrics & Internal Medicine– Simpsonville* 727 S.E. Main St., Ste. 320, 29681 454-6440 Hillcrest Family Practice* 717 S.E. Main St., 29681 522-5400 Keystone Family Medicine* 1409 W. Georgia Rd., Ste. B, 29680 454-5000 MD360® (Convenient Care) 300 Scuffletown Rd., 29681 329-0029 Pediatric Associates–Simpsonville 1409 W. Georgia Rd., Ste. A, 29680 454-5062 Simpsonville Family Medicine 1336 Hwy. 14, 29681 522-4700
Dr. Timothy Sanders Family Medicine 100 Omni Dr., Ste. B, 29672 885-7520
*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.
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SPARTANBURG Children’s Hospital Spartanburg Night Clinic* 201 E. Broad St., Suite 210, 29306 804-6998 GHS Family & Internal Medicine– Boiling Springs 2400 Boiling Springs Rd., 29316 599-0731 MD360® (Convenient Care) 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., Ste. 210, 29306 707-2135 TAYLORS Palmetto Family Medicine 3551 A Rutherford Road, 29687 522-4750 TRAVELERS REST The Children’s Clinic* 415 Duncan Chapel Rd., 29617 522-2600 Travelers Rest Family Medicine* 9 McElhaney Rd., 29690 834-3192 WALHALLA GHS Family Medicine–Walhalla 103 Whitetail Drive, 29691 638-3444
The Care You Need, The Way You Want It Click
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—16,000 dedicated professionals, your neighbors, who work together to care for you and your family.
For online care for common conditions: ghs.org/SmartExam
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Editor-in-chief Jerry R. Youkey, MD Executive VP, Medical and Chief Academic Officer, Greenville Health System Founding Dean, USC School of Medicine Greenville USC Associate Provost for Health Sciences Greenville
For walk-in care (weekdays/after-hours/weekends): ghs.org/MD360
Art Direction GHS Creative Services
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Contributing Photographers Jay Babcock 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
To find a new healthcare provider: 1-844-GHS-DOCS (447-3627)
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© 2018 Greenville Health System 18-0620 9/18
Radiothon Returns! During August 8-9, Children’s Hospital Radiothon at Greenville Health System (GHS) raised $238,529, bringing the grand total to $3 million in 11 years! Thanks to Entercom Upstate and other generous donors, miracles happen for the patients and families served by GHS Children’s Hospital’s Bryan NICU, Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital, BI-LO Children’s Charities Cancer Center, and other Children’s Hospital programs and services. This year’s Miracle Child is Halle Ching, age 8. Her rare condition causes developmental delays, hearing loss, seizures, stroke and other difficulties. Halle has eight standing appointments with therapists and other helpers every week. She also sees pediatric specialists in neurology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and genetics at Children’s Hospital. With her major developmental delays, progress is measured in small wins: seizures more controlled, weight gained, eye contact improved. That she stays generally well in spite of her challenged immune system is the great victory. Throughout the Chings’ journey, one constant has remained—the medical care and family support offered by the many doctors and staff members Halle has seen at Children’s Hospital. Community support of Children’s Hospital through Radiothon helps make that care possible.
Children’s Hospital Radiothon raised $238,529, bringing the grand total to $3 million in 11 years!
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.
