S.C. Department of Public Health

This #FeatureFriday, we’re highlighting the heroic efforts of our Healthcare Quality staff, who went above and beyond to support Colleton Medical Center during an emergency evacuation this summer. On a hot weekend in July, Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro experienced a total loss of air conditioning, a serious situation given the summer heat. HQ staff from Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services, and Health Facilities Construction quickly responded to the scene to provide vital support to the 135-bed hospital. Charlene Bell worked closely with hospital emergency preparedness staff to coordinate the evacuation and ensure patient safety. Baylee Brown cut his vacation short to help assess the hospital’s lab equipment and support the incident command post, ensuring a smooth evacuation process. Graham Cormack conducted a thorough inspection of the hospital to check for safety hazards and to monitor the building’s structural integrity and humidity levels. Mitch Stewart played a crucial role in organizing ambulance resources, facilitating the safe transfer of patients to nearby hospitals. Our Healthcare Quality team is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of our communities, especially during emergencies! #EmbracingService #PromotingTeamwork #PublicHealthHeroes

DPH is #hiring for a Human Resources Assistant based in Greenville. This role will support HR operations for the Public Health Upstate Region, handling salary actions, onboarding, and time/leave management. It involves conducting New Hire Orientation and maintaining accurate, confidential employee records. The position also assists with Worker's Compensation, HR inquiries, and disaster preparedness. #SCCareers #jobs #HumanResources Apply today: https://lnkd.in/e_GBAhNp

Released earlier today, the childhood cancer report provides a comprehensive look at the burden of childhood cancer in South Carolina, illustrates trends in childhood cancer measures over time, and identifies many favorable trends for childhood cancer statewide, including an 11% improvement in childhood cancer survival and a 21% decrease in mortality over the 25-year study period. This statewide report is the first of its kind in South Carolina and was researched and developed in collaboration with the South Carolina Children’s Hospital Collaborative, the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Cancer Alliance. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/geyjzds5 #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth

Last month the South Carolina Community Health Worker Association (SCCHWA) Board, CCHA, and PASOs met with the S.C. Department of Public Health (SC DPH) Interim Agency Director Dr. Edward Simmer, Deputy Director of Health Promotion and Services Dr. Brannon Traxler, and Director of Community Engagement Suzanne Sander to discuss opportunities to support CHWs and growing the CHW workforce across the Palmetto State. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with SC DPH in the years to come. #chws #communityhealthworkers #scdph #southcarolina #publichealth

As National Community Health Worker Awareness Week comes to a close, we just had to spotlight our community health workers for #FeatureFriday! Community health workers are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of the communities they serve. With their deep understanding of local needs, they are essential in promoting health and wellness in your community. At DPH, our dedicated community health workers work tirelessly to support South Carolinians. They empower underserved communities by providing education, helping them navigate the healthcare system, and connecting individuals with local resources. Our community health workers are committed to: reducing health disparities, increasing access to care for rural and underserved populations, providing culturally competent services, enhancing patient advocacy and navigation, supporting behavioral health care, improving health education and promotion, and expanding capacity to advance care coordination. We are proud of our community health workers and the difference they make in advancing public health. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to improving health outcomes for all South Carolinians! 💚 #FeatureFriday #NationalCommunityHealthWorkerAwarenessWeek #PublicHealth

DPH is #hiring for a Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs Program Coordinator, Nurse Supervisor in #Charleston to provide leadership, supervision, and oversight of the regional multidisciplinary team, ensuring compliance with CYSHCN program policies and procedures. This role serves as the regional expert on CYSHCN services, coordinating care for clients, managing eligibility determinations, and developing care plans in collaboration with families, communities, and healthcare providers. Apply today: https://lnkd.in/eJBi5xiG #SCCareers #jobs 

Do you have plans to be at the Grand Strand this coming holiday weekend? Use CheckMyBeach.com to check for swim advisories before you go! SCDES collects routine water samples at over 120 locations along South Carolina's beaches. An advisory means that SCDES advises you NOT to swim in those areas.

We’re proud to announce that our environmental public health employees continue to shine at the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Environmental Health Leadership Academy (EHLA). As of now, two of our team members (and two who are now at South Carolina Department of Environmental Services) have been selected for this highly competitive program — an amazing achievement considering fewer than 20 individuals are chosen each year! —Betsy Seals (now with SCDES) and ML TANNER, Program Manager in the Division of Children’s Health, were part of the inaugural EHLA cohort and graduated in July 2022. —Blakely Lovelace (SCDES) graduated from the third EHLA cohort this year. —Ava Fierst, EHM-III has been accepted into the fourth cohort, beginning her journey last month and set to graduate in July 2025. The EHLA program is designed to enhance management and leadership skills, develop strategic approaches, and strengthen community partnerships and emergency management capabilities. Our employees’ participation highlights their dedication to advancing environmental public health and underscores the strong leadership within our agencies. Let’s celebrate these incredible achievements and the leaders driving our mission forward! 🎉

Our Midlands immunization team recently completed three back-to-school clinics at the Lexington County Health Department, giving 97 vaccinations to students as they prepared to start the fall semester. The team’s goal is to provide immunizations that will protect communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. It works with local school districts to ensure that all children are up to date on their required vaccines by offering scheduled vaccine events for communities with an identified need. The back-to-school clinics were made possible by the participation of nursing and administrative staff from eight Midlands health departments. Click here to learn more about DPH’s vaccination services: https://lnkd.in/eep_mcSy

We're thrilled to share a new video that highlights the incredible work of Healthy Palmetto, our state coalition dedicated to promoting healthy eating and active living across South Carolina. In this video, you'll hear from leaders and partners who have been pivotal in driving our collective efforts. Discover how collaboration is making a significant impact on our communities! To learn more about Healthy Palmetto, visit https://lnkd.in/eVTYAW_S Let's continue to work together for a healthier future! 💪 #HealthyPalmetto