Volume 1, Issue 1 www.myfhc.org Fall 2015

Technology at

FHC See page 7

Surviving the

Flood See page 6

DiabeticNeuropathy on the Rise

See page 5

New Family Health Centers

pharmacies See page 3

Annual LegislativeBreakfast

See page 2

Family Health Centers

Veterans Choice ProgramFHC is now a part of The Veterans Choice

Program, a law that expands the number ofoptions Veterans have for receiving care toensure that they have timely access to high-quality medical treatment. Veterans ChoiceProgram (VCP) provides primary care, inpatientand outpatient specialty care, and mental healthcare for eligible Veterans when the local VAmedical center (VAMC) cannot provide the serv-ices due to:• Lack of available specialists.• Long wait times.• Extraordinary distance from the Veteran’s

home.Veterans can make an appointment by call-

ing 803-531-6900 at any FHC center.

Come see socialworker/behavioralhealth specialistTyrone WilliamsHe's a veteran andunderstands what you'regoing through.Make an appointmenttoday at 803-531-6900.

Jacob Gillens,Marion Anderson,Melinda Jenkins &Samuel Alston(FHC board mem-bers) Veterans whoreceive health carethrough FHC'sVeterans ChoiceProgram

Time for Your FluVaccine at FamilyHealth Centers

Everyone 6 months and oldershould get an annual flu vac-cine. By getting the flu vaccine,you can prevent flu related ill-nesses. Pneumonia and bron-chitis are examples of seriousflu related complications.

A common misconception isthat the flu vaccine can give youthe flu. It cannot. Common sideeffects are soreness or rednesswhere the shot wasgiven. See your FHChealthcare profes-sional to get the fluvaccine today!

Sleep ProblemsDepression is a mental ill-

ness, but it can affect your bodyas well as your mind. Sleepproblems, for example, can bea symptom of depression.Trouble falling asleep or stayingasleep is common in peoplewho are depressed. But somepeople with depression mayfind that they sleep too much.

Contact FHC's behavioralhealth department if you're hav-ing problems sleeping or feeldepressed.

Family Health Centers hostedtheir annual legislative breakfasthonoring Senator John MatthewsJr. Health care officials and com-munity members were presenton behalf of Matthews and FHC.

Officials discussed work done bySenator Matthews on behalf ofhealth care, services provided atFHC, and the need for fundingand support in 2015 and beyond.The supportive crowd whoattended the packed meetingand breakfast were informedabout the progress and needs ofFHC

Former FHC interim CEODoug Bryant said "SenatorMatthews helped us get over 20million dollars to help the under-served in South Carolina.Without health care and educa-tion, there is no future for SouthCarolina. Senator Matthewsunderstands that. He's had hishand on every piece of healthcare legislation in this state."

"The funding SenatorMatthews has supported will

help Family Health Centersmove forward with new technol-ogy like telehealth. He's beenvery supportive of rural commu-nities and health care initiativesin our area," said Bamberg CityCouncilperson and ExecutiveDirector-Palmetto CareConnections Kathy Schwarting.Schwarting helped FHC securelow cost internet and telehealthtechnology working along withthe Medical University of SouthCarolina and SC Department ofHealth & Human Services.

"We provide affordable, highquality, and cost effective healthcare for all. We try to enhancethe quality of life in the communi-ty and that's what we're doingwith the help of SenatorMatthews," said FHC CEO LeonA. Brunson, Sr. While the recur-ring theme during the breakfastwas affordable quality healthcare, it was also made clear that

FHC needs increased funding tocontinue and enhance their serv-ices to rural communities where25 percent are uninsured and 20percent lack transportation.

"Family Health Centers is aplace where families can cometo obtain services ranging fromdentistry, pediatrics, obstetrics,gynecology, adult medicine topodiatry. This is deeply impor-tant to our rural communities.We need Family HealthCenters," said Brunson.

Former CEO Doug Bryant discuss-es the importance of SenatorMatthews' contribution.

Bamberg City Councilperson andExecutive Director-Palmetto CareConnections Kathy Schwarting.

State Senator John Matthews waspresented with a plaque from FHCCEO Leon A. Brunson, Sr., duringthe facility's annual LegislativeBreakfast at the New VisionCenter.

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You can findmore about

Family HealthCenters at

www.myfhc.org

Family Health Centers Annual Legislative Breakfast

Denmark1241 Solomon Blatt BlvdDenmark, SC 29042Fax: (803) 793-6346

St. Matthews558 Chestnut StreetSt. Matthews, SC 29135Fax: (803) 874-1998

Family Health Centers opens pharmacies in Denmark

and St. Matthews locations8am - 5pm daily

Call 803-531-6900

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New MidwifePenelope Bowmanat Family HealthCenters

We've all heard stories aboutboiling water inold movies andthe midwife com-ing to ruralhomes in themiddle of thenight. Today, amidwife hasadvanced train-ing and certifica-

tions. Penelope Bowman hasjoined Family Health Centers.She is certified by the AmericanMidwifery Board (AMCB).Midwives today focus on care ofwomen and their families duringpregnancy, delivery, and the post-partum period. They are licensedto practice in every state. "Wecan take care of women throughtheir entire life cycle - family plan-ning, reproduction, andmenopause," said Bowman.

PenelopeBowman

New FHCOrangeburg

Dental Hours

Call 803-531-6900today for yourappointment

Monday - Thursday 8am - 8pm

Friday8am - 5pm

Hot Flashes linked toHeart Disease

Menopausal women whohave lots of hotflashes could facea higher risk forearly-stage heartdisease, a newstudy suggests.The researcherspresented their

study of 304 nonsmokers, intheir mid-50s, and hadn't beendiagnosed with heart disease.Most of the participants werepostmenopausal, overweight,and had normal blood pressure.The researchers presented theirstudy's results at the NorthAmerican Menopause Society2015 Annual Meeting. Thisresearch was presented at amedical conference and consid-ered preliminary.

The research is the first tocompare the frequency of hot

flashes with the thickness of theinner layers of the carotid arter-ies (which carry blood to yourbrain). The thickness of thoselayers is a sign of early heartdisease.

In the new study, women intheir mid-50s who had up to 12hot flashes per day had thickercarotid artery layers than womenwith four or less flashes per day.The link seemed to hold upwhen researchers took intoaccount things like age, race,weight, cholesterol levels, andblood pressure.

Women who report hot flash-es need to be regularlyscreened for heart disease riskfactors. Contact the OB/GYNdepartment at Family HealthCenters for a wellness exam ifyou're having more hot flashesthan usual.

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The show, sponsored andproduced by Family HealthCenters features guests rangingfrom top physicians at FamilyHealth Centers, legislators,medical authorities and more.

"We couldn't be happier witha quality health talk show thatwill deliver news and informa-tion to citizens across thisregion about the importance oftheir health and well-being,"said Chief Executive OfficerLeon A. Brunson Sr., of FamilyHealth Centers. FHC is basedin Orangeburg and has sevenmedical facilites in the region.

The show explores healthissues like heart disease, dia-betes, teenage pregnancy, vet-erans' health, stroke, nutrition,telemedicine and more.

"We're going to tackle sometough health issues facing

South Carolinians," said hostGayle "Kathy” Andrews, Directorof Community Development atFamily Health Centers, "Ourplan is to engage the audiencewith a different kind of healthprogram; it will be informativeand solution driven."

The premiere show featuredstate Sen. John W. Matthews Jr.and Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunterdiscussing Medicaid and thelate Sen. Clementa C.Pinckney, who was assassinat-ed in a mass shooting at MotherEmanuel A.M.E. Church inCharleston on June 17, 2015.Pinckney was a staunch sup-porter of Medicaid expansion.

Those who would like to sub-mit a topic are asked to emailgayle.andrews@myfhc.org.

FHC launches a new radiotalk show, "Health Matters," airing at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, on WSSB90.3 FM (NPR affiliate) in Orangeburg

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Senator John Matthews on "Health Matters."The show airs at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, on WSSB 90.3 FM (NPRaffiliate) in Orangeburg.

Uninsured?Do you havequestions aboutthe AffordableCare Act?

Ask FHC certified applicationcounselors to assist you withcompleting the Health InsuranceMarketplace online application.FHC services are free of chargeand among the many HealthCenters that are with a federallyfacilitated marketplace. TheOutreach and enrollment staff atFamily Health Centers is deter-mined to get you covered andprovide the information you needto choose an affordable healthplan that best fits your needsand budget.

If you are unable to come toFamily Health Centers, thereare other ways you can applyfor health insurance: applyonline through healthcare.govor call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY:1-855-889-4325)

Call and ask for an enrollmentspecialist at FHC for more details.

Karen Stearns, enrollment coordi-nator and Bernice Rivers, enroll-ment specialist at FHC prepareapplications for the uninsured.

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At FHC, we see a lot of diabetics. It's notsurprising because South Carolina ranks 10thhighest in the nation when it comes to dia-betes according to South Carolina Dept. ofHealth and Environmental Control. It is theseventh leading cause of death in SouthCarolina after heart disease and cancer.

That means it's extremely important toensure your health is monitored on a regularbasis. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead tomany complications including blindness, kid-

ney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and amputations.Bringing your blood sugar levels under control is essential to

preventing complications with your feet. If you have diabetes, you're 15 times more likely to have a limb

amputated due to gangrene. Diabetes can reduce the blood sup-ply to your feet and cause a loss of feeling known as peripheralneuropathy.

This can mean foot injuries do not heal well and you may notnotice if your foot is sore or injured.

Diabetic Neuropathy on the Rise

"Breast Cancer"Early Detection isthe best Protection

FHC is providing freescreenings through"Best Chance Network"(Breast Exams, pelvicexams, pap smears,

mammograms)Are you 40-64 years of

age?Don't have insurance?Please ask the doctor or

nurse at FHC if BCN (BestChance Network) will pay forany follow up tests you mayneed, because your health isimportant to us.

FHC is dedicated to provid-ing diagnostic and clinical serv-ices that support the uniqueneeds of all women.

FHC Joins QTIPProgram

Family Health Centers isproud to announce they are join-ing the QTIP Program. QTIP,stands for Quality throughTechnology and Innovation inPediatrics. It is a qualityimprovement collaborative fund-ed by South Carolina Medicaid.Family Health Centers joins theprogram along with thirty otherpediatric practices around thestate with the aim to give top ofthe line quality care to their pedi-atric patients. The Family HealthCenters QTIP team will focus onimproving quality care and inte-grating behavioral health into thecare of the pediatric patient pop-ulation.

Dr. Byron JacksonPodiatrist

Foot tips if you have diabetes

• See a podiatrist on a regular basis• Keep your feet clean and free from infection• Never walk barefoot, especially in the garden or on the

beach and try to avoid sitting with your legs crossed• file your toenails regularly• Get corns or hard skin treated by a podiatrist• Treat ulcers urgently, within 24 hours, especially if there is

redness or swelling around the area, or in an area whereyou've previously been warned to seek immediate attention.

• Stop smoking to protect your feet. Smoking impairs theblood circulation. It can seriously worsen foot and leg prob-lems.But remember, people with diabetes can live long healthy

lives when their diabetes is properly managed. Eat healthy,get physically active, stop smoking and if you need to loseweight, lose it!

Contact FHC and schedule an appointment with our podia-trist. Call 803-531-6900

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The Flooding in SouthCarolina was one of the mostpowerful disasters SC has expe-rienced in decades with severalfatalities. Many are calling it a"1000 year flood." The stormsand flooding affected more thanhalf our state. Overcoming thehigh levels of stress is some-times more difficult than gettingthrough the environmental andphysical aspects of disaster.

Let's TalkAt FHC, there are behavioral

health professionals here to

help you getthrough the emo-tional toil.

For updatedemergency infor-mation regardingthe flood, FEMAassistance, waterdistribution cen-ters, and otherinformation,

please visit the SC EmergencyManagement Division websiteat www.scemd.org or 803-737-8500.

Surviving the Flood:The Aftermath

FHCBehavioralHealthProfessionalStaceyGraham

FHC staffattend SCPrimaryHealth CareAssociation conferencein MyrtleBeach.

Dr. Therman E. Evans, aphysician and minister,speaks at Clinical, FrontOffice, Revenue Cycle,Advocacy and OutreachRetreat in Myrtle Beachduring SC Primary HealthCare Association meeting.

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We are currently installing a state-of-the-art network and com-munications infrastructure which will improve the response of ourElectronic Medical Records (EMR) application and other systems.By improving the performance of these systems, FHC will benefitin improved productivity and customer service. In addition, FHC

will be launching a newdynamic, interactive, andprofessional website leverag-ing all of the advanced toolsof social media to educatethe community and patientsabout health care and theexcellent services that FHChas to offer. Patients will alsohave access to the medicalinformation over a securenetwork connection fromanywhere on any mobiledevice or computer.

FHC’s new state-of-the-art networkand communications infrastructure

Anthony Caldwell, Chief InformationOfficer.

RebrandingFamily HealthCenters

You might notice somechanges at FHC in the comingweeks. We have begun the re-branding process whichincludes a new logo, websitedevelopment, and visual andemotional attributes that defineour organization. Rebrandingsets us apart from the competi-tion. We have a lot to offer hereat FHC, rebranding will allow usto reach out to more communi-ties in need of our services.

FHC is on the cutting edge of medicine withtelehealth, the use of medical informationexchanged from one site to another via electron-ic communications to improve a patient’s clinicalhealth status. Telemedicine includes a growingvariety of applications and services using two-way video, email, smart phones, wireless toolsand other forms of telecommunications technol-ogy.

In rural areas, telemedicine is desperatelyneeded where patients are unable to obtain themedical expertise only available in metropolitanregions. The use of telemedicine has spreadrapidly and is now becoming integrated into theongoing operations at FHC.

FHC on the cutting edge of medicinewith “telehealth”

Technology at FHC

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