CareSouth Carolina joins state leaders for 11th Annual Telehealth Summit of South Carolina

GREENVILLE, SC — Palmetto Care Connections recently concluded its 11th Annual Telehealth Summit of South Carolina, providing a platform for healthcare professionals to discuss and explore the impact of telehealth on rural communities. Jeri Andrews, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, Associate Medical Director at CareSouth Carolina, served as a keynote speaker for the event. 

How Telehealth Impacts Rural Communities

The session delved into the significance of telehealth in rural areas, emphasizing that for many residents, it is not just a matter of convenience but a crucial means of care. Jeri Andrews, along with other healthcare leaders such as Graham Sullivan and Carolyn McClain, shared insights on the panel moderated by Graham Adams, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the South Carolina Office of Rural Health. 

Andrews highlighted how telehealth at CareSouth Carolina has played a vital role in keeping patients connected with their healthcare team, especially when face-to-face visits are not practical.

“I am honored and excited to join a panel of other South Carolina rural healthcare leaders at Palmetto Care Connection’s annual telehealth summit to discuss how telehealth impacts rural communities,” Andrews said. “Here at CareSouth Carolina, we have been able to see firsthand how telehealth services have provided a means for patients to stay connected with their healthcare team when a face-to-face visit is not feasible or necessary.”

In addition to Jeri Andrews, CareSouth Carolina CEO Ann Lewis and Chief of Community Health Joe Bittle, LBSW, MHA served as moderators for two other major panels during the summit.

The Other Side of the Camera: Patient Perspectives

Moderated by Ann Lewis, this panel explored the impact of telehealth from the patient's perspective. Attendees had the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of how telehealth has influenced the lives of patients in South Carolina, shedding light on the human side of digital healthcare.

Digital Inclusion Efforts in South Carolina

Moderated by Joe Bittle, this panel expanded the conversation beyond healthcare to discuss digital inclusion efforts in the state. The focus encompassed digital literacy, equity with technology, infrastructure, connectivity, education, and more. The panel, consisting of Paola Guiterrez, Stacey Lindbergh, and Ashlee Parra, provided insights into how South Carolina is actively addressing digital inclusion, spanning grassroots initiatives to top-level strategies.

The summit served as a crucial platform for professionals and experts to share experiences, insights, and strategies in the ever-evolving landscape of telehealth, with a specific focus on its impact in rural South Carolina communities.

CareSouth Carolina is a private, non-profit community health center delivering patient-centered health and life services in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. CareSouth Carolina operates centers in Bennettsville, Bishopville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Dillon, Hartsville, Lake View, Latta, McColl and Society Hill.

Services provided by CareSouth Carolina include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women's services, OB/GYN, HIV/AIDS primary care, infectious disease primary care, IV therapy, substance abuse prevention, dental, chiropractic services, pharmacy, senior support services, family support services, clinical counseling, laboratory, ultrasound, X-Ray, agricultural worker health services, and veterans choice provider.