January 2025

Palmetto Care Connections proudly celebrates Dr. Meera Narasimhan, a board member, for receiving the Dean’s Distinguished Career Achievement Award from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia. 

This prestigious honor recognizes her outstanding contributions to health care, including championing mental health legislation and technology-driven initiatives in South Carolina and beyond. According to the University of South Carolina’s School of Medicine, Dr. Narasimhan has been actively involved in rural health initiatives both within the state and globally, addressing health disparities through innovative technology. 

As a valued member of our board, we deeply appreciate Dr. Narasimhan’s efforts to connect rural communities with quality health care. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Narasimhan on this well-deserved recognition. 

Source: Center for Connected Health Policy; Rural Telehealth Research Center

How did relaxed telehealth policies during COVID-19 shape health equity? The Rural Telehealth Research Center’s latest brief uncovers surprising insights into telehealth’s role in access, costs, and outcomes across underserved communities.

Read article

Source: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, Palmetto Care Connections

On December 18, 2024, the Palmetto Connect Team took a step forward in its mission to bridge the digital divide and health equity. We partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services in South Carolina for a Digital Literacy project to improve access to healthcare for a targeted Medicaid population.

Thanks to a grant, we were able to send 24 internet-capable tablets to residents in Florence and Horry counties. These tablets will allow these residents to access their healthcare providers from the comfort of their own homes.

To meet the needs of this population, Palmetto Care Connection created online modules to help this population enhance their digital skills. The modules cover topics such as device basics, email usage, internet navigation, cybersecurity, telehealth, and health literacy. After completing all their modules, participants are encouraged to use their tablets independently, helping to build confidence and deepen their engagement with digital tools.

With this grant, we expanded our Digital Inclusion outreach to over 30 counties in South Carolina. This success reflects the dedication of the Palmetto Connect Team and underscores the importance of providing equitable access to technology and education for Medicaid beneficiaries. By enhancing digital literacy, the initiative improves participants’ ability to engage with health and telehealth resources and promotes broader access to digital opportunities in their daily lives.

We are thankful for the support of the Department of Health and Human Services which allows us to provide these services. This is just one way the PCC is tackling healthcare equity in South Carolina and nationwide.

Source: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, Palmetto Care Connections

Kudos to Palmetto Care Connections Founding Board Member, Dr. James McElligott, for being honored with the 2024 Marion Woodbury Leadership Excellence Award at the Medical University of South Carolina.

According to a news release from MUSC, The Marion Woodbury Jr. Leadership Excellence Award is presented annually for meritorious service to a member of the MUSC Health leadership team. This award recognizes leaders who have served as role models for MUSC Health’s values, with a particular focus on innovations that transform MUSC Health.

Dr. McElligott oversees the activities of the MUSC’s Center for Telehealth while also co-chairing the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance. He has been a board member of PCC for nearly 15 years.

We want to congratulate Dr. McElligott, on this well-deserved recognition of his leadership and dedication to advancing telehealth innovation.

We appreciate his unwavering commitment to telehealth and health equity in South Carolina!

Source: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, Palmetto Care Connections

Jessica Samuel, a Digital Literacy Analyst with Palmetto Care Connections, recently achieved a milestone by completing SC Thrive Benefits Training. The comprehensive program equips professionals to better assist clients in navigating and applying for critical assistance programs.

The training provided detailed guidance on the do’s and don’ts when supporting clients, ensuring interactions remain both ethical and effective. Participants reviewed programs administered by agencies such as the Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Welvista, Internal Revenue Service, and Social Security Administration.

Jessica gained experience in helping clients apply for essential services, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Welvista’s prescription assistance. A significant component of the training emphasized referring clients to partner organizations when additional help is needed.

Using the SC Thrive Hub platform, Jessica successfully navigated realistic family scenarios, completing applications and refining her skills in real-time. This accomplishment highlights her commitment to providing valuable assistance to those in need and strengthens PCC’s mission of empowering community members through digital literacy and resource access.