Ramona Midkiff

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

What is the Universal Service Fund?

The USF is a fund the federal government uses to make sure people in all parts of the country—especially rural areas—can get access to phone and internet at an affordable rate. Telecom companies contribute to the fund and often pass the cost on to customers as a small line item on their phone bills. The funds support:

• Rural homes and businesses
• Tribal lands
• Schools and libraries
• Health clinics and telehealth programs

Why Did the Court Get Involved?

Some groups argued the FCC did not have the authority to collect these fees and give the money to the Universal Service Fund. They claimed it was an unconstitutional tax.
However, the Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that Congress had granted the FCC the authority to manage the program and that the process was lawful and necessary. (Read more from Reuters)

What This Means for Rural South Carolina

This ruling protects funding that helps people in rural areas stay connected to doctors, schools, and family. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said it best: ending the fund would hurt millions of Americans. However, she also suggested that Congress should explore ways to modernize the program. (Read More from TV Technology)

Why PCC Cares

Meet Kamryn Coker Williams, our Telehealth Coordinator specializing in Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) at Palmetto Care Connections!

🩺 Kamryn’s role focuses on distributing and educating patients about advanced monitoring tools that help providers make the best decisions for treatment and health outcomes. She also works closely with patients and providers to support healthier lifestyles while assisting with other telehealth services PCC offers.

🤝 One of Kamryn’s proudest moments was helping with PCC’s Telehealth Summit just four months into her role, where she witnessed how a small team created such a successful event.

❤ After years with large corporate companies as an LPN, Kamryn knew PCC was different from her first call with our CEO, Kathy Schwarting. Kamryn says joining this close-knit, supportive work family has been a huge blessing ️.

🧡 For Kamryn, the most rewarding part of her job is building strong relationships with her RPM patients.

Inspired by the mantra, “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll realize they were the big things,” Kamryn brings warmth and care to all she does.

🐕 Outside of work, Kamryn loves helping her dad and brother with their hunting dogs, providing vaccines, grooming, and plenty of TLC 🐾.

By Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Say hello to Caroline Warren, one of our amazing Telehealth Coordinators at Palmetto Care Connections!  

🏫 Caroline plays a vital role in school-based telehealth, working closely with school nurses and telehealth providers to bring healthcare access to local schools. 📡 She also helps place telehealth equipment in community spaces like Offices on Aging, libraries, and churches, while providing ongoing support for telehealth equipment. 

🌐 A memorable moment for Caroline was participating in the Digital Divide simulation at the 12th Annual PCC Telehealth Summit. She says the experience was eye-opening, highlighting the many barriers people face in a technology-driven world. 

💙 Caroline says she was inspired to join PCC because of its mission to provide access to healthcare for people across the state, regardless of where they live. The most rewarding part of her role is interacting with people of all ages and seeing how telehealth transforms lives firsthand. 

Guided by her favorite mantra, “Good things are coming,” Caroline approaches each day with optimism and purpose.  

🔍 Outside of work, she loves watching true crime shows and diving into fascinating cases.  

Thank you, Caroline, for your passion and dedication to making healthcare more accessible! 

#MakingConnections #MeetOurTeam #PalmettoCareConnections 

By Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Say hello to Riley Van Coutren, a dedicated Project Coordinator at Palmetto Care Connections!  

Riley plays a key role in maintaining and monitoring project plans for the Palmetto State Providers Network Consortium. From attending meetings 📝 and documenting important decisions to managing project deadlines⏳and facilitating discussions 🤝, Riley ensures that every project adheres to frameworks and meets its goals. 

🎓 One memorable moment in Riley’s journey at PCC was teaching a Digital Inclusion class in Williamsburg County, where a participant later shared how the skills she learned helped her watch her grandson graduate college via Zoom. 

🌍 Riley was inspired to join PCC because of its commitment to creating positive change for communities across the state. 

🗣 The most rewarding part of Riley’s role is the collaborative environment, where every team member’s voice️ and ideas contribute to changing lives.  

A believer in the mantra “Change is the only constant,” Riley embraces growth and adaptability.  

✈️ Outside of work, Riley’s adventurous spirit shines through a love for traveling to new places and sampling unique cuisines 🍴 that can’t be found at home.  

Thank you, Riley, for your passion and dedication to making a difference! 

#MakingConnections #MeetOurTeam #PalmettoCareConnections 

Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) CEO Kathy Schwarting and Chief Technology Officer Matt Hiatt recently met with SC Rep. Jeff Bradley (R-Beaufort County), chairman of the South Carolina Senate’s Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Committee. The meeting focused on PCC’s ongoing efforts to promote safe and accessible technology use across South Carolina.

During the conversation, Schwarting and Hiatt shared an overview of PCC’s mobile app and introduced SC Rep. Bradley to the Internet Safety Module, an educational tool that teaches users how to protect themselves while navigating the online world. This free, user-friendly course offers practical tips on recognizing online scams, creating strong passwords, and understanding privacy settings—key skills for anyone using the internet today.

SC Rep. Bradley expressed interest in the module’s potential to help bridge the digital literacy gap, particularly in rural and underserved communities. As chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Committee, he emphasized the importance of proactive cybersecurity education and praised PCC’s work in this area.

To explore the Internet Safety Module, visit: https://learn.palmettocareconnections.org/005-internet-safety/

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Meet Nicole Smoak, our creative Digital Design Specialist at Palmetto Care Connections! Nicole designs E-Learning modules for the PCC website and mobile app 📱💻, helping learners navigate telehealth calls, access personal health records through MyChart, stay safe online, and more. Her work empowers individuals to confidently use digital tools to manage their healthcare and daily lives 🌐. 

A memorable moment for Nicole was attending her first in-person training class. Learning about the challenges participants face while using digital devices inspired her to create modules tailored to their needs, making technology more accessible and user-friendly 💡. 

Nicole was drawn to PCC by the opportunity to design E-Learning tools that truly make a difference. The most rewarding part of her role is hearing from participants about how the modules have helped and benefited them ❤️. 

Guided by her mantra, “Do your best and learn from your mistakes,” Nicole continuously grows and improves to provide the best resources possible. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys playing Diablo 4, a fantasy game where players battle monsters to stop the corruption of the land 🎮. Through gaming, she’s connected with people from New Zealand, New York, Maine, and even Paris 🌍! 

Thank you, Nicole, for your dedication to making technology easier for everyone! 

#MakingConnections #MeetOurTeam #PalmettoCareConnections 

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Twenty-two Allendale County residents took a meaningful step toward greater digital inclusion on Friday, April 4, during a Digital Literacy Class hosted by Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) at the Allendale County Leisure Center in the town of Fairfax. The class was made possible through funding from the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance (SCTA).

Before the training began, Dewan Smith, Director of the Allendale County Office on Aging, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of PCC’s programs in rural communities. He spoke about the strong partnership between the center and PCC and encouraged attendees to take full advantage of the telehealth cart located at the facility.

Led by PCC Digital Literacy Manager Ashley Parra, the class covered essential computer and internet skills to help participants navigate today’s digital world. From sending an email to learning how to safely browse the internet and connect with healthcare providers via telehealth, the session was packed with practical, easy-to-follow instruction.

“Many of our participants came in unsure of how to use a computer or smartphone but left with new confidence and a stronger understanding of how to take advantage of digital resources,” said Parra.

For communities like Fairfax—where access to high-speed internet and digital devices can be limited—PCC’s efforts continue to play a critical role in closing the digital divide. The class also helped participants understand how telehealth services can improve access to care, especially in areas where healthcare options may be scarce.

PCC’s Digital Literacy Program continues to expand its reach across South Carolina, equipping residents with the skills they need to connect, communicate, and care for their health more effectively.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Palmetto Care Connections team members recently joined healthcare leaders and advocates from across the state at the Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare’s (CRPH) 5th Annual Meeting, held on April 3, 2025, at the Pastides Alumni Center in Columbia, SC.

The event, designed to bring together CRPH partners for a day of learning, networking, and meaningful discussion, offered an opportunity for participants to share ideas and explore strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities.

Caroline Warren, Liz Saitz, and Matt Hiatt represented PCC at the meeting, along with Bretta Kittrell, FNP, from Bamberg Family Practice. The team engaged in a full day of programming, which included attending insightful panel discussions and breakout sessions focused on rural healthcare innovation, workforce development, and community partnerships.

Through these sessions, our team members gained valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing South Carolina’s rural healthcare providers and explored new ways to collaborate with fellow CRPH partners to drive progress in rural health.

PCC is proud to be part of the ongoing conversation around rural healthcare and looks forward to applying the knowledge and connections gained at this year’s annual meeting to support our mission of connecting rural communities to quality care through technology and innovation.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

April is Alcohol Awareness Month—a vital time to reflect on how alcohol use impacts individuals, families, and communities, and to promote healthier choices, support, and access to care.

Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) understands that alcohol misuse doesn’t just affect physical health—it can also deeply impact mental wellness, relationships, and overall quality of life. In rural areas, where access to behavioral health and substance use treatment can be limited, it’s even more critical to bridge the gap with innovative, community-focused solutions.

This April, in observance of Alcohol Awareness Month, PCC is spotlighting an important initiative: Mom’s IMPACTT—IMProving Access to Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care Through Telemedicine and Tele-Mentoring.
Mom’s IMPACTT is a mental health and substance use disorder resource and referral program for people who are pregnant or within 12 months postpartum, and for any healthcare provider caring for a pregnant or postpartum person.

Alcohol use during pregnancy and the postpartum period can have serious consequences, and access to supportive, non-judgmental care is essential. Programs like Mom’s IMPACTT provide the vital connection between rural families and the specialized care they need—using telehealth to overcome geographic and transportation barriers.

This Alcohol Awareness Month, let’s continue having open, supportive conversations around alcohol use, particularly during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Together, we can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and connect people with the care they deserve.

To learn more about Mom’s IMPACTT, visit:
🔗 https://muschealth.org/medical-services