News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Community Health Improvement Week (CHIW), observed June 9–13, is a national opportunity to recognize the people, partnerships, and programs that are making communities healthier. At Palmetto Care Connections (PCC), this week holds special meaning as we reflect on the progress we’ve made—alongside our partners—to close healthcare gaps across rural South Carolina through innovation, collaboration, and heart.

Our mission has always been rooted in one simple but powerful belief: where you live shouldn’t determine if—or how—you get care. This year’s CHIW theme, “We Are Healthcare”, is a reminder that improving community health isn’t just about hospital systems or medical charts. It’s about neighbors checking in, local libraries hosting telehealth visits, and older adults learning to use tablets to speak with their doctors from home.

What PCC Is Doing to Improve Community Health

During CHIW and every week of the year, our team is focused on building digital bridges to better health:

• Telehealth Access Points: We’ve partnered with libraries, schools, and community centers to install telehealth equipment in places people already go—making healthcare more convenient, especially in rural areas.

• Digital Literacy Training: Through statewide training programs, we teach seniors, caregivers, and underserved populations how to safely use technology for telehealth and other essential services.

• Broadband Advocacy: We work alongside government agencies, internet service providers, and nonprofit partners to expand broadband infrastructure—because no one should have to choose between gas money and a doctor’s visit.

• Support for Providers: By offering technology solutions and technical assistance to rural clinics and hospitals, we help providers stay connected and patients stay informed.

Get Involved

Community Health Improvement Week is also a call to action. Whether you’re a caregiver, healthcare worker, or just someone who wants to help, here are a few ways to get involved:

• Help a neighbor or family member sign up for school-based telehealth.

• Volunteer to support one of our digital literacy events.

• Share our resources with someone who might not know about them.

• Advocate for broadband and telehealth access in your local community.

Together, we can continue creating a future where care is more accessible, more connected, and more personal—no matter where you live.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Emma, you know she’s not just crunching numbers—she’s helping drive impact across South Carolina. As Finance Director at PCC, Emma oversees all financial operations to ensure the organization remains in strong financial standing while complying with laws and regulations. She’s also helping pave the way for long-term growth through smart strategy and a heart for service.

Emma joined PCC with deep roots in nonprofit finance. After time away from the sector, she felt a pull to return to work that fuels her passion. “I researched several area non-profits, considered their mission, and reached out to PCC. After talking with Kathy for just a few minutes, I knew this was where I wanted to be.”

Originally from East Tennessee and a longtime South Carolina resident, Emma understands the challenges of rural life—and the power of broadband and telehealth to bridge those gaps. “I wanted to be a part of the mission to help rural and underserved communities by connecting them to quality services. Telehealth platforms have the potential to transform global healthcare delivery, and I want to be part of that.”

While she’s only been with PCC a short time, Emma says it didn’t take long to feel at home. “The team’s enthusiasm and support are incredible. When everyone is working toward the same goal, you can achieve a greater impact—and that’s what I missed most about nonprofit work.”

Outside of work, Emma has a few unexpected passions! She’s a proud FFDP (Five Finger Death Punch) groupie, a wildlife watcher with her own backyard bird sanctuary, and a devoted volunteer for Rottweiler and Basset Hound rescues.

Her favorite quote changes by the day, but today’s mantra says it all: “I will achieve great things through small steps.”

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

June is recognized as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, a time to highlight the lasting effects of trauma and emphasize the importance of accessible mental health care. PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event—combat veterans, survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence, first responders, and even those impacted by serious accidents or natural disasters. It’s not just a personal issue—it’s a public health concern.

At Palmetto Care Connections (PCC), we are committed to increasing access to care in rural communities, especially for behavioral and mental health. Through telehealth, people living in remote areas of South Carolina can now receive timely support for PTSD without the barriers of distance or travel.

Telehealth Resources for PTSD in South Carolina

Here are several telehealth programs in South Carolina that support individuals living with PTSD:

1. MUSC Health’s Telehealth Resilience & Recovery Program (TRRP)

This trauma-informed program supports patients who are recovering emotionally from serious injuries. TRRP provides education, mental health screening, assessment, and treatment through secure telehealth technology. Whether you’re in a hospital or at home, support is available via phone, tablet, or computer.

2. MUSC Telehealth Outreach Program (TOP)

TOP brings evidence-based, trauma-focused mental health services directly to children and adolescents who’ve experienced trauma. This telehealth service ensures that even students in the most rural school districts can access the support they need without leaving their communities.

3. South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH) Telepsychiatry Program

SCDMH’s telepsychiatry network provides thousands of psychiatric consultations each month, many of which occur in rural hospitals and community clinics. It’s a proven way to connect patients to licensed professionals without delay, especially in areas where providers are scarce.

4. PTSD Self-Screening Tool

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, a self-screening tool from the National Center for PTSD is a good first step. It’s free, anonymous, and helps determine whether you should seek a formal evaluation.

You’re not alone. PTSD can be isolating, but treatment is effective and help is closer than you think—especially with telehealth. This June, let’s raise awareness and expand access to the support so many South Carolinians deserve.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

A recent study by the Mayo Clinic highlights the transformative potential of telehealth in enhancing patient care. The research focused on four key outcomes: improved patient health, reduced hospital service use, lowered healthcare costs, and enhanced community health. Notably, patients who received remote monitoring support post-discharge experienced better health outcomes and required less follow-up care compared to those without such support. 

Dr. Aaron Spaulding, the study’s senior author, emphasized telehealth’s role in addressing social determinants of health. The findings suggest that telehealth services, including online therapy, can lead to significant improvements in patients’ overall health perceptions within their communities. This underscores telehealth’s capacity to bridge gaps in healthcare access and delivery.

However, the study also notes that telehealth should complement, not replace, in-person care. Dr. Spaulding advocates for a personalized approach, recognizing that different patients have varying needs. A hybrid model, combining telehealth with traditional care, may offer the most effective solution for many individuals.

For organizations like Palmetto Care Connections, these insights reinforce the importance of integrating telehealth thoughtfully into healthcare strategies. By leveraging telehealth’s strengths and acknowledging its limitations, we can work towards a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.

To delve deeper into the study, visit the Mayo Clinic News Network: Harnessing telehealth to enhance patient care.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Behind every successful telehealth appointment, every secure broadband connection, and every piece of functioning medical equipment in rural South Carolina—there’s a team of dedicated professionals making it all possible. 

This week (May 18–24, 2025) , Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) proudly joins organizations across the nation in celebrating Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Week, an annual recognition led by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). It’s a time to honor the healthcare technology professionals who work behind the scenes to ensure that medical devices and digital infrastructure are reliable, safe, and ready when patients need them most. 

Why HTM Professionals Matter 

HTM professionals—including biomedical equipment technicians, clinical engineers, IT specialists, and support staff—are the backbone of healthcare delivery in today’s tech-driven world. At PCC, their expertise powers our mission to expand telehealth access, improve broadband connectivity, and support digital health innovations across rural communities. 

They are the quiet force ensuring: 

• 🛠️ Equipment and technology are properly installed, maintained, and secured. 

• 🩺 Providers have the tools they need to deliver high-quality, remote care. 

• 🌐 Rural residents can connect to care—regardless of location or access barriers. 

Show Your Appreciation
Use the hashtag #HealthcareTechnologyWeek to spotlight your tech heroes and share how technology is transforming care in your community. 

To learn more about HTM Week, visit aami.org/htmweek