SC Office of Rural Health |

Gracie Bertrand

Gracie Bertrand joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2021. In her role as Workforce Coordinator, she connects physicians and advanced practice providers with positions that enable them to serve rural and medically underserved communities. She also helps medical students and residents navigate resources that ensure retention.

Gracie earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the College of Charleston. She is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. Prior to joining the Office of Rural Health, Gracie worked in various clinical settings, administrative and clinical, which provides her with multiple perspectives on workforce. She is passionate about anti-bias, equity, improving the physical and mental health of underserved communities, and identifying and reducing disparities that interfere with access and quality of care.

She enjoys crocheting and other crafts, reading, live music, and spending time with her German Short-haired Pointer, Zoey.

Markus Smith, MHA

Contact: msmith@scorh.net

Markus Smith joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2017, and currently serves as Program Manager of Community Health Transformation with SCORH’s Community Support team.

Markus received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Allen University and a Master in Healthcare Administration degree from Capella University. Prior to working at SCORH, Markus served as a program manager at the Babcock Center, assisting individuals with traumatic brain injuries and intellectual disabilities in vocational rehabilitation.

Stephanie Gibbs

Contact: stephanie@scorh.net

Stephanie Gibbs joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in December 2007 as a financial analyst and human resources manager. In August 2014, she was promoted to director of finance and human resources- and in July 2021, she was promoted to Chief Financial Officer. In this role, she provides planning, review and reporting for numerous funding sources to ensure all accounting and financial goals are met. Stephanie also guides and manages the overall provision of human resources services, policies, and programs for the office.

She received an associate’s degree in accounting from Midlands Technical College and holds several human resources certifications. She has 25+ years of experience in accounting and human resources with most of that time spent with non-profit organizations.

Stephanie resides in Lexington with her husband and son. Stephanie and her husband have been married for 20+ years and own a sports turf management company, and enjoy traveling with their son who is an avid baseball player.

Jennifer Johnson, CPC, CRHCP, CRCA

Contact: jjohnson@scorh.net

Jennifer Johnson joined the SC Office of Rural Health in 2021 as Rural Health Clinic Specialist. In this role, she supports rural providers as they implement operational improvement, regulatory compliance, and technology-based solutions that will help improve patient outcomes, office efficiency and satisfaction for the patient and the healthcare team.

Jennifer graduated from University of South Carolina – Aiken in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management. She is also a Certified Professional Coder, Certified Rural Health Care Professional, Rural Health Care Billing and Coding Specialist, and Certified Revenue Cycle Associate. She is also certified in Rural and Community Health and Evaluation and Management Auditing. And she serves on the education committee of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC).

Prior to joining the SCORH staff, Jennifer was a practice manager for a rural health clinic within Edgefield County Hospital’s system from 2008 until October of 2020.  Most recently, she worked as a rural healthcare compliance manager for Self Regional Healthcare. 

Jennifer and her husband Brent have 5 children – Gage, Caroline, Elizabeth Kate, and twins Ella and Beckett.  They live in New Holland, S.C. where they enjoy spending time on the family beef cattle farm.

Amanda Hiers

Contact: ahiers@scorh.net

Amanda Hiers joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2021 and currently serves as a program manager for the Community Health Transformation team.

In this role, she leads network development and provides technical assistance resources for community leaders and healthcare providers related to community-based population health programs. She provides this support to community coalitions, AccessHealth Networks, Rural Health Networks and their partner organizations regarding sustainability and viability, continuous quality improvement and new program development.

Prior to joining SCORH, Amanda served as an Innovation and High Reliability Specialist for the South Carolina Hospital Association where she coordinated multiple projects centered on high reliability, community health, access to care, transitions of care, and behavioral health. She also has more than 12 years of experience from the clinical setting in process improvement, hospital safety and quality, health system navigation, and patient education and engagement.

A native of Barnwell County, Amanda is an advocate for improving health equity and reducing health disparities by addressing social determinants of health in South Carolina. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in human resource management from Southern Wesleyan University. Amanda also holds a Just Culture Algorithm Certification from Outcome Engenuity, an accountability model designed to help organizations achieve better outcomes and pursue sustainable and positive culture change through systems design and performance management.

Greg Barabell, MD

Contact: greg.barabell@clearbellsolutions.com

Dr. Greg Barabell joined the SCORH team as a physician advisor in 2018 soon after starting his company Clear Bell Solutions to focus on equity, transparency and advocacy in healthcare.

Prior to 2018, he served as Chief Medical Officer of the largest Medicaid MCO in South Carolina. Dr. Barabell created the Primary Care Access Program (PCAP), an alternative payment model that moved Select Health’s traditional fee-for-service format to a system of sub-capitation and quality improvement metrics.

A self-taught clinical professional coder who’s certified by the American Academy of Professional Coders, Dr. Barabell leveraged this skill to oversee Payment Accuracy Solution Vendor implementation, provide medico-legal consulting to SC external consultants, and represent Select Health at Medicaid State Fair hearings.

Dr. Barabell received his MD at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, NY, before moving to Charleston for a pediatric residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. Concurrent with his pediatric residency, Dr. Barabell served in the SC Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), where he clinically interpreted state and federal policy for the SC Medicaid healthcare network. This work resulted in an appointment to the Governor’s Health Information Technology Governance Committee and board membership on the South Carolina State Health Information Partners, including stints as Chair and Vice Chair.

His hobbies include running and riding his moped, all depending on how quick he needs to get somewhere.

Karie Fersner, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC

Contact: kfersner.familysolutions@scorh.net

Karie Fersner joined the Family Solutions staff in 2021 as a nurse practitioner. In this role, she provides education and support to women in the community.

Her nursing experience includes more than 11 years in women’s healthcare, including three-and-a-half years of postpartum/gynecologic nursing, eight years in antepartum and labor and delivery, and over 3 years as a nurse educator and nurse leader at the Regional Medical Center in Women’s Services. She was also a clinical adjunct nurse instructor at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College for more than four years.

Karie received a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2009 and master’s degree in nursing education in 2015 from Charleston Southern University. In 2020, she received a master’s of science in nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She is also an NCC-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner licensed in South Carolina.

She is married and has a son. In her spare time, Karie enjoys spinning, reading, and making memories with her family. They love to travel, go out to eat, and experience new things.

Crystal Dowd

Contact: cdowd.familysolutions@scorh.net

Crystal Dowd joined the Family Solutions staff in 2020 as data manager. She worked as a data clerk for seven years prior to that. Crystal has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from College of Charleston. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Talina Strange

Contact: tstrange.familysolutions@scorh.net

Talina Strange joined the Family Solutions staff in 2018 as an outreach coordinator. She has since broadened her role as a community health worker. In this role, she provides education on prenatal and postpartum care to mothers, and parenting skills and child development to families. Talina is also responsible for assisting with community events, engaging with future program participants, and sharing community resources. Talina is currently furthering her education from Claflin University, where she is seeking a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in sociology.

Annette Jensen

Contact: ajensen.familysolutions@scorh.net

Annette Jensen joined the Family Solutions staff in 2020 as a nurse home visitor with the Nurse Family Partnership program. She has worked in women’s health for 38 years. Prior to joining Family Solutions, she worked for 32 years at the Regional Medical Center as a clinical unit leader in labor and delivery. Annette is certified as an inpatient obstetric nurse and a sexual assault nurse examiner.

Covid- 19 Vaccine Information

– Vaccine information from DHEC

– DHEC FAQ Page

– SCHA Webpage for Vaccine Resources

Otiti Uwagbai-Wright

Otiti Uwagbai-Wright serves as the Office Manager for Family Solutions. A native of Georgetown, SC, she has learned the fundamentals of life through trial and error. After working several years as a certified nursing assistant, Otiti decided to enroll (with encouragement from her parents) at Denmark Technical College. After graduating with an Associate Degree in Science, she continued to further her education by matriculating at South Carolina State University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

Ladovia Washington

Ladovia Washington joined the Family Solutions staff in 2013 and currently serves as their Social Work Manager and Lead Social Worker. In this role, she provides intensive counseling, coordination, and management of complex cases. She is also a community outreach liaison and Certified Family Planning Worker.

As a former participant of Family Solution’s Low Country Healthy Start program, Ladovia is well-versed in the program and what it has to offer. She also has experience working with adolescent, prison, and adult populations.

Ladovia received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina and her Bachelor of Social Work from South Carolina State University. She is currently a PhD candidate at Ashford University pursuing her doctorate degree in philosophy and human services.

Romaine Stephens, CLC

Romaine Stephens joined the Family Solutions staff in 2010. Romaine currently serves as the Community Engagement Specialist with Family Solutions.

In April 2011, she received certification as a lactation consultant, allowing her to provide breastfeeding education and help mothers develop positive attitudes toward breastfeeding by reducing stigma surrounding this practice.

Romaine is also a reproductive health specialist for Family Solutions. In this role, she educates and connects women and men to reproductive and contraceptive care at partnering health care locations.

Romaine received her masters degree in human resource management and a Bachelor of Arts degree from South Carolina State University.

Tracy Golden, CCE

Tracy Golden joined the Family Solutions staff in 2003 and currently serves as their Senior Program Manager. She’s also a Certified Childbirth Educator and a Certified Community Health Worker. Tracy’s responsibilities include planning and teaching childbirth classes to the participants in all five counties served by Family Solutions, and supervising community health workers. .

Prior to joining Family Solutions, Tracy was an Information Systems Engineer for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Tracy is a member of the SC Breastfeeding Coalition, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, SC Community Health Workers Association, and the SC Perinatal Association. Tracy also serves as Bamberg County First Steps Board Chairman and SC Community Health Workers Association Executive Board member.

Barbara Busby

Barbara Busby serves as Nurse Supervisor for Nurse Family Partnership, a program of Family Solutions. In this role, she provides nursing education and support to first-time mothers and their families.

Barbara brings a variety of nursing experience to Family Solutions. Prior to joining Family Solutions, she worked as a Nurse Consultant for the Department of Health and Human Services with the Community Long Term Care program. As a Nurse Consultant, she connected numerous families with services and support to improve their quality of life.

Lamikka Purvis Samuel

Lamikka Purvis Samuel currently serves as the Director of Family Solutions.

Prior to her work at the SC Office of Rural Health, Lamikka worked at one of South Carolina’s major hospital systems providing case management for adult patients with cardiovascular conditions, and also in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit helping families of premature, low birth weight, and/or critically ill babies to cope with unexpected and sometimes devastating birth outcomes.

Since becoming a professional social worker in 2003, Lamikka has facilitated grief/loss support groups, conducted community focus groups and educational sessions, provided individual and family counseling, served as a pregnancy prevention advocate in public schools, and provided mentorship and supervision to social workers in the field. She currently serves on board for the SC Perinatal Association.

Lamikka received a Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina. She is also licensed by the state of SC to practice social work, is certified as a Community Health Worker, and is a certified ACE Master Trainer.

Andrea Mitchell, MPH

Contact: amitchell@scorh.net

Andrea Mitchell joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2018 as a program manager for clinical services and initiatives. In her current role as program manager for the Community Health Transformation program, she now provides technical assistance and support to AccessHealth networks across the state to provide quality care for uninsured and under-insured patients in South Carolina.

Andrea is from Columbia, SC. and received her bachelor of science in biology from Claflin University. She received her Master of Public Health degree along with a Certificate of Graduate Study in Health Communication from the University of South Carolina. She has worked with many federal and state-level programs to implement health promotion and prevention initiatives in rural South Carolina. She also has an extensive background in community health development and reducing cancer health disparities.

Rural Health Care - National resources

– RHC COVID test reporting: Step-by-step guide

– CDC guidance for healthcare professionals

– Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

– National Rural Health Association

– National Association of Rural Health Clinics

– Society of Critical Care Medicine

–American Hospital Association rural case studies

– RHC COVID Testing Process Step by Step October 2020

Behavioral Health Resources

-Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

-SC DHEC

-SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services

-SC Department of Mental Health

–SC Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence

-SC Behavioral Health Services Association

– SC HOPES mental health and addictions support line

Jessica Seel, MPH

Contact: jseel@scorh.net

Jessica Seel joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2018 as the workforce program manager. She currently serves as Director of Behavioral Health Initiatives & Workforce Development.

In her role as Director of Behavioral Health Initiatives, Jessica leads SCORH’s efforts to eliminate barriers to mental healthcare and
reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use within rural communities. This work includes suicide prevention programs, and collaborations to address substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). Jessica is the program lead for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), a statewide consortium of partners to integrate behavioral healthcare, primary care, and the treatment of infectious diseases associated with SUD/OUD.

In her role as Director of Workforce Support, Jessica works to attract and retain physicians, advanced practice providers, and other essential providers to rural and medically underserved communities. She also connects students and clinicians to state and national programs that support long-term rural retention.

A Columbia native, Jessica received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Columbia College and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of South Carolina. Prior to joining SCORH, she worked in the healthcare field in various capacities including marketing, management and community education.

Jessica serves on the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Physician Assistant Advisory Council, the board of directors for the Rural Recruitment and Retention Network, and the board of directors for Carolinas Association of Physician Services. She enjoys running, exercising, spending time on Lake Murray and cheering for the Gamecocks.

Financial Relief - Individuals

-SC Thrive

-SC Thrive emergency rental assistance

Michele Stanek, MHS

Contact: stanek@scorh.net

Michele Stanek joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2014 as the director of the Center for Practice Transformation. In this role, Michele provides support to Rural Health Clinics and other rural practices in practice improvement and medical home development. Michele also works with providers and staff to support practices as they build their capacity for practice transformation.

In addition to working with SCORH, Michele has a faculty appointment in the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. In this role, she manages the I-3 Practice Improvement Collaborative and directs the department’s quality improvement program.

Prior to her current roles, Michele served in several health policy and governmental relations roles at Johns Hopkins Medicine. She was responsible for developing and directing advocacy efforts on state and federal health policy and financing issues for the medical school and health system.

Michele received a Master of Health Sciences degree in health policy and management and a certificate in healthcare finance from The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College.

Sara H. Myers

Sara H. Myers joined the Family Solutions staff in 2007 as a client navigator. In this role, she provides home visiting services to pregnant women and their families living in the rural counties of Allendale and Hampton. Sara helps her clients find employment, further their education, and secure child care for their children. She also distributes Pack-and-Plays to clients and colleagues. Sara holds a CNA certification.

Tiyonia Fields

Tiyonia Fields joined the Family Solutions staff in 2014 as a perinatal social worker for Family Solutions. In this role, she provides education and support to prenatal and postpartum women in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties to help decrease infant mortality among African American women. Tiyonia leads the Maternal Mortality Initiative that provides services to clients who are medically high risk due to obesity coupled with hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or anemia.

Tiyonia obtained a Bachelor of Social Work degree from South Carolina State University in 2014 and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina in 2019.

Virginia Berry White, LMSW

Contact: vwhite.familysolutions@scorh.net

Virginia Berry White joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 1998, and serves as the Director of Family Solutions. In this role, Virginia leads all strategies and objectives related to Family Solutions, including the federally funded Healthy Start grant. Under Virginia’s leadership, the Healthy Start program received the Outstanding Community Health Project Award from the SC Rural Health Association.

Prior to joining SCORH, Virginia served as a Maternal Child Health Coordinator for the Resource Mothers Program with the Department of Health and Environmental Control. She managed a team of indigenous community workers and provided psychosocial assessments to pregnant teens. During this time, she received the District Social Worker of the Year Award.

In more than two decades in the maternal and child health field, Virginia has served on boards for the SC Perinatal Regional Association, the SC Perinatal Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the Orangeburg Health Improvement Council, and the March of Dimes Program Service Committee.

Virginia received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from South Carolina State University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina. She is also licensed by the state of South Carolina to practice social work

Virginia is married and has three children and three grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to Christian music and traveling with her family.

Virginia Berry White

Contact: vwhite.familysolutions@scorh.net

Virginia Berry White joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 1998, and serves as the Director of Family Solutions. In this role, Virginia leads all strategies and objectives related to Family Solutions, including the federally funded Healthy Start grant. Under Virginia’s leadership, the Healthy Start program received the Outstanding Community Health Project Award from the SC Rural Health Association.

Prior to joining SCORH, Virginia served as a Maternal Child Health Coordinator for the Resource Mothers Program with the Department of Health and Environmental Control. She managed a team of indigenous community workers and provided psychosocial assessments to pregnant teens. During this time, she received the District Social Worker of the Year Award.

In more than two decades in the maternal and child health field, Virginia has served on boards for the SC Perinatal Regional Association, the SC Perinatal Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the Orangeburg Health Improvement Council, and the March of Dimes Program Service Committee.

Virginia received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from South Carolina State University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina. She is also licensed by the state of South Carolina to practice social work

Virginia is married and has three children and three grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to Christian music and traveling with her family.

Carla Geter

Carla Geter is a Certified Community Health Worker for Family Solutions in Bamberg County and portions of Orangeburg County. In this role, she is responsible for educating women and families during the perinatal phase as well as encouraging healthy interaction with and development of babies.

Carla earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Voorhees College.

Christina Morais

Christina Morais joined the Family Solutions staff in 2016 as a client navigator. In this role, she provides education on prenatal and postpartum care to mothers, and assists with childbirth classes. She also provides education on parenting skills and child development and keeps clients up to date with community resources and activities.

Brittany Fogle

Brittany Fogle joined the Family Solutions staff in 2015 as a perinatal social worker, after serving as a bachelor- and master-level social work intern for the program. As a perinatal social worker, Brittany aims to reduce infant mortality by providing counseling services, education and support to pregnant women and infants. She is also a certified Community Health Worker.

Brittany is a native of Orangeburg, and a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she received her Master of Social Work degree. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in social work through Capella University. She spends her free time with her son, Bryson.

Sabina (Lizzie) Hannibal

Sabina (Lizzie) Hannibal joined the Family Solutions staff in 2017 as a home visitor for the Nurse-Family Partnership program. In this role, she visits mothers and babies in their homes to provide program support. Additionally, she provides information regarding pregnancy, breastfeeding, and parenting to clients in order to facilitate informed choices and promote self-efficacy.

Prior to joining Family Solutions, Sabina was employed as a Certified Diabetes Educator at The Regional Medical Center. In this position, she served as the coordinator of an American Diabetes Association-certified diabetes self-management program. She provided individual and group education to hospitalized clients and community members with diabetes. She also worked in the Healthy Living Center where she counseled clients about weight loss and diabetes.

Food Access

–Eat Smart, Move More SC
–Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program
–Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) – (Food Stamps)
–Screening Patients for Food Insecurity and Linking them to Nutritious Food Resources During COVID-19

Andrew Chandler, MPH

Contact: chandler@scorh.net

Andrew Chandler joined the staff at SCORH in 2015 and currently serves as a program manager for the Community Health Transformation team. In this role, he provides technical assistance to rural communities across the state who are participating in the Blueprint for Health program. The Blueprint for Health program helps to build capacity at the community level by addressing the social determinants of health and creating a long-term vision of the community’s health.

Prior to joining SCORH, Andrew was a Research Associate for the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health. He received his Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of South Carolina.

Andrew is an avid sportsman and a Gamecocks fan. He and his wife Calli live in Lexington with their son Reece, and their dog Riggs. They will welcome a daughter, Rowan, in August 2020.

Lindsey Kilgo, MSW

Contact: lkilgo@scorh.net

Lindsey Kilgo joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2017 and currently serves as program manager for Behavioral Health Services. In this role, she seeks new ways to bring together community members and both traditional and non-traditional partners to address systemic barriers to quality health care and to think broadly about care in nontraditional ways.

Lindsey is also an adjunct professor with the College of Social Work at University of South Carolina. In this role, she has provided guidance to numerous social work students as they fulfill their field placement requirement.

Prior to coming to SCORH, Lindsey gained more than 15 years of experience in creating, implementing and managing a program that addressed the cyclical barriers to care and assisted uninsured individuals in connecting to services and support, which ultimately led to improved health outcomes.

She received a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s of science degree, majoring in Social Work, from Western Carolina University.

Lindsey resides in Columbia with her husband and daughter.

LaRonda Johnson, MA

Contact: ljohnson@scorh.net

LaRonda Johnson joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2017 and currently serves as program manager with the Center for Practice Transformation. In this role, she assists physician offices with practice improvement and program development.

She has 20 years of combined experience in the arenas of education, training, quality assurance, leadership development, and child advocacy. She holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from South Carolina State University, in the fields of education and counseling.

LaRonda’s community involvement includes providing training and workshops to organizations on a myriad of topics ranging from servant leadership to coaching. She is also a Certified Adoptions Investigator, ensuring children are protected and placed in safe homes.

Andrea Heyward, MPH

Contact: heyward@scorh.net

Andrea Heyward joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in February 2018, and currently serves as a Practice Transformation Consultant for the Center for Practice Transformation (C4PT). Prior to SCORH, she served as a Project Coordinator for the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy where she was primarily responsible for managing the Community Support for Young Parents program.  She has over a decade of experience working in the non-profit sector. As an experienced program manager, technical assistance provider and trainer she has worked with various youth-serving organizations to implement evidence-based programs focused on improving the health outcomes of adolescents and young adults.  Andrea received a Master of Health Science in Health Education and Health Communication from The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She is also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist.  Andrea hails from “Beautiful Beaufort by the Sea”. She grew up on Coosaw Island, South Carolina and is proud to represent the beautiful people of the Gullah Geechie Nation. Growing up herself in a rural community she has a passion for working to improve the overall health and economic outcomes of rural communities across the state.

Darlene G. Hines, MHA

Contact: dhines@scorh.net

Darlene Hines joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in November 2018 as a practice transformation consultant. Her role includes quality improvement processes, risk management, strategic planning, accreditation and regulatory standards with the Center for Practice Transformation. In her previous roles as a hospital chief operating officer and chief quality officer, Darlene oversaw quality improvement and risk management programs.

Darlene has a Bachelor of Science degree in health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina and a Master of Health Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. She serves on the Advisory Board for ECPI University and is a member of the South Carolina Association for Healthcare Quality and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Brian Plane, MBA

Contact: bplane@scorh.net

Brian Plane joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2020 as a program coordinator. In this role, he assists clinics with implementing best practices related to contraceptive access.

Brian is from Columbia, SC, and received both his bachelor’s degree in sociology and Master of Business Administration from Winthrop University. He has more than 10 years of experience in all aspects of physician practice management, specializing in OB-GYN and cardiology.

Outside of work Brian enjoys coaching his sons in various sports and cooking with his fiancée Amanda.

Lindsay Williams, RHIT, CCA, PCMH-CCE

Contact: Lindsay@scorh.net

Lindsay Williams joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2010, and currently serves as a practice transformation consultant for the Center for Practice Transformation. In this role, she is responsible for facilitating chronic disease management and patient-centered medical home (PCMH) recognition for rural health clinics, private fee-for-service providers, and hospital systems.

Previously, she served SCORH as a billing specialist for four years. Prior to joining SCORH, she worked in medical records, billing, and as a referral coordinator for a rural primary care practice in Prosperity, SC.

Lindsay received an associate’s degree in health information management and a certificate in medical record coding from Midlands Technical College. She has been certified through the American Health Information Management Associates (AHIMA) as a Registered Health Information Management Technician (RHIT) and Certified Coding Associate (CCA). Lindsay also received her Patient-Centered Medical Home Content Expert Certification from NCQA in 2018.

LaShandal Pettaway-Brown, MHA, MBA, PCMH -CCE

Contact: lpbrown@scorh.net

LaShandal Pettaway-Brown joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2015 as a practice transformation consultant. In this role, she provides facilitation support to clinics supported by SCORH’s Center for Practice Transformation. She also coordinates assistance to rural providers in support of oral health integration.

Prior to joining SCORH, LaShandal served as a Quality Improvement Coordinator at The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence.

LaShandal received Master in Business Administration and Master in Healthcare Administration degrees from Webster University. She earned a Bachelor of Science with specialization in Healthcare Administration from Austin Peay State University. LaShandal also received her Patient-Centered Medical Home Content Expert Certification from NCQA in 2018.

Sarah Craig, MHA, CRCA

Contact: craig@scorh.net

Sarah M. Craig joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2015, and currently serves as the director of the Health System Innovation team. In this role, she provides targeted support to rural hospitals, emergency medical service (EMS) systems, and primary care providers in South Carolina. She is responsible for engaging the state’s four critical access hospitals in quality improvement activities/initiatives.

Sarah oversees the requirements of several funding sources related to this work, including the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (FLEX) funding and EMS supplement, the federal Small Rural Hospital Improvement (SHIP) grant, a Duke Endowment community paramedic grant, a rural hospital workforce grant and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine EMS leadership and tuition assistance grant.

Prior to this position, Sarah held a graduate assistantship at SCORH. Her residency project focused on the Abbeville Community Paramedic Pilot Program. During her residency, Sarah developed the first draft of the South Carolina Community Paramedic Blueprint.

Sarah received a Master of Healthcare Administration degree and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of South Carolina.

Shannon Chambers, CPC, CRCA

Contact: chambers@scorh.net

Shannon Chambers joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2011, and serves as the director of provider solutions. In this role, Shannon assists private physician offices who desire to convert to Rural Health Clinic (RHC) status. She provides technical assistance to RHCs in compliance activities, billing and coding, EHR implementation, and practice management.

Prior to joining SCORH, Shannon worked in multiple physician practices. She has experience in family practice, internal medicine, orthopedics, urology, pediatrics, and many other specialties.

Shannon is a certified professional coder (CPC) with the American Academy of Professional Coders, an AHIMA-approved ICD 10 CM/PCS trainer, a certified revenue cycle associate (CRCA), and a notary public. She also serves on the board of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics.

Resources for the Elderly

-SC Department on Aging

-GetCareSC directory of senior services

Veteran Health Care

-U.S Department of Veterans Affairs

Employment

-SC Hospital Association

-SC Department of Employment & Workforce

– SC Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation

-National Health Service Corps

Financial Relief - Non-profits

-One SC Fund: COVID-19 Response

–Together SC

– Local chapters of United Way

Financial Relief - Small Businesses

-CARES Act overview

-Small Business Association Guidance

-Small Business Administration funding overview

–Small Business Administration Newsroom

–SC Dept of Commerce

-For more information and assistance, contact Mark Griffin at markg@scorh.net or Britton Herbert at bherbert@scorh.net

Rural Health Care - State Resources

– SC Hospital Association

–SC DHEC Resources for Healthcare Professionals

–Contact info for regional coalitions

– SC EMS Association

–SC COVID-19 Emergency Supply Collaborative

Legal advocacy

-SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center

New South Physician Recruitment

New South Physician Recruitment provides proven (>20 years experience) recruitment strategies for not-for-profit clients across the Southeast. Our regional approach and focus on a limited number of specialties and practice settings provides benefits for both clients and physicians, including perspective and depth of knowledge.

Zack King, MPH, CHES

Contact: zking@scorh.net

Zack King joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2019 as a program manager with the Community Health Transformation team. In this role, he provides technical assistance and support to communities and coalitions across the state through the Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas initiative funded by The Duke Endowment. He also supports other community-focused population health efforts led by the office.

Prior to joining SCORH, Zack was the public health strategist for Catawba County (NC) Public Health and LiveWell Catawba (NC). Zack has a background in community health assessment, health improvement planning and development, and coalition building. His focus is in systems-oriented approaches that create opportunities for collective action toward advancing health equity, developing authentic community relationships, and building the capacity of local leaders and collaboratives.

Zack received his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Georgia and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina. He is originally from York County. He enjoys being outdoors, gardening, cooking, and fighting institutional racism.

Paola A. Gutiérrez, MHA

Contact: pgutierrez@scorh.net

Paola Gutiérrez joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2018 as the lead strategist for the Rural Health Action Plan (RHAP).

Prior to joining SCORH, she was the multicultural program developer for Clemson Cooperative Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. She also served as the PASOs director of programs and training at the Arnold School of Public Health.

Paola received her bachelor’s degree in French literature and German studies from the University of South Carolina and her Master’s in Healthcare Administration from American Intercontinental University. She is a native of Greenville, SC, with a background from Medellín, Colombia. She serves on local and state boards such as 4-H, the State Commission on Respite, and Mental Health Champions-Greenville.

Darlene Lynch

Contact: dlynch@scorh.net

Darlene Lynch joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2017 as the director of the Community Health Transformation team. In this role, Darlene provides technical assistance and supports local partner coordination for the Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas program funded by The Duke Endowment. She also provides leadership in the office for other rural population health based efforts, including a focus on health equity and health disparities.

Prior to joining SCORH, Darlene worked for the American Heart Association as their senior manager of volunteer management. In this position, Darlene managed 59 volunteer executive committees and subcommittees and an estimated 1,500 volunteers across the Eastern United States to influence the quality and growth of the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Training Network. She also worked with government officials to develop chain-of-survival programs and initiatives that increased training and improved survivor outcomes.

Bridget Winston

Contact: bwinston@scorh.net

Bridget Winston joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2019 as the director of communications. In this role, she oversees the office’s brand, communication strategies, website, and social media channels, and works with SCORH staff to promote our mission in the community and through media outreach.

After growing up in Illinois and New Jersey, Bridget graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in English. She began her career as a newspaper reporter in Charleston, W.Va., and Spartanburg, SC, covering education and health care. Before coming to SCORH, she was Director of Development for Senior Resources, where she was responsible for the marketing and fundraising efforts of the agency.

Bridget and her husband, Chris, have two teenage sons, Charlie and Jackson, and occasional foster children. She is a runner, reader, and avid spectator of her sons’ extracurricular activities.

Graham Adams, PhD

Contact: adams@scorh.net

Dr. Graham Adams serves as the CEO of the South Carolina Office of Rural Health, a statewide non-profit organization striving to improve access to care, quality of life and health outcomes in rural and under-served communities. Since joining SCORH in 1995 and his appointment as CEO in 2002, Dr. Adams continues to provide technical assistance regarding strategic planning, grant development, funding opportunities, infrastructure development and resource allocation.

He holds adjunct faculty positions at several universities, as well as serving on the board of trustees for numerous national and statewide organizations. Dr. Adams has had the opportunity to provide congressional testimony on several occasions in addition to receiving secretarial appointments to national advisory committees for both the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Veterans Health Administration.

Dr. Adams received a doctorate degree in health administration and Masters of Public Health degree from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Frostburg State University in Maryland.

Mark Griffin

Contact: markg@scorh.net

Mark Griffin joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 1997 and currently serves as the chief operating officer. In this role, he assists in the development and administration of all of SCORH’s federal and state grant programs, contractual agreements, income generating services, and other services, including the Rural Health Revolving Loan Fund program. He acts as the information technologies and facilities manager for SCORH also.

Prior to joining SCORH, Mark served in the United States Navy for 20 years, before retiring in 1997. During this time, Mark served as the tugmaster and division officer for the port services unit assigned to Submarine Squadron 14, in La Maddalena, Italy, and as division officer for various ships and boat units throughout his naval career.

Mark received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of South Carolina.

Caroline Tevepaugh

Contact: Tevepaugh@scorh.net

Caroline Tevepaugh joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2010, and currently serves as the executive assistant. In this role, she works directly with the management team and assists them with their daily administrative needs. She also assists staff members with their daily activities and projects. Previously, Caroline served as the receptionist for SCORH.

Prior to joining SCORH, Caroline worked with elementary and preschool children. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education from Presbyterian College. She has also taken classes at Midlands Technical College in administrative technology.

Caroline and her husband, Will, have two children, Sawyer and Mary Walker. She enjoys spending time with her family at sporting events and at the beach.

Chrissy Hutchinson

Contact: chutchinson@scorh.net

Chrissy Hutchinson joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2017 as the communications & marketing manager. In this role, she is responsible for SCORH’s creative communications efforts. These include promotion of the office’s annual events, content creation in both digital and print forms, maintaining and expanding social and web communications, and streamlining company branding strategies.

Chrissy graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2015 with a degree in visual communications. She has extensive experience in photography and videography, and also created media content on a freelance basis for various companies prior to joining SCORH.

Debbie Benton

Contact: benton@scorh.net

Debbie Benton joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2013 as an administrative assistant. In this role, she facilitates internal and external communication, organizes the office calendar, and assists staff members with their daily activities and projects.

Prior to joining SCORH, Debbie worked in several different professions where she was a liaison between the public and staff, booked meetings, arranged appointments and much more. Debbie received a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Administration from the University of South Carolina.

She enjoys reading, gardening, going to the movies and spending time outdoors. Her adult sons and their families live in Greenville and Charleston, SC.

Vicki Ott

Contact: vicki@scorh.net

Vicki Ott joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2004 as a financial analyst. In this role, Vicki manages the office’s accounts payable, accounts receivable and account reconciliation. She also serves as the grants management specialist for several grants.

Prior to joining SCORH, Vicki worked as the financial assistant for the Windermere Golf Club, and as a financial analyst at the Policy Management Systems Corporation. Vicki received an associate’s degree in business management from Midlands Technical College.

Vicki lives in Lexington with her husband, Dean, who also has a career in rural health with Medshore EMS in Barnwell and Midland Valley Fire Department in Bath. Vicki has two step-sons, Patrick and Hayden, and a future daughter-in-law, Taylor, who will join the family in November 2020. Her family also includes a shih-tzu named Winston.

Britton Herbert, MHA, CRCA

Contact: bherbert@scorh.net

Britton Herbert joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2017 and currently serves as a program manager for our Health System Innovation team. In this role, he provides targeted support to emergency medical service (EMS) agencies and rural hospitals across South Carolina to ensure the quality and sustainability of these emergency healthcare organizations.

Prior to this position, Britton held a graduate assistantship at SCORH. His residency project identified disparities in access to the SC Trauma System experienced by South Carolina trauma patients.

Britton received a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Akron in Ohio.

Ramona Cox

Ramona Cox serves as the Nurse Manager for the Nurse-Family Partnership Program at Family Solutions. In this role, she provides direct supervision to the nursing staff ensuring compliance with the Nurse-Family Partnership Program. She also provides support and guidance to the nursing staff through one-on-one meetings, staff meetings, and case conferences.

Ramona has been a Registered Nurse for 28 years and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Nursing. Ramona worked in Labor and Delivery/High-Risk Obstetrics for 13 years and on a Mother-Baby unit for 11 years. She has also served as a Lactation Consultant. Ramona has been with Nurse-Family Partnership since June of 2015, first as a Nurse Home Visitor until she became the Nurse Supervisor in 2017.

Selena Perry

Selena Perry serves as a Client Navigator for Family Solutions. In this role, she provides education and support through home visits to individuals and families in rural areas. She assists these families with improving their health, health status, and socio-economic status. She works with Perinatal Women and their families, health providers and community.

Prior to joining Family Solutions, Selena was an Early Steps to School Success Home Visitor for an organization called Save the Children. As an ESSS Home Visitor, she promoted literacy in the home by reading and doing activities with parents for children’s development. She also did community outreach.

Latasha King

Latasha King joined Family Solutions as a Client Navigator in November 2015. In this role, she provides case management and follow up services to prenatal and postpartum women. Latasha is a former client of Family Solutions and therefore has used the knowledge gained to teach women the steps to having a healthy pregnancy outcome.

Latasha has worked in the medical field for 5 years. Prior to joining Family Solutions, she was employed with The Medical University of South Carolina as a Patient Care Technician. In this position, she received the honor of Patient Care Technician of the Year.

Latasha received her Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Health Care Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Penny Cherry

Penny Cherry has been employed with Family Solutions for 12 years and currently works as a Perinatal Social Worker in the counties of Allendale and Hampton. She enjoys working with and changing the lives of the women she serves. She is also a Reproductive Health Specialist at Family Solutions, helping to navigate women through the process of obtaining contraception.

She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at Walden University.

Family Solutions of the Low Country (FSLC) provides multi-level intervention for case management services to pregnant, postpartum women and their infants for two postpartum years in the service areas of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Hampton and Orangeburg counties. These services include risk screenings, group education sessions, one-on-one counseling and support, and available resources within the community. FSLC continuously addresses the needs of pregnant and postpartum women, providing counseling assistance and various services designed to help the woman have a positive birth outcome and prevent pregnancies for at least two postpartum years.

Locum Tenens Partners

Founded in 2015, Locum Tenens Partners (LTP) is built around a wealth of personal and professional experience. Their employees average 23 years experience in physician recruiting. They are elevating conscientious placement in an evolving healthcare landscape.

We are in an era when temporary solutions to healthcare staffing challenges can provide the necessary flexibility for both physicians and facilities. Locum Tenens Partners understand both sides of the staffing equation, and how to adjust for all the variables involved.

Visit their web site.

Melinda A. Merrell

Melinda A. Merrell serves as Senior Program Director for SCORH. In this role, she provides oversight and guidance for all programmatic activities of the office. In addition, Melinda works with rural communities and rural providers and staff to ascertain needs and facilitate solutions at the local and state level

Prior to joining SCORH in 2010, Melinda was the Director of the Northeastern Rural Health Network located in rural Chesterfield, Dillon, and Marlboro Counties, South Carolina.

Melinda is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Services Policy and Management from the University of South Carolina. She received Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

ZirMed

ZirMed provides cloud-based financial and clinical performance management solutions including claims and AR management, charge integrity, patient access and engagement, population risk management, and cost utilization. ZirMed offers a full range of solutions for every kind of healthcare organization including large hospitals and health systems, practice-level healthcare and medical services such as home health providers.

Visit their web site.

Unique Solutions

Unique Solutions Associates (USA), Inc. is a creative platform that enables key decision makers in healthcare and other industries to connect with USA’s panel of SolutionsProviders, or consultants. USA provides a number of healthcare-specific solutions to practices that help them achieve amazing results. Some of their services include medical supply cost reduction, telecommunications, LED lighting, and patient communication and bill consolidation.

Visit their web site.

HSA

HSA is a practice management consulting firm promoting access to care with clients across the United States. HSA began in the 1980s specifically for the purpose of promoting access to health care through delivering consulting services to communities, hospitals, and practices in rural and underserved communities. Their firm consists of professionals who have over forty years of individual experience in direct care delivery and management for rural practices. They work closely with the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC), Rural Assistance Center (RAC), and various State Offices of Rural Health in order to stay up to date on all changes and regulations. Some of their consulting services include cost reporting, human resources management, rural health clinic certification, medical billing services, and financial management.

Visit their web site.

First Choice Cooperative

First Choice Cooperative (FCC) is a member-owned group purchasing organization providing a process in which all healthcare providers can reduce costs across the continuum of care. FCC seeks to reduce supply costs, while maintaining the highest level of quality for its providers. Any healthcare practice is able to join the Cooperative. The Cooperative has regular meetings where each member has the opportunity to identify products and services for which they can seek a proposal. The Cooperative votes on which vendor will provide their products and services at a discounted rate.

Visit their web site.

Azalea Health

The mission of Azalea Health is to improve patient care by providing the highest level of innovative technologies, solutions, and services to the healthcare community. They provide cloud-based healthcare management and medical billing solution connecting the clinical and financial sides of a practice and integrate easily with existing systems. Their EHR is Meaningful Use certified and their billing service, Azalea RCM, boasts a 98% accuracy rate, reducing the amount of denied claims and protecting the fiscal health of your practice. Azalea products have the flexibility to accommodate multiple specialties of any size practice, from a single physician to entire hospital system. Azalea provides pre-certification services, support and implementation services, and billing services to its clients throughout the southeast.

Visit their web site.

Yvonne E. Miller

Yvonne E. Miller is a Perinatal Social Worker with Family Solutions of the Low Country. Yvonne has worked at Family Solutions for over eight years and says that “Having the opportunity to watch the program participants improve their lifestyle behaviors and build on their self-esteem and self-worth to become productive members of their community is a great win for Family Solutions.”

Yvonne believes in empowering and strengthening the family through education, cultivating positive lifestyle behaviors, and increasing financial stability.

Yvonne holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Charleston Southern University; a Social Work degree from Limestone College; and a Master of Health Care Management degree from Troy University.

Windy L. Holliday

Windy L. Holliday currently serves as a Senior Perinatal Manager for Family Solutions of the Low Country. Windy has worked in the Maternal Child Health field and has also been employed at Family Solutions for ten years. Windy works to establish and maintain partnerships which benefit the program participants and their families in the Family Solutions service area. Monthly, Windy leads the program’s “Tomorrow Scholars” Leadership Initiative, helping young women to empower themselves and be productive in their community.

Prior to joining Family Solutions, Windy was employed for fifteen years at Dorn Veterans’ Medical Center. During Windy’s tenure at the Veterans’ Medical Center, she received several awards, including Employee of the Month, Exceptional Customer Service Award, and Special Service Award. Windy previously has been a part of the March of Dimes and Palmetto Healthy Start Heroes in the Field, SC Breastfeeding Coalition, Moving up Management Training Program, Narcotic Inspection Committee, and March of Dimes African Americans Steering Committee.

Windy received a Bachelor of Environmental Health and Science degree from Benedict College and a Master in Health Services Management degree from Webster University.

She is the proud wife of Mr. Marvin G. Holliday.

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