MUSC Executive Health

"It was rough and bumpy and scary. But as I went through it, I went through it with them."

Lakisha Mack's journey with uterine cancer highlights the incredible support and compassion from her MUSC Hollings Cancer Center care team. From diagnosis to treatment, their unrelenting dedication made all the difference.

Young uterine cancer patient reflects on journey Diagnosed with a rare uterine cancer at only 46, Lakisha Mack turned to faith, her family and her doctors.

ICYMI: Here's how South Carolina Aquarium helped MUSC Children’s Health create an opportunity for patients at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital to learn and explore from their hospital rooms. Learn more in this feature from Palmetto Life:

https://www.palmettolifesc.com/video/2024/06/04/video-robot-brings-sc-aquarium-hospitals/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEXWX5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHX3dODCHLwmtVEAdfFF69K9ZJjZoHC16uNTCJmDGLumniWTy69ihAxLE-w_aem__B5-7ja_SIAm2VeeIdRlNw

VIDEO: Robot brings the SC Aquarium to hospitals On this week's STEMTASTIC SC, we head out to the South Carolina Aquarium to meet a robot bringing access to the aquarium to kids in local hospitals.

We’re thrilled to introduce the newest addition to the MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center orthopedic surgical team: ROSA, the robotic surgical assistant!

Developed by Zimmer Biomet, ROSA Knee is set to transform joint replacement surgeries. This advanced robotic technology, paired with top-of-the-line knee implants, takes precision and patient outcomes in total knee replacement to a whole new level.

Welcome, ROSA, to our team! Together, we’re committed to bringing the best in surgical innovation and patient care.

“There is no shame here, friend. I will get you what you need.”

Ed Litwin R.N.’s compassion and dedication truly shone through during a recent surgical procedure at MUSC's Ashley River Tower hospital. From ensuring patient comfort with plus-sized gowns to providing unwavering emotional support, Ed made a challenging experience more bearable.

Congratulations, Ed, on this well-deserved DAISY Award! 🌟👏
DAISY Foundation

Breaking new ground! MUSC Health is proud to be the first academic institution in the U.S. to commercially use Saint TMS, a cutting-edge transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for severe depression. With an amazing 80 to 90% remission rate, we're helping patients find relief in just five days.

Paws your scroll Pet Therapist Thursday! 🐾

Our Patient Animal Wellness Service (PAWS) Team spent an afternoon at MUSC College of Nursing, bringing tail-wagging happiness to our hard-working students and faculty!




MUSC Volunteer Services

On this World Lung Cancer Day, we share the inspiring story of Laura Reed, who faced an unexpected lung cancer diagnosis at 38, the same age her mother passed away from colon cancer. Under the care of MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Laura is now thriving and advocating for lung health.

Her journey reminds us of the importance of early detection and research advancements. Read more about Laura's story and her advocacy work with the American Lung Association.

Young veteran with rare mutation taking things as they come after lung cancer diagnosis A lung cancer diagnosis has focused Laura Reed's mind on how she wants to live her life.

“Set realistic goals; don’t overwhelm yourself with so many changes all at once. You must be honest with yourself and work at your own pace.” – Amanda Giambi, MUSC Health certified pharmacy technician

Amanda is one of our fantastic Wellbeing Champions, and she’s passionate about helping her colleagues stay hydrated and energized in our fast-paced environment. What are your tools to stay hydrated?

Congratulations to Amber Gregory, BSN, RN, VAD-c, for winning the Nothing Bundt the Best award for nursing excellence and compassionate patient care! 🌟 Amber's dedication to her patients is truly remarkable. Her attention to detail, compassion, and professionalism make her the best in her field.

Recently, Amber went above and beyond by taking a patient's soiled clothes home to wash, earning the heartfelt title of 'Angel of Kindness.' We are so proud to have her on our team!

This award is made possible by Nothing Bundt Cakes 💙

We're proud to announce that the SC Department of Public Health has recognized MUSC Health Chester Medical Center's emergency department as a “Pediatric Ready” hospital.

This prestigious distinction makes us the nation's ninth emergency department to achieve this recognition, reflecting our unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality care for our youngest patients.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated team, whose hard work and dedication have made this possible.

Together, we're ensuring that every child receives the best possible care in times of need.

MUSC Children's Health

Va**ng poses less of a health risk compared to smoking. Tracy Smith, Ph.D., MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researcher and associate professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), explains how switching to a ni****ne va**ng product can help those struggling to quit smoking by reducing exposure to toxicants. Read more in USA TODAY.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2024/07/19/how-long-does-ni****ne-stay-in-your-system/74087231007/

MUSC Health is proud to announce that Matthew Medley, MUSC Health Midlands' Chief Operations Officer, has been honored with the 40 Under 40 Award from SC Biz News.

The 40 Under 40 Award from SC Biz News recognizes people under 40 who have excelled in their careers and community involvement. Judges consider both business accomplishments and community service equally when reviewing nominees.

Thank you, Matt, for your dedication and important contributions to our team. Congratulations!

It's almost that time, Midlands! Join us for a FREE Back to School Bash presented by Healthy Me Healthy SC. Enjoy free MUSC Health sports physicals, backpacks, after-school and sports sign-ups, fresh fruits and vegetables (while supplies last), transportation information, and more! Wishing all students a happy and healthy new school year ✏️
https://healthymesc.org/upcoming-events

“I liked not only the book side of the program but also the fact that you get to see patients. You can really make a difference, even as a student."

Learn how MUSC is changing what's possible with a new program in a field that is “one of the highest-paying, rewarding, in-demand and adrenaline-filled careers in health care.”

https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2024/07/25/musc-health-in-columbia-trains-in-demand-cardiovascular-technologists

MUSC Health in Columbia trains in-demand cardiovascular technologists MUSC Health in Columbia creates new cadre of invasive cardiovascular technologists to help meet demand.

Today, we’re recognizing the unbelievably compassionate patient care provided by @[MUSC Children’s Health] PICU Registered Nurse Caitlin Moon. Here's what a fellow care team member said of Caitlin:

"Caitlin stepped in to be the amazing support person for a patient and her parents in a time when they were having to make a very difficult decision and say goodbye. Caitlin did not leave the bedside, staying with the patient through the transition to palliative care when the family was unable to be at the bedside.

She did everything she could to keep the patient comfortable. She played her favorite music; she talked to her. She surrounded her with her favorite blankets and stuffed animals. Caitlin held her hand until the very end. She made sure wasn't alone and that she was safe and comfortable.

This was Caitlin's first ever end-of-life patient, and she treated her with such dignity and compassion. All this time, she had a second patient that she also ensured was safe and cared for."

We are so thankful to have a nurse like Caitlin on our team. Thank you for your heart, and congrats on your well-deserved @[DAISY Foundation] award.

Our Orangeburg emergency department and sports medicine staff are ready to provide on-site medical services for players and event attendees throughout the Diamond Youth Baseball World Series. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to support our local community.

Our sports medicine coordinator, Brittany Miller, and athletic trainer, Alicia Glover, are on the front lines ensuring young athletes stay hydrated during the 2024 Diamond Youth Sports World Series in Orangeburg. Keeping players hydrated is essential for preventing heat-related conditions. We're proud to support our community and keep the tournament's athletes safe and healthy. Learn more about staying protected from the heat here: https://bit.ly/3Ym2HRw



Diamond Youth Baseball - South Carolina

Our experts at MUSC's Weight Management Center are here to support those taking new anti-obesity drugs!

While these medications help with weight loss, it's crucial to focus on nutrition and exercise. Join our new programs for personalized guidance and long-term success. Every bite counts!

MUSC specialists help people on weight loss drugs gain good info about staying healthy Weight loss drug dilemma: “If you stop to think about it, it means every bite that you take is that much more important for your health.”

A big PAWS welcome to Shadow and Robin, who both officially became members of our therapy dog pack last week! Shadow, a long-legged Doodle mix, is only a year and a half old but learns quickly and walks the halls of MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital as if he’d been doing it all his young life. A very affectionate pup that instinctively knows who needs his tail-wagging happiness the most. 🐾

Welcome! We are so excited to have you!


MUSC Volunteer Services, MUSC Children’s Health

Exciting news: Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center have developed a new compound that shows promise in overcoming chemotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer. This innovation could also benefit fibrotic conditions like liver and pulmonary fibrosis.

By inhibiting the LOX protein, the compound helps create a less "stiff" environment around tumors, allowing for better drug pe*******on. This is a significant step towards more effective cancer treatments!

Learn more:

Hollings team marks milestone in progress toward investigational new drug for triple-negative breast cancer A new compound developed by researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center shows promise in overcoming chemotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer.

Shannon Phelps is taking on the 50-mile ride in LOWVELO24 to honor her father, Henry Hardy, who passed away after battling MDS. He was a dedicated rider even during his battle with MDS.

Henry’s courage and determination inspire Shannon to finish what he started, raising funds for lifesaving cancer research at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. 🚴‍♀️

Finishing what her dad started: MUSC employee biking 50 miles in LOWVELO24 Shannon Phelps is riding in LOWVELO24 to finish her dad's aborted ride in LOWVELO23.

Now available at MUSC Health Urgent Care Elgin Medical Pavilion! Our ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the new Resolution 3Dimensions Mammography system.

With Genius AI Detection's deep learning technology, this advanced tool provides more accurate and earlier breast cancer detection, improving patient outcomes. MUSC Health is one of the first in the state to offer it!

A diagnosis of diabetes can have many impacts, especially on your feet. Director of MUSC Health Wound Care Center Medical Park NE, Dr. Jerod Lunsford, MD, explains how going untreated can cause ulcerations leading to bone infections and eventually amputations.

Midlands Cares: The diabetic impact on your feet Midlands Cares: The diabetic impact on your feetTyler Ryan learns about how diabetes can impact your lower extremities and feet

Join us for the MUSC Health - Healthy Me Healthy SC FREE health fair!

Receive a free blood pressure monitor, boxed lunch and Harvest Hope Food Bank food box while supplies last.

Get free health screenings and learn about women's health, diabetes and Mother's Milk Bank of South Carolina.

Transportation is provided by PDRTA. See you soon!

https://healthymesc.org/

Exciting news! MUSC is leading the way in developing a community-centric Innovation District in Charleston. This visionary project aims to stimulate regional growth and position Charleston as a hub of medical and technological advancement. Learn how this initiative will benefit our community and drive innovation for years to come.
https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2024/07/17/charlestons-community-centric-innovation-district-a-collaborative-effort-spearheaded-by-musc

Charleston’s community-centric Innovation District: a collaborative effort spearheaded by MUSC The Medical University of South Carolina is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to develop an innovation district in Charleston.

The MUSC Digestive Disease Research Core Center (DDRCC) maintains a coveted slot among 17 federally funded Silvio O. Conte Digestive Disease Research Core Centers nationwide, which include heavy hitters like Harvard, Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, Washington University and UCSF. The MUSC DDRCC program connects and grows robust talent to ignite progress.

Read more here:

Unique research pipeline drives opportunities for innovation in digestive disease research MUSC’s digestive disease research programs connect and grow robust talent to ignite progress.

MUSC Health data show increases in emergency department visits for COVID “The overall percentage is not huge, but it's the growth rates that get your attention”-MUSC COVID tracker Michael Sweat on increases across health system.

MUSC Health is bringing what one doctor calls “the Cadillac of 3D mammography” to Kershaw County!

We're proud to introduce the state-of-the-art Hologic 3D mammography system, enhancing early detection with Genius AI Detection.

3D mammograms make it less likely for women to have to come back for follow-up screenings than in the past. They also seem to detect more breast cancer and make it easier for radiologists to analyze images of dense breasts. (Dense breasts have higher levels of glandular and fibrous connective tissue and less fat.)

Learn more about this revolutionary upgrade!

'The Cadillac of 3D mammography' comes to MUSC Health in Kershaw County MUSC Health Kershaw County sites get new 3D mammogram technology as leaders prepare for further growth in women’s care.

The MUSC Emergency Management team and MUSC and MUSC Health leadership teams continue to carefully monitor the path and potential impacts of Hurricane Idalia.

The Charleston area could receive heavy rainfall, possibly between 4 to 8 inches Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Eight-foot tides are projected for Wednesday night. Tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain bands are expected to arrive.

Charleston-area ambulatory clinics will close on Wednesday, August 30, at 3:00 p.m. On-peninsula clinics are expected to reopen at noon on Thursday, August 31. Off-peninsula clinics are expected to operate under normal hours on Thursday, August 31.

Virtual urgent care will remain available throughout the storm.

Stay up to date here: https://web.musc.edu/alerts