Laura L Szadek, PPCNP

Kaleb Braun always knew he would pursue some form of medical care as a career, but an unexpected trip to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy solidified his plans to become a physician assistant.

In June, Kaleb went to the Baptist Parkridge Emergency Department after suffering all night from a bad stomachache. He later had an emergency appendectomy. After the care he received from his “excellent, compassionate, calming medical team,” he said, “I could tell this is something I want to do. I learned a lot about how to treat a patient from being a patient.”

Kaleb’s dad wrote a letter to the team thanking them for the great medical care but also for being “friendly, responsible, professional” and for “the authentic concern, support and encouragement they provided.”

“He is only 18; this was his first time obtaining medical emergency help on his own,” Daniel Braun said. “The staff did an amazing job by not only immediately recognizing the severity of the situation but also identifying his nervousness … they calmed him and provided reassurance.”

When the nurses learned about Kaleb’s intention to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant, they provided him guidance and contact information for shadowing and volunteer opportunities.

Daniel wrote, “EVERY staff member we interacted with – from Security and the front counter staff to the surgical and recovery team – provided continuous reassurance, clear and concise information on a level that a young adult could understand, and all-around genuine excellence in medical care.”

Kaleb recently graduated high school and is part of the University of South Carolina–Midlands Tech Bridge Program. In two years, he hopes to transfer to the College of Charleston’s medical program.

Acute care nurse Disney Cuddington said, “Learning from Kaleb's parents that he had an interest in entering the medical field gave me such joy! Our field is always in need of kind, passionate individuals with good hearts, something I knew right away about Kaleb. He was in pain and nervous about what was going on, but he was still grateful to staff.”

She added, “Our jobs are tough. We see terrible things too often, and the community can rarely understand. Hearing how our care positively impacted Kaleb and solidified his desire to join our field brings great satisfaction to me – and we will count that as a big win!”

Prisma Health is back in-network for UnitedHealthcare.

We are pleased to share that Prisma Health and UnitedHealthcare (United) have reached a new multi-year agreement. The new agreement ensures that, effective immediately, Prisma Health hospitals, physician practices and other health care services are now in-network for all United Commercial and Medicare Advantage health insurance plans.

Thank you for trusting Prisma Health with your health care needs. You have choices when it comes to your care, and we are honored to be able to serve you. https://prismahealth.org/patients-and-guests/news/prisma-health-and-unitedhealthcare-reach-agreement

Blount Memorial Hospital, a 304-bed non-profit community hospital located in Maryville, Tennessee, has chosen to join Prisma Health. The parties have signed a non-binding letter of intent and now enter a period of exclusive negotiations, due diligence and integration planning. https://prismahealth.org/patients-and-guests/news/blount-memorial-hospital-chooses-to-join-prisma-health

Prisma Health is proud to have performed its first procedure using the new AGENT™️ drug-coated balloon, a device for the treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease. This technology is now the first approved drug-coated coronary balloon in the U.S.

Congratulations to Vince Vismara, MD, and the interventional cardiology care team at the Heart Hospital for offering another advancement to improve the lives of those with coronary artery disease.

July is , and Dr. Frank Clark, psychiatrist with Prisma Health in the Upstate, encourages others to learn about Black, Indigenous and other people of color year-round.

Clark says depression, anxiety and talking about your feelings are often taboo in the minority community. It's one of many things that contributes to what he says is a mental health crisis.

At Prisma Health, we hope to help everyone in our communities achieve their best self, both mentally and physically!

Ending the stigma discussing BIPOC mental health in South Carolina July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and Dr. Frank Clark says he encourages others to learn about Black, Indigenous and other people of color year-round.

Ken Donhauser is a 70-year-old father of three and grandfather of six enjoying retired life in Easley with his wife Valerie. After a mass was found during a colonoscopy, general surgeon Colin Webb, MD, suggested a colectomy using robotic surgery.

“After the surgery I felt good and had no pain,” Ken said. “I was told to try to walk as much as possible, which would help with my recovery time. I walked a lot and was able to be released the next day. My recovery was uneventful with no problems.”

Ken is especially grateful to the team who cared for him.

“My care was excellent from the doctors to nurses and support staff,” he said. “Everyone was very friendly and caring. I was checked on quite often to see if I needed anything. The staff was as caring and friendly as you could possibly ask for.”

Pulmonary hypertension is a rare but life-threatening disease that can happen to anyone. Pulmonologist Karla Cruz Morel, MD, explains how to know if you have pulmonary hypertension, how it’s treated and more. Click here to listen in this Flourish podcast: https://bit.ly/3WloZRP

Prisma Health’s Mobile Mammography Unit will be offering mammography services on July 19 at 8 a.m.- 4:15 p.m. at Prisma Health Family Medicine – Ballentine, 1079 Dutch Fork Rd, Irmo, SC 29064.

Our specialized mobile unit is staffed with skilled, dedicated mammography technologists and a mobile health technician.

To schedule your mammogram, call 803-434-3400 or visit online: https://bit.ly/3ReqTRn

During this , we recognize that when minorities seek care, they may face obstacles within themselves and within the medical community. We spoke with psychiatrist Kisha Hartwick, MD, to learn more about concerns and disparities in mental health care in minority communities: https://bit.ly/3LfOZaS

Prisma Health is proud to have our Urgent Care - Columbia Harbison Boulevard location listed as one of the Best of South Carolina Winners according to Guide to South Carolina! https://bit.ly/3zzPeLn

We’re excited to introduce Prisma Imaging Center, now scheduling appointments in Greenville and West Columbia!

Our Imaging Centers offer high-quality, easy-to-access MRI, CT and X-ray services at a lower cost. Because our Imaging Centers are freestanding, patients can experience savings of as much as 60% over the same scans in a hospital setting.

Schedule your appointment today. Learn more by visiting our website: https://prisma.health/2gxggh

Bob Gleason, a registered nurse at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital – Upstate, has been a Camp Courage counselor for three summers. To him this is a way to give back and support kids who are going through a journey similar to his family’s.

In 2008, Bob and his wife lost their 2.5-year-old daughter to neuroblastoma. At the time, he was working in construction, but losing his daughter led him to pursue a nursing career. Only six months later, he started school.

“I started nursing and volunteering at Camp Courage to honor my daughter. I really enjoy doing it because a lot of these kids don’t get to experience a regular camp, but this gives them that opportunity. I can just imagine my daughter being there and she would have loved it,” said Bob.

Now he has a 20-year-old daughter who is following in his footsteps – both in nursing and volunteering at Camp Courage for the second year.

Camp Courage creates an unforgettable recreational and educational experience for children, teens, young adults and families living with cancer or a blood disorder. This allows them to share similar experiences with peers while participating in activities that promote normal development encourage age-appropriate coping with the challenges they face.

Join us in the rally against sickle cell disease! Thanks to the heartfelt efforts of Aflac and University of South Carolina Women’s Head Basketball Coach Dawn Staley, our brave young fighters at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands received their very own My Special Aflac Duck.🦆

These cuddly, high-tech allies are helping kids better express their emotions and cope with their journey.💓 Thank you to the team at Aflac for helping us support some of our littlest patients!

Patient Hazel Presnell, who suffered from a stroke, celebrated her 100th birthday on July 1st after receiving care from the Prisma Health Richland Hospital’s Stroke team!

After providing lifesaving care, Dr. Souvik Sen, neurologist, and other Prisma Health team members, attended Hazel’s party to help celebrate this milestone birthday! Hazel is doing well and looks forward to spending time with her family and friends.

Prisma patient celebrates 100th birthday after surviving stroke - ABC Columbia In June, when seconds counted, the Prisma Health Richland Stroke team was there for their 99-year-old patient, Hazel Presnell, who suffered a stroke. The team administered fast treatment and a clot-busting drug, putting her on the road to recovery.

Yesterday was National Father-Daughter Take a Walk Day. David Lazarus, MD, enjoyed a quick stroll around his neighborhood with his daughters, Claire and Aubrey, and pup, Bailey. We hope you’ll use this day as an excuse to spend some time with your father or daughter this week and maybe create a new routine for your family!

Walking is a low impact activity that is relatively easy on your joints, but data shows that walking just 30 minutes each day can help you stay in shape and prevent illness. Learn more in this article from Flourish: https://bit.ly/3zyAqg5

Prisma Health is excited to now offer complete orthopedic care in Laurens! Our providers treat patients of all ages and offer the most advanced treatment options for orthopedic injuries, joint replacements and sports medicine. Choose the team that was chosen to care for the elite athletes at Presbyterian College! Learn more at https://bit.ly/3zEqYaQ

Is evidence of your summer fun all over your body? We want your happy memories to linger on - not the sunburns and rashes that can come along with your time outdoors and in the heat. Tap on the link to this article to learn what you can do to speed your recovery. https://bit.ly/3XTAtgI

Nine-year-old Waylon Legrand Hentz was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2022. But when he attends CAMP KEMO every July, he doesn’t have to feel different from the kids around him; instead, he can just enjoy being a kid around others who are experiencing similar challenges.

Caroline Bull, 10, had three open heart surgeries by the time she was 3 years old. But there’s no concern for her safety when she attends Camp Heart to Heart, a medically supervised camp for children with congenital heart conditions.

Aiden Johnson, 11, has type 1 diabetes, but at Camp Buddy, designed specifically for children with type 1 diabetes, he feels a sense of belonging he can’t always find elsewhere. “Camp Buddy is like a vacation for Aiden, a chance to be free and connect with others who truly understand his experiences,” said Aiden’s mother, Jasmine Johnson.

Thomas Nelson, 11, has hearing loss due to chronic illnesses that came with being born with a vascular ring that compressed his esophagus. He loves to attend Camp Wonder Hands, which provides a unique experience for children ages 7-17 who are deaf or hard of hearing. It gives him a chance to make friends and enjoy activities such as horseback riding and swimming.

Fourteen-year-old Alyssa Ross received bilateral cochlear implants at the age of three to improve her hearing. At age 7, she started attending Camp Wonder Hands and is attending her seventh camp this year. She loves the skits, water activities and embracing the freedom to be authentically herself with people who understand her.

Marcus Davis, 18, lost his father when he was only 14, and it changed his life. He tried one-on-one therapy sessions to help with depression and shutting down. It wasn’t until he attended group sessions at Healing Hearts that he was able to open up and cope with his grief. “It was a game changer for us. The staff was so amazing and helpful, Marcus was so interactive and helped other kids talk about their grief,” said Marcus’ mother, Julie.

Prisma Health Children’s Hospital takes its mission to create a better state of health for children beyond the walls of hospitals and doctor’s offices and aims to help young patients find connection and a sense of belonging. Offering these summer camp opportunities for patients is one way we live out that mission.

Casey Berson, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the Upstate, shared tips with Fox Carolina on ways to prevent harm on social media.

Prisma Health psychiatrist talks about social media warning labels The U.S. Surgeon General is urging congress to put a warning label about mental health impacts on social media platforms.

Not every combat veteran will experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and not every veteran who experiences PTSD will have seen combat. Not only that, but those with PTSD may all experience symptoms differently.

During and as the celebration of our nation’s independence approaches, take a minute to think through how the veterans in your family may experience the celebrations.

Dr. Benjamin Griffeth has advice for anyone wanting to support a loved one during the holiday. https://bit.ly/3L8FWIG

Summer is the perfect time to schedule sports physicals! Walk-in today or book ahead at any Prisma Health Urgent Care location throughout the state. Find a location nearest you at PrismaHealthUrgentCare.org.

Employers, are you frustrated with rising health plan costs? Prisma Health Direct Primary Care (DPC) offers high-quality health care at an affordable, predictable price for your employees. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3VGSV9l

With temperatures already in the 100’s in parts of South Carolina, extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke – but even a “normal” S.C. summer day brings with it an increase in unintentional injuries and accidents due to higher participation in outdoor activities like swimming, sports, and yardwork.

Preparation and knowing what common summer injuries to be aware of can make all the difference in being able to safely enjoy the season. Prisma Health provides tips to beat the heat and stay safe this summer. https://bit.ly/3W3lSOp

We are thrilled to announce Prisma Health's Fertility Center of the Carolinas has been recognized as one of Newsweek’s Top Fertility Clinics for 2024.

From our doctors and nurses to our support staff and patients, we are proud of each and every one of our team members. Their tireless efforts have led to this moment, and we could not be more grateful.

300 LVAD Implants and Counting! Recently we celebrated an important milestone: the 300th successful Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implant at Prisma Health’s Heart Hospital. This milestone is a testament to the dedication, skill, and teamwork of our exceptional cardiac care team.

Each LVAD implant represents more than just a number; it signifies a life changed, a family given hope, and a future made brighter. We're proud to offer this life-saving technology to patients with advanced heart failure, providing them with improved quality of life and a new lease on life. Prisma Health has been consistently named a top non-transplant LVAD implanting center in the U.S.

Learn more about our advanced heart health services: https://bit.ly/4beOpoh

Prisma Health’s Mobile Mammography unit will be at Prisma Health Family Medicine – Winnsboro, 56 US-321 BYP N, Winnsboro, SC 29180, on June 25 from 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Our specialized mobile unit travels to different locations to provide the latest digital mammography screening.

To schedule your mammogram in the Midlands, call 803-434-3300. For a full event calendar, eligibility guidelines and how to prepare for your screening, visit us online: https://bit.ly/3ReqTRn

NICU patients Grayson and Isla recently celebrated their graduation from Prisma Health Richland Hospital’s NICU department. Their families are excited to have their little ones home, and we couldn’t be happier.

Prisma Health is proud to have devoted team members who are committed to making a difference in the lives our patients. Thank you to the families for trusting us to be a part of your children’s care.

Hot summer days can be dangerous for anyone, but if you have diabetes or heart disease, you may be even more prone to the effects of overheating during warmer temperatures.

Jeremy Byrd, MD, explained why diabetes or heart disease can make you more sensitive to heat in the summer, and what you can do to protect yourself. https://bit.ly/3RB1gKv