Cardiology at MUSC Health North Area Medical Pavilion

June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, a day to increase public knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease and the challenges faced by patients and their families.

In honor of this day, we're sharing the powerful art of Hertz Nazaire, a renowned artist and author who dedicated his work to expressing the pain of Sickle Cell Disease and raising awareness about its effects.

Learn more about how MUSC Health supports sickle cell patients and their families:
https://muschealth.org/medical-services/rena-n-grant-sickle-cell-center

Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth marks the anniversary of the emancipation of the last known enslaved Africans on June 19, 1865. Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth serves as a time to gather and reflect on the past while also celebrating resilience and liberty. Learn more about this date from the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African American History & Culture: https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth.

Honoring the Charleston 9: As we remember the brave firefighters who lost their lives in the Sofa Super Store fire 17 years ago, we also highlight the ongoing efforts to support the mental health of those who serve. Our Center for Firefighter Behavioral Health provides crucial resources to help firefighters cope with the unique stresses of their job.
https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2019/09/19/center-for-firefighter-behavioral-health

Rescuing the rescuers: Center creates resources to help firefighters weighed down by the job More firefighters die each year by su***de than in the line of duty. The CFFBH develops resources to train therapists to effectively work with firefighters.

“Having my dad be both in a similar profession as me and at MUSC has been immensely helpful in guiding me on my future endeavors as a physician. I know that I can always count on him to give me advice as well as help me really grasp how I can make an impact on global health both as a student and as a health care professional. From understanding research to understanding ways I can shape my practice, my dad has been awesome in helping me refine my ideas and instilling the confidence in me to believe that I truly can change the world!”
— message from Nahom Gebreselassie, a MUSC College of Medicine student, to his father, Mulugeta Gebregziabher, PhD, an MUSC Public Health Sciences Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Programs

Father to son:
“Son, life is filled with hard times and good times. Learn from everything you can. Be the person I know you can be, and never forget that I always love you.”

Happy to all the incredible fathers, father figures and male mentors! Your love and support make the world a better place.

We also extend our thoughts to those for whom today may be challenging. You are not alone.

Wishing everyone a day filled with love and appreciation ❤️

A blessed Eid-al-Adha to all who are celebrating and reflecting on the importance of patience, devotion, sacrifice, obedience, family and faith.

Critical Need for Blood Donations
The American Red Cross reports a shortfall of about 20,000 blood donations over the past month, jeopardizing our national blood supply.
Just 15 minutes of your time could save up to three lives. If you are eligible, please consider donating blood in honor of . Your contribution is essential in ensuring our care teams can continue providing life-saving treatments to patients.
Let's make a difference together. ❤️
Find a location:

Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross Find the nearest Red Cross blood, platelet or plasma donation center. Make a difference in someone's life, give the gift of life.

Our team just performed our first procedure with the new Inceptiv Spinal Cord Stimulator, in collaboration with Medtronic! 🎉 This advanced device offers an upgrade for spinal and back pain management, especially benefiting those with painful diabetic foot pain. Plus, it's MRI-compatible, making it a versatile option for more patients. A big step forward in reducing reliance on constant pain medication and improving quality of life.

Research into traumatic brain injury (TBI) is paving the way for better decision-making in critical care. One recent study offers new hope and valuable insights for families and doctors facing these challenging situations. MUSC Neurointensivist and Vascular Neurologist Dr. Julio Chalela weighs in:

New research may help families and doctors make life or death decisions New research gives neurosurgeons and families important information about whether to withdraw life support from patients with severe traumatic brain injuries.

The Brain Stimulation team at the MUSC Institute of Psychiatry are experts in identifying and managing hard-to-treat mental health conditions. They will talk to you about your options and goals, working with other specialists across MUSC to design the best treatment plan for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHM_B7i8Mt4&ab_channel=MUSCHealth

Hope for Mental Health When medication and talk therapy don't work, Brain Stimulation Therapy at MUSC Health offers people a chance for new hope and a better quality of life.

As summer approaches, Dr. Michael Sweat predicts a rise in COVID-19 cases. Be proactive by having at-home tests and taking precautions to protect yourself and others. Stay safe and stay informed!

‘Every summer we’ve had a wave.’ What to expect from COVID as weather warms With new variants on rise and history of summer COVID waves, what an MUSC scientist wants you to know.

Big congrats to Brooke Hiers, our 2024 Nurse of the Year! Brooke’s exceptional care and leadership in the MSICU have earned her this honor. We’re proud to have such dedicated nurses on our team. Thank you, Brooke, and all our amazing nurses, for your unwavering commitment to patient care!

https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2024/05/31/musc-chas-noy-2024

Have questions about aphasia? Jennifer Skinner, one of our dedicated Speech Language Pathologists, is here to help!

Learn about causes, treatment options, and how to communicate with loved ones affected by aphasia:
https://bit.ly/3XgMBrQ

Ask A Speech Pathologist: Jen Skinner, SLP, Answers Your Questions on Aphasia Explore aphasia insights with Jennifer Skinner, SLP. Learn about causes, communication tips, and treatments at MUSC Health.

Wando High students recently got a hands-on lesson about the dangers of alcohol and va**ng, thanks to a collaboration between MUSC and EVERFI. Through engaging activities and simulations, students learned critical information to help them make healthier choices. We're proud to empower our youth with knowledge! Learn more about this initiative:

MUSC and EVERFI show Wando students downsides of alcohol and va**ng MUSC and EVERFI team up to educate students at Mount Pleasant’s Wando High School about downsides of alcohol use and va**ng.

Big news! MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center has earned an "A" Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group! This recognition highlights our commitment to patient safety and quality care.

Thank you to our dedicated care team for making this possible.

Learn more about our achievements and what this means for our patients:

https://advance.muschealth.org/library/2024/may/kershaw-earns-leapfrog-award

MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center Earns An ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group.

MUSC Health's telestroke program is making a significant impact, especially in rural areas, by providing timely and specialized stroke care. With stroke center certification and dedicated stroke coordinators, we've achieved faster treatment times and better patient outcomes. Learn more about how we're revolutionizing stroke care:

Stroke-care metrics improve with stroke center certification and coordinators External evaluation of MUSC’s telestroke program confirms that stroke center certification and stroke coordinators improve stroke-care metrics.

What a day! Every year, MUSC teams like Hollings He-Rows eagerly participate in the Charleston Dragon Boat Festival! It's a day of camaraderie, competition and community support for cancer survivors.

This fun event brings together patients, caregivers and the community for an unforgettable experience. Learn more:

https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2024/05/23/hollings-hits-the-water-for-dragon-boat-charleston
MUSC Hollings Cancer Center

Discover effective solutions that will help you regain control of your weight. Nurse Practitioner Amanda Clark discusses weight loss options, including some that may be covered by insurance.

MUSC Health Medical WACH - Weight Management Nurse Practitioner Amanda Clark answers some questions about weight managment.

Dr. Ashley Hink is leading the charge against gun violence with a new $600,000 grant from the Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education. Her study aims to evaluate and enhance the impact of the MUSC Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program. Learn more about her inspiring work to make our communities safer.

https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2024/05/31/surgeon-awarded-grant-to-study-impact-of-hospital-violence-intervention-programs-in-se

Surgeon awarded grant to study impact of hospital violence intervention programs in SE MUSC surgeon awarded prestigious grant to study the impact of hospital violence intervention programs in the Southeast.

🌟 Join us for Walk with a Doc tomorrow! 🌟
Walking is one of the BEST things you can do for your overall health. It's low-impact, safe and free! 🏃‍♀️ Regular physical activity, like walking, can prevent or even heal many conditions. Exciting new research shows that walking around 4,000 steps a day may reduce dementia risk by 25%, and just under 10,000 steps could halve the risk! 🚶‍♂️
As we raise awareness for Alzheimer's and brain health, let's take steps together towards a healthier future.

Join us:
📅Sat. June 7
🕒9-10 AM
📍Saluda Riverwalk
650 Candi Lane
Columbia, SC

Bladder cancer doesn’t discriminate. Meet Ruth Sykora, a survivor raising awareness among women. Read her inspiring story of resilience and community support at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.

Bladder cancer survivor hopes to raise awareness among women After a bladder cancer diagnosis, one patient wants to raise awareness among women about this disease that can be mistaken for a UTI.

At MUSC Health, we prioritize your well-being with a conservative approach to spine and neck surgery. Our advanced technologies, including navigation and robotics, ensure precision and safety.

Learn more about our innovative techniques and comprehensive care options from Dr. Robert Ravinsky.

When It Comes to Spine and Neck Surgery, a Conservative Approach is Best Dr. Robert Ravinsky emphasizes a conservative approach to spine and neck pain treatment, offering advanced surgical techniques when necessary at MUSC Health.

The side effects of cancer treatment are often cited as the more harrowing part of fighting the disease. But thanks to the success of a clinical trial at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, and a $3.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, treatment for certain cancers may come with fewer complications.

Read more:

Clinical trial of purified CAR-T cell therapy awarded NCI grant to expand A clinical trial of CAR-T cell therapy developed at Hollings has received NCI funding to expand.

Do you know your kitchen contains the exact ingredient you need to help combat hot-weather illnesses? Dakota Thompson, ATC, from MUSC Health Sports Medicine, reveals what you can add to your water to ensure your body has the proper electrolytes, and also shares the signs of heat illness to watch for!

https://advance.muschealth.org/library/2024/may/tips-for-managing-heat-illness

MUSC Health Lancaster and Chester Medical Centers celebrated EMS Week in May with a special cookout with our local EMS departments. Leadership and care team members came together to show their appreciation for the hard work and dedication our EMS team provides every day.

Happy Pride Month to our employees, students, volunteers and patients who are members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. MUSC is committed to working toward a welcoming environment for all.

See resources from our employee and student groups here:
https://web.musc.edu/about/leadership/institutional-offices/equity/culture-and-engagement/lgbtq-plus

At the MUSC Health Vein Clinic in Columbia, patients receive treatment for venous disorders and varicose veins, among other concerns.

Here, Dr. Norma Khoury, MD, reveals her motivation behind specializing in cardiology and vein disorders and gives patients a glimpse into the experience they can anticipate at the clinic.
https://www.wistv.com/2024/05/02/how-musc-health-vein-clinic-helps/

How the MUSC Health Vein Clinic helps patients Do you suffer from leg soreness, restless leg syndrome, itchy legs, or pain?The MUSC Health Vein Clinic in Columbia specializes in treating Veinous Disease and other issues like varicose veins.Dr. Norma Khoury, MD, explains why she chose to specialize in cardiology and vein disorders and what your e...

Demystifying Sun & Skin Care for Safe Summer Fun - with MUSC's Dr. Andrea Abbott Dr. Andrea Abbott, Surgical Oncologist at MUSC, joins us to discuss some measures to protect ourselves against the sun's harmful rays in recognition of Skin ...

Our colorectal surgeons at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center are leading the way with an organ-sparing approach to treating colorectal cancer, often avoiding surgery altogether. Here, Dr. Virgilio George highlights the success of our non-operative strategies that align with the highest standards of care.

Learn more about our innovative treatments and personalized care.

MUSC Colorectal Surgeons Treating Cancer Report Success by Beginning with a Non-Operative Approach MUSC's colorectal surgeons report success with a non-operative approach to treating cancer, achieving outstanding outcomes. Learn more here.

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