PPCP named Finalist in 2011 Awards for Best Practices in Health Care Consumer Empowerment & Protection

The Best Practices Awards competition is designed to promote knowledge and understanding of what premier companies are doing to advance consumer protection and empowerment.

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians is among one of 20 businesses in the United States to be considered for the distinction, presented by URAC.

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is well-known as a leader in promoting health care quality through its accreditation, education and measurement programs. URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in establishing meaningful quality measures for the entire health care industry.

For more information, visit www.urac.org

32 Palmetto Primary Care Physicians’ receive National Recognition for providing quality diabetes care

(CHARLESTON, SC – March 1, 2011) Thirty-two Lowcountry based physicians from Palmetto Primary Care Physicians have been nationally recognized by The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) through the Diabetes Recognition Program for providing quality diabetes care to patients.

“Most families are affected by diabetes and our doctors have noticed,” states Jennifer O’Donnell, MHA – Director of Provider Services for Palmetto Primary Care Physicians. “National recognition from a group such as the NCQA shows our patients that we are serious when it comes to delivering quality healthcare to our patients suffering from diabetes.”

The following local physicians have been recognized:
Dr. Thomas Arnau, North Charleston
Dr. Amy Black, Summerville
Dr. Eric Bolster, Summerville
Dr. Thomas Bolt, North Charleston
Dr. Patricia Campbell, Goose Creek
Dr. David Castellone, Summerville
Dr. Kirt Caton, Hanahan
Dr. Lucy Davis, Daniel Island
Dr. Skye DeBerry, Summerville
Dr. Brian Dewhirst, North Charleston
Dr. Matthew Edwards, North Charleston
Dr. Otis Engelman, Summerville
Dr. Meredith Floyd, Moncks Corner
Dr. Edward Giove, Summerville
Dr. Colby Grossman, Summerville
Dr. Caisson Hogue, Moncks Corner
Dr. Edward Jones, Moncks Corner
Dr. Barry Katz, Summerville
Dr. Brian Keller, Summerville
Dr. Sara Montoya, Summerville
Dr. Mark Redwine, North Charleston
Dr. David Rodgers, Bonneau
Dr. Samuel Schumann Jr., Saint Stephen
Dr. Leigh Spicer, Daniel Island
Dr. John Sutterlin, Goose Creek
Dr. Marcella Tabor, Summerville
Dr. Gordon Thompson, North Charleston
Dr. William Tucker, Goose Creek
Dr. Tara Vandegrift, North Charleston
Dr. Sherry Viduya, Goose Creek

“Clinicians who earn recognition through the Diabetes Recognition Program have an established track record of providing excellent diabetes care,” said Dr. Robert Henry, President, Medicine & Science, American Diabetes Association. “The list of recognized clinicians is the first place to look if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes.”

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. The Recognition Programs are built on evidence-based, nationally recognized clinical standards of care.

S.C. Smart Business Recycling Program honors Palmetto Primary Care Physicians

(CHARLESTON, SC – April 5, 2011) The Oakbrook location of Palmetto Primary Care Physicians is one of eight businesses in the state that have been honored for outstanding waste reduction and recycling programs by the S.C. Smart Business Recycling Program, a partnership between DHEC and S.C. Department of Commerce.

“Businesses generate between 35 and 45 percent of the nation’s waste stream,” said Earl Hunter, DHEC Commissioner. “Because of this, businesses play an important role in reducing the impact of waste on the environment. By implementing simple waste reduction and recycling practices, businesses help protect our environment by conserving natural resources, reducing pollution and saving energy.”

Hunter said South Carolina’s businesses reported recycling nearly 2 million tons of material from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

“I realized how much waste we were generating here at the Oakbrook Office,” mentions Erin Moock, the Palmetto Primary Care Physicians’ nurse responsible for launching the in-house recycling program. “And it really bothered me. I wanted to make a difference here the way my family does at home.”

Because recycling pick-up is non-accessible in the area, Moock’s husband makes weekly visits to the office to take the recycling.

“We take great pride in the fact that our employees are movers and shakers among our very own company. It takes a great deal of passion and initiative to start a recycling program for a group of 25 physicians offices,” states Ron Piccione, CEO of Palmetto Primary Care Physicians.

Moock also attended the South Carolina “Green is Good for Business” Conference in Columbia that focused on waste, sustainability and the entrepreneurial spirit.
“My ultimate goal is to build a committee that is comprised of one representative from each of our 25 offices to meet regularly and discuss how we can lower our waste and increase sustainability” says Moock.

The S.C. Smart Business Recycling Program is a partnership between DHEC and the S.C. Department of Commerce. The program offers free, confidential, non-regulatory services including site visits, technical assistance, market research and workshops. For more information, visit http://www.scdhec.gov/smartbusiness.

Ground Breaking Ceremony

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians named Business of the Quarter

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians was recently named Business of the Quarter by the Summerville Chamber of Commerce.

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians has been rooted in the Summerville community for over 10 years.  They have provided the best healthcare to local families by integrating cutting-edge technology with the traditional, personalized care of a family physician. 

Scott Turner of Palmetto Primary Care Physicians proudly accepts the Business of the Quarter Award from the Will Russell, Board of Directors chair for Summerville Chamber of Commerce and President/CEO Rita Berry.

Throughout the years, Palmetto Primary Care Physicians’ have been recognized through various national organizations such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance and URAC. 

As innovators in the medical community, Palmetto Primary Care Physicians is the first in the Lowcountry to push towards an Accountable Care Organization model.  This patient-centered model offers and coordinates all health care needs for patients.  Under this new system patients would have a “primary care home” that guides them through the health care system, working with specialists and have a team of doctors within their fingertips.  

Today, with over 25 offices, Palmetto Primary Care Physicians cares for more than 300,000 families in the TriCounty and continues to expand.

Local Walterboro Physician offers children free books

(WALTERBORO, SC)

Luis Vega, MD of Palmetto Primary Care Physicians and his staff are bringing a national initiative to the community to get young Walterboro patients to exercise their imagination by picking up a book and reading.

Reach Out and Read prepares America’s youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. The program consists of a three-part training for pediatric healthcare providers, which includes learning how to speak with parents about the importance of reading aloud to their young children every day, and offering age-appropriate tips and encouragement.

“Studies have proven that children whose families read together more often enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills”, states Dr. Vega. “As a physician, I want to make sure my patients receive the best medical care, that includes making sure they are better prepared to achieve their potential.”

Any patient of Dr. Vega’s, between ages of 6 months and 5 years will receive a new book at each doctors visit. To schedule a visit today, call (843) 782-4100.
For more information about Reach Out and Read, visit www.reachoutandread.org

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Diabetes Support Group to meet Sept 26

(CHARLESTON, SC – September 20, 2011) The Diabetes Education Division of Palmetto Primary Care Physicians invites residents to attend the second meeting of the Diabetes Support Group to be held September 26th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at Summerville Presbyterian Church, located at 407 South Laurel Street in Summerville.

The first group meeting held in August brought together about 20 individuals to learn more about diabetes and diabetes management. The open discussion is led by Ana Hill, Registered and Licensed Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator for the physicians group.

The group is free and open to the public. All are invited to attend.

Interested participants are asked to RSVP to Tina Schatz at (843) 820-3409.

Welcoming Christin Austin, FNP

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians welcomes Christin Austin, Family Nurse Practitioner to Daniel Island practice

(CHARLESTON, SC – October 19, 2011) Lucy Davis, MD and Leigh Spicer, MD are pleased to welcome Christin Austin, Family Nurse Practitioner to Palmetto Primary Care Physicians’ Daniel Island location.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Austin completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2006, where she graduated Cum Laude. She continued her studies at USC and graduated with a Masters of Science in Nursing in 2011.

Austin is now accepting new patients at Palmetto Primary Care Physicians’ Daniel Island office, located at 900 Island Park Drive, Suite 101. She will provide primary care for children and adults of all ages and will accept most insurance.

“With her knowledge and experience, Christin is going to be a wonderful addition to our medical practice,” mentions Dr. Lucy Davis, primary care physician. “She has spent years assessing, caring and treating the youngest of patients and we look forward to having her expertise on our team.”

Prior to joining Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, Austin worked as a Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Levels I and II Nursery at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
She is a member of the South Carolina Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association.