FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 5, 2020
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Division of Well being and Environmental Management (DHEC) in the present day introduced that Fetter Well being Care Community and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church are the primary two organizations to be acknowledged as DHEC’s “Group Heroes in South Carolina.”
The brand new Group Heroes initiative spotlights native teams and people who’ve helped increase entry to COVID-19 schooling, testing and vaccines all through South Carolina’s COVID-19 response.
“Whereas DHEC is the state’s lead public well being company, it might probably’t defeat COVID-19 alone,” mentioned Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director. “DHEC wants assist, help, and concepts from group companions to reinforce entry to schooling, testing and vaccines in communities throughout the state. We’ve got many excellent companions who’ve sprung into motion, and we wish to acknowledge these companions for all of their efforts and to additionally encourage others to change into leaders of their communities.”
Fetter Well being
In January, Fetter Well being Care Community, a Federally Certified Well being Heart in Charleston, vaccinated 580 South Carolina residents at a Baptist church in an underserved space. Fetter labored in shut partnership with Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston to arrange and promote the clinic. Fetter has collaborative agreements with a number of church buildings, colleges and organizations in areas the place susceptible populations reside, and, in whole, Fetter Well being has helped administer 16,552 vaccines at 26 websites.
“Success within the struggle towards COVID-19 will probably be realized as a bunch effort,” mentioned Taylor Lee, DHEC’s Lowcountry Regional Well being Director. “Fetter Well being is a improbable group useful resource, and we stay up for persevering with to work with them to serve the residents of our nice sate. Fetter Well being is a real group hero.”
DHEC presents a Group Heroes award to Fetter Well being Care Community in Charleston on March 30, 2021. From left to proper are Taylor Lee, DHEC’s Lowcountry Regional Well being Director; Aretha Powers, Chief Govt Officer for Fetter Well being Care Community; and Felicia Veasey, DHEC Group Programs Director for the Lowcountry.
“It is positively an honor for our regional DHEC workplace to acknowledge our group outreach efforts,” mentioned Aretha Powers, Chief Govt Officer for Fetter Well being Care Community. “Our success has lots to do with the collaborative relationship and open communications between the 2 companies.”
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Upstate
DHEC has partnered with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in McCormick to host COVID-19 testing and vaccination occasions. New Hope is a small, rural church pastored by Rev. Michael A. Butler. Within the spring of 2020, DHEC and Self Regional Healthcare held COVID-19 testing clinics on the church and in current weeks, with COVID-19 vaccine out there, the partnership was rekindled. As of in the present day, 17 vaccine clinics have been held at New Hope with 2,051 whole vaccines administered.
“Since earlier than COVID-19 vaccines have been out there, we knew how vital it might be to construct upon current relationships in capable of efficiently carry vaccine clinics to our varied communities,” mentioned Dr. Kandi Fredere, DHEC Upstate Regional Well being Director. “New Hope Missionary Baptist helps us carry vaccine to the individuals, making it straightforward, protected and handy for group members to get their photographs. Reverend Butler and the complete New Hope household proceed to be unbelievable companions and we’re grateful for all they proceed to do.
DHEC presents a Group Heroes award to members of New Hope Baptist Church in McCormick on April 1, 2021. From left to proper are, Dr. Kandi Fredere, DHEC’s Upstate Regional Well being Director; Shannon Winn, DHEC’s Lead Administrator for Abbeville and McCormick counties; Verda Musier, church member; Lydia Butler, church member and spouse of Rev. Butler; Mary Stackhouse, DHEC’s Website Supervisor for Abbeville and McCormick counties; Rev. Michael Butler, pastor.
“We’re grateful that DHEC afforded us the chance to assist the group,” mentioned Rev. Michael A. Butler. “It’s been a pleasure to work with DHEC and in such a cooperative spirit. It’s been a blessing, and we had different church buildings and people in the neighborhood who donated to assist defray the prices.”
Nominating a Group Hero To appoint a Group Hero for his or her efforts to be an area chief and help public well being actions all through the COVID-19 pandemic, submit a nomination form and a quick description of the nominee’s group involvement. DHEC will often announce new Group Heroes and can archive all award recipients on-line here.
For the most recent COVID-19 info in South Carolina, go to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
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