S.C. Department of Public Health

Do you have plans to be at the Grand Strand this coming holiday weekend? Use CheckMyBeach.com to check for swim advisories before you go! SCDES collects routine water samples at over 120 locations along South Carolina's beaches. An advisory means that SCDES advises you NOT to swim in those areas.

We’re proud to announce that our environmental public health employees continue to shine at the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Environmental Health Leadership Academy (EHLA). As of now, two of our team members (and two who are now at South Carolina Department of Environmental Services) have been selected for this highly competitive program — an amazing achievement considering fewer than 20 individuals are chosen each year! —Betsy Seals (now with SCDES) and ML TANNER, Program Manager in the Division of Children’s Health, were part of the inaugural EHLA cohort and graduated in July 2022. —Blakely Lovelace (SCDES) graduated from the third EHLA cohort this year. —Ava Fierst, EHM-III has been accepted into the fourth cohort, beginning her journey last month and set to graduate in July 2025. The EHLA program is designed to enhance management and leadership skills, develop strategic approaches, and strengthen community partnerships and emergency management capabilities. Our employees’ participation highlights their dedication to advancing environmental public health and underscores the strong leadership within our agencies. Let’s celebrate these incredible achievements and the leaders driving our mission forward! 🎉

Our Midlands immunization team recently completed three back-to-school clinics at the Lexington County Health Department, giving 97 vaccinations to students as they prepared to start the fall semester. The team’s goal is to provide immunizations that will protect communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. It works with local school districts to ensure that all children are up to date on their required vaccines by offering scheduled vaccine events for communities with an identified need. The back-to-school clinics were made possible by the participation of nursing and administrative staff from eight Midlands health departments. Click here to learn more about DPH’s vaccination services: https://lnkd.in/eep_mcSy

We're thrilled to share a new video that highlights the incredible work of Healthy Palmetto, our state coalition dedicated to promoting healthy eating and active living across South Carolina. In this video, you'll hear from leaders and partners who have been pivotal in driving our collective efforts. Discover how collaboration is making a significant impact on our communities! To learn more about Healthy Palmetto, visit https://lnkd.in/eVTYAW_S Let's continue to work together for a healthier future! 💪 #HealthyPalmetto

All public school districts in South Carolina are making their way through the first few weeks of classes! For many teens, this time can bring anxiety and stress. Here are some back-to-school tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help middle and high schoolers feel well and emotionally ready as the school year kicks off: –Lock in healthy habits 🔒 –Connect with others 😊 –Manage stress ✍️ –Reach out to a friend or trusted adult if you need support 🤝 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dyPchE2 #BacktoSchool

Happy #FeatureFriday! Meet Alison McElveen, a recent University of South Carolina-Beaufort graduate who spent time as an intern this summer with our Healthcare Quality (HQ) team. Her #internship took place for six weeks from June 17 to Aug. 2, during which she got to understand the real world applications of health care regulation. Check out Allison's takeaways in this Q&A: What led you to apply for this internship? I felt that this opportunity would be the perfect bridge before stepping into a full-time career. I knew that it would allow me to see more of the aspects of the agency and help me make meaningful connections and could potentially open more job opportunities than I would have otherwise had. I’m so grateful that the HQ team saw potential in me and gave me this opportunity. What new skills or knowledge did you gain during your internship? Before starting the internship, I knew that HQ was responsible for licensing healthcare facilities, but I did not realize truly how much work goes into ensuring the best quality of care is provided at these facilities, as well. I now want to help with ensuring that the vulnerable citizens of South Carolina receive the best quality care with the utmost integrity and respect. What were the highlights or most memorable moments of your internship? Number one highlight is being a founding member of the Department of Public Health!!! As a public health major, that is very special to me. How would you describe the culture in HQ after your time with us? Everyone supports one another and works to ensure that the agency is going above and beyond in their work. I also felt so invited and welcomed. Everyone I had the opportunity to observe and work with cared about teaching me something and helping me grow as a professional. Based on your experience, what advice would you give to someone starting an internship? If you ask questions, step up and try to be as hands-on as possible, you will learn so much and make lasting relationships for your future professional career! An internship like this one is like the holy grail to networking and getting your name and face into the workforce, so use that to your advantage!

DPH is #hiring Healthcare Quality Inspectors/Investigators in Richland County! The individuals conduct inspections and investigations of healthcare facilities to ensure compliance with standards and regulations; identify deficiencies, advise on corrective actions and prepare detailed reports to improve quality control; and lead survey teams, manage documentation and participate in disaster preparedness tasks, as needed. To apply and learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/e22zWJzA #SCCareers #jobs #hiring

The South Carolina Department of Public Health today wishes to announce the hiring of Will Britt as General Counsel for the agency. Britt has served as the agency’s interim General Counsel since July 1 and previously worked for the state's predecessor public health agency, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Joining DHEC in 2014, Britt became Chief Counsel for Public Health in 2016, leading a team of lawyers that provided counsel and legal assistance to all of the agency's public health programs. Britt also served as the Deputy Incident Commander for the agency's COVID-19 emergency response until the spring of 2021. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMr8SegN

For National Immunization Awareness Month, the S.C. Department of Public Health and Prisma Health highlight the significance of vaccines in the play for global health protection. Watch the press conference to hear their discussion about the crucial role that vaccines play in fighting against various diseases and cancers: https://bit.ly/4dLJInG

Congratulations to the inaugural graduates of DPH's Leading the Way program! 🎉  This dedicated group of 15 individuals set the standard for leadership within our newly founded agency. Over the past seven months, they’ve honed their skills, earned their Associate Public Manager Certification (South Carolina Department of Administration) and collaborated on public health initiatives that will shape the future of our state. Our honored graduates are: Jennifer Almeda-Garrett, Nichole Blake, Olivia Gomez, Gregory Goodwin, Malerie Hartsell, Ivy Howard, Marcus Lara, Keisha Mays, Sara Moody, Tina Skinner, Kristen Smith, Cynthia Taylor, Adrienne Denise Whitney, Susan Diane Williams, and Lummie Young, III. As we continue to build on the legacy of public health in South Carolina, these leaders are paving the way for a healthier tomorrow. Here's to their hard work, passion, and commitment to serving all South Carolinians!   #Leadership #PublicHealth #DPHLeadingTheWay