Taking the Pulse: a Health Care and Life Sciences Podcast

South Carolina Representative Kambrell Garvin of District 77 joins Heather and Darra to discuss Legislative initiatives helping the Palmetto State recover and thrive post-pandemic. Representative Garvin also provides insights on the health care issues impacting his District, challenges in the education system, and vaccinations in SC. Tune in to epsiode 61 now!

For our 60th episode, political journalist Meg Kinnard of the Associated Press joins us to share her fierce and focused fight against stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer. Meg discusses the personal details of her journey, including what she has learned about the health care system, how she continues to work, stay active, and spend time with her family, as well as her important story of detection. Tune in now for this informative conversation about self-examination, self-advocacy, and more.

Our guest this week, Dr. Caughman Taylor, has spent nearly 4 decades dedicated to improving the lives of children in South Carolina. As the senior medical director at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital and Chair of the Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Taylor shares his insights with Tina and Matthew on the benefits of a freestanding Children’s hospital and what sets Prisma Children’s hospital apart. Tune in now!

On episode 58, Allendale County Hospital CEO Lari Gooding joins Tina and Matthew to discuss the county-owned, non-profit hospital that has been serving Allendale and Hampton counties for nearly 70 years. We dive into the difficulties of rural health care, strategic partnerships and that help provide and expand health care services, and vaccinations in rural communities. Listen now!

This week, Tina and Darra welcome Dr. Graham Adams, CEO of the South Carolina Office of Rural Health, a statewide non-profit dedicated to improving health care in rural and under-served communities. They chat about the challenge of health care providers remaining viable while serving rural communities, how the SCORH addressed the pandemic, and the future of rural hospitals. Tune in now!

Randy Covington, award winning television news journalist and Director of Special Projects and Newsplex at the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications, joins Heather and Matthew for episode 56 of Taking the Pulse. As a television veteran with nearly 30 years of experience, Randy shares his thoughts on the unparalleled media coverage during the pandemic and the dramatic changes taking place in the industry. Tune in now!

Did you know that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in men and women in the United States? To get some insight into colon cancer’s widespread impact on Americans and other digestive issues, Heather and Darra welcome renowned Gastroenterologist Dr. March Seabrook. He shares important information about colon cancer, including brand new screening recommendations, as well as discusses reflux, indigestion and heartburn and what lifestyle and genetic factors can impact these conditions. Tune in now!

For epsiode 54, Heather and Darra chat with Hope Barber, the owner of one of South Carolina’s favorite restaurants, Bowens Island. They dive into how COVID has drastically changed the restaurant industry, including shut downs, staffing shortages, masking, vaccinations, and much more! Tune in now to hear from this long running, family-owned restaurant.

Current trends in the health care industry could soon create dramatic changes in how health care is provided and delivered. Matthew and Heather welcome this week’s guest, PYA Principal Orlando Alvarez, to get his insight on pressing issues like consolidation, value-based care, downside risk, consumerism, tech use with rural providers, and much more. Listen now!

For international nurse’s week, Heather and Darra sat down with two health care heroes who have been serving on the frontlines of the pandemic in rural South Carolina at McLeod-Loris Hospital. Layla Soles and Kaila Bonnett share their challenges, successes, and overall experience of caring for COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. Tune in now for their first-hand accounts.