Taking the Pulse: a Health Care and Life Sciences Podcast

Heather and Darra sit down with Dr. Ada Stewart, a physician at Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center around the Midlands, to discuss the impact that COVID-19 has had on her patients and treatment experiences. They discuss Dr. Stewart's service to largely underserved communities around South Carolina, her growing up without a physician or access to health care, and how she came to work become a doctor. Dr. Stewart is driven by a desire to serve others, and we couldn't think of a more inspiring individual who embodies that service. Listen now!

For episode 11, we're joined by Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina CEO Rev. Dr. Franklin Fant, and Nexsen Pruet health care attorney Alice Harris makes her Taking The Pulse debut. Dr. Fant, Heather and Alice discuss COVID19's impact on senior living facilities, especially in a place like Presbyterian Communities, which offers a huge range of services for senior citizens (assisted living, independent living, health care and hospitality services, and more).

They say the pandemic has been a catalyst for innovation and Dr. Fant is no exception - listen in to hear how his team has adjusted their services, nurtured their residents (and employees!), and more.

For ep. 10 of Taking the Pulse, Heather + Matthew sat down with Representative Murrell Smith to discuss COVID-19's impact at the statehouse - everything from how the legislature has (and will) manage the pandemic, to its impact on the state's budget, Medicaid in S.C., and much more. We discuss a few pieces of legislation that are currently in motion (like liability protection) and the status of S.C. schools returning in the fall. We dive into all that and MUCH more - listen now!

Heather and Matthew sit down with Mako Medical COO Josh Arant to learn about how COVID-19 sparked innovation for an N.C.-based medical manufacturer. Business was booming - then COVID hit, bringing production to a near stand-still. Now, Mako is producing COVID-19 tests in record numbers, and business is booming in ways Josh never could have imagined a year ago. We chat about the process of becoming licensed to produce these tests, what the current virus testing market looks like, as well as a bit more about Mako's work as a stateside medical product manufacturer.

Heather + Darra sat down with South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) Executive Director Bob Quinn to discuss how COVID-19 has sparked innovation among SCRA member companies, and the impact they are having on S.C.'s health and life science industries. We discuss exactly what the SCRA is (and how you can get involved with them), how SCRA start-ups are chosen, and even some several SCRA success stories. Tune in!

In this episode, Heather & Darra sit down with Dr. Gerry Harmon, President-Elect of the American Medical Association and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Tidelands Health in Murrells Inlet. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on health care providers, both locally in South Carolina and nationally. We'll get into how associations like the AMA - and health care systems - are supporting patients and frontline health care workers, the prioritization and allocation of PPE and critical health care devices, and how health inequities have been exasperated by the pandemic.

Matthew & Heather dive in with South Carolina's epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell to discuss COVID-19's stronghold in South Carolina. Tune in as we discuss the upward trend in positive cases, why we've seen that trend, where testing and vaccines stand, and MUCH more. Dr. Bell reinforces best  practices for preventative safety and her recommendations for all South Carolinians. Listen now!

On Episode 5 of Taking the Pulse Podcast, Matthew Roberts & Heather Matthews interview SCBIO President + CEO Sam Konduros about South Carolina's pharmaceutical and life sciences industries - and their current economic impact on the state, as well as their potential impact on the knowledge economy. Sam also shares great stories about how Palmetto State companies in those sectors have stepped up in the battle against COVID-19. Hear that and much more - listen now.

Heather and Darra speak to South Carolina Medical Association's GC & SVP of Advocacy & Communications Richele Taylor about many of the challenges and changes she's seeing throughout South Carolina's health care system as a result of COVID-19. Everything from the telehealth boom to the battle between public health vs. economic  impact. Richele also shares some interesting - and uplifting - stories about physicians introducing innovative practices to comfortably and safely treat patients. 

Nexsen Pruet Health Care attorney Darra James Coleman makes her co-host debut, joining Heather Matthews for an interview with Palmetto Care Connections CEO Kathy Schwarting, MHA. The trio discuss the rise of telehealth - as well as its inherent challenges. They also chat about rural healthcare access, and how telehealth can help bridge that divide. Listen for all that, and much more, now.