Inside AnMed Health: Winter 2021

Winter 2021

800 North Fant Street • Anderson, SC 29621 www.anmedhealth.org

It’s not just a knee...

Slowing down a racing heart It’s a birdie on the 18th.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, serious athlete or just starting to feel your age, bone and joint pain shouldn’t come between you and what you love. That’s why AnMed Health is proud to introduce a new team of highly trained and specialized orthopaedic physicians. AnMed Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine brings the latest, most cutting edge treatment right here to your neighborhood – so you don’t have to choose between the expertise and results you need and the comfort and convenience of complete care at home. It’s all right here. Because when you win, we win. We’re in this together.

100 Healthy Way, Suite 1200 Anderson, SC 29621 864.716.6140 Ortho.AnMedHealth.org

Year In Review

Exceptionalism at top of new CEO’s priority list

FROM THE CEO

CONTENTS

5 Slowing down a racing heart 6 Year in Review 9 Exceptionalism at top of new CEO’s priority list 10 Ask the Expert: Weight loss 11 Prostate procedure helping men sleep at night 12 Breathing relief available for emphysema patients 13 Robotics, 3-D models used for precise knee implant placement 14 In the Community 15 Visions: Foundation News

Healthier Living for Every Body

ON THE COVER: William Kenley took over as AnMed Health’s new CEO in September 2020.

Inside

ANMED HEALTH For long-term weight loss, our procedures are safe and effective for people who have tried everything. Regardless of your body type, we likely have a weight-loss option for you. All of our choices are matched to your unique circumstances by our leading weight-loss providers, who will help you determine the right one. And the best solution will be the one that will help you achieve healthier living, such as playing with your children, walking your dog or dancing with your friends.

You can do it, and we’re right here for you.

To speak with someone about pre-qualifying, please call 864.512.4476.

Relationships key to successful future ANMED HEALTH has a tremendous history and reputation. I first became aware of Anderson Area Medical Center while in graduate school at Duke University.

Mr. D. K. Oglesby Jr. spoke to our class as a visiting executive. I still recall his passion for the mission and purpose of the organization. When the recruiter called me about the opportunity to join AnMed Health as the new CEO, I was immediately impressed with the performance of the organization.

Strength in clinical quality and patient engagement was very evident. As I’ve learned more about the organization and met with folks, I’ve become more excited about the opportunity and how I can contribute here. I believe our future is in our hands, and it will be shaped through our precise dedication to purpose, energetic innovation and strategic partnership.

Consider the amazing advancements that AnMed Health’s specialists bring to the community. Several of those specialties are featured in this issue. These individual accomplishments are only a few of many being realized across our health system every day. The clinical, medicinal and technological offerings at AnMed Health are making patients’ lives better in remarkable ways. And that motivates me beyond measure.

In the meantime, I look forward to continue meeting the great folks who work to deliver our mission every day and identifying ways we can strengthen our position to lift our performance to even greater levels of excellence.

I believe that leadership is 100% based upon relationships. I recognize there is tremendous strength in our team, and I am anxious to do everything I can to inspire and optimize that strength. That’s especially important in these times. Our teams are doing a tremendous job of providing excellent healthcare during the pandemic, and I intend to support them and work “arm in arm” to help every way I can.

One more thing, the AnMed Health family and the Anderson community have been so welcoming to Carol and me. Since the day we arrived, everyone here has been so warm and supportive. There is an energy here that we are thrilled to join. We are truly excited to say, “We are in this together.”

Inside AnMed Health is published quarterly for AnMed Health staff, friends and the community.

CONTACT

Lee Boggs, Editor 864.512.8739 MISSION To passionately blend the art of caring with the science of medicine to optimize the health of our patients, staff and community.

WeightLoss.AnMedHealth.org

VISION To be recognized and celebrated as the gold standard for health care quality and community health improvement.

All AnMed Health facilities take COVID-19 precautions.

For your health’s sake, please don’t delay when you need to see a doctor.

800 North Fant Street • Anderson, SC 29621 864.512.1000 • AnMedHealth.org

William

Inside ANMED HEALTH 3

Slowing down a racing heart Ron Brookshire Jr. had just left a patient’s room in AnMed Health’s Clinical Decision Unit when his heart started racing.

Ron Brookshire loads firewood following treatment for AFib. 4 Inside ANMED HEALTH

“If you’ve had a motor mount break in your car, and the motor just sort of shakes, that’s what it felt like,” said Brookshire, a former AnMed Health nurse who worked with cardiac and open-heart surgery patients. “My heart was just shaking in my chest.”

He had a colleague check his heart rate.

It was beating 140 to 160 times a minute.

After a trip to the Emergency Department and an overnight stay in CCU (coronary care unit), his heart eventually converted back to a normal rhythm.

But the episodes continued, including one where his heart rate was irregular and his blood pressure dropped while he was eating at a restaurant in Greenville.

“I had to lie down on the floor to get my blood pressure back up. When that happens, you wonder if you’re going to die on the floor,” he said. After that episode, he called his cardiologist.

Doctors diagnosed him with atrial fibrillation (AFib) and atrial flutter.

During AFib, the two upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly and out of coordination with the two lower chambers (the ventricles).

Episodes of AFib may come and go initially but typically become more frequent over time, leading to permanent changes in the heart.

More than five million Americans have AFib, and it is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Brian Miller, a cardiac electrophysiologist with AnMed Health Arrhythmia Specialists, said there are new, state-of-the-art treatment options, such as ablation, for atrial fibrillation.

“Treatment with ablation has Dr. Brian Miller been shown to be

Ron with his wife Jane and service dog Heidi.

more effective than any antiarrhythmic medication at reducing the burden of AFib and improving quality of life,” said Miller, one of two cardiac electrophysiologists in Anderson County.

“In many patients, especially those with heart failure, ablation has been shown to decrease hospitalization rates and prolong life.”

Electrophysiologists are like electricians for the heart. They are cardiologists with special training to deal with the heart’s electrical impulses that control its rhythm and trigger heartbeats. They treat arrhythmias such as AFib, atrial flutter, bradycardia (low heart rate), tachycardia (fast heart rate), and premature ventricular contractions.

Dr. Miller said he became interested in the heart while majoring in biomedical and electrical engineering at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He went to the University of Maryland School of Medicine and decided on cardiac electrophysiology after he started his clinical rotations during his third year of medical school. He is board-certified in

internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology.

“The heart is the only part of the body where we can intervene in an electrical system to cure diseases,” Dr. Miller said.

At Brookshire’s follow-up visit, his cardiologist suggested he see AnMed Health’s cardiac electrophysiologists.

After he conducted an electrophysiology (EP) study on Brookshire to understand the way electrical signals moved through his heart, Dr. Miller performed a cardiac ablation. Cardiac ablation uses heat or cold to make small scars in the heart tissue to prevent abnormal electrical signals from moving through the heart.

Procedures are performed through the veins in the legs and most patients can return home the same day and resume almost all activities the next. Dr. Miller used an advanced, zero-fluoroscopic technique that does not expose the patient to any radiation.

Immediately after the procedure, Brookshire said he could tell something was different.

“I had gotten used to this funny feeling in my chest, and now that feeling wasn’t there,” he said. “It was something I had to get used to. But I feel a lot better now. I’m thrilled with the way things turned out.

It’s wonderful how effective it was.”

Brookshire said he’s doing well and looks forward to coming off his medications soon. He said he knows some people are hesitant to have a heart procedure, but he recommends talking to a cardiac electrophysiologist. Having the procedure has given him peace of mind, he said.

“I had five episodes, and they had been getting worse. I didn’t want to tempt fate any longer,” he said.

If you have AFib, talk to your primary care provider about your condition and ask for a referral to an electrophysiologist.

Inside ANMED HEALTH 5

2020 Year in Review

Added video visits for established patients to consult with their providers when possible.

AnMed Health reached many milestones last year while simultaneously responding to COVID-19, highlighting the system’s dedication to excellence in healthcare. A sample of those accomplishments are featured here.

Only health system in South Carolina to light up our facilities in recognition of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness.

Announced the addition of AnMed Health Central Family Medicine, slated to open 2021.

Doctors.AnMedHealth.org

SECURITY K-9 UNIT

Received a CDC grant to help AnMed Health Williamston Family Medicine increase colorectal cancer screenings.

Partnered with Anderson University to offer the first medical imaging degree program in South Carolina.

Added a K-9, Raven, to the Security Department, made possible by the generous support of the AnMed Health Auxiliary and AnMed Health Foundation.

Added a new breast biopsy system that reduces the biopsy steps from eight to three.

$503

Projected to spend million in payroll and operational expenses systemwide, contributing to the local economy through the purchases of goods and services and leading to the creation of jobs.

Added minimally-invasive, endoscopic procedures as an option for bariatric patients.

WeightLoss.AnMedHealth.org

Selected by the American College of Cardiology as a recipient of the 2020 Chest Pain – MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award.

Opened AnMed Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, composed of a team of experts specializing in sports medicine, hip and knee surgery, hand surgery and trauma. Ortho.AnMedHealth.org 6 Inside ANMED HEALTH

Installed a hightech, wide bore MRI for more precise imaging and comfort.

Added ultra-fast, 5G, internet connectivity to the mobile mammography coach – first in the country.

Pink.AnMedHealth.org

Coronavirus AnMedHealth.org/COVID-19 Served thousands of patients at drive-up clinics and curbside services, administering COVID-19 tests and flu shots.

Responded to a 14% increase in E-Visits and experienced a 17% increase in MyChart activations.

Implemented safety measures at all AnMed Health facilities.

Produced and received thousands of masks and ear protectors for patients and staff from volunteers and supporters.

Participated in national research, resulting in the approval of convalescent plasma as a treatment for hospitalized patients.

MyChart.AnMedHealth.org

Held a drive-through Cancer Fighters & Survivors Day – one of the few in the area to celebrate.

Inside ANMED HEALTH 7

Exceptionalism at top of new CEO’s priority list

“I look forward to working with our team to identify ways we can strengthen our position to move our performance to even greater levels of excellence.”

William Kenley, CEO AnMed Health

8 Inside ANMED HEALTH

ANMED HEALTH’S NEW CEO William Kenley has a simple but complex answer to what the hospital system needs to do to succeed in the future.

“First, we need to be exceptional at everything we do. We need to be so exceptional that, the way I describe it, why would someone choose anything other than an AnMed Health offering for any service that we provide?” he said.

“Then, we have to do an exceptional job of telling people why we are the best choice and empower them to make the best decisions.”

Kenley is AnMed Health’s first CEO in decades to come from outside the organization.

“It’s fun being the new guy,” he said. “I haven’t been the new guy in a long time.”

Before becoming AnMed Health’s new CEO in September, Kenley had spent 17 years at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee, most recently as executive vice president of its community group. In that role, Kenley served as the executive vice president, leading the Community Group, which was composed of all the system’s community-based services, including four community hospitals.

“There is, and justifiably there should be, great pride in the performance and success of AnMed Health,” Kenley said. “But along with that, there has been consistently conveyed to me an excitement that this is a new time, a fresh time. I hear, ‘We’re excited to hear what you think. We’re excited to hear your ideas, and we’re confident that we’re going to do even greater things.’ That’s wonderful to experience.”

Kenley said COVID-19 has made the leadership transition different, and he noted that there are challenges. But when Kenley looks back on previous challenges and opportunities, it is the work of those teams and individuals with whom he served that makes him the most proud.

“I am a relational leader. I believe that leadership is 100 percent based on

William Kenley speaks to a group of teammates at AnMed Health Cannon about his vision for the system.

relationships. It’s vitally important that I can connect with our team. That’s a challenge when you are purposely distancing, whether that be by actual distance or by things like masking and face shields,” he said.

Kenley said the growth opportunities in the market are partly why he has prioritized exceptionalism.

“I look forward to working with our team to identify ways we can strengthen our position to move our performance to even greater levels of excellence. I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to inspire and optimize our strength,” he said.

Kenley didn’t grow up in a family of doctors. His father was a steelworker; his mother worked in the home, raising Kenley and his brother. But as he grew up in a small town in Virginia, Kenley saw how his pediatrician, dentist and the other healthcare providers in town were community leaders.

“I recognized the impact they had on the community and the people around them, not just the important part of improving health in the community, but by making the community a better place to be for everyone,” Kenley said. “That inspired me.”

When he went to college, he majored in chemistry and biology to build a strong science base to go to medical or dental

school. But he found his career aspirations changed while he attended graduate school at Duke University. He received training there as a medical technologist and had an opportunity to fill some management and leadership roles.

“I really enjoyed it,” Kenley said. “I changed my focus to go in that direction rather than proceeding to become a physician. I found the niche that coincided with my passion.”

Kenley attended Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and earned a master’s degree in health administration.

“The thing I get excited about, and I view myself this way, is being a coach and engaging with a team, facing opportunities and challenges to build our strength and momentum to excel. That’s what excites me,” he said.

Kenley first heard of AnMed Health when he was in graduate school in 1990, and former CEO Kirk Oglesby spoke to his class. Kenley remembers Oglesby’s passion when he talked about the mission and purpose of his organization.

Kenley discovered three decades later, AnMed Health’s passion for excellence remains.

“I’m excited to be here with this team because I think we’re ready to take it to the next level,” he said.

Inside ANMED HEALTH 9

ASK THE EXPERT

NEWS BRIEFS

Weight loss solutions for healthier living

Prostate procedure helping men sleep at night

Weight loss success requires a lifelong commitment to wellness — an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthier lifestyle. It is an ongoing process of development that takes personal initiative.

We know that lifestyle change is not easy, but we can help with dedicated providers, nutritional guidance and support groups.

Q: How do I know if I’m eligible for weight loss surgery?

A: In most cases, patients must be 100 pounds or more above their ideal body weight or have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. Someone with a BMI of 35 to 39 will be considered for surgery (laparoscopic) if obesity-related health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or others, create a medical need for weight reduction and if other non-surgical alternatives have been exhausted.

Q: Is surgery the only option?

A: There are several nonsurgical procedures (endoscopic) available for weight loss and weight-related disease prevention for those who don’t qualify for surgery or would rather not have surgery.

They are incisionless, minimally invasive and same-day procedures. They are for patients who have a BMI of at least 30 and have already tried diet and exercise without success.

Q: Are the procedures safe?

A: Absolutely. Our specialists take all 10 Inside ANMED HEALTH

safety measures in coordination with the most current techniques, equipment and medications. Keep in mind, doing nothing at all may not be safe. Being morbidly obese can lead to severe health complications and life-threatening risks.

Q: Is surgery a life-long cure?

A: It is important to understand that a weight loss procedure is not a quick fix.

It is a major life change. Our procedures - surgical and non-surgical - are part of a comprehensive approach to weight loss and healthier living. In addition to the treatment, regardless of which one is right for you, we offer diet and exercise counseling and management.

Q: What is the first step?

A: That’s a good question, because the answer lies within yourself. The first step is to think about your health goals - shortand long-term - and ask yourself if you are committed to doing what it takes to get there. Please feel free to contact me and let’s discuss how we can get you started on the path to healthier living.

Q: Do you have free seminars?

A: Yes, but they’re on hold due to COVID-19. We’ll restart them as soon as possible. In the meantime, we can give you much of the same information in other ways. Initially, I will provide you with the forms needed to get pre-qualified, and then bring you in for a consultation if you qualify.

Joy Vaughn, RN, BSN, CBN Bariatric Program Coordinator

864.512.4476 WeightLoss.AnMedHealth.org

Jim Webb was about 55 years old when he started having to get up two or three times a night to go to the bathroom.

“I thought it was just age catching up with me,” he said.

In a way, it was.

A condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, caused Webb’s problems. BPH is one of the most common prostaterelated issues in men, said AnMed Health Urologist Dr. Thomas Serey. By the time they turn 60, half of all men suffer from BPH symptoms. By age 85, that increases to nine out of 10.

The prostate is a walnut-sized and shaped gland near the bladder. When it becomes enlarged, it can narrow the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder through the penis.

This can cause difficulty starting to urinate, weak urine flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, and difficulty postponing urination when a bathroom is not available, Dr. Serey said.

“It impacts the quality of life,” Dr. Serey said.

When Webb saw Dr. Vidal Despradel, another doctor with AnMed Health Urology, for a kidney stone, he asked if there was anything he could do to help him not get up multiple times a night to urinate.

Medication helped Webb at first, but he suffered from an unwelcome side effect - abnormal ejaculation.

“I didn’t care for that a bit, but I could live with it because I could sleep all night,” Webb said.

Because of that and other side effects, many men discontinue taking the medication.

“Studies have shown the discontinuation rate is pretty high,” Dr. Serey said.

After the medication stopped working for him, Webb asked his doctor about the BPH treatment system, an alternative to more invasive surgery.

The procedure uses permanent implants to lift the enlarged prostate tissue and hold it out of the way of the urethra, Dr. Serey said. After the procedure, about 80 percent of patients see significant improvement, he said.

Urologists perform the procedure in the office under local anesthesia with

BPH patient Jim Webb with his wife KittyRhett.

supplemental analgesia. Some patients go home with a catheter overnight, while some do not require one at all, Dr. Serey said.

The good thing about the BPH treatment system is it doesn’t preclude a patient from going back on medication or having a transurethral resection of the prostate, a surgery to remove parts of the prostate that are blocking the urethra.

There are no reports of the BPH treatment system increasing incontinence or impotence symptoms, both of which can be a side effect of

transurethral resection of the prostate, Dr. Serey said.

“It is minimally invasive. It’s easier to do, and it’s not fraught with the complications that the more involved surgery can have,” Dr. Serey said.

“If you can offer a procedure, like we do, that’s very unlikely to cause any problems, that’s an enormous advantage.”

Not all men are suitable candidates for it because of their individual prostate sizes and architectures, Dr. Serey said.

Webb said he’s happy he had it done.

“It has increased my quality of life,” he said. “I feel so much better because I’m sleeping all night. I’m not running to the bathroom every five minutes.

And I enjoy my sex life again. That’s a big deal.”

For more information, visit AnMedHealth/BPH or to schedule an appointment, contact AnMed Health Urology, 864.716.6100.

Dr. Thomas Serey

Dr. Vidal Despradel

Inside ANMED HEALTH 11

Dr. Raval said some patients could climb stairs after the procedure, something they haven’t been able to do in a long time.

Breathing relief available for emphysema patients Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will breathe a little easier thanks to a new, minimally invasive procedure now available at AnMed Health.

Dr. Abhijit Raval, a pulmonologist with AnMed Health Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, started in October identifying potential patients with severe emphysema for the procedure, which uses a small, umbrella-shaped valve to improve lung function.

COPD is a group of progressive lung diseases that obstructs airflow and cause difficulty breathing. According to the American Lung Association, over 16.4 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD, and millions more may have it and not know it.

COPD is the third-leading cause of death by disease.

12 Inside ANMED HEALTH

“There’s a huge population of people with COPD in Anderson County,” said COPD Navigator Drake Sorrow, RRT/RCP. Emphysema is one of the most common types of COPD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it affects 3.5 million in the United States.

Dr. Raval said that people with COPD have a functional obstruction that limits their ability to exhale air out of their lungs.

“The lungs are like a sponge, and they can only hold so much air,” he said.

When a COPD patient can no longer take in any more air, they become short of breath, Dr. Raval said.

“COPD is a progressive disease,” Sorrow said. “It’s going to get worse. It will not be cured.”

But there are effective therapies that can help control symptoms, slow

progression, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of exacerbations of symptoms that can lead to hospital stays.

Sorrow works with hospitalized COPD patients to ensure they have access to medication, inhalers, oxygen, nicotine cessation programs and follow-ups with a pulmonologist.

“The program cuts down on the readmission rate for COPD because they are getting the follow-up care they need,” Sorrow said. “More importantly, it helps improve their quality of life.”

Dr. Raval said there are only a few medications available to treat COPD and emphysema. But sometimes those medications don’t work well.

The new procedure gives specialists such as Dr. Raval a new option in treating severe emphysema.

The valve is placed in targeted airways of the lungs during a short bronchoscopic procedure. Once the valves are in place, air can get out of that part of the lung, but none can get in. The hyper-inflated bad part of the lung collapses and allows the lung’s good part to function better. It is an inpatient procedure and usually requires a two-day hospital stay.

Candidates considered for the new procedure are those who are not responding well to the standard treatment with a lung capacity of less than 45 percent. If a patient meets the criteria after a complete medical history and physical exam, a CT determines if they would benefit.

Dr. Raval said some patients could climb stairs after the procedure, something they haven’t been able to do in a long time.

“It impacts a patient’s well-being and their day-to-day life,” Dr. Raval said, noting that the procedure has been incorporated into his practice’s treatment regimen.

If you have COPD, talk to your primary care provider about your condition and ask for a referral.

Dr. Abhijit Raval

Drake Sorrow, RRT/RCP

Robotics, 3-D models used for precise knee implant placement Dr. Hunter Hsu, an orthopedic surgeon at AnMed Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, specializing in direct anterior total hip replacements and knee replacements, uses robotic-assisted technology for partial and total knee replacement surgery.

The robot allows the surgeon to place the implant more precisely, which produces better results, he said.

“People ask if the robot actually does the surgery itself, and the answer to that is no,” he said. “The robot is guided by the surgeon’s hand. Unless my hand is on the robot, it is not doing anything.

It’s not making any automated movements on its own.”

Knee replacement surgery is an option for patients with painful arthritis or degeneration from an injury that does not respond to other treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, cortisone or lubricating injections.

Most patients who have the surgery

are older, but age does not determine whether an orthopedic surgeon recommends total or partial knee replacement. Pain and disability do.

“A patient must be a candidate for the surgery based on their own circumstances, but everyone who is a candidate for knee replacement surgery is a candidate for robotic surgery,” Dr. Hsu said.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), total joint replacement is a common elective surgery in the United States.

More than 790,000 knee replacements are performed each year in the United States, and researchers at the University of Pennsylvania predict that number will rise to 1.28 million by 2030, as reported

by AAOS. During knee replacement surgery, the surgeon removes the bones’ damaged surfaces in the joint and replaces them with artificial implants.

Before surgery, the patient undergoes

a computed tomography (CT) scan of the joint. Specialized software develops a three-dimensional model of the joint.

From that information, the surgeon creates a personalized joint replacement plan that determines implant size, placement and alignment, Hsu said.

Dr. Hsu said having a plan based on a 3-D model of the joint being replaced allows him to cut less bone, protect more healthy tissue and place the implant more accurately.

“Before the patient even gets to the operating room, we essentially have a road map of what we need to do to get a good result,” he said.

During surgery, Dr. Hunter Hsu Dr. Hsu controls the robotic arm and can make adjustments if needed.

“It all comes down to having the joint replacement last as long as possible,” he said. “Studies have shown that if they are implanted outside of a specified range, there is a higher failure rate.

They don’t last as long. Being able to place an implant exactly where I want it to go achieves a balanced and stable knee, which results in a better outcome and a happier patient.”

While each patient recovers differently, studies have shown robotic-assisted knee replacements need less recovery time in the hospital after surgery and have reduced pain levels and need for pain medication, Dr. Hsu said.

“I think we’re going to realize that this is a better way to achieve overall good results,” he said.” People must stay active and stay healthy, and being able to help people do that through robotic-assisted total or partial knee replacement is gratifying.”

For more information, visit Ortho.AnMedHealth.org, or to schedule an appointment, contact AnMed Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, 864.716.6140.

Inside ANMED HEALTH 13

Visions

IN THE COMMUNITY

F O U N D AT I O N N E W S

Because of contributions to the AnMed Health Foundation, hopelessness is replaced with promise. Thanks to all of our donors and supporters for improving the life and health of your community.

Philanthropic events in a pandemic 2020 HAS BEEN a challenging year for

1. AnMed Health staff volunteered to participate in the Women's Build kickoff with Habitat for Humanity. 2. AnMed Health made it safer and more convenient than ever this year for patients to get flu shots, setting up a drive-through clinic at the North Campus as well as curbside services at outlying physician practice sites. 3. AnMed Health's Young PROs Employee Resource Group delivered school supplies to McCants Middle School for needy students. 4. AnMed Health teammates volunteered for the United Way Snack Pack Delivery Day. 5. AnMed Health received the Community Impact Large Employer Award from the Anderson County Workforce Development Collaborative for the hospital’s work with Project SEARCH. 6. A no-contact, drive-thru celebration was held in the parking lot of the Cancer Center for AnMed Health’s Cancer Fighters and Survivors Day. 7. AnMed Health partnered with the city of Anderson to give away masks during Anderson Strong Promise to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

everyone as the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted our health system, community and world. Nonprofit organizations that rely on philanthropic events, such as the Camellia Ball, have been unable to hold events where crowds of people would usually convene in shared support of a cause.

The need for support is paramount, and organizations must be creative and strategic to survive these unique times.

Many organizations have postponed or canceled their events, while others have found ways to create drive-through events or move their events to a virtual platform.

Thinking creatively and prioritizing safety, the AnMed Health Foundation Board of Trustees has developed an alternative plan to bring Camellia Ball supporters together in a safe way.

The Camellia Ball has been Anderson’s premier philanthropic event and the signature event of the AnMed Health Foundation for 26 years. AnMed Health, like many health systems in the country, has faced a significant financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The support of our community is more important now than ever and will help to ensure that AnMed Health’s vital programs and services remain for years to come.

Following CDC, DHEC and AnMed Health Hospital Incident Command System guidelines for safety, Camellia Home will bring small groups together at a series of intimate dinner parties at exquisite homes throughout the community. Fifteen hosts have graciously volunteered to open up their homes in February 2021, and they are dedicated to helping support the mission of AnMed Health.

Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill will provide catering at each home, plating and serving each individual guest to minimize shared touch points. Social distancing and masks will be encouraged, and sanitizing stations will be provided for each home.

Although the 27th year of the Camellia Ball will look a lot different, Camellia Home will be a safe, fun, social and heartfelt experience for all participants. Read more about how to get involved at CamelliaBall.com.

Please visit AnMedHealthFoundation.org, click on “How to Give” and then “Planned Giving” to find in-depth information about the ways you can give a legacy gift to the AnMed Health Foundation or call 864.512.3477.

About The AnMed Health Foundation: Established in 1985 and re-organized in 2012 as an independent organization, the AnMed Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides fundraising support for community programs and initiatives at AnMed Health. The Foundation welcomes donations from individuals, families and corporations to further our mission and to ensure that AnMed Health can continue to provide services that improve the health and lives of the people in our community.

14 Inside ANMED HEALTH

Inside ANMED HEALTH 15

Winter 2021

800 North Fant Street • Anderson, SC 29621 www.anmedhealth.org

It’s not just a knee...

Slowing down a racing heart It’s a birdie on the 18th.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, serious athlete or just starting to feel your age, bone and joint pain shouldn’t come between you and what you love. That’s why AnMed Health is proud to introduce a new team of highly trained and specialized orthopaedic physicians. AnMed Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine brings the latest, most cutting edge treatment right here to your neighborhood – so you don’t have to choose between the expertise and results you need and the comfort and convenience of complete care at home. It’s all right here. Because when you win, we win. We’re in this together.

100 Healthy Way, Suite 1200 Anderson, SC 29621 864.716.6140 Ortho.AnMedHealth.org

Year In Review

Exceptionalism at top of new CEO’s priority list