In the community

Free flu vaccines help break barriers.

Despite a busy influenza season, getting a flu shot is still not a priority for many people. It is often viewed as a major inconvenience because of transportation issues, no medical home or lack of insurance, even though many pharmacies within drug, retail and grocery stores offer shots. This year, flu activity across South Carolina is widespread and surging a second time, with the season potentially running through late summer.

For the past three years, Prisma Health has helped fight the flu by providing free influenza vaccines to Upstate and Midlands communities at various churches, schools and community centers. For this flu season alone, Prisma Health has administered thousands of vaccines to the community.

Prisma Health’s flu shot campaign is targeted to all children and adults, but this recent initiative is aimed at children. Some of the highest numbers of children and adults vaccinated included school locations and partnerships with ongoing after-school events and activities.

In addition to schools, the faith-based community has played a key role in promoting the importance of the vaccine.

Special efforts by the pediatric primary care community in the Upstate has led to offering vaccines to family members at pediatric visits and increasing the number of children vaccinated by almost 10,000 doses.

Good Night Lights brighten holiday spirits.

On Dec. 8, more than 250 community members met in front of both Prisma Health Children’s Hospitals to share a holiday message of light and hope by flashing lights outside the windows of pediatric patients (first picture). Patients and families inside the hospital responded by shining flashlights to share a joyful message of their own (second picture).

In the Midlands, Good Night Lights participants included first responders and students with USC Dance Marathon. In the Upstate, the Good Night Lights celebration included a drop-in with cookies and milk, plus the annual lighting of the holiday tree.

Greenville’s Stone Academy of Communication Arts unveiled the identity of the newest furry friend at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate on Nov. 14. Cookie, a yellow Labrador retriever facility dog, was introduced to cheering fans during a school pep rally. She joins Prisma Health–Upstate’s growing Canine F.E.T.C.H. (Friends Encouraging Therapeutic Coping and Healing) Unit that works with care providers and patients to make patient visits more comfortable.

Her addition was made possible by a partnership among community members, North Main Community Association and Stone Academy, a Greenville County Schools magnet program with students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Together, they raised more than $25,000.

“It is wonderful that the community, North Main Community Association and Stone Academy have partnered with us by raising funds to bring a trained facility dog to serve all areas of Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center,” said Robin LaCroix, MD, medical director of Children’s Hospital–Upstate. “Sometimes it’s our fourlegged friends that can provide the best medicine for a child during a difficult time.”

In an environment such as a doctor’s office, children can experience anxiety to an extreme degree, which may cause them to react negatively or in ways they can’t control. For example, children may lash out at or refuse to speak to providers. These reactions may make routine visits highly tense situations. Cookie will work to help calm and distract patients, allowing care to be delivered in a less stressful environment for the patient, parent and provider.

The Prisma Health F.E.T.C.H. Unit now has seven dogs, with five designated for use in children’s areas and two in adult care.

SAVE THE DATE: Monday, June 8 Tees to Tomorrow

Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Tees to Tomorrow Charity Golf Tournament, a new golf tournament in partnership with South Carolina Charities, Inc., will take place at The Thornblade Club following the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by Synnex. Sponsorships, including playing spots and other benefits, are still available. Note: This date may change based on coronavirus concerns.