February 2025

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

As Chief Technology Officer at Palmetto Care Connections, Matt Hiatt is at the heart of driving the technical side of our programs and business development. From ensuring our platforms run smoothly to helping shape the future of telehealth, Matt’s role is vital in advancing our mission 💻✨. 

A standout achievement for Matt during his time here at PCC has been the management of the FCC/USAC broadband program, saving millions of dollars for PCC’s broadband consortium member healthcare providers in South Carolina and beyond. However, he’s particularly proud of his work in designing and implementing an all-in-one Remote Patient Monitoring/Telehealth platform, available at no charge to any healthcare provider in the Palmetto State 🌐. 

Matt was drawn to PCC because of its powerful mission to serve vulnerable and underserved communities. The opportunity to work with passionate individuals who share the same values keeps him motivated every day. Collaboration is at the core of what he does, and he finds true fulfillment in meeting like-minded people across the organizations we work with 🙌. 

Inspired by Winston Churchill’s quote, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts,” Matt pushes forward with determination and resilience. 

When Matt’s not hard at work, you’ll find him on the golf course 🏌️‍♂️, but here’s something that might surprise you—he also loves pressure washing! He says that there’s something oddly satisfying about it! 😄 

Thank you, Matt, for your innovation, leadership, and dedication to advancing technology for the benefit of our communities! 

#MakingConnections #MeetOurTeam #PalmettoCareConnections 

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

As the Chief Community Relations Officer at Palmetto Care Connections, Davia Smith is the driving force behind our educational and awareness events, including the Telehealth Summit, #WebinarWednesday, and Telehealth Awareness Week 📅🎤. She also leads our Communications and Digital Inclusion initiatives, ensuring communities have access to the resources they need. 

❤ One of Davia’s most memorable experiences at PCC has been giving back to the very community that raised her. Through our Digital Inclusion Program, she has helped seniors—many of whom played a role in her life—learn about telehealth and thrive with technology. Davia says seeing their smiles as they gain confidence in the digital world has been truly rewarding. 

Davia was inspired to join PCC because of its mission to support healthcare access in rural and underserved communities. She believes telehealth bridges the gap for patients facing barriers like time and transportation, making a real difference in people’s lives. 

For Davia, she lives by the mantra: “Be the change you wish to see.” 💫 

Outside of work, Davia is deeply committed to her faith. Six years ago, she founded Faith Avenue, an online faith group dedicated to encouraging and supporting others on their Christian journey. The group creates blessing boxes for those in need and gathers every Monday morning for prayer 🙏📦. 

Thank you, Davia, for your passion and dedication to making a difference! 

#MakingConnections #MeetOurTeam #PalmettoCareConnections 

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Liz and Caroline from Palmetto Care Connections joined forces with Bretta Kittrell of Bamberg Family Practice to promote the School-Based Telehealth (SBTH) program at the recent Raidertown Town Hall meeting, held at Richard Carroll Elementary School in Bamberg.

The event provided a chance for parents to talk with school officials, learn about policies, and discover valuable resources available to students, like School-Based Telehealth.  The SBTH initiative aims to reduce barriers to healthcare by offering virtual consultations with medical professionals, minimizing missed class time and travel burdens for families.

Liz, Caroline, and Bretta connected with several parents interested in enrolling their children, helping to expand access to convenient, quality care.

If you would like to register your child who attends a Bamberg County schools, scan the QR code to complete the consent form.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Meet Kathy Garris Schwarting, the CEO and founder of Palmetto Care Connections!   

🏥 Kathy leads PCC with a focus on ensuring access to healthcare services across rural communities in South Carolina. She was inspired to create PCC because she believed telehealth was a practical solution for bringing healthcare services to underserved rural areas.   

🌐 One of her proudest moments was when PCC began the journey of leading digital literacy trainings along with providing much-needed internet services and devices to rural and underserved communities across South Carolina. What better way to assist our patients than to teach them how to conduct a telehealth visit with their health care provider and gain better access to health care services. This program has provided our entire team with a sense of accomplishment and purpose as our participants are so thankful for the support  

🤝 Kathy says the most rewarding part of her role is working alongside a passionate and dedicated team, united in the mission to serve communities across the state.  

Guided by her mantra, “A person’s zip code should not define his or her quality of life,” Kathy is deeply committed to creating opportunities for all.   

🏈 Outside of work, Kathy is a true sports fanatic! With a husband and two sons who played college football and now coach, her weekends are often filled with cheering from the sidelines.  

Thank you, Kathy, for your leadership and dedication to making a difference in the lives of so many!  

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

February marks School-Based Health Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the successes of school-based health centers and raise awareness about their vital role in improving access to healthcare for children and adolescents.

Access to healthcare is essential for a child’s growth, development, and long-term well-being. Unfortunately, many children and adolescents face barriers that prevent them from receiving the medical attention they need. School-based health centers help bridge this gap by bringing healthcare directly to schools—where students already spend the majority of their time.

At Palmetto Care Connections, we are proud to partner with Bamberg Family Practice and the dedicated school nurses serving Bamberg County School District to offer telehealth visits for students. Their commitment to student health ensures that children receive the care they need in a safe and familiar environment.

Recognizing Our School Nurses:

Bamberg Schools:

• Richard Carroll Elementary School: Sharon Smoak and Mary Bunch
• Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School: Michelle Kinsey
• Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School: Savannah Brown

Denmark Schools:

• Denmark-Olar Elementary School: DeEboney Chisolm
• Denmark-Olar Middle and High Schools: Tara Chavis

District Float Nurse: Amber Funderburk

These healthcare professionals play a crucial role in keeping students healthy, identifying potential health concerns early, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed in school and beyond.

As we observe School-Based Health Awareness Month, let’s recognize and support the incredible work of our school nurses, healthcare providers, and educators who make a lasting difference in students’ lives. By prioritizing school-based healthcare, we are investing in a healthier future for our children and communities.

The Palmetto Connect Team remains committed to closing the digital gap and promoting health equity. As part of our ongoing Digital Literacy project with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, we recently took another significant step by expanding access to digital tools for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Through a grant, we distributed 23 internet-capable tablets to residents in Spartanburg County and 25 devices to qualifying residents in Aiken and York Counties. These devices ensure recipients have the necessary tools for virtual healthcare access, reinforcing our efforts to connect communities with essential telehealth services.

To help recipients make the most of their new devices, Palmetto Care Connections developed a series of online modules designed to strengthen digital skills. These modules cover key topics such as device operation, email communication, internet navigation, cybersecurity, telehealth usage, and health literacy. By completing these modules, participants gain confidence in using their tablets independently, empowering them to take full advantage of digital tools for managing their health.

We are grateful for the continued support of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which enables us to provide these vital services. This initiative is just one of the many ways Palmetto Care Connections is working to advance healthcare equity in South Carolina and beyond.