BAMBERG, SC—Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting announces that Diane Springs Washington, MBA, PMP has joined PCC as director of digital literacy programs.
In her role, Washington is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for PCC’s digital literacy programs. Her responsibilities include digital literacy program and curriculum development; supervising instructional and professional staff; assisting in connecting seniors and underserved citizens with broadband resources; overseeing PCC’s computer and device refurbishment program; and developing, securing and implementing state, federal and private digital literacy program grants.
“COVID-19 has created an explosion in telehealth services and uncovered a tremendous need for internet access and digital literacy in rural areas,” said Schwarting. “As Palmetto Care Connections surveyed rural health care providers, we confirmed that many of the seniors they serve have difficulty using and understanding technology, and many do not have internet access at home. The goal is to connect seniors not only to telehealth, but also to a variety of quality-of-life resources to combat the social isolation that many seniors have faced during the pandemic.”
“Palmetto Care Connections recently completed Digital Literacy training for seniors aged 60 and older in the rural communities of Blackville, Allendale and the Lower Richland region as part of a pilot program in five S.C. counties. The pilot program has already proven to be very successful, and we anticipate growing the digital literacy training statewide for both seniors as well as underserved populations who need digital skills to apply for jobs and enhance daily living. Diane has a wealth of experience in information technology project management and we are very pleased that she has agreed to lead the PCC digital literacy programs.”
Washington’s career experience includes more than 27 years at Prisma Health in Columbia, S.C. serving as IT program manager, IT strategic programs manager, IT senior project manager and IT systems analyst. Previous experience includes data center systems coordinator of The Riverside Church of the City of New York, system support analyst of United Way of Tri-State, New York, and system specialist of Human Resources Planning Society, New York.
Washington received a Master of Business Administration degree in Health Services Administration from Strayer University in Columbia, S.C. and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Systems from Baruch College in New York, N.Y. She completed the Mastering Project Management Certificate program at Villanova University in Villanova, Pa., and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute.
Washington is a member of the Project Management Institute, Midlands Chapter, Columbia, S.C. and has served in volunteer and leadership roles. She is an officer and board member of the Center for Community and Family Transitions in Columbia, S.C. She was a member of Palmetto Health Toastmasters and has served in the roles of president, vice president of marketing, vice president of public relations, and club coach/mentor.
Established in 2010, PCC is a non-profit organization that provides technology, broadband, and telehealth support services to health care providers in rural and underserved areas in S.C. PCC leads the S.C. health care broadband consortium which facilitates broadband connections for health care providers throughout the state. PCC co-chairs the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, along with the Medical University of South Carolina, partnering with health care organizations and providers to improve health care access and delivery for all South Carolinians. PCC received the National Cooperative of Health Network Association’s 2021 Outstanding Health Network of the Year award.
