2024 South Carolina State of Reform Health Policy Conference

The Networking Breakfast will take place before the start of the conference to allow attendees to grab light refreshments and connect with their fellow colleagues before we kick things off for the day.

Join us as we kick off the day with a unique keynote featuring Rhett Mabry, President of the Duke Endowment, and Jon Baron, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy. Mabry will discuss the Duke Endowment’s Health Care and Child Well-Being program areas, on which the organization has increasingly worked with state and local government to advance services that might improve the lives of Carolinians. The organization has recently adopted a new approach to working with public officials that starts with joint planning to find common areas of interest and overlap. Mabry will share the Endowment’s latest thinking for how philanthropy might better work in partnership with state and local government. Baron will share a recent example of this approach that’s being pursued in Maryland.

Rhett Mabry: President, The Duke Endowment

Jon Baron: President & Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy

Join this panel as they discuss the work being done to improve the health of rural communities. Experts will evaluate promising strategies for increasing access to care among rural populations, bridging urban-rural health disparities, and how to address economic challenges and other nonmedical drivers of health specific to rural areas.

Graham Adams, PhD: Chief Executive Officer, South Carolina Office of Rural Health

Hossam Mahmoud, MD: Regional Chief Medical Officer, Carelon Behavioral Health

Alexis Stoner, PhD, MPH: Discipline Chair for Epidemiology, Community & Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Vicki Young, PhD: Chief Executive Officer, South Carolina Primary Health Care Association

Corrie Piontak: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Join this dynamic conversation on South Carolina’s behavioral health landscape. Experts will talk through what they see as the root causes of behavioral health issues in the state and how the evolving structure of state agencies could play a role in the work to address these issues. Panelists will discuss strategies for mitigating opioid use, the development and long-term sustainability of support programs, lessons learned from other states, and more. 

Sara Goldsby: Director, South Carolina Department of Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Services

Thornton Kirby: President & Chief Executive Officer, South Carolina Hospital Association

Taanya Mannain, LISW, CP/S: Director of Integrated Healthcare Services, Little River Medical Center

Michelle Smith: Opioid Program Coordinator, Myrtle Beach Fire Department

John Eller: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

This panel will discuss efforts to decrease maternal and infant mortality rates and improve maternal and infant health, primarily in South Carolina’s rural areas where these outcomes are worst. Join this group of diverse stakeholders as they share their ongoing planning efforts, evaluate how data is being used to address the problem and highlight tools our state can use to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Maya Pack, MS, MPA: Executive Director, South Carolina Institute of Medicine & Public Health

Phil Poley: Senior Vice President & South Sector Client Leader, Gainwell Technologies

Kim Smith, MHA, FACHE: Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Health Evolve

Danielle Wingo: Director, Bureau of Maternal & Child Health, South Carolina Department of Health

Beth De Santis, MSN: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

The child and family well-being system is at a critical juncture, necessitating innovative approaches that prioritize health, maltreatment prevention, racial equity, and overall family well-being. To achieve meaningful change, collaboration is essential among government agencies, community-based organizations, providers, system partners, and funders. This panel will discuss current data trends, upstream prevention, addressing mental and behavioral health holistically, and leveraging social networks and community contexts to positively impact prevention efforts and overall well-being. 

Michael Leach: State Director, South Carolina Department of Social Services

Sue Williams: Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Trust of South Carolina

Tamika Williams: Associate Director, Child & Family Well-Being, The Duke Endowment

Erin Henderlight: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

South Carolina’s health sector continues to explore innovative ways to address challenges in the healthcare workforce. Join this panel to hear about the work of the state’s new statewide workforce plan under the Department of Employment and Workforce, how to realign resources to grow the healthcare workforce and meet demand, and more. 

Teshieka Curtis-Pugh: Executive Director, South Carolina Nurses Association

Lara Hewitt: Vice President, Workforce & Member Engagement, South Carolina Hospital Association

Henry Lewis: Executive Director, South Carolina EMS Association

Richele Taylor: Chief Executive Officer, South Carolina Medical Association

Jennifer Hodgson, PhD, LMFT: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

This panel will discuss South Carolina’s systems of support for its disabled population. Speakers will talk through the legislative outlook for next year as well as well as plans to increase services by state agencies and advocacy groups. Panelists will talk about next steps for securing an Olmstead plan for South Carolina and other efforts that will impact people with disabilities in the state.

Beth Franco: Executive Director, Disability Rights South Carolina

Erin Haire, JD: Associate Director, South Carolina Institute of Medicine & Public Health

Larry Wanger: Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Independent Living Officer, Able SC

Tommaso DiGiovanni: Associate Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

There have been a growing number of local and state efforts led by a variety of sectors across South Carolina focused on addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) to improve health outcomes. Beginning in July 2024, four organizations will serve as the “backbone” responsible for the development and implementation of a common agenda, which will include SDOH data infrastructure, policy and financing initiatives and a regional approach for testing, implementing, and spreading SDOH interventions and innovations. Come hear about this group’s collaborative and widescale plan to synergize and lead work across the state to improve health outcomes.

Angel Bourdon: Director, Community Health & Innovation, South Carolina Hospital Association

Pamela Gillam, MPA: Director, Center for Applied Research & Evaluation, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health

Maya Pack, MS, MPA: Executive Director, South Carolina Institute of Medicine & Public Health

Julie Smithwick, LMSW, CCHW: Executive Director, Center for Community Health Alignment, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health

Melissa Fair, PhD: Director of Community Action, Furman University Institute for the Advancement of Community Health (moderator)

As South Carolina explores strategies for supporting its health workforce, new roles within the workforce are emerging as part of the healthcare team that can improve outcomes and return on investment. This panel will discuss the emerging role of provider types like community health workers and doulas, and how the health sector is working to incorporate these non-traditional provider types into the healthcare system.

Julie Smithwick, LMSW, CCHW: Executive Director, Center for Community Health Alignment, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health

Maria Martin: Executive Director, PASOs

Andrew Wade: Chief Executive Officer, OrthoSC

Jeremy VanderKnyff, PhD: Chief Information & Informatics Officer, Proactive MD

Jennifer Hodgson, PhD, LMFT: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

This workshop brings together experts, practitioners, and policymakers to explore key areas that impact seniors’ quality of life. Participants will gain insights into evidence-based strategies and regulatory frameworks that promote dignity, safety, and community integration for older adults. Topics include trends in the aging field, caregiver supports, Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) regulations and addressing health-related social needs holistically. 

Kelly Cordell: Director, South Carolina Department of Social Services

David Rogers: President, Independent Living Systems

Brandon Greife: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

During the Closing Keynote, hear from Sen. Tom Davis about some of the key initiatives that were considered in the legislature this year. Sen. Davis will discuss the impact of bills that were passed during this year’s session, share his experiences with health policymaking in the state’s capitol, and provide a glimpse at some of the legislation stakeholders can expect to see when state lawmakers convene again next year.

Sen. Tom Davis: Chairman, Labor, Commerce, & Industry Committee, South Carolina Senate

Beth De Santis: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)