GREENWOOD, SC – Two years ago, when the Greenwood Genetic Center’s (GGC’s) telegenetics program was just beginning, First Citizens Bank Foundation
pledged $30,000 to the GGC Foundation to support the new initiative.
On Thursday, Matt Howard, VP and Business Banker, Jerry Stevens, Senior VP and Market Executive, and Lisa Sanders, Senior VP at First Citizens Bank in
Greenwood, presented a check for $10,000 to the GGC Foundation as the third gift of their three-year pledge. They also received a demonstration of
the high resolution video equipment and specialized medical tools that are used in the exam from GGC Director, Dr. Steve Skinner.
Telegenetics is a way for patients to receive services including physical exams, counseling and consultations virtually from a provider in another location.
The program is designed to improve access to services by removing barriers such as transportation and reducing wait times for patients to be seen.
Initially the program connected GGC’s Charleston and Florence offices to help with the shortage of clinical geneticists and decrease wait times for appointments.
Now, the Center’s telegenetics program can connect GGC clinicians and patients between any of the five GGC offices, and even to patient homes and other
doctors’ office locations. Over 500 patients have been seen via telegenetics since 2016.
“Patient access to care is a challenge that we have addressed in many ways over the years at GGC,” said Mike Lyons, MD, Director of Clinical Services and
head of the telegenetics initiative at GGC. “With the advanced communication technologies now available, we can overcome barriers including transportation
issues and the shortage of available clinical geneticists, helping patients receive timely services that they need in a more convenient manner.”
“First Citizens Bank is excited to continue our support of the GGC, and we were thrilled to see how this amazing technology works to provide quality genetic
services to patients, no matter where they are,” said Stevens. “We are so fortunate to have a world class organization like the GGC right here in our
own backyard of Greenwood, SC, but for those in other areas, this telegenetics program will ensure that they can receive these critical services as
well.”
“GGC is grateful for First Citizens’ commitment to enhancing the lives of patients across SC through their support of telegenetics and many other GGC programs
over the years,” said Center Director, Steve Skinner, MD. “We are often caring for families in very difficult and fragile medical situations. Telegenetics
is removing the inconvenience, burden and expense of travel, and reducing wait times, so these families can focus on what’s most important – getting
the care their loved ones need.”
Photo: L-R – Howard, Sanders, and Stevens from First Citizens Bank in Greenwood present the gift to Skinner and GGC Director of Development, Victoria Hann.
