News Archive


Friday, August 31, 2012 - A Disaster Waiting To Happen: True-to-Life EMT Operations Exercise Will Put USC Greenville Med Students to the Test on August 31
GREENVILLE, S.C. — On Friday, August 31, members of the charter class of the University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine Greenville won’t be sitting in lectures. Nor will they be huddled over textbooks. And they probably won’t be daydreaming about the long Labor Day weekend ahead.

No, these new doctors-to-be will be busy responding to two simulated disasters on the campus of Greenville Memorial Hospital: a car crash with multiple injuries and a building evacuation due to a chemical release.

These “disasters waiting to happen” are actually an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Operations Exercise sponsored by the Greenville Hospital System, USC School of Medicine Greenville and Greenville Technical College. The exercise is the culmination of a six-week Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course required of first-year medical students and is designed as a final exam to test their clinical, critical problem solving, and communications skills in the heat of true-to-life disaster situations.

Greenville Technical College paramedic students will be staffing the Incident Command Center throughout the day.

The EMT Operations Exercise is overseen by Dr. Tom Blackwell and Mike Dunaway of Greenville Tech. Dr. Blackwell is a member of the USC School of Medicine Greenville faculty and an expert in disaster and terrorism preparedness and response medicine, a niche specialty he created in the 1980s. His passion for disaster preparedness earned him the nickname of “Chicken Little.” When the September 11 attack on America occurred, that nickname changed to “visionary” and his work attracted the likes of U.S. Homeland Security Secretaries Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff.

“It will be an exciting day for participants and observers,” explained Dr. Blackwell. “Med students will work alongside firefighters, police and EMS workers extricating victims trapped in vehicles, making decisions on how to respond to victims, performing triage, treating injuries and interacting with members of the media.”

He added, “Although everything is simulated, the exercise is carefully and thoroughly staged with victim-actors in full clinical make-up and professional first responders from the Greenville community. The students must respond as if the events are real — they are being graded on their performance.”

The EMT Operations Exercise is a true community collaboration. The City of Greenville Police and Fire Departments and Greenville County EMS are donating their time to help train the USC School of Medicine Greenville and Greenville Tech students. It’s also a worthwhile investment. When the medical students complete their EMT training, Greenville County will have 53 additional certified EMTs prepared to respond to natural and man-made disasters. When the medical school reaches full enrollment in 2018, that number will climb to 400 certified EMTs.

USC School of Medicine Greenville Dean Jerry Youkey said the school’s EMT certification curriculum requirement is the only one of its kind in the United States. “There are other medical schools that are incorporating EMT training in their curriculums. We have taken it significantly further in that our students take a 200-hour certification course, must maintain certification for two years and also work as EMTs in our community during that time.”

He added, “Our goal is to prepare a new generation of physicians capable of leading and participating in the nation’s rapidly evolving healthcare delivery system. Serving as EMTs connects our students to the community and patients in a novel, intimate way. It teaches them interpersonal skills such as empathy and how to communicate. It also teaches them how to work as part of a healthcare team and gives them practical experience such as setting broken bones, treating wounds and opening airways.”


About the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
The University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine-Greenville is a four-year medical program developed as a partnership between the University of South Carolina (USC) and the Greenville Hospital System (GHS). Since 1991, GHS has provided clinical education to third and fourth-year medical students of the USC School of Medicine Columbia. In 2009, the decision was made to expand to a four-year medical school. The USC School of Medicine Greenville achieved preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in 2011 and welcomed its charter class in July 2012. Learn more at greenvillemed.sc.edu.

About Greenville Hospital System
Greenville Hospital System (GHS) is committed to medical excellence through research, education and high-quality patient care. GHS offers patients a sophisticated network of expertise and technologies through its five medical campuses, tertiary medical center, research and education facilities, community hospitals, physician practices and numerous specialty facilities in upstate South Carolina. The 1,268-bed system is home to 14 medical residency and fellowship programs and the state’s largest number of active clinical trials – 600+. For the fourth consecutive year, its flagship Greenville Memorial Hospital was ranked among the nation’s top 50 hospitals in a specialty area in U.S. News’ America’s Best Hospitals. In July 2012, the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville opened a four-year medical school at GHS. For more information, visit ghs.org.


GHS receives quality award for heart attack care
Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Greenville Health System’s Greenville Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes GHS’ commitment and success in implementing an exceptional standard of care for heart attack patients.

Breast health program receives national accreditation
Monday, May 20, 2013

The breast health program at Greenville Health System has been granted a three-year/full accreditation designation from the National Accreditation for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. This is the second time GHS has received this designation. GHS was the first program in the Upstate to receive it in 2009.

Patient tracking system helps hospital save time, money
Monday, April 22, 2013

Giant dry-erase boards detailing operating room schedules are a thing of the past at Greenville Health System’s flagship hospital Greenville Memorial thanks to a novel patient tracking and surgery scheduling system called OR-Max™.

Innovative Peace House will provide home away from home for patients, families and veterans 
Thursday, March 21, 2013 

The Peace House, a hospitality home for patients and families in extended rehabilitation therapy at Greenville Health System (GHS), officially opens its doors on March 25.

GHS launches new name and logo 
Monday, March 18, 2013 

Accompanied by a drum roll, a lively people-powered 40-by-10-foot logo “flip” and a promise to pay it forward, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center officially became known as Greenville Health System at 11 a.m. Monday.

MinuteClinic and Greenville Health System Form Clinical Affiliation in Upstate
Thursday, February 14, 2013

MinuteClinic, the retail health care division of CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), and Greenville Health System (GHS) – South Carolina’s largest health system, with five medical campuses, outpatient and specialty centers and a large network of physician practices – have entered into a clinical affiliation to enhance access to high quality, affordable healthcare services in the Upstate.

Baptist Easley Hospital Names New CEO
Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Baptist Easley Board of Directors announced today that Michael L. Batchelor has been named as CEO of Baptist Easley Hospital.

New brand to position Greenville Health System for the future
Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Greenville Health System officials announced today that the organization is changing its brand to better reflect its current identity and to position the system for future growth. Beginning March 18, 2013, Greenville Health System will be known as Greenville Health System, and a new, streamlined logo will accompany the new name.

Greenville bike-sharing system set to debut next spring 

Tuesday, December 04, 2012 

Today, plans were revealed for a bike-sharing system coming to downtown Greenville in Spring 2013. Created through a partnership between Upstate Forever and the Greenville Health System (GHS) with additional funding support from the Greenville Transit Authority and Greenville County Recreation District, Greenville B-Cycle will provide residents with an inexpensive alternative to driving cars when taking shorter trips around town. And with stations planned at the Greenlink Bus Transfer Station and Sterling Community Center, organizers are hoping the system will also provide improved accessibility to those without reliable personal vehicles.

Gift do’s – and don’ts – for the up to 1 in 10 children with ADHD

Monday, November 19, 2012

Some simple tips can guide parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD) through a jungle of toys beckoning holiday shoppers online and on store shelves, says a leading developmental child psychologist. Frederick List, PhD., child psychologist at Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital, has advice on what gifts to get – or NOT to get – and the answers could save parents, family members and friends some money, too.

Carolinas Credit Union Foundation pledges major gift to Children’s Hospital 
Thursday, October 18, 2012 

Pediatric patients at Children’s Hospital of Greenville Health System and their families will soon have an interactive, child-friendly space in which to regroup and relax thanks to a $300,000 pledge from Carolinas Credit Union Foundation.

Laurens County Health Care System Enters Affiliation Negotiations with Greenville Health System 
Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Laurens County Health Care System (LCHCS) Board of Trustees has voted to enter into exclusive affiliation negotiations with Greenville Health System (GHS). If the negotiations result in an agreed-upon partnership, the affiliation will assist in establishing a long-term strategy for the LCHCS’s operational and financial success and in enhancing health care services in Laurens County.

GHS Board of Trustees approves $1.6 billion budget for FY 2013 
Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Greenville Health System (GHS) approved a $1.6 billion total operating revenue budget that expands and improves patient access to medical care through strengthened clinical integration, coordination of care and by adding nearly 400 full-time positions in primary practice growth areas such as internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology.

A Disaster Waiting To Happen: True-to-Life EMT Operations Exercise Will Put USC Greenville Med Students to the Test on August 31 
Friday, August 31, 2012

On Friday, August 31, members of the charter class of the University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine Greenville won’t be sitting in lectures. Nor will they be huddled over textbooks. And they probably won’t be daydreaming about the long Labor Day weekend ahead.

USC's new medical school in Greenville welcomes charter class, sets sights on transforming health care delivery system
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Three years ago, when the University of South Carolina and the Greenville Health System were discussing plans for a new medical school in the Upstate, USC President Harris Pastides issued a challenge to "make this medical school different and special."


New sim center paves way for improved patient safety - GHS opens Health Sciences Education Building

Friday, July 20, 2012

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Home to one of the nation’s most advanced patient simulations labs, the new Health Sciences Education Building at Greenville Health System is expected to serve as a nexus of advanced healthcare education for the Upstate.




First-in-nation partnership paves the way for major leap forward in total cancer care
Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Recognizing that social and emotional support are critical components of complete cancer care, Greenville Health System announced today the Center for Integrative Oncology and Survivorship and a pioneer partnership with Cancer Support Community (CSC) – one of the largest worldwide providers of social and emotional support for cancer patients and their caregivers.




Lab21 and ITOR unveil major leap forward in personalized cancer medicine
Tuesday, March 06, 2012

The new Lab21 Clinical Genomics Center at ITOR will allow cancer patients in the Upstate to be among the first in the region to benefit from new technology that will allow patients to get real-time feedback and treatment plans tied to their cancer’s specific DNA signature.

Cancer Centers of the Carolinas joins GHS 
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Cancer Centers of the Carolinas (CCC) and Greenville Health System (GHS) announced today (Jan. 31) that CCC will integrate with GHS to strengthen cancer care and ultimately create a regional cancer center “unlike anything else that exists between Atlanta and Durham.”

NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver, Jeremy Clements, to host local fundraiser for rare diseases
Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Spartanburg resident and NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements will host the Upstate’s first-ever Valentines and Vegas fundraiser on Saturday, February 11 to raise funds for and awareness of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs), a group of uncommon chronic illnesses that are rapidly emerging as a healthcare problem worldwide.

Greenville Health System and S.C. BlueCross program takes new approach to back pain
Thursday, January 19, 2012

Greenville Health System (GHS) is piloting a program to provide faster, more effective relief for employees’ aching backs. The Back and Neck Pain Program is part of collaboration between GHS and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina — and it could become the gold standard for BlueCross members who suffer from back and neck pain.

GHS and community celebrate GHS’ first 100 years
Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Greenville Health System (GHS) kicked off a year-long celebration of its centennial today (Jan. 10), with hundreds of supporters and employees crowding the festooned commons of its flagship hospital Greenville Memorial.

Construction at the half-way mark; Extraordinary interest seen from both faculty and students in Greenville medical school
Friday, December 16, 2011

Faculty and student applications are outpacing available slots by a more than 10-to-1 margin at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville, officials said on Friday (Dec. 16). Leaders of the University of South Carolina (USC) and the Greenville Health System (GHS) toured the school’s innovative education building Friday and got an update on its progress. The school is scheduled to open its doors in July 2012.

Greenville Memorial receives Chest Pain Center accreditation
Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Greenville Health System’s flagship hospital, Greenville Memorial, has received Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) for a third time. Greenville Memorial first received this three-year accreditation in 2005.

Co-sleeping death rates for babies almost doubles in Greenville County
Thursday, October 20, 2011

Greenville County authorities are sounding the alarm after the rate of co-sleeping and unsafe-sleeping deaths for babies almost doubled in the county since last year.

USC School of Medicine-Greenville gets green light to move forward
Wednesday, October 05, 2011

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville has been awarded preliminary accreditation, getting the green light to recruit students and open its doors in fall 2012.

Dr. Eric Bour named president of Simpsonville Medical Campus
Thursday, August 18, 2011

Greenville Health System (GHS) announced today (Aug. 18) that Dr. Eric Bour has been named president of the Simpsonville Medical Campus, effective October 1. This is the first time a physician has held this type of leadership position within GHS.

S.C. College of Pharmacy welcomes first students of its new Upstate campus
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The S.C. College of Pharmacy (SCCP) officially welcomed the inaugural class of its new Upstate campus with a ceremony today (Aug. 17). Seventeen third-year pharmacy students recently transferred to the new campus at Greenville Health System (GHS) – the third campus of the statewide public pharmacy college – and are set to begin classes on August 18.

Becker’s Orthopedic, Spine & Pain Management Review names local surgeon to its “65 Outstanding Shoulder Surgeons and Specialists” list
Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Dr. Richard J. Hawkins, a renowned shoulder surgeon with Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas – an affiliate of Greenville Health System was recently named to Becker's Orthopedic, Spine & Pain Management Review’s list of “65 Outstanding Shoulder Surgeons and Specialists.”

U.S. News Ranks Greenville Memorial as #1 in metro area and in national top 40 for diabetes care
Tuesday, July 19, 2011

For the third straight year, Greenville Memorial Hospital has been ranked as having one of the nation’s top 40 diabetes/endocrinology programs. Under a new metro ranking, GMH has also been ranked as #1 in the Greenville, Mauldin, Easley metro area, according to U.S. News Media & World Report’s 2011-12 Best Hospitals rankings released today.

South Carolina Advocates for Epilepsy is coming to Greenville
Thursday, July 14, 2011

The newly formed South Carolina Advocates for Epilepsy will host an organizational meeting in Greenville on Saturday, July 23.

ITOR creates cancer research innovation zone at GHS
Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Less than a year after being announced, GHS’ Institute for Translational Oncology Research (ITOR) has more than doubled in size with the launch of a 20,000-square-foot “innovation zone” that includes an advanced cancer research laboratory designed to put clinical, industry and academic partners in close proximity to speed the development and implementation of new discoveries.

RCP helps gives voice to aphasia with free movie on Saturday
Thursday, May 19, 2011

The short film Aphasia, an engaging look at a N.C. man as he battles back from a stroke, will be screened at Greenville Memorial Hospital’s Medical Staff Auditorium at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 21. The screening will be followed by a short talk and then a question-and-answer period with its protagonist Carl McIntyre and GHS clinicians and therapists



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