FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 5, 2020
COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced that the Fetter Health Care Network and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church are the first two organizations to be recognized as DHEC’s “Community Heroes in South Carolina” .
The new Community Heroes initiative highlights local groups and individuals who have helped expand access to COVID-19 education, testing and vaccines across the South Carolina response to COVID-19.
“Although DHEC is the state’s main public health agency, it cannot defeat COVID-19 alone,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, Director DHEC. “DHEC needs help, support and ideas from community partners to improve access to education, testing and vaccines in communities across the state. We have many notable partners who have taken action and we want to recognize these partners for all their efforts and also encourage others to become leaders in their communities ”.
Fetter Health
In January, the Fetter Health Care Network, a federally qualified health center in Charleston, vaccinated 580 South Carolina residents at a Baptist church in an underserved area. Fetter worked closely with the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston to organize and promote the clinic. Fetter has collaboration agreements with several churches, schools and organizations in areas where vulnerable populations live, and in total, Fetter Health helped administer 16,552 vaccines in 26 locations.
“Success in the fight against COVID-19 will be achieved as a group effort,” said Taylor Lee, DHEC Regional Health Director for Lowcountry. “Fetter Health is a fantastic community resource and we look forward to continuing to work with them to serve the residents of our great state. Fetter Health is a true hero of the community. “
DHEC presents a Community Heroes Award for the Fetter Health Care Network in Charleston on March 30, 2021. From left to right are Taylor Lee, DHEC Regional Health Director for Lowcountry; Aretha Powers, CEO of the Fetter Health Care Network; and Felicia Veasey, DHEC Community Systems Director for Lowcountry.
“It is definitely an honor for our regional DHEC office to recognize our outreach efforts to the community,” said Aretha Powers, CEO of Fetter Health Care Network. “Our success has a lot to do with the collaborative relationship and open communication between the two agencies.”
Nova Esperança Missionary Baptist Church, inland
DHEC has partnered with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in McCormick to host COVID-19 tests and vaccination events. New Hope is a small rural church pastored by Rev. Michael A. Butler. In the spring of 2020, DHEC and Self Regional Healthcare conducted COVID-19 testing clinics in the church, and in recent weeks, with the COVID-19 vaccine available, the partnership has been reactivated. To date, 17 vaccine clinics have been held in New Hope with a total of 2,051 vaccines administered.
“Since before COVID-19 vaccines were available, we knew how important it would be to build on existing relationships to bring vaccine clinics to our various communities,” said Dr. Kandi Fredere, Regional Director of Health for DHEC in the interior of the state. “New Hope Missionary Baptist is helping us get the vaccine to people, making it easier, safer and more convenient for community members to get their vaccines. Reverend Butler and the whole New Hope family continue to be amazing partners and we are grateful for everything they continue to do..
DHEC presents a Community Heroes award to members of the New Hope Baptist Church in McCormick on April 1, 2021. From left to right are Dr. Kandi Fredere, DHEC Regional Director of Health; Shannon Winn, principal administrator of DHEC for Abbeville and McCormick counties; Verda Musier, a member of the church; Lydia Butler, church member and wife of Rev. Butler; Mary Stackhouse, local DHEC supervisor for Abbeville and McCormick counties; Rev. Michael Butler, pastor.
“We are grateful that DHEC has given us the opportunity to help the community,” said Rev. Michael A. Butler. “It was a pleasure to work with DHEC and with such a cooperative spirit. It has been a blessing, and we have had other churches and individuals in the community who have donated to help defray the costs. “
Referring a Community Hero To nominate a Community Hero for his efforts to be a local leader and support public health actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, submit a nomination form and a brief description of the nominee’s involvement in the community. DHEC will regularly announce new Community Heroes and archive all award winners online here.
For the latest information on COVID-19 in South Carolina, visit scdhec.gov/COVID19.
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