Today, the St. George Middle School campus was alive with excitement as a team from MUSC Health, including key leaders like Dr. Saju Joy, CEO of MUSC Charleston, arrived to deliver a generous donation of school supplies. The supplies were received by Dr. Nancy Britt-Stevens, Director of Student Services for Dorchester School District 4, and Mr. Jeffrey Beckwith, Superintendent of Dorchester School District 4.
This heartwarming gesture is part of a broader initiative called Project IMPACT, a new program launched by the department managers of MUSC Health Charleston. Project IMPACT is a unified approach designed to improve social impact, enhance care team member wellness, and promote workforce development and equity throughout the Charleston area, extending as far as Orangeburg, SC.
The first initiative under Project IMPACT is a back-to-school drive aimed at supporting students in rural and underserved areas. Supplies, including backpacks, markers, glue sticks, paper, and writing utensils, were collected from various departments within MUSC Health. The donations were distributed across Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties.
Quenton Tompkins, MPH, Governmental and Community Outreach Director for MUSC Health, also emphasized the importance of community engagement. “This supply drive is one of the many ways MUSC Health is extending its support beyond our facility walls, especially to those in our rural communities,” Tompkins stated.
MUSC Health has been rapidly expanding its reach, with new initiatives in the Pee Dee, Catawba, and Midlands areas. The enthusiasm and passion of the MUSC Health team members for Project IMPACT have been evident, with Dr. Joy noting that the MUSC Health team members are truly excited about this initiative and the positive impact it will have.
The donated supplies will be distributed during the rescheduled Back-2-School Bash and National Night Out event on October 1st, an event that was postponed due to Tropical Storm Debby. This event will provide an opportunity for students to receive these much-needed supplies as they continue their academic journey.
Through Project IMPACT, MUSC Health is not only enhancing the well-being of its care team members but also making a lasting difference in the communities it serves. The initiative is a testament to MUSC Health’s commitment to improving lives across the region, starting with something as fundamental as ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed in school.