- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Feb. 10, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The SC Medical Control Committee will meet Thursday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m. at the State of South Carolina Health Campus, Conference Room A141, 400 Otarre Parkway, Cayce. The agenda and link to virtually view the meeting are available on the Trauma Advisory Council Meeting - Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 meeting event page . ###
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Dec. 31, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Public Health (DPH) announces an update to operating hours for all Vital Records customer service locations statewide ., Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, , all 16 Vital Records offices will open at, 9:30 a.m. every Wednesda, y, shifting from the current 8:30 a.m. opening time. Hours of operation for all other weekdays will remain unchanged: Monday – 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday – 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Wednesday – 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Thursday – 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday – 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. This adjustment allows Vital Records staff across the state to participate in scheduled trainings and complete essential back-office processes required to support accurate, timely service delivery. Establishing a consistent weekly training period supports DPH’s ongoing efforts to enhance customer service, strengthen statewide…, said Caleb Cox, DPH’s Bureau of Vital Statistics director, . “Designating one hour each Wednesday for statewide training and administrative work allows our teams to stay aligned, maintain service accuracy and increase efficiency, and continue improving how we meet the needs of our customers.” The Wednesday schedule change will apply to all Vital Records customer service locations . No other DPH service hours or programs are affected at this time. DPH…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, July 8, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has joined a number of community partners in an effort to increase physical activity for Chester County residents through an app-based scavenger hunt and a series of events in local parks this summer. The IN the Parks App features a free, summer scavenger hunt that encourages children and families to discover…, Farm Fun:, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday, July 12 at the City of Chester Aquatic and Fitness Center, 157 Columbia Street, Chester. Participants are encouraged to dress up as a farmer or their favorite farm animal while enjoying activities, games and more., Pirates & Mermaids:, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday, July 26 at Chester State Park, 788 Park Drive, Chester. Attendees can enjoy swashbuckling fun with activities, games and more. IN the Parks was developed through a partnership between Wholespire Chester County, Chester County Parks Recreation and Tourism, City of Chester Parks and Recreation, Landsford Canal State Park and Chester State Park. Wholespire Chester County…, Riley said, . “We encourage families in Chester County and visitors from around the state to join in on the fun by participating in the scavenger hunt and coming to our upcoming events.” The effort was funded through a Coalition Development Grant from the South Carolina Office of Rural Health. To learn more about IN the Parks and the upcoming playdates, visit intheparkssc.org . ###
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Jan. 7, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near New Hope Road and Nursery Lane in Anderson, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The raccoon was submitted to DPH's laboratory…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director, . Contact your local Public Health office for further guidance. It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. This raccoon is the first animal in Anderson County - and in the state - to test positive for rabies in 2025. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 144 positive…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, May 13, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — As National Hospital Week (May 11-17) is recognized across the country, the South Carolina Department of Public Health praises South Carolina’s hospital and healthcare workers for their courageous and caring roles in protecting people’s health. Healthcare workers are a fundamental part of DPH’s vision to support healthy people living in healthy communities. Since…, said Gwen Thompson, DPH's Deputy Director of Healthcare Quality, . "Providing high-quality health care across our state is a shared mission, one that unites hospital and Healthcare Quality staff alike." DPH works collaboratively with our state’s hospital systems and the South Carolina Hospital Association to promote disease prevention, individual care, and other resources that help keep South Carolinians safe and healthy. Learn more about South Carolina’s…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Jun. 5, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Central Cancer Registry (SCCCR), part of the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), recently earned Gold Standard certification from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR). This is the highest certification standard awarded by NAACCR. The accomplishment marks the 11th consecutive year DPH’s registry has…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim DPH director, . “This data is highly valuable to our local and national partners, allowing us to compare cancer trends in South Carolina to national patterns and informing efforts to reduce cancer.” Data collected by NAACCR member registries form the backbone of the cancer surveillance system supported by the CDC and the National Cancer Institute. The cancer data form the basis of Cancer in North America’s…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Jul. 1, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina today announced the launch of South Carolina Health Compass — an online collection of data dashboards containing the most comprehensive county-level health information available. The health compass contains interactive data for the public, policymakers and…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim DPH director, . “A project like this could not be achieved without continued collaboration and the strong partnerships we’ve worked to developed across our state. This project allows us to create something that can be used by anyone to help improve the health of South Carolinians for years to come.” The dashboards contained in the health compass include South Carolina’s population, healthy communities, healthy…, said Katie O’Shields Free, director of DPH’s Section of Epidemiology, Analysis & Data Visualization, . The South Carolina Health Compass was funded by a Duke Endowment Grant awarded to the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina. The inclusion of more than 120 social and health indicators was possible because of the robust data DPH has, as well as external data stewards, including the South Carolina Office of Revenue of Fiscal Affairs. ###
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Jul 7. 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Beginning Monday, July 7, the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Sumter County Health Department and Sumter Vital Records office will operate from, two temporary locations, while its regular facilities undergo renovations. The temporary location for the Sumter County Health Department (including the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program services) will be, 407 N. Salem Street, Sumter, . Additionally, the Sumter Vital Records office will temporarily be located at, 141 N. Main Street, Sumter, . “We appreciate your patience and understanding as we transition the Sumter County Health Department and Vital Records services to their temporary locations,”, said Jim Bruckner, DPH’s Pee Dee Region Health Director, . “This move is necessary to allow extensive renovations to the current health department site in the E. Alex Heise Building at 105 N. Magnolia Street.” The renovations at DPH’s Sumter facility will create a more functional space that enables DPH to deliver services more effectively and efficiently. The renovations are expected to be complete by June 2026. In the meantime, all health department,…, Bruckner said, . “We appreciate you and thank you for your continued support." To contact the Sumter County Health Department, call 803-773-5511 . To make an appointment at the Sumter clinic, call 855-472-3432 . To contact Vital Records directly, call 803-934-2845 . Visit the DPH website at dph.sc.gov for more information on DPH’s public health clinics and Vital Records . ###
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Jul. 8, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has launched three new, Mobile Health Units, (MHUs) to extend public health services to more people across South Carolina. The MHUs aim to improve access to preventive care, health resources and testing, ensuring that public health services are more available and convenient for all South Carolinians. These units serve as mobile public health clinics , offering a range of essential public health services such as vaccinations, family planning…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim DPH director, . “We will deploy these units to expand our services to areas that are often underserved, allowing us to meet the specific needs of individual communities.” The units will bring public health services to remote areas without them and improve public health outcomes by offering preventive care and education. They will be staffed by DPH nurses, nurse practitioners, medical technicians, social…, said Nick Davidson, DPH Region Operations and Community Engagement director, . To learn more, visit DPH’s Mobile Health Units webpage . ###
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Feb. 14, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Garrett Road and Highway 92 in Enoree, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The skunk was submitted to DPH's laboratory for…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director, . Contact your local Public Health office for further guidance. It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. This skunk is the first animal in Laurens County to test positive for rabies in 2025. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year. In 2024, four…