FOUNDATION In The News

Though the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) has five clinical offices across South Carolina (Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, and Greenwood), barriers still exist that make accessing genetic services difficult for many families. To address that need, the Center has embarked on a telehealth initiative in partnership with the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance.

Telehealth is a way for patients to receive services virtually, from a provider in a different location. GGC began its telehealth program last month between its offices in Florence and Charleston, with plans to expand the program statewide in the future.

The Center’s Florence office does not currently have a full time clinical geneticist, and appointments for patients in the Pee Dee area are limited because physicians have to
travel from other offices to see patients. The new system allows a physician in Charleston to log on and evaluate a patient in the Florence office with
assistance from telemedicine coordinator, Jennifer Lynch. Telehealth is expected to increase the number of available appointments by 50%, decreasing both wait time and travel.

“Patient access to care is a challenge that we have addressed in many ways over the years at GGC,” said Mike Lyons, MD, Co-Director of Clinical Services and head of the telehealth initiative at GGC. “With the advanced communication technologies now available, a provider in one location can see a patient in another location and provide clinical evaluations, consults and genetic counseling. This will make it much easier for patients in rural areas of our state, or those with transportation issues or other barriers, to access the care they need.”

The telehealth system includes high resolution video and audio equipment with screen sharing capability to provide counseling sessions and consultations. In addition, specialized telehealth medical tools, which include digital stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, and dermscope attachments, allow detailed physical examinations to be performed.

Lindsey Brant of Murrells Inlet was the first parent to take advantage of the new system during a follow up appointment for her 16 month old daughter, Kynzie.

“Our visit went really well. It was as if Dr. Lyons was right there in the room with us,” said Lindsey. “It was so helpful to not have to travel so far.”

“We are often caring for families in very difficult and fragile medical situations,” shared Lyons. “Telehealth will remove the inconvenience, burden and expense of travel, and allow us to see them near home more quickly, so these families can focus on what’s most important – getting the care their loved ones need.”

The program has received financial support through the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the GGC Foundation, including a recent $150,000 gift from an anonymous private Upstate family foundation.

“We are grateful that these granting organizations and partners recognize the value in providing greater access to genetic services across South Carolina,” said GGC’s Director, Steve Skinner, MD. “The private foundation gift will help us not only pilot this program in Florence, but also provides resources for us to develop additional telehealth clinics statewide in rural areas and underserved communities.”

To learn how you can support this initiative, or other programs of GGC, visit www.GGC.org or contact the GGC Foundation at 864-388-1813.

$30,000 gift will support bioinformatics and computational genomics.

A gift to the Greenwood Genetic Center Foundation by Dr. Walt Patterson, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, Lander University, has established the Susan R. Patterson Professional Development Award in Bioinformatics & Computational Genomics in memory of his wife, Susan. The award serves to honor and perpetuate her lifelong devotion to the field of education in mathematics. Susan was also passionate about supporting families and children faced with genetic disorders who are served by GGC.

Bioinformatics and computational genomics is a growing field that merges biology, mathematics and computer science to interpret genetic data. These specialized professionals support researchers and clinicians at GGC by studying the impact of genetic changes and developing algorithms to sift through the large amounts of genetic data to identify which DNA changes are related to the patient’s condition. These skills are valuable in both diagnostic and research work at GGC.

The award will support ongoing professional education and development for faculty and staff at GGC who are involved in bioinformatics work.

“With the vast amounts of data generated by current genetic testing methodologies, bioinformatics is a critical component of our work – to help us better understand the meaning of the genetic changes we identify in our patients,” said Dr. Steve Skinner, Director of GGC. “We are grateful to Dr. Patterson for helping us grow and expand in this important area, and know that this award will enhance our capabilities and allow us to more efficiently serve our patients with cutting-edge research and technologies.”

“Susan Patterson had a heart for GGC’s mission, the patients we serve, and in sustaining educational opportunities,” said Victoria Hann, Executive Director, GGC Foundation. “It is truly an honor to be entrusted with preserving her legacy through her husband’s generous spirit in establishing this award.”

The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) and Project Hope Foundation announce the creation of ‘Helix and Hope,’ a collaborative program providing an integrated approach to delivering services, support, and research to individuals and families impacted by an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

GGC has been involved in ASD research since 1995, and recent discoveries are showing promise in the development of a diagnostic blood test and possible treatment for ASD. Project Hope Foundation, co-founded and led by executive directors Lisa Lane and Susan Sachs, has a 20 year history of providing services such as ABA therapy, educational resources, and outreach to families impacted by ASDs in the Upstate of SC. They began serving children with ASDs in Greenwood last month in the former Merrywood Elementary school building.

Project Hope Foundation is currently providing blood samples to GGC to help validate the GGC’s blood test development, and the organizations are working together to improve medical care, therapy services and research.

“’Helix and Hope’ was born out of a desire to provide individuals with access to proven therapeutic services and educational opportunities alongside the latest in scientific discoveries and potential treatments,” said Steve Skinner, Director of GGC and one of the organizers of ‘Helix and Hope’. “By combining our expertise and resources with that of Project Hope Foundation, we hope to better understand the biology of ASDs, deliver needed services, expand opportunities for inclusion, and formulate medical treatment strategies.”

“This collaboration is truly innovative in the world of autism, bringing two important components together – science and services,” said Sachs. “Greenwood Genetic Center’s research in developing new diagnostic options is a game-changer for our families, who often waste critical years waiting for a diagnosis before they can access services.”

An ad hoc Autism Advocacy Council comprised of physicians, scientists, family members, and other autism champions from across the US has been organized to provide advice to ‘Helix and Hope’, assist in fundraising, and monitor the progress of the collaborative. The Council recently held their inaugural meeting at GGC where they learned about the programs of both organizations and discussed how their involvement can help the collaborative succeed.

Tim Newman, Charlotte businessman and the father of twin boys on the autism spectrum, leads the Advocacy Council. “With goals to unlock the genetic puzzle of autism at the GGC and provide better life outcomes for those on the spectrum with Project Hope, the Advocacy Council can help engage more partners in the work of this collaborative and move the needle for both science and services for those affected with autism and their families,” said Newman. “This is life changing work. “

We are excited about input from a national Advocacy Council that will support our ability to work together as we develop profiles that include both blood metabolites and behavioral interventions,” said Lane. “This partnership opens up possibilities that have not been tapped into before, directly connecting scientific research with life changing services.”

Support ‘Helix and Hope,’ with a designated contribution through the GGC Foundation.

Photo Caption: Helix & Hope Advocacy Council following their first meeting at GGC Back row (L-R) Anand Srivastava, PhD (GGC); Roger Stevenson, MD (GGC); Skip Garner, PhD (VCOM); David Atchley; John Rocovich (VCOM); Chris Ratchford, MD (Physician, GA); Tom Farthing; Susan Sachs (PHF); Tim Newman; Charles Schwartz, PhD (GGC); and Joe Lesesne, PhD (former President of Wofford College). Front row (L-R) Lisa Lane (PHF); Steve Skinner, MD (GGC); Annabel Barber, MD (University of Nevada School of Medicine); Laura Beth Dehority, MA (Family Therapist, VA); Sue Ellen Rocovich, DO, PhD (VCOM); and Kelli Embler (Executive Director of Autism Speaks – Carolinas chapter)

Dr. Ennis and Dru James of the Bill and Connie Timmons Foundation have designated a gift of $100,000 to the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) Foundation. The funds will directly support the Center’s ongoing research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

GGC has been involved in autism research for over 20 years, and recently GGC researchers have identified a unique metabolic profile in blood samples from individuals with autism as compared to controls. This metabolic profile is currently being validated as a potential blood test to help diagnose ASD.

Anand K. Srivastava, PhD, Associate Director of Research at GGC, is working with the Center’s biochemical diagnostic laboratory to develop the blood-based screening test. “If we can diagnose children with ASD at an earlier age, it will allow them to benefit from services and therapies sooner,” said Srivastava. “We are also hopeful that this work could point us toward an effective treatment for ASD in the future.”

“Being in the health and education fields, we have seen the impact of ASD on children, their families and our communities. Whether it is in the field of health or education, we believe in the importance of early diagnosis and treatment,” shared Dr. and Mrs. James. “Looking at the Greenwood Genetic Center’s history of ground breaking research in this and many other areas, we are glad to be a small part of their abilities to impact so many lives. Greenwood and South Carolina are indeed fortunate to have such an organization in our community and state.”

“The generosity of Dr. and Mrs. James and the Timmons Foundation will provide GGC with the necessary additional resources to move the validation of this blood test forward,” said GGC Director, Dr. Steve Skinner. “We are grateful for their support and shared vision of improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by ASD.”

The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation. The one-year grant will support the Center’s ongoing work to develop a blood-based diagnostic test for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)./p>

Scientists at GGC’s JC Self Research Institute have identified a unique metabolic profile in blood samples from individuals with autism as compared to controls.
“These findings have the potential to be translated into the first blood-based diagnostic test for autism providing a diagnosis at the earliest possible age,”
said GGC’s Director, Steve Skinner, MD. “And the most exciting part of this work is that understanding these profiles could point us toward an effective treatment for ASD.”

Anand K. Srivastava, PhD, Associate Director of Research at GGC, is working with the Center’s biochemical diagnostic laboratory to develop the blood-based screening test. “This funding will provide GGC with resources to complete critical steps before the blood test can be made available clinically,” said Srivastava. “We must complete additional studies to further refine our initial metabolic profiling results, assess how reliable the results are in different patient populations, and determine the youngest age at which the results are useful in making a diagnosis of autism.”

“The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is committed to improving healthcare for all South Carolinians, and we see tremendous benefits in helping families get an autism diagnosis at the earliest possible time,” said Foundation Executive Director, Harvey Galloway. “One in 68 children in our state has an ASD diagnosis, and the earlier this diagnosis is confirmed, the better their outcome will be.”

GGC is also collaborating with the Hope Academy in Greenville and the Olson Huff Center in Asheville, NC who are providing additional samples for the validation of the test. The SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs has provided additional funding for the development of the Autism Program at GGC. Scientists at Clemson University are providing computational support for this project.

GGC is currently recruiting families expecting a child and/or with a child under the age of 18 months to assist in this study.
For more information contact Cindy Skinner, Research Sample Coordinator at [email protected] or 864-941-8115.

About the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation

Headquartered in Columbia, the foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Its mission is to promote and support healthier South Carolinians, particularly the economically vulnerable, by supporting solutions to address gaps in health care and serving as an agent of change to support innovation and value-added public-private partnerships.

Photo: Dr. Anand Srivastave reviews metabolic profiling data for GGC’s autism test development

The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) has been awarded $200,000 by the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) to fund the development of an autism treatment program.

This new initiative follows GGC’s ongoing work to develop a blood-based test that can distinguish children with autism from typically-developing children. Appropriations approved by Governor Nikki Haley and the General Assembly have enabled DDSN to provide funding during the past three years for this test development.

“The blood-based test looks at several chemical disturbances in patients with an autism spectrum disorder,” said GGC’s Autism Program Director, Dr. Roger Stevenson. “We will now look at these chemical disturbances and determine if there are ways to correct or minimize their adverse effects. This new funding from DDSN allows us to move toward the goal of identifying an effective therapy for children with autism.”

An Autism Treatment Task Force has been meeting over the past six months to determine the effects of these chemical disturbances and to consider dietary and pharmaceutical interventions which may be therapeutic. Based upon recommendations from the task force, a treatment protocol will be developed by a multidisciplinary clinical team, and a laboratory team will plan how to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

“Once these pieces are in place, the stage will be set for patient recruitment for clinical trials which will occur in collaboration with Self Regional Healthcare’s Institutional Review Board, DDSN, and GGC’s Curry Chair in Genetic Therapeutics, Dr. Walter Kaufmann,” said Stevenson.

“DDSN is very pleased to be a partner in this important effort,” said Dr. Beverly Buscemi, DDSN State Director. “GGC’s research has a winning record of delivering life changing interventions and treatments that significantly improve the lives of babies, children and their families.”

The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs is the state agency with authority over the provision of services and programs to people with lifelong intellectual and related disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. Primary responsibilities include planning, development and provision of a full range of services for children and adults, ensuring that all services and supports provided meet or exceed acceptable standards, and improve the quality of services and efficiency of operations. The department advocates for people with severe lifelong disabilities both as a group and as individuals, coordinates services with other agencies and promotes and implements prevention activities to reduce the occurrence of both primary and secondary disabilities. Learn more by visiting www.ddsn.sc.gov

In 2011, First Citizens Foundation made a five year, $40,000 financial commitment to the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC). Representatives from the bank recently presented $8,000 to the GGC to complete that commitment. The donation has been used to fund next-generation sequencing in the Center’s diagnostic and research laboratories.

“We are very appreciative of the long-standing relationship and support that we have had with First Citizens,” said Dr. Mike Friez, Director of the Greenwood Genetic Center’s Diagnostic Laboratories. “Their support has helped us ensure that our patients have access to the latest technology available.”

Next-generation sequencing technology provides families with faster and more accurate diagnoses for a variety of genetic conditions including autism, intellectual disability, and seizure disorders. “This technology has allowed us to provide answers for patients who may have been on a diagnostic odyssey for years, and in many cases, can guide treatment decisions,” said Friez.

“First Citizens is pleased to make this grant to the Greenwood Genetic Center Foundation,” said Jerry Stevens, Market Executive and Senior Vice President for the bank. “The additional resources we have provided will continue to support families across the state by advancing diagnostic testing and research discoveries, and we look forward to continuing to pledge our support for the Center’s mission.”

Photo Caption: L-R: Victoria Hann, Director of Development at GGC; Matt Howard, Vice President at First Citizens; Jerry Stevens, Market Executive and Senior Vice President at First Citizens; and Dr. Mike Friez, Director of the Diagnostic Laboratories at GGC.

Representatives from Countybank in Greenwood were on hand at the Greenwood Genetic Center’s monthly employee seminar on Wednesday for a big announcement. The bank, which has been a supporter of GGC through the Center’s Race the Helix 5K, has made a commitment, and proposed a challenge, to GGC employees.

In honor of the dedication of the 170 GGC employees, Countybank has pledged to match employee giving to the GGC Foundation, up to $20,000 each year for the next five years.

Just after the Countybank announcement, Victoria Hann, Director of Development for the Foundation, announced the results of the 2015 employee giving campaign. “We have met Countybank’s challenge this year, with 52% of our employees contributing for a total of $43,183,” shared Hann. “Our employees believe in the mission of the Center, evidenced by not only their daily commitment to providing the best care for our patients, but also in their financial support of the Center.”

“The employees of GGC are an amazingly talented group of people, dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by genetic disorders,” said David Tompkins, Senior Vice President and Greenwood Market Executive for Countybank. “They not only give of their time, but also their hard-earned money for the betterment of the Center. Countybank is honored to be able to recognize their efforts and contribute toward their goal of providing high quality care and advanced technology for those they serve.”

Photo: Countybank representatives, David Tompkins, Senior VP and Greenwood Market Executive; Lynn Turner, VP and Commercial Relationship Manager; and Dayle Mumford, VP and Financial Center Manager, present the gift to GGC Director Dr. Steve Skinner (far right)

About Countybank

Countybank began its service to the Upstate community in 1933, when it was founded by a group of Greenwood businessmen. Today, Countybank is a fully integrated financial services provider with locations in Greenville and Greenwood. In addition to a complete array of traditional banking products, Countybank is composed of separate divisions that are positioned to meet specialized financial needs, including Countybank Trust Services, Countybank Mortgage Services, Countybanc Investments Services, Inc., Countybanc Insurance Services, Inc., and Greenwood Capital Associates, LLC. Each division is staffed by the area’s most sought-after professionals in their respective fields to provide customers with the tools to achieve their financial goals.

Click on the image below to read the October 2015 Autism Update.

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The Believe in Me Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, presented a gift of $50,000 to the Greenwood Genetic Center Foundation to support autism research at the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC). This grant will further the Center’s current work into developing a reliable blood-based screening test for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

“We are very grateful to the Believe in Me Foundation for supporting this exciting work which will help make the autism diagnosis at the earliest possible age, when therapies can be most beneficial,” shared Dr. Tim Wood, Director of the Biochemical Genetics Lab at GGC. “Our hope is that these findings will lead us to effective treatments – which is the ultimate goal.”

“The Believe in Me Foundation is focused on promoting opportunities, education, and research solutions for individuals on the autism spectrum,” shared Justin Ryan, member of the Board of Directors of the Believe in Me Foundation. “We are confident that this gift will help promote those goals by supporting the Greenwood Genetic Center’s efforts to identify the biochemical markers and a more defined treatment for ASD.”

Ryan, who also sits on the Board of Trustees for the GGC Foundation, connected the two organizations through his advocacy work for children with autism.

Photo L-R: Bob Erwin, Chair of the GGC Foundation Board; Victoria Hann, GGC Foundation Director of Development; Justin Ryan; Dr. Tim Wood

About the Believe in Me Foundation

The Believe in Me Foundation is committed to supporting the education and welfare of children with autism, autism spectrum disorders, and other pervasive developmental
disorders. The mission of the Believe in Me is to bring hope to children by developing their skills to the greatest extent possible and by discovering the talents
that each child possesses and to enable children to be as independently successful as possible. Learn more at www.believeinme.com