Palmetto State Extra: Your Health and You

**MUSC Florence First In The State To Use Tool To Detect Lung Cancer**

MUSC Health Florence Medical Center is the first in the Pee Dee region to use robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to detect early lung cancer and the first in the state to offer a novel type of technology.

Using the new shape-sensing technology, an ultra-thin catheter and integrated vision probe, the robotic-assisted platform allows the robot to adjust the catheter’s movements precisely to match the CT scan of the patient’s lung airways and reach all 18 segments of the airways, says Dr. Ramzy Hourany, an MUSC Health Florence pulmonologist.

**New Equipment To Help Kids Learn To Ride A Bike Available At Tidelands Health**

The 16 balance bikes, in a range of sizes to accommodate various ages, will help children learn how to balance without pedals. On a balance bike, kids propel themselves by using their feet to push along the ground. This helps teach young kids how to independently balance on a bike, gives them a sense of control, builds confidence and develops spatial awareness and other skills.

The first free clinic is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Tidelands HealthPoint, 12965 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island. Ages 5-12 can learn using the balance bikes, and any child can bring his or her own bike to navigate through a skills course that will be set up in the parking lot. Participants will learn safety skills such as giving hand signals and correctly using a helmet, as well as basic bike maintenance such as pumping tires. Advance registration is required by calling 843-237-2205, ext. 0.

**2022 Rural Health Conference**

Please join us for South Carolina’s 25th Annual Rural Health Conference! The Annual Rural Health Conference is an opportunity for rural healthcare professionals, hospital administrators, educators and community leaders to learn from experts in rural topics, and to network with each other.

We hope you’ll save the date for our 25th annual conference – October 18-20, 2022, in Greenville!

**Care Apprentice Program**

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is once again offering the Carolina Pines Care Apprentice Program to students in Hartsville and surrounding communities. This program helps establish the necessary foundation and support to assist students both practically and scholastically by providing exposure to a wide variety of potential career choices in the healthcare field. Applications are due by April 30,2022.

**COVID-19 Vaccinations**

CareSouth Carolina is vaccinating ages 5-11 by appointment only at our Bishopville, Latta, Bennettsville Pediatric and Hartsville Pediatric offices. Please call to make an appointment. CareSouth Carolina is making appointments for anyone ages 5 and older for the COVID-19 Vaccine and is also accepting walk-ins for those ages 18 and over.

CareSouth Carolina is administering the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Flu Shots are available in our offices and at our mobile and pop-up events.