Wellness Connect Launches Patient Sessions

The Wellness Connect Telehealth Weight Management program successfully launched in January at four primary care practices across the state. The program, with funding from The Duke Endowment and the MUSC Center for Telehealth, is a partnership between the South Carolina AHEC, MUSC Weight Management Center and family medicine practices to provide expanded access to weight loss experts at MUSC. The four-month program allows individuals to participate in a weight loss program from the comfort of their primary care provider’s office.

“This telemedicine project allows the expertise and resources of our state's oldest medical university to benefit the rural community we serve and will most definitely have a positive impact on America's fastest growing epidemic – obesity,” explains Dr. Oscar Lovelace in Prosperity, SC.

Sessions take place every other week with patient groups meeting with the MUSC Weight Management Center via videoconference. Over 20 patients are enthusiastically participating and several have already reported weight loss.

“Wellness Connect allows us to reach many more South Carolinians throughout the state who, whether by geography or finances, wouldn’t otherwise be able to access the professional weight management services they need,” according to Dr. Joshua Brown, Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Services and Training at MUSC’s Weight Management Center.

Two lessons have taken place, with eight lessons to follow over the coming months. Three additional practices will be added to the program starting in April.

To find out more about the program, contact Dr. Ragan DuBose-Morris at duboser@musc.edu or 843-792-9429.

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