Anderson Honored With Portrait Dedication

Although she stands just over five-feet tall, her presence is as large as the tallest member of the USC Upstate men's basketball team. Dolores "Dodie" F. Anderson '81 will be honored by the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Educationfor her 35 years of unwavering enthusiasm and patronage of the men's basketball program and for a lifetime of service to USC Upstate on Thursday, November 20 at 5:30 p.m. when her portrait is dedicated in the John C. Stockwell Administration Building.

"Dodie received the 2014 G.B. Hodge, M.D. Lifetime Achievement Award in February, which is the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education's highest recognition for a lifetime of history-altering influence on the shape, character and destiny of the University of South Carolina Upstate," said Commission Chair Thomas R. Young, III. "This portrait cements her place in the University's history."

Anderson's love for the game and for the USC Upstate basketball program is legendary, and her generous donation to a fund a major renovation of the Hodge Arena in 2010 is unparalleled in Spartans history. With the single largest gift to date to USC Upstate's athletics program, Anderson enabled the complete renovation of the arena including new flooring, video boards, score boards, and other amenities. In addition to the arena, dressing rooms and a video theatre as good as any in the country were created. Her gift came at a crucial point as the university transitioned to NCAA Division I status, significantly raising the stature of the athletics program and boosting the university's recruiting appeal.

"Mom is a bigger ball of fire now than she was 20 years ago and she has experienced later in her life the fun world of sports through this college and the main campus. It has brought her as much joy as anything could, and she is appreciative of what she has gotten back in return for all of her efforts," said Randi Berry, Anderson's daughter.

Anderson received the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education's Founders Day Award in 1986 and was inducted into the University's Honor Fraternity in May 2005. She is a former member of the USC Upstate Foundation Board of Directors. In 2006, on the 25th anniversary of her graduation from USC Upstate, Anderson was bestowed the Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award.

Nancy Kochenower, an award-winning artist who specializes in both oil and watercolor portrait painting, was commissioned to create Anderson's portrait. Recognition will be paid to Anderson during halftime of the Men's Basketball game vs. Bob Jones, which begins at 7 p.m. in the G.B. Hodge Arena.

"Please join Partners for Active Living for the 10th Annual Turkey Day 8k

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Mary Black Health System to Help Consumers  

Sign Up for Health Insurance Options

Beginning November 15, Mary Black Health System will help area residents learn about and enroll in health insurance options on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

As part of the Affordable Care Act, most U.S. citizens are required to have health insurance beginning in 2014. During the first enrollment wave which began last October and ended in March, nearly 10 million uninsured individuals enrolled in a Marketplace plan. Yet, approximately 30 million Americans remain uninsured.

As a primary health provider in the Upstate, we want to help educate in an easy-to-understand way, as well as assist those who haven't yet enrolled for health insurance, if qualified.

During the next few months, our Application Coordinators will be signing up consumers at our convenient ESS offices throughout the hospital. We are also planning a community sign-up drive to help people sign up for insurance. It is important to get the word out to our patients and visitors that one of our Application Coordinators can help them explore available plans and find affordable coverage all while they are here at Mary Black.

Health Insurance Marketplaces

The Health Insurance Marketplace provides U.S. citizens access to affordable health insurance coverage. Depending on household income, some individuals may qualify for financial assistance - or subsidies - towards the cost of the premium.

All Marketplace plans offer the same set of comprehensive benefits - and individuals can't be denied coverage because of a pre-existing health condition.  

Some essential health benefits include:

• Preventive care and wellness services
• Doctor visits
• Prescription drugs
• Hospital and Emergency Department care
• Lab services
• Chronic disease management
• Pediatric services

If individuals can afford health insurance coverage in 2015, but don't sign up, they may have to pay a penalty ($325 per adult, $162.50 per child - up to $975/family or 2% of family income, whichever is higher). Without insurance, they will be financially responsible for their medical costs.

While South Carolina has chosen not to expand Medicaid, government subsidies to help citizens obtain coverage from the Health Insurance Marketplace are available, depending on income and other qualifications. Many residents already qualify for Medicaid even though our state is not expanding Medicaid coverage, but they must enroll.  In South Carolina, enrollment can occur any time during the year and coverage starts immediately.

A few of Mary Black Health System's efforts will include:

• Beginning on November 15, consumers can make an appointment with our trained staff who can help them navigate the Marketplace and find affordable health insurance that fits their needs.
• We will have informational panel cards throughout our facility, in our clinics and around the community explaining how Mary Black can help with enrollment, as well as the phone number to call to set up an appointment.
• We will host speaking engagements to explain the insurance options, as well as how we can help with enrollment.
• Our website will have special banners with information for consumers.
• Information will be inserted into self-pay and uninsured billing statements.

While changes continue in healthcare, our commitment to providing quality care remains constant. We're committed not only to supporting our community's health needs, but also to educating and informing the people we serve.