A High Calling
As the area’s only non-profit hospice and palliative care organization, we employ 90 specialized and highly qualified staff members, each with a heart for service to patients and their family members. Our mission is to provide expert, life-changing healthcare for those living with advanced illnesses.
Through our team’s leadership, we’ve had the honor of caring for more than 10,000 hospice and palliative care patients in the Greenwood, Laurens, Abbeville, Edgefield, McCormick, Newberry, and Saluda Counties since 1981.
Our Mission
Care of the Piedmont is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals facing advanced illness through our comprehensive services. With a mission centered on this commitment, we strive to provide compassionate care that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients and their families. Our vision extends beyond traditional care, aiming to pioneer innovative approaches in hospice, palliative care, and grief support. By being a leader in these fields, we aspire to set new standards of excellence, ensuring that every individual receives the highest quality of care tailored to their unique circumstances.
Our Service Area
Meet our Team
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Nancy Hart Wicker, MD
MEDICAL DIRECTOR | HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Dr. Wicker received her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2010. She completed her residency at Self Regional Healthcare MCFM and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Wicker is also Fellowship trained in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and received her board certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2021. She began her tenure at Care of the Piedmont in 2016.
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Charlene Kish, MHA, RN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Charlene Kish has served at the Care of the Piedmont’s CEO since 2022.
Charlene is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator and a Registered Nurse. She obtained her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Butler Community College, her Bachelor’s of Administration Degree in Business Management from Carlow University, and her Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from Walden University .
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Joy Girard, RN, CHPN
DIRECTOR OF QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE
Joy Girard has served as the Director of Clinical Services at Care of the Piedmont since 2005.
Joy has been a Certified Hospice & Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN) since 1999. She graduated from Tri-County Technical College with her ADN.
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Carrie Murdock, BSN, RN, CHPN
CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF THE HOSPICE HOUSE
Carrie Murdock has served as the Nurse Manager for Care of the Piedmont since 2021.
Carrie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Lander University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration from Winthrop University.
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Meg Giles, BSN, RN, OCN
CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF HOSPICE AT HOME SERVICES
Meg Giles, Home Care Manager for Care of the Piedmont since 2022.
Meg has a BSN from the University of SC Upstate. She is a Certified Oncology Nurse and Certified in Chemotherapy/Biotherapy.
Palliative Care Team
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Christie Brewster, APRN-BC, ACHPN
PALLIATIVE CARE COORDINATOR
Christie Brewster has served as a Nurse Practitioner at Care of the Piedmont since 2012. Christie serves as a member of the Palliative Care Team. She is a resource for patients, families, and hospital staff regarding palliative care and end-of-life care. Christie is a Certified Advanced Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (ACHPN) – 2016. She is also a First Steps ACP (Advanced Care Planning) Certified Facilitator – 2018.
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Cokeletta “Kela” Davis, ACNPC-AG
PALLIATIVE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER
Kela Davis has served as a Nurse Practitioner at Care of the Piedmont since 2023. Kela serves as a member of the Palliative Care Team. Kela received her Bachelor of Science degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing and a Master’s degree in Nurse Practitioner from Walden University.
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Carmen M. Edwards, FNP-C, FNP-BC
PALLIATIVE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER
Carmen Edwards has served as a Nurse Practitioner at Care of the Piedmont since 2023. Carmen serves as a member of the Palliative Care Team. Carmen received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Lander University and a Master of Science in Nursing from South University.
Support Staff
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Andrea Scott
DEVELOPMENT Director
Andrea Scott has served as Care of the Piedmont’s Development Manager since 2004. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina in 1995.
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Lori Shaw, LMSW
SOCIAL WORKER
Lori Shaw has been a social worker with Care of the Piedmont since 2020. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Lander University in 1999, and her Master’s of Social Work from Simmons University in 2020.
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Jennifer Parler, LMSW
SOCIAL WORKER
Jennifer Parler began as a social worker with Care of the Piedmont in 2022. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1992 from the University of South Carolina, and received her Master's of Social work in 1995.
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Reid Bishop
CHAPLAIN
Reid Bishop began with Care of the Piedmont in 2023. He has his Master's of Divinity, Professional Chaplaincy – Healthcare from Liberty University.
He has also completed seven units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Self Regional Healthcare.
Timeline of Care of the Piedmont
1981
Hospice of Greenwood accepts first patient
1992
First annual Festival of Trees
1995
Applied to DHEC for a Certificate of Need to operate a home health program to serve the terminally ill
HospiceCare approved as Medicaid provider
1996
More than 30 participants attend the first-ever children’s bereavement camp at Camp Fellowship at Lake Greenwood
1998
Office moves to West Alexander location
2004
Ground breaks for 15-bed Hospice House facility, only the second-ever in the state of South Carolina
2005
Hospice House alone serves 246 patients in the first year of operation
Palliative Care Clinic established as a patient care service between Self Regional Healthcare and HospiceCare
2008
Hospice Store in Greenwood opens
Palliative Care Medical Service forms between Self Regional Healthcare and HospiceCare
2010
Hospice Store in Abbeville opens
2015
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont builds new Hospice Store in Greenwood, South Carolina
2018
HospiceCare becomes Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont to encompass full spectrum of services
Community Palliative Care Center in the building adjacent to the Hospice Administrative office opens
Hospice Care Foundation of the Piedmont forms
2023
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont rebrands to Care of the Piedmont
Care of the Piedmont
Board of Directors
Since the start of our organization, Care of the Piedmont has been entrusted by the care and support of a local board, composed of respected and renowned leaders in our community in the civic, corporate and non-profit spheres.
Board of Directors
Laurie Smith, Chairperson
Craig White, Vice Chairperson
Lynn Vaughn, Secretary
Linda McDonald, Treasurer
K. Jack Parham, M.D., Board Member Emeritus
Charlene Kish, Executive Director, Ex-Officio
David Tompkins, Past Chair
Paul Bagnoli
Martha Barnette
Al Bell
Wayne Carstens
Jim Fuller, MD
Jennifer Goldman
Lynn Hemphill
JoBeth Hite
Mike Mallon
Rhonda McGinnis
John Pillman
JoAnna Sadurski, MD
Teddi Uldrick
Wendi Young
Ruiling Yuan, MD