As the largest health care system in South Carolina’s midlands, Palmetto Health is focused on improving the physical, emotional and spiritual health of all individuals and communities it serves. That’s according to John Singerling, Palmetto Health president and Capital Rotary’s guest speaker on Oct. 4. Singerling (shown with Rotarians Chris Ray at left and Blake DuBose at right) said the locally owned, not-for-profit system is committed to (1) improving access to health care, (2) making care more affordable, (3) ensuring safety and quality of care, (4) enhancing each patient’s experience, and (5) seeing that no one in need is left behind. Health care challenges include changing demographics, expanding technology, politics, price structures and escalating drug costs. Singerling said many recognize that today’s health care system is dysfunctional and not sustainable. Improvement needs to be built on accessibility – some kind of insurance coverage for all people – and on setting – delivering care in the appropriate local setting at the appropriate time. Singerling has been with Palmetto Health since 1996 and became its president in 2010. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University and a master’s degree in health administration from the University of South Carolina.
