Sickle Cell Lifespan Center – Upstate

The Sickle Cell Lifespan Center at Prisma Health in Greenville, South Carolina, provides inpatient and outpatient services, meeting the needs of all individuals with sickle cell disease in our community, regardless of age.

Over the last 30 years, children with sickle cell disease have seen drastic improvements in their rate of survival and quality of life through a standardized approach to treatment, disease modification and preventive care. Adults with sickle cell disease, on the other hand, have often found it difficult to access these types of services and end up experiencing a higher number of disease-related complications.

Care for sickle cell at every stage of life

The Prisma Health Sickle Cell Lifespan Center is unique in that it provides care for individuals living with sickle cell disease across the entire age spectrum. This is one of the only programs in the country—and even internationally—that offers care in this way.

We started this lifespan care program in 2017 here in the Upstate. We wanted to take what we learned from excellent pediatric care and invite adults into that same model—focused on prevention, disease-modifying therapies, and cutting-edge research.

Thanks to funding from the South Carolina Department of Public Health, we’ve been able to expand. Our goal: ensure two-thirds of South Carolina has access to this model of care.

We partnered with our sister program in Columbia to continue their excellent pediatric care and help build an adult care model that mirrors what works in the Upstate.

With this funding, we’re creating a transition-age clinic for patients aged 19–26. They’ll move from pediatric to adult care, embedded within the adult medical home.

We’re also hiring more adult providers, nurse navigators, psychologists, and advanced practice providers to offer inpatient consults. It’s a family-centered approach, with the patient at the center and a team around them.

I was first diagnosed with sickle cell disease around age six or seven. I remember always being in the hospital, unable to do what I wanted—especially spending time with my family.

I’ve been with Prisma since the beginning. I love coming here. Everyone is understanding and listens. Dr. Carla is my doctor—I love her so much. The staff is really nice.

What I wish people understood about sickle cell is that it’s not always visible. We may look healthy and energetic, but behind closed doors, we’re in pain.

Sickle cell warriors are resilient. We smile while fighting. Prisma Health has been great—I can count on my doctors, especially Dr. Anderson. Even the receptionist has known me since I was very little. We have a great relationship.

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited red blood cell disorder, affecting over 100,000 people in the U.S.

Hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout the body. In sickle cell patients, hemoglobin forms long rods under stress, changing red blood cells into a crescent shape.

Normal red blood cells look like donuts and can squeeze through tight spaces. Sickle-shaped cells struggle to pass through small blood vessels, affecting the brain, kidneys, lungs—every part of the body.

Stressors like temperature changes, altitude, infection, anxiety, and depression can trigger a crisis.

The hallmark of the disease is chronic, debilitating bone pain. Without oxygen, cells die—especially in the bones—causing intense pain, often compared to cancer pain.

To those navigating sickle cell disease: there is hope. We’ve made progress in treatment, medicine, and understanding what worsens the disease.

Even without outward signs, damage can occur beneath the surface. Change comes from hope—and we want every individual to know:

We’re here for you. We’ll walk with you through this disease so you can see the hope on the horizon.

In order to meet the needs of all individuals with sickle cell disease in our community, regardless of age, we have created the Sickle Cell Lifespan Center of Prisma Health. This is the first program in the Upstate of South Carolina to provide care for both children and adults with sickle cell disease in the same location and by the same dedicated team. Our dedicated care team provides outpatient and inpatient services and compassionate care for children and adults with sickle cell disease.

Our services

Patient-centered, compassionate care for children and adults with sickle cell disease
Dedicated care team (social work, psychology, nursing, medical providers) providing outpatient and inpatient services
Access to outpatient infusion for delivery of pain medications, fluids, antibiotics, and blood transfusions
Management of disease modifying medications, such as Hydroxyurea, Endari, Oxbryta and Adakveo
In-office stroke risk screening with Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Ultrasound
Chronic RBC transfusion program with apheresis capabilities on-site
Standardized transition program designed to educate support and adolescents as they move into the adult model of care
Social work, case management, psychology and child life services
School Intervention Program (SIP)
Participation in local and national research protocols
Alternative pain management, such as virtual reality therapies and heart rate variability
Beads of Courage® program
Camp Crescent family day camp
Camp Courage
Educational resources

Contact us

Prisma Health Sickle Cell Lifespan Center

900 W. Faris Road, 2nd Floor
Greenville, SC 29605

(located within the BI-LO Charities Children’s Cancer Center)

Phone: 864-455-8898
Fax: 864-455-5164

Resources

Our team

Alan R. Anderson, MD

Dr. Anderson is the medical director for the Sickle Cell Lifespan Center. He joined Children’s Hospital in 2007 and has been focused on the care of cancer and blood disorders since that time.

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Katie Muschick, MSN, APRN, PCNS

Katie has been working as an inpatient and outpatient pediatric hematology and oncology nurse at Prisma Health since 2018. She is excited to be a part of this program because she loves education and sharing her knowledge to help improve the health and wellness of patients with chronic illness.

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Cortney Rieck, PsyD, BCB

Dr. Rieck is a licensed psychologist and has been dedicated to Pediatric Hematology & Oncology at Children’s Hospital since October 2017. She is honored to also be a part of the Sickle Cell Lifespan Center and to have the opportunity to help provide the complete care these patients deserve. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, has experience in school psychology, and has additional training in biofeedback and other pain management strategies.

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Carri Stoker-Postier, MSW, LISW-CP

Carri is a clinical social worker who joined the team in October 2019. She received her master’s degree in 2011 from the University of Montana. Carri has over 20 years of experience in the social work field and has spent her career serving some of the most vulnerable populations. She is excited to be a part of the program and to join the effort of enhancing the well-being of individuals, families and communities impacted by chronic illness.

Maria Jay McDaniel, PsyD

Dr. McDaniel is a clinical psychologist/pediatric neuropsychologist at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. She holds a doctorate in psychology and went on to complete a neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship. She sees children for neuropsychological evaluations in effort to track cognitive and developmental needs over time, identify individual cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and assist with school planning and treatment recommendations.

Lindsey Metz, MA, CCLS

Lindsey has been a Child Life Specialist with Prisma Health since 2014. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Child Life from the University of Alabama and a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling from Liberty University. Lindsey grew up in the upstate and loves being able to give back to the community by supporting pediatric patients and their families.

Tranaka Fuqua, MBA, BSN, RN

Tranaka is a clinical research manager who has worked at Prisma Health since 2014 as a caregiver, clinician, and published researcher. She received her certification in Clinical & Translational Research from Clemson University in 2018 and transitioned to Pediatric Hematology/Oncology in 2019. Her contribution to the efforts of growing and sustaining local and national research initiatives help to advance the application of viable evidenced-based practice strategies to aid in maximizing positive outcomes for adult and pediatric patients alike.

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Sickle Cell Lifespan Center – Upstate

Care for sickle cell at every stage of life

Our services

Contact us

Resources

Alan R. Anderson, MD

Katie Muschick, MSN, APRN, PCNS

Cortney Rieck, PsyD, BCB

Carri Stoker-Postier, MSW, LISW-CP

Maria Jay McDaniel, PsyD

Lindsey Metz, MA, CCLS

Tranaka Fuqua, MBA, BSN, RN

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