Believing that children learn better when they are healthy, Providence Hospitals and a group of committed community citizens established Healthy Learners in 1992 to help alleviate health related barriers to learning that face economically disadvantaged children.
Currently, five Healthy Learners programs serve 148 schools in 10 school districts across South Carolina.
A ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, Healthy Learners’ services include vision care, dental care, hearing evaluations, assistance with prescription medications, clinical counseling and episodic care for other health concerns. Throughout the years, thousands of children have received health care services statewide and thousands of miles have been traveled while transporting children to their health care appointments.
Healthy Learners’ program evaluation outcome measures have documented a significant number of children with health status improvement, increased self-esteem and improved ability to perform academically in school. Not only have Healthy Learners' children improved their academic performance, the immense health disparities that economically disadvantaged children face are narrowing.
Learn more at www.healthylearners.com.
2749 LAUREL STREET
COLUMBIA, SC 29204
P: 803 454 0350
WWW.HEALTHYLEARNERS.COM
AMY SPLITTGERBER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
HEALTHY LEARNERS
Amy Splittgerber became the executive director of Healthy Learners in 2019. She has more than 20 years of experience in public health, including serving as the founding director for two non-profit organizations focused on fostering sustainable, healthy communities. She previously was the founding executive director of the SC Alliance of YMCAs, providing support to 20 YMCA associations in statewide initiatives, engaging in state and national advocacy, and developing partnerships with organizations and state agencies. She also founded Eat Smart, Move More South Carolina, where she managed a budget of $1.6 million while creating local healthy eating and active living coalitions across the state and engaging more than 1,000 partners and organizations in best practices.
Recent Blog Posts
January 16, 2023
Healthy Learners celebrates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and highlights how it fights inequities to honor his legacy
In a news post on its website, Healthy Learners reflected on the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and how the ministry is able to honor his legacy. The post highlights his legacy, the inequities in health care across South Carolina and how Healthy Learners strives to help his dream live on by working to ensure all children can be at their best in the classroom.
December 30, 2022
By the numbers: Healthy Learners provides access to medical care to more than 2,200 students in 2022
Healthy Learners provides students in 14 school districts across South Carolina with access to essential medical, dental and vision care so that they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. In 2022, Healthy Learners served more than 2,200 students, who received 11,000 health services from 240 providers. Staff members traveled 77,000 miles transporting children to their medical appointments. Ja'Shawn is one of those thousands of students served. His story appeared in the most recent Healthy Learners newsletter.
April 15, 2022
WACH-FOX57 profiles Healthy Learners ahead of Midlands Gives online giving event May 3
The Central Carolina Community Foundation is presenting its ninth annual regional day of giving in the Midlands of South Carolina May 3 with an 18-hour online giving challenge known as Midlands Gives. Two ministries of the Sisters of Charity Health System are participating: Healthy Learners and the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families. WACH-FOX57 recently profiled Healthy Learners and how a gift to the ministry can change the lives of children to help promote the online giving event.
February 23, 2022
Healthy Learners releases 2021 annual report; highlights a year of obstacles and overcoming, trials and triumphs
For Healthy Learners, 2021 was a year of obstacles and overcoming, trials and triumphs, of grace and growth. Despite the challenges of the year, the ministry was able to expand its reach from six counties to 10 in 2021. In total, Healthy Learners served 1,898 students, providing 7,418 health screenings and 8,906 services, and traveling 63,277 miles to enable students to receive those screenings and services. The Healthy Learners 2021 Annual Report highlights these figures and provides updates on each service area.