New Horizon Family Health Services honors Women’s History Month by acknowledging South Carolina women who have made a notable impact on Public Health. These remarkable individuals triumphed over obstacles like racism and sexism to excel as pioneers in their fields and advocate for equal health care access for all.
Lathran J. Woodard has dedicated 36 years of her life to both the community health center movement and mission of the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association. Ms. Woodard decided it was time to transition into her “next season”, having retired on December 31, 2023, from a place she’s called home for more than ½ of her life. The legacy she left behind is one that is certainly unmatched. Read more…
Deborah Blalock is one of South Carolina’s leading mental health administrators and advocates. She was the first woman appointed as deputy director of the Community Mental Health Services at the S.C. Department of Mental Health (SCDMH). She is responsible for statewide outpatient services provided by SCDMH, including those provided by 16 mental health centers. During her tenure at the Charleston Mental Health Center, the community faced immense tragedy when nine lives were lost at the Mother Emanuel shooting. Responding with mental health services after that incident, “was probably the most profound experience of my career,” she said. Read more…
Dr. Shaniece Criss is a health science associate professor, public health qualitative researcher, and the director of the Master of Arts in Advocacy and Equity Studies at Furman University. As a founding member of the Big Data for Health Equity Research Collaborative, she works with university researchers from across the U.S. to investigate how societal issues impact health. At Furman, she partners with the Institute for the Advancement of Community Health and serves as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Read more…
Over the course of 45 years, Dr. Hilla Sheriff became an internationally recognized leader in the fields of maternal and child healthcare. What started out as a volunteer position in public health with Spartanburg County in 1929, quickly became the beginning of a career in public service instituting and lobbying for policies that impact the state today. Read more…
Deborah Blalock is one of South Carolina’s leading mental health administrators and advocates. She was the first woman appointed as deputy director of the Community Mental Health Services at the S.C. Department of Mental Health (SCDMH). She is responsible for statewide outpatient services provided by SCDMH, including those provided by 16 mental health centers. During her tenure at the Charleston Mental Health Center, the community faced immense tragedy when nine lives were lost at the Mother Emanuel shooting. Responding with mental health services after that incident, “was probably the most profound experience of my career,” she said. 
Lathran J. Woodard has 
Over the course of 45 years, Dr. Hilla Sheriff became an internationally recognized leader in the fields of maternal and child healthcare. What started out as a volunteer position in public health with Spartanburg County in 1929, quickly became the beginning of a career in public service instituting and lobbying for policies that impact the state today. 
Dr. Shaniece Criss is a health science associate professor, public health qualitative researcher, and the director of the Master of Arts in Advocacy and Equity Studies at Furman University. As a founding member of the Big Data for Health Equity Research Collaborative, she works with university researchers from across the U.S. to investigate how societal issues impact health. At Furman, she partners with the Institute for the Advancement of Community Health and serves as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.