Providence Hospitals received a Palmetto Pillar Award for Non-Profit Web site / Technology Advancements at a reception held Thursday evening at the Embassy Suites in Columbia.  The annual Palmetto Pillar Awards are presented to leaders and innovators in technology by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Information Technology Council (ITC).  The Non-Profit Website / Technology Advancements Palmetto Pillar Award recognizes a company or organization for the application or development of innovative technology-based projects and programs. 

Chairman of Providence Hospitals Board of Trustees and Executive Vice President of Carolina First Bank J. Michael Kapp presented the award to Providence Vice President of Marketing and Business Development John Kessler at Thursday’s reception.  Kessler believes the new features and capabilities of the hospitals’ recently revamped Web site make it “best-in-class.”  He says, “We’re honored to receive this award and plan to continue developing new ways for existing and prospective patients to access and submit information electronically.  Through our Web site, Providence hopes to provide convenience to customers and improve the efficiency of information processing for the hospital.”

Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity Health System, Providence Hospitals is known statewide for its compassionate care.   This non-profit organization is licensed for 304 beds and is comprised of four entities: Providence Hospital, Providence Heart & Vascular Institute, Providence Hospital Northeast and Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute. A faith-based health care facility in the Midlands area of South Carolina, Providence employs more than 1,900 caring individuals.

Providence Hospital, located in downtown Columbia, was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine in 1938. The facility is best known for the expertise in cardiac care it provides through Providence Heart & Vascular Institute, which is recognized statewide as a referral center for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Providence Hospital Northeast was established in 1999 and offers a range of medical services in surgery, emergency care, women’s and children’s services and rehabilitation.  Providence Northeast is home to Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute, which provides medical and surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of the bones, joints and spine.