- Hospitals
- Patient & Visitor Information
- Quality and Patient Safety
- Our Physician Practices
- Primary Care Practices
- Cardiovascular Practices
- Family Medicine Practices
- Hospitalist Practices
- Internal Medicine Practices
- Medical Specialty Practices
- Occupational Medicine
- OB/GYN Practices
- Palmetto Health Dental Center
- Pediatric Practices
- Senior Primary Care
- Surgical Practices
- Urgent Care
- Specialty Centers
- Da Vinci Robotic Surgery Center
- Patient Care Services
- Education, Residency Programs & Research
- Community Outreach
- Patient Stories
- Palmetto Health Foundation
- Volunteer Programs
Meet Our Geriatricians
MEET OUR GERIATRICIANS
|
|
Tisha Boston, MD Medical Director "What makes the SPCP most special to me is that it allows me to spend quality time with my patients at a time in their lives when time is sometimes what they need most from their physician. This is something that often times cannot be done in a private practice setting." Dr. Boston specializes in providing primary care services to patients 65 and older. Her focus is keeping seniors healthy through preventive care. Before joining the Senior Primary Care Practice, Dr. Boston honed her medical skill in the emergency departments of Piedmont Healthcare System and Providence Northeast Hospital. She also worked in family practice and urgent care medicine. While obtaining her bachelor of sciences degree in Biological Sciences at Clemson University, she was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Med Honor Society, and Clemson University Black Student of Promise. Dr. Boston is also a Clemson alumni and Faculty Scholar. She feels that it is important to listen to her patients and respond to their concerns as if they were members of her own family. Dr. Boston is a dedicated community volunteer with particular interests in Women's Health and member of the South Carolina Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Professional Credentials
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rachelle Gajadhar, MD "The care of older adults has unique challenges. I am happy to be a member of Senior Primary Care where care is a team approach." Dr. Gajadhar specializes in providing primary care services to patients 65 years and older. Dr. Gajadhar has done numerous presentations on issues regarding seniors. Some of the topics include Assisted Living: A Work in Progress, Delirium Due to Alcohol Withdrawal, Program of All-Inclusive Care, Perioperative Beta-Blocker, Modifications to Create Assisted Living in the Home, Update in Cardiology for Non-Physicians and the Safe At Home: Multidisciplinary Program Aimed at Allowing Older Adults to Age in Place. Professional Credentials
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victor A. Hirth, MD Dr. Hirth specializes in providing primary care services to patients age 65 and older. In addition to caring for patients at the practice, Dr. Hirth also is the medical director for Lowman Home Long Term Care Facility and Wildewood Downs Retirement Community. Education and research are particular passions. He is an assistant professor in the Geriatrics Division of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and the associate program director for The Geriatric Fellowship Program at Palmetto Health Richland. Dr. Hirth has been recognized by his students for excellence in teaching. He has ongoing geriatrics-related research projects with the American Academy of Medical Colleges and Bowman Gray-Wake Forest University and has been published in national and international medical journals. In his free time, Dr. Hirth enjoys traveling with his wife and daughter. Professional Credentials
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andres F. Leone, MD "As physicians, we are given the great privilege of helping our patients deal with the challenges that affect their health. As a Senior Primary Care physician I am given the time to listen attentively to our patients wishes and ailments. We are given the tools to provide comfort, healing and relief. We are surrounded by a caring and loving staff that centers everything we do on the patients needs. We strive to be more to serve better." Dr. Leone is not just a physician committed to the well-being of his patients; he is an active volunteer within the community. Dr. Leone has been actively involved in Medical Missions in Puerto Lempira/Honduras and Nigeria Africa and served as a Volunteer Resident at the Good Samaritan Clinic and Free Clinic Inc. Dr. Leone currently volunteers at the Good Samaritan Hispanic Clinic. Both a noted physician and researcher, Dr. Leone has done research on pain management in skilled nursing facilities, spirituality and religion and the impact on older Americans, Brain Functional MRI studies in the elderly and the prevalence of nasal cancer. Professional Credentials
|
|
|
|
|
|
Margaret M. Matthews, MD Professional Credentials
|
|
|
|
|
Karen F. Mattocks, MD "It is my desire as a geriatrician to help my patients experience healthy aging and a fulfilling and satisfying quality of life." Dr. Mattocks joined Senior Primary Care Practice as a full-time clinician in October 2009. She was previously employed by Palmetto Senior Care from 1998-2006. She is board certified in Family Medicine and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. She was the first geriatric fellow to graduate from Palmetto Health/USC SOM Geriatric Fellowship Program in 1998. It is her desire as a geriatrician to help her patients experience healthy aging and a fulfilling and satisfying quality of life. Patient education empowerment is important to her and working together with the patients to optimize their health. In Dr. Mattock's spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, crochetting, reading books and listening to music. Professional Credentials
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig Maylath, MD "For me, one of the best aspects of working at Senior Primary Care Practice is that the physicians have the opportunity to form a real partnership with the patients and their caregivers. Together, we are able to focus on achieving patient-centered goals. Also, my patients still refer to me as "young man". Dr. Maylath specializes in providing primary care services to patients age 65 and older. Dr. Maylath joined the Senior Primary Care group in 2005 after completing a Geriatric Fellowship at Palmetto Health/USC School of Medicine. Professional Credentials
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Naik is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. She completed her residency and fellowship training in geriatrics at Palmetto Health Richland and her internship at Carolinas Medical Center. She is board certified in family medicine. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elaine Roque Nazario, MD "Taking care of geriatric patients can be a challenge because many times we are faced with complex medical and social problems. But, it is very satisfying how we can impact their lives." Dr. Roque-Nazario specializes in providing primary care services to patients 65 years of age and older. Prior to coming to Columbia and joining Palmetto Health's Senior Primary Care Practice, she was employed in long term care for elderly patients and was the Medical director for Rosemond Living Center in Greenville where she practiced as a family physician and geriatrician in providing medical and rehab care to patients in subacute rehab facilities. She is enthusiastic about using her geriatric knowledge to provide care for patients who are 65 years of age and older. She has offered her skills on various medical missions with Volunteers in Medical Missions. Dr. Roque-Nazario did her Geriatric Fellowship here at Palmetto Health. She graduated Cum Laude from San Juan Batista School of Medicine, PR United States and did her Residency at AnMed Health Family Medicine Residency Program in Anderson, SC. Professional Credentials
|
|
|
|
|
Christian C. Steen, MD Christian Steen, MD received his undergraduate degree from the Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in Family Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Department of Family and Preventive Medicine/ Palmetto Health Family Medicine Residency where he served as chief resident. He then joined the USC Department of Family and Preventive Medicine where he served as Medical Director and Director of Health Information Technology. Drawn to the aging population, he pursued the Palmetto Health Geriatric Fellowship. After completion, he joined Senior Primary Care and has continued with his interests in geriatrics, inpatient medicine and Health Information system development. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The part of my day that I enjoy the most is listening to the stories of my patients' lives. As a Family Physician, I believe in the care of the whole person. I find that the Senior Primary Care Practice affords me the time to really get to know my patients and their unique perspectives about their health. I feel that this better prepares me to partner with patients and their families about their healthcare decisions." Dr. Steen is focused on providing primary care services to patients 65 and older. Her perspective about health involves caring for the whole person in a continuous and comprehensive manner where patients are partners and active participants in the care they receive. Before joining the Senior Primary Care Practice, Dr. Steen practiced in the Columbia area for over sixteen years. She completed her residency training at Palmetto Health Family Medicine Residency Program where she served as chief resident. After graduation she joined Northeast Family Practice as a private practice physician for the next three years. Then she was recruited to teach at the USC School of Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, where she stayed for the next thirteen years. As a clinician and teacher she received over twenty teaching awards and was recently recognized statewide with The Halford Award for Leadership in Humane Education. During her time at USC, she held numerous leadership and administrative positions. Her move to Senior Primary Care was a result of a true desire to return to more time in direct patient care. She has always found that her truest joy and fulfillment from her work occurs while at the patient bedside.
|
