2025 R25 c-Scholars

The BDHSC would like to congratulate the 2025 R25 Community Scholars. Read on to learn more about our c-Scholars.

April Sumter MA, BSW

HOPE & HighHOPE Program Manager at PALSS

April Sumter brings 19 years of social work expertise to her role as the HOPE and High Hope Program Manager at PALSS Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Columbia College and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University.

April’s career spans 11 years across various agencies, where she worked with individuals and families to address their needs. She began her journey at PALSS as a housing case manager in 2018, advanced to lead housing case manager in 2020, and became the HIFA Project Coordinator in 2022. April enjoys spending time with her loved ones, working with youth in her church, and volunteering in the community.

Kaleena Capers, Ms

Medical Case Manager at CAN Community Health

Kaleena A Capers, is a Medical Case Manager II at CAN Community Health (Columbia SC). Currently she is a student at South University majoring in Nursing. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Science with a minor in Child Development from South Carolins State University and a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University. Kaleena is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and mother to 3 amazing little humans, she enjoys spending time with her partner, family, and friends. Kaleena also, hold the position as the Event Coordinator for the Town of Eastover (Eastover, SC) where she is responsible for managing and organizing community events.

With a background in mental health counseling, Kaleena has had the opportunity to work with a diverse population in her community. She began working in the field of infectious disease in 2017, with Cooperative Health, where she received numerous hours of training and education in HIV and STI’s. She has been employed with CAN Community Health since 2021 and has made a positive impact on the CAN Columbia office and individuals living with HIV. Kaleena continues to be a great resource for those individuals who have been affected by HIV and to individuals in her community, educating on the benefits of HIV care and treatment as well and the benefits of Prep. Kaleena lives by the motto “ Giving is not just about making a donation, its about making a difference.”

Olympia Witherspoon.

Health Services Coordinator at Sistercare.

Olympia brings forth17 years of healthcare expertise in various roles. She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Morris College and her career journey includes three years as a clinical counselor in the state prison system and diverse roles in the healthcare field with other agencies. Currently, she serves as the Healthcare Coordinator at Sistercare, where she contributes to impactful work. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys crafting, graphic design, and cherishing her role as a devoted mother to two daughters.

Tammy Garris

Director of Healthcare Analytics at HopeHealth, Inc., South Carolina

After spending 20 years serving Fortune 100 business executives in tax and client service, Tammy transitioned into healthcare in hopes of serving the community in which she was raised. As the Director of Healthcare Analytics at HopeHealth, Tammy uses her skills to identify areas of opportunity for and clinical outcomes of the patients they serve. She finds her continued work with HopeHealth to be exceptionally rewarding.

Tammy is happily married to Tony. Together they have raised two lovely daughters, Abbey and Anna, and enjoy being MeMe and Poppy to two precious grandchildren. Outside of her work and family, Tammy finds joy in her faith, singing and writing.