MLMC’s Teeshla Curtis Passes Away
Teeshla Curtis pictured in a 2019 photo from the AARP Bulletin
It is with a heavy heart that My Life My Choices (MLMC) shares with you the loss of our friend, colleague, and guiding star, Teeshla Curtis, who passed away on Saturday, August 15 at home surrounded by her loving and supportive family and friends.
Teeshla began her work with The Carolinas Center in February 2018 as the Advance Care Planning (ACP) Program Manager and was instrumental in launching a $1.8 million dollar Community ACP Grant Initiative funded the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation on behalf of the S.C. Coalition for the Care of the Seriously Ill. Through Teeshla’s hard work, that grant became My Life My Choices.
Teeshla came to The Carolinas Center from the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services, where she served as Program Manager for the Medicaid Dually Eligible Program, which included a demonstration project for Palliative Care.
Her passion and love for this work never wavered, even in the face of her own unexpected diagnosis of Stage IV Colon Cancer with Metastisis to the Liver three months after stepping into her position with TCC. She lived her journey of advocacy and used her experience as a voice for all of us to champion the need for patients and family members to begin these discussions early.
In March 2019, Teeshla shared her story in the AARP Bulletin. Read Teeshla’s story here. »
Everything that we have accomplished through the My Life My Choices initiative has Teeshla’s imprint; our website, our digital guides and booklets, our COVID-19 resource tool kit, our community partner engagement and our educational programming. She worked tirelessly, in between appointments, treatments, and family time to complete the goals she set for this work.
Teeshla will always be remembered for her faith, commitment, service and positive outlook in the midst of her challenging health journey. To those who would like to express their support and/or gratitude to Teeshla, donations can be made to the following organizations in her honor:
Below is a video with Teeshla describing her experience…
