Heart Health Program

What is It?

The Heart Health Program is both the pediatric weight management program and lipid disorder treatment center for MUSC's Children’s Health. As a family-centered, lifestyle-oriented program, the Heart Health Program is appropriate for any child or adolescent ages two through 21 who has abnormal weight gain or any child or adolescent with any type of lipid disorder, regardless of weight status (high cholesterol, high triglycerides, familial hypercholesterolemia, etc.). If you're not sure if the program is a good fit for your child, please call 843-792-4717 with questions.

What Do I Get?

Regular clinic visits with a registered dietitian who has a certificate in training in pediatric and adult weight management and a clinical lipid specialist
Physical examinations with the program’s attending Medical Director
Structured program with nutrition, activity, and behavioral education
Personalized coaching and health recommendations
Weekly group sessions
Weekday and Saturday fitness sessions
Monthly newsletters

How Do I Enroll?

We currently offer both in-person and virtual appointments. You may choose a virtual video visit (via Doxy.me) or an in-person visit (Mount Pleasant, Summerville, or North Charleston). Please specify your choice when scheduling an appointment with central scheduling.

To schedule an appointment, please call central scheduling at 843-876-0444. For more information regarding the program, please call our office at 843-792-4717. Fax: 843-876-0442.

Fit Kids

Fit Kids exercise sessions are now offered both in person and virtually for active Heart Health participants. In person sessions are on Monday, Wednesday and, Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at 1125 E Montague Avenue, North Charleston. Sessions are held in the grass lot across the street from the church. Please park in front of the church or in the lot itself (please leave room for the kids to exercise). Meet the volunteers who will be wearing yellow shirts.

Note: You must reserve your child's spot by 5:00 p.m. on Fridays by sending an email request to hhexercise@musc.edu or by leaving a detailed voicemail to 843-792-4717. We will not call back to confirm.

Virtual Fit Kids exercise sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

Note: There is no appointment needed for virtual sessions. Active Heart Health Program participants may join our private Facebook group to obtain the link.

If you are not a Heart Health Program participant but would like to join, please schedule an appointment to enroll.

Our Team

Janet Carter, MS, RD, LD, CLS, FNLA
Heart Health Lead Dietitian and Program Manager

Briann Weishar, MS, RD, LD
Heart Health Dietitian

Christine San Giovanni, M.D., MSCR
Heart Health Physician

Kristal Matlock, M.D.
Heart Health Physician

Kaitlyn Burke, PT, DPT, PCS
Physical Therapist

Lillian Christon, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Are You Looking For an Additional Weight Loss Resource?

Eligible adolescents and adults may benefit from the MUSC Bariatric Surgery program, which includes experienced mental health professionals, dietitians, nurses and physicians, and is dedicated to helping patients safely realize weight loss success.