Health Center News

For more than four decades, CareSouth Carolina has been not just a provider of medical care, but a true community ally. Their mission goes beyond treating illnesses; they're dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of everyone who walks through their doors, no matter the circumstance.

Partnering to Bring Care Where It’s Needed Most

One of the most powerful ways CareSouth Carolina broadens its reach is through partnerships that bring care directly into people’s lives—at home, in schools, and throughout the community. By doing this, they meet patients exactly where they are and tackle social barriers that often stand between people and the healthcare they deserve.

They’ve outfitted mobile units and dispatched dental teams to schools, bringing oral health care right to classrooms through their Miles of Smiles program. Over 2,000 children each year benefit from cleanings, sealants, and x-rays—without ever having to leave school grounds.

Community health workers and medical assistants go a step further by making in-home visits—during which they discover needs as basic as heat, food, or reliable housing—and help connect patients to vital supports like food assistance or safe housing.

In addition, CareSouth Carolina has partnered with countless other community agencies, including PDRTA, where they have helped ensure that transportation barriers are addressed in local communities. 

Joining Forces with Other Health Centers

CareSouth Carolina is also part of a broader network of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Through the association known as CIMS (Community Integrated Management Systems), they’ve joined forces to negotiate Medicaid contracts, share performance data, and access shared tools like dashboards for tracking quality metrics.

This collaborative approach lets them improve outcomes across their region—boosting screenings, well-child visits, and appropriate use of preventive care—while shrinking unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations.

Community Outreach That’s Truly Community-Driven

CareSouth’s outreach truly shines through its collaborative work with local organizations to design and deliver meaningful initiatives:

• Community Health Hubs—Partnering with multiple organizations, such as the Lee County Public Library, they host weekly hubs offering health education, SNAP/Medicaid assistance, medication help, mammogram referrals, mental health screenings, fresh produce vouchers, and more.
• Councils on Aging—During the pandemic, CareSouth Carolina teamed up with Councils on Aging in several counties (Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington, and Dillon) to ensure seniors 60 + facing food insecurity received non-perishable meals.
• Telehealth Access—Recognizing connectivity as a health equity issue, CareSouth Carolina awarded their annual partnership honor to Palmetto Care Connections, a nonprofit that provides broadband infrastructure and telehealth support to rural clinics and schools.

And, of course, there’s much more.

Community Partner Award Recipients

Every year, CareSouth Carolina takes time to honor organizations and individuals who embody the spirit of partnership. These Community Partnership Awards highlight people and groups that help extend health and wellness far beyond clinic walls.

Here are just a few of the recent Community Partner Awards from CareSouth Carolina:

• Tonya Brown (WPDE NewsChannel 15) – Recognized in 2024 for using her platform to share vital COVID-19 information and highlight local health initiatives, keeping the community informed when it mattered most.
• Lathran J. Woodard (CEO, South Carolina Primary Health Care Association) – Honored in 2023 for her lifelong advocacy of community health centers and for building stronger statewide systems of care.
• Marilyn McDonald (RN, BSN, Pee Dee Math, Science, and Technology Academy) – Honored in 2025 for helping integrate telehealth and dental services in schools, ensuring students receive care right where they learn.
• Dr. Helene Goldsmith (Palmetto Center) – Recognized in 2025 for her leadership in expanding recovery partnerships, supporting individuals struggling with substance use, and connecting them to long-term care.
• Dr. John Kirby (Superintendent, Latta Schools) – Awarded for championing school-based telehealth, giving families in Dillon County direct access to healthcare through their local schools.

These recipients show that community health is never a one-person effort—it’s a network of educators, advocates, storytellers, and leaders working hand-in-hand with CareSouth to create lasting change.

A Deep-Rooted Philosophy of “Community + Care”

CareSouth Carolina’s approach isn’t accidental—it’s embedded in its DNA. Its community outreach includes health education, case management, and even transportation and language interpretation services for those who need them.

They also invest in training local health workers and partnering with institutions like Northeastern Technical College to develop new healthcare training programs—building a healthier community today and growing a skilled workforce for tomorrow.