VCOM Partners with Samaritan Health Clinic to Provide Expanded Primary Care Services in Pickens County, SC
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Carolinas and the Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County are pleased to announce a formal partnership designed to enhance healthcare access for underserved residents of Pickens County, South Carolina. This collaboration will deploy VCOM’s Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) as an extension of the Samaritan Health Clinic, increasing healthcare reach and removing transportation barriers for eligible, medically underserved individuals in the region.
Located in Easley, SC, the Samaritan Health Clinic has been providing outpatient healthcare to residents in Pickens County for over three decades. The clinic is dedicated to serving those who are uninsured and face difficulties accessing regular healthcare. VCOM-Carolinas, an osteopathic medical school in Spartanburg, SC, with a mission to serve rural and underserved communities, will join efforts to expand these essential healthcare services. The partnership aligns with VCOM’s mission to train community-focused physicians and address healthcare disparities by deploying the MMU to reach individuals in rural areas.
Through the MMU domestic outreach program, VCOM aims to assist Samaritan Health Clinic in delivering primary care, preventive health screenings, routine immunizations and health education to new and existing patients. This mobile initiative will support all individuals who seek care by establishing a reliable medical home, focusing on preventive care, connecting them to necessary social and health resources, and expanding their access to essential health services.
“By partnering with the Samaritan Health Clinic, we hope to ensure that every resident of Pickens County, regardless of location or circumstance, has access to quality healthcare,” said Alexis M. Stoner, PhD, MPH, VCOM-Carolinas associate professor, discipline chair for preventive medicine and public health. “This program not only benefits patients but also provides invaluable, hands-on learning experiences for our osteopathic medical students, training them to meet the healthcare needs of South Carolina’s rural communities.”
Monthly clinics are anticipated to begin by the end of 2024, with locations and schedules to be announced soon. Both VCOM and Samaritan Health Clinic look forward to this collaboration and the positive impact it will have on the health and well-being of Pickens County.
For additional information about this partnership and the upcoming clinic schedule, please contact Erica Rutledge, Samaritan Health Clinic Assistant Director at (864) 855-0853 x1025 or email erutledge@samaritanhealthclinic.org