For the Press and Standard
(WALTERBORO, SC) – Genesis Health Care, Inc. is a South Carolina non-profit corporation that operates Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that provide medical services to underserved populations, especially Medicare and Medicaid patients, within the Pee Dee and Low Country areas. Genesis currently owns and operates six (6) health care clinics and two (2) pharmacies in Darlington, Olanta, Lamar, Florence and more recently in Walterboro at Walterboro Family Care (Adult Family Care and Pediatrics).
As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Genesis receives a combination of state and federal funding. This combination of funding allows Genesis to reduce the number of South Carolinians living in areas with limited access to either hospitals, primary care physicians, pharmacies, or other healthcare providers, more commonly known as “healthcare deserts”, by purposefully investing in rural health. This funding provides Genesis the ability to focus their efforts on all patients, especially uninsured and underinsured.
Genesis Health Care, Inc. has established itself as a leader in the efforts to expand and improve the overall health of citizens living in rural communities by increasing their access to affordable and quality health care. South Carolina’s healthcare system has consistently ranked at the bottom as compared to other states for quality health care. According to a 2022 study by WalletHub, the Palmetto state ranks 45th in best health care systems, 41st in healthcare outcomes, and 49th in healthcare access.
These challenges are driven by the lack of medical facilities and providers leaving many rural communities with limited opportunities to appropriate health care. As a result, rural residents travel an hour or more to receive medical care. For many, preventive care is not an option, and health outcomes are compounded by a significant rise in cost of living across the state. In this effort Genesis continues to open multiple facilities in “healthcare deserts.”
For example, shortly after receiving its FQHC status, Genesis opened a location in Lamar, South Carolina. What was once an empty, abandoned building became a much-needed community health center, providing residents with primary care, diagnostic services, screenings, immunizations, and pharmaceutical services, resulting in a robust community care center in an area that did not have a healthcare provider.
Currently, Genesis is in the process of expanding their facilities in Walterboro. The new, state of the art facility, pictured above, will include, but is not limited to, the following services: Adult Family Care, Pediatrics, imaging, case management, a full-service pharmacy, and more. This facility is expected to be completed in early 2024.
Genesis Health Care’s strategy provides a roadmap for expanding and improving rural healthcare access in South Carolina. Their structure as a Community Health Center is fundamental because it allows their facilities to provide care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. The “ability to pay shouldn’t be a barrier to healthcare access,” said Cheri Fowler, Chief Communications Officer for Genesis Health Care, “It is a cycle in many of our communities where low-income families and individuals cannot afford preventive care. Therefore, their health care issues often go undiagnosed, potentially worsening over time … Genesis’s goal is to break the cycle through providing prevention, early intervention, rehabilitation, and education.” “What we’ve learned is that when you make access as easy as possible and affordable for patients, they’re more likely to follow through with their care,” Fowler said. As we are striving to provide in the new Walterboro Facility, “When you can go to one facility and see your doctor, get your imaging or lab work done, and take your prescriptions home in the same visit, it is not only convenient but aids in patient compliance. As a result, our community health improves.”
The driving force behind Genesis’ work is deep-rooted in community involvement – collaborating with the people in an area to build a facility that concentrates on their needs instead of trying a one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare. The Genesis team also understands that comprehensive healthcare goes far beyond the exam room, which is why they support a variety of community events annually.
At the start of every school year, Genesis partners with local schools to provide backpacks full of supplies for children who otherwise could not afford them. Just a few months ago, in August, they contributed over 400 backpacks and supplies. Genesis has also hosted and sponsored health awareness events and tailored workshops for community groups at our various locations. Teamwork is not only a corporate motto; Genesis believes in teamwork so much that the entire staff along with their patients participated in a toiletry drive for homeless shelters this year as well.
Genesis knows quality care comes from excellent health care providers, which means helping the next generation of providers succeed. Fowler discussed the importance of providing tools to students so they can remain in the community. “Too many of the young people in rural areas graduate and move to the bigger cities to find a more attractive job market,” she said. “We want these students to find well-paying attractive jobs in the community in which they live. That starts with making education affordable and helping them graduate without a mountain of debt.”
Genesis recently provided a financial donation to the University of South Carolina’s Salkehatchie campus to provide scholarships for nursing students. Kayla Robertson, a University of South Carolina’s Salkehatchie student, and scholarship recipient, said that the Genesis scholarship gives her the opportunity to receive top-quality training without having to leave her community. “The nursing profession needs more compassionate, driven hands to care for others in our community, and I cannot wait to make a difference,” she said. By investing in local students, Genesis strives to ensure that rural communities will continue to have nurses and other healthcare staff for their facilities.
The Genesis team recognizes that improving the health of a community means investing in other needs that are not related to medical care, such as preventing food insecurity, preventive health programs, educational workshops to teach fundamental skills, and investing in a new generation of healthcare staff. Their providers and employees focus on building long-term relationships with members of their community to build trust and, in turn, increase successful health outcomes.
Lastly, Genesis strives to work and/or partner with local organizations and businesses within the community—including, but not limited to, Colleton Medical Center, Department of Social Services (DSS), Colleton County Schools (CCS), Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce, The Latrice D. Ferguson School of Nursing, city/county government offices, and more.
If interested in becoming a patient, employee, partner, and/or working with Genesis Health Care, Inc. in any way to help further development in the community, please visit a location or their website for more information: www.genesisfqhc.org. We currently have employment opportunities available.
For Walterboro, please contact us at Walterboro Family Care (843-781-7428), which is located at 457 Spruce St, Walterboro, SC 29488.
