CareSouth Carolina honored at the Pee Dee Heart Ball for championing Health Equity

CareSouth Carolina was honored at the Pee Dee Heart Ball, hosted by the American Heart Association, on Saturday evening for its ongoing efforts to improve heart health and address health equity in the region.

During the event, CareSouth Carolina CEO Ann Lewis accepted the recognition on behalf of the organization, highlighting the impact of the Screen and Refer Blood Pressure program—a vital initiative in collaboration with the American Heart Association.

“The Screen and Refer Blood Pressure program is an essential initiative aimed at addressing health equity issues in the Pee Dee,” the American Heart Association shared during the event. “It ensures that all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic background or access to healthcare, can receive timely hypertension screenings and referrals for appropriate care.”

Through this initiative, CareSouth Carolina provides free blood pressure screenings in community settings such as libraries and the YMCA, ensuring that early detection of hypertension—a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke—is accessible to everyone. By eliminating barriers to care, the program is making a measurable difference in preventing serious health conditions and advancing health equity in the Pee Dee.

“CareSouth is taking a crucial step toward achieving health equity in the Pee Dee by removing barriers to care and making prevention and treatment accessible to all,” the American Heart Association said.

 

“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association,” said Ann Lewis, CEO of CareSouth Carolina. “At CareSouth, we are committed to ensuring that every individual in our community has access to essential healthcare services, and the Screen and Refer Blood Pressure program is a critical part of that mission. By working together, we can create a healthier future for all. Receiving this has been the result of strategic work by all of our clinical staff over several years -improving blood pressure control for almost 11,000 patients with hypertension – a key to achieving heart health.”

In addition, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center was acknowledged for discovery, Misty Barrett for knowledge, and Hope Health for advocacy.

The Pee Dee Heart Ball is an annual event that brings together community leaders, healthcare professionals, and advocates to support the American Heart Association’s mission to fight heart disease and stroke.

CareSouth Carolina is a private, non-profit community health center delivering patient-centered health and life services in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. CareSouth Carolina operates centers in Bennettsville, Bishopville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Dillon, Hartsville, Lake View, Latta, McColl and Society Hill.

Services provided by CareSouth Carolina include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women's services, OB/GYN, HIV/AIDS primary care, infectious disease primary care, IV therapy, substance abuse prevention, dental, chiropractic services, pharmacy, senior support services, family support services, clinical counseling, laboratory, ultrasound, X-Ray, agricultural worker health services, podiatry, and veterans choice provider.