CareSouth Carolina’s Dr. Stephen L. Smith honored by SC Gov. Henry McMaster with statewide award

CareSouth Carolina’s Dr. Stephen L. Smith honored by SC Gov. Henry McMaster with statewide award

Dr. Stephen L. Smith, a distinguished figure at CareSouth Carolina, was honored with recognition from The South Carolina Office of the Governor (Henry McMaster) and the S.C. Center of Excellence in Addiction. 

The commendation lauded Dr. Smith for his tireless dedication to championing the science of addiction medicine, treating the disease of addiction medically, serving vulnerable citizens of South Carolina, and saving lives and families.

Dr. Smith's remarkable contributions span decades, during which he has served both as a dedicated practitioner at CareSouth Carolina’s Rosa Lee Gerald office in Society Hill and as the Chief Medical Officer. His commitment to addressing addiction as a medical issue has been instrumental in transforming lives across the state.

“I am very thankful to receive the award,” Dr. Smith said. “It was fun to meet the Governor, but most thankful that the program has been able to help so many patients and their families.” 

Daniel Myers, MAT/SUD Program Director at CareSouth Carolina, highlighted Dr. Smith's pioneering efforts, stating, “Dr. Smith started treating patients when there was no funding to do it. He did it because he saw a great need. During the time he started he was the only provider at CSC offering MAT services. It was also at a time when MAT services were not popular among most providers. He was able to form a partnership with our local drug and alcohol agencies. This enabled some funding for high-risk patients who would have never been able to afford these services. He definitely pioneered the now successful and nationally recognized MAT/SUD program. His mentoring and training with providers within CSC led to CSC having one of the largest MAT healthcare provider participation programs in the entire state and the nation. This award was due to be given pre-covid but was postponed due to the pandemic. It is much deserved.”

CareSouth Carolina's MAT Program operates with a mission to reduce morbidity, mortality, and harm associated with opioid misuse and overdose by providing immediate access to prevention, treatment, and sustained recovery services. MAT programs offer a safe and controlled level of medication to overcome opioid addiction, complemented by counseling and behavioral therapies.

The ultimate goal of MAT is full recovery, including the ability to live a self-directed life. MAT has been clinically proven to improve patient survival, increase treatment retention, decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among individuals with substance use disorders.

For those seeking assistance or more information about MAT services, CareSouth Carolina can be reached at 843.624-1891 or 843758-0937.

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.