CareSouth Carolina’s Community Health Fair in Dillon Gives Glimpse to Needed Health Services

DILLON, S.C.— Hundreds of residents came to CareSouth Carolina’s Community Health Fair on Saturday, an event aimed at connecting communities with a wide range of healthcare resources and support.

The event, which took place at the Dillon Wellness Center, featured an array of offerings, including food, health resources, family support services, health and wellness guidance, giveaways, and essential health screenings.

“Our Community Health Fair evolved from our community-focused engagements across all five counties, particularly Dillon,” CareSouth Carolina Chief of Community Health Joe Bittle said. “While the community was aware that we offered healthcare, they did not know the diverse range of resources we offer, such as community health workers and navigators.”

In addition to primary care, CareSouth Carolina offers a comprehensive set of services, including 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, and much more.

“We plan on doing a health fair like this around all of our service counties, which include Dillon, Marlboro, Darlington, Lee, and Chesterfield,” CEO Ann Lewis said during the event. “We want to take this message out. What can we do to help our communities be more healthy? It can’t just be one entity like CareSouth Carolina, it has to be all of us together. We’re available to not just work for you but to work with you. It’s about people.” 

A lineup of distinguished speakers, including Rep. Jackie Hayes, Detective Derrick Cartwright, Sgt. Robert Porter, and CareSouth Carolina Provider Kris Lane, FNP-C,  provided insights into the latest developments in Dillon County.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to be uninsured to come to CareSouth Carolina. That’s not true, we take and see everyone,” Lane said. “There are over 5,000 people in Dillon who do not have a medical provider, and we want to be here for you. We are a one-stop shop, and we are always taking patients. We will make sure that not a single person is turned away and we will find a way to get you the help you need.”

Lane shared specifically about the MAT Program at CareSouth Carolina, which has helped save numerous lives across the Pee Dee region.

“We have a horrible epidemic of drugs in Dillon County,” Lane said. “We have a wonderful MAT program to give assistance to people who want to get off drugs. We partner with community agencies to help provide these services, and the program includes follow-up and accountability. We’ve seen it turn around lives.”  

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, and veterans choice provider.