Our Mission
To provide medical care and connect resources to achieve a healthier Kershaw County.
Our Vision
A healthier Kershaw County where individuals and communities are empowered to take charge of their own health and well-being.
About Us
At CMC, our three-tiered approach to helping and healing our patients while creating a healthier Kershaw County is what sets us apart from other free medical clinics. Providing direct medical services to those who cannot afford to see a doctor is a priority for CMC, but it is not the only priority. We also understand that healthcare isn’t the only factor in leading a healthy lifestyle, so we work diligently to help connect individuals to needed community resources.
The CMC team is committed to connecting individuals to primary and specialty care, assessing for social risk factors, such as food insecurity, transportation, and housing, and ensuring timely, affordable, high-quality care.
Why Zip Codes Matter
Proximity to resources matters when it comes to health and well-being. Household income varies widely across the county, from near poverty level to high income. Poverty is linked to poor health. Almost a quarter of Kershaw County residents do not have health insurance.
Community Impact
CMC is fortunate to collaborate and partner with many organizations, including governmental agencies at the state, regional, and local levels. Through these partnerships, we provide a range of services to individuals in Kershaw County, significantly impacting both individual and community health.
Our collaborations extend beyond medical care to address various health factors, such as food insecurity, transportation, mental health services, diabetes education, women's health, and access to necessary medications.
This strong network of partners has genuinely come together to allow CMC the ability to do all that we do toward our goal of making Kershaw the healthiest county in South Carolina!
CMC Partnerships
- Free Clinic Association
- Kershaw County Department of Mental Health
- MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center
- SCDPH Best Chance Network
- SC Health Improvement Plan
- SC Hospital Association
Direct Medical Services
The Community Medical Clinic, which is not federally funded, is a primary care-free clinic serving as a medical home to the uninsured and underserved of Kershaw County. Patient referrals are available to community specialists when necessary. We also operate Access Kershaw and a School-Based Health Center at North Central High School. In addition to our nurse practitioners, CMC offers Chronic Disease Education and breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings. We can also make referrals to specialty care providers who partner with us, which include but are not limited to:
- Breast specialists
- Cardiac surgery
- Chiropractic care
- Dental care (emergency)
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Nephrology
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Surgery
- Urology
Connecting Resources
CMC, together with Access Kershaw, works to treat the WHOLE person!
Access Kershaw, funded through The Duke Endowment and an initiative of CMC, helps individuals navigate the healthcare maze. Our Access Kershaw Community Care Coordinators, along with Access Kershaw Community Health Workers, assist with coordinated care networks to provide a medical home and connection to timely, affordable, high-quality healthcare services and access to resources for low-income, uninsured individuals. We work to reduce health disparities and improve clinical outcomes, decrease avoidable hospital use, and expand access to care. Access Kershaw connects people needing medical, dental, vision, and mental healthcare with local providers and resources.
Our Transitional Care Program is a partnership with MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center, where CMC staff meet with uninsured hospital patients to help them connect with resources they may need after discharge, such as follow-up appointments with a CMC Nurse Practitioner.
Improving Population Health
LiveWell Kershaw Coalition (LWK), an initiative led by the Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County and funded through Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas, an initiative of The Duke Endowment. LWK was founded in 2012 by a group of community members interested in using data to guide action aimed at addressing the health issues faced by the residents of Kershaw County. Today, LWK fosters collaboration between citizens of all ages, working in partnership with public and private sector organizations and schools to increase community awareness of health issues. It’s all based on the “CHIP," the Community Health Improvement Plan. The CHIP is a three-year plan that addresses the top areas of concern affecting Kershaw County’s overall health. The current three-year plan focuses on the following: Resilient Children and Families, Mental Health, and Housing.Together, we CAN make a difference in Kershaw County’s health and well-being.
Together, we CAN LIVEWELL!
For more information on the date, time, and location of our meetings, please email DeAnne Wages at dwages@cmcofkc.org.
Celebrating 25 Years!
Our History
What started with one doctor, a part-time director, and much hard work has evolved into a healthcare organization that not only provides direct medical services but is also implementing innovative solutions to improve population health.
Thanks to successful partnerships, intelligent business decisions, our volunteer base, and community-based financial support, CMC offers a variety of programs and specialties to help patients live a healthy lives.
