HopeHealth holds ribbon cutting for FMU expansion of services, renovations
HopeHealth at Francis Marion University celebrated a newly remodeled facility, expansion of services, and 10 years at 121 South Evander Drive in Florence with a ribbon cutting Feb. 25.
“Our practice is a unique partnership between two of the most innovative institutions in the Pee Dee, HopeHealth and Francis Marion University,” said Dr. Paul DeMarco, HopeHealth physician. “Our location on FMU’s campus allows us to both care for our patients and educate a new generation of health care professionals.”
The 10-year relationship between HopeHealth and Francis Marion University began to fulfill a need in the community and Dr. Fred Carter, president of Francis Marion University, said “HopeHealth has such a similar mission and vision as the university that they “are as closely aligned with those of FMU that we might as well be siblings.”
“FMU and HopeHealth were created for exactly the same reasons: to enhance one of the most impoverished areas, not just in the state, but in the entire south east. We’ve been able to do that,” said Carter. “We’ve been driven by common philosophies: to make education and health care accessible, affordable, and qualitative.”
Dr. DeMarco has practiced at the FMU location since its opening and was excited to mark the 10th anniversary and celebrate the recent renovations. He noted that just as the two organizations build bonds, so too do patients and their providers.
“Out of those regular, ordinary visits come extraordinary fruit sometimes,” said DeMarco, referring to the successes he has seen with patients. “We learn about our patients as people. We learn about their families, their jobs, their joys, their griefs.”
“I know I speak for our entire team when I say we look forward to many more years of serving our community,” he said.
The team has grown from the original four-member team to a 14-member staff including DeMarco, family nurse practitioners Meagan Bennett and Regina Stanley, and Sharon Walters, DNP, and behavioral health consultant Kelsi Harper Camak.
Renovations:
- Doubled available office and clinical space
- Remodeled facilities
- Provided space for additional providers and behavioral health services
Services at HopeHealth at FMU include:
- Primary medical care
- Immunizations and vaccinations
- Minor illness treatment
- Health screenings
- Laboratory services/blood tests
- Annual health checkups
- Health risk assessments
- Care of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension
- Preventive health care
- Sick visits
- Internal medicine
- Behavioral health services
- Referrals to specialty care
The event was streamed on Facebook Live. Check it out at Facebook.com/hopehealthinc/videos.
