News Summary
A significant groundbreaking ceremony for the HomeTown Pediatrics & Carolina Community Pharmacy was held in Laurens County, aimed at improving healthcare access for families in the rural community. The facility is set to open in 2026 and will be strategically located near various medical establishments. Key community leaders emphasized the importance of this initiative, particularly for maternal and child healthcare, amid ongoing challenges faced by the local healthcare system.
Laurens County
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 7, 2025, for the new HomeTown Pediatrics & Carolina Community Pharmacy, strategically located at 22545 US Highway 76, Laurens. This facility, which aims to enhance healthcare access for families in the rural community, is set to open its doors in 2026.
The site encompasses an area between the Hot Spot and Laurens County Hospital, managed by Prisma Health. This location is in close proximity to several significant establishments, including Professional Park, Piedmont Tech, and the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, as well as various medical offices serving local physicians and healthcare professionals.
Rachel Manner, Director of Development for Carolina Health Centers Inc., has extended an invitation to the community for the upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2026. The event featured key speakers, including Congresswoman Sheri Biggs, Acting CEO Miriam Ferguson, Chief Pharmacy Officer Dominic Mellette, and Director of Pediatrics Dr. Christine Gray. A prayer was offered by Dr. Locke Simons, Chief Medical Officer, during the ceremony, emphasizing a community-wide commitment to health and wellness.
Congresswoman Sheri Biggs provided personal insight into the critical nature of rural healthcare, sharing her experiences as a mother of a premature baby, thereby underscoring the strategic importance of such facilities for families in similar situations. Carolina Health Centers Inc. advocates for a belief that healthcare should be recognized as a right, not a privilege, emphasizing the necessity of accessible services for all residents.
Miriam Ferguson expressed appreciation for future patients, emphasizing a shared vision of building a healthier future for Laurens County residents. The on-site pharmacy is being hailed as an essential service to ensure families, particularly those facing various barriers, have consistent and easy access to necessary medications. The remarks from the ceremony highlighted the importance of prescription access, framing it as a necessity in today’s healthcare landscape rather than a luxury.
The groundbreaking event was attended by an array of dignitaries, representatives from finance and construction sectors, and frontline child-health workers, all coming together to mark the significant initiative aimed at addressing the healthcare needs of the community.
The weather during the ceremony deviated from the typical August heat, presenting an unusually cool day with overcast skies, providing a comfortable setting for the attendees. The creation of this new healthcare facility is seen as a vital response to ongoing challenges experienced by Laurens County in the realm of healthcare. The community has faced substantial obstacles, particularly with recent hospital closures that have affected maternal and child healthcare services.
Carolina Health Centers Inc., based in Greenwood, operates a network of 13 locations across a seven-county area and employs over 250 individuals, dedicated to improving healthcare for local communities. The initiative to open a facility in Laurens further showcases the organization’s commitment to tackling the difficulties presented by a reduced number of birthing centers and the critical need for improved maternal healthcare access.
As plans continue to unfold for HomeTown Pediatrics & Carolina Community Pharmacy, local leaders and healthcare providers remain optimistic about the positive impact this facility will have in addressing the pressing healthcare needs of the Laurens County community.
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Additional Resources
- Carolina Health Center’s Expansion – GoLaurens
- Wikipedia: Healthcare in the United States
- A Home for Healing – My Clinton News
- Google Search: Laurens County healthcare
- Rural Hospitals and Maternity Care – Post and Courier
- Google Scholar: rural healthcare access
- Upstate Teacher Arrested – Fox Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health care
- Shooting in Downtown Laurens – WSPA
- Google News: Laurens County health
Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON
The CLINTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREClinton.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Clinton, Laurens County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Discovery, Clinton Community Day, and performances at the Whitten Center Amphitheater. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Laurens County Historical Society, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and education that power the local economy such as Milliken & Company and Presbyterian College. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
