FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2019
Media Contacts:
Doctors Care
Jill Armbruster
[email protected]
803-726-4726
MUSC Health
Heather Woolwine
[email protected]
843-792-7669
Charleston, S.C. – Doctors Care, P.A. (Doctors Care) and MUSC Health have agreed to an affiliation to provide patients with increased access to primary care, urgent care, specialty care and emergency care throughout the Lowcountry and Grand Strand regions of South Carolina.
The affiliation between the two long-established health organizations builds further on an existing relationship and represents a sustained commitment to offer the best access, value and comprehensive care for coastal South Carolina residents.
The primary goal of the new affiliation is to help patients to make the best decisions when choosing the most appropriate setting from which to seek medical care. An urgent care center provides same-day, affordable treatment for patients who require care for illnesses like colds and flu or minor injuries that are not life-threatening. The vast network of Doctors Care centers, all of which offer walk-in service, will help MUSC Health decrease unnecessary visits to its emergency rooms and provide patients with an easier transition to specialty services as needed. Both organizations have launched educational efforts to assist staff and patients when making decisions about where to seek treatment.
“This collaborative effort strengthens the relationship we’ve already built with MUSC as a health care partner in the Charleston region and our commitment to serving patients in those communities.” said Curtis Franke, M.D., president and chief medical officer of Doctors Care. “We look forward to growing the footprint of our affiliation to include the entire coastal region of the state and working hand in hand with MUSC to increase access to all levels of treatment for residents in these regions.”
The new affiliation is effective immediately and includes 10 Doctors Care urgent care locations in the Tri-county Charleston region and 9 Doctors Care urgent care locations on the coast from Georgetown to Little River.
“Access to health care resources is a top patient concern,” said MUSC Health Primary Care Integrated Center of Clinical Excellence chief Terrence E. Steyer, M.D. “We are pleased to work collaboratively with our colleagues at Doctors Care to provide education and information to help patients make the best care decisions possible. Our goal is to improve the health of South Carolinians by working together.”
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Doctors Care urgent care is a leading health care organization focused on delivering exceptional and convenient urgent care, family care and occupational health services. Its original center, opened in Columbia in 1981, was the first urgent care center in South Carolina. Now, Doctors Care is one of the largest urgent care companies in the United States, with more than 1,000 employees. Its network of 54 urgent care locations continues to expand to serve patients with quality medical care that is both convenient and affordable. All Doctors Care centers offer online check-in, real-time patient volumes, onsite dispensing, flexible hours, onsite X-ray and laboratory, telehealth services and more. Visit DoctorsCare.com to learn more.
As the clinical health system of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest quality patient care available, while training generations of competent, compassionate health care providers to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Comprising some 1,600 beds, more than 100 outreach sites, the MUSC College of Medicine, the physicians’ practice plan and nearly 275 telehealth locations, MUSC Health owns and operates eight hospitals situated in Charleston, Chester, Florence, Lancaster and Marion counties. In 2019, for the fifth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit http://muschealth.org.
Founded in 1824, MUSC and its affiliates have collective annual budgets of $3 billion. The more than 17,000 MUSC team members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers and scientists who deliver groundbreaking education, research, technology and patient care. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2019
Jill Armbruster
Doctors Care
[email protected]
803-726-4726
Columbia, S.C. – UCI Medical Affiliates, the nonmedical management company of Doctors Care urgent care and Progressive Physical Therapy, is pleased to announce the completion of its new executive leadership team. The new team aims to usher in a new era of health care excellence.
Jon Belsher, MD, has been selected to lead the organization as president and chief operating officer. Before joining UCI, Belsher served as part of the founding executive team and chief medical officer of MedSpring Urgent Care. He was responsible for clinical services, business operations and employer health services. His vision and leadership helped expand the retail health care company to over 42 centers across five metropolitan markets – Austin, Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Boston. The company also formed a joint venture partnership with Partners HealthCare, parent company of Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. In 2014, the company was sold to Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s leading provider of products and services for people with chronic kidney failure.
Belsher is trained in family medicine, internal medicine and critical care medicine and has been board certified in all three areas. He completed his training at the renowned Mayo Clinic. He served as a staff intensivist and assistant professor at Scott & White Healthcare. Belsher is an entrepreneurial physician executive who has been involved in a number of early growth companies involving telemedicine and mobile health care. In addition, he served as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard for 13 years as flight surgeon, chief of flight medicine and chief of aerospace medicine for the 162nd Fighter Wing. Early in his career, Belsher served as an advance representative for the White House.
Cindy Cameron, CPA, MBA, has been selected as chief financial officer. Prior to joining UCI Medical Affiliates, she served as director of Mergers and Acquisitions for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. She was responsible for leading mergers and acquisitions activity, select financial reporting and supporting subsidiary growth efforts. Cameron is a certified public accountant. She received her Bachelor of Science in business administration and Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.
Angela Donovan, MBA, has been selected as senior vice president of Operations. Prior to joining UCI, she served as vice president of Operations and Development for U.S. HealthWorks. She was responsible for operational oversight as well as data and outcome analysis to improve programs and operations. She also oversaw growth through acquisition of clinics, development of training programs, conferences and resource partnerships. Donovan earned her Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University.
Jill Armbruster has been promoted to vice president of Sales and Marketing. She has served as UCI’s marketing director since 2012. Previously she was responsible for brand management, marketing communications, advertising, public relations and product management for the UCI Medical Affiliates family of brands. Her role was expanded to include the Employer Health Services division, composed of Occupational Health and Onsite Wellness sales for employer clients and third party administrators. Before joining UCI, Armbruster worked at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina in the Corporate Marketing Communications department. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Clemson University.
Farrar Stewart, MSHRD, has been selected as director of Human Resources. Stewart is responsible for overseeing the strategic vision, implementation and administration of human resources policies, programs and practices. This includes recruitment, employee onboarding, compensation, benefits, and employee culture and workforce relations. Before joining UCI, Stewart served as human resources director and deputy director of administration and human resources operations at the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. She has been a certified human resources professional since 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Science in human resources development from Villanova University.
As announced previously, Curtis Franke, MD, MBA, was promoted to chief medical officer and president of Doctors Care, P.A. In his new role, Franke oversees the organization’s medical office, which is responsible for clinical outcomes including quality of care and service. Franke started with the company as a staff physician in 2008. He was named regional medical director for the Lowcountry in 2010, managing 13 centers. Board certified in family medicine, Franke earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical science at Texas A&M University, and a Doctor of Medicine degree at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He was the chief resident of his family practice residency at the Medical University of South Carolina and received a Master of Business Administration from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.
Barry Fitch, DPT, MBA, serves as the longstanding chief physical therapist and president of Progressive Physical Therapy, P.A. Fitch served in the U.S. Army as a military translator before obtaining his physical therapy degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. In 1987, he opened his first physical therapy clinic in Columbia, Progressive Physical Therapy Services, which was acquired by UCI Medical Affiliates in 1997. Under Fitch’s leadership, Progressive Physical Therapy has grown to 24 clinics statewide. Fitch earned his Bachelor of Arts from Francis Marion University, a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina, a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine and a Master of Business Administration from Brenau University.
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About UCI Medical Affiliates
UCI Medical Affiliates, founded in 1981 in Columbia, S.C., is the nonmedical management company for a family of businesses that includes Doctors Care urgent care and Progressive Physical Therapy. These businesses employ more than 1,000 people, and serve patients at 82 urgent care, employer onsites and physical therapy centers throughout South Carolina. UCI Medical Affiliates also manages employer on-site medical practices and related occupational health services. The company emphasizes quality care, cost-effective delivery and a close partnership with clients. Visit ucimedinc.com to learn more.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2019
Jill Armbruster
Doctors Care
[email protected]
803-726-4726
Murrells Inlet, S.C. – Doctors Care P.A., South Carolina’s largest urgent care company, held a ribbon cutting today to celebrate the opening of its newest urgent and family care center in Murrells Inlet. The state-of-the-art medical facility is located next to Bojangles’ on Highway 707. Doctors Care selected Murrells Inlet for its newest location because of the increased need for convenient access to health care services, seven days a week. This is the ninth Doctors Care location in the Grand Strand Region.
According to Dr. Curtis Franke, president and chief medical officer of Doctors Care, the new location will enhance efforts to address the health care demands of the booming South Strand area.
“For 38 years, our medical professionals have been dedicated to providing convenient, quality care to families and employers across South Carolina, and this newest Murrells Inlet location is an example of our long-term commitment to these values and the communities we’ve always served,” Franke said.
As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, a two thousand dollar check was presented to St. James High School, which is located less than three miles from the new Doctors Care location. St. James’s athletic trainer, Bill Krauss, plus the high school mascot, Sharkie, was on hand to accept the check, and said part of the funds will be used for the school’s athletic equipment, plus funds will be allocated to the school nurse for medical supplies.
Doctors Care Murrells Inlet has more than 4,300 square feet of space including eight exam rooms, trauma space, on-site laboratory and X-ray rooms, and spacious accommodations.
Services available at Doctors Care include:
The Progressive Physical Therapy location is its 24th in South Carolina, offering specialized treatment with certified physical therapists to help with injury recovery, rehabilitation and pain relief.
Doctors Care hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Progressive Physical Therapy’s hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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About Doctors Care, P.A.
Doctors Care urgent care, accredited by the Urgent Care Association, is a leading health care organization focused on delivering exceptional and convenient urgent care, family care and occupational health services. Its original center, opened in Columbia in 1981, was the first urgent care center in South Carolina. Now, Doctors Care is one of the largest urgent care companies in the United States. Its network of 55 locations continues to expand to serve patients with quality health care that is both convenient and affordable. All Doctors Care centers offer online check-in, flexible hours, on-site X-ray, laboratory and on-site prescriptions, occupational health, telehealth services and more. Visit DoctorsCare.com to learn more.
About Progressive Physical Therapy
Progressive Physical Therapy, founded in 1986, serves patients at 25 offices throughout South Carolina. Centers are staffed with certified, highly skilled therapists with experience and specialized training. The high standards of Progressive Physical Therapy make it one of the most respected practices in the state for advanced therapeutic care. Visit PPTaccess.com for more information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2019
Jill Armbruster
Doctors Care
[email protected]
803-726-4726
Murrells Inlet, S.C. –Doctors Care urgent care and Progressive Physical Therapy have opened their newest locations in Murrells Inlet to serve the South Strand community and beyond.
The new, state-of-the-art facilities are located on the corner of Highway 707 and Tournament Blvd., and the Wynbrooke subdivision, adjacent to Bojangles’. It’s an ideal location to serve this growing area with convenient access to urgent and family care, as well as advanced physical therapy services.
Doctors Care is South Carolina’s largest urgent care company and one of the largest in the United States. The Murrells Inlet location will be the ninth in the Grand Strand region and the 55th in the state.
Dr. Curtis Franke, president and chief medical officer of Doctors Care P.A., said the company’s expansion reflects its dedication to providing quality, convenient care to S.C. families and employers.
“This newest Murrells Inlet location is an example of our long-term commitment to these values and the communities we’ve always served,” Franke said.
Doctors Care Murrells Inlet has more than 4,300 square feet of space including eight exam rooms, trauma space, on-site laboratory and X-ray rooms, and spacious accommodations.
Services available at Doctors Care include:
The Progressive Physical Therapy location is its 24th in South Carolina, offering specialized treatment with certified physical therapists to help with injury recovery, rehabilitation and pain relief.
Doctors Care hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Progressive Physical Therapy’s hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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About Doctors Care, P.A.
Doctors Care urgent care, accredited by the Urgent Care Association, is a leading health care organization focused on delivering exceptional and convenient urgent care, family care and occupational health services. Its original center, opened in Columbia in 1981, was the first urgent care center in South Carolina. Now, Doctors Care is one of the largest urgent care companies in the United States. Its network of 55 locations continues to expand to serve patients with quality health care that is both convenient and affordable. All Doctors Care centers offer online check-in, flexible hours, on-site X-ray, laboratory and on-site prescriptions, occupational health, telehealth services and more. Visit DoctorsCare.com to learn more.
About Progressive Physical Therapy
Progressive Physical Therapy, founded in 1986, serves patients at 25 offices throughout South Carolina. Centers are staffed with certified, highly skilled therapists with experience and specialized training. The high standards of Progressive Physical Therapy make it one of the most respected practices in the state for advanced therapeutic care. Visit PPTaccess.com for more information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 27, 2018
Contact: Jill Armbruster
Email: [email protected]
Columbia, S.C. – Doctors Care P.A., South Carolina’s largest urgent care company, held a ribbon-cutting today to celebrate the opening of its newest center in Columbia – the company’s 54th location in South Carolina.
Doctors Care Shandon, on the corner of Harden Street and Rosewood Drive, is conveniently located near many of Columbia downtown neighborhoods, several grade schools and the University of South Carolina. This is the 13th Doctors Care location in the central Midlands, and the fifth new location that Doctors Care has opened in less than a year.
Dr. Curtis Franke, acting president and chief medical officer of Doctors Care, said the new location was built to replace an outdated facility about a mile away, and strategically located to bring modern, affordable health care to the heart of Columbia’s downtown residential and university districts.
“This one is special for us – it’s in our own backyard,” Franke said. “We started in Columbia nearly four decades ago, and our headquarters are located just up Harden Street from here. We have treated generations of families in this area, and it gives us great pride to build this beautiful new facility to continue to serve even more generations and new families. We can see your family today, and we provide a great value and convenience in the health care space.”
As part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a check was presented to support the installation of public art and beautification projects along the retail corridor between the Shandon and Rosewood neighborhoods. One Columbia for Arts and History Executive Director Lee Snelgrove, and the Rosewood Merchants Association Executive Director Dave Britt, were on hand to accept the check.
“One Columbia is pleased to be a partner on yet another major public art project that brings a community-minded business in collaboration with a merchant’s association and neighborhood residents,” Snelgrove said.
According to Britt, the construction of Doctors Care Shandon also has inspired renewed interested in investment and property enhancements.
“The Rosewood Merchants Association is excited to welcome Doctors Care to the neighborhood, and appreciates the gracious donation toward art and beautification,” Britt said. “They are creating a great partnership between their business and the community with a gesture that is truly outstanding, exciting and unique. These future projects will be an awesome addition to one of Columbia’s most unique and beloved areas.”
Doctors Care Shandon is more than 4,300 square feet, with eight exam rooms plus trauma space, on-site laboratory and X-ray rooms, and spacious accommodations with modern finishes.
Services available at this Doctors Care include:
The new facility’s address is 2601 Rosewood Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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About Doctors Care, P.A.
Doctors Care, now celebrating its 36th year in business, is a leading health care organization focused on delivering exceptional and convenient urgent care, family care and occupational health services. Its original clinic, opened in Columbia in 1981, was the first urgent care center in South Carolina. Now, Doctors Care is one of the largest urgent care companies in the United States. Its network of 52 clinic locations continues to expand to serve patients who want quality health care that’s also convenient and reasonably priced. Doctors Care centers offer online check-in, flexible hours, on-site X-rays and laboratory services, telehealth access and more. Visit DoctorsCare.com to learn more.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2018
Media Contacts:
Jill Armbruster
[email protected]
803-726-4726
Tammie Epps
[email protected]
Columbia, S.C. – Doctors Care, P.A. (Doctors Care) and Palmetto Health, both headquartered in Columbia, have agreed to collaborate to provide patients with greater, seamless access to urgent care, including after hours and on weekends, throughout the Midlands.
The agreement builds on an existing strong relationship between the two health care organizations, and represents a sustained commitment to offer the best value, most comprehensive and appropriate care for Midlands residents. The new relationship will extend to 14 existing Doctors Care locations in the Midlands region, and will complement the extensive footprint of Palmetto Health.
“Our shared goal is to provide patients with the best option for their health care needs, whether that’s one of our urgent care centers, a medical home or a specialist at Palmetto Health,” said Curtis Franke, M.D., acting president and chief medical officer of Doctors Care.
The relationship between Palmetto Health and Doctors Care started in 2015 when Doctors Care became a member of the Palmetto Health Quality Collaborative (PHQC), the Palmetto Health clinically integrated network.
John Singerling, Palmetto Health President, added, “In our ongoing quest to improve the patient experience, we are excited to announce our expanded relationship with Doctors Care. We want to provide our patients with increased access to high-quality, affordable urgent care – when and where they need it. We believe this relationship helps us meet those needs. Our collaboration is complementary to and aligned with the excellent providers in Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group and the Palmetto Health Quality Collaborative.”
The first phase of the collaboration will include the integration of electronic medical record systems and co-branding of the Midland region Doctors Care locations. The medical record integration will allow timely communication between the two organizations to help ensure a full continuum of care for patients. Doctors Care will assume operations of the Palmetto Health Urgent Care Center on the Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge campus. While the new arrangement involves medical records integration and co-branding, in Doctors Care offices, both entities remain as independent organizations.
Franke added, “Our urgent care centers offer patients the utmost convenience since we don’t require appointments and we’re open nights and weekends. We also recognize that Palmetto Health provides a level of specialized care that many of our urgent care patients need. This collaboration delivers the best of both worlds.”
The primary focus of the collaboration will be to help patients make wise decisions when choosing the most appropriate setting to seek medical care. An urgent care center provides a fast and affordable treatment option for patients who require non-life threatening care for illnesses like colds, flu or minor injuries. This network of access for walk-in service will help Palmetto Health decrease unnecessary visits to its emergency rooms, and provide patients an easier transition to specialty services. Both organizations will launch internal education campaigns and external communications to assist staff and patients when making decisions about where to seek treatment. The collaboration will begin immediately, and consumers can expect to see co-branded signage and materials in Doctors Care offices this spring.
For more information about Doctors Care locations, visit their website at doctorscare.com.
Doctors Care urgent care is a leading health care organization focused on delivering exceptional and convenient urgent care, family care and occupational health services. Its original center, opened in Columbia in 1981, was the first urgent care center in South Carolina. Now, Doctors Care is one of the largest urgent care companies in the United States, with nearly 1,000 employees. Its network of 53 urgent care locations continues to expand to serve patients with quality medical care that is both convenient and affordable. All Doctors Care centers offer online check-in, flexible hours, onsite X-ray and laboratory, telehealth services and more. Visit DoctorsCare.com to learn more.
Palmetto Health, the largest health care system in the South Carolina Midlands region and one of the state’s largest employers, comprises more than 14,000 team members, physicians and volunteers working together to fulfill Palmetto Health’s Vision: To be remembered by each patient as providing the care and compassion we want for our families and ourselves. The 1,439-bed system includes six acute-care hospitals in the Midlands – Palmetto Health Baptist, Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge, Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, Palmetto Health Heart Hospital, Palmetto Health Richland and Palmetto Health Tuomey. In the South Carolina Upstate region, Palmetto Health also co-owns Baptist Easley Hospital with Greenville Health System. Recognized nationally as one of the best places to work and receive care, the system also includes the Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group, the region’s largest multispecialty group, which serves as the entry point to the health care system with more than 500 providers serving patients in nearly 100 practices and more than 100 locations. Palmetto Health also is supported by two 501 (c)(3) foundations, and trains the next generation of physicians through its 26 residency and fellowship programs affiliated with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. For more information, visit PalmettoHealth.org or call 803-296-CARE (2273).
Mauldin, S.C. – Doctors Care P.A., South Carolina’s largest urgent care company, held a ribbon cutting today to celebrate the opening of its newest urgent and family care center in Mauldin. This is the company’s 52nd urgent care location in South Carolina. The state-of-the-art facility is located on East Butler Road, just down from Mauldin High School. Mauldin was selected for the newest location because of the region’s unprecedented growth – the 7th fastest growing city in the state – and increased need for access to health care services, seven days a week. This is the ninth Doctors Care location in the Upstate, and the first urgent care of any kind to be built in the Mauldin area.
According to Dr. Thomas Gibbons, President of Doctors Care, the new location will bring much needed services to support health care demands of the booming region.
“For almost four decades now, our medical professionals have provided quality care – that is also convenient — to families and employers across South Carolina. We can see your family today, and we can provide your family great value in the healthcare space,” Gibbons said. “This newest Upstate location is a testament of our long-term commitment to these values and the communities we’ve always served.
As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, a one-thousand dollar check was presented to Mauldin High School, which is located a few doors down from the Doctors Care location. School Principal Mike Peake was on hand to accept the check. The City of Mauldin Mayor, Dennis Raines, was also on hand to assist with the ribbon cutting and welcome the business to the community.
The new Doctors Care Mauldin location is more than 4,300 s/f, contains eight exam rooms plus trauma space, onsite laboratory and X-ray rooms, and spacious accommodations with modern finishes.
Services available at this Doctors Care include:
The Mauldin facility is located at 793 East Butler Road, next door to Bojangles restaurant. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
About Doctors Care
Doctors Care, now celebrating its 36th year in business, is a leading health care organization focused on delivering exceptional and convenient urgent care, family care and occupational health services. Its original clinic, opened in Columbia in 1981, was the first urgent care center in South Carolina. Now, Doctors Care is one of the largest urgent care companies in the United States. Its network of 52 clinic locations continues to expand to serve patients who want quality health care that’s also convenient and reasonably priced. Doctors Care centers offer online check-in, flexible hours, on-site X-rays and laboratory services, telehealth access and more. DoctorsCare.com
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