For 15 years, Access Kershaw has quietly worked behind the scenes helping residents across Kershaw County overcome barriers to healthcare, food access, medications, housing assistance and other essential services.
Now, the organization is preparing to celebrate that milestone while continuing its mission of connecting residents with the help they need.
Founded in 2010 as one of the first three Access Health networks in South Carolina, Access Kershaw remains the only network in the state operating under a free medical clinic, according to a recent press release. What began as a small effort led by two nurses helping uninsured and underinsured residents navigate community resources has grown into a broad care coordination program serving residents in both Kershaw and Lancaster counties.
Operating under the Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County, Access Kershaw focuses on helping individuals address the social and economic challenges that often affect health outcomes.
“Everybody’s health is just not your physical health,” Access Kershaw Director Jodi Rogers said during a recent interview. “It’s your housing. It’s your food. It could be where you live. It’s not just your physical health.”
Today, the program includes nurses, a social worker and community health workers who help clients create personalized plans for accessing care and support services.
“Access Kershaw is an extension of our mission, allowing us to treat the whole person rather than just their symptoms,” Community Medical Clinic CEO Charlotte Rankin said in the release. “Their dedication to navigating social services and providing foundational support enables our patients and community members to thrive, making them a key component of the work we do at CMC.”
The organization helps connect residents with primary and specialty medical care, medication assistance, insurance navigation, behavioral health support, employment resources and food assistance programs, including SNAP benefits. Staff members also work with partner organizations to help clients access housing resources, utility assistance and preventive health services such as breast and cervical cancer screenings.
Rogers said many residents first come to Access Kershaw because they are uninsured or unsure where to turn for medical care.
“A lot of times people will go to the ER because they don’t think they can get medical care,” Rogers said. “We try to really listen, and we work together to figure out what’s the best course of action to help somebody thrive and survive and have the best life possible.”
The organization currently manages a caseload of approximately 656 individuals with a staff of five. Rogers said the team completed nearly 280 referrals and resource connections in the past month alone.
Access Kershaw also operates satellite locations throughout the county, including offices in Lugoff, the Mount Pisgah Resource and Community Center and KARE in Kershaw. The organization recently expanded into Lancaster County through partnerships with KARE and HOPE in Lancaster, SC.
“We try to bring everything to where the people are,” Rogers said. “Transportation, especially now with gas prices so high, it’s hard for you if you live in Mount Pisgah to drive the 30 minutes to get here to Camden. So we bring access to resources to you.”
All Access Kershaw services are provided free of charge through grants and donations, including support from The Duke Endowment, the University of South Carolina and Community Medical Clinic fundraising efforts.
As part of its anniversary celebration, Access Kershaw will host a community open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20 at the Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County, located at 110C E. DeKalb St. in Camden. The event will include a cookout, informational tables and opportunities for residents to meet staff members and learn more about available services.
Rogers said one of the organization’s biggest challenges remains making sure residents know the services exist.
“We’ve been around for 15 years, and people still say, ‘I didn’t know you did that. I didn’t know you were here,’” Rogers said.
She said the organization remains committed to making sure no one falls through the cracks.
“The only thing we haven’t done is what we haven’t been asked to do,” Rogers said.
Residents seeking assistance can visit the Community Medical Clinic website at cmcofkc.org, call 803-713-0806 or visit one of the organization’s satellite locations for more information.
