CareSouth Carolina Receives Community Health Catalyst Award From South Carolina Cancer Alliance

CareSouth Carolina has been recognized with the Community Health Catalyst Award by the South Carolina Cancer Alliance for its ongoing work to expand access to cancer screenings, improve health outcomes, and advance health equity throughout the communities it serves.

The award was presented during the South Carolina Cancer Alliance 2026 Annual Meeting, “The Next Chapter Starts Together,” which brought together healthcare professionals, community leaders, and partners working to strengthen cancer prevention and control efforts across South Carolina.

The Community Health Catalyst Award recognizes Federally Qualified Health Centers that are making a meaningful difference at the community level through cancer prevention, early detection, and screening efforts.

“Receiving the Community Health Catalyst Award is a tremendous honor for CareSouth Carolina and a reflection of the work our teams are doing every day to improve access to cancer education, prevention, and screening in the communities we serve,” said Marek Calhoun, Director of Social and Community Services for CareSouth Carolina. “We understand that improving health outcomes means reaching people where they are, removing barriers to care, and making sure rural and underserved communities have access to opportunities for early detection and prevention. This recognition reinforces our commitment to advancing health equity and continuing to build stronger, healthier communities.”

In addition to accepting the recognition on behalf of CareSouth Carolina, Calhoun participated in a panel discussion during the annual meeting focused on the importance of partnership and collaboration in cancer prevention and screening.

The discussion provided an opportunity to share CareSouth Carolina’s experience working within local communities and collaborating with organizations and partners to connect more people with education, preventive services and screenings.

Those partnerships are especially important in rural communities, where transportation, financial concerns, access to providers and other challenges can prevent individuals from receiving preventive care.

CareSouth Carolina works to help reduce those barriers by connecting patients and community members with resources and opportunities that can support earlier detection and better long-term health outcomes.

CareSouth Carolina is a private, non-profit community health center delivering patient-centered health and life services in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. CareSouth Carolina operates centers in Bennettsville, Bishopville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Dillon, Hartsville, Lake View, Latta, McColl and Society Hill.

Services provided by CareSouth Carolina include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women's services, OB/GYN, HIV/AIDS primary care, infectious disease primary care, IV therapy, substance abuse prevention, dental, chiropractic services, pharmacy, senior support services, family support services, clinical counseling, laboratory, ultrasound, X-Ray, agricultural worker health services, podiatry, and veterans choice provider.