CareSouth Carolina Recognized Among State’s Top Performing Health Centers with Multiple Awards

CareSouth Carolina is celebrating an exceptional year of achievement after earning multiple top honors during the Community Integrated Management Services (CIMS) Mid-Year Partner Meeting, where the organization was recognized as one of the highest-performing Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in South Carolina.

CareSouth Carolina received several prestigious awards among FQHCs recognizing excellence in clinical quality, patient care, operational efficiency, and population health performance.

Among the organization's accomplishments were:

• 1st Place – Excellence in Clinical Outcomes Award (HEDIS Measure Performance): Recognized for achieving the highest level of clinical quality performance across all three Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.
• 1st Place – Efficiency in Action Award (Top Medical Loss Ratio Performance): Honoring CareSouth Carolina's ability to deliver outstanding, cost-effective care while responsibly managing healthcare resources.
• 1st Place (Tie) – Molina Clinical Gap Closure Performance: Awarded for closing the greatest number of Molina clinical care gaps during the year.
• 3rd Place – Patient Access & Engagement Award: Recognizing the organization's success in connecting Medicaid patients with needed healthcare services.

 

In addition to these awards, CareSouth Carolina achieved an extraordinary milestone through Absolute Total Care's Continuity of Care (CoC) Program. Of the $359,300 distributed among all 14 participating health centers in 2025, CareSouth Carolina earned $235,600—more than 65 percent of the total incentive funding awarded.

"This recognition reflects the incredible work happening across every corner of CareSouth Carolina," said Dr. Jeniqua J. Duncan, Chief of Value-Based Care. "From our providers and nurses to our front desk teams, pharmacists, laboratory staff, behavioral health professionals, care managers, and administrative support, every department plays an essential role in helping our patients receive the right care at the right time."

Dr. Duncan also recognized the leadership behind the organization's remarkable Continuity of Care success.

"This achievement would not have been possible without the outstanding leadership and dedication of Kelli Cross," Duncan said. "Her commitment to our patients and her tireless work leading this initiative resulted in an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects the very best of CareSouth Carolina."

Throughout its more than 40 years in operation, CareSouth Carolina has remained committed to improving health outcomes in the Pee Dee region.

"Improving quality is never the responsibility of one department or one individual," Duncan said. "These awards demonstrate what is possible when an entire organization is united around a shared mission of improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve."

While celebrating this year's achievements, CareSouth Carolina remains focused on the future and continuing to expand access to high-quality care across the region.

"As proud as we are of these accomplishments, we know our work is not finished," Duncan said. "There are still patients to reach, care gaps to close, and opportunities to improve the patient experience. What excites me most is knowing what we can accomplish together as we continue building on this momentum.”

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.