DENMARK -- High hopes and great expectations were voiced Friday for the future of the new Rural Health Center that will be operated by Voorhees College's Center of Excellence in Rural and Minority Health.

The occasion was a Episcopalian service of dedication for the new facility, which was attended by health leaders, college faculty and administration, representatives of the various organizations who will be working together to serve the community health needs as well as those who financed and built the facility. Ground was broken for the 13,137 square foot building in April 2005.

The Rural Health Center will house a public health department operated by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, a comprehensive medical clinic operated by Family Health Centers Inc. and a research and education center operated by Voorhees College.

The mission of the Voorhees College Center of Excellence in Rural and Minority Health is to eliminate health disparities through dissemination of health information by way of technology and traditional means and to improve, specifically, the access of quality health care to the rural minority communities of Bamberg and surrounding counties.

Funding for the facility was provided by a $1,476,731 grant from Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Voorhees College and RBC Liberty Life.

"We are honored to be part of this dedication. Bamberg County Hospital looks forward to working with the Center of Excellence in helping to provide for health needs of the citizens of our county," said Warren Hammett, Bamberg County Hospital administrator. "We will work with all involved in rural health care to meet the needs of this community."

The Center has state-of-the-art medical equipment, telehealth capability, a pharmacy, x-ray equipment, dental clinics, a demonstration kitchen and conference facilities. The facility is attractively decorated and is accessible to the handicap and the general public.

Outcomes for this project include the following:

* A one-stop facility that meets the general medical needs of residents in a small rural community.

* A resource with capabilities for engaging in community-based participatory research, clinical trials and a wide range of community outreach programs.

* A resource capable of serving the public health needs of residents, students, faculty and staff.

* A resource that will provide employment and training opportunities for students.

* A resource that will stimulate partnerships in research, medical services and health education.

* A resource that will help eliminate health disparities in rural Bamberg County.

T&D Correspondent Laura G. Carlson can be reached by e-mail at Laura@carlsonclan.com or by phone at 803-793-3336. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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