Common Ground Community Partnership

Locally Rooted, Community Centered, Connected to Care

The Collaborative Health Communities (CHC) Initiative is sponsored by the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare. It is a system of health framework that connects patients to medical care and community resources to improve health outcomes in rural areas.

Common Ground was created to help people in rural communities overcome barriers to healthcare and live healthier lives. In the Lower Florence-Lake City area, many residents face challenges such as limited access to providers, transportation issues, lack of insurance, and unmanaged chronic conditions-leading them to rely on emergency care instead of preventive services.

To address this, Common Ground connects healthcare providers and community organizations into a coordinated network focused on whole-person care. Through Community Care Navigation, patients receive one-on-one support to connect with primary care, manage chronic conditions, and access essential resources like food, transportation, and support services.

By strengthening local partnerships and improving access to care, Common Ground is creating a more connected, supportive healthcare system and helping communities achieve better health outcomes.

Who Qualifies?

  • Uninsured (no health insurance)
  • Underinsured (has health insurance but have barriers to care)
  • Lives in specific zip codes
  • 3+ ER visits or hospitalizations in past 12 months
  • Age 18-65
  • Income below 200% poverty level
  • Diagnosed with 1 or more of the following conditions:
    • Diabetes
    • Hypertension
    • Coronary Artery Disease and other Cardiovascular Conditions

How We Can Help:

  • Avoid unnecessary ER visits
  • Get connected to food, transportation, and support services
  • Manage chronic conditions more effectively
  • No cost to eligible partners

Community Care Navigation

  • Identify the patient’s medical and non-medical social care needs (medication, transportation, food, housing, etc.)
  • Establish a medical home for primary care
  • Prevent unnecessary visits to the Emergency Room
  • Arrange medical appointments
  • Connect patients to services, programs and organizations to address additional medical, social care needs
  • Provide education, navigation, and support services

Common Ground Serves Those Living in Lower Florence-Lake City Area:

  • Olanta (29114)
  • Timmonsville (29161)
  • Florence (29505)
  • Cades (29518)
  • Coward (29530)
  • Effingham (29541)
  • Hemingway (29554)
  • Johnsonville (29555)
  • Kingstree (29556)
  • Lake City (29560)
  • Nesmith (29580)
  • Pamplico (29583)
  • Scranton (29591)

Our Community Partners:

  • McLeod Family Medicine Center – Florence
  • McLeod Family Medicine Johnsonville
  • McLeod Family Medicine Kingstree
  • McLeod Primary Care Lake City
  • HopeHealth
  • Mercy Medical Free Clinics
  • PDRTA
  • Lydia’s Nest
  • CMD’s Pantry
  • Lighthouse Ministries
  • Pamplico Community Groceries

Contact Us For More Information

Hannah Coward
(843) 845-1270
hannah.coward@mcleodhealth.org

Chelsey Nicholson
(843) 845-1460
chelsey.nicholson@mcleodhealth.org