(12/09/11) – David Barnes has been named Director of Rehabilitation Services at McLeod Medical Center Darlington.

A native of Florence, Barnes is responsible for a staff of 10 therapists. The staff includes physical therapists, an occupational therapist, and a speech therapist. Barnes oversees each discipline’s needs, handles administrative and staffing duties, and treats patients.

Barnes received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Francis Marion University, and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation- Physical Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston.

Barnes has worked in the physical therapy field for 10 years — five of those years with McLeod Health. Prior to returning to McLeod Health to take this position, Barnes worked with Florence Physical Therapy Associates and DHEC serving patients in Clarendon County.

Regarding his new role at McLeod Darlington, Barnes said, "I don’t think I could have asked for a better staff. They are like one big family and they treat our patients like family, too. Mary Kay Belissary, the former Director, has also been a great mentor to me in this position."

Belissary stepped down as Director after nearly ten years to spend more time in patient care. She continues to serve as a Physical Therapist at McLeod Darlington.

A member of Palmetto Street Church of God, Barnes has played the trumpet with the Florence Symphony in the past and run his own photography business. He also recently rotated off as a board member for A Choice 2 M8K, a Christian-based crisis pregnancy center.

Barnes is married to Mandy who is a Speech Language Pathologist with McLeod Rehabilitation Services and Florence Public School District One. They have two children, Landon, age 7, and Madelynn, age 6.

For more information on Rehab Services at McLeod Darlington, please call (843) 777-1138.