(10/25/2013)  Dr. Chuck Mills, of Southern Medical Associates in Loris, was recently named the South Carolina Office of Rural Health’s (SCORH) 2013 Outstanding Rural Practitioner of the Year. The award, presented October 15 at an awards luncheon held during the SCORH annual conference in Columbia, SC, is given to a rural primary healthcare provider whose services and community commitment has resulted in significant improvement in the delivery of primary healthcare service.

Dr. Mills received his medical degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, and completed a Family Medicine residency at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina. Dr. Mills is board certified in family medicine and cares for patients at Southern Medical Associates in Loris, a McLeod Physician Associates practice.

Dr. Mills, who is originally from Tabor City, North Carolina, says that he strives to make patients feel comfortable when they visit his office by listening to them and providing friendly service. "At Southern Medical Associates, we deliver good quality care with compassion for our patients," he added.

Dr. Mills served as Vice Chief of Staff for Loris Community Hospital from 1998 to 2002, and Chief of Staff from 2003 to 2004. In 2006, Dr. Mills was nominated by the Governor to serve on the Loris Community Hospital District Board of Commissioners; he currently holds a position on the McLeod Loris Seacoast Community Board of Directors. In addition, Dr. Mills serves as the Medical Director for Loris Extended Care Center, an 88 bed nursing home serving the region. Dr. Mills received the "Loris Healthcare System Physician of the Year" award in 1997 and 2006. In 2008, Dr. Mills was named "Loris Citizen of the Year" by the Loris Chamber of Commerce. 

Dr. Mills is active in the community, serving on advisory councils with Horry County Schools and BBT Advisory Board for Horry County. In addition, he has been a volunteer physician for sports physicals and events. 

Over the past 24 years, Dr. Mills has served patients of all ages in Northeastern South Carolina and Southeastern North Carolina. His compassionate style and local roots have established him as a physician who is always available to help families with all facets of their care. 

About McLeod Loris

An affiliate of McLeod Health, McLeod Loris is a not-for-profit, 105-bed hospital serving northern Horry County, SC, and southern Columbus County, NC. Diagnostic services include a 64-slice CT scanner, digital mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, and cardiac catheterization lab. McLeod Loris specializes in general and orthopedic surgeries, women’s services, emergency care, critical care, cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation, and physical/occupational/speech therapies. The hospital has more than 120 physicians on active and affiliate medical staff representing more than 32 specialties. McLeod Loris is accredited by The Joint Commission. 

About the South Carolina Office of Rural Health   

The SC Office of Rural Health (SCORH) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all rural South Carolinians. Since 1991, the SC Office of Rural Health has been working to improve the health status of rural and underserved people throughout the state.

Pictured: Dr. Chuck Mills, left, was presented the 2013 Outstanding Rural Practitioner of the Year award by Dr. Graham Adams, CEO, SC Office of Rural Health.