The McLeod Hospice located in Dillon includes (front row, from left to right): Michelle Benson, Patient Care Supervisor; Deby Strickland, Social Worker; Dr. Paul DeMarco, Associate Medical Director; Tamara Taylor, Departmental Secretary; Lisa Miles, RN; (back row, from left to right) Leah Howell, Social Worker; Courtney Sullivan, Volunteer Coordinator; Greg Black, Chaplain; Jordan Holmes, RN; and Carolyn Lee, Clinical Nurse Manager.

McLeod Hospice is pleased to announce the expansion of hospice care to patients and families living in Dillon and Marion Counties. This is the fifth office location for McLeod Hospice in northeastern South Carolina. The program also has offices in Florence, Cheraw, Manning and Loris.

The McLeod Hospice team in Dillon and Marion Counties is led by Medical Director Dr. Paul DeMarco.

“Our mission is to provide services that not only relieve physical symptoms such as pain, but also the emotional and spiritual issues of the patient and their family that often accompanies a terminal illness,” explains Dr. DeMarco. “Our primary purpose is to help patients live with their illness while maintaining the highest quality of life for as long as possible. In addition, hospice care is provided in the home, enabling families to remain together in peace, comfort, and dignity.”

Caring for patients in the region for more than 35 years, McLeod Hospice is dedicated to helping patients live the remainder of their lives as fully as possible. Additionally, the team’s experience includes guiding the patient’s family through this time with their loved one by supporting them physically, emotionally and spiritually. As a not-for-profit Hospice, McLeod ensures that all patients receive Hospice care regardless of their ability to pay.

The goal of McLeod Hospice is to allow patients with terminal illnesses to spend their final months at home, in familiar surroundings, with their family and friends nearby.

Understanding that this is not always possible, McLeod Hospice also cares for patients who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. In addition, McLeod provides inpatient care for acutely ill patients at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence.

Hospice care may be appropriate for patients who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and are considered to be in the advancing stages of their condition. Some of these diseases include: heart disease, congestive heart failure, COPD, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

McLeod Hospice serves patients in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties.

The new office in Dillon County is located at 807 Sixth Avenue, Dillon, South Carolina, 29536. To contact McLeod Hospice, please call (843) 487-1371.