The Carolina Family Practice has a new location in downtown Columbia to better serve not only it’s clientele, but the USC faculty and students that work there as well. The move from Two Notch Road to the corner of Bull and Blanding has not only made the clinic more accessible but has also doubled its number of exam rooms from three to six. According to Nursing College Dean Jeannette Andrews, access to partnerships like these are what stands the college apart from many around the country.
“For our faculty to stay abreast of clinical care, they need to practice,” Andrews said. “So by having our own clinic it gives them an avenue to continue practicing.”
The College of Nursing requires all faculty who teach in a clinical program to practice once a week and students are encouraged to go with their teachers to get additional training. Being a college nurse-run site, the Carolina Family Practice prides itself on providing that niche as well.
“We serve as an educational site for students,” said Phyllis Poyner, a pediatric nurse practitioner. “With the students working together and seeing each other’s roles.”
The clinic provides a wide range of services to treat both acute and chronic illnesses ranging from annual wellness visits to diabetes. Unlike many hospitals, appointments for Carolina Family Practice can be made the same day you call, which can cut back emergency room visits.
“Patients don't need to go to the emergency room for non-urgent care,” said Toriah Caldwell, the director of Carolina Family Practice and family nurse practitioner. “This site, for last year, we saved Richland county $2 million worth of cost by keeping patients out of the emergency room by coming to us for those non-urgent health care problems.”
Carolina Family Practice is located at 1410 Blanding St. and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.