By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Free Medical Clinic has a new executive director.
Ernie Barrentine took over the director’s position on May 6th. As executive director, Barrentine will be responsible for the day-to-day operations in accordance with the bylaws.
Barrentine said he is excited about his new position. “There’s so much potential here,” he said.
Barrentine brings a wealth of administrative, financial, medical, and customer service-related experience to the position.
A 1991 graduate of Latta High School, Barrentine earned his S.C. Paramedic certification from Florence-Darlington Technical College in 1995 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Francis Marion University in 2007.
Barrentine, an ordained minister, has been an associate pastor/Minister of Music at Union Baptist Church since 2011. Some of his past career experience includes serving as the Town of Latta’s Clerk/Treasurer, The Town of Latta’s Municipal Judge/Clerk of Court, a Paramedic Supervisor for Cox Ambulance Service in Marion, an E-911 Supervisor/Paramedic in Dillon County and a dispatcher for the Town of Latta.
Barrentine’s community service and volunteer experience includes serving as a volunteer for the Dillon County Free Medical Clinic, as board chair of the Dillon County Free Medical Clinic from 2010-2013, as a member of the Rural area Leadership Institute (RALI) – Dillon County, a member of the National Judges Association and its Education Committee, and a member of the South Carolina Summary Court Judges Association where he was Area Vice-President for 2009-2010.
Barrentine is the 2010 recipient of the Dillon County Chamber of Commerce’s Dolph Braddy Award and was honored with membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, a National Political Science Honor Society, in 2007.
One of the new things that Barrentine would like to do at the clinic is have a high school intern, who is interested in the medical field, volunteer at the clinic. The office hours were recently expanded to Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-5 p.m. for applications and Thursday from 6-9 p.m. for physician appointments.
Barrentine said he welcomes any civic or church groups who would like to tour the clinic or if any civic or church group would like him to come speak about the clinic, they may call him at 774-4241 to make arrangements.
ABOUT THE CLINIC
(Taken from the Dillon County Free Medical Clinic brochure)
Located at 310 East Washington Street, Dillon, SC, the Dillon County Free Medical Clinic is a non-profit organization that is recognized by the South Carolina Secretary of State as a public charity. They are a faith based organization that seeks to provide routine medical care to the uninsured residents of Dillon County.
This ministry is committed to honoring the God-given dignity and value of all people, regardless of race, nationality, or creed. Their mission is to promote the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of those who need our care.
All emergency cases are referred to McLeod Medical Center-Dillon. The clinic sees patients for routine medical care and disease management. Such care is provided by appointment only.
Although the clinic provides some pharmaceutical support to its patients, it does not have access to narcotics.
Qualifications for patients include being a Dillon County resident between 19-64, from a household at or below 200 percent of the poverty level, and have no insurance – private, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.
Patients must provide proof of household income, a photo ID with current address, copy of their Social Security card, rent receipt and DSS household summary if receiving food stamps.
When patients do not qualify for the clinic’s services, the clinic makes a sincere effort to direct them to resources that may benefit them.
