Carolina Health Centers Awarded More Than $700,000 Through South Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program

October 11, 2026

Carolina Health Centers, Inc. (CHC) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a total of $703,660 through the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). These awards support strategic investments through the ‘Connections to Care’and ‘Shoring Up to Sustainability’ initiatives, helping strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to care for the rural communities CHC serves.

The funding includes:

• $260,451 through the Connections to Care initiative to support health information technology infrastructure modernization.
• $112,018 through the Shoring Up to Sustainability initiative for facility enhancement investments.
• $151,181 through the Shoring Up to Sustainability initiative for healthcare infrastructure improvements.
• $180,010 through the Shoring Up to Sustainability initiative for critical infrastructure modernization.

“These investments are about ensuring that patients across all of our communities continue to have access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare close to home,” said Miriam Ferguson, President and CEO of Carolina Health Centers. “The Rural Health Transformation Program recognizes the importance of strengthening rural healthcare systems through thoughtful, sustainable improvements. We are grateful for this support and committed to being responsible stewards of every dollar entrusted to us.”

The awards are part of South Carolina’s broader Rural Health Transformation Program, which focuses on creating sustainable improvements in rural healthcare through strategic investments in technology, infrastructure, workforce, and access to care. RHTP was designed to strengthen healthcare delivery systems and improve health outcomes in rural communities throughout the state.

While specific project details are not being released at this time, the funded initiatives will support CHC’s ongoing efforts to enhance patient access, strengthen operational efficiency, modernize healthcare infrastructure, and ensure long-term sustainability across its network of locations serving the Lakelands region. These investments will help create a stronger healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of patients today and well into the future.

For nearly 50 years, Carolina Health Centers has remained committed to its mission of improving the health, well-being, and quality of life of the communities it serves. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, CHC provides comprehensive primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and supportive services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. The organization serves residents across Greenwood, Abbeville, Edgefield, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, and Saluda counties.

“These awards are not simply investments in buildings, equipment, or technology,” Ferguson added. “They are investments in people. They will help us continue removing barriers to care, expanding opportunity for healthier lives, and delivering on our promise to provide patient-centered care with dignity, compassion, and excellence throughout the communities we serve.”

About Carolina Health Centers

Carolina Health Centers, Inc. is a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and quality of life of the communities it serves. Through a network of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and supportive service locations, CHC provides accessible, high-quality healthcare for rural and underserved populations throughout the Lakelands region of South Carolina.