Prisma Health Expands Rural Access to Care with $1 Million Grant for Clinton Practice

Prisma Health has expanded primary care access in Laurens County with the support of $1 million in grant funding from the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). The grant, part of a statewide effort to strengthen healthcare in rural areas, allowed Prisma Health’s Advanced Family Medicine in Clinton to undergo extensive renovations and add additional exam space.

The 4,750-square-foot practice now features 12 exam rooms—up from the original eight—and plans to add another physician to further meet growing community needs. The expanded facility was celebrated on Thursday, September 25, with a ribbon cutting, facility tours, and remarks from local leaders and healthcare advocates.

Commitment to Community Health

Justin M. Benfield, Chief Executive Officer of Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital, said the expansion is about more than physical space—it is about progress and Prisma’s promise to serve local families.

“Today is not just about a new building or larger facility; it is about hope, progress, and Prisma’s unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our communities,” Benfield said. “In rural areas like Clinton and Laurens County, access to quality healthcare has always been a challenge. Through this expansion, Prisma takes another step forward in improving access to care within the communities we serve, including our rural areas.”

Benfield expressed gratitude to elected officials including Senator Danny Verdin and Representatives Doug Gilliam and Luke Rankin, as well as city leaders and the Laurens County Healthcare System Board of Trustees. He emphasized that the grant funding is “not simply a line item in a budget,” but a testament to collaboration, vision, and compassion across state and local leadership.

Rural Health Impact

Sherry Bramlett, Manager of Practice Operations and Rural Health, highlighted the growth of Advanced Family Medicine since its founding in 2012. Originally a 3,800-square-foot clinic with eight exam rooms, it is now a 4,750-square-foot practice with 12 exam rooms.

“This practice began with a mission of bringing medical care to a rural community. As rural residents, we understand the challenges rural areas face, and our focus will continue to be on improving access and health outcomes,” Bramlett said. “To the community: this is your practice. We are here to serve you, to listen to you, and to grow with you.”

Bramlett also praised the support of the South Carolina Office of Rural Health and the many Prisma Health team members who helped make the expansion possible.

Local Leaders Applaud Expansion

South Carolina Senator Danny Verdin called the expansion “an important step in bringing our vision of enhancing access to quality healthcare in rural South Carolina to life.” Clinton Mayor Randy Randall also praised Prisma’s investment, saying that access to exceptional care is “vital to the long-term health and wellbeing of communities, especially in rural areas like ours.”

The Clinton project is part of a nearly $4 million grant awarded to Prisma Health by SCDHHS to support rural health access across the Upstate. In addition to the $1 million invested locally, funding will be used to expand or create additional rural health practices in other communities, helping reduce barriers for patients who might otherwise struggle to access care.

Prisma Health, the state’s largest nonprofit health organization, serves more than 1.6 million unique patients annually across South Carolina and Tennessee. With the Clinton expansion, Prisma reinforces its nearly 40-year commitment to Laurens County and its promise of delivering compassionate, accessible, and high-quality care close to home.