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East Cooper clinic welcomes patients, MUSC employees
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by Mary Helen Yarborough
Public Relations
As neighborhoods develop farther from the main campus, the Department
of Family Medicine is extending its reach to make medical care
accessible and convenient to MUSC employees and patients who live in
these outlying areas.
In the fast-growing reaches edging north toward Georgetown, MUSC’s East
Cooper University Family Medicine (ECUFM) recently expanded its clinic
located at 1145 Six Mile Road (just past the Isle of Palms connector
and across from Laing Middle School) to reflect demand.
Its theme, “Welcome Health East Cooper,” illuminates the consistency of
qualified medical treatment and preventative care of the MUSC medical
service system in Mount Pleasant, “and providing access to a growing,
vibrant county,” said Joseph J. Benich III, M.D., one of three
attending physicians practicing at ECUFM. The other physicians are
Wanda Gonzalves and Fred Michael.
 Practice
manager Diana Hall (left), administrators Tracy Bupp, back left,
Makesha White, and Dr. Joseph Benich welcome Mount Pleasant residents
to East Cooper University Family Medicine clinic on Six Mile Road.
This clinic operates much like any other family doctor’s office where
medical treatment, immunizations and referrals can be obtained.
“We treat any type of patient: young and old; and we can make any
referrals they want, whether it’s to a dermatologist, ENT,
orthopaedist, OB/GYN, or any other specialists,” said Benich. “We’d
like to remind employees of MUSC and their neighbors that we’re here.
...We serve all patients and we take a broad spectrum of insurance.”
The center also accepts Tricare, according to Diana Hall,
ECUFM practice manager.
Located just before The Brickyard, Ivey Hall and Park West communities,
the East Cooper center is staffed with an attending physician, or those
who teach other doctors; two nurses; and an administrative team.
The benefits for MUSC employees who utilize the clinic includes
same-day service and cost-savings such as those available at
other MUSC centers. The medical information also is input into
the database that is readily available to one’s primary care physician
or specialist with the MUSC medical service system. “Coming to this
clinic (as opposed to a non-MUSC clinic) eliminates issues of physician
networks,” said Hall. “We also use the same record system as the rest
of MUSC.”
Like the Family Medicine Center on Calhoun Street, “We can accommodate
same-day service, but we keep a few slots open for walk-ins,” Hall
said. “We prefer people to call for an appointment to cut down on long
waits. It’s always better for the patient if they can rest at home,
rather than sitting for long periods in the waiting room.”
The clinic, which has been at this location for three years, may be
best known for the services provided by medical students at night. But
a population boom and a shift in demographics meant adding more staff
and hours to accommodate family patient needs during the day.
For more information, e-mail ecufm@musc.edu or for an appointment call 876-7100.
Friday, Feb. 6, 2009
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