Please join Affinity Health Center in recognizing Anita Case for nearly 20 years of outstanding leadership. Anita joined the health center as the Executive Director in 2005 when it was an HIV service organization, Catawba Care Coalition. In 2015, Anita led the organization through its mission expansion and transition to Affinity Health Center, a community health center providing comprehensive care for uninsured, underinsured, and low-income individuals and families across York County. During her tenure, she led efforts to expand services, develop key community partnerships, open new facilities, launch school-based clinics, and integrate comprehensive health services, including behavioral health, dental care, and HIV programs. Anita led the organization’s COVID pandemic response, during which the organization played a critical role in the community effort, ensuring access to free testing and vaccinations, while also ensuring Affinity Health Center never closed its doors to patients. Under her leadership, Affinity has significantly grown operational revenues and financial reserves, ensuring long-term sustainability while remaining committed to its mission of providing equitable, high-quality health care.
Case will be relocating to Asheville, NC to lead a similar organization, returning to her roots in Western North Carolina. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve this community alongside an amazing team. I’m grateful for wonderful community partners, a strong Board of Directors, committed and compassionate staff, and the best leadership team I could ask for. I am confident in great things to come for Affinity Health Center. I’m leaving the organization in great hands!”

Sally Baker, Chair of the Affinity Health Center Board of Directors, said “Anita has been a compassionate, caring, and strategically minded leader for Affinity, and we will genuinely miss her. However, she leaves us with the confidence that Affinity’s incredible staff will continue their service to our community, providing the very best care for the people of York County. Affinity would not be where it is today without her, and we wish her the very best in her new journey.”
Case will officially transition from her role on March 5. The Board of Directors has named Heather McCutcheon as the Interim CEO while the board launches a national search for its next leader. McCutcheon has served with the organization for more than 15 years and currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer.

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Affinity Health Center is pleased to announce that we were recently awarded accreditation for 3 years by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This is an important milestone in the continuing growth and success of our health care organization. Pursuing accreditation demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest levels of quality care to our patients, and the same high level of quality in our business practices. Achieving AAAHC Accreditation is proof that Affinity Health Center has met the rigorous standards of a nationally recognized third party. Having earned AAAHC Accreditation, our organization embodies the 1095 Strong, quality every day philosophy, a commitment to ongoing improvement and quality each day of operation. During the three-year or 1,095-day accreditation term, organizations continue to develop and foster the kind of everyday habits that enable leaders in the industry to provide the utmost in health care delivery and patient safety.

We are proud to have met the challenge of accreditation and intend to consistently uphold the principles of quality
improvement in patient care.

Don’t lose your Medicaid! It’s important that you respond to any mail from Medicaid to keep your benefits. During the COVID-19 emergency period, more people became eligible for Medicaid and Medicaid Annual Reviews stopped. The emergency period is now over and Medicaid recipients will be receiving Annual Review packets again. Make sure Medicaid has your correct contact information now so you don’t miss your Annual Review this year. You can change your address on the Medicaid website. You can also apply for Medicaid or submit your Annual Review online by going to the Medicaid portal at apply.scdhhs.gov. You can also call Healthy Connections Medicaid at 888-549-0820 or visit your local Medicaid eligibility office. If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you may be able to get no cost or low cost health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at healthcare.gov. If you need assistance with Medicaid or ACA applications, Affinity can help. Call our Benefits Navigator at 803-909-9708 to make an appointment for one-on-one help.

How do you pass the baton during a pandemic? Outgoing Affinity Board Chair, Dwight Burns (right) uses appropriate safety measures to welcome incoming Board Chair Ronne Duncan (left). Ronnie Duncan has served on the Affinity board for several years and we look forward to his leadership as Board Chair. We thank Dwight Burns for his service as Board Chair and are glad to have him continue as a member of the Board.

The South Carolina Primary Care Association has released the following statement in support of our Asian American Communities.

We are four months into 2021, and yet we continue to face a regression in social justice for all mankind. Racial biases have become an increasing epidemic in our nation. While the Black Lives Matter Movement still remains at the forefront of our struggle, we must now fight for our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities against racial intolerance.

The South Carolina Primary Health Care Association Board and staff wish to express our sadness and sympathy for the families and friends of those who have been attacked and/or lost their lives because of ignorance, racism and hatred. The recent string of shootings in the Atlanta area, which left at least six Asian women dead and the continued string of violent incidents throughout the United States, is disappointing and appalling. While the details of these killings are still forthcoming, we do know that throughout the course of the pandemic, there has been a marked increase in racism and violence toward the Asian community. These aggressions and events have impacted our families and friends across the nation, leaving many with increased fear in their everyday lives. Today, we denounce the violence, harassment, and discrimination against Asian Americans that has been on the rise in our country. As we expressed in our statement on the killing of George Floyd, racism and discrimination of any kind is an injustice that can spread like wildfire if not immediately eradicated.

While some of our leaders have voiced their outrage with the attacks on the Asian communities, we are calling on all leaders in South Carolina to publicly condemn the injustices that are being committed in America.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

South Carolina – Where do you stand? Will you stand against the social injustices we are experiencing as a Country?

Community health centers in South Carolina will continue the heritage and commitment of the CHC Movement to fight for social justice and health equity for all people. We are taking ownership collectively and individually to make change.

“If you want change, you have to make it. If we want progress, we have to drive it.” – Susan Rice

#StopAsianHate

From the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association Board of Directors and Staff

Affinity Health Center gave out 204 COVID vaccines over two days during our first drive thru COVID vaccine clinic last week. We were able to use 100% of the vaccines we received and look forward to continuing to provide this service to the community when we receive more vaccine. Thank you to everyone who pulled together to plan and schedule patients for this event on very short notice. Our staff and volunteers worked through the cold and rain and were even able to coordinate vaccine distribution during one of our busy twice monthly mobile mammogram days.

COVID vaccine distribution in South Carolina is currently in phase 1a. Anyone in this group is eligible for vaccination now (those 70 years old or older, healthcare workers, first responders, see vaccine flow chart for more information).

Support Affinity Health Center today through 12/31/2020 and your donation will be doubled with a matching gift from Avita Pharmacy. Your generosity helps us do twice the good to provide high quality comprehensive health care, dental care and supportive services to those most in need. Did you know 81% of our patients have low income and many are un or under insured? During this time of increased need in our community, your donation makes a direct impact, helping those most in need. Make a donation today.