The opening of the Abbeville Area Healthcare Center (AAHC) in April 2017 signaled a new era of healthcare in Abbeville and a new model for healthcare delivery in the Lakelands. This facility integrated access to primary care from infancy to geriatrics, general surgery and endoscopy, diabetic education, and behavioral health and psychiatric services while providing access on site to common lab tests and digital radiology.
In primary care, the longest serving provider in the center, Dr. Heidi Rodillo opened her practice in Internal Medicine in 1982. Family Medicine Associates was opened in 1986 by Drs. Robert Todd and Allen Kolb. Through the years this practice attracted dedicated physicians and mid-level providers to the community. Those currently practicing in addition to Dr. Kolb include Dawne Hershberger, FNP—1996, Dr. Steve Adams (Hospitalist)—2011, Dr. Chris Oxendine-2011, Rebecca Botts, PA—2011, Dr. Keith Scott—2012, Dr. Douglas “Trey” Moore—2013, Kayla Tavernier, PA—2015, Dr. Blake Hodges—2016 and Jennifer Wright, FNP—2018. Several of these providers also serve with Dr. Adams as hospitalists covering the inpatient medicine service at Abbeville Area Medical Center. (AAMC)
In 2004 Abbeville County Memorial Hospital (now AAMC) developed a diabetic education program under the medical direction of Dr. Rodillo with Vickie Keown, RN as the first diabetic educator. This American Diabetes Association certified diabetic education program is now housed in the AAHC with Kim Beaty, RN—2012 and Patricia “Lucy” Wilson, RN -2015 as diabetic educators. The program supports insulin pump therapy and offers individual and group education.
Having spent his childhood in Abbeville, Dr. Chris Ceraldi returned in 2009 to continue the legacy his father began as a general surgeon in this community. Upon completion of the Healthcare Center, Dr. Ceraldi moved into the facility and serves as part of the multidisciplinary team, providing general surgery and endoscopy services.
Realizing the impact that chronic psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety can have on the elderly, AAMC started Senior Connections in 2012 to serve this community need. Dr. Theresa Bishop served as the consulting psychiatrist. Julie Moore, LISW joined the program as therapist in 2013 and Adrienne Logan, LISW in 2016. Anticipating the move into the new Healthcare Center, the Senior Connections program was phased out in favor of a broader behavioral health outreach serving from young adult to the elderly. Dr. Bishop continues to serve in her role as consultant in behavioral health and coordinates with the therapists and primary care providers in the center.
Primary care, general surgery, endoscopic screening, diabetic education, behavioral health services, all provided in an integrated health care setting under one roof. That is what the Abbeville Area Healthcare Center brings to the Lakelands area.
