Free Medical Clinic hires full-time medical provider
Kristin “Krissy” Huntley has been hired as the first full-time medical provider and clinical coordinator for The Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County.
“The Free Clinics will continue to rely heavily on the many dedicated volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses, but Krissy’s appointment will enhance our abilities to treat acute illnesses, expand our hours of clinical service, and allow us to provide a greater continuity of care for our patients who may see a different volunteer provider each visit to one of our clinics,” says Executive Director Steve Edwards.
A 2013 Cum Laude graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in public health sciences and a minor in psychology, and a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Francis Marion University (2018), she joined the FMC team in March to support its efforts while she searched for a full-time provider’s position.
“Our team, including staff and our volunteer providers, fell in love with Krissy and what she brought to the clinic,” Edwards says.
Huntley did rotations in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery and Women’s Health. She has experience as CNA with Interim Health; Nursing Specialty Tech with the Greenville Hospital System and working hands-on with children with autism at Hope Reach.
She holds certifications from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the American Heart Association and the S.C. Nurse Aide Registry.
The Free Clinic’s medical director, Dr. Tom Dickinson, says, “Providing well-coordinated care, especially for actively changing health problems, will always be a challenge in a clinic such as ours that has limited hours for patient visits.
“As a PA, Krissy’s daily presence on the team can help us react to and manage acute health issues in a smoother and more timely manner between the weekly office hours.”
Huntley is licensed by the S.C. Board of Medical Examiners and received the required hours of direct supervision by Dr. John Ropp and is also receiving direct supervision under other highly qualified volunteer providers.
She is married to Roddy Huntley of Darlington and they reside in Florence with their two dogs, Maggie and Pennie.
She is the daughter of Rev. David and Diana Wike of Florence.
The Free Clinic of Darlington County is an interdenominational, 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian Ministry providing free primary care, medications and pastoral support to the residents of Darlington County who do not have health insurance and who do not qualify for government health programs.
Its volunteer healthcare providers, including doctors and nurses, seek to promote the physical, emotional and spiritual health of all who need their services.
The Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County operates two offices. In Darlington, at 203 Grove St., Wednesday-Friday; and Monday-Tuesday in Hartsville at 500 W. Carolina Ave.
The clinic can be reached at 843-398-0060 or 843-332-0422.