Finding a doctor in a small town can feel like a game of musical chairs. You want someone who knows your name but also someone who actually knows what they’re doing when things get complicated. In Hartsville, South Carolina, that search usually leads straight to Carolina Pines Medical Group.
Honestly, it’s easy to get confused by the names. You might hear people call it "The Medical Group" or just "the doctors over by the hospital." Basically, this is the massive physician network tied to Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center. It isn’t just one office; it’s a sprawling web of specialists and primary care providers that basically keeps the Pee Dee region running.
The Reality of Carolina Pines Medical Group
Most folks think a "medical group" is just a fancy way of saying a primary care office. That’s a mistake. In Hartsville, Carolina Pines Medical Group is the umbrella for everything from delivering babies to fixing a torn ACL.
They’ve got a massive footprint. We’re talking about several different buildings, mostly clustered around Medical Park Drive. If you’re looking for a pediatrician, a cardiologist, or someone to check that weird mole, you’re likely ending up in one of their waiting rooms.
The group is actually part of ScionHealth now. That happened back in late 2021 when the parent company formed. It’s a big-city corporate structure behind a very small-town feel. It’s also worth noting they have a pretty tight telehealth partnership with MUSC Health. This is huge because it means if you have something really rare or scary, the local docs can beam in experts from Charleston without making you drive three hours.
Why the CEO Change Actually Matters to You
You might have missed it in the local news, but Dr. Brian Sponseller took over as CEO of the hospital in August 2025. Why should you care? Because he was a doctor at Carolina Pines Medical Group for eight years before he started running the show.
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Usually, hospital CEOs are "suits"—finance people who look at spreadsheets. Sponseller is a "white coat." He was an internist. He’s done the rounds. He knows that the wait times in the lobby aren't just numbers; they’re frustrated neighbors.
While he had to stop seeing his regular primary care patients to focus on the big office, he still does hospitalist shifts. That kind of leadership usually trickles down. It makes the medical group feel less like a factory and more like a practice.
What can you actually get done there?
It’s a lot. Don't just think of it as a place for your annual physical.
- Orthopedics and Spine: They’ve got a dedicated center for this at 700 Medical Park Drive. Dr. Siddharth Badve and Dr. Terence Hassler are names you’ll hear a lot if you’ve got a bum knee or a bad back.
- Women’s Care: This is a big one. They handle everything from high-risk pregnancies to routine wellness exams. Names like Dr. Scott Daniel and Dr. Leroy Robinson are staples in the community.
- The Med Spa: Yeah, they actually have a place called "Renew" for things like Botox or skin treatments. It’s a bit of a curveball for a medical group, but people seem to love it.
- Primary Care: This is the core. Offices are located at 701 Medical Park Drive (Suite 207) and also a walk-in clinic for when you wake up with strep and can’t wait three days for an appointment.
The "Patient-Centered Medical Home" Label
You’ll see a plaque or a badge on their website that says they are a "Patient-Centered Medical Home" (PCMH). It sounds like marketing fluff. It’s actually not.
To get that, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has to vet them. It basically means the doctors, nurses, and pharmacists actually talk to each other. Instead of you having to explain your history five times to five different people, they use a collaborative system.
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It’s meant to stop people from falling through the cracks. In a place like Hartsville, where the nearest "big city" specialist might be in Columbia or Florence, having a coordinated home base is kinda vital.
The Walk-In Clinic vs. The ER
One thing locals often get wrong is where to go when. If you’ve got a life-threatening emergency, you go to the hospital's ER at 1304 W. Bobo Newsom Hwy.
But for "not-so-well" visits—think ear infections, minor cuts, or the flu—the Carolina Pines Medical Group Walk-In Clinic is the move. It’s in Suite 207. It’s usually cheaper than an ER visit and way faster. They take most major insurance like BlueCross BlueShield and Medicare, but honestly, always call first because the "in-network" game changes constantly.
A quick word on the "Depot Site"
You might see references to the "Depot Site" on Bobo Newsom Hwy. This is often where occupational medicine or specific outpatient services happen. It’s part of the same ecosystem. If your boss sends you for a DOT physical or a drug screen, this is likely where you're heading.
Realities and Limitations
Let’s be real: no medical group is perfect. In a small town, if a popular doctor retires or moves, it can leave a huge gap. You might face longer wait times for specialized appointments like Cardiology or Urology.
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And because they are the "big player" in town, some people feel the system is too large. If you prefer a tiny, independent one-doctor office, this isn't that. This is a high-tech, corporate-backed network. The tradeoff is the access to equipment and specialists that a tiny office just can’t afford.
How to Actually Get an Appointment
Don't just show up and hope for the best, unless it's the walk-in clinic.
- Use the Portal: They use a patient portal. It’s the easiest way to see your lab results without waiting for a phone call that never comes.
- Call the Main Line: (843) 383-2764 is the central hub.
- Check the Suite Number: This is the most common mistake. There are multiple suites in the 701 Medical Park building. Suite 207 is primary care, 304 is women's care, 110 is urology. Double-check your paperwork so you aren't wandering the halls.
What to Do Next
If you’re new to the area or haven’t seen a doctor in a while, start by establishing a relationship with a primary care provider at Carolina Pines Medical Group. It’s much easier to get seen for an urgent issue if you’re already "in the system."
- Step 1: Call (843) 383-2764 and ask for a "New Patient Primary Care Appointment."
- Step 2: Request access to the Patient Portal during your first visit so you can manage your records digitally.
- Step 3: If you have a specific condition (like heart issues or joint pain), ask your primary doctor for an "internal referral" to one of their specialists to keep your records in one place.
Maintaining your health in Hartsville doesn't have to be a headache. By sticking to one coordinated group, you ensure that your cardiologist knows what your family doctor prescribed, which—honestly—is how medicine is supposed to work.