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Why We Benefit Everyone
Friendship Medical Clinic & Pharmacy
Serving and Providing Healthcare Services to Horry County For Over 50 Years
Friendship Medical Clinic provides free healthcare services and treatment for low-income, uninsured adults, living in Horry County.
Improve health outcomes by providing medical care regardless of the ability to pay for services
A Timeline Of Highlights
Community Of Volunteer Services (CVS)
Starting out, the organization was much less equipped and, for a while, it did not have a physical location. Despite this, through the work from the volunteers and generosity from the community, they were able to grow over time.
The Friendship House
Once the organization was able to acquire a physical location, CVS was changed to, "The Friendship House". The clinic continued to grow and offer more services to their patients.
A Pharmacy Is Born
Medication supply become an issue, and the clinic is unable to purchase enough medications for patients. To fix this, they ask a pharmacist name Patty Gresko, to set up a state-licensed pharmacy and Patient Assistance Program (PAP).
The Friendship House receives a $150,000, three year grant, from the Duke Endowment Foundation. The name is then changed to what it is known as now, "Friendship Medical Clinic and Pharmacy".
In 1965, a group of Myrtle Beach High School students formed the Community Service Council. The mission of the organization was to serve the community by assisting low-income residents in need. This organization was the beginning of the present-day Friendship Medical Clinic.
Patients are seen in private offices and outdoor mini-clinics.
Nurses, doctors and other volunteers interview, screen, make referrals and treat Patients.
Prescription services and clinic card referral system are developed.
Budget increases from $5,000 (1969) to $7,500.
Community Volunteer Services (CVS) pays $500-$700 monthly for medications for those Patients not able to buy their own.
Jerry Llewellyn, CVS director, is offered a 1930s barn, built from rough, unfinished lumber.
Money to move the barn comes from funds provided by United Way and an annual summer flea market fundraiser.
Myrtle Beach Farms generously provides a lease on an undeveloped lot on Canal Street.
Rainbow's End, a thrift shop, is created so that the communities have an affordable retail place to shop. The shop's revenue provides for operating funds for clinic.
With a physical location, CVS turns into "Friendship House," and acquires a van, used primarily to transport elderly persons to other agencies assisting the community.
Operating budget increases to $60,000, and nearly 1,000 prescriptions are dispensed.
Sources for sample medications that doctors receive and dispense at the clinic are drying up and the clinic finds itself unable to purchase enough medications.
Patty Gresko, a licensed pharmacist, is asked to assist in setting up a state-licensed pharmacy and a Patient Assistance Program (PAP) that permits clinics to obtain medications for low-income Patients.
At this point, the pharmacy is operating out of a closet, and Patients have to wait outside until their name is called to see the doctor.
BEighteen years later, Gresko is still the pharmacist-in-charge, operating the pharmacy under her state license. Her comment when asked why she donates so much time, "I get way more out of it than I give."
Friendship Medical Clinic & Pharmacy receives a $150,000, three-year grant from The Duke Endowment secured through the efforts of Conway Medical Center Foundation.
Friendship House changes its name to Friendship Medical Clinic & Pharmacy.
Help us continue to provide care to our community.
Friendship Medical
Center & Pharmacy
Conway, SC 29526
Patient Line: 843-347-7178