Health News

Clarendon Health dons new name; begins construction

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The Clarendon Hospital District’s Board of Trustees has voted and approved to change the organization’s operating name to Southern Senior Living.

Southern Senior Living, formerly Clarendon Health System, is a not-for-profit special purpose district governed by the Clarendon Hospital District.  The Clarendon Hospital District owns and operates Health and Rehab Facilities in Clarendon and Berkeley Counties.  The Centers include Lake Marion Health and Rehab in Summerton, Windsor Manor in Manning’s Silver area, and Lake Moultrie Health and Rehab in St. Stephen, South Carolina.

“We have continued to operate under the name Clarendon Health System since our separation from the Hospital in 2016 and felt we needed a name that would more accurately represent the services provided by our organization,” said Robin Matthews, CEO.  “Our governing body, Clarendon Hospital District Board of Trustees, felt the timing of the name change was appropriate considering the new property being developed in Manning, SC.”

A team of staff members worked with a marketing firm to develop ideas for the new name.  “We felt the word ‘Southern’ not only described our geographic location but is also a reflection of the care we strive to provide in all of our Centers,” said Matt Stanley, Director of Operations.  “Southern means comfort, hospitality, good food, respect and love for family and friends, and honoring a commitment to care for our elderly, who have given us so much.  We are very excited about our new name, along with the construction and development of our newly acquired property.” 

The property, located at 3147 Sumter Highway in Manning, was purchased in 2020.  At the outset, the 22.7-acre parcel of land will serve as the site for a new health and rehab center as well as the Administrative offices for Southern Senior Living.  Future plans for the property include the construction of an Assisted Living Facility and Housing for Independent Living.  

Currently under construction, the 88-bed Pocotaligo River Health and Rehab Center will replace the existing 64-bed Windsor Manor Nursing Facility located in the Silver community of Manning.  Windsor Manor, built in the 1960’s, has a long history of providing quality care for residents in the area, but the physical structure is outdated.  This project has been needed for a long time.  The Board of Trustees and Administrative staff have been working on the project since 2016.  Matt Stanley, Director of Operations, has managed the construction project and states that plans are for the Center to be completed in the fall of 2021, with occupancy beginning in early Winter.   

“The Pocotaligo River Health and Rehab Center will bring to Manning a senior nursing center that every citizen in the area can be proud of,” said Ms. Matthews.  The facility has been designed to achieve a more homelike environment than traditional nursing homes, including separate living rooms and dining rooms for each 22 residents.  The elegant living rooms are complete with fireplaces and mantles, the meals will be served in the individual dining rooms, providing a more homestyle dining experience.  There will be a beautiful spa-style salon, a friends and family room with a bistro area, and large screen TVs.  The spacious 60,000 square-foot facility will include 40 private rooms, 24 semi-private rooms, a Community Room for larger gatherings, as well as a beautiful Chapel allowing residents and their families a quiet place to gather for prayer and reflection.  Each wing will have access to a beautifully landscaped courtyard with an outdoor pavilion in the main courtyard.

The project was formally approved by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Certificate of Need Program in December of 2019, and construction was underway by May of 2020.  To complete the project, Southern Senior Living is working with several respected partners, including Mashburn Construction, architectural firm McMillan-Pazdan-Smith, with financing through Synovus Bank.