MUSC Health Opens Women’s Health Clinic in Chester to Expand Access to Specialized Care

Women who once had to spend a full day traveling for obstetrical and gynecological care can now access it close to home, with the opening of MUSC Women’s Health at Chester Medical Center. This clinic will bring John Thomas Smith, M.D., and Greg Miller, M.D., to serve the Chester community. Both physicians bring extensive experience and a shared commitment to providing high-quality care to a community in need. 

“I’m really excited about this opportunity, and I’m excited to see patients in Chester,” said Smith. “Our goal is to provide excellent care locally.”

Both providers at the new clinic joined MUSC Health in fall 2024 and are excited to meet and serve women in the Chester area. 

Smith comes to Chester with over 20 years of experience. He completed his obstetrics and gynecology residency training at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, and served in the Air Force for nine years on active duty before joining the private sector. After 19 years in Minnesota, Smith is ready to bring a full range of obstetric and gynecological services to MUSC Health. 

Before coming to Chester, Miller was a Navy physician with the Marine Corps in Camp Lejeune, N.C. Following his military service, he spent 18 years in private practice in Rock Hill, South Carolina. During that time, many of his office staff as well as patients were from Chester. He has many fond memories of the people of Chester County. He was then recruited to Beaufort to establish a successful OB-GYN practice for the local hospital. He brings more than 30 years of experience with him. 

By opening this location, MUSC Health is addressing a long-standing need for more accessible women’s health services in Chester County. This new clinic offers a full spectrum of women’s health services, including preventive screenings, prenatal and postnatal care, family planning, gynecological procedures and menopause management. 

“One of the nicest things is getting down there and providing these people a level of care that they haven’t gotten. It will be the same level of care as if they were to go to Lancaster, Rock Hill, Columbia or Charlotte,” said Miller. “We’ll be able to provide a wide range of services here that sometimes people aren’t even getting in bigger practices. We also have plans to include more services for Chester in the future.”

This new offering also highlights MUSC Health’s focus on health equity and building healthier futures for rural families across the region. With a resource like this, women across Chester can now access care just steps from their home. 

 “The best care is close to home, and that holds true here,” said Edward McCutcheon, M.D., chief medical officer at MUSC Health Chester and Lancaster medical centers. “I’m passionate about our mission, and it’s rewarding to me personally but also for the organization to continue to expand and fulfill the mission of MUSC.”

Both Smith and Miller share the same passion and excitement about the opening of this new clinic and offering these much-needed services in Chester County. 

“We’re going to be able to do the full breadth of obstetrics and gynecology. I think this would be a great opportunity to go to Chester and help those patients in their community,” said Smith.

“When MUSC took over the hospital in Lancaster, I became hopeful they would be interested in expanding services to Chester County.  The leadership at MUSC shares the same vision to become a destination for quality Women’s Health in Chester.  Opening a clinic like this is a win for everyone including myself.”

About the Author

Kristin Merkel
Media Relations Manager
Office of Communications and Marketing

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Paige Durham

SCbio is pleased to welcome Paige Durham to the team as communications coordinator to creatively and effectively communicate the value of the life science association’s programs and initiatives.

Durham will be responsible for developing and distributing high-quality content across multiple communications channels to build, advance and grow South Carolina’s life sciences industry, a key business sector for economic prosperity for the Palmetto State.

“SCbio is excited to welcome Paige to our team as our new communications coordinator. Paige brings fresh ideas and a strong background in communications that will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our engagement with our audience,” said SCbio President and CEO James Chappell. “We are confident that her skills and experience will be crucial in advancing our communication strategies and supporting our mission.”

Before joining SCbio, Durham was the Membership and Communications Manager at the South Carolina Pharmacy Association (SCPhA), where she used her photography, design and writing skills to create content tailored to pharmacy professionals. Durham’s effective communication skills guaranteed the delivery of brand-specific material that captured the eye of her audience.

During her time at SCPhA, Durham created and edited the Palmetto Pharmacist Journal, using her creative vision to showcase members, educational institutions and industry news. Her communications efforts successfully gained new followers for the organization over the course of a year, increasing brand visibility and promoting the pharmacy profession.

Durham holds a Bachelor of Science in hospitality and tourism management and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the College of Charleston.

Tamia Sumpter

Tamia is a driven senior undergraduate Bioengineering student currently enrolled at Clemson University. With a strong foundation in her field, she has honed her skills through hands-on experience in research and development at Eli Lilly & Company. During her time in the ADME department, Tamia contributed significantly by working on siRNAs and their applications in finding In Vitro-In Vivo Correlation (IVIVC). Looking ahead, Tamia has set her sights on a promising career in law. She aspires to specialize in Intellectual Property Law, with a particular focus on serving as in-house counsel for leading medical device or pharmaceutical companies. Her enthusiasm for this role is palpable as she prepares to embark on her legal journey! She is also a proud member of the Omicron Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., PEER Mentor for Clemson PEER/WiSE, and currently serves as the President of Clemson Bioengineering Organization (CBO). With her unique blend of scientific knowledge and legal interests, Tamia is poised to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare and life sciences industries.