Live Oak Medical Center, located at the edge of the Black River at 342 West Main Street, Kingstree, opened its doors to the community after an October 30, ribbon cutting. Formerly the Baker Furniture building, the medical team of physicians Robert Richard Ellis, Ernest Atkinson, Albert Mims and Benjamin Lamb led the renovations that took nearly a year and a complete overhaul of both the interior and exterior spaces.
Live Oak, Kingstree is a satellite office of the Lake City facility that had its grand opening the week prior. The Kingstree center will offer in-house pharmacy, digital x-ray, electronic medical records and state-of-the-art lab. The group is also planning to offer rental space for medical related industry in the near future. Senator Yancey McGill, Mayor Ricky Burrows and other dignitaries attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Dr. Mims, who as a younger man, changed oil at a gas station near the site of the new center, was excited to be a part of the experience. “We talked about doing this 10 years ago but I didn’t think it would take this long,” he said. “I have three other partners here who agree that we see a great future here and great potential.” Williamsburg County Supervisor Stanley Pasley agreed with Mims, saying the center will enhance the health care in the county. “Your tireless efforts in making this happen will have a great impact on how we move Williamsburg County forward,” he said. “The citizens certainly deserve and desire quality health care and we know that Live Oak will help to continue to help that.”
Senator McGill was happy to see old friends, as well as new ones locating to Kingstree. “Welcome home,” he said to Kingstree natives Ernest Atkinson and Albert Mims. “It was just a short time ago at a meeting at town hall and Mayor Ricky Burrows that you shared with us your desire to come home and take care of the health of Williamsburg County residents. Now to have you both here, we thank you. For there is no question that you four will change the lives of the many citizens in this region.”
Meet the physicians:
Dr. Richard K. Ellis, M.D., is a native of Sumter. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed residency training in family medicine at McLeod Regional Medical Center. He became board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine in 2001. Dr. Ellis’ primary medical interest is chronic disease state management with emphasis on closing the healthcare gap in the care of African Americans.
Dr. Ernest M. Atkinson, M.D., a native of Kingstree,  has been a family physician since his completion of medical school and residency in 1993. Educated in South Carolina, he received his undergraduate degree in biology from Wofford College in Spartanburg. He then attended the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and completed his residency at McLeod Family Practice in Florence. He is board certified through the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Albert D. Mims, M.D., born in Kingstree, received his BS in biology from the University of South Carolina. He then attended Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and completed his residency in the Greenville Hospital System. He is board certified through the American Academy of Family Practice (Diplomat) and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Benjamin (Wade) Lamb, M.D., is a native of Lake City. He has been in practice since 2003.
He graduated from Francis Marion University with a degree in biology in 1994. He completed his medical education at the University of South Carolina in May of 2000, where he graduated with honor from AOA.
Following graduation he began a family medicine residency at McLeod Family Medicine in Florence. While in residency he was named chief resident for two years. He currently serves on the board of directors for the SCAFP.