VCOM View Vol 11 No 1

The clinic is now home to ReGenesis Healthcare’s Northside Health Center. Several VCOM- Carolinas alumni work at the clinic. “ReGenesis and the Northside clinic were established to help close gaps in access to healthcare for all individuals and families in Spartanburg, regardless of socioeconomic factors such as insurance coverage or income level,” says Amanda Pruitt, DO. Dr. Pruitt was a member of the VCOM-Carolinas inaugural class, receiving her diploma at the Spartanburg Memorial Dr. Pruitt, whose family has lived in Spartanburg County since 1999, exemplifies the VCOM mission in her work and life, splitting her time between practicing as a family physician at the ReGenesis Clinic and as a faculty member teach- ing the next generation of doctors across the street at VCOM-Carolinas. “I believe this perfectly reflects VCOM’s mission to serve the underserved,” Dr. Pruitt said. “And to be able to open the clinic in such close proximity to campus really highlights all the positive change VCOM has helped bring to the Northside area.” Auditorium in 2015, only two blocks away from where she now serves.

“Since I was a child, I always said I wanted to be a physician,” said Dr. Pruitt. “As I moved through my undergraduate career, that dream became more realistic. Once I became more familiar with the osteopathic philosophy, I knew I wanted to become a DO. As I was finishing my undergraduate degree, the Carolinas campus was opening in my hometown, close to family, and after meeting with everyone and touring the campus, I realized it would be a perfect fit.”

I enjoy being able to care for my community,” she added.

Neighborhood Progress Since 2011, over $200 million have been invested in new infrastructure

and developments, and the Northside is well on its way to recovery.

The Northside has seen many hopeful changes in recent years. In addition to the medical school, the neighborhood has welcomed a new community center, which offers mentoring and afterschool options

“ VCOM-Carolinas allowed me to study medicine in my hometown and stay close to my family. I enjoy being able to care for my community.” —Amy Bruce Arendt, DO VCOM-Carolinas Class of 2015

for local families, a thriving urban farm, a new green space and walking

trail around the previously piped creek. Substandard apartments have been replaced by new, inclusionary housing options for all income levels. The clinic itself is housed within the newly constructed Northside Station. The station was built as part of a project addressing the need for affordable and market rate housing in the Northside and providing access to services and education. “ReGenesis is a Federally Qualified Health Center,” Dr. Arendt says, “whose mission is to provide accessible, affordable, high quality and culturally sensitive health care to our community. I enjoy using

Amy Bruce Arendt, DO, who works at the clinic alongside Dr. Pruitt, is also a member of VCOM-Carolinas’ inaugural Class of 2015. A Spartanburg local, Dr. Arendt was completely educated in Spartanburg County from kindergarten through medical school. She did her residency in Family Medicine at Spartanburg Regional Hospital. “I’ve always enjoyed helping others and wanted to be a physician,” Dr. Arendt said. “VCOM-Carolinas allowed me to study medicine in my hometown and stay close to my family.

14

www.vcom.edu/view