LUMBERTON Work to rehabilitate the Dr. Arthur J. Robinson Medical Clinic in South Lumberton, damaged by floodwaters generated by Hurricane Matthew in October 2016, will begin soon, Southeastern Health leaders announced Wednesday.

“We are excited to be able to take this first step to bring health services back to this community,” said Joann Anderson, Southeastern Health’s president and chief executive officer.

Approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair the facility was granted after 12 months of analysis and review, according to David Sumner, Southeastern Health vice president of Corporate Services and chief strategy officer.

Southeastern’s board of trustees endorsed the restoration project and is fully committed to continuing the legacy of clinic namesake Robinson, who practiced family medicine in the South Lumberton community from 1951 until his retirement in 1986.

The 6,000-square-foot facility, located at 800 Martin L. King Jr. Drive, opened in October 2000. It included a 1,000-square-foot dental office, which was managed by Robeson Health Care Corporation.

Southeastern Health will work with FEMA through the course of the rebuild, fulfilling all applicable rules and regulations as dictated by their agency, according to a statement from Southeastern Health. The first steps include securing architectural, engineering and building contractors.

No completion date has been set and operational details related to the occupancy of the facility have not yet been finalized.

The future of the clinic, located in one of Lumberton’s poorest communities, was in doubt after the flood. Southeastern Health officials feared that the previously successful clinic might not have a community to return to because so many homes were damaged or destroyed.

The clinic drew patients of all socio-economic backgrounds from throughout the county and beyond.

“It was absolutely a good clinic for us,” Anderson said.

The majority of the clinic’s staff has relocated to Southeastern Health’s North Lumberton Clinic, which is several miles away.

The clinic includes seven exam rooms, a laboratory, an X-ray room and consultation offices. It is staffed with three medical providers. Dr. Dennis Stuart came to the clinic in 2004, and Dr. James McLeod opened his practice in 2006. Nurse practitioner Wanda Faircloth was the third member of the medical staff.

The Dr. Arthur J. Robinson Medical Clinic in South Lumberton was damaged by floodwaters generated by Hurricane Matthew. Rehabilitation work is to begin soon.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_DSCN27062017118181235804-1.jpgThe Dr. Arthur J. Robinson Medical Clinic in South Lumberton was damaged by floodwaters generated by Hurricane Matthew. Rehabilitation work is to begin soon.

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Joanne-Anderson_1-1.jpg

By Scott Bigelow

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Reach Scott Bigelow at 910-416-5649.