Dottie’s Pharmacy donates van to bolster Roper St. Francis Healthcare mobile health initiative

Roper St. Francis Healthcare has expanded its mobile health unit fleet thanks to a generous donation from Dottie’s Pharmacy. Dottie’s Pharmacy and Summit Clinical Institute’s Chief Clinical Pharmacist Dottie Farfone and Dottie’s Pharmacy’s Director of Business Operations Scott Farfone gifted a fully equipped Sprinter van to support the system’s community health outreach across the tri-county region.

The Farfones originally purchased the van during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide testing, vaccine administration and continue regular pharmacy services—demonstrating their commitment to serving both their customers and the broader community. Now, they are excited to extend the van’s purpose by donating it to Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s mobile health program.

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw an urgent need in our community for accessible testing, vaccines and pharmacy care,” the Farfones said.  It’s incredibly meaningful to know that this van, born from a moment of community need, will go on to support that same community through Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s mobile health program. We’re honored to see it continue serving the people who need it most.”

As the second vehicle in the mobile health fleet, the Sprinter van will allow the team to reach rural communities more frequently and efficiently. It complements the larger mobile unit, which hit the road in March 2024 and serves as a “moving practice” delivering high-quality, expanded care across the region.

The newly donated van includes a refrigerator, enabling the team to administer flu and COVID-19 vaccines in the field—a new service not previously available. Its addition also allows the larger unit to focus more often on providing cancer screenings.

The gift from the Farfones will help to provide much-needed medical services to underserved communities throughout the Lowcountry. You can help too!

“We are deeply grateful to Scott and Dottie for their support in expanding our mobile health initiatives,” said Dr. Megan Baker, Chief Operating Officer of Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Interim President of the Roper St. Francis Foundation. “Their generosity will have a lasting impact on the lives of countless community members. On behalf of all who will benefit from this enhanced care, thank you.”