Forest Acres, SC Health and Fitness

At Any Lab Test Now, HIPAA-compliant technicians help clients take control of personal health by readily performing standard laboratory procedures such as food-allergy tests, STD tests, DNA tests, and basic checkups. Since 1992, the advanced health-care facility has made medical laboratory testing available to the general public, and it welcomes clients without appointments, health insurance, or experience in riding a giant centrifuge at a state fair. In addition to individual health tests, the staff offers employment solutions and screenings to ensure safe and drug-free workplaces. All tests at Any Lab Test Now are performed confidentially.

A trio of experienced practitioners—two chiropractors and a physiatrist—stands at the helm of the spine-soothing ship that is Midlands Health Center. William A. Jones, R. Dean McCaughan, and Kiran K. Sandrapaty share a deep knowledge of the body’s inner workings and a patient-centered philosophy that compels them to begin each of their chiropractic treatments with a personal consultation. Their focus on holistic well-being does not preclude them from accounting for specific ailments; taking advantage of the center’s x-ray facilities, they can identify bodily issues such as vertebral subluxations and abnormally frightening skeletons. To ensure the health of spines and nervous systems, the doctors may employ manual and trigger-point therapies as well as other hands-on techniques.

Dr. Joanna Silver Dover inherited her passion for dentistry from her mother, Susan, a dental hygienist. Joanna knew from an early age that she was called to care for patients and their teeth, enrolling right out of high school in an early-acceptance dental program at the University of Florida's College of Dentistry, where she graduated among the top eight in her class. While completing her residency at Palmetto Health Richland, the good doctor met her future husband, Michael, and decided to set down metaphorical roots in Columbia while caring for the very real and tangible roots and crowns of her patients' teeth. Today, she and her team of experienced dental professionals protect and beautify teeth with a vast arsenal of treatments, from routine exams and digital x-rays, to TMJ treatments, implants, and Boost whitening. Dr. Dover expands her repertoire of services by regularly attending seminars and courses, as well as mastering simple in-office cosmetic procedures such as Botox and Juvéderm.

Dentistry should be conservative. That's the view espoused by Dr. Michael Wayne Sturkie Jr. and his team, who only perform the bare minimum of necessary treatment. Not only does this approach foster oral health, but it also benefits guests by limiting their trips to the often-intimidating, eerily comfortable dental chair. To keep visits at a minimum, the staff's thoughtful philosophy places an emphasis on preventive maintenance, such as fluoride treatments, and patient education, including proper brushing and flossing techniques that could prevent future problems.

When treatment is necessary, Dr. Sturkie and his staff tend to mouths with a variety of services. Besides regular checkups, they can perform root canals or fill in gaps with custom-made bridges. Wisdom-teeth removals ensure that patients refrain from continually shouting out trivia answers. The doctor visits with each patient to devise custom treatment plans and carefully explain options before proceeding with treatment.

Dr. Manly Hutchinson has practiced obstetrics and gynecology for more than 30 years, making his mark as one of the pioneers of endoscopic surgery. He brings the same clinical rigor and professional tact to the practice of aesthetics and to the chore of making his bed in the morning. Assisted by the staff of licensed aestheticians and registered nurses at the Hutchinson Center for Aesthetic Medicine, Dr. Hutchinson turns his focus to minimally invasive techniques for smoothing and contouring the body. Aside from performing laser-assisted liposuction, he relies on laser technology to clear skin of wrinkles, unwanted hair, and superficial veins.