New Docs Join CCHS

DAYTON - The Colum­bia County Health System has recently added two new physicians at its Columbia Family Clinic in Dayton. According to interim CEO Jon Smiley, the local health­care provider is now fully staffed with doctors for the foreseeable future.

Kim Abernathy, DO, comes to Dayton from Pueb­lo, Colo., where she prac­ticed for more than a decade. She is a 1999 graduate of Nova Southeastern Univer­sity School of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauder­dale, Fla. Prior to starting her medi­cal train­ing, Dr. Aberna­thy r e ­ceived a masters degree in nutrition.

Dr. Abernathy was hired in the summer of 2013 to take over the practice of Dr. Heidi Shields, who left last year. After receiving her state board certifications, she began practicing at the clinic in the fall.

Smiley said that, though Dr. Abernathy is licensed as an osteopath and not an M.D., she is fully qualified to practice family medicine. "A D.O. must pass the same board exams as an M.D.," he said. "Dr. Aberna­thy is very qualified and ex­perienced in family medicine."

Marek M a r ­cinkiewicz received his M.D. and Ph.D from the Medical School of Bialystok in Poland. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship in Charlottesville, VA. in 1996. After serving as an assistant professor, Dr. Marcinkie­wicz returned to Virginia for residency becoming board certified in Family Medi­cine.

Dr. Marcinkiewicz was hired to fill the practice of Dr. Michael Luce, who is re­tiring this year. Dr. Luce has served as a family Physician in Dayton since 1980. He has reduced his practice to part time, and will continue to help at the clinic for the foreseeable future, Smiley Said.

"Dr. Marek is very well educated," said Smiley. "He was looking for a rural area to practice. We're very hap­py to have him."