Bamberg, South Carolina (June 2023) –  Bamberg County has selected Thorne Ambulance Service, a family owned and operated business with eight locations throughout South Carolina, as its mobile medical provider. After an extensive search and careful consideration of several providers, Bamberg County will have a five year contract with Thorne. 

According to Founder and CEO, Ryan D. Thorne, “Thorne Ambulance Service opened in 2010 and has responded to countless emergency, inter-facility, and non-emergency requests through partnerships with Cherokee County, HCA Grand Strand, Bon Secours/Mercy Health, AnMed Health Cannon, Encompass, and others.” Thorne “provides quality-driven service and utilizes a patient-focused and goal-oriented approach to provide exceptional clinical care and customer service” and “utilizes the latest in mobile medical technology” while providing excellent patient care.

In recent years, Thorne Ambulance Service and its leaders have been honored and recognized with various awards and accolades, including SC EMS Director of the Year, one of 50 Fastest Growing Businesses in SC, SC Telecommunicator of the Year, and the 3rd Fastest Growing Small Business in SC. These recognitions further demonstrate Thorne’s commitment to excellence and service. 

Thorne submitted a detailed proposal that included information about their stellar team and track record, which includes the provision of Basic and Advanced Life Support services across the state. This is accomplished through their ability to manage ground ambulance resources, in addition to operating their own communications and billing departments. Thorne enhances the care provided by their team through the implementation of a culture of safety, quality clinical education initiatives, and a commitment to regulatory compliance.

Thorne’s proposed contract and pricing schedule with Bamberg County has been contingent upon a joint venture with Barnwell County. Barnwell County selected Thorne, and as a result, Bamberg County will partner with them to bring the region the best possible mobile emergency medical care and equipment. 

Chairman Dr. Jonathan Goodman and Councilmen Spencer Donaldson and Phil Myers serve on the County EMS Advisory Board Committee and are pleased with the selection. 

Chairman Goodman said, “We are happy to partner with Barnwell County to provide state-of-the-art emergency equipment, healthcare services, and patient care to regional residents. Such collaborative regionalization is beneficial to all involved, most importantly, Bamberg County taxpayers.”

Councilman Donaldson also applauded the “collaborative effort to find a solution that will be economically advantageous to both Bamberg and Barnwell Counties.”

Additionally, Councilman Phil Myers said, “Our citizens will not only have access to the best possible healthcare services and equipment, but they will also save some of their hard-earned tax dollars.”

County Administrator Joey Preston said, “After months of research, negotiations with eight mobile medical providers, and collaborative discussions with Barnwell County, Bamberg County has concluded Thorne is the obvious choice to provide this essential service to our region. The icing on the cake is that there will be no EMS millage increase, therefore no tax increase as a result of this new partnership.”

Bamberg County has been contracted with MedShore/Priority Ambulance Service for the last two years and will begin its contract with Thorne on September 3. 

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For more information on this press release, email info@bambergcounty.sc.gov.