Stephen A. Imbeau

STEPHEN A. IMBEAU learned in early 2013 the Morning News in Florence was looking for writers, to create what they called the Citizen Columnist Corps. Imbeau sent in some writing samples, was called in for interviews, and was chosen to join the team. Since then he has written over 150 articles and has enjoyed the work immensely. His style is to tell a history, sometimes with information he thinks most people don't know, with some humor and personal stories along the way. His bona fides are a lifetime of world travel, personal experience running a small business, a bit of politics, and a knack for curious observation.

Steve was born on November 25, 1947 in Portland, Oregon, growing up in Oakland, California. His parents were told to expect mental retardation since he was born with severe fetal distress, but they were pleasantly surprised when he met the childhood milestones, some even early. His father was a machinist for the Hyster Company, a subsidiary of the Caterpillar Company, and went on to become a salesman.

Imbeau grew up as a nerd, with absolutely no athletic ability at all, not dating until age 19, a junior in college. He attended college at the University of California at Berkeley in mathematics and computer science and then medical school at the University of California at San Francisco, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree in May of 1973. He completed both internship and residency in Internal medicine at the University of Wisconsin in 1977 and Allergy Fellowship in June 1979.

He married Shirley Ruth Burke of Toronto, Canada, in Toronto on August 18, 1979. In February, they left Wisconsin to come to Florence, SC arriving March 1, 1980, to at least three inches of snow, joining Dr. Peter Williams allergy practice. The first five years or so were tumultuous; after a few twists and turns, Imbeau began his own allergy practice in Florence as the first Board Certified Allergist in the region. The practice grew and grew and grew as he moved from independent practice to the Carolina Health Care Group to the Pee Dee Internal Medicine Group, and then with Dr. Joseph Moyer founded the Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center in 1996.

He got involved with the Florence Community first through the American Lung Association, the Big Brothers, the local medical review organization (PSRO), then the Florence Symphony, becoming president of the Symphony for six years, first in 1994. He joined the Chamber of Commerce Board and the Florence County Progress becoming chairman of County Progress in 1993. He became active in Mayor Frank Willis’ 1995 campaign and worked closely with the mayor throughout his 13 years in office and beyond.

He also developed a career at the American Medical Association (AMA), becoming alternate delegate to the AMA from South Carolina in 1996. He left South Carolina in 2000 to work at AMA with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, returning to the South Carolina Delegation at AMA in 2004. He became chair of the South Carolina Delegation in 2007 until 2015. In 2013, he became chairman of the Southeastern Delegation to AMA for two years; also, in 2011 he became Chair of the Elections Committee, and editor of the SED Newsletter, both offices continuing. He is also now the Chair of the American Medical Political Action Committee.