Area Guide

MUSC Health Facilities to Open in the Sea Islands in Fall 2023

The Medical University of South Carolina has announced plans to open a new healthcare facility on Johns Island, only five minutes from Kiawah River. The 22,740 square foot facility will include an emergency room with helipad and a medical office building that will offer primary and specialty care.

This is welcome news for the sea islands, which currently lacks such facilities. Currently, the nearest emergency room is 25 miles away. “People living in this area have to travel 30 or 45 minutes to reach the nearest hospital, sometimes more depending on traffic. That’s a big problem for someone having a stroke or cardiac event,” said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., MUSC Health CEO and vice president for Health Affairs, University. “This new facility brings that care directly into the community.”

It’s a community that is expected to see double-digit population growth by 2024, and which contains many seniors and health-compromised individuals. These demographics, along with the geographically isolated nature of the sea islands, prompted MUSC to take action to construct a state-of-the-art facility that will service the comprehensive medical needs of this community.

The location at 1884 Seabrook Island Road is less than three miles from Kiawah River’s entrance and will offer immediate access to emergency services, expand primary care services, increase specialty care services, enhance specialty care with robust telemedicine capabilities and provide access to imaging services, according to MUSC.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2022, with a planned opening of October 2023.