MUSC Health Midlands celebrates first anniversary

Things were warm in more ways than one on a steamy August day as the MUSC Health-Midlands Division celebrated its first anniversary. There were hugs and smiles and applause as people gathered in Midlands’ four locations to mark the occasion.

“Now, we’re part of the family,” said Pam Roberts, lab director for MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center. It’s one of four sites that make up the Midlands Division. The other three are MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown, MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Northeast and MUSC Health Fairfield Emergency and Imaging.

 

“The laboratory had a complete makeover this past year. Being under a lab management contract since 2012, the lab care team members have always worked at Kershaw Health. Now we belong,” Roberts said.

 

That feeling of belonging was echoed by Terry Gunn, chief executive officer of the Midlands Division. “The biggest change for our care team members has been a feeling of being brought into our forever home. We are so excited to be part of MUSC Health and look forward to anchoring the Midlands of South Carolina. Our future is now bright, and we have a clear path on how we can better serve our communities.”

 

He said patients are pleased, too. “There have been so many times that I’ve been stopped by people around our communities that have expressed their excitement around having MUSC in their community. Many have been long-term recipients of care at our physician practices and local facilities, and they are pleased we’ve infused stability and a strong future here.”

 

MUSC Health bought the four sites in the Midlands Division as part of its quest to offer high-quality specialized care to people around the state. In 2019, hospitals in the Chester, Florence Lancaster and Marion areas joined MUSC Health.

Gunn said it’s important to try to ensure everyone can get the care they need. “We truly want to serve the entire Midlands region, and we are able to do that with our expansive network of clinics, hospitals and emergency rooms. From Winnsboro to Camden and Elgin to West Columbia, we have the right providers and care team members in place to offer exceptional care. I think that is what is most exciting for our community. It doesn’t matter where they live, they now have access to all MUSC has to offer.”