1 week Ago
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Board of Trustees today approved a resolution to initiate the planning and construction of a state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer hospital in Charleston, marking a bold and visionary step in advancing cancer care, research and prevention throughout the state. “This represents a transformative leap forward for patients across South Carolina who depend on world-class cancer care,” said Raymond N. DuBois, M.
D., Ph.D.
, director of Hollings Cancer Center. “Our new facility will significantly expand access to advanced cancer services, enhance our capacity to recruit and retain top-tier clinicians, ensure lab research translates more rapidly into meaningful impact and propel us toward achieving National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, the highest level of excellence in cancer research. I am profoundly grateful to MUSC leadership and our board of trustees for their bold vision and unwavering dedication.
” The cancer hospital will provide one-stop integrated inpatient and outpatient services for all cancer patients. Some of these services will include inpatient and outpatient surgeries, a step-down unit, inpatient and outpatient stem cell transplantation, dedicated cancer imaging (e.g.
, CT, MRI, PET), pathology and laboratory services, chemotherapy and infusion services, radiation therapy, a pharmacy, phase 1 clinical trials, supportive care services (pain management, palliative care, cancer rehabilitation and more), cancer urgent care and community education. “The board recognizes the urgent need to expand and modernize MUSC’s cancer care infrastructure to meet the growing burden across South Carolina. This is a monumental event for the entire state,” said MUSC Board of Trustees Chairman Charles W.
Schulze. “The goal here is to have something that rivals the top cancer facilities in the nation so no one has to leave South Carolina for cancer care.” The hospital will be located in the area bordering Ashley Avenue and Sabin Street, on the footprint of the current Rutledge Tower annex, energy plant and ground parking, extending from Ashley Avenue to Rutledge Avenue.
Development of a new medical office building with clinics and ambulatory (outpatient) surgery center The board of trustees recently approved a second resolution to begin the planning and construction of a medical office building with clinics and an ambulatory (outpatient) surgery center at 334 Calhoun St. in Charleston to replace the services currently provided in Rutledge Tower, located at 135 Rutledge Ave. The 12-story Rutledge Tower currently provides primary care and specialty outpatient clinics, ambulatory operating rooms, ancillary services and faculty offices.
The planning and development of both facilities will begin immediately. It is anticipated that the ambulatory clinical facilities will be open by 2028. The cancer hospital is expected to be completed within five years.
To support efforts in achieving the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, state legislators allocated an additional $5 million, bringing the state’s total investment to $15 million..
