South Carolina’s DHEC Splits Into Two Agencies
In an unprecedented move, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will be split into two distinct agencies, this will come into effect beginning on July 1.
A New Dawn for Environmental and Health Services
The two newly-formed organizations to be birthed from the former DHEC are the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH). This structural rearrangement is in full compliance with state laws and stems from the need to streamline operations towards the conservation of the environment and provision of public health services, respectively.
Essential Functions of the New Agencies
The SCDES will seamlessly assume the environmental responsibilities formerly managed by the DHEC. The new agency will govern areas such as air quality, coastal management, land & waste management, and water, along with regional and laboratory services. Thus, SCDES continues the previous structures, showing commitment to preserving the environment for future generations of South Carolinians.
Meanwhile, the DPH, responsible for public health services, will contain two core divisions – Health Promotion and Services, and Healthcare Quality. Despite the new structuring, the department ensures that access to services such as birth certificates issuance and immunization requests remains uninterrupted.
The Vision for a Healthier South Carolina
Interim Director of the DPH and previous Director of the DHEC, Dr. Edward Simmer, expressed his optimism about the future of the agencies and their impact on South Carolina citizens. He said, “Our name may change, but our commitment to serving and improving the lives of everyone in South Carolina is stronger than ever. DPH will build on DHEC’s legacy, continuously innovating to achieve best practices that help improve our state’s overall health rankings to achieve our goal of becoming the healthiest state in our nation.”
Changes for Other State Programs
In addition to the split, the DHEC also announced the transition of the department’s current retail food program and the milk and dairy lab to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. This transition aims to optimize the management of food safety and quality across the state.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
