News Summary
Myrtle Beach is enhancing its healthcare landscape with the introduction of new medical facilities to improve access and quality of care. Key developments include a new medical center at 4500 Wild Iris Drive, an expansion of the Coastal Cancer Oncology Center, and the upcoming South Strand Medical Center. The Conway Medical Center recently faced controversy but reaffirms its commitment to providing quality healthcare. These projects aim to address the area’s growing population and healthcare demands.
New Medical Facilities Planned to Enhance Healthcare Access in Myrtle Beach Area
Myrtle Beach is witnessing a significant transformation in its healthcare landscape, marked by an influx of new medical facilities aimed at improving accessibility and quality of care. This surge in development coincides with the area’s growing population and recent construction of homes and apartment complexes, making healthcare a top priority for both residents and local officials.
Construction of a State-of-the-Art Medical Center
A new medical center is set to rise at 4500 Wild Iris Drive, located prominently along Highway 17. This facility will be a cornerstone in ensuring that residents have convenient access to essential health services. The Coastal Cancer Oncology Center is also expanding its footprint in the area, having secured a building permit in March 2024 for a substantial new treatment center. Spanning approximately 13,400 square feet, this center is strategically located near the Myrtlewood Golf Club, nestled between Wild Iris Drive and Highway 17 Bypass North.
Transaction records from Horry County Land Records reveal that a property exceeding 3 acres was sold to Wild Iris Realty LLC by Burroughs & Chapin in February 2024 for around $1 million. The registered agent for Wild Iris Realty LLC is Dr. Emily Touloukian, a physician actively involved in the Coastal Cancer Center, indicating a strong commitment to local healthcare advancement.
Expansion of Conway Medical Center
In addition to new buildings, the Conway Medical Center has opened a new primary care and dermatology office within the vibrant Grande Dunes area. However, the facility has recently found itself at the center of controversy following a viral TikTok video in which a woman claimed that she was denied an abortion for an ectopic pregnancy. This has led to a wave of negative commentary directed at the medical center.
In the wake of this situation, Conway Medical Center has issued a statement to clarify its commitment to providing appropriate and timely medical care. The institution has taken proactive measures to counteract the misinformation circulating on social media platforms. Due to the threats and unrest incited by the online discourse, security measures have been heightened at the facility, ensuring the safety of both staff and patients.
Plans for South Strand Medical Center Expansion
Meanwhile, the South Strand Medical Center is also in the pipeline for an impressive expansion, with plans for a new state-of-the-art hospital in an area just a block past Farrow Parkway. This proposed facility is set to include 59 inpatient beds along with four operating rooms, bringing comprehensive surgical capabilities to the community.
The CEO of Grand Strand Medical has expressed pride in the impending project, viewing it as an essential contribution to the healthcare landscape in Myrtle Beach. Planning officials have highlighted the importance of South Strand Medical Center’s expansion, noting its potential to support community growth while creating numerous job opportunities for local residents.
Approval Process and Future Outlook
The city’s planning commission is scheduled to review the South Strand Medical Center project on January 7, with hopes that it will receive the green light to advance to the city council for further approval. If all goes according to plan, the new hospital could welcome patients as early as 2028, a timeline that underscores the urgency and necessity of enhanced medical services in this rapidly growing region. Since its inception in 1978, South Strand Medical Center has experienced tremendous growth, expanding its capacity from 124 beds to an impressive 403 beds today.
The developments in Myrtle Beach signify a pivotal shift in the local healthcare sector, driven by both the increase in demand for health services and the dedication of healthcare providers to adapt and expand. With new facilities on the horizon, the future of healthcare in Myrtle Beach looks promising.
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Additional Resources
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Wikipedia: Healthcare in the United States
- WPDE News
- Google Search: healthcare expansion Myrtle Beach
- WMBF News
- Google Scholar: interfacility transport services
- Horry News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hospital
- WBTW News
- Google News: Grand Strand Medical Center
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.
