COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina announced its plans on Friday to build the state's first standalone hospital specializing in neurological care.
During a meeting the same day, the university's board of trustees approved a $10 million agreement fund with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to perform preliminary architecture and engineering work on the hospital.
The university will also request $150 million from the state budget in 2025 to help fund the $350 million project. The university said the hospital would have 115 beds and "provide access to state-of-the-art health care from preeminent physicians, therapists and nurses."
“This is a tremendous opportunity to address a critical gap in health care for brain-related conditions, not only for our state, but for the entire Southeast,” USC President Michael Amiridis said.
In its announcement, the university pointed to a few health statistics in the state, including South Carolina's sixth-highest stroke death rate in the country, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The announcement also cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's data showing South Carolina ranks fourth in deaths due to traumatic brain injuries.
The university said that current neurological care and rehabilitation options in South Carolina are limited and that some residents must seek care outside the state.
“This would be the most impactful project in the history of the university, particularly for the quality of life of South Carolinians," Board of Trustees Chairman Thad Westbrook said. "Our citizens would be able to get the best quality of care in their backyard."
The university also said the hospital would provide additional training grounds for university students in several fields. The hospital is expected to complement the university's partnership with Prisma Health by extending collaboration at the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging and Brain Health Network.
The university said the hospital is set for construction next to the not-yet-constructed School of Medicine building on the Health Sciences Campus in the BullStreet District.