Berkeley Leader

Investing in Surgical Services for the Growing Lowcountry Community

Summerville, SC (March 20, 2023) – Summerville Medical Center is excited to announce today’s opening of a $10.5 million surgical services expansion to provide the growing community across Dorchester and Berkeley Counties with greater access to surgical care in their own backyard.

“This investment is driven by patient and physician demand for our services,” explained Maury Baker, Summerville Medical Center’s Chief Operating Officer. “Last year our team performed more than 5,100 surgeries, with 1,100 of those utilizing state-of-the-art minimally invasive robotic procedures. By adding new Operating Rooms and expanding other surgical spaces, we will be able to offer new surgical procedures for families in our community.”

The project adds 9,500 new square feet of space including three new Operating Rooms, for a total of nine ORs, and expands the Ambulatory Care Unit and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit.

Summerville Medical Center launched a minimally invasive robotic program in 2012 and in December 2022, added a fourth minimally invasive robotic surgical system focused on spine surgery to the program. The state-of-the-art robotic technology more precise surgical procedures, less need for pain medication, and faster recovery times that get patients back to their families and normal daily activities. Summerville Medical Center’s team of fellowship-trained, board-certified surgeons offer a variety of surgical procedures including gynecology, orthopedic, spine, pediatric, reflux, weight loss, breast, vascular and more.

“Continuing to welcome new surgeons and expand our surgical capabilities is critically important for the community we serve,” commented pediatric surgeon Sam Soutter, MD and member of Summerville Medical Center’s Surgical Advisory Committee. “Our goal every day is to change the lives of patients so they can get back to playing with their kids and grandkids, back to their favorite hobbies, and back to their active life. It’s truly remarkable what our surgeons and surgical team have accomplished.”

 “I am extremely proud of our growth and ability to keep the community feeling at Summerville Medical Center, commented OB/GYN William “Bo” Reeves, MD and member of Summerville Medical Center’s Surgical Advisory Committee. “The addition allows more minimally invasive opportunities for our patients in the Lowcountry.”

This investment is part of a larger strategy by Summerville Medical Center to continue expanding the hospital’s services, facility and team to meet the needs of our growing communities for many more years to come. In the past decade, Summerville Medical Center has invested almost $200 million towards adding new facilities including Brighton Park Emergency near Nexton and the Summerville Breast Center, building a $61 million women’s, neonatal and surgical tower, expanding the hospital’s adult and pediatric emergency departments, and more.

Summerville Medical Center received a Certificate of Need from DHEC for the addition of 50 inpatient beds. The project, once completed, will bring Summerville Medical Center’s licensed bed count to 174.

Original source can be found here.