McLeod Health Loris celebrates 70 years of care

By Jennifer Hulon

In 1950, a small group of concerned citizens and a local physician had a plan to build a hospital. Today, that vision has flourished and the tradition of partnership between McLeod Health and the local community continues to build a remarkable future together.

On May 15, 2020, McLeod Health Loris celebrated its 70th anniversary of providing excellent medical care to the residents of Loris and surrounding communities. Events during this week honored the rich history and commemorated this exciting time in the life of McLeod Health Loris.

In light of recent events, McLeod Health Loris has postponed a community-wide open house and celebration originally scheduled for Thursday, May 14, and will announce a new date in the future once it is feasible to host community events safely. However, a number of activities were planned to share “virtually” the tremendous work that has taken place at McLeod Health Loris in the past few years and plans for the future.

“In the past two years, McLeod Health Loris has undergone major transformation within the walls of this hospital,” said Scott Montgomery, administrator of McLeod Health Loris. “We have renovated existing departments, invested in major capital improvements and developed new programs to meet the needs of our current healthcare environment.”

On Thursday, May 14, staff at McLeod Loris Seacoast celebrated internally with remarks from leadership, cake and a viewing of our Loris 70th Anniversary Video. This video was shared with the public on Friday, May 15, via McLeodHealth.org and McLeod Health social media channels.

This virtual tour of McLeod Health Loris  gives viewers the opportunity to see inside the hospital’s recent projects, learn more about the hospital’s quality programs and services, achievements and history, including:

Experienced Physicians and Staff –

With a combined medical staff of more than 200 credentialed physicians and advanced practice providers, the expertise and specialty care available to patients is exceptional. Our current campus also has more than 400 extraordinary employees.

Dedicated to advancing and growing the nursing profession, McLeod Health Loris has long partnerships with area nursing and specialty clinical programs to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals. Schools from both North and South Carolina send their students to train with our experienced staff – many of whom later become McLeod Health employees.

Emergency Department and ICU –

Led by an expert team of emergency medicine, pulmonary and critical care specialists, the ED and ICU are often the most essential services within a hospital.

The full range of emergency services offered by McLeod Health Loris, from critical care transport to doctor specialties, applies immediate care where it is needed most. The emergency department provides a vital purpose in the local community and enables critical patients to get the care they need close to home.

Labor and Delivery –

Many of the nurses in the labor and delivery unit have been part of births of multiple generations. That experience and longevity is important when caring for the smallest patients. 

In the spring of this year McLeod Health Loris finished a renovation project of the entire floor which modernized the delivery rooms for a warm and inviting environment to welcome new babies.

This project more than doubled the size of the post-partum patient rooms so that mom and dad can share their newest bundle of joy with friends and family in the comfort of a room that feels more like home and less like a hospital.

Urology Services –

In the operating room, investments in technology and world-class equipment have nurtured an award winning program and expanded capabilities.

McLeod Health Loris has also developed a reputation for being a leader in urological health for men and women. Medical advances have enabled patients who would have typically required a two to three night stay to have procedures done as an outpatient and return home to recover on the same day. In the past five years, McLeod Health Loris has seen a 133 percent increase in urological cases.

Dialysis Access Center    –

Recognizing the challenges sick people face with transportation and access, it becomes evident that healthcare is best served close to home. Compounding those challenges are dialysis treatments that must happen multiple times per week.

Led by vascular surgeon, Dr. David Bjerken, this is the only dedicated center in the region specializing in immediate dialysis repair, creation of new dialysis access and preservation of existing access. South Carolina currently ranks sixth in the nation for prevalence end-stage renal disease. For people living with kidney disease and on dialysis this is a life-saving medical treatment.

Additional capital investments totaling more than $1.5 million have been completed in the past 24 months, with even more plans under development.

“Since our partnership with McLeod Health in 2012, we have continued to enhance our facilities and expand our services,” said Montgomery.  “As part of one of the largest healthcare systems in South Carolina, our patients have access to world class physicians and state-of-the-art technology.”

For more information about McLeod Health Loris or McLeod Health, visit www.McLeodHealth.org.