Summerville Medical Center broke ground today on their $53 million, 30-bed expansion, the first step in the women’s and children’s consolidation project. The project marks the largest in the hospital’s history. “We’re proud to have called Summerville home for the past 27 years,” said Summerville Medical Center CEO Lisa Valentine. “With today’s groundbreaking we look forward to the next chapter in what we think is a unique and warm relationship with Greater Summerville families.” The project is expected to be completed in late-2018.

Considering the population growth in the region the theme of families is at the heart of the expansion. South Carolina economic development experts predict nearly 50 people move into Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston Counties every day. The number is expected to continue at least for the next three years.

Trident Health Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Director of the Dorchester County EMS Doug Warren explained the growth is creating unprecedented demands and opportunities in the region. “I commend the hospital leadership for anticipating what we’re currently experiencing and are expected to continue experience for at least the next three years. They are very thoughtful and deliberate in their discussions about how to best care for the families who are here and prepare for those who are coming.”

“Like many services in our region we’re feeling the effects of the growth,” explained Valentine. “We are already the preferred healthcare provider for thousands of families in our community for women’s and children’s services. We see their support especially in our Pediatric ER, Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Labor and Delivery Departments. We want to continue earning their trust. We can do that by continuing to provide compassionate, high quality care in an environment that is safe and comforting.”

During the nearly 12 month design process teams met with families, physicians and staff to help create a comforting and healing environment. The new expansion includes calming color pallets and nature-inspired accents that provide a fresh, contemporary feel that appeals to young families.

“It was important to get the design and construction right for our patients,” said Valentine. “Expanding into this new space will allow us to add the latest equipment in a beautiful environment. We’re thrilled to begin this expansion so we can give more to the families that seek care with us. We hope that when families see the architectural renderings they will be able to quickly imagine more of what the final product will look like. I think they’ll be very pleased and proud of their hometown hospital.”

When completed, the expansion will allow Trident Health to consolidate all of its women’s and children’s services at Summerville Medical Center. “Last year, more than 2,600 families welcomed new babies at Trident Health with more than 1,100 babies born at Summerville Medical Center,” said Valentine. “We look forward to having our physician specialists, subspecialists, Level ll Nursery professionals, and other staff who care for women and children at our hospital in one location.”

It will also allow Trident Medical Center to expand its critical care services for trauma, cardiac, orthopedic, and stroke patients. In addition to Summerville and Trident Medical Center, Trident Health includes Moncks Corner Medical Center and Centre Pointe Emergency.

The Summerville Medical Center expansion project is part of Trident Health’s nearly $75 million investment into its facilities. Included is a $13.5 million expansion of Trident Medical Center’s emergency department, operating rooms, and imaging capabilities that is scheduled to be completed by mid-2018.

Layton Construction, a healthcare construction company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, will lead the Summerville Medical Center project. Architecture and design schematics are provided by Nashville-based Gresham, Smith and Partners. It’s expected the construction will result in jobs for 250 carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other trades.

We made every effort to use as many local contractors as possible,” noted Valentine. “Trident Construction has done an excellent job preparing the grounds for the major construction.” Other local partners include, North Charleston-based Cullum, Eldeco, and Greater Georgia Concrete.