South Carolina is becoming a destination for professionals and retirees, and a big reason why is because of its cutting-edge, quality health care, says Jim O’Loughlin, chairman of the South Carolina Hospital Association and CEO of the Carolinas Hospital System, a top health-care provider in the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) Region of the state.

The quality of care is getting even better because medical centers are working collaboratively to share information, O'Loughlin says. If an important discovery is made, data is shared among all medical facilities in the region and state.

“Hospitals still compete for patients, but information is shared,” he says. “Most states don’t have such collaboration, but South Carolina does.”

Some of the state's best hospitals are located in the NESA Region, according to O'Loughlin.

“Cardiovascular and specialty care are especially amazing,” he says. “There is a constant commitment in the region to improving treatment and technology.”

Staffed by 260 physicians who represent every major specialty, the Carolinas Hospital System includes a 402-bed facility in Florence and is best known for its cardiac care and chest pain center, which was recently recognized for its excellence in diagnosing vascular disease.

Other top medical centers in the NESA Region include: 

McLeod Health

Serving Florence, Dillon and Darlington counties, McLeod is home to the McLeod Heart & Vascular Institute, which has established an affiliation with the world-famous Cleveland Clinic. In addition to constructing a new outpatient rehabilitation and sports medicine facility, the hospital system has invested $6.3 million to expand its emergency department in Dillon. It also recently took over management of the 105-bed Loris Community Hospital and Seacoast Medical Center in Horry County.

Grand Strand Regional Medical Center

This 219-bed acute care hospital in Myrtle Beach was ranked the No. 1 hospital in the state in 2010 for its heart surgery program, according to HealthGrades. Grand Strand Regional is currently undergoing a $52 million expansion of its cardiac and emergency departments.

Conway Medical Center

Conway Medical Center in Horry County recently added a new patient tower with 64 additional rooms, bringing its total number of beds to 210. It is also home to a new $3.5 million diagnostic center.

Georgetown Hospital System

Georgetown Hospital System is in the midst of two expansions. The system is expanding patient care areas and open-heart surgery services for its flagship 131-bed acute-care Georgetown Memorial Hospital. It is also adding a medical office building with specialty departments in wound care and pain management at its 167-bed Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet.

Community Hospitals Offer Rural Care

A robust network of community hospitals provide care to more rural parts of the region. In Marion County, Marion Regional Healthcare System operates a 124-bed acute-care facility in Mullins with emergency services, outpatient surgery, rehabilitation and long-term care. Williamsburg Regional Hospital in Kingstree serves residents in Williamsburg and surrounding counties, and Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Darlington County provides maternity, surgical, emergency, pediatric and wound care through its 116-bed hospital in Hartsville. The 102-bed Marlboro Park Hospital in Bennettsville recently received high marks on a national survey for patient satisfaction, and the 59-bed Chesterfield General Hospital in Chesterfield County has received awards for its quality care from the Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence.