McLeod Health, a leading health-care provider in the region, on Monday, April 22, 2024, unveiled plans for the new state-of-the-art hospital at the McLeod Health Carolina Forest Campus.

The groundbreaking event marked the beginning of construction for a $56 million, four-story, 48-bed facility that will serve the growing population of Horry County and the Grand Strand area.

Construction is expected to take two years to complete with an anticipated opening in 2026. This will be the first new hospital built in Horry County since McLeod Health Seacoast opened in 2011.

Officials said that as Horry County continues to experience rapid population growth, access to high-quality healthcare services becomes increasingly critical. According to recent projection estimates, Horry County’s population could reach 584,500 by 2040.

The new hospital at McLeod Health Carolina Forest addresses this need by providing convenient and comprehensive care for residents, the officials said. They said that with more than 110,000 patient visits at the Carolina Forest Campus over the past year, McLeod Health recognizes the importance of having a dedicated inpatient facility close to home.

“Where there are medical and treatment needs, we find a way,” said Donna Isgett, CEO of McLeod Health.  “Together, with the people of Carolina Forest and beyond, at this site, we are pioneering a new era of modern health care that our community can rely on.”

The four-story building will house operating suites, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory services, providing a full range of medical capabilities. The hospital will be part of an expansion of the existing Carolina Forest campus, which already includes outpatient buildings serving primary care, specialty care, and emergency services.

“This is a visionary project that will transform healthcare in Horry County,” said Scott Montgomery, CEO of McLeod Health Carolina Forest. “These beds represent more than just numbers; they symbolize hope, compassion, and healing. Whether it’s a teen being treated for a sports injury or a senior citizen seeking comfort, each bed will be a sanctuary for recovery.”

Officials said the Carolina Forest campus is envisioned to offer a wide range of health services that will provide the emergent, primary, specialty and inpatient care that patients need. 

They said McLeod Health is building a continuum of care, with specialty services at all three Horry County Hospitals – McLeod Seacoast, McLeod Loris, and McLeod Carolina Forest campuses.