COLUMBIA, S.C. — Prisma Health broke ground Tuesday on a $128 million new facility in northeast Columbia.
Located on a 15-acre site in the 1-77/Killian Road corridor, the new Northeast Columbia Medical Park is part of an effort to expand access to outpatient care and better serve residents of northeast Columbia, Blythewood, Winnsboro, and surrounding areas, according to officials.
Dr. Patrice Weiss is the chief medical officer at Prisma Health in the Midlands. She said access to medical care is something everybody deserves.
“To be able to deliver care to our patients in their community, you know, a lot of the challenges in care is access to car and we know that we provide great care," said Dr. Weiss. "Now, we are going to provide great care in a convenient location to our patients. Access should never ever be a deterrent for patients to get the care they need.”
Officials say the medical center will serve as a hub for primary and specialty services, with a focus on cardiology, orthopedics, physiatry, gastroenterology, vascular neurology, endocrinology, pain medicine and behavioral health Primary care services, including internal medicine, family medicine and OB/GYN practices will be available at the park, as well.
The facility, which is expected open in the fall of 2025, is expected to offer:
- Two Centers of Excellence - Cardiology and Orthopedics;
- Four state of the art operating rooms to expand access to same-day surgeries;
- 110 exam rooms, allowing for more primary and specialty care in the area;
- A comprehensive range of diagnostic and treatment services, including labs, imaging and rehab; and
- An outpatient pharmacy for easier access to medication for patients.
The groundbreaking comes as Scout Motors and new housing developments are slated to come to the area.
'As one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, South Carolina is experiencing an increased demand for healthcare services," said Anthony Jackson, president of Prisma Health Baptist and vice president of external affair. "The opening of the Northeast Columbia Medical Park underscores our dedication to meeting this demand while upholding the highest standards of care."
Richand County Council Member Gretchen Barron said this healthcare facility was needed in the growing community.
“The access to care, its tremendous to this community, noting that whether you live in Blythewood and have to drive all the way downtown or if you live on North Main, you know, it’s still a tremendous drive," said Barron. "And so now these facilities, operating rooms, doctors offices, drive thru pharmacies, this is amazing.”
In addition of expanding access to care in the area, Prisma said it will also service as an economic driver in the area, with 250 team members expected to work at the new facility when it is complete.