5 Things: New MUSC Facility

Tuesday marked the official opening of the 80,000-square-foot MUSC Health East Cooper facility. With two hospitals already offering a combined 225 beds East of the Cooper – plus this new facility – some folks might wonder why MUSC wanted to expand to Mount Pleasant.

MUSC officials say the three-story facility, located on Hungryneck Boulevard, might look like a hospital, but it’s something completely different. So what is this new building all about? Here are five things you should know about the big-time addition to Mount Pleasant’s medical community.

Why was it built?
In addition to consolidating most of MUSC's existing Mount Pleasant practices in one location and allowing for growth, the building's design can also accommodate new services. So this building essentially combines all MUSC's Mount Pleasant offerings in one location.

What’s being offered?
Services immediately available include primary care, comprehensive breast care, imaging, urology, neurology/neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, and lab services, among other specialities.

Same day primary care access and extended hours will be available for some services. Additional services will be available over the next few months with cardiology slated for November 2012.

Who paid for it?
The physician group at MUSC, University Medical Associates, funded the construction. The construction cost has not been disclosed.

What makes the building special?
MUSC Health East Cooper was built to be a state-of-the-art LEED Green Certified building. It has free parking, a rooftop healing garden, medical concierge services and community room for events. Black Bean Co. Café will be located in the facility. The local restaurant focuses on healthy, locally grown dining choices. The facility is packed with local art, too.

How it could help in a disaster
The building shell has been strengthened to make it highly resistant to damage from hurricanes and earthquakes. With its own emergency power system, this building could serve as MUSC's fall-back facility should a devastating disaster strike the region.

GETTING SEEN: Want to be a MUSC Health East Cooper patient? Call the facility at 843-792-1414 or visit its website for a listing of services and phone numbers.