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Transforming Care for the Future

 New facilities, expanded access and service transitions across the Charleston region.

MUSC Health is investing in new facilities and updated care environments to improve access to health care across the Charleston region. As part of this long-term effort, some services will relocate from Rutledge Tower and other locations over the next several years. Throughout these transitions, our commitment remains the same: providing high-quality care and keeping patients informed every step of the way. 

What this means for patients

Your care continues during this transition. In most cases, your provider will remain the same, although your appointment location may change. If a change affects your provider or appointment location, MUSC Health will contact you directly with the information you need.

Because relocations will occur at different times, patients should continue going to the location listed in their appointment information unless contacted by MUSC Health. The information on this page will be updated as plans are finalized.

Why services are moving

These relocations support MUSC’s long-term transformation of its downtown Charleston campus and the expansion of care throughout the region. New and updated facilities are being developed to strengthen patient care, improve access and prepare MUSC to serve South Carolina’s growing health care needs.

This work includes a new outpatient facility at 334 Calhoun Street, expected to open in December 2028, and a new comprehensive cancer hospital in downtown Charleston, expected to open in April 2030. The cancer hospital will bring inpatient and outpatient cancer services together in one location.

Construction impacts

Learn about impacts to MUSC and MUSC Health locations as we transform care.

Temporary campus access updates to support patient care operations

As part of our ongoing efforts to provide exceptional care to our patients, MUSC Health will temporarily place a mobile sterile processing unit on the downtown Charleston campus. As we continue to expand access to care, this unit will provide additional capacity for essential hospital operations.

Location

The mobile sterile processing unit will initially be staged on Ralph H. Johnson Drive before being relocated to Charleston Center Drive adjacent to Ashley River Tower.

Temporary access and traffic adjustments

To support installation and operation of the mobile unit, a few temporary traffic pattern changes will be implemented in the area around Charleston Center Drive.

Aug. 23 through Aug. 30

  • The mobile sterile processing unit will be staged on Ralph H. Johnson Drive.
  • No significant traffic impacts are anticipated during this phase.

Beginning Aug. 31

Charleston Center Drive will transition to a one-way traffic pattern:

  • The lane closest to Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital will remain open. Ambulances will continue to have access to the ambulance bay underneath the hospital.
  • Vehicles may enter from McClennan Banks Drive and exit onto Courtenay Drive.
  • Vehicles will not be able to enter Charleston Center Drive from Courtenay Drive.
  • The sidewalk adjacent to Ashley River Tower will be temporarily closed near the mobile unit location.

These adjustments will remain in place while the mobile sterile processing unit is operating on campus.

Mobile imaging unit relocation

To accommodate the placement of the sterile processing unit, the mobile imaging unit previously located on Charleston Center Drive has been relocated to MUSC Health East Cooper Medical Pavilion.

Patients with appointments in the mobile imaging unit will be contacted directly regarding any scheduling changes. Additional updates will be shared as plans continue to evolve.

What to expect

The following areas and services are expected to remain fully accessible:

  • Access to the McClennan Banks Parking Garage
  • Ambulance access beneath Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital
  • McClennan Banks Drive and Courtenay Drive

Visitors and employees may notice heavier traffic near Charleston Center Drive and surrounding roadways. Allowing extra time for travel through the area is recommended.

Thank you for your patience

These temporary adjustments will help support critical patient care operations while additional improvements are underway. We appreciate the patience and flexibility of our community, patients, visitors, employees, and care team members as this work progresses.

Updates will be shared as additional information becomes available.

Frequently asked questions

We are committed to keeping our patients, families and communities informed as plans for new MUSC Health facilities move forward. 

We expect the new outpatient facility at 334 Calhoun Street to open in December 2028.

We expect the new cancer hospital in downtown Charleston to open in April 2030.

These investments will help MUSC Health meet the needs of our growing region by expanding access to care, improving the patient experience and creating modern facilities designed to support the future of health care.

Yes. Parking is a key consideration in the planning and design of all new facilities. We are working to ensure patients and visitors have convenient access to parking and transportation options.

Yes. Flood mitigation is an important part of the planning and design process for all new and renovated facilities in downtown Charleston. Our teams are incorporating measures to improve resilience and support safe access to care.

As part of our long-term growth plans, we are evaluating how services can be provided across our network of locations, including West Ashley, Nexton and other communities throughout the Charleston region. Any changes will be communicated well in advance.

Yes. We are working with our partners to ensure food and beverage options are available for patients, visitors and care team members at our new locations.

Clinical spaces are being designed to meet current patient needs while allowing room for future growth. Planning teams are working closely with physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to ensure the facilities support high-quality patient care, education and research.

At this time, laboratory services will remain in their current location. We will share updates if plans change.

Retail pharmacy services are expected to remain unchanged at this time.

Patients will be notified well in advance of any changes that affect their care or appointment location. MUSC Health will provide updates through direct patient communications, our website and other appropriate channels to help ensure a smooth transition.

Yes. MUSC Health is planning to maintain access to imaging services throughout these transitions to ensure patients can continue to receive timely care.