FLORENCE, S.C. (March 31, 2026) – The MUSC Health-Pee Dee Division is proud to announce that MUSC Health Florence Medical Center, MUSC Health Marion Medical Center and MUSC Health Black River Medical Center have each achieved the Pediatric Ready Emergency Department (ED) designation from the South Carolina EMS for Children Advisory Committee. This achievement underscores the health system’s commitment to delivering high-quality, family-centered emergency care for children across the Pee Dee region.
The Pediatric Ready ED designation recognizes emergency departments that meet nationally recognized guidelines for pediatric emergency care, including specialized training, pediatric-specific equipment, policies and coordination with regional pediatric resources. For families across the region, served by these hospitals, the designation means children receive the right care, at the right time, close to home – where and when it matters most.
“Achieving the Pediatric Ready designation across all three of our emergency departments reflects a shared commitment to our communities and to our most vulnerable patients,” said Christo Courban, M.D., system emergency department medical director for MUSC Health Florence, Marion and Black River medical centers. “This designation ensures that regardless of which hospital a child comes to, our teams are prepared with the training, resources and protocols needed to provide safe, timely and high-quality emergency care.”
Achieving the Pediatric Ready designation across multiple hospitals highlights MUSC Health’s coordinated, systemwide approach to pediatric emergency preparedness, Courban explained, adding that it also serves to strengthen collaboration among physicians, nurses, EMS providers and pediatric specialists, enhancing continuity of care and improving outcomes for children and families throughout the region.
“From a nursing and patient-care perspective, this designation is incredibly meaningful,” said Donna Wilmoth, R.N., Pee Dee Division chief nursing officer. “It reflects the dedication of our teams to ensuring children and their families feel supported, confident and cared for during some of their most stressful moments. Pediatric Ready ED designation helps us deliver compassionate, high-quality care while keeping families close to home.”
A Pediatric Ready Emergency Department is specifically equipped to meet the unique physical, emotional and developmental needs of children in emergency situations. This designation also enhances access to specialized pediatric resources and strengthens partnerships with regional pediatric care providers, creating a more reliable safety net for families in rural and underserved communities.
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About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates nearly 3,500 students in six colleges and trains approximately 1,050 residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal, National Institutes of Health and other research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit musc.edu.
As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2025, for the 11th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.
MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $8.9 billion. The nearly 35,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research and patient care.
