MUSC Health Kiawah Partners Pavilion becomes reality with $6M land donation, expanding the Sea Islands access to critical care

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Oct. 29, 2024) – In a landmark achievement nearly a decade in the making, Kiawah Partners and the Medical University Hospital Authority (“MUSC Health”) are pleased to announce the closing of a conveyed land donation for the future MUSC Health Kiawah Partners Pavilion. The 3-acre parcel, valued at $6 million and generously donated by Kiawah Partners, will bring vital emergency and specialty care to the residents of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns islands. The project, spearheaded by Kiawah Partners – the master residential developer of Kiawah Island, which is owned by South Street Partners – will address the health care needs of the local barrier island communities. 

 The MUSC Health Kiawah Partners Pavilion, a 12,056-square-foot facility slated for completion in late 2025, will be located at 1857 Seabrook Island Road, adjacent to the forthcoming Seafields at Kiawah Island 62+ Life Plan Community in Freshfields Village. This new facility is expected to be a game-changer for the Sea Islands, where significant population growth is ongoing and anticipated to accelerate further, especially among residents 65 and older. The area’s geographic isolation – more than 20 miles from the nearest hospital – combined with a large seasonal influx of tourists, makes access to health care services a pressing concern. The 24/7 medical pavilion will address these needs with a free-standing emergency room, offering trauma rooms, fast-track triage, CT scan and radiology services, a full lab, state-of-the-art imaging and a helipad for critical cases. In addition, the new medical office building will also offer primary and cardiology care, outpatient services such as physical therapy, infusion and telehealth. 

 “We are very excited to be able to provide enhanced access to emergency, primary care and specialty services to the residents and visitors of the Sea Islands community,” said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., CEO of MUSC Health and executive vice president for Health Affairs, University. “Once construction begins, the project is expected to take 15 to 18 months. Once opened, the facility will deliver state-of-the-art health care to meet the needs of the Seabrook, Kiawah and the Johns Island communities.”

 As part of MUSC Health’s broader strategy, the MUSC Health-Charleston Division has focused on improving community access and delivering local care across the greater Tri-County region and coastal communities to the north and south of Charleston. This approach enables the flagship facilities downtown to offer specialized and complex care while enhancing overall accessibility and continuity of care for patients and families, especially in underserved areas. Since 2019, four new multispecialty ambulatory care centers have opened in West Ashley, North Charleston and Mount Pleasant, expanding the reach of high-quality care.

 “This project was initiated to meet the immense need for medical services for this important community. With no convenient emergency health care options currently available, we have been working for almost 10 years to figure out a way to bring accessible health care to the Sea Islands,” said Chris Randolph, partner with South Street Partners. “This is a very important and momentous step in the development process of the medical facility. It also serves as confirmation of our commitment to this development since we have conveyed this $6 million parcel of land as a donation to MUSC. We feel very grateful to partner with such an excellent health care system.”

 Of the estimated $30 million needed to fund the project, MUSC Health is committed to raising $17 million in private support. To date, it has received more than $11 million in confirmed gifts, many of which have come from area residents.  

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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 over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and 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 2024, for the 10th 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 $7.1 billion. The 31,000 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.

About Kiawah Partners

Kiawah Partners, wholly owned by South Street Partners, is the master developer of Kiawah Island. And owner of Kiawah Island Real Estate, which has sold over $4.7 billion in real estate sales since 2013 as well as the world-class, private Kiawah Island Club. Home to the 2012, 2021, and future 2031 PGA Championships, Kiawah Island boasts seven world-class courses including Kiawah Island Club’s acclaimed Cassique and River Course, as well as top-tier tennis, boating, fitness, wellness, and dining venues. In addition to a strong dedication to the natural environment and the designing with nature philosophy, Kiawah Partners is committed to the welfare of the broader Sea Islands and Charleston communities and prioritizes building partnerships designed to improve lives throughout the Lowcountry and foster a company culture of service to their neighbors. Through monetary contributions and in-kind donations of their facilities, Kiawah Partners has helped raise millions of dollars for organizations throughout the region. KiawahIsland.com

 Media Inquiries

Kiawah Partners
Alex Malloy, Alex@AlexandraMalloy.com
Morgan Stewart, Morgan@AlexandraMalloy.com

MUSC 
Faith Arenth, Media Relations Manager, mediarelations@musc.edu
854-253-0646