A Look at Healthcare Options in Charleston, SC

Charleston is an excellent place to receive healthcare, whether young or old, healthy or in need of specialized care. The region is well-served by a network of hospitals and medical providers, ensuring access to quality professional care.

Hospitals in Charleston

Many hospitals service Charleston and the surrounding area for emergency, short-term, and long-term healthcare. Familiarizing yourself with the various hospitals can help you decide where to get care when needed.

Medical University of South Carolina Hospital (MUSC)

Medical University of South Carolina Hospital (MUSC) rated at the best hospital in the state by US News and World Report for 2024. This institution is dedicated to the pursuit of changing healthcare.  MUSC is recognized for its innovative and family-centered care. It’s a teaching hospital, with nationally rankings in six specialties, a regular hospital, and a children’s hospital. Best of all, its main campus is located minutes from downtown. Besides 16 hospitals, MUSC’s care extends into a network of over 100 locations and clinical affiliation. It further has an excellent telehealth network for busy patients on the go. MUSC healthcare system consistently ranks highly among healthcare systems in the country.

Roper St. Francis Hospital

Roper St. Francis Hospital is near the thriving community of Parsonage Point. This hospital is ranked #2 in Charleston and #4 in South Carolina. Roper St. Francis is one of the region’s largest hospitals and also one of the region’s largest employers. It’s unique in that it is a private, not-for-profit hospital. The result is a service-oriented focus. In addition to serving Parsonage Point, Roper St. Francis Hospital serves people from the greater Charleston area in four hospitals, 117 facilities, and over 1,000 doctors. Its accolades include being one of the best places to work, exceptional cancer care, and patient safety.

East Cooper Hospital

Located in Mount Pleasant, East Cooper Medical Center is a 140-bed hospital that is said to be one of the top-ranked regional hospitals. Found in a fast growing area (Mount Pleasant nearly doubled in size in the 10 years between 1990 and 2000), East Cooper Hospital is designed to provide ultra modern healthcare to people from the area. East Cooper is an award-winning facility, most recently for its stroke care services.

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in downtown Charleston is a teaching hospital that provides care to 75,000 veterans around the South Carolina and Georgia coast. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is a hub for orthopedic surgeries to people in the area. This hospital also provides telehealth services for veterans across the US.

This 152-bed hospital also supports community-based outpatient clinics, a nursing home and a full range of outpatient care. VAMC provides care for hundreds of thousands of patients annually.

Other Healthcare Services in the Area

There’s more to healthcare than hospitals. Charleston has a vast network of primary care providers, eye doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, nursing homes and at-home healthcare workers. For those outside the Charleston city limits, Trident Health operates five hospitals and an extended medical care network. What does this mean?

• Primary care physicians in Charleston County see about 800 people per year.
• Healthcare is one of the largest industries in Charleston County.

Moving to Charleston? Work With Your Real Estate Professional

If you’re planning to move to Charleston or the area around Charleston, you’ll need to know about more than just the healthcare services. Find out what you need to know from your local real estate professional. Your real estate agent can help you explore the neighborhoods, find the right home, and negotiate a price. Contact a real estate professional to learn more about buying a home in the area.

Updated November 2023