McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast Celebrate 75/25 Anniversaries

By Jennifer Hulon

As McLeod Health continues to transform the healthcare landscape for patients living in Horry County, two hospitals are celebrating significant milestones in 2025. These milestones, representing both a tradition of providing superlative care and a future of growth and expansion, would not have been possible without local people desiring health care within their communities.

McLeod Health Loris marks its 75th "Diamond" Anniversary and McLeod Health Seacoast celebrates its 25th "Silver" Anniversary of caring for patients in the communities served.

In May 1950, Loris Community Hospital, which later became Loris Healthcare System, opened its doors with 23 patient beds, a handful of physicians and a small but dedicated staff. At that moment, Loris Community Hospital's mission was born.

As the population along the coast grew, the expansion of emergency and inpatient care became a necessity. Plans for Seacoast Medical Center were unveiled, and construction began in August 1998. Seacoast Medical Center, initially a comprehensive outpatient facility providing outpatient surgery, diagnostic services and 24-hour emergency care, opened in October 2000.

In early 2011, Loris Healthcare System signed a letter of intent establishing the framework for a partnership with McLeod Health. Both organizations shared similar missions and values, a not-for-profit structure, a commitment to quality, and an established history of collaboration. In January 2012, McLeod Health Loris and McLeod Health Seacoast were newly named hospitals within the McLeod Health system.

Today, McLeod Health Loris is a fully accredited acute care facility with 50 licensed beds, offering a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services. McLeod Health Loris specializes in dialysis access, women's services, urological surgery and rehabilitation (physical, occupational and speech therapies). Its 24/7 Emergency Department, medical/surgical inpatient beds, intensive care unit (ICU), and advanced diagnostic imaging provide significant community benefits by offering access to essential hospital care.

One of the key services offered is the Dialysis Access Center (DAC). Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for many who suffer from kidney disease, and this center helps prevent delays in dialysis treatment due to complications with access.

The DAC is one of only two dedicated centers in South Carolina, established to serve patients needing medical repair of their dialysis access areas. Patients within a 200-mile radius utilize the Dialysis Access services provided at McLeod Loris. 

The most recent hospital upgrade included the addition of an operating room to accommodate growing surgical volumes.

In 2025, McLeod Pediatrics Loris opened their new practice, offering more pediatric care for the community.

“The rich history and development of McLeod Health Loris is a testament to the impact of a local hospital caring for local patients,” said Scott Montgomery, CEO of McLeod Health Loris. “This incredible milestone fuels our unwavering commitment of continued growth and vision for generations to come.”

In July 2011, McLeod Health Seacoast underwent its first major expansion, adding 50 hospital beds. In May 2016, a multi-year expansion launched, beginning with a new Emergency Department as part of the first phase in a comprehensive construction plan. McLeod Health Seacoast opened its new patient tower in September 2018. This addition increased beds, and expanded ORs, radiology and lab capabilities. This expansion increased community access to both emergent and elective surgical care, including advanced robotic surgery.

In June 2019, McLeod Health Seacoast completed construction on new diagnostic cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs to meet the growing cardiac needs of the community. In April 2023, the hospital established a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat emergent and elective patients with narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. This service provides emergency heart care to the residents of the community.

In 2024, two additional labs were opened for catheterization and electrophysiology to support the growing demand for these services since the initial launch. This expansion reflects the trust patients place in McLeod Health for their specialized care. The McLeod Health Center for Cancer Treatment and Research, a department of McLeod Regional Medical Center, opened in May 2025 and is the first comprehensive cancer center in Horry County. Located on the main campus of McLeod Health Seacoast, this new center provides advanced treatments, including medical oncology, infusion services, radiation oncology and breast surgery, all under one roof. This comprehensive cancer care facility offers preventive medicine, and cutting-edge technology.

Today, McLeod Health Seacoast provides 155 beds, ensuring that both permanent residents and visitors to our community have access to high-quality healthcare services such as general, vascular and orthopedic surgery as well as cardiology and cancer care.

“McLeod Health promised the residents of Horry County that we would deliver the services they supported, and the expansion of our facilities and services is the fulfillment of our promise,” said Monica Vehige, CEO of McLeod Health Seacoast. “We look forward to continuing to serve our community as we strive to be the choice for medical excellence.”

McLeod Health's ongoing commitment to technology, education and specialized care demonstrates its dedication to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves.