The Regional Medical Center (Orangeburg, South Carolina) Explained

The Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg & Calhoun Counties (or TRMC for short) is a 286-bed non-profit hospital in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It is owned and operated jointly by the counties of Orangeburg and Calhoun, governed by a 17-member board representing both counties.[1] It is the only hospital for the two counties.[2]

History

It was founded as a private hospital named Orangeburg Hospital in 1919 by Dr. Charles A. Mobley, a surgeon whose father and grandfather were also South Carolina surgeons.[3] A nursing school was soon added. In 1924 the hospital had outgrown its original building, so a new hospital was built directly in front of the original one. By 1936 the staff consisted of eleven general medical practitioners and three surgeons.[4]

As of 1952 it was called the Orangeburg Regional Hospital and was owned by the city of Orangeburg.[5] Originally restricted to white patients only, the hospital vowed to desegregate in 1965; but didn't until after the Orangeburg Massacre (1968).[6]

Current services

TRMC is a full-service acute care hospital including a 24-hour emergency room, a cancer center, a dialysis center and similar specialty facilities. It also offers numerous outpatient facilities and community outreach services including wellness education and home care. There are four Healthplex fitness and rehabilitation satellite facilities in the hospital's two-county service area.[7]

The hospital launched several new services in 2013 including a primary care center[8] an outpatient vein clinic, and a mobile services van.[9]

External links

33.5402°N -80.8305°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: S 190, An act to provide for the governing body of the Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Hospital. Legislature of South Carolina. 3 April 2013.
  2. News: Our beautiful location has it all. July 6, 2008. The Post and Courier. 3 April 2013.
  3. Book: Snowden, Yates. History of South Carolina, Volume 5. 1920. The Lewis Publishing Company. 111.
  4. Book: Atkinson, Gene. Images of America: Orangeburg. 2001. Arcadia Publishing. Charleston, South Carolina. 0-7385-1410-1. 107.
  5. Book: Hearing before the Defense Housing and Community Facilities Committee. February 22, 1952. United States Senate. 44.
  6. News: Orangeburg Hospital's plan to desegregate approved. April 21, 1965. Charleston News & Courier, cited at Readings in American Health Care. 264. 9780299145347. 3 April 2013. Rothstein. William G..
  7. Web site: Department and Service Directory. The Regional Medical Center. 3 April 2013.
  8. News: Regional report: Event marks opening of RMC Primary Care. March 5, 2013. The Times and Democrat. 3 April 2013.
  9. News: Mobile services, vein clinic unveiled at the RMC. March 19, 2013. The Times and Democrat. 3 April 2013.