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USC asks legislature to fund clinic expansion and staffing for new neurological hospital
Summary
University of South Carolina officials told the House health care subcommittee they have completed major construction milestones for a medical campus and are requesting recurring and capital funding to open a neurological and rehabilitation hospital and expand a statewide Brain Health Network.
University of South Carolina President Michael Amiridis told the House health care subcommittee on Feb. 20 that the university has made “substantial progress” on a new Health Sciences campus and a specialty neurological and rehabilitation hospital and is seeking continued legislative support for operations and clinic expansion.
Amiridis said the hospital project is a $300 million undertaking funded by a cumulative $200 million in state appropriations and $100 million the university set aside through its own funds; he said the project has not required borrowing. He said the university expects to cut the ribbon on its new medical school building in about 18 months and has scheduled a ribbon-cutting for the Brain Health Center in Columbia on March 18. “This is a big project,” Amiridis said, adding that the hospital and related facilities are designed to serve complex neurological cases statewide.
Sarah Kirby, the university’s associate vice president for clinical affairs, described the Brain Health Network, launched in January 2024, and said it now operates seven clinics that have logged about 2,100 patient visits in underserved communities. Kirby listed the current clinic locations as Richland County, Darlington, Lexington, Orangeburg, Seneca, Sumter and Winnsboro and said demand is high; she said recurring funding of $1,500,000 in the current request would help open additional clinics in rural areas.
Kirby and Amiridis also outlined operational planning for the hospital: HDR was selected as the architectural and design firm, the construction contractor selection is expected in spring, and the university is recruiting clinical and support staff. Kirby emphasized building “an entire ecosystem” around the facility — from therapists and nurses to diet and environmental services — and described partnerships with health systems and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as advisors on rehabilitation care.
Amiridis said the university is requesting $25,500,000 in recurring funds to support planning and begin hiring leadership and essential staff prior to opening the hospital; he framed the recurring request as the remainder of an earlier multi-year ask. He also said the College of Pharmacy seeks $90,000,000 in capital funding to site a new building adjacent to the Health Sciences campus.
Lawmakers pressed for timelines and workforce details. Kirby said construction and firm completion dates are being refined with the construction manager and architecture team; she warned that specialized equipment and workforce needs mean the university will phase hiring and operations carefully. Representative Lonnie Hosey and Representative Rutherford urged the university to continue requesting sufficient funding so the project is not “half-built” operationally.
The presenters did not request an immediate vote; the session closed with legislative members thanking the university team and moving to the next agenda item.
