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Our Heritage

A series of three images showing Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital in its early stages.

At Tidelands Health, our local roots run deep. Today, we are the region’s largest integrated health care delivery network with four hospitals and more than 70 outpatient locations. But we trace our beginning to the efforts of a small group of committed citizens in Georgetown County in the 1940s.A black and white image of Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital during the 1960s.

Our story began with Georgetown American Legion Post #114. At the time, Georgetown did not have medical facilities, and the nearest hospital was in Florence, 68 miles away.  The American Legion began an effort to build a hospital as a memorial to the servicemen of Georgetown County.  Post #114 Commander A.W. Ford Sr. appointed a hospital committee chaired by Joseph Doyle.

Thomas Yawkey, owner of the Boston Red Sox, donated funds for construction of a hospital, nurses’ home and laundry building. Mrs. Yawkey later contributed toward construction of a surgical suite.

A sepia toned image of Georgetown Memorial Hospital during the 1970s.In March 1946, Legion members held the first board of trustees meeting to discuss construction of a hospital. The board elected J. H. Geagan chairman and R.M. Ford vice president. Legionnaires raised funds by public subscription, donations, endowments and other avenues prescribed by the Post Committee. From the hospital’s inception, The Duke Endowment was actively involved in funding various projects.

Planning continued throughout the year. The Board decided to construct a 54-bed hospital.  In 1947, R.M. Ford Sr. was elected chairman of the board, with J.P. Parrish elected vice president.  An 8.2-acre site on Black River Road was purchased from the Pyatt estate, and architects Lafaye, Lafaye & Fair of Columbia were engaged.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on March 6, 1949. Richard Roach An old image of Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital during the 1960s.named the first hospital administrator, and Dr. W.G. Armstrong was the first surgeon.  Fourteen doctors were accepted on the medical staff. The first patient was admitted to Georgetown County Memorial Hospital on May 11, 1950.

Over the years, Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital has grown and expanded. And in 2002, Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital was opened to serve our fast-growing service area. Tidelands Health Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Encompass Health, has locations in Murrells Inlet and Little River. Today, Tidelands Health includes more than 70 outpatient locations that stretch from North Myrtle Beach to Hemingway.