News Summary
Novant Health has broken ground on the new Bluffton Emergency Department and Health Place, enhancing healthcare accessibility for the growing community. The facilities, set to open in Spring 2026, will provide urgent medical services and various healthcare options, minimizing long-distance travel for local residents seeking essential care. The project is expected to create around 1,000 jobs and is part of a larger health investment strategy in the region.
Bluffton Breaks Ground on New Emergency Department and Health Place
Bluffton, SC — Novant Health has officially broken ground on the new Novant Health Bluffton Emergency Department and Health Place, advancing healthcare accessibility for the rapidly growing local community. The milestone event took place on April 2, 2025.
Key Details
– **Opening Date**: Both facilities are set to open in Spring 2026.
– **Location**: The emergency department will be situated off Buckwalter Parkway.
– **Emergency Services**: The 10,000-square-foot emergency department will feature ten treatment rooms, including a dedicated trauma room, as well as advanced diagnostics such as CT scans, X-rays, and lab tests.
Erica McEnery, MD, highlighted the importance of immediate access to high-quality emergency care for families in the area. The department will be staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians and skilled nurses, ensuring comprehensive care.
Health Place Overview
– **Size**: The Novant Health Bluffton Health Place will be a 40,000-square-foot medical office building.
– **Services**: It will offer various services, including primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology with an outpatient GI center, and a multispecialty ambulatory service center.
– **Expansion**: Future expansion space will be included to adapt to community needs.
Jason Bernd, Novant Health senior vice president, reiterated the commitment to providing world-class healthcare in Bluffton. The project will be developed by Vannoy Contractors and will include ample on-site parking and improvements in traffic flow with a new traffic signal at Buckwalter Parkway and Parkside.
Broader Impact
The emergency department and health place development aligns with a broader health investment strategy, linked with the nearby Novant Health Bluffton Medical Center, a planned 50-bed acute care hospital. The South Carolina Department of Health has recently approved the Certificate of Need application for this hospital project.
– **Economic Benefits**: Joel Taylor, president of Hilton Head Medical Center, estimates that this project will create approximately 1,000 jobs over five years, boosting the local economy.
– **Community Impact**: The new facilities will minimize the need for residents to travel long distances for essential healthcare services in southern Beaufort County.
Novant Health continues to operate a four-state integrated medical network, comprised of physician clinics, outpatient centers, and hospitals, employing over 29,000 staff members to deliver comprehensive healthcare solutions across 640 locations.
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Additional Resources
- Bluffton Today: Two New Novant Medical Facilities Coming to Bluffton in 2026
- Wikipedia: Healthcare in the United States
- WTOC: Two New Hospitals Are Coming to Bluffton
- Google Search: Bluffton hospitals
- WSAV: Bluffton’s Future is Looking Healthier with Novant Health
- Google Scholar: Novant Health Bluffton
- Post and Courier: Novant Beaufort Memorial Hospital Bluffton
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Emergency Health Services
- Bluffton Today: Novant Health Receives Certificate of Need for New Bluffton Hospital
- Google News: Bluffton medical facilities
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
