Services provided will include expanded clinics and an outpatient surgery center 

CHARLESTON, S.C. (April 11, 2025) – The ʯÁñÊÓƵ»ÆÉ«°æ (MUSC) Board of Trustees today approved a resolution to initiate the planning and construction of a state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer hospital in Charleston, marking a bold and visionary step in advancing cancer care, research and prevention throughout the state.

“This represents a transformative leap forward for patients across South Carolina who depend on world-class cancer care,” said Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., director of Hollings Cancer Center. “Our new facility will significantly expand access to advanced cancer services, enhance our capacity to recruit and retain top-tier clinicians, ensure lab research translates more rapidly into meaningful impact and propel us toward achieving National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, the highest level of excellence in cancer research. I am profoundly grateful to MUSC leadership and our board of trustees for their bold vision and unwavering dedication.”

The cancer hospital will provide one-stop integrated inpatient and outpatient services for all cancer patients. Some of these services will include inpatient and outpatient surgeries, a step-down unit, inpatient and outpatient stem cell transplantation, dedicated cancer imaging (e.g., CT, MRI, PET), pathology and laboratory services, chemotherapy and infusion services, radiation therapy, a pharmacy, phase 1 clinical trials, supportive care services (pain management, palliative care, cancer rehabilitation and more), cancer urgent care and community education.

 “The board recognizes the urgent need to expand and modernize MUSC’s cancer care infrastructure to meet the growing burden across South Carolina. This is a monumental event for the entire state,” said MUSC Board of Trustees Chairman Charles W. Schulze. “The goal here is to have something that rivals the top cancer facilities in the nation so no one has to leave South Carolina for cancer care.”

The hospital will be located in the area bordering Ashley Avenue and Sabin Street, on the footprint of the current Rutledge Tower annex, energy plant and ground parking, extending from Ashley Avenue to Rutledge Avenue.

Development of a new medical office building with clinics and ambulatory (outpatient) surgery center

The board of trustees approved a second resolution today to begin the planning and construction of a medical office building with clinics and an ambulatory (outpatient) surgery center at 334 Calhoun St. in Charleston to replace the services currently provided in Rutledge Tower, located at 135 Rutledge Ave.

The 12-story Rutledge Tower currently provides primary care and specialty outpatient clinics, ambulatory operating rooms, ancillary services and faculty offices.

The planning and development of both facilities will begin immediately. It is anticipated that the ambulatory clinical facility will be open by 2028. The cancer hospital is expected to be completed within five years.

To support efforts in achieving the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, state legislators allocated an additional $5 million, bringing the state’s total investment to $15 million.

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ʯÁñÊÓƵ»ÆÉ«°æ MUSC 

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit .

As the health care system of the ʯÁñÊÓƵ»ÆÉ«°æ, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit .

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $7.1 billion. The 31,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.

ʯÁñÊÓƵ»ÆÉ«°æ MUSC Hollings Cancer Center 

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center is South Carolina’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center with the largest academic-based cancer research program in the state. With more than 150 faculty cancer scientists and 20 academic departments, it has an annual research funding portfolio of more than $50 million and sponsors more than 200 clinical trials across the state. Hollings offers state-of-the-art cancer screenings, diagnostic capabilities, therapies and surgical techniques within its multidisciplinary clinics to provide the full range of cancer care. Dedicated to preventing and reducing the cancer burden statewide, the Hollings Office of Community Outreach and Engagement works with community organizations to bring cancer education and prevention information to affected populations. For more information, visit