Tidelands Health marks milestone serving the region

May 12, 2025 

Contact: Dawn Bryant 

Tidelands Health  
(843) 652-1636 

dbryant@tidelandshealth.org 

News for Immediate Release: 

Thank you for 75 years | Tidelands Health marks milestone serving the region 

Today, Tidelands Health kicks off a year-long observance of its 75^th anniversary of service to the region and helping people live better lives through better health. 

With gratitude to so many – patients, the community, team members, community partners and more – the health system takes a moment to celebrate this milestone while charting the path to serve future generations. 

What began on May 11, 1950, with the opening of a small community hospital in Georgetown has evolved into the region’s largest health system with four hospitals, more than 70 outpatient locations and 2,500 team members.  

Through tremendous growth, the not-for-profit health system has remained locally owned and operated and driven by dedication to serving its community – a core value that first took shape 75 years ago. 

In the 1940s, Georgetown American Legion Post No. 114 spearheaded the effort to build a hospital – now known as Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital -- to serve the area. At the time, the nearest hospital was 60 miles away. 

“It started out as an integral part of the community, because the community is the one that put it here,” said Francis “Jeepy” Ford Jr., a current member of the Tidelands Health board of trustees whose family has been intertwined with the health system since his grandfather, Albert W. Ford Sr., served as the post commander who led fundraising efforts for the hospital. “It makes me feel really good that so many people support us and so many people use us.  

“You always feel good when people help people. We are the front line for people in our community. I feel really good that the community spirit of Tidelands Health is moving into the future.”  

Throughout the year, stories and videos that capture the heart of Tidelands Health and the organization’s impact on the community will be shared via a dedicated 75^th anniversary commemoration at tidelandshealth.org, as well as on Tidelands Health social media channels. 

“We want to share this special milestone with the many special people and groups who helped us get here and who continue to help us carry out our mission of care,” said Dr. Sean Nguyen, a family medicine physician who sees patients at Tidelands Health Family Medicine at The Market Common. “I’m grateful to be able to provide care and make a difference in the Myrtle Beach community where I grew up. My biggest thing is thanking the community for trusting us with their health care. It’s a privilege.” 

The launch of the 75th anniversary year coincides with Tidelands Health’s annual Team Tidelands Week celebration, which features special events thanking the health system’s team members for all they do year-round serving the community. 

Bruce Bailey, president and CEO of Tidelands Health for 26 years, applauded every team member, as well as the health system’s many community partners, for helping the organization keep its unwavering community focus for 75 years. 

“It’s in our DNA, right?,” Bailey said. “It started that way. It was a community-led effort to start Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital, and to this day we are still a community-led, community-focused organization. Our only reason for our existence is to make sure the health and wellness needs of our community are met. 

“Our 75^th anniversary is a proud moment that brings with it incredible gratitude to so many who have been part of our past, who join with us today and who will help shape us for years to come. We’re honored to have served our region for 75 years, and we look forward to serving the people of our growing region for generations to come.” 

### 

About Tidelands Health 

Tidelands Health, in collaboration with MUSC Health, is the region’s largest health care provider, serving the Carolinas at four hospitals and more than 70 outpatient locations. More than 2,500 employee, physician and volunteer partners work side by side with our communities to transform the health of our region – promoting wellness, preventing illness, encouraging recovery and restoring health.