2014

Construction begins on Roper St. Francis Office Park

Expected to be finished by the spring of 2016, land was cleared and construction began on the new $28 million Roper St. Francis Office Park. The future 130,000-square-foot building will house about 600 teammates on Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston. The Medical Society of South Carolina borrowed the money for Roper St. Francis to build the facility.

2008

Healthy Additions: The Neuro-Spine Center & The Women's Center

St. Francis completed a major expansion and renovation that added a 5th floor. The addition included a new state of the art Neuro-Spine Center with 18 dedicated patient rooms. The Women's Center added a second floor to separate gynecological patients from new moms and babies. And the nursery was expanded and updated with the latest technologies and comforts for baby.

2006

The Heart & Vascular Tower Opens

The Heart & Vascular tower was opened. The new tower features 147 private rooms, many with sweeping views of the Charleston Harbor, Heart & Vascular services and a new warm and welcoming lobby with a spacious gift shop and chapel.

1998

Shared Ownership Of A
Healthcare Legacy

Prior to 1998, The Medical Society of South Carolina owned 100% of Roper Hospital and was The Society's only asset. In 1998, CareAlliance Health Services was formed as the doing business (DBA) entity of Roper St. Francis Healthcare System by founding members from The Medical Society, Bon Secours Health System and Carolinas HealthCare System.

1984

Expanding To Meet Ever More Needs

Roper undertook a multi-million dollar expansion program adding the Kronsberg (South) Tower, the Pettit (North) Tower among other buildings.

1956

1st Full-time Vascular Laboratory

Established first full-time vascular laboratory and the longest in operation in the United States.

1951

Focusing Resources for
Continued Growth

The Medical Society formally relinquished its charter as a component of the SC Medical Association to focus its resources on the management and development of Roper Hospital.

(portrait: George Mc. F. Mood, M.D., President, 1951)

1948

1st Full-time LPN & X-Ray Programs

Established first full-time South Carolina LPN & X-ray program.

1946

Growth Through Private Generosity
& Grants

The facility was expanded in 1946 with the completion of a private pavilion. Fifteen years later, cash and securities willed to Roper Hospital by Mr. Victor Morawetz were combined with other funds and a generous grant from the Ford Foundation to modernize the physical plant adding an additional 38 beds and bringing the total bed count to 277.

1906

A Hospital Nearly "Perfect in
its Appointments"

Work on a new hospital on the corner of Barre and Calhoun streets was completed in February 1906, with the mayor of Charleston at the time reporting that "By arrangement with the Medical Society of South Carolina, a hospital has been built, costing something over $125,000, that is as perfect in its appointments as any in the South."

1886

Aiding The Injured

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocks Charleston destroying the Roper Hospital building. Physicians from The Medical Society rush to the aid of the injured.

1861

There In Times of Need

As the Great Fire of Charleston burned nearly a third of the city into ruins, members of The Medical Society treated the burned and injured.

1852

Roper Hospital Is Born

With a bequest from the will of Colonel Thomas Roper, The Medical Society established Roper Hospital "to treat all sick and injured people without regard to complexion, religion, or nation."

1847

Setting A Standard of Excellence

Co-founded The American Medical Association (AMA) as part of a delagation of 250 physicians from 22 states, representing 40 individual medical societies and 28 colleges.

1824

The Foundations of Education

Members of The Medical Society found The Medical College of South Carolina, which would eventually become The Medical University of South Carolina, and serve as its early faculty.

1817

A License To Heal

The Medical Society was granted the right to approve licenses for the practice of medicine by the state legislature.

1805

Building Support Systems

Established Board of Health & Vital Statistics.

1800

A Cure For Those In Need

The Medical Society established Shirra's Dispensary for Indigents, providing much needed medicine to the poor.

1789

A Legacy Begins

The Medical Society of South Carolina is founded in Charleston on Christmas Eve by a small group of private physicians to "improve the Science of Medicine, promoting liberality in the Profession, and Harmony amongst the Practitioners in this City."

225 YEARS OF HISTORY