Clemson University and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System have become members of Health Sciences South Carolina (HSSC), a hospital and university partnership established in April 2004 to improve the health and economic wellbeing of South Carolina through a coordinated effort to advance health sciences education and research. The two new members join founding partners Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Palmetto Health and the University of South Carolina (USC), the state’s leading research universities and its largest health systems.

With the addition of Clemson University and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, HSSC has the potential of generating $240 million for health sciences research over the next ten years.

Each of the six partners have pledged to invest a minimum of $2 million per year for 10 years—a total of $120 million—for health sciences research. The money is eligible for matching dollars from the South Carolina Research Centers of Excellence Act, also known as the Endowed Chairs Program. If matched in full by the state, the potential investment in health sciences research totals $240 million.

Commenting on the new members, HSSC Chairman and Palmetto Health Chief Executive Officer Kester Freeman said, “It is an exciting day for the collaborative partnership, but even more so for South Carolinians. The partnership that began with a shared vision to address our state’s health and economic challenges has just become much more powerful with the addition of two more dynamic and visionary partners, Clemson University and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. It is very gratifying and invigorating that our dream to improve the health and economic status of our state is shared by these respected institutions. It underscores the fact that collaboration is the key to advancing the fortunes of our state.”

HSSC Vice Chairman and MUSC President Ray Greenberg says the new partners will enhance HSSC’s ability to affect change and produce measurable results quickly. “South Carolina is a state severely burdened by a high incidence of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer and challenged by the lingering effects of high unemployment and low per capita income. This unique partnership between academia and healthcare is unprecedented and has the potential to drive economic growth and improve public health through a coordinated program of health sciences research. In today’s knowledge economy, innovation is the driver. With HSSC, South Carolina will be an innovator.”

In little more than a year’s time, HSSC has achieved several notable successes. It sought and secured matching dollars for two Centers of Excellence, the first for brain imaging and the second for regenerative medicine. HSSC has applied for three additional Centers of Excellence. The announcement on whether or not they will be funded is expected June 29, 2005. In addition, HSSC participated in the consolidation of the USC and MUSC Colleges of Pharmacy, now known as the South Carolina College of Pharmacy, which pooled scarce resources while increasing opportunities for clinical training at Greenville Health System University Medical Center.

“Our vision from the beginning was to include new partners committed to improving our state. We are pleased these new pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place,” Freeman added. “South Carolina’s future depends on statewide cooperation, connectivity and involvement. With Clemson and Spartanburg Regional now on board, we are well on our way.”