News

Aiken Regional Medical Centers will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, October 22 from 10 – 11 am to kick off the construction of its new freestanding emergency department – ER at Sweetwater. When fully opened in Summer 2022, ER at Sweetwater will be a full-service emergency department that will expand access to emergency care in Aiken and surrounding counties. Located off I-20 Exit 5 at the corner of Austin Graybill Road and Market Plaza Drive, North Augusta, SC, 29860, the new ER at Sweetwater will provide emergency care 24-hours a day, seven days a week for all ages.

The groundbreaking event will provide attendees and media the opportunity to hear from Jim O’Loughlin, Chief Executive Officer of Aiken Regional Medical Centers; Briton S. Williams, Mayor of North Augusta; Gerald Gordon, MD, FACP, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Aiken Regional Medical Centers; Virginia Winburn, MD, Chief of Staff at Aiken Regional Medical Centers; and Terra Carroll, President of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce.

“We are honored and excited to be expanding into North Augusta with the first freestanding emergency department for Aiken Regional,” says O’Loughlin. “Establishing a freestanding emergency department in the west side of Aiken County will allow us to provide access to emergency care in and around the Sweetwater area, and better meet the needs of our growing community. The facility is a full-service emergency department and will be able to handle patients who are experiencing chest pain and symptoms of stroke to minor scrapes and sprains.”

Groundbreaking Agenda

• 9:45 – 10:05 am — Check-in
• 10:05 – 10:40 am — Opening Remarks and Speakers
• 10:40 – 10:50 am — Groundbreaking Ceremony and Photo Opportunity
• 10:50 – 11:10 am — Media Interviews

Stats About ER at Sweetwater

• Six exams rooms
• Three rapid medical exam spaces
• Total of 10 treatment areas
• Total square feet – 10,884
• Full-service radiology and laboratory
• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; continuously staffed by a physician