Grand Strand Newsmakers

Tidelands Health breaks ground on new, $11M building in Horry County

Tidelands Health is investing $11 million in a new building on Holmestown Road as part of the health system’s broader effort to help ensure quality medical care for the region’s growing population.

Representatives from Tidelands Health and the Medical University of South Carolina on Monday held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 16,280-square-foot building. It will house the new Tidelands Health MUSC Family Medicine Residency Program, which will provide three years of hands-on training in family medicine for doctors who have completed their medical degrees.

The program is meant to help attract new doctors to the area because physicians tend to remain in the communities where they complete their residency. It is part of a broader initiative within Tidelands Health to respond to the region’s rapid population growth.

Within the last several months, Tidelands Health has also opened a new oncology practice in Horry County and announced, with HealthSouth Corp., plans to jointly own and operate a new, 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Little River.

“The groundbreaking of this new building is another milestone in our efforts to help ensure the Tidelands region has access to high-quality medical care,” said Bruce Bailey, president and CEO of Tidelands Health. “Attracting new talent is a critical part of that goal.”

The new residency program was developed with support from the Medical University of South Carolina, which will provide curriculum and some faculty. Tidelands Health physicians also will serve as faculty members.

“The Tidelands Health MUSC Family Medicine Residency Program will leverage the resources of both a community health system and an academic medical center,” said Dr. Terry Steyer, program director and chairman of the MUSC Department of Family Medicine. “Together, we can provide unparalleled training opportunities for residents.”

The program will operate much like a traditional family medical practice, with the work of residents overseen by experienced physicians from Tidelands Health and MUSC. The building will feature state-of-the-art technology and a modern design specifically constructed for the residency program. It will include 24 exam rooms, teaching and lounge space for residents, a garden and a labyrinth for meditation.

The new building should be complete in the fall of 2017.

Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Industry Award Winners

The 2016 Hospitality Industry Awards were presented today at the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association’s 42nd annual breakfast meeting. Sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Hospitality Association, the awards recognize outstanding achievements by Grand Strand hospitality leaders and businesses based on their hard work and dedication to the growth of the hospitality industry and the association.

Hotelier of the Year - This award honors the hotel owner, manager, or company that shows exemplary customer service, employee relations, community service, and their dedication to advancing the lodging industry along the Grand Strand. 2016 Hotelier of the Year – James P. Creel, Vacation Myrtle Beach by Legacy Business Solutions

Restaurateur of the Year - This award honors the restaurant owner, manager, or company that shows exemplary customer service, employee relations, community service, and their dedication to advancing the foodservice industry along the Grand Strand. 2016 Restaurateur of the Year – Larry Bond, The Bondfire Restaurant Group

Front Line Employee of the Year – This award honors front line employees that go above and beyond the normal job expectations both at and away from work, including outstanding and unusual service to their company, to their customers and to the Grand Strand. 2016 Front Line Employee of the Year – Judy Gore, The Caravelle Resort

Heart of the House Employee of the Year – This award honors heart of the house employees that go above and beyond the normal job expectations both at and away from work, including outstanding and unusual service to their company, to their customers and to the Grand Strand. 2016 Heart of the House Employee of the Year – Leslie Wetherford, Double Tree by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

Hospitality Services Member of the Year – This award honors a MBAHA Hospitality Services member based on industry involvement beyond their normal exceptional service and quality and on their history of working to advance the hospitality industry along the Grand Strand. 2016 Hospitality Services Member of the Year – Nora Mason, Costco Wholesale

Chef of the Year – This award honors an outstanding culinarian who has demonstrated the highest standard of culinary skills and dedication to advancing the culinary industry along the Grand Strand. 2016 Chef of the Year – Joseph Bonaparte, International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach at Horry Georgetown Technical College.

Winners in applicable categories will be submitted to the Stars of the Industry Awards presented by the South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association.

Camera Club announces print competition winners

The Coastal Carolina Camera Club held a print competition at its November meeting. Judging the competition was Jay Schuman, a retired forensic FBI photographer who currently photographs for the Wilmington Hammerheads.

Awards were given in two Divisions (A and B). Winning in Division B was Leslie Nolan with her image entitled “Heaven Knows.” Trevor McDonald placed second with “Revelations 21:4” and Georgianne Giese received third place with ”Polk Gravestone.”

The Division A winner was Michelle Tinger with “Koox and Spooks.” Carmen Daughtry placed second with “Under a Shady Tree, You and Me” and John Farr took third with “New Among the Old.”

The club meets monthly, every second Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Shallotte Presbyterian Church, 5070 Main Street in Shallotte. Membership is open to photographers of all skill levels. Meetings consist of informative programs on photographic techniques and software usage, member photo presentations and critiques, guest speakers and much more. Guests are always welcome. Visit the website at www.coastalcarolinacameraclub.org. or call 287-6311 for more information..

Open house scheduled for those interested in STEM

The Academy for the Arts, Science, and Technology is having an Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 1, for all eighth-grade students (rising ninth grade) who are interested in the STEM program. Students who have a career interest or talent in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are invited to attend. The program begins at 6 p.m. After the program students and parents will be able to take a tour of the building. Online applications for the STEM program are available starting Tuesday, Dec. 1 at www.horrycountyschools.net or www.aast.horrycountyschools.net. The application deadline is Friday, February 3, 2017. The school is located at 895 International Drive Myrtle Beach, SC 29579.

Calabash celebrates Poppy Days

Such a little flower symbol, so meaningful to veterans. The distribution of the Buddy Poppy is a familiar sight during the Veterans Day and Memorial Day holidays each year and VFW Calabash Post #7288 continues the 94-year-old tradition to this day. On Saturday, Nov. 12, volunteers from VFW Calabash Post #7288 and its auxiliaries were stationed at the Food Lion Stores in Sunset Beach and Calabash as well as the Ace Hardware Store in Calabash, distributing the little red Poppies which are assembled by disabled veterans. Donations received are earmarked for the VFW National Home for Children, widows of our nation's veterans and rehabilitation programs for our nation's veterans. Those who donate during the Buddy Poppy Drive are rewarded twice--once for the good deed that's realized by donating and once for the safety of our country they enjoy thanks to the sacrifice of the veterans as well as today's active duty troops.

Brunswick DAR chapter wins print award

The Public Relations/Media Committee of the Brunswick Town Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has won 2nd place for “Outstanding Print Coverage” in the Southeastern Division which is made up DAR Chapters from eight states. The committee won First Place in the state in 2015 over a field of 103 North Carolina DAR Chapters and then went on to win Second Place in the Southeastern Division.

This story was originally published November 24, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Grand Strand Newsmakers."