USC expands its Brain Health Network with new clinic in Sumter

SUMTER, SC (WOLO) — The University of South Carolina is opening a Brain Health Clinic inside of Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital on North Sumter Street.

Officials say the facility becomes a part of USC’s Brain Health Network — with a clinic currently open in Winnsboro and a third site opening in Seneca later this summer.

President of USC Michael Amiridis says providing healthcare clinics in areas other than Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville helps address disparities within the healthcare system.

“We are the flagship of the state of South Carolina. This is our mission. This is exactly what we do in the best possible way. We are a research institution, so we’re very interested in data in doing research, and at the same time, part of our goal with two medical schools, one in Greenville and one in Columbia, is to improve healthcare in this state — so it’s at the core of our mission. That’s why we’re excited about it,” he says.

Health officials say the clinic will help better serve patients with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, aphasia, and other neurological issues.

Senator Katrina Shealy says not only is brain health an important issue, it’s also a very personal one for her and her family — with her husband having Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s the day to day activities that I miss, it’s almost like you’ve already lost your loved one. You know it’s not the same person. Some days, my husband doesn’t know who I am. Or he thinks I’m his sister, or the days I like the most are days he thinks I’m his girlfriend. Those are great days. But some days he doesn’t know. He wants to go home. We’ll be home. And you feel sad,” Shealy says.

SC Speaker of the House of Representatives Murrell Smith, Jr.  hopes to see more growth when it comes to brain health across the state.

“I hope you will see us continue to invest as a general assembly into the expansion of the brain health network. Because there’s many other brain health ailments and other issues that affect South Carolinians, and quite frankly we don’t have the access to care right now. So I think this is just the starting point,” Smith says.

A new facility is also set to open in Columbia in 2026.