On Monday, February 27, 2023, a team from McLeod Health Seacoast and McLeod Health Loris joined co-workers from the McLeod Support Services Center in a visit to the GE Healthcare plant in Florence, S.C.

The GE plant has been in Florence since the early 1970s, and until recently, was the only manufacturing plant in the GE Healthcare System that built MRIs (a version is now made in China). McLeod Loris Seacoast recently ordered two MRIs, and they will be built in Florence this year.

“Not being raised in South Carolina, I didn’t realize the U.S. plant for GE MRIs was in Florence, South Carolina,” said Monica Vehige, McLeod Loris Seacoast CEO. “Learning about the mechanics of building an MRI was fascinating knowing that two will head to McLeod Health Loris and Seacoast soon to care for our region’s patients. We are grateful to GE Healthcare for their hospitality.”

Dr. Matthew Weeks, CMO and VP of Medical Affairs at McLeod Loris Seacoast,  and Vehige were instrumental in putting this tour together, working with the HR staff in Florence.

Kelly Hurt, VP of Human Resources for McLeod Health, said about the GE visit, “It is a fascinating process that gives us the diagnostic equipment to provide the best care to our patients, and it is made right here in our backyard.”

Pictured left to right:  Kate Miccichi, Lindsey Fipps, Sherrill Nielson, Donna King, Kelly Hurt, Monica Vehige, Stuart Poston, Justin Owens, Diedra Garrett, Matthew Weeks, Dave Hurt, and Matt Baker.