State of Community 2026 Highlights Healthcare Workforce Challenges and Solutions

The pressures on the Lowcountry’s healthcare system and workforce continue to grow as retirement outpaces the ability to train and recruit a workforce to care for the growing population.

Those challenges, as well as the solutions taking shape, were once again the focus of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual “State of the Community” recap at the Dataw Island Clubhouse on March 6, where leaders in healthcare, education and government outlined key issues that are shaping the future of the region.

While many of the community-wide concerns discussed at the annual presentation have remained consistent from year to year, their urgency is increasing. A growing and aging population places greater stress on healthcare services and their availability, while barriers such as limited affordable, reliable childcare and housing continue to challenge employers as they try to recruit and retain employees – particularly in healthcare.

A Growing Gap in Healthcare Workers

Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley was one of the panelists for the presentation’s “Cradle-to-Career” panel, which also included leaders from the early childhood education sector, Technical College of the Lowcountry, the Beaufort County School District (BCSD) and University of South Carolina-Beaufort.

Baxley noted a national demographic shift that continues to shrink the healthcare workforce: across the U.S., about 12,000 people turn 65 each day, many of whom leave the workforce – including many healthcare professionals.

“As people are retiring and aging out of the workforce, how are we generating more people to enter that workforce to care for a growing, aging population that is going to need more healthcare?” Baxley asked.

The numbers illustrate the challenge: nationwide, as many as 96,000 physicians could leave the workforce this year, while medical schools only graduate around 30,000 annually.

“That means it’ll take three years to make up for one year of physician loss,” Baxley said, “in a sector that is already struggling to keep up.”

Nursing shortages present a similar challenge. In South Carolina, approximately 2,2000 nursing students graduate each year – only enough to meet about 77% of the demand statewide.

Only about 40% of those graduates stay in South Carolina to work.

“We have to figure out why we have nurses and physicians leaving the state to work in other states,” Baxley added. “What pro-business or pro-healthcare legislation and policies can we put into effect that will keep nurses and physicians here?”

Building a Workforce Pipeline

“Cradle-to-Career” panelists all agreed that long-term solutions to the top ticket issues facing the community will depend on strengthening workforce development, particularly through innovative partnerships that can connect students with healthcare careers early.

In January 2025, Beaufort Memorial and BCSD partnered to offer an opportunity for high school seniors who are enrolled in a Health Sciences completer program to participate in the hospital’s PATH (People Achieving Their Highest) program tuition free.

When the cohort of high school seniors graduated in May 2025, the nonprofit health system hired five of them immediately following their graduation.

“Students enter Beaufort Memorial to explore healthcare and see what’s available, but while they’re there, they find out the vast array of jobs that are within the healthcare field,” Dr. Rodriguez said. “Then, Beaufort Memorial hires them. That’s why these partnerships are so essential.”

‘Upskilling’

While building the workforce is critical, Baxley emphasized that programs like PATH help address workforce gaps in the shorter term by creating an environment for advancement for current employees.

“It’s about upskilling the workforce,” Baxley said. “It’s a win for Beaufort Memorial and a win for our team members.”

Employees who complete the PATH program typically see average pay increases of $6 to $7 per hour, often within 16 weeks of entering the program.

Since launching in Fall 2022, the program has seen more than 100 graduates and was recently named one of the 93 “education programs to know” nationally by Becker’s Hospital Review.

Community Challenges, Community Solutions

Beyond healthcare workforce development, leaders at the event emphasized broader community issues that also affect the Lowcountry’s ability to attract and retain skilled workers – access to affordable childcare and workforce housing.

Childcare has seen some growth in recent years – notably as Beaufort Memorial cut the ribbon in November 2024 on the on-campus Learning Center, offering employer-subsidized childcare for organization team members.

Still, leaders emphasized that more solutions are needed across the county.

Lack of affordable housing remains another pressing concern. Workforce housing projects commonly face resistance within the community, despite broad, community-wide recognition that the issue affects the entire region’s economy and labor landscape.

Baxley noted that Beaufort Memorial plans to break ground soon on LiveWell Terrace by BMH, a workforce housing development in Bluffton – located less than a mile from the new Bluffton Community Hospital currently under construction. The health system is now making strides to secure apartments in Beaufort for a similar project in northern Beaufort County.

“We need to support policies that expand affordable childcare and housing,” Baxley said. “When the ‘not in my neighborhood’ crowd stands up, help us advocate for these solutions. What we need in community support for the policies and leaders working to address these issues in the Lowcountry.”

Learn more about how Beaufort Memorial is expanding access to healthcare and growing its workforce across the Lowcountry.