MUSC Health names new CEO for Orangeburg facilities

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A new leader has been named for the Medical University of South Carolina campus in Orangeburg.

Dr. Patrick J. Cawley, MUSC Health system CEO and vice president for health affairs, University, announced that Walter N. Bennett III, has accepted the role as the new CEO of MUSC Health – Orangeburg, according to an MUSC news release.

Bennett is known for his collaborative, transparent leadership style and strong operational skills that improve working relationships and financial performance, the release stated. He will join the organization on June 12.

“We’re very excited to have Walter join us, and I think his track record of successful operations outcomes and reputation for thoughtful leadership is exactly what our Orangeburg care team deserves,” Cawley said in the release.

Bennett comes to MUSC from Pelham Medical Center in Greer, part of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, where during the last 16 years he progressed from a business operations manager to his current position as division director of operations, the release stated.

In 2017, he was named Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Leader of the Year, according to the release. He co-led the South Carolina Governor’s Quality Forum application process, where he was a Silver Achiever Award recipient, and he helped launch Pelham Medical Center’s first da Vinci Robotics program. Bennett has also managed facility expansion, including a new hospital, where he exceeded the financial goals of the new hospital build based on an estimated timeline.

“I am excited to join the MUSC Health System and look forward to driving a positive culture of safety, quality of care and service excellence for the patients, associates, physicians and communities we serve,” Bennett said in the release.

Bennett earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of South Carolina – Upstate and his master’s degree in health administration from MUSC. He is from Manning, S.C.