Tidelands Health, MUSC collaborate to train future cardiovascular specialists
February 17, 2026
As the first cardiovascular technologist student to complete clinical training at Tidelands Health, Eddy Perez gained experience, knowledge and confidence to go anywhere to pursue his passion for helping people.
He didn’t go far. Perez chose to work at Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital, seamlessly moving into a role as a full-time team member after graduating from the MUSC Claude W. Smith M.D. School of Cardiovascular Technology in Columbia and earning certification. 
“I definitely got the experience, and I really like the staff here,” Perez said. “Having a great team that I know is going to have my back means a lot. And I learned a lot from them.”
Perez is a registered cardiovascular invasive specialist, or RCIS, working in Tidelands Georgetown’s cardiac catheterization lab to monitor patients’ vital signs, assist cardiologists and sterilize equipment. The RCIS role is in demand across the country, which led Tidelands Health and the Medical University of South Carolina to collaborate on the development of a new clinical training site at Tidelands Georgetown.
Students can now complete their required on-site training at the Georgetown hospital.
“By pairing with a cardiovascular technology school, it gets the word out to students entering that field that we are here,” said Charlie Weeks, Tidelands Health cath lab manager.
During training, students work closely with cardiologists and other clinicians to benefit from real-world experience.
“We have great buy-in from all our cardiologists,” Weeks said. “They really take time with the students — that’s huge.”
At least one student from the Claude W. Smith school will complete clinical training at Tidelands Georgetown each semester. The program is helping Tidelands Health fill current job openings and prepare for future growth.
Tidelands Health and MUSC Health plan to offer advanced cardiac services, including open-heart surgery, at Tidelands Health Carolina Bays Hospital, which is being constructed in South Horry County.
“This is huge for our patients,” Weeks said. “We are bringing in quality, trained people educated in the field. This provides another level of quality service for our patients and allows us to continue to grow. Students will see the environment we’ve created and the work we do and want to come be part of the team.”
