MORNING NEWSBREAK | Dr. Charles Darby, founder of the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston and an instrumental figure in establishing the Medical University of South Carolina’s Children’s Hospital, passed away Wednesday at age 90.
“His unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care has left a lasting impression on the lives of many individuals,” MUSC President David J. Cole told WCBD-TV. “His visionary leadership and tireless efforts have unequivocally transformed the landscape of children’s health care and research at MUSC and beyond.”
Darby became chair of MUSC’s pediatrics department in 1982 and worked with state lawmakers and MUSC leaders to build the children’s hospital in 1987. Three years earlier, Darby brought the Ronald McDonald House to Charleston for families to stay free of charge while their children receive medical care.
“Dr. Darby was an extraordinary man who had the vision to realize that parents needed a place to stay when their children were sick,” said Alix Tew of the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston. “Those who traveled here from far away places or even just 40 miles away had the Ronald McDonald House because of him.”
Darby was also the founder of the Darby Children’s Research Institute, which helped play a role in the development of the Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion in 2020.
“Quality clinical care is essential for every children’s hospital, but it is the constant quest for new knowledge and better outcomes that set the better institutions apart from the rest,” Darby once told The Post and Courier.
In City Paper news today:
CP OPINION: Draconian abortion law needs to go. “Since the South Carolina Supreme Court flipped its view last August that a statewide abortion ban was an unconstitutional invasion of privacy, hundreds of women in the Palmetto State have been suffering, forced to have babies that they don’t want for a variety of reasons. Or they have to go outside of South Carolina to have an abortion that was legal here just three years ago.”
CP CARTOON:
CP FOCUS: Play our new SEWE board game. The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition hits downtown Charleston once again on Feb. 16 through 18, and Charleston City Paper created a board game to up the fun factor of the annual event, collecting some of the expo’s free and general admission events to explore along the way.
- More SEWE content: Women in Conservation panel aims to educate, address representation
CP NEWS: New Charleston superintendent to make $275K a year. Charleston County School District Board of Trustees Chair Keith Grybowski said he signed a three-year employment contract with Anita Huggins who served as interim superintendent from late September 2023 when former superintendent Eric Gallien resigned.
CP NEWS: North Charleston mayor nods to time as police chief. Recently installed North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess has been sitting in the mayor’s office for a little over a month now, but has been serving the North Charleston community for 35 years as the chief of police.
CP NEWS: Anne Frank Center dispels messages of hate. Two scholars, including one South Carolinian, helped open a partner center for the Anne Frank House, which opened in August 2021 at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The Anne Frank Center is the only partner site in the United States. Other locations are in Berlin and Buenos Aires.
CP NEWS: Francis Marion hotel celebrates 100 years. The Francis Marion Hotel, celebrated 100 years at the epicenter of the Holy City Wednesday evening with drinks, dinner, dessert and dancing.
CP FOOD: Top of the Tap brings Greek taverna to Summerville. Carolyn and Danny Dominguez converted the former Summerville Greek restaurant Opa Cafe into a neighborhood taverna (Greek for “tavern”) with an emphasis on continuing bringing Greek food to the area, but also offering a variety of craft beers.
CP MUSIC: Monster Music celebrates 20 years. West Ashley record store Monster Music & Movies thrived over the last 20 years due to a resurgence of popularity in vinyl sales and a shared love of music with its staff and customers.
In other recent headlines:
The Halsey announces 2024 Young Contemporaries from College of Charleston. The College of Charleston’s The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art launched its 39th annual Young Contemporaries program, showcasing the college’s students and their work.
Charleston RiverDogs to host second annual job fair. The Charleston RiverDogs host their second job fair of the year on Saturday, giving people a chance to join the staffing team for the next 66 home games of the season. The event will be open from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park in the stadium’s Segra club.
Lowcountry business owners worried about federal credit card bill. Business owners in the Lowcountry are worried that the Credit Card Competition Act, which would change regulations for how credit card transactions are processed, could hurt tourism across the state.
Charleston Co. working to bring affordable housing to the area. The Charleston County Special Housing Committee is voting on several new items looking to bring more affordable housing to the Charleston area.
Woman found on James Island roadway speaks out after recovery. Jenn Drummond was found lying in the middle of the roadway, just steps from her James Island home, and after eight months of recovery, she wanted to thank the community for their support.
Folly Beach library to close for renovations. The branch is slated to close March 1 at 1 p.m. and remain closed for several months during the renovation.
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