Charleston is one of the main medical centers for South Carolina and the Eastern part of Georgia.

The city has several major hospitals and research facilities: The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC-the sixth oldest continually operating school of medicine in the U.S.), includes the Hollings Cancer Center and the MUSC Children's Hospital. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Kindred HospitalRoper St. Francis Hospital, the Naval Health ClinicTrident Health System, and East Cooper Regional Medical Center.

In addition there are many medical centers and clinics, including the Archdale Medical Center, the Charleston Women's Medical Center, the Daniel Island Medical Clinic, the Dream Center Clinic and the Trident Surgery Center. Private urgent care facilities chains include MedCareHealth First, Roper St Francis Express Care and Doctors Care