ric Deaton, CEO for Coastal Carolina Medical Center, moved to Bluffton and threw himself headfirst into our community. He can be seen sporting around town in his bow tie (we don’t know what happened the day of the photo...a tie?) and cute grin. Always making himself very accessible to the people, volunteering his time with enthusiasm and support. He is a genuinely nice guy and sincere about his concern for this community.

We are grateful for people like Eric Deaton who give time, talent and hard work to make life better for the people of our town and surrounding areas.
It isn’t often that you get a chance to see the man behind the man so we jumped at the opportunity to get up close and personal with Eric.

Where were you born?

November 3, 1961 in Johnson City, Tennessee

Tell us about your family.

I have been married for 19 years to the former Elizabeth Rives Blanton. Rives is my best friend and I love being with her – we have three pets, Jackson (Vizsla), Maggie (German Shorthair Pointer) and Kitty (Original name for our calico cat). My parents Bo and Lou were married over 40 years and my mother died 5 years ago from cancer. I have two nieces and two nephews that I am very close to. My sister Kim is a college ladies volleyball coach at Milligan College Tennessee.

What is your educational background?

I have a B.S. degree in Accounting and Business Administration from a Christian Liberal Arts College - Milligan College in Tennessee and I have a Masters of Business Administration from Bristol College in Bristol, Tennessee.

Tell us about your Hobbies?

I enjoy several hobbies to include hunting, fishing, boating – all the Lowcountry favorites. I also enjoy running and am currently training for the Hilton Head half marathon in February. I also play Bluegrass mandolin a little.

What place has had the most influence on you?

Living in the Washington D.C. (Reston, VA) has had the most influence for many reasons – the size and growth of the hospital in a very metropolitan area, being close to our federal government and the great history in the area, and the CEO I worked with was a great example to me.

What is your favorite food to eat?

Growing up in the country in East Tennessee I loved breakfast... so most breakfast foods - especially gravy and biscuits. I also love a good steak!

If you could have dinner with four people, past or present, who would they be?

Earnest Shackleton (Antarctic explorer), Jack Nicklaus, Winston Churchill and Frank Blanton, Jr. (my father in law)

What books are sitting on your nightstand right now?

The Chronicles of Narnia, A new Voyage to Carolina by John Lawson, The Essential C.S Lewis and 1776.

Okay, favorite movie?

The Shawshank Redemption

What has been the best present you have ever received?

Probably the best gift I ever received was growing up in a loving Christian home. I always knew what my parents stood for and were always there to support me.

Tell us about the best trip ever taken.

I took a hunting trip 6 years ago to Argentina – although the hunting was great my favorite part was the people I met and how hospitable everyone was. It was the most relaxing vacation I have ever had.

What is one of your fondest memories?

My dad used to take me to the golf course early before they opened. We went early so he could take time to teach me without other people around to interfere with our time together.

According to the South Carolina Hospital Association, Coastal Carolina Medical Center is the first new hospital to be built in South Carolina in the last 20 years. What has been the biggest challenge in opening a new hospital from the ground-up?

The biggest challenge, and the most rewarding, is trying to anticipate needs and balance the resources you have to meet those needs. It takes a daily focus to ensure you are driving towards growth and keeping people excited and motivated.

Looking back, what is one thing that you would do differently in opening the hospital?

I would have waited 18 months to open the OB unit. In hindsight, we thought we would be busier based on community input; waiting would have given us an opportunity to better assess the immediate need.

Recently the hospital made a decision to suspend its Obstetrical Services; what other services will you offer for women in the Bluffton community?

We will continue to provide GYN surgery, mammography services and bone density screening specifically for women. Women of our region will also be able to take advantage of all the other services the hospital provides such as 24-hour emergency services and wonderful diagnostic and rehabilitation facilities.

Coastal Carolina Medical Center has really become a part of our community. Go five years into the future and tell us what you see happening with the hospital.

Within the next five years we expect to grow as the community grows. We have the backing and resources to add additional square footage, beds and services as needed. I expect us to grow to at least 150 beds with increased capacity in emergency, surgical, imaging and rehab services. Bluffton - and now Hardeeville - are in the midst of unprecedented growth and I feel our hospital is perfectly positioned to support that growth.

Where do you see Bluffton five years from now?

I would expect many of us will not recognize Bluffton in 5 years. The good thing is that that our county and city officials are doing an excellent job at managing the growth. I know by talking with Josh Martin, Mayor Johnston and others that they want responsible growth while preserving the things that make Bluffton special.

Why you love Bluffton?

As in many places, the people make the difference. I love my friends and neighbors. I especially love the Church of the Cross, my Bluffton Rotary Club and spending time on the May River.