Coastal Carolina Hospital has opened a new operating room – the hospital’s fourth – to increase surgical care options for the community. As part of the $9 million expansion project, the Hardeeville hospital also acquired a new da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system, which arrived late last year. The new operating room and the da Vinci system will primarily be used by physicians specializing in general surgery, urology, and gynecology. As part of its surgical program expansion, Coastal Carolina has welcomed two physicians, Dr. Steven Thies, who specializes in general surgery, and Dr. Paul Milhoua, who specializes in urological surgery. In February, Coastal Carolina joined Novant Health, a not-for-profit health system, which is expanding in South Carolina.