Former South Carolina Gov. James Edwards packs his Medical University of South Carolina office in 1999 while readying for retirement. Edwards, who helped transform MUSC as one of its presidents, died Friday at age 87. Wade Spees/Staff

The Medical University of South Carolina wasn't necessarily a sick institution when former Gov. James Edwards became its new president in 1983, but his 17-year tenure there showed the school just how healthy it could be.

Edwards, who died Friday at age 87, is being remembered for many things, but particularly for being a transformational leader of the Charleston-based medical school and teaching hospital, now considered one of the nation's best.

Those who worked closely with Edwards give him credit for challenging MUSC's employees and supporters to raise their sights, which in turn made it possible for the institution to expand and enhance its campus, attract new talent, improve patient care and achieve new national recognition.

Dr. Layton McCurdy, now dean emeritus of the MUSC College of Medicine, was among those Edwards lured to his team. Edwards had been somewhat of a reluctant candidate for governor - the Mount Pleasant dentist served from 1975 to 1979 and could not seek re-election - but his political and people skills continued to serve him well after he left office.

"Jim just had such a positive attitude," McCurdy said. "He could help people, including me and others, feel like we could accomplish anything we wanted to. That was his real talent. He could inspire people to see the bigger picture."

Lisa Montgomery, MUSC's executive vice president of finance and operations, said Edwards gift was for making others feel special.

"He was very vivacious and very positive and very upbeat," she said. "What I recall the most is Dr. Edwards frequently shared his vision for MUSC, which is for us to become a world class institution. Through his leadership and those who followed, I believe his vision has been fulfilled."

In 1997, a few years before he stepped down, MUSC was ranked among the country's best hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report. The eighth annual rating scored 1,800 major medical centers based on mortality, reputation with board-certified specialists and medical facts, and MUSC was listed as a leader in seven of 17 specialties, up from three the previous year.

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Jim Edwards helped fuel the rise of MUSC