MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center launches new physician residency program for Internal Medicine

Lancaster, S.C. (Sept. 18, 2024) – The MUSC Health Regional Network is proud to announce the launch of its new Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, Internal Medicine, at MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center. This physician residency program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and represents a significant advancement in meeting the growing demand for health care providers in South Carolina, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The program will start with a first class of eight Internal Medicine residents in July 2025, with a Family Medicine program set to follow in 2026. These two primary care education programs, when at full capacity, will create about 50 new resident positions to serve the community.

As part of MUSC Health, the program offers residents an exceptional training experience within a community hospital setting, backed by the resources of a world-class academic health system. Residents will develop clinical, personal and professional skills through inpatient rotations, ambulatory clinics, research opportunities and a robust didactic schedule.

Aravind Raghavan, M.D., director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program, expressed his excitement about its impact. “This program will not only provide excellent training for our future physicians but also directly address the health care needs of our community. By training residents in Lancaster, we are fostering a pipeline of doctors who are more likely to remain and serve the areas that need them the most.”

The program is designed to meet the health care demands of South Carolina, a state that struggles to retain its medical graduates due to limited residency spots. “Investing in residency programs like this is an investment in the future of health care in our region,” said Edward McCutcheon, M.D., MHA, FACEP, chief medical officer at MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center. “We are committed to developing high-quality physicians well-prepared to serve our communities, especially in underserved areas.”

Tsveti Markova, M.D., chief academic integration officer, emphasized the importance of retaining graduates within the health system. “One of the most powerful outcomes of residency programs is the ability to keep talented physicians in the areas they train. We are committed to creating opportunities for our graduates to continue their careers within the MUSC Health system, ensuring that our communities benefit from their expertise long after their training ends.”

The GME program at MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center embodies the institution’s mission to create high-quality education and patient care, with a strong emphasis on meeting the needs of rural populations. Residents will benefit from focused group learning, hands-on clinical experience and the chance to contribute to meaningful health care solutions.

Prospective applicants interested in joining the inaugural class of Internal Medicine residents can visit Internal Medicine Residency Program at MUSC Health Lancaster for more information on how to apply.

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About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $7.1 billion. The 31,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.