MUSC Health strengthens community care with new Lancaster internal medicine clinic

The new MUSC Health Internal Medicine-Lancaster clinic is officially open and welcoming patients, including same-day appointments. Nestled right on the campus of MUSC Lancaster Medical Center, it serves as a hub for patient care and learning right in the heart of the community.

When physicians and medical trainees, known as attendings and residents, first began working at the new MUSC Health Internal Medicine-Lancaster clinic, they weren’t thinking about the ribbon-cutting or media headlines. They were thinking about the patients who have needed this type of care closer to home. The new clinic is the second MUSC primary care location in the community.

“It's going really great so far. People in the community are actually getting to know us, so we’re starting to see more patients,” said Duaa Alkhader, M.D. “This means patients don’t have to wait weeks to be seen. Families can get care right here in Lancaster.”

Alkhader is one of three attendings at MUSC Health Internal Medicine-Lancaster, focusing on obesity medicine as well as other chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and rheumatological disorders. She and her fellow attendings are using their skills to teach residents and expand their care for patients in the area.

The clinic’s eight internal medicine residents are learning the ropes from the experienced attendings, focusing on both inpatient and outpatient care. They’re also working closely with patients to develop their clinical skills and a compassionate bedside manner.

Aravind Raghavan, M.D., Internal Medicine Residency program director, emphasized the benefits that this new clinic offers to residents.

“I'm very happy about this because not only does the community get a new clinic with more physicians and increased access to care, but the residents also get a great education right here on campus, and they don't have to go to other satellite clinics further away,” said Raghavan.

Chief Medical Officer Edward McCutcheon, M.D., underscored the impact that this clinic makes on the bigger mission of MUSC Health-Catawba Division by increasing access, improving convenience and meeting patient needs in Lancaster. He feels that this proves that the clinic is a major win for this community.

“This is all part of the grand strategy to provide care closer to home for those in the state of South Carolina,” said McCutcheon. “Access to primary care is the gateway to health care for everyone, and this will enable us to provide the care that's necessary for those in need.”

For Alkhader, she’s looking forward to building relationships in the community and fostering a strong sense of confidence when patients walk through the doors of MUSC Health Internal Medicine-Lancaster.

“We are trying our best to build trust and good relationships with these patients and their families while giving them the highest-quality, evidence-based medical treatment available in Lancaster,” said Alkhader.

For more information on this clinic, you can visit the MUSC Health Internal Medicine-Lancaster page.