MUSC Health Florence Medical Center Expands Resident Program to 24

(Photo Courtesy of MUSC Health Florence)

MUSC Health Florence Medical Center is celebrating another year of Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs that are expanding patient care in the Pee Dee region. Sixteen new residents have joined the Family Medicine and Internal Medicine residencies, having been selected through a national search to identify the next generation of physicians.

 

Although the Florence GME program is in its infancy, it stands on the shoulders of established MUSC (Charleston) residency and fellowship programs. Residents and fellows are mentored by nationally and internationally recognized physicians, scientists, and educators with more than 700 residents in 33 medical disciplines.

 

"These programs are dedicated to training highly skilled physicians who excel in clinical practice and are committed to advancing health care outcomes in their communities," said Tsveti Markova, M.D., MUSC Health chief academic integration officer. "Our residents will be well-prepared to serve South Carolina, particularly in rural and underserved areas where their expertise is most needed."

 

The hospital recently welcomed eight new residents into its newly launched Family Medicine residency program along with another eight joining the Internal Medicine residency program. Now in its second year, the Florence GME program includes a total of 24 residents who will help to address the physician shortage in rural communities and underserved populations in the Pee Dee.

 

GME Family Medicine Program director Kourtney Osorio, M.D., said she is ecstatic about all eight Family Medicine residency spots being filled. “It's a very big deal when you find out because the students also find out at the same time. Florence is a great place to get your training because you get the opportunity to do so much more. We do a lot of the things that specialists do, and we get to practice the full scope of Family Medicine. When you graduate and you go out into the community you decide to serve, you have a lot of experience with everything, and that's how you become a great Family Medicine physician.”

 

The Internal Medicine residency program received thousands of applications, ultimately inviting just over 100 qualified candidates for interviews. From that group, eight residents were selected to join the program.

 

“This year, we are very proud that we had an increased volume of applications. These residents have been an integral part of providing care in the hospital as well as in the outpatient clinics,” said GME Internal Medicine Program director Ribal Al Aridi, M.D. “In our residency program, we incorporate current best practices into the curriculum, including point-of-care ultrasound, community outreach initiatives and quality improvement projects. It’s important for a resident when they graduate to be able to practice Internal Medicine at any level, whether it's in rural, academic or urban, so they can practice Internal Medicine with confidence.”