First Year Residents
Jonathan Bowling, M.D.
Hometown: Laurinburg, NC
Medical School: ECU Brody School of Medicine
Undergraduate: UNC-Chapel Hill
Favorite Things About Charleston: coastal lifestyle, proximity to family, food scene
Career Interests: I am currently undecided between pursuing a fellowship or a career as a Med-Peds hospitalist. My clinical interests include hematology/oncology, pediatric critical care, and transitional care for adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions.
Why MUSC Med-Peds: MUSC stood out as the ideal place to train, offering the perfect blend of educational rigor, a supportive community, and a location that feels like home. As a major referral center with high patient volume and acuity, MUSC provides exposure to a broad range of complex cases, preparing residents well for whatever their future holds. Beyond the clinical opportunities, the program’s culture truly sets it apart. From interview day, I felt an immediate connection with the faculty and residents, making it easy to see how I would fit in both professionally and socially. Charleston was another major draw as it is close to home and offers a lifestyle that’s a great fit for my wife and me as beach lovers. MUSC checked every box, and we’re thrilled to be joining the Med-Peds family.
Email: bowlingj@musc.edu
Deon Heavens, M.D., MHS
Hometown: Douglasville, GA
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Graduate School: Meharry Medical College
Undergraduate: Oglethorpe University
Favorite things about Charleston: I love that Charleston is a beach city. I've always wanted to live near a beach, so that appealed to me. I also like that many people said that it was a great city to live in and that it has a great food scene. Even though I haven't spent much time in Charleston, it felt like an inviting place that can quickly become home.
Career Interests: As of now I'm thinking of becoming a Cardiologist, unsure if adult or pediatric, but that's my current interest. I hope to also continue to reach the community through my non-profit and other efforts to serve the underserved.
Why MUSC Med-Peds: I chose MUSC Med-Peds because I felt a warm welcome from everyone who I came in contact with whether it was the residents or the program director. I felt that I would be able to develop myself as a person and resident throughout this program while still holding true to my values in the medical field. After interview day, MUSC's impression stayed with me, and I often found myself referring back to that moment. I felt that MUSC would support me regardless of what may be going on and that strengthened my decision. I believe my time at MUSC will create unique and memorable experiences that I will be able to use throughout my time in the future.
Email: heavens@musc.edu
Aparna Macharla, MBBS
Hometown: Bangalore, India and Cambridge, MA
Medical School: Kasturba Medical College Manipal, India
Undergraduate: Kasturba Medical College Manipal, India
Favorite Things About Charleston: The beaches, the beautiful downtown, the city's culture, and the food. The atmosphere reminds me a lot of Manipal, where I went to college, and I am looking forward to exploring even more in the coming years.
Career Interests: Excited to explore Medical Education, Cardiology, Critical Care, and contribute to projects that improve health education and health literacy
Why MUSC Med-Peds: From the very beginning, every interaction I had with MUSC felt warm and personal. The pre-interview social was a great experience. The residents were welcoming, asked thoughtful questions that reflected our individual interests, and clearly enjoyed spending time together. Interview day just built on that feeling. My interviewers were kind and curious, and they truly took an interest in my journey and passions, not just in what I had done but in who I was and what I cared about. That energy made me feel seen in a way I did not expect, leaving me feeling more confident about the kind of physician I am working to become. Beyond that, I was drawn to the strong Med-Peds identity at MUSC, the integration with both categorical programs, the continuity clinic, and the program's clear commitment to serving the community. I was also really excited about the community outreach work the program is involved in. It shows that care does not stop at the hospital and that the program is actively connected to the people it serves. It was clear that this program blended everything I was looking for: excellent training, a close-knit community, and the space to grow into the kind of physician I hoped to become.
Email: macharla@musc.edu
Hannah Pressler, M.D.
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, SC
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Undergraduate: University of South Carolina
Favorite Things About Charleston: I might be biased, but it’s the best city! I love going out on the boat, trying new restaurants (always looking to swap recs), listening to live music at local bars and venues, and exploring Charleston’s beautiful landscapes. While there’s always an event to attend, you can’t beat walking the historic streets or relaxing on the beach.
Career Interests: Cardiology, medical education, critical care, POCUS
Why MUSC Med-Peds: I was drawn to a program that values its learners and provides robust clinical experiences in both adult and pediatric medicine. As a medical student at MUSC, I witnessed the dedication of the Med-Peds faculty and residents to clinical excellence, teaching, and mentorship. Their support during my clinical rotations, the application process, and now during the transition to residency has been invaluable. I’m excited to continue learning and caring for patients alongside the passionate and accomplished Med-Peds faculty and residents!
Email: pressler@musc.edu