Current Residents

Third Year 

Emma Kunkleman, D.O.
Medical School: VCOM Carolinas
Undergraduate: Western Carolina University
Why MUSC: I was drawn to MUSC initially due to the Pediatric Primary Care program because that’s what I want to do. I was looking for a medium-sized program that would prepare me well as a general pediatrician, as well as ideally had opportunities to work with Spanish-speaking populations. MUSC seemed to be the right fit for me, and I immediately fell in love on interview day! Everyone is so kind and supportive, and it truly feels like your family. Plus, I couldn’t pass up being able to work and train in a beautiful city close to the beach!

Zachary Mayo, M.D.
Medical School: VCOM SOM
Undergraduate: UNC - Chapel Hill
Why MUSC: MUSC first caught my eye when I heard about its unique primary care curriculum combining the exposure of a stand-alone children’s hospital with a focused outpatient experience. However, it was on interview day when I knew this was my place and my people. I was taken back by everyone’s excitement for their program and city as well as the genuine interest of the faculty in us not just as applicants but as people. I knew that this close-knit, easy-going, and supportive community would prepare me to be the best pediatrician possible. And hey, being close to the beach is a sweet bonus! 

Second Year

Jamie Barnett, M.D.
Medical School: University of South Carolina - Columbia 
Undergraduate: Wofford College
Why MUSC: From my virtual interview, I have consistently felt like part of the family.  I was looking for a program where I would get a firm foundation as a general pediatrician while feeling 100% supported and I am SO excited to have found that at MUSC and within the primary care tract. PS-living in Charleston is icing on the already amazing cake! 

Haley Healy, M.D.
Medical School: Pennsylvania State University
Undergraduate: Temple University
Why MUSC: MUSC has been such a great fit for me and I'm so glad I came here. I was initially drawn to the primary care track and the focus on advocacy, and being here for just a few months, I have already received so much education around topics I am passionate about. I was also drawn to the resident continuity clinic, serving a wide-ranging patient population while allowing us to have our own patient panel. Even on my interview day, I felt like everyone loved MUSC and that the residents enjoyed working here and had created a great community within the program. Also, MUSC was incredibly supportive during the couple's match, and my husband and I are so grateful to have matched here together!

Jesper Jiang, M.D.
Medical School: Texas A&M
Undergraduate: Hardin-Simmons University
Why MUSC: To be completely honest, I actually did not know MUSC existed when I first started to think about residency and looking at programs. It actually wasn't until a brief academic setback that actually led me to think about applying more broadly that I then found MUSC. I now tell people that what I thought was the worst day of my life with the setback actually ended up being the single best thing to happen to me in med school because it led me to my dream residency program that I didn't realize was a dream residency program! (And don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't match into your number one program because you had a setback! Believe in yourself!) On interview day, even through a virtual Zoom screen, I had a gut feeling that told me there was something special about this program, and finding out about the unique primary care residency track and getting to serve the underserved and being the only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center and Level 4 NICU in South Carolina all aligned with my current career and educational goals, and then as cheesy as it sounds, truly getting to meet the people that made this program so special was ultimately what helped sealed the deal. Since being here, it has only confirmed that I definitely made the right decision. I had a fear of not fitting in and not finding a place to belong, but that was quickly proven to be wrong as the people in my class were definitely "my people" from day 1 and I could not be more grateful to have gained 23 new best friends in a literal heartbeat. And it speaks volumes to have upper levels who not just care about you academically but also make it a priority to check in on your wellness. And don't even get me started on having the best program director and program coordinator around, people who truly care for you for who you are!!! I think I could go on and on about all the good things and perhaps write an entire novel haha, but I truly think this special Disney-esque like magic of MUSC is something that you just have to experience for yourself! It is an absolute joy to get to be here! I dreamt a fantastical dream and I ended up at a hospital that has unbeatable views with some of the most extraordinary people! Finally, trading the Central and West Texas deserts for Charleston beaches was just the cherry on top! Tweaking the words of the iconic Taylor Swift... "Welcome to MUSC, it's been waiting for you!"

First Year

AAron Jennings, M.D.
Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine 
Undergraduate: Mississippi State University
Why MUSC: MUSC stood out to me because of the phenomenal staff and residents who truly want you to be successful. I have felt so supported throughout my time here, and it’sclear that everyone is happy to help further my learning and development as a physician! As a major referral center, MUSC provides exposure to a wide range of complex and diverse cases. I think this is invaluable for developing into a competent, well-rounded pediatrician. The hospital is also practically brand new with an incredible view, and being so close to the beach doesn’t hurt! I couldn’t think of a better place to call home during residency.

Holly Raines, M.D.
Medical School: Wofford College
Undergraduate: MUSC
Why MUSC: I went to medical school at MUSC, and really thought I wanted to go elsewhere for residency originally just to explore somewhere new. During interview season, though, I kept finding myself comparing my experience to my interview day with MUSC peds. I loved everyone I spoke to on my interview day. The residents seemed to be so happy and like they were actually friends outside of work. The faculty and staff are so amazing and really take the time to get to know you. I ended up deciding to stay at MUSC because no other program gave me as strong of a sense of community or made me quite as comfortable as MUSC peds did. If I could go back, I would choose MUSC peds every time.

Will Shugart, M.D.
Medical School: MUSC
Undergraduate: The Citadel
Why MUSC: During medical school I saw that MUSC Pediatrics was the perfect combination of high patient acuity/complexity and tight-knit residency culture that I was looking for. I was initially worried that my feelings were based on familiarity with the program but throughout residency interviews I learned that MUSC Pediatrics really was as special as I had hoped it would be! Knowing that I wanted a career in primary care, I searched for programs that could provide a robust primary care experience, and none was able to match the primary care program here at MUSC. This program allows me to care for high acuity patients in the hospital while also receiving specialized primary care training in a community-based pediatrics clinic. I also can't say enough good things about the people I get to work with! We truly have the residency culture I dreamed of being a part of.