GME Inclusive Excellence

The diversity mission of the College of Medicine is to create an environment that fosters cultural understanding, cultural competency, and opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds. To support our mission and our vision to become a nationally recognized model of excellence for U.S. medical schools, the Group on Diversity Affairs in the Dean’s Office works to enhance diversity among our students, residents, and faculty by implementing and maintaining programs designed to support underrepresented in medicine individuals. The Graduate Medical Education Office and our Residency Program Directors work with the Group on Diversity Affairs to ensure an inclusive educational environment and provide education on health equity for our residents and fellows. Education in a diverse setting and practicing medicine in inclusive healthcare teams help to improve problem-solving for the complex care of our diverse patient population.

Diversity Programming for Residents & Fellows

We have increased the diversity among our trainees in the College of Medicine through programs that support our under-represented in medicine residents. Over the past 20 years, our percent under-represented in medicine residents has increased from 3 percent to 12 percent in 2023.

McClennan-Banks Residents & Fellows Networking Group

The College of Medicine’s under-represented in medicine residents initiated the McClennan-Banks Resident Society, naming the organization for Dr. Alonzo C. McClennan and Nurse Anna DeCosta Banks, who were known for the operation of the first minority hospital in Charleston, SC. The purpose for the society was to enhance diversity within the College of Medicine and connect with the Greater Charleston, SC community through service. The society was recently renamed the McClennan-Banks Residents and Fellows Networking Group to include under-represented in medicine fellows, networking opportunities with community physicians, and community service projects. The group also serves as mentors to College of Medicine under-represented in medicine students.

Resident Ambassadors

Several under-represented in medicine residents have volunteered to serve as Resident Ambassadors for the College of Medicine. These resident physicians are available to answer questions of potential resident applicants and to share their experiences at MUSC. Interested individuals may contact them by email. For a list of Resident Ambassadors, please visit their website: Resident Ambassadors .

Resident Diversity Transition Forum

Incoming Underrepresented in medicine residents are invited to a transition forum during their first week of residency. During this forum, residents meet the Diversity Team, Residency Program Directors, and current residents. Information regarding the McClennan-Banks Residents and Fellows Networking Group and support services is provided.

Achieving Health Equity by Advancing Diversity (AHEAD) – Visiting Student Program

The AHEAD - Visiting Student Program (VSP) is for non-MUSC students who wish to participate in a fourth-year clinical rotation at MUSC and explore its residency programs. AHEAD-VSP is open to students from underrepresented groups, including students with disabilities, those from rural backgrounds, first-generation college students, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those from disadvantaged or marginalized backgrounds, and other students interested in diversifying the physician workforce and/or addressing healthcare disparities in the communities they serve.

The goal of this program is to recruit talented residents, who have met all requirements for visiting student rotations listed on the AAMC Visiting Students Learning Opportunities (VSLO) website, and aid MUSC in addressing healthcare disparities. Once accepted as a visiting student in the clinical rotation through VSLO, students may participate in the AHEAD Visiting Student Program.

The program has two components: Student Engagement & Student Scholarship. For more information on the AHEAD-VSP and the list of programs which provide scholarship for students, please visit the AHEAD-VSP website.

Additional Information

Click here for more detailed information on Diversity Programming for Residents & Fellows.

For more information on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the College of Medicine and at MUSC Health, please see the following websites:

• Diversity in the College of Medicine (including pathway programs and student support)
• Dean’s Diversity Council 
• MUSC Health Office of Equity 
• Office of Community Engagement 
• Office of Student Engagement