The College of Medicine is committed to enhancing the physician workforce by training residents and fellows representing a broad range of backgrounds and cultural experiences to provide the best care for all patients and address health disparities in South Carolina as we strive to accomplish the OneMUSC Strategic Plan goals of empowering healthy communities and reshaping the future workforce. The Pathway Resources & Impactful Mentoring and Engagement (PRIME) Team in the Dean’s Office works with the GME Office to implement mentorship, professional development, and community engagement programs that support all residents and fellows in addressing health disparities in the communities they serve. The GME office, residency program leadership, and faculty promote welcoming educational and training environments that have directly impacted our recruitment.
Community Engagement
To empower healthy communities, the OneMUSC strategic plan aims, in part, to improve outcomes and eliminate health disparities. MUSC has a long history of partnering with the community to improve health outcomes and has been recognized for community engagement with Spencer Foreman Award for Outstanding Community Engagement presented by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in 2001 and is a finalist for the 2026 award. The 2026 COM Community Engagement Survey identified 170 activities, of which over 50% involved resident and fellow participants. Starting in GME orientation, new interns and residents learn about the patients they will serve that come from the diverse communities of the lowcountry region and South Carolina. During their training, residents and fellows engage individuals from rural and medically underserved communities through patient care, health education and screenings, community service, satellite clinics in rural areas, the Street Medicine elective rotation through CARES for the Unhoused, and free clinics in the community including the CARES nonprofit, student-run medical clinic, Shifa clinic, 180 Place, and the Dream Center. Residents of all backgrounds and cultures who are interested in improving health disparities in the communities they serve are encouraged to participate.
Aequitas Health Medical Honor Society
MUSC was one of the founding chapters of the Aequitas Health. New students as well as one new trainee and one new faculty member are inducted annually into the Honor Society to foster a community of individuals who are passionate in serving the community through health initiatives.
Resident Support & Engagement
McClennan-Banks Residents & Fellows Networking Group
The McClennan-Banks Residents & Fellows Networking Group (MCB) is a resident-led society organization whose purpose is to enhance engagement of residents of all backgrounds and cultures within the College of Medicine and connect with the Greater Charleston, SC community through service. The group also serves as mentors to COM students in the Mentoring Ensures Medical School Success (MEMS) program. MCB was originally named in honor of Dr. Alonzo C. McClennan and Nurse Anna DeCosta Banks who opened the first hospital for minority patients and training school for nurses in Charleston in 1897 and carry on their legacy in service of medically underserved communities.
Organizational Objectives:
- Provide an opportunity for campus and community-based networking
- Engage in community service
- Provide Mentorship to students, residents, and fellows
- Develop resident teaching skills
- Increase resident recruitment to MUSC
- Cultivate interest in academic medicine
Prime Engagement Corner
The PRIME Engagement Corner, "The Corner Store", serves as an informal gathering spot in the Dean's Office to engage with other students and residents. Stop by for a free snack in exchange for a smile, warm hug, word of encouragement, and opportunity to share your wisdom with students.
"Lift As You Climb" Mentorship Award
The PRIME Team presents the “Lift As You Climb” Mentorship Award annually to a medical student, resident, and faculty member nominated by the MUSC community. Dr. Faith Middleton, pediatric cardiology fellow, was the 2026 winner of this award for her commitment to mentorship and community service through MCB. PRIME also hosts Holiday and Spring Celebration events for students, trainees, faculty and staff of all backgrounds and cultures to celebrate successes in their educational and career journeys.
Dean's Engagement Council
The Dean's Engagement Council meets quarterly and offers a space for faculty, residents, and students to advise the Dean on topics important for fostering a culture of excellence at MUSC. Up to 2 resident leaders are appointed to serve on the Council.
Recruitment Inititiatives
GME Open House
The GME Virtual Open Houses are intended for applicants to hear more about living and working in Charleston from the perspective of residents and fellows that represent a variety of backgrounds and cultural experiences. All applicants to MUSC Residency & Fellowship Programs are invited to attend. Residency Programs may have their own Open Houses or Happy Hours, but the GME Open House is not program-specific. MUSC Resident Ambassadors will answer questions pre-submitted by applicants in a virtual setting. Click link: Open House Flyer for more information.
Resident Ambassadors
Residents and Fellows volunteer 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 unique experiences at MUSC. Interested individuals may contact them by email. For a list of Resident Ambassadors, please visit their website: Resident Ambassadors.
AHEAD Visiting Student Program
The Achieving Health Excellence by Addressing Disparities (AHEAD) Visiting Student Program (VSP) is for non-MUSC students have been accepted for a fourth-year clinical rotation at MUSC through VSLO and explore its residency programs. AHEAD-VSP supplements the visiting student rotation by offering engagement with residents of different backgrounds and cultures who share their experience with living and working in Charleston. Residents and the PRIME team share community engagement opportunities available that address health disparities. The program is open to students of all backgrounds and cultures, including students with disabilities, those from rural backgrounds, first-generation college students, those who are members of medically underserved communities, and all students interested in addressing health care disparities in the communities they serve. AHEAD Scholarships are available for many rotations.. AHEAD—Visiting Student Program | College of Medicine | MUSC)
Additional Information
For more information on programming in the College of Medicine and at MUSC Health, please see the following websites:
