March 18, 2026
MEDIA INVITE | South Carolina physicians mark 178 years of advocacy at statehouse event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2026
178 YEARS OF A SINGLE UNIFIED VOICE: SOUTH CAROLINA'S OLDEST PHYSICIAN-LED ORGANIZATION CONTINUES ITS FIGHT FOR PATIENTS AND THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE
The South Carolina Medical Association invites media to cover its ongoing work and Physician’s Day at the Statehouse on April 1 — and offers physicians as expert sources on critical healthcare issues
COLUMBIA, S.C. — As critical issues like healthcare access and the future of independent medical practices continue to shape patient care across South Carolina, one organization has stood as a constant advocate for physicians for nearly two centuries.
Since 1789, when South Carolina's first medical society was formed, physicians in this state have understood something that remains just as true today: when doctors stand together, patients are better protected, healthcare improves and the voice of medicine carries farther than it ever could alone. That founding conviction defines the South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA) and continues to drive its work today.
The SCMA is the only physician-led organization in South Carolina representing every specialty and every practice model — from hospital-employed physicians to independent practitioners — across the state. United by a shared Hippocratic Oath, its members advocate for the integrity of the physician-patient relationship and the health of the communities they serve.
A Legacy of Action, Not Just Words
The SCMA's history is inseparable from the history of medicine in South Carolina. Founded in 1848, the Association helped launch the American Medical Association, served as the state's Acting Board of Health, established physician member protections, created the Physician Care Network, championed landmark malpractice reform, and led South Carolina's opioid response initiative.
Today, the organization is actively shaping the future of healthcare through legislative advocacy and by developing a Graduate Medical Education program — investing in the next generation of physicians and working to improve access to care, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Through decades of change — from managed care to the rise of corporate medicine — the SCMA has never disbanded, never wavered, and never stopped working. That continuity is not incidental. It is the point. An organization solely focused on physicians and their patients does not dissolve when the landscape shifts. It adapts, advocates and endures.
Physician’s Day at the Statehouse: April 1
On April 1, white coats will once again fill the halls of the South Carolina Statehouse for Physician’s Day, one of the most visible expressions of the SCMA’s work.
Physicians and medical students from across the state will meet directly with legislators to discuss the policies shaping healthcare access, physician workforce challenges, and patient care across South Carolina.
In 2025, a record turnout signaled a growing level of engagement among physicians ready to help shape the future of healthcare policy. That momentum continues this year.
Physicians may register at:
www.scmedical.org/news-events/calendar/04-01-2026/2026-scma-physicians-day-state-house-event/
An Invitation to the Media
The SCMA invites journalists and broadcasters to cover both its ongoing work and Physician’s Day on April 1.
Media opportunities include:
- Interviews with SCMA leadership on physician advocacy, healthcare access, and workforce challenges
- On-the-ground coverage of physicians gathering at the Statehouse for Physician’s Day
- Conversations with practicing physicians about the real-world impact of healthcare policy on patients
- Access to physician experts available for commentary on timely healthcare topics, including rural access to care, physician shortages, and public health concerns
To arrange interviews or request media credentials, please contact the SCMA Communications Office using the information below.
About the South Carolina Medical Association
Founded in 1848, the South Carolina Medical Association is the state’s oldest and only physician-led organization, representing physicians across all specialties and practice settings. Its mission is to advocate for physician independence, quality patient care, and the health of all South Carolinians.
That mission has endured for 178 years — and continues today.
Learn more at: www.scmedical.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Nina Jackson, VP of Communications and Marketing
South Carolina Medical Association
Phone: 803-237-3148
Email: njackson@scmedical.org
www.scmedical.org
