The SCMA Graduate Medical Education (GME) Consortium is an accredited residency program, working in collaboration with hospitals across the state of South Carolina.

• Access the SCMA GME Policy Manual [pdf]

MISSION

To medically train, socially prepare, and retain residents to practice family medicine in rural and underserved areas of South Carolina.

VISION

Address the lack of access to care and physician shortage in rural South Carolina by creating and investing in high-quality GME training programs through a collaboration between hospitals, health systems, South Carolina medical schools, independent physician practices, Federally Qualified Health Centers, state agencies, philanthropic organizations, the South Carolina Medical Association, and Integrated Leaders in Health.

GOALS

• Create residency programs for residents to complete rotations in several counties, specialties (obstetrics, psychiatry, pediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine), and practice settings
• Develop strong and enduring relationships between all collaborating partners
• Forge a social network through physician mentorship and community partners to assist residents in community integration and social adaptation  
• Train residents to understand the business and regulatory environment of healthcare to better advocate for their patients
• Upon completion of residency, residents fully understand the special characteristics of rural practice and feel prepared to practice in that environment   
• Provide support and wrap-around services for residents (loan forgiveness/repayment, grants) to enable them to practice in rural areas after residency

VALUES

• All South Carolinians, regardless of location, should have access to high quality healthcare
• Addressing health disparities in rural South Carolina through expanded access to healthcare
• Maintaining the physician-patient relationship as the bedrock of healthcare
• Embracing the local community
• Empowered and engaged physicians provide better patient care    
• Continuous Quality Improvement informs all decisions