MEDIA ALERT: Prisma Health announces launch of Sumter-based Family Medicine Residency

*Editor’s Note: This event is not open to the general public. This is a media invitation.

A new family medicine residency program based at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital and in collaboration with Tandem Health in Sumter has recently welcomed its first four resident physicians.

The new Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program is an important step in improving health care access in South Carolina’s rural areas. The residency is fully accredited and an expansion of the Prisma Health-Midlands/University of South Carolina School of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program based in Columbia.

EVENT:
A launch party event will be held at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Key leaders and community partners in establishing the residency program will be recognized.

WHEN:
5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28. Remarks begin at 6 p.m.

WHERE:
Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, Classroom 1
129 N. Washington St., Sumter, SC  29150
Check-in at main lobby reception desk

WHY:
The American Association of Medical Colleges projects a total physician shortfall of between 40,800 and 104,900 physicians nationwide by 2030. In South Carolina, 45 of 46 counties currently have designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

What is residency?
After completing four years of medical school and earning an MD or DO degree, physicians complete the required number of years of residency training in the specialty they choose. The number of years depends upon the specialty requirements and ranges from one to seven years of training; examples: family medicine requires three years and orthopedic surgery requires five years of postgraduate training. Once the medical degree is received and the graduate is accepted into a residency program, the licensing process begins in the state where physicians will complete residency to enable them to participate in supervised patient care before being qualified for independent practice.