Letters from Chief Residents
I love our residency program for a multitude of reasons, but what truly stands out for me personally is its family-oriented culture. When I had my first child during intern year, I was both relieved and delighted to fully realize just how incredibly supportive this program is. With numerous family-friendly events throughout the year, including our memorable annual retreat, there’s always a sense of inclusion and celebration for all residents and their loved ones. As my family is expecting another child, the program's commitment to accommodating and valuing family life has only deepened my appreciation and affection for this residency.
Beyond the logistical support, the sense of belonging and camaraderie within the program has been equally invaluable. My co-residents and faculty have become like family to me. The relationships we’ve built are based on mutual respect, genuine care, and shared experiences, making the challenges of residency much more manageable and enjoyable. It’s not just about professional collaboration; it’s about having a network of people who support each other both inside and outside of work.
The approachable and friendly nature of everyone in the program, including co-residents and faculty, has also been a highlight. I’ve never felt judged or hesitant to ask questions, no matter how basic they may seem. This open atmosphere has fostered an environment of continuous learning and growth, where curiosity is encouraged and valued. It’s this supportive culture that makes the medical learning process both enriching and enjoyable.
Another compelling aspect of our residency program is its versatility. Whether you aspire to work in outpatient care, private practice, hospitalist roles, fellowships, or academics, this program provides the foundation to pursue any path you choose. I’ve loved my experience here so much that I’m thrilled to stay on as faculty next year. The wide range of specialized tracks available, from maternity health and ultrasound to academics and global health, ensures that every resident can tailor their training to their passions and career goals.
In conclusion, I would choose this program over and over again without hesitation. Its dedication to family life, supportive community, approachable faculty, and diverse career opportunities make it an exceptional place to train. I’m excited for the future residents who will join us and experience the same sense of belonging and growth that has made my time here so rewarding.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know our program! Our program offers well-balanced training between outpatient medicine and academic inpatient medicine. Within our department you work with amazingly talented attendings and residents who are passionate about both family medicine and our community. A huge strength of our program is that it trains you for YOUR future practice. If you have specific interests, these are supported and emphasized in our program so that you are trained for the future career that you want. This means something different to each of our residents – whether that’s women’s health, sports medicine, prenatal care, global health, rural medicine, inpatient, geriatrics, procedures, advocacy... the list goes on!
Our program is also unique in so many ways. We have two clinical pharmacists at our clinic. We work closely with these pharmacists every day to create treatment plans for our patients. We work closely with the Sports Medicine Fellowship to cover sidelines and get amazing hands-on experience with procedures. Being in Columbia, SC we can visit and work in the State House, providing care to officials while in-session. Not only do we have a procedure clinic that we run weekly, but we routinely complete paracenteses at this clinic and have a dermatologist on staff who trains us specifically in skin procedures at our own clinic!
Columbia is a fantastic place to live. There are so many great restaurants and new restaurants opening all the time. We have lots of breweries, coffee shops, and dessert/pastry shops as well. If you like outdoor activities, we have both a national park and state park located nearby. We have over 60 city parks and green spaces, my personal favorite is the Columbia River Walk! We have major musicians and theatrics that perform here every year. Columbia is home to USC football and a minor league baseball team, the Fireflies. Essentially, there’s always something to do!
Besides the phenomenal training that drew me to this program originally, I was also interested in a supportive program where residents are great friends. We truly have that here. I have so much fun with my coresidents both during work and outside work. I feel comfortable turning to any attending for advice knowing our culture of support and being free of judgement. You truly make life-long connections here. This program was my first choice, and I would choose it again every time! Our program is truly one-of-a-kind, and we hope you consider being a part of our amazing community!
