‘Match Day’ connects new classes of physician residents to Tidelands Health

Fourteen physicians from across the country were matched Friday with the expanded Tidelands Health MUSC Graduate Medical Education Program, marking another milestone in the health system’s commitment to training the region’s next generation of physicians.

Six physicians matched with the transitional year residency program, which is a one-year program giving residents a broad range of clinical experience, such as emergency medicine, internal medicine and surgery. Eight physicians will enter the three-year family medicine residency program.

“Each new class of residents reminds me why I chose medicine in the first place,” said Dr. Henry Lau, program director for the transitional year residency. “Despite the difficulty of training and the long days, the privilege of being allowed into the most personal parts of a patient’s life is something I’ve never taken lightly. I look forward to guiding our residents as they discover the meaning and joy that comes with that responsibility.”

“Match Day” is a highly anticipated annual event when the National Resident Matching Program reveals where future physicians across the country will complete their residency training. Students in their final year of medical school apply to residency programs and go through an interview process, with the applicants and the programs confidentially ranking each other. The National Resident Matching Program then uses a computerized mathematical algorithm to match applicants with residency programs. Results are announced on “Match Day.”

“Match Day always brings a special kind of joy to Tidelands Health,” said Dr. Michael Malone, designated institutional official for graduate medical education. “It’s an exciting moment not only for the residents but also for our team members. We look forward to getting to know this year’s physician residents and supporting them as they learn, grow and take this important next step in their careers.”

The next class in the family medicine residency program announced Friday:

• Katie Brown, East Tennessee State University – Quillen College of Medicine
• Cruz Krafsig, Medical University of South Carolina – College of Medicine
• Gabe Manyak, Liberty University – College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Millie Patel, American University of Antigua – College of Medicine
• Quentin Pham, Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Lexi Reineck, Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Gene Rodrick, USF Health – Morsani College of Medicine
• Naunihal Virk, American University of Antigua – College of Medicine

The next class in the transitional year residency program announced Friday:

• Daniel Cheong, University of Oklahoma – College of Medicine
• Xin He, University of Virginia School of Medicine
• Surbhi Mathur, University of Virginia School of Medicine
• Janaya Nelson, Meharry Medical College
• Taylor Nelson, University of Nebraska – College of Medicine
• Jackson Sullivan, Wake Forest University – School of Medicine

Part of the Tidelands Health McRoy and Jo Skipper Initiative for Learning and Teaching, the transitional year and family medicine residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Residency programs provide post-graduate clinical training under the supervision of expert faculty physicians.

Tidelands Health started the residency program and continues to expand as part of its comprehensive strategy to recruit and develop future health care professionals to serve the fast-growing region.

Many residency program graduates stay with Tidelands Health and see patients in Tidelands Health Family Medicine locations from Andrews to Myrtle Beach.

About Tidelands Health

Tidelands Health, in collaboration with MUSC Health, is the region’s largest health care provider, serving the Carolinas at four hospitals and more than 70 outpatient locations. More than 2,500 employee, physician and volunteer partners work side by side with our communities to transform the health of our region – promoting wellness, preventing illness, encouraging recovery and restoring health.