Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group launches April 1
March 31, 2016
New organization is the Midlands region’s largest multispecialty medical group
On April 1, the Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group will launch. Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group is a not-for-profit company that will bring together physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other health care providers from two of South Carolina’s most respected organizations — Palmetto Health and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. The multispecialty, clinically integrated medical group will be the Midlands region’s largest multispecialty medical group and the 11th largest employer in the Midlands.
All patients cared for by Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group providers are receiving a letter about the change. Patients will not need to take any action at this time. All of their records have been transferred to the new group. Community members will continue to see their doctors at the same locations using the same contact phone numbers and email addresses as they have in the past.
The Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group is led by Les Hall, M.D. He joined the Medical Group in February 2015 from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, where he served as interim dean. He serves as both executive dean of the USC School of Medicine and chief executive officer of the Medical Group.
Hall believes that the Medical Group will provide the broadest range of health care services to people in the Midlands region. He said, “This effort will combine our medical excellence, compassionate care, clinical research expertise of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, and the advanced technologies of Palmetto Health, our health system partner. We will go beyond caring for people to caring about people. Our goal is to build a system that will be able to provide the people in our community with many new services and areas of expertise, providing greater access to health care they need — in convenient locations.”
Statistics of the Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group include:
- Nearly 500 physicians and advanced care providers—including nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other providers—will care for patients.
- The Medical Group staff includes 2,200 team members.
- 87 physician practices available in 100 locations.
- 370,000 patients will be cared for by our providers.
- One million visits were made last year by our patients to these providers.
Palmetto Heath CEO Charles D. Beaman, Jr., said, “We believe that this is only the beginning of the transformation of how we deliver medical care to our community. The new Medical Group will serve as the front door to Palmetto Health. It’s where patients will begin to access the depth and breadth of the Palmetto Health system. We believe this will improve care for our patients which is always our goal in everything we do.”
Joan Gabel, University of South Carolina Provost, added, “At USC, we are excited to begin this new era in partnership with Palmetto Health. As the field of health care is rapidly changing, so is academic medicine. This expanded collaboration will open up new research opportunities and allow School of Medicine students to learn in an interprofessional and team-based environment. It will help ensure the next generation of physicians is positioned to build the knowledge they need to provide excellent care in the future.”
Hall is looking forward to all that the combined strengths bring to the community and its patients. He added, “Our legacy from our parent organizations of Palmetto Health and the USC School of Medicine is powerful. Part of our heritage is as a medical school, where we have taught many of the health care providers in our community. Another part is as a health care system, where we have been developing a more patient-centric approach. Together, we have a firm foundation to stand on. We are standing on the shoulders of giants. We are using the best of what both organizations have to offer, to build something new by reimagining the possibilities. And we are guided by our firm commitment to our Vision, “To be known for clinical excellence and remembered for compassionate care.”
About Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group
The Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group is a not-for-profit company that brings together health care providers from two of South Carolina’s most respected organizations – Palmetto Health and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. With more than 500 providers and 2,200 team members in more than 80 practices and nearly 100 locations, we form the largest multispecialty medical group and provide the broadest range of health care services in the Midlands region. For more information, visit PHUSCMG.org.
About Palmetto Health
Palmetto Health, the largest health care system and one of the largest employers in South Carolina, is comprised of more than 12,000 team members, physicians and volunteers working together to fulfill Palmetto Health’s Vision: to be remembered by each patient as providing the care and compassion we want for our families and ourselves. The system includes seven acute-care hospitals— Baptist Easley, Palmetto Health Baptist, Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge, Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, Palmetto Health Heart Hospital, Palmetto Health Richland and Palmetto Health Tuomey—as well as an expansive physician practice network, dozens of affiliated clinics and specialty care practices and a 501(c)(3) foundation. Recognized nationally as one of the best places to work and receive care, Palmetto Health also trains the next generation of physicians through its 23 residency and fellowship programs affiliated with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. For more information, visit PalmettoHealth.org or call 803-296-CARE (2273).
About USC School of Medicine
The University of South Carolina School of Medicine demonstrates excellence in medical education, pioneering research and humanistic patient care. Since welcoming the first class in 1977, the school maintains a commitment to provide high-quality and personalized education through graduate and professional programs. The School of Medicine leads the way as the first medical school in the nation with a four-year integrated ultrasound curriculum. www.med.sc.edu
