The center grew out of a partnership between the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and the state's Department of Health and Human Services. The USC School of Medicine established the S.C. Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare in 2017 in an effort to expand programs for training, recruiting and retaining primary care physicians in South Carolina’s rural and underserved areas as well as enhance service to rural patients.
The center is supported in its mission by key stakeholders with broad representation from rural and primary health care in South Carolina, including the South Carolina Office of Rural Health, the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the S.C. Primary Healthcare Association as well as state educational institutions and community representatives.
Our Impact
- 45 committed rural practitioners in the Rural Loan Forgiveness Program for medical, physician assistant, and advance practice registered nurse students
- 9 partner library systems across the state providing community outreach and health improvement services in rural areas
- 12 active rural Innovations Cooperative Agreements
- 200 Medical Students and Residents gained rural health experience through our programs
- 2,800 patients received care locally through iCARE
Our Service Sites
