Pediatrics
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Thank you for your interest in the Pediatric Residency program at the University Of South Carolina School Of Medicine and Children's Hospital at Palmetto Health. Our program is focused on the belief that every physician, whether an academician, subspecialist or private practitioner, should be a well-trained generalist. We also believe that pediatricians of the future need to learn to work in a systems-based approach and be involved in the care of their patients outside of their office or hospital settings. Our residency program is geared toward helping our physicians reach their maximum potential with strong personal and professional support, outstanding teaching, and innovative programs. A strength of our program lies in its combination of academia with community pediatrics. Our free standing Children's Hospital is a large community teaching hospital that functions as the primary teaching hospital for the University Of South Carolina School Of Medicine.
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Palmetto Health/USC Pediatrics Graduates Achieve 100% Pass Rate on Board Exams For Third Year In A Row |
The USC School of Medicine was one of the first to incorporate ultrasound into the curriculum for medical students and is now considered a national center of excellence. This curriculum is being expanded to include the residency program. We utilize a state-of-the-art simulation lab for mock codes, code simulations and training for procedures as part of pediatric residency. Other innovations include a strong affiliation with the University of South Carolina Sports Medicine program, where the opportunity exists for fellowships, and where residents can serve as team physicians and take elective rotations which involve them in college athletics. We have opportunities for international medicine as well as a longitudinal advocacy program where physicians can impact children's lives in the community and the state.
Teaching is one of our greatest strengths. We are extremely proud of our dedicated, enthusiastic academic faculty. Perhaps the best reflection of the overall quality of teaching at our program is the consistent performance of our graduates on the American Board of Pediatrics certifying exam. We have had a 100% pass rate for seven out of the last ten years. Over the past decade our board pass rate remains in the top 7% of all civilian pediatric training programs nationally. Furthermore, regardless of PGY-1 score, our second and third year classes consistently rank in the top 10% of programs nationally on the ABP In-Training Exam. Additionally, our clinical clerkship for medical students has been rated the top clerkship for the School of Medicine for 17 of the last 18 years.
Our philosophy is that the greatest learning potential is achieved by providing residents with a supportive and nurturing environment where intellectual curiosity is met with experiential learning through diverse patient care exposure, while working side by side with seasoned academic and private pediatricians. This philosophy is fostered through activities such as Journal Clubs at homes of faculty members, social events and on-going mentoring which ensures that every resident is treated as an individual who is part of a larger family. We believe that being a pediatrician is a privilege and are honored by the trust parents place in us to provide care for their children. Our goal is to ensure that our residents are trained to be the best and most prepared pediatricians they can be. We seek residents with high ideals and aspirations, who accept responsibility with pride and enthusiasm. We believe we offer a superb training program that has and will continue to produce excellent pediatricians.
R. Caughman Taylor, M.D.
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Chair, USC SoM Department of Pediatrics
Medical Director, Palmetto Health Children's Hospital
Robert C. Holleman, Jr., M.D.
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Program Director, Pediatric Residency Training Program
Palmetto Health Children's Hospital is a 170-bed, state-wide pediatric referral center that attracts 
patients from all 46 counties in South Carolina. Each year Children's Hospital cares for almost 80,000 infants, children and adolescents through its inpatient and outpatient facilities.
As a stand alone children's hospital, it encompasses a complete range of medical and surgical services. More than 30 medical and surgical subspecialities devoted strictly to children are offered. Additional programs provide care for birth defects, psychiatric, developmental and sleep disorders.
Other facets of Children's Hospital include...
- South Carolina Institute for Childhood Obesity and Related Disorders (SCICORD)
- Children's Hospital is a member of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI);
- Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders;
- Nationally accredited Cystic Fibrosis center;
- Child and family life programs;
- Pediatric phlebotomists, respiratory therapists, clinical dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers and pharmacists; to assist you with patient management
- Special-needs camps such as Camp Kemo for oncology patients, Camp EZ Breathin' for respiratory patients and Camp Wonder Hands for deaf children;
- Regional referral centers for pediatric trauma and neonatology;
- Volunteer programs, which include 100-plus local individuals who serve as in-hospital volunteers along with several hundred supporters who sponsor year-round fundraising activities for Children's Hospital; and
- In addition, the Children's Hospital Outpatient Center is a Reach Out and Read (ROAR) site program and headquarters for the statewide program. ROAR is a pediatric early literacy program in which doctors give out age-appropriate books at all well-child visits from 6 months to 5 years.