Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System is excited to announce the launch of its new obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residency program to train the next generation of healthcare leaders in women’s health. 

Developing this program comes at a time when Spartanburg is the 12th fastest growing metro area in the U.S. and yet parts of Upstate South Carolina are classified as having “low access to care” by the March of Dimes. 

Nearly two out of every five South Carolina counties were classified as “maternity care deserts,” according to the March of Dimes. This means that many parts of the state lack healthcare facilities with obstetric care or have too few obstetric clinicians. 

This innovative program will provide comprehensive education, hands-on training and immersive learning that prioritizes community outreach initiatives. 

Many medical students who are passionate about community outreach, such as volunteering to work at free medical clinics, tend to give up during residency because of time commitments. The new OB/GYN residency program builds that type of work into the curriculum, said Dr. Michelle Huang, program director. 

"I pushed for maintaining that commitment because I think connection to the community is what gives us longevity in this specialty," Dr. Huang said. 

Four OB/GYN residents will begin their four-year residency, which launches the first week of July. At full capacity, the program will host 16 residents. 

New recruiting efforts will begin in August to build out the next cohort for the following year. 

The OB/GYN residency program will expand access to care for the uninsured and underinsured population of Spartanburg and surrounding counties by recruiting and equipping the next generation of OB/GYN providers. 

“Maternal care deserts are not far from here, and we need more doctors committed to this patient community for a long time,” Dr. Huang said. 

The OB/GYN residency program will offer residents an opportunity to engage in a wide range of clinical experiences, from routine gynecologic care to complex obstetric procedures, under the guidance of experienced faculty.  

This hands-on training is designed to equip residents with the skills necessary to provide high-quality care while fostering a compassionate and supportive environment for patients. 

Dr. Grantham Warren, an OB/GYN doctor with Medical Group of the Carolinas – Urogynecology – Spartanburg, is one of several core faculty members in the residency program who will help teach. Dr. Warren is excited to welcome the new residents who are excited to learn, grow and care for this patient population. 

“I wanted to train people who could be my partner,” Dr. Warren said. “Not to say everyone will stay here right in Spartanburg, but it is a joy to look at them and say that I would love to hire them.” 

The new OB/GYN residency adds to Spartanburg Regional’s growing commitment to being a teaching healthcare system with the already-established family medicine and surgical residency programs. 

To learn more about Spartanburg Regional’s first OB/GYN residency program, visit SpartanburgRegional.com/medical-education/obgyn-residency.