Beaufort, SC, September 26, 2025
News Summary
Beaufort Memorial Hospital has started a residency program in collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), welcoming third-year emergency medicine residents. These residents will rotate through the Pratt Emergency Center every four weeks to enhance patient care and gain practical experience. Medical Director Dr. Saeed Rehman and Dr. Luke Baxley highlight the program’s role in training future emergency medicine physicians and improving healthcare access in rural areas. The initiative is part of a broader effort to bolster healthcare services in the region as new facilities emerge.
Beaufort, SC – Beaufort Memorial Hospital has announced the welcoming of Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Emergency Medicine (EM) residents to its Pratt Emergency Center. Starting August 1, the program features seasoned, third-year residents rotating through the hospital’s emergency department every four weeks as part of their advanced clinical training.
These residents, who have already completed two years of specialized training in emergency medicine, will integrate into Beaufort Memorial’s clinical teams to gain valuable hands-on experience as they prepare for their final year. With one EM resident joining the hospital’s emergency room team on a recurring monthly basis, this initiative is expected to bolster patient care significantly.
Dr. Saeed Rehman, Medical Director of the Pratt Emergency Center, expressed optimism about the addition of the residents, stating that their recent clinical training experiences at MUSC will be a benefit to both the residents and the hospital staff. The program is coordinated under the direction of Dr. Luke Baxley, who underscores its significance in investing in community healthcare and developing future emergency medicine physicians.
Under a partnership with MUSC Health, Beaufort Memorial Hospital is now officially designated as a site for Graduate Medical Education, a move aimed at facilitating the recruitment of specialists to the region. This collaboration comes at a crucial time as the new Bluffton Community Hospital approaches completion, thereby increasing recruitment opportunities in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Tsveti Markova, the chief academic integration officer at MUSC Health, highlighted that the residency program aims to cultivate skilled physicians who are determined to improve healthcare outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The EM residents hail from medical schools across the country, including universities such as West Virginia University, A.T. Still University, and Temple University.
In addition to the residency program, Beaufort Memorial made another staffing announcement, hiring Amanda Piolata, PA-C, as a board-certified physician assistant at Bluffton Primary Care. Piolata brings with her a wealth of experience in both urgent and primary care, having worked for three years at Beaufort Memorial Express Care & Occupational Health. Prior to her relocation to South Carolina, she spent five years at OhioHealth Urgent Care in Gahanna and Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and earlier worked as an exercise physiologist at CardioMetabolic Health in Westerville, Ohio.
Pilota holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Ohio Dominican University and a Bachelor of Science in exercise science from The Ohio State University. Having enjoyed childhood vacations to Hilton Head Island, Piolata has a long-standing connection to the Lowcountry.
At Bluffton Primary Care, Piolata joins an experienced team of board-certified providers, which includes Drs. Roger Ulrich, Bruce Vincent, and internal medicine specialist Dr. Johnna Stevens, along with nurse practitioner Kim Bean. The clinic is located at the Beaufort Memorial Okatie Medical Pavilion at 122 Okatie Center Blvd. North, Suite 310. Patients can schedule appointments with Piolata or other providers by calling 843-706-8690.
Key Features of the Residency Program
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Start Date | August 1 |
| Type of Residents | Third-year EM residents |
| Frequency of Rotation | Every four weeks |
| Affiliated Institution | Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) |
| Goal | Enhance patient care and train skilled emergency medicine physicians |
FAQ
What is the purpose of the MUSC EM residency program at Beaufort Memorial?
The program is designed to provide third-year emergency medicine residents with hands-on clinical training while improving patient care within the hospital.
How often will residents rotate through Beaufort Memorial’s emergency department?
One EM resident will rotate through the emergency department every four weeks.
What qualifications do the EM residents have?
The residents have completed two years of advanced training in emergency medicine prior to their placement at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
Are there any other staffing updates at Beaufort Memorial?
Yes, Amanda Piolata, a board-certified physician assistant, has been hired at Bluffton Primary Care, bringing extensive experience in urgent and primary care.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Beaufort Memorial Hospital Welcomes Emergency Medicine Residents
Beaufort County Faces Critical Medical Provider Shortage
Beaufort Memorial Hospital Welcomes New Orthopedic Surgeon
Additional Resources
- Bluffton Today: Beaufort Memorial Launches Emergency Medicine Residency Program
- Wikipedia: Emergency Medicine
- Island Packet: Beaufort Memorial Healthcare News
- Google Search: Beaufort Memorial Hospital News
- WSAV: Beaufort Memorial Partners with MUSC Health
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Care
- Post and Courier: Beaufort Memorial Emergency Center Update
- Google Scholar: Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
