Primary Care Accelerated Track (PCAT)

Designed to boost the number of primary care physicians in South Carolina, PCAT offers an innovative route to becoming an M.D. Participants receive a full tuition/fee scholarship in exchange for a four-year commitment to providing primary care with Prisma Health, serving the patients of South Carolina.

What is PCAT?

Welcome to the Primary Care Accelerated Track (PCAT) program, launched in July 2024. This innovative 3-year pathway is designed to accelerate your journey to becoming an M.D. with a focus on increasing the number of primary care physicians in South Carolina.

As a PCAT Scholar, you will complete your medical education at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville (USC SOMG) in just three years. Following graduation, you will seamlessly transition into a 3-year residency in one of the PRISMA Health Family Medicine residency programs.

We offer a full USC SOMG tuition scholarship in exchange for a 4-year commitment to providing primary care within the Prisma Health organization after you complete your residency. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare in our community.

Why PCAT?

Full Tuition Scholar with 4-year employment agreement with Prisma Health after residency
Integrated clinical rotations and patient continuity beginning Fall M1 year
1:1 Primary Care mentorship
Support and engagement opportunities from Family Medicine Faculty and Residents
Linked to Family Medicine Residency programs in Greenville, Seneca, and Greer.
Tutoring and Exam preparation support
Completion of medical school and residency in six years

Who Should Apply?

Candidates who have a demonstrated interest in Family Medicine
Commitment to community health and wellbeing
Desire to complete residency in one of the three Prisma Health Residency Programs
Ability to commit to employment with the Prisma Health System for 4 years after completion of residency

What does PCAT have in common with the four-year curriculum and what is different?
What is the same?	What is different?
EMT and all Biomedical Science modules IIntegrated Practice of Medicine Longitudinal course (IPM) Seven core clinical clerkships (FM*, IM, OBGYN, Peds, Psychiatry/Neurology, Surgery, EM) Lifestyle Medicine Opportunities Service-Learning Opportunities Student engagement and wellness opportunities	Supplemental clinical training and family medicine workshops during EMT weeks Weekly Longitudinal Family Medicine Clerkship one afternoon a week during the Biomedical Sciences Modules. Community preceptorship and experiences within the three residency programs Pediatric and Surgery clerkship experiences during the Summer between first and second year of medical school Condensed fourth year of medical school Linked residency positions via NRMP Waiver

How do you apply?

Individuals should complete their AMCAS application and submit to USC School of Medicine Greenville
Indicate interest in the Primary Care Accelerated Track for Family Medicine by answering a few additional questions in the secondary application
After earning acceptance to the School of Medicine Greenville, PCAT applications will be evaluated by partnering Family Residency Programs, and applicants may be invited to interview for early acceptance into a 3-year Primary Care residency program in Family Medicine
Accepted PCAT applicants will be notified of their acceptance in the spring of their application year

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The selection teams expect a commitment to family medicine as part of acceptance into the program. If one decides to pursue a different residency, they would be responsible for any repayment of the funds provided up to that point in time.

They should notify the Office of Admissions.

The Offices of Medical Education, Student Affairs, and Academic Affairs will work with the individual to find an alternative or potentially delayed plan for entry into primary care family medicine.

School of Medicine Greenville