MUSC Bicentennial: The Medical University of South Carolina

Established in 1823, MUSC pioneered medical education in the Deep South and set a historic precedent. Fast forward to the present day: MUSC is still the only academic medical center in South Carolina and is renowned for its cutting-edge research and innovation. At the forefront of medical advancements, MUSC not only excels in shaping the future of health care but also in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the evolving medical landscape. With a rich heritage and a commitment to progress, MUSC continues to inspire and lead by embodying the spirit of transformative education and groundbreaking research.

Students in caps and gowns cheer at their graduation ceremony.
Graduates of MUSC’s College of Medicine celebrate at graduation.
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Education at MUSC

Ten men look at the camera, surrounding a table. The photo is wrinkled and in a circular frame.
Then. Building Medical Education in the South

The Medical College of South Carolina was chartered by the South Carolina Legislature on December 20, 1823, thus becoming the 10th medical school in the United States and first in the South. The College of Medicine, or the School of Medicine as it was then called, opened in 1824 with a faculty of seven Charleston physicians and 30 students. It saw its first students graduate on April 4, 1825, with Eli Geddings, M.D., being the first to receive his medical diploma.

Two women in lab coats have their arms extended.
Now. Advancing Health Care, Research & Education in South Carolina

MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a unique mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research, and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates more than 3,200 students in six colleges – Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy – and trains more than 900 residents and fellows in its health system. MUSC brought in more than $298 million in research funds in fiscal year 2022, leading the state overall in research funding. MUSC also leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health funding, with more than $220 million.

Lisa Saladin poses for a headshot
Next. Preparing Health Care Professionals for the Future

“Artificial intelligence is going to change the way we treat patients, the way we assess, diagnose, and treat patients, and therefore, our students need to be educated about how to use future technologies. They have to be educated about genetics and genetic counseling and precision medicine. They have to be educated about artificial intelligence. We have to keep looking into the future of what's transforming health care and then make sure that we're staying up to speed and ensuring our students are prepared to practice in the next 20 to 50 years.”

– Lisa Saladin, PT, Ph.D., executive vice president for Academic Affairs and provost