AnMed Foundation Receives $52,000 Grant from Power:Ed to Strengthen and Diversify Medical Workforce Talent

(Photo Courtesy of Power:Ed)

The AnMed Foundation has been awarded a $52,000 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan Corporation, to support the Upstate’s Pre-Med Bootcamp program. Twenty-four college upper classmen from across SC recently experienced medical school for two weeks at a bootcamp, offered jointly by the MUSC AnMed Clinical Campus, Anderson University, AnMed and Upstate AHEC.

The experience helps confirm career choices before students invest up to another eight years in training, possibly incurring debt. Funding increased access for low-income students by providing stipends to cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel and make up for lost wages. Students who complete the program receive ongoing career guidance and assistance paying for application costs, such as the MCAT.

Participants engaged with Anderson University faculty at the Center for Medical Simulations and accessed the University’s cadaver lab to observe and learn.

The students are from nine colleges and universities in South Carolina. A unique feature of the annual event is the participation of veteran physicians, current medical students and a dozen bootcamp alumni who encourage pre-med majors to explore opportunities.

Nationally only 16% of freshmen pre-med students go on to apply for medical school, and less than half of those are selected. Annual tuition for in-state students is more than $30,000. First-generation students, underrepresented populations and students from rural high schools are less likely to become physicians. The bootcamp gave students exposure to a teaching hospital and networking introductions.

“We are so grateful for this grant from Power: Ed to connect with and support the future doctors of our state as they navigate the application process to medical school,” said Dr. Renee Monaghan, associate dean for the MUSC AnMed Clinical Campus. “Expanding medical education opportunities is an important part of AnMed’s strategy to address the growing shortage of primary care physicians and specialists in our area and to improve future access to care. The Pre-Med Bootcamp is very much aligned with this strategy, making the partnership a natural fit.”

Camp co-founder, Dr. Carrie Koenigstein, Anderson University Associate Dean of the Natural Sciences said future plans include having a week of career exploration for freshmen and sophomores, to keep talented students from falling through the cracks. Some might realize they do not want to be physicians, so the partners can connect those students to alternate paths such as dental, physician assistant, pharmacy or physical therapy schools.

The grant spurred Anderson University to identify nearby college pre-med advisors and invite them to form a group. Upstate AHEC will ensure advisors have up-to-date information on scholarships, fee waivers and resources.

“Power:Ed and SC Student Loan are proud to support this innovative program to help diversify and strengthen the Upstate’s medical talent pipeline. We hope it will become a model that can be replicated by other partner institutions across South Carolina,” said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons.

In FY 2024-25 Power:Ed has awarded $1,000,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness organizations. In this fourth quarter, Power:Ed has awarded five grants (including this grant to AnMed) totaling $212,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is July 1, 2025.