McLeod Health Clarendon welcomes 5 new residents

Five new faces will be serving the McLeod Health Clarendon family and residents through a residency program.

On June 27, McLeod Health Clarendon named five new residents to the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program: G. Kabwe Chilupe, DO; Sid Jain, DO; Madison Packer, DO; Joshua Perry, DO; and Taylor Whetstone, MD.

The McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program is designed to train the "physicians of tomorrow" and increase the availability of family medicine physicians for patients in the Pee Dee and other rural areas of the state, according to a news release from McLeod Health.

"The residency program's mission is to graduate skilled family physicians who will provide superior health care services to underserved areas of South Carolina," said Dr. Lisa Heichberger, the site director for the residency program in Clarendon.

Since 1980, there have been 283 graduates from the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program and five graduates from the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program, according to the release. From the two programs, 60% of the physicians have stayed to practice in state within the McLeod Health service area of northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina.

"We welcome our new residents and their families to the Pee Dee area," said Heichberger. "Expanding the McLeod Family Medicine training program into our community provides much-needed access to physicians, enhances recruitment efforts and affords physicians the opportunity to practice medicine in a small community setting."

NEW RESIDENTS

G. Kabwe Chilupe, DO, earned his medical degree from Ohio University of Osteopathic Medicine. From Lusaka, Zambia, he enjoys learning new musical instruments, hiking, Ohio State football and furthering his spiritual journey.

Sid Jain, DO, earned his medical degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University. From Lincolnwood, Illinois, he enjoys history, philosophy, exercise and meditation.

Madison Packer, DO, earned her medical degree from Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine. As a child of a military family, she has lived in various states and her hobbies include cooking, gardening, kayaking and spending time outdoors.

Joshua Perry, DO, earned his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Originally from Tampa Bay, Florida, he enjoys learning about different cultures, playing video games and watching films.

Taylor Whetstone, MD, earned her medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine. From Bamberg, she enjoys volunteering at her church, reading, boating, fishing the Edisto River, crocheting and calligraphy.

These new residents will care for patients at the McLeod Primary Care Clarendon, 50 E. Hospital St., on the McLeod Health Clarendon campus.