Orangeburg, S.C.-based Regional Medical Center has decided not to follow through with a family practice residency program with Family Health Centers, also in Orangeburg, The Times and Democrat reported Sept. 8.
HHS granted Family Health Centers $750,000 for the program.
"We were investigating and participating in that program, but after looking at some research on the HRSA grant and what that would mean to the hospital if we participated at the level that had been proposed by the Family Health Centers, it actually would have hurt the hospital," Regional Medical Center President and CEO David Southerland told the publication.
If the hospital went forward with the partnership, it would have received a lesser reimbursement, according to Mr. Southerland. The program was also expected to cost more than the grant provided by HHS.
The program aimed to attract family practice physicians to care for rural community patients.