AnMed Foundation Receives Grant to Support Pre-Med Bootcamp Program

The AnMed Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropic division of SC Student Loan Corporation, to support the Upstate Pre-Med Bootcamp program. Twenty-four college upper classmen from across South Carolina will experience medical school for two weeks this May at the bootcamp, offered jointly by the MUSC AnMed Clinical Campus, Anderson University, AnMed, and Upstate AHEC.

This is the second grant award from Power:Ed in support of this program. The experience helps confirm career choices before students invest in another eight years in training, possibly incurring debt. Funding increases 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 will engage with Anderson University faculty at the Center for Medical Simulations and access the University’s cadaver lab to observe and learn. 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 percent of freshmen pre-med students go on to apply to medical school, and less than half of those are selected. First-generation students, underrepresented populations and students from rural high schools are less likely to become physicians. The bootcamp gives students exposure to a teaching hospital and networking introductions. “We appreciate this generous grant through Power:Ed as it helps talented students gain insight into the application process leading up to medical school, the journey to licensure and what it means to be a doctor,” said Renee Monaghan, M.D., associate dean for the MUSC AnMed Clinical Campus. “Our alumni, many now currently in medical school or in other health-related post-graduate training, are proof that this camp is making a positive impact to the state.” South Carolina is expected to have a deficit of 3,000 doctors by 2030 with the greatest need: primary care physicians. Since its inception in 2022, the bootcamp has served attendees from 24 colleges and universities across the state.

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. All four of the state’s medical schools take part in the Upstate camp. Camp co-founder Carrie Koenigstein, Anderson University associate dean of Natural Sciences, said, “The goal is 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.”

In FY 2025-26 Power:Ed will award $1,300,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness organizations. In this, its third quarter, Power:Ed has awarded seven grants (including this grant to AnMed) totaling $270,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is April 1, 2026.