Doctors Hospital of Augusta Receives Accreditation for Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Doctors Hospital of Augusta announced today that it has received accreditation status for its Emergency Medicine Residency Program, marking a significant milestone in the hospital's growing Graduate Medical Education (GME) program and reinforcing its long-term commitment to advancing physician training and access to care in the Central Savannah River Area.

The Emergency Medicine residency is a three-year program with eight accredited resident positions per year, designed to provide rigorous, hands-on clinical training in a high-acuity, fast-paced environment. Residents will care for diverse patient populations while training alongside experienced faculty, emergency medicine physicians, and multidisciplinary care teams.

The program is led by Dr. Becky Abell, Program Director, with Dr. Lauren Post serving as Associate Program Director. Christine Lane serves as Program Administrator, overseeing program operations and resident support.

"This accreditation is a tremendous achievement for Doctors Hospital and for our community," said Joanna Conley, Chief Executive Officer of Doctors Hospital of Augusta. "Launching an accredited Emergency Medicine residency program allows us to train the next generation of physicians right here at home, strengthen our emergency care workforce, and continue elevating the level of care we provide to patients across the CSRA."

The Emergency Medicine residency builds upon the hospital's earlier launch of its Graduate Medical Education Family Medicine program, a strategic initiative designed to address physician workforce needs while advancing clinical excellence, education, and patient safety. Through a combination of structured didactic learning, simulation-based education, and real-world clinical experience, residents are prepared to deliver high-quality, compassionate emergency care across a wide range of conditions.

‌As part of its commitment to medical education, Doctors Hospital has invested in dedicated educational spaces, simulation labs, and faculty development, creating an environment that supports learning, collaboration, and innovation. These investments align with the hospital's broader growth strategy, which includes campus enhancements, expanded emergency services, new patient towers, and more than $150 million in capital investments focused on improving access to care throughout the region.

Doctors Hospital of Augusta is part of HCA Healthcare, the nation's leader in Graduate Medical Education. Currently, more than 5,400 HCA Healthcare residents and fellows are training in over 300 residency and fellowship programs at nearly 90 hospitals across 16 states, benefiting from a robust academic infrastructure and a strong commitment to evidence-based care.

"Physicians often choose to practice where they train," Conley added. "By expanding graduate medical education at Doctors Hospital, we are investing in the future of healthcare in our region and ensuring our community continues to have access to exceptional emergency care for years to come."