SurgeryCommunity-based university affiliatedSponsors J-1

HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program

Surgery residency program in Charleston, South Carolina, sponsored by HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine.

See how you match

About HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program

ACGME code
4404500321
Program director
Jason Clark
Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Data updated
October 11, 2026
Positions
4
First-year spots
Applicants
850
Latest cycle
Interview rate
10.8%
Of applicants invited
IMG residents
67%
Share of current residents
Visa sponsorship
J-1
For residents

HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program is a community-based university affiliated Surgery residency program in Charleston, South Carolina, sponsored by HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine. It offers 4 first-year positions, lower than the typical Surgery program (5).

In the latest application cycle the program received 850 applications and invited about 10.8% of applicants to interview. That is a higher interview rate than most Surgery programs, which interview about 9.1% of applicants.

International medical graduates (IMGs) make up about 67% of current residents, compared with a median of 9.1% across Surgery programs. The program sponsors J-1 visas.

Residents work about 70 hours a week in their first year.

Requirements and screening

USMLE Step 1 is pass/fail, so Step 2 CK is the score programs screen on. These are the details IMGs most often need before deciding whether to apply.

  • Step 2 CK minimum score
  • Step 2 CK scores of interviewed applicants
  • Year of graduation limit
  • Residents' medical schools and countries
  • Signals and geographic preference

See how much sending a program signal, or a matching geographic preference, raised interview chances at this program.

You can unlock these details for 2 programs for free, no account needed. After that, create a free account to keep going.

Is HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program a good fit for you?

Create a free account, enter your scores, visa needs and graduation year, and get a program list ranked by how well each program fits your profile.

Create a free account

Applications and interviews

Positions offered
4
Interview rate
10.8%
Letters of recommendation
At least 3
Visa sponsorship
J-1

Current residents

Residents by medical school type

  • US MD graduates14%
  • US DO graduates19%
  • US IMGs48%
  • Non-US IMGs19%

Demographics

  • Women62%
  • Men38%
  • White57%
  • Asian19%
  • Black or African American5%
  • Hispanic or Latino14%
  • Other5%

Contact and location

Program director
Jason Clark
Program coordinator
Lisa Cate
Coordinator phone
(843) 847-5624
Program phone
(843) 998-2172
Sponsoring institution
HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine

Trident Health 9330 Medical Plz Dr Charleston, SC 29406 Open in Google Maps

HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program: frequently asked questions

Does HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program sponsor visas?

Yes. HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program sponsors J-1 visas for residents. Visa policies can change between cycles, so confirm with the program coordinator before you apply.

Is HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program IMG-friendly?

About 67% of residents at HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program are international medical graduates, so the program is considered IMG-friendly. For comparison, the median Surgery program has 9.1% IMG residents. It sponsors J-1 visas.

How many residency positions does HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program offer?

HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program offers 4 first-year Surgery positions, and 4 were filled in the latest Match.

How competitive is HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program?

HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program received 850 applications and interviewed about 10.8% of applicants. The typical Surgery program interviews about 9.1%.

What Step 2 CK score do I need for HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program?

USMLE Step 1 is now pass/fail, so Step 2 CK is the main score programs use to screen applicants. This page has HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program's Step 2 CK minimum and score range of interviewed applicants. Unlock the screening details above to see them. Across Surgery programs, the median Step 2 CK score of interviewed applicants is about 253.

Where is HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program located?

HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program is located at Trident Health 9330 Medical Plz Dr Charleston, SC 29406. Its sponsoring institution is HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine.

Who is the program director of HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine/Trident Program?

The program director is Jason Clark. The program coordinator, Lisa Cate, is the usual contact for application questions.

More Surgery programs nearby