Iredell Health System’s Internal Medicine Residency Program Receives ACGME Accreditation

Iredell Health System is pleased to announce that its Internal Medicine Residency Program received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) on September 6, 2024.

“For many years, Iredell Health System had a vision of establishing and developing post graduate medical education training programs, and in 2023 that vision became a reality,” said Joseph Mazzola, DO, Vice President of Medical Affairs for Iredell Health System. “As the sponsoring institution, Iredell Health System was granted ACGME accreditation in October 2023, and in September 2024, the ACGME accredited the Internal Medicine Residency Program.”

Stephen Abbott, DO, is the program director with John Nicholson, MD, FACP, serving as associate program director. Abbott has over a decade of experience as an internal medicine physician in North Carolina.

“Having young new physicians eager to learn and provide care to Iredell County is such an exciting addition to the community,” said Abbott. “It will allow Iredell Health System to retain physicians and provide even better care for our community.”

Nicholson has practiced internal medicine in Statesville for more than 25 years. His colleagues describe him as a natural teacher.

“Taking care of our medical community has always been the goal of Iredell Health System,” explained Nicholson. “I have enjoyed sharing knowledge with nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and undergraduate students. I am excited to share my outpatient medicine expertise with our new incoming resident physicians.”

John Green, Iredell Health System President and CEO, understands the positive impact the residency program will have on the community.

“Our board of directors, providers and staff are committed to the Graduate Medical Education mission of training the next generation of physicians to inspire wellbeing in the patients and communities they serve,” he said. “In this endeavor, our partnerships with the Iredell Physician Network, Piedmont HealthCare, and other community providers, along with Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, will allow Iredell to provide rich educational opportunities for our residents. These partnerships will help our residents develop core competencies and skills to practice evidence-based medicine in our community and beyond, in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.”

Residents will train at Iredell over a three year period and will become part of the fabric of Iredell County, as they integrate into local neighborhoods – living, shopping, and thriving in our communities. The program was approved for 21 total residents and the first cohort of seven will begin clinical rotations on July 1, 2025.

To learn more about the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Iredell Health System, visit the program’s website at www.iredellgme.org.

About the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

The ACGME is the accrediting body for Graduate Medical Education programs which include physician residency and fellowship programs and the institutions that sponsor them. The ACGME states “The ACGME’s accreditation model and processes ensure and improve the quality of graduate medical education in the United States. This in turn assures the public that today’s residents and fellows are learning and training in a setting that is preparing them to deliver safe, high-quality medical care today and in their future practice.

About Iredell Health System

Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Davis Medical Center; Iredell Davis Behavioral Health Hospital; Iredell Mooresville; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Wellness; Occupational Medicine; the Iredell Physician Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest and only nonprofit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive healthcare organization has 391 licensed beds; close to 2,000 employees; and has approximately 365 healthcare providers representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include Women’s and Children’s; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The health system’s Iredell Mooresville campus is home to the area’s only 24-hour urgent care facility, as well as an ambulatory surgery center, imaging center, rehabilitation services, and physician practices. The mission of Iredell Health System is to inspire wellbeing. For a comprehensive list of services and programs, visit www.iredellhealth.org.