Transitional Year Residency

Mission Statement

To provide foundational training in broad based patient care for physicians seeking ongoing specialty training. Providing such in a supportive, personal setting that encourages life-long learning, acknowledges individual contributions, fosters a collegial environment, and supports trainee well-being.

Our Culture & Values

Excellence: We are committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-informed services and activities that meet the evolving needs of our communities and partners.
Belonging: We actively foster environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Integrity: We lead with transparency, fairness, and a strong ethical foundation in all our decisions and actions.
Collaboration: We embrace partnerships across professions and communities to drive collective impact.
Innovation and Growth: We remain agile and forward-thinking, continuously improving through learning, creativity, and responsiveness.
Civility: We uphold a culture of mutual respect, empathy, and professionalism in all interactions.
Empowerment Through Accountability: We cultivate ownership, engagement, and shared responsibility in fulfilling MAHEC’s mission and stewarding its resources.

Alumni Testimonials

Learn more about our graduates—including their medical schools, secondary residencies, and specialties—on our alumni page

"Having the opportunity to complete my intern year at MAHEC was truly one of the best experiences I have had in my medical education. From working in rural settings during our ED rotation to participating in enriching electives like Lifestyle Medicine, I learned so much and developed a strong foundation in medicine. The strong family medicine component also gave me a valuable perspective on the intersection between dermatology and primary care and prepared me well for my transition into dermatology residency. Beyond the clinical experience, I made friendships that will last a lifetime and had the opportunity to explore and enjoy everything the Asheville area has to offer. I would highly recommend the MAHEC TY Program to anyone looking to build a strong foundation in medicine while also having unique and meaningful experiences along the way."

— Mara Trifoi, Class of 2025

"I chose MAHEC TY because of my interview day. I felt an instant connection with Dr. Poulton and felt at ease in her presence. I knew I would feel safe during my intern year with her, and it could not have been more true. I was able to talk to Dr. Poulton about any of my concerns, and she would take them seriously and help out in any way she could. Another great part of MAHEC other than the program faculty is the flexibility to mold the year to your interest. For example, I’m most likely going to subspecialize in Breast Imaging, and I had the chance to go into the OR for the mastectomies/lumpectomies and translate what I saw on the patient’s imaging into where their lesion was visualized during the procedure, which was very helpful for me to gain that spatial awareness skill as a radiologist."

— Pinyu Chen, Class of 2026

"I was drawn to MAHEC TY because of the sense of community I felt on interview day. During my year, the TY faculty made me feel supported and were always receptive to feedback. My favorite rotation was pediatrics. I loved my time in Asheville and would absolutely choose MAHEC again!"

— Bliss Colao, Class of 2026