Clemson Rural Health expands leadership team, announces new medical director

Aaron Zeller, MD, brings 18 years of rural health experience to statewide network of hub clinics.

Clemson Rural Health is pleased to announce the addition of Aaron Zeller, MD, to its expanding leadership team.

Dr. Zeller officially joined Clemson Rural Health as the incumbent medical director on February 20. He follows founding medical director Tom Kickham, MD, who selflessly served the Oconee County community in this role for two years.

"Dr. Zeller is a perfect fit for this stage of Clemson Rural Health's evolution as a rural health care entity," said Ron Gimbel, Ph.D., Clemson professor and director of Clemson Rural Health. "We are fortunate to build upon the work of Dr. Kickham as we elevate clinical, education and research opportunities in the future."

In his role, Dr. Zeller will provide medical leadership support to the organization, mentor nurse practitioners and other mid-level providers and deliver patient care at Clemson Rural Health's various hub clinic locations throughout South Carolina. He will also lend 18 years of expertise to the development of the rural health workforce across the state and beyond. Zeller previously founded the rural family medicine physician residency program for physicians in Seneca, South Carolina.

Currently, 41 of South Carolina's 46 counties are experiencing a health professional shortage, including Pickens and Oconee Counties. To keep up with their urban counterparts, the Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that rural counties will need 180,000 more primary care providers nationwide by 2035.

"After working in rural health education for many years, I am excited to be back in the field with such an innovative and interdisciplinary team," said Zeller.

Through his work for Clemson Rural Health, he said he plans to support the clinical organization's continuous growth, making it a household name in South Carolina.

Dr. Zeller will see patients at the Clemson Health Clinic at Walhalla on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To schedule a primary care appointment with Dr. Zeller, please call 864-656-3076 and select option one for the Clemson Health Clinic at Walhalla.

Clemson Rural Health is the organizing framework for Clemson's health service delivery and prevention efforts statewide - with locations including the Clemson Health Clinic at Walhalla, Clemson Health Clinic at Orangeburg, Joseph F. Sullivan Center, Clemson Rural Health Support Office at Abbeville and a fleet of Clemson Rural Health mobile health units. Our vision is to transform health outcomes in rural and underserved communities through reducing premature mortality, decreasing preventable hospitalizations and improving overall quality of life in the regions we serve.

Clemson Rural Health is a part of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, a 21st-century land-grant college joining together a unique combination of schools and departments: Communication, Nursing, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health Sciences and Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice. These areas have distinctive characteristics and missions - all joined together by a common thread of service to people and communities. For more information, visit ClemsonRuralHealth.org.