Clarence W. Legerton III M.D.

Dr. Clarence Legerton is a native of Charleston, SC where he attended the Porter-Gaud School. He graduated Davidson College (cum laude) and received his M.D. degree from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 1986 where he was awarded the Clinical Science and Physical Diagnosis Award. He matriculated to Vanderbilt University to complete a 3 year internship and residency in Internal Medicine, followed by Fellowships in Internal Medicine/Health Promotion and in Rheumatology. While at Vanderbilt, he served as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at Saint Thomas Hospital from 1990-1991. In 1992, Dr. Legerton returned to Charleston to join the faculty at MUSC in the Division of Rheumatology where he was actively involved in graduate education, research, and clinical care of patients with a wide variety of rheumatic diseases. In addition to his clinical and research interests, he also served in a number of administrative roles, including the establishment of both Rutledge Tower and the Bone and Joint Center, as well as serving as both Vice-President and President of the Medical Staff of the MUSC Hospital. His efforts as a teacher and clinician resulted in appointment to the AOA National Medical Honor Society. In 2002, he joined with Drs. Edwards, Fink, and Niemer as Low Country Rheumatology.

Among other professional organizations, Dr. Legerton is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American College of Rheumatology, the South Carolina Rheumatism Society (previously serving as Program Chair and President) and he now serves as the President of the Charleston County Medical Society. He is listed as a member of the Best Doctors in America. He continues his strong interest in clinical research, having received over $400,000 in extramural grants for many clinical trials involving rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, and lupus, among others. He enjoys giving invited lectures to conferences around the country. He has published articles and abstracts in several medical journals. Dr. Legerton is board-certified in Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, and Clinical Densitometry.

Dr. Legerton resides with his wife and 2 children. He follows his father’s footsteps through an active role in community service. He enjoys the family sport of tennis, as well as other forms of outdoor activities, ranging from running and biking, to mountain sports such as hiking and white water paddling.