Distinguished University Professor

The Distinguished University Professor title represents the highest honorific faculty designation at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). It is a reflection of MUSC's identity as a leader in education, research, and patient care, celebrating the pinnacle of scholarly and educational excellence among its faculty.

What is a Distinguished University Professor?

A Distinguished University Professor at MUSC is an honorary, lifetime title awarded to senior faculty members who have sustained distinguished careers marked by outstanding teaching, research, and service achievements. The Provost confers this designation upon the recommendation of the faculty member's Department Chair and College Dean, and it requires approval by the MUSC Board of Trustees.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for the Distinguished University Professor title at MUSC? The criteria are highly selective and reflect the exceptional nature of this honor. A faculty member generally must meet the following requirements to be considered:

Be a regular, full-time senior or retiring faculty at the rank of Professor.
Have a distinguished record of excellence in teaching, research, and service over the course of their career.
Have made outstanding contributions to their profession, with achievements that have earned national and/or international recognition.

Procedure

How is a Distinguished University Professor selected? The appointment process is thorough and involves multiple levels of review to ensure that only the most deserving faculty are honored:

College-level Nomination: Consideration for the title begins within the faculty member's college, following the standard appointments and promotions process. The faculty member's Department Chair and the college Appointments, Promotion, and Tenure Committee review the candidate's qualifications as part of a formal nomination process.
Dean's Recommendation: Upon a successful college-level review, the dean of the college endorses the candidate. The Dean forwards a recommendation with supporting documentation to the University Provost, substantiating why the faculty member merits this high honor.
Provost and Board Approval: The Provost reviews the nomination and, if they concur with the recommendation, seeks final approval from the MUSC Board of Trustees. The Board's endorsement is the last step in confirming the appointment.
Notification of Award: Upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Provost will formally notify the faculty member in writing of their appointment as a Distinguished University Professor. This official communication marks the conferral of the title.

Note: In cases where the faculty candidate under consideration is a department chair, dean, or provost, the process is adjusted. In such instances, the dean, provost, or president, respectively, will initiate the nomination. The college's Appointments, Promotion, and Tenure Committee will conduct their review normally handled at the departmental level, before proceeding through the subsequent steps above.

This careful, stepwise procedure ensures that the title of Distinguished University Professor is awarded judiciously and with broad institutional agreement, reinforcing its significance as an exceptional distinction.

Benefits

The Distinguished University Professor title is not only an honorific recognition; it also carries lasting privileges and benefits that acknowledge the faculty member's service and stature:

Lifetime Title: Once awarded, the Distinguished University Professor status is conferred for life. The title remains with the faculty member indefinitely, subject only to the same employment policies and standards that apply to any tenured faculty member.
Emeritus Benefits: If a Distinguished University Professor retires from active service at MUSC, they are automatically eligible for all benefits accorded to Emeritus Faculty. This means that upon retirement, these honored professors enjoy the privileges typically granted to emeriti. For example, continued access to certain university resources, the honor of the Emeritus title appended to their rank, and involvement in university events without needing a separate review. The Distinguished University Professor title thus seamlessly transitions to Distinguished University Professor Emeritus status, ensuring the individual's contributions continue to be recognized within the university community.

These benefits underscore MUSC's commitment to honoring the lasting legacy of its most distinguished faculty. The title affirms that the recipients remain a valued part of the MUSC family for life, and it provides them with the same respect and courtesies extended to those who have dedicated their careers to the university.

Distinguished University Professors

MUSC is proud to recognize an elite group of current faculty members who hold the title of Distinguished University Professor. Each of the following honorees has made extraordinary contributions to their field and to the education, research, and patient care missions of MUSC.

Christine M. Carr, M.D.

Christine M. Carr, M.D., is a professor of Emergency Medicine in the College of Medicine and Senior Clinical Advisor of the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA). Carr works to advance policy and advocate for all hospitals throughout South Carolina and served as a U.S. Federal District Court Clinical Advisor for Pandemic Preparedness. Her contributions to her profession throughout her career have served the University with distinction and befitting of the Distinguished University Professor title.

B. Joseph Elmunzer, M.D., MSc

B. Joseph Elmunzer, M.D., MSc, is a professor of Gastroenterology & Hepatology in the College of Medicine and the Peter B. Cotton Professor of Medicine and Endoscopic Innovation. His leadership established a pioneering GI-led extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy program and introduced innovative procedures. Elmunzer's remarkable research contributions, including NIH-funded grants, over 30 publications, and international presentations, showcase his excellence and exemplify him as a Distinguished University Professor.

Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D.

Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D., is a professor of Rheumatology & Immunology in the College of Medicine and the Kitty Trask Holt Endowed Chair for Scleroderma Research in the South Carolina SmartState Center for Economic Excellence. Feghali-Bostwick has had a distinguished career in rheumatology, culminating in significant academic and research contributions at the University of Pittsburgh and MUSC. She has been nationally recognized for her mentorship of fellows and junior faculty and spearheaded groundbreaking research on fibrosis, including the discovery of a peptide with potential therapeutic effects on scleroderma and identifying lysyl oxidase (LOX) as a key player in skin and organ fibrosis, exemplifying the work of a Distinguished University Professor.

Michael Gold, M.D., Ph.D.

Michael Gold, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor of Cardiology in the College of Medicine and the Michael E. Assey Professor of Medicine. He has an impressive career with significant leadership roles in cardiology at the University of Maryland and MUSC. Gold is internationally renowned for his expertise in cardiac electrophysiology and innovative contributions to the field, including the development of cardiac devices and advancements in pacing and ablation techniques. His dedication to mentorship and research exhibits the work of a Distinguished University Professor.

Langdon A. Hartsock, M.D.

Langdon A. Hartsock, M.D., is a professor of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in the College of Medicine. With over 20 years of experience at MUSC, Hartsock leads the orthopaedic trauma service and is internationally renowned for his expertise in trauma surgery. He frequently teaches surgical techniques at national conferences and has a distinguished background in the United States Naval Reserve, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps.

Janice D. Key, M.D.

Janice D. Key, M.D., is a professor of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine. Her exceptional leadership in adolescent medicine has led to the establishment of impactful school-based wellness initiatives improving lives in local communities. Her extensive service to MUSC, including committee involvement and recognition for excellence, has left a lasting legacy. Key's exceptional teaching, service, and research career, which greatly benefited the University and her field, illustrate the work of a Distinguished University Professor.

Diann M. Krywko, M.D.

Diann M. Krywko, M.D., is a professor of Emergency Medicine in the College of Medicine. Since being appointed chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, Krywko has made exceptional contributions, focusing on wellness and organizational impact. Her commitment to local and national innovative wellness initiatives and her dedication to mentorship and women in leadership has garnered national recognition. Her transformative efforts and service to her profession and the University merits her as a Distinguished University Professor.

Leslie A. Lenert, M.D., MS

Leslie A. Lenert, M.D., MS, is a professor of Medicine in the College of Medicine and the South Carolina SmartState Endowed Chair of Medical Bioinformatics. His leadership roles, research, and over 150 peer-reviewed publications underscore his profound impact on his field. Lenert's dedication to advancing medical informatics and his outstanding contributions to the University and his profession embody the role of a Distinguished University Professor.

Distinguished University Professor Emeriti

In addition to our active faculty honorees, MUSC recognizes those Distinguished University Professors who have since retired from active faculty roles. These Distinguished University Professor Emeriti continue to hold the title as a mark of their enduring legacy of excellence.

Scott M. Bradley, M.D.

Scott M. Bradley, M.D., is a professor of Surgery in the College of Medicine and the Robert Sade Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. Through his leadership and innovative technologies, Bradley has significantly advanced the field of pediatric cardiac surgery, producing congenital heart surgery outcomes that rival those of the best centers worldwide. His clinical interests and expertise, particularly in staged surgical palliation for single ventricle heart defects and neonatal heart surgery, have led to pioneering improvements in patient care.

Patrick M. Woster, Ph.D.

Patrick M. Woster, Ph.D., was a professor and chair of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy, Vincent T. Peng, M.D. Endowed Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and the South Carolina SmartState Endowed Chair for Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry. Woster's leadership, commitment to research, teaching excellence, and extensive service to MUSC underscore his profound impact, making him an exceptional recipient of the Distinguished University Professor title.