2024 Alumni Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Award

Terry Blackmon, RPh, College of Pharmacy Class of ’80

Terry Blackmon, RPh, retired recently after 12 years of service in the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy, an occasion marked by a South Carolina State Senate Resolution in May of 2024.

In 1986, he began working at The Cabinet, an independent pharmacy located in Lake City, South Carolina, and has stayed there ever since. He was pharmacist in charge from 2014 until 2023, and still serves as the owner today.

Blackmon is also a member of several pharmacy associations and has received numerous accolades, including the Bowl of Hygeia award in 2017 and Pharmacist of the Year from the South Carolina Pharmacy Association in 2015.

Charles Burant, M.D., Ph.D., College of Graduate Studies Class of ’87

An endocrinologist, Charles Burant, M.D., Ph.D., earned both his M.D. and Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from MUSC. He completed his internship and residency at the University of California, San Francisco, and his fellowship in the Department of Medicine, Endocrinology Section at the University of Chicago. He joined the University of Michigan faculty in 1999.

Today, he leads the Michigan Medicine’s Taubman Institute, where he is also a Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Professor of Metabolism. His laboratory focuses on diabetes, including the mechanisms of insulin resistance, and on innovative studies of obesity, including a maternal health study that examines the effect of pre-conception weight loss on offspring.

Mark George, M.D., College of Medicine Class of ’85

Mark George, M.D. has been a pioneer in using functional brain imaging to study emotions and mental health disorders. He has significantly advanced brain stimulation treatments for depression, notably transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), both of which received FDA approval based on his research.

He worked at the Institute of Neurology in London and then at the Intramural National Institute of Mental Health in Washington, D.C. before he returned to South Carolina in 1995 to establish a brain imaging division and brain stimulation laboratory in the Department of Psychiatry at MUSC.

George, who is recognized as a world expert in brain stimulation, serves as editor-in-chief of Brain Stimulation: Basic, Translation and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation. He has received numerous accolades, including being named one of 14 “medical pioneers who are not holding back” by U.S. News & World Report in 2009.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Sherman McCall, M.D., Ph.D., College of Medicine Class of ’88

Between his pre-clinical and clinical years at the College of Medicine, retired U.S. Army Col. Sherman McCall earned an M.Phil. in Nutrition from King’s College, Cambridge. After an internship at Eisenhower Army Medical Center, he served at Fort Clayton and Gorgas Hospital in Panama, acting as Battalion Surgeon in Panama’s largest battle and later as medical officer for the Balboa Refugee Camp. He earned several military honors, including the Combat Medical Badge and Combat Army Commendation Medal.

As flight surgeon and ER lead at Camp Zama, Japan, he also served on the USS Independence and supported MIA recovery in Laos. Later, he completed a pathology residency at Walter Reed, became a molecular pathologist with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, and directed the Clinical Pathology Lab at Fort Detrick. During the Iraq surge, he led the Deployed Combat Casualty Research Team, conducting over 70 protocols for the Army Institute of Surgical Research. Despite his clinical duties, he completed a fellowship at Walter Reed and published extensively, including groundbreaking work on the 1918 influenza and Guam’s Lytico-Bodig disease. In retirement, he confirmed the identity of Spandau Prisoner #7 as the real Rudolf Hess, disproving claims he was a doppelgänger. Cambridge University awarded him a Ph.D. based on his publications.

Marvesh Mendhi, Ph.D., College of Nursing Class of ’17, College of Health Professions Class of ’93

Throughout her career, Marvesh Mendhi, Ph.D., has dedicated herself to global health initiatives, leveraging her expertise to make a significant impact in this vital field. Mendhi, is a 1993 graduate of the Anesthesia for Nurses (AFN) program in the College of Health Professions and further advanced her education in 2017 by earning a Ph.D. in nursing as well.

In addition to her own education, she sought to help others further theirs by establishing a scholarship fund aimed at supporting AFN students who aspire to contribute to global health efforts. This scholarship fund is designed as an endowment to provide ongoing opportunities for future nursing professionals, ensuring that their contributions to global health can continue to grow.

Teresa Kelechi, Ph.D., College of Nursing Class of ’01

Teresa J. Kelechi, Ph.D. is the David and Margaret Clare Endowed Chair and a professor at the College of Nursing at MUSC. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kent State University, a Master’s in Gerontological Nursing from Case Western Reserve University and a doctoral degree in Nursing from the University of South Carolina/MUSC.

As a nurse scientist, her primary research area is venous leg ulcer prevention, including studies on infrared thermometry technology to detect ulcer development. She has received funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research and other organizations to explore skin temperature, blood flow in chronic venous disorders and advanced wound healing technologies.

In addition to her research, Kelechi has received numerous awards for her teaching excellence, including the U.S. Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and actively participates in several professional organizations related to nursing and wound care.

Anthony Stanowski, DHA, College of Health Professions Class of ’13

Anthony Stanowski, DHA, is the president and CEO of the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), where he leads the organization's strategic vision and operations with the goal of enhancing the quality of healthcare management education worldwide. With extensive experience in healthcare systems, universities and Fortune 500 companies, he specializes in relationship management, business development and analytics.

In addition to his role at CAHME, Anthony serves on several boards and is a recognized international presenter and author. In addition to his doctorate from MUSC, he holds graduate degrees from Drexel University in marketing and Widener University in health care administration.

Timothy Vanderveen, Pharm.D., College of Pharmacy Class of ’75

Tim Vanderveen, Pharm. D., served on the MUSC faculty from 1972 to 1982, focusing on intravenous nutrition and therapy. He co-founded one of the first interdisciplinary teams for Total Parenteral Nutrition and was a founding member of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), where he also served on the board and chaired the pharmacy committee.

In 1983, Tim moved to San Diego, becoming the first clinician employed in the IV infusion industry with iMed. For 34 years, he held key roles as his company went through mergers with Alaris

Medical, Cardinal Health and Becton Dickinson. He also led the creation of clinical support for marketing, sales and research and development and contributed to patents, including Alaris modularity and PCA-CO₂ monitoring.

Tim also established the Cardinal Health/Carefusion Center for Patient Safety and co-founded the San Diego Patient Safety Consortium. He has served on boards of the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instruments (AAMI).

Gregory Wiggins, D.M.D., College of Dental Medicine Class of ’96

Gregory B. Wiggins, D.M.D., is an endodontist who worked at Charleston Endodontics, as both an associate and as partner. He has won many accolades for his work, including a 1995 award for outstanding service to the American Student Dental Association. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the South Carolina Dental Association (SCDA). In addition to his work as a clinician, Wiggins is passionate about teaching.

Since 1999, he has served as a clinical professor for the MUSC College of Dental Medicine, where he guides the next generation of endodontists.

Emerging Leader Award

Zachary DelConte, MSPAS, PA-C, College of Health Professions Class of ’21

Zachary C.F. DelConte, MSPAS, PA-C, is a dedicated physician assistant specializing in dermatology. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he gained early experience in community health through medical volunteering and as a dermatology technician. Then, he pursued a Master of Science in Physician Assistant

Studies (MSPAS) at MUSC, where he also served as class vice president.

Now based in Atlanta, Georgia, Zachary works with skin cancer specialists, P.C. & Aesthetic Center, where he applies his specialized training to deliver high-quality dermatologic and skin cancer care.

Steven Holshouser, Ph.D., College of Graduate Studies Class of ’18

Steven L. Holshouser, Ph.D., has a robust background in business development and drug discovery. He currently serves as the vice president of business development at Proteros.

Previously, he held the position of director of business development at Kiyatec Inc., where he led global preclinical strategies, managed client acquisition and developed partnership agreements with biopharma and academic institutions. He also worked as business development executive at Evotec and as chief scientific officer at Inquisatex Epitherapeutics, a startup company founded at MUSC.

He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from MUSC, specializing in clinical and industrial drug development, and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and chemistry from the College of Charleston.

Shelby Kolo, Pharm.D., College of Pharmacy Class of ’19

Shelby Kolo, Pharm.D. is the quality and safety manager for the acute, critical care and trauma (ACT) Integrated Centers of Clinical Excellence (ICCE) at MUSC, where she facilitates initiatives to improve quality and safety across multiple care settings. She is also a full-time assistant professor of clinical pharmacy and outcomes sciences at the MUSC College of Pharmacy.

After graduating from MUSC with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, she completed a two-year post- doctoral fellowship in healthcare quality at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. In addition to her impressive pharmacy education, she has earned a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, a certification that teaches problem solving.

Justin Miller, EMHA, College of Health Professions Classes of ’19, ’22

Originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Justin Miller earned a master’s degree in executive healthcare administration at MUSC in 2022. He began working in geriatric care as an undergrad and has been dedicated to that population for much of his career. During his time as a caregiver in assisted living communities, Justin developed a passion for supporting residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Now, as executive director of Anderson Oaks Assisted Living, he leads three Anderson Oaks facilities in Horry County, South Carolina and assists families through the often-challenging transition into assisted living, finding fulfillment in relieving their stress and providing peace of mind.

Wayne “Zeh” Wellington, DNP, R.N., College of Nursing Class of ’15

Zeh Wellington, DNP, R.N., is the director of procedural care - surgical services at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. He has received many awards for his excellence during his 17 years of nursing experience, including Operating Room Nurse of the Year and South Carolina’s Palmetto Gold Award. He is an Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Fellow and has earned multiple scholarships for nursing excellence.

Wellington holds degrees from Virginia Tech, MUSC and Walden University and has a strong background in perioperative services, focusing on pediatric and cardiothoracic surgeries. He serves on the Board of Directors for the American Nurses Association-Illinois and has presented nationally on nursing leadership and perioperative care. He is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau and Phi Sigma Kappa.

Eric Singhi, M.D., College of Medicine Class of ’16

Following an internal medicine residency at Vanderbilt University, Eric Singhi, M.D. completed a Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he has exhibited remarkable dedication to the field of lung cancer care. His unyielding commitment to advancing the care of patients with lung cancer has set him apart as a leader and innovator in the medical community.

Through his work, he has transformed the lives of countless individuals facing the challenges of lung cancer by providing them with compassionate, novel and evidence-based medical care. One of Singhi's most notable qualities is his emphasis on patient education and empowerment. Through his leadership,

Singhi has spearheaded key research initiatives focused on patient education for those diagnosed with lung cancer. He was selected as distinguished faculty for the 2023 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer in Singapore, Asia. He has authored numerous publications and now mentors aspiring students and researchers.

Cason Hund, D.M.D., College of Dental Medicine Class of ’13

Cason T. Hund, originally from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, graduated from Clemson University with a degree in biological sciences and earned his D.M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2013. He and his wife Jessica, a family physician at MUSC Health, live in Mt. Pleasant with their three children, Hack, Henry and Hattie, and are active in their community and church.

Hund is committed to community service, volunteering with organizations like East Cooper Community Outreach, Our Lady of Mercy Free Clinic and Give Kids a Smile Day. He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), South Carolina Dental Association (SCDA), Academy of General Dentistry and the Palmetto Society.

Distinguished Military Service Award Winner

U.S. Navy Capt. Adrian D. Gaskin, MBA, College of Health Professions Class of ’97

Capt. Adrian D. Gaskin has dedicated 36 years to the United States Navy, beginning her service as a hospital corpsman in 1987. She earned a bachelor’s in medical technology and an MBA, commissioning as an officer in 1999. Her career has included key leadership roles in naval medical facilities worldwide, including deployments on the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy and USNS Comfort for humanitarian missions.

Gaskin serves as the director of strategy and modernization at Naval Medical Center San Diego. She has earned numerous awards, including three Meritorious Service Medals, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to Navy medicine.