2022 Alumni Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Thaddeus Bell ’76 | College of Medicine

 

Dr. Thaddeus John Bell is a family physician and native of Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of C.A. Johnson High School (1962), South Carolina State University (Bachelor of Science in Biology, 1966), Clark Atlanta University (Master of Science in Science Education, 1970), the Medical University of South Carolina (Doctor of Medicine, 1976), the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (certified flight surgeon, 1983) and Charleston Southern University (Doctor of Humane Letters, 2000).

His nominator writes, "Dr. Bell is in a league of his own, as far as health care and personal achievements are concerned. He has long brought honor to MUSC and to his community as a leader in health care, in health care disparities, in access and equity, and in his personal pursuits, which always honor MUSC as a graduate of the College of Medicine."

Dr. Kimberly Denise “Angel” Bryant ’03 | College of Health Professions

 

Dr. Kimberly D. Bryant earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from MUSC in 2003. She also holds a master’s degree in health administration from Webster University. She received a Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) in 2016 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

Her nominator writes, "Dr. Bryant has exhibited extraordinary dedication to the advancement of MUSC and its mission by educating students, supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds as an adjunct instructor and guest speaker for multiple student-initiated events, supporting admissions by volunteering with interviews and serving on the HRSA- (Health Resources & Services Administration) MUSC Occupational Therapy Scholarship Selection Committee."

Dr. Tyler Cole ’15, ’11 | College of Nursing

 

Dr. Tyler Cole earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgia College & State University in 2008. He went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 2011. After graduation, he worked in surgical oncology at MUSC while pursuing his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from MUSC. He was awarded both degrees in 2015.

His nominator writes, "During his time at the college, Tyler’s shock of red hair singled him out, then his gregarious grin drew you to him, leading to your awareness that he had great determination to be a holistic health care provider for his community ... His range of ability is evidenced by adjunct positions in both undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Nursing."

Dr. Daniel Gentry ’90 | College of Health Professions

 

Dr. Daniel Gentry earned his Bachelor of Arts from the College of Charleston. After graduating from MUSC's Master in Health Administration (MHA) program in 1990, Gentry went on to earn his Ph.D. in Health Services and Policy Analysis from the University of California at Berkeley. Since then, he has held many prestigious positions in academics including professor, program director and department chair at Saint Louis University, Rush University, the University of Memphis and the University of Iowa.

His nominator writes, "Dr. Gentry is a fantastic colleague and friend who regularly elevates the expectations and performance in the field while encouraging and inspiring those around him. He has unending enthusiasm and energy and is truly progressive and innovative in his ideas and approaches."

Dr. Donna Kern ’96 | College of Medicine

 

Dr. Donna Kern is a 1996 graduate of the MUSC College of Medicine. Since 2016, she has served as senior associate dean for medical education in the College of Medicine. A native of South Florida, she moved to South Carolina in 1986 to attend Bob Jones University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in pre-medical studies in 1990. After attending medical school at MUSC and completing her internship in internal medicine at MUSC, she joined the Department of Family Medicine in 1999.

Her nominator writes, "I know of no one who works harder than Dr. Kern, commands the respect she does in every task she undertakes, and genuinely cares about students and colleagues alike. Her dedication to the College of Medicine is unparalleled and she is a remarkable ambassador for MUSC."

Dr. Samuel “Ted” McGill ’75 | College of Dental Medicine

 

Dr. Ted McGill attended the University of South Carolina on a football grant-in-aid where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry. In 1975 he graduated from the College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and accepted a position with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. In 1976, McGill opened a family general dentistry practice in Bowman, South Carolina.

His nominator writes, "Dr. McGill is a person of great spiritual strength, who has dedicated his life to helping others. He volunteered at St. Matthews Dental Clinic in North Charleston and served as a professor of oral rehabilitation for 17 years. He was very dedicated to his students who treasured him as their teacher and loved his personality."

Dr. Paul Nietert ’97 | College of Graduate Studies

 

Dr. Paul Nietert grew up in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and attended Duke University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. While working as a therapeutic assistant within the Institute of Psychiatry at MUSC, Nietert developed an interest in biostatistics and biomedical research. in 1997, he received his Ph.D. from the Department of Biometry and Epidemiology at MUSC.

His nominator writes, "Dr. Nietert is the ideal candidate for this award as he has spent over two decades as one of the leading collaborative researchers at MUSC ... he has significantly helped put MUSC on the map as a leading research institution, helping MUSC not only gain this reputation at the regional level, but also at the national and international levels."

Dr. George Reid ’80 | College of Pharmacy

 

Dr. George Reid has been a key fixture in South Carolina and MUSC pharmacy for 40 years, winning multiple honors and most recently being recognized with the 2018 George D. Schwerin Mentor Award from the South Carolina Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SCSHP). He has served as system director of pharmacy services and director of pharmacy services at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. Currently, he serves as director of pharmacy at AnMed Health, a comprehensive health system and the largest employer in Anderson County, South Carolina.

His nominator writes, "He has been a friend, colleague and counselor for many years. He has helped shape what the College of Pharmacy is today. It is wonderful to see him honored by the Alumni Association and he is very deserving of the recognition.”

Emerging Leader Award

Dr. Simone Chinnis ’05 | College of Nursing

 

Dr. Simone Chinnis, DNP, APRN, MBA, NP-C, AE-C, graduated from the MUSC College of Nursing in 2017. She possesses vast experience in health care administration, most notably serving as inaugural director of PARTNER, the nation’s first remote telepsychiatry fellowship program for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.

Her nominator writes, "Dr. Chinnis has dedicated her career to improving the quality and delivery of health care in order to eradicate health disparities. It is her belief that improvement occurs as a result of advancements in health care through the translation of research into practice, adherence to evidence-based practices and the provision of culturally competent health care."

Georgina Dukes ’15 | College of Health Professions

 

Georgina Dukes began her career in health care administration as a student at Clemson University, where she managed student clinics and emergency department patient access in low-income, rural areas. She has a Master in Health Administration (MHA) from the Medical University of South Carolina, where she continued to build her experience in health care through academic medical center operations. After graduation, she continued her work at Duke Health, where she executed strategies that bridge the gap between hospitals and community health initiatives.

Her nominator writes, "Georgina is a motivated and highly skilled leader in the field of health care. She uses her lived experience and compassion to connect with communities while navigating the intricacies of health systems and helping bridge the gap between those very different worlds.”

Honorary Alumni Award

Dr. Felicia Goins | College of Dental Medicine

 

Dr. Felicia L. Goins received her Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Howard University College of Dentistry. After completing her residency in pediatric dentistry in 1985, Goins founded Carolina Children’s Dentistry in Sumter, South Carolina. The practice has since expanded to a second location in Northeast Columbia, South Carolina.

Her nominator writes, “Dr. Goins has spent the vast majority of her career serving the children of South Carolina … She has mentored many into careers in dentistry and served as an advocate to them ... Though not a graduate of MUSC, she has used her time, talent and finances to support the college’s efforts to bring historically underrepresented minority students to the College of Dental Medicine.”