Class Notes

Health Professions

Damond Boatwright, MHA ‘97, MHS ‘99, was recently named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of 2024 “CEO influencers to know.”

Emily Bott, OTD ’24, works in outpatient peds in Charleston with Bloom Children’s Therapy.

Christine Grogan, DHA '22, was featured in the Women Business Leaders January spotlight.

Katelyn Hardin, OTD ’22, has been working at The Emerge Center, one of the only multi-disciplinary autism pediatric centers in Louisiana, for two and a half years. She is a Level 2 OT there and runs the full-day program for pre-K children.

Carle-Marie P. Memnon, DHA '19, completed her term as 2024 president of Healthcare Leaders of New York (HLNY), the local New York metropolitan chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Under Memnon’s term as HLNY president, the chapter reached a historic milestone by gaining over 2,000 members, a first for both the chapter and ACHE. She was also honored with the 2024 ACHE Exemplary Service Award at the HLNY Annual Gala held in June 2024.

Michelle Napoliello, DHA '22, began a new position as senior program administrator at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Hiral S. Patel, MHA '22, started a new position as manager, projects to COO and CNO and patient support services at BJC HealthCare at Christian Hospital.

John Pearson, DHA '16, is the new CEO at Open Cities Health Center.

Amanda Shorter, MOT ’19, (formerly Amanda Ward) is the primary OT on the ortho/trauma unit at Spartanburg Medical Center.

Nekita Sullivan, DPT ’11, founder of Yoga Therapy Bar, was featured in Charleston Business Magazine’s SC Best in Business Awards issue. Her business received the award for Best Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation Center

Eric Weaver, DHA '16, has joined the board of directors of the Texas Association of Accountable Care Organizations (TXAACOs).

Laura Whisenhunt, OTD ’22, (formerly Laura Judy) works at MUSC Orangeburg in the outpatient clinic. She is one of only two therapists at MUSC who is an Epic Clinician Builder, which means she uses Epic to build and create documentation templates for therapists and other hospital staff. She is also studying to take the CHT exam.

Alyssa Wishall, OTC ’23, (formerly Alyssa Johnson) is living in Oklahoma, where she works in telehealth school-based therapy three days a week and PRN outpatient/acute care/inpatient rehab two or three days a week.

Deborah Witchey, MHA '96, is the new president and CEO of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness.

Kerri Wright, MSOT ’14, has taken a position as program coordinator for a day program for adults with disabilities.

Medicine

Jonathan Van Zile, M.D. ’82, recently published a children’s book, “The Adventures of Monk-Monk and His Trip to the Emergency Room.”

Nursing

Shannon Smith, BSN ’95, (formerly Shannon Bright) is now the dean of nursing at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University School of Nursing.

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