CHP Emerging Leader Alumni Award winner

Zachary DelConte, PA-C, Class of 2021, was awarded the 2024 MUSC Alumni Association’s Emerging Leader Award for the College of Health Professions just three and a half years after graduating from MUSC.

The Emerging Leader Award is given to alumni who demonstrate exemplary leadership and dedication to the college and their profession. He was nominated by his former classmate, Alexis Gonzalez for his leadership and service to his classmates, practice and community. DelConte’s recognition as an emerging leader speaks to his aspirations to have a greater positive impact on future policies and best practices for physician assistants, as well as patient care.

“I want to make sure that what I’m doing isn’t just helping the patients I’m seeing today, but helping all future patients I’ll see,” DelConte said.

DelConte’s leadership and service journey began before graduating from MUSC. As a student, he served in student government as the class vice president. When there was an opening for the role of class treasurer, DelConte absorbed the responsibilities while still acting as vice president. “I wanted to make sure that I was doing everything I could to really make a name for our entire class,” said DelConte. His experience as treasurer sparked an interest in personal finances and business as he took over class bank accounts and the collection of donations, among other responsibilities.

DelConte was also involved in the community. He participated in the heart health program, partnering with local organizations to create an after school exercise program for kids to play organized sports, and volunteered with two free health clinics: the Dream Center Clinic and St. Andrew’s Medical Center.

However, DelConte found his true passion in helping patients achieve their highest quality of life possible, specifically in dermatology. Shortly after graduation, he accepted a position as a physician assistant at Skin Cancer Specialists, P.C. & Aesthetic Center, in Marietta, Georga, where helps patients through every step of their treatment process and long after their treatment is finished. DelConte is the first new graduate hired by the practice. He continues to dedicate time to providing free skin cancer screenings to his local community.

“There’s so much potential for growth, for what we as physician assistants can do in the world of medicine for our patients,” he said. “I just think it’s so important for people to realize their potential and not just grow themselves but also grow the future of health care.”

Samantha Pasternoster
Contributing Writer