MUSC Alumni Association honors 2025 Alumni Award winners

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Alumni Association is proud to announce the recipients of the prestigious 2025 MUSC Alumni Awards, recognizing graduates from all six colleges who exemplify excellence, leadership and service in health care and beyond.

“For more than five decades, MUSC has recognized alumni who are changing what’s possible in their professions, in their communities and in the lives of others,” said Jennifer Breen, director of the MUSC Alumni Association. “This year’s honorees continue that legacy with remarkable achievements and a shared commitment to improving health and advancing knowledge.”

Established in 1969, the Alumni Awards celebrate graduates who have demonstrated significant professional accomplishments and leadership. Recipients are selected from a competitive pool of nominations reviewed by a committee of alumni volunteers.

The alumni association will formally celebrate the 2025 honorees at the alumni awards ceremony in early 2026 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Distinguished Alumni Award Winners

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors graduates who have demonstrated significant achievements in their careers and made exceptional contributions to their communities.

Robert Ball, M.D., MPH, College of Medicine Class of 1970 

Walter Bennett, MHA, College of Health Professions Class of 2006  

Carrie Cormack, DNP, College of Nursing Class of 2014 

Sarah Gassman Wilbanks, B.S., College of Health Professions Class of 1996   

Sarra Hedden, Ph.D., College of Graduate Studies Class of 2007 

Michael Mayo, DHA, College of Health Professions Class of 2021   

Dennis McKenna, DNAP, MHA, College of Health Professions Class of 1992 and 2016   

Cathy Moss, D.M.D., College of Dental Medicine Class of 1973 

Mabel Purkerson, M.D., College of Medicine Class of 1956   

Lawrence Robinson, Pharm.D., College of Pharmacy Class of 1975 

Emerging Leader Award Winners 

The Emerging Leader Award honors graduates who are within 10 years of their graduation and have already demonstrated exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions to their fields.

Mickey Brown Jr., D.M.D., College of Dental Medicine Class of 2018 

Rachel Burge, Ph.D., College of Graduate Studies Class of 2025 

Ashleigh Hemphill, M.D., College of Medicine Class of 2017 

Diana Layne, Ph.D., College of Nursing Class of 2018 

Jennifer MacDonald, Pharm.D., College of Pharmacy Class of 2015    

Ashley Newton, B.S., College of Health Professions Class of 2020   

Patricia Tomsic, Ph.D., College of Health Professions Class of 2015 and 2021 

Distinguished Military Service Award

The Distinguished Military Service Award honors graduates who have demonstrated extraordinary service in the United States Armed Forces.

Col. Benjamin Ingram, M.D., College of Medicine Class of 2005 

About the MUSC Alumni Awards

The Alumni Awards are open to graduates of the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, College of Dental Medicine, College of Health Professions and College of Graduate Studies. Alumni are nominated by peers, faculty and colleagues, with winners selected annually by the awards committee from a pool of nominations.