2023 MUSC Alumni Awards announced

Alumni play a significant role in the success, growth and sustainability of an academic medical system by providing support, fostering connections and contributing to its mission of education, research and health care delivery. And in its Bicentennial year, with six outstanding colleges graduating a full spectrum of health care professionals, MUSC finds itself with a great number of alumni to be thankful for.

 Dental Medicine alumni Dr. Brandi Rollins Hair accepts her award from President David Cole and first lady Kathy Cole.

The MUSC Alumni Association honored the exceptional achievements of 14 MUSC alumni at its annual Alumni Awards, held on Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston. 

“Our alumni are the living embodiment of everything we strive to achieve at MUSC: Leading transformational change in human health through continual innovation,” said MUSC President David J. Cole, M.D., FACS. “The 2023 Alumni Awards recognize a few individuals who, even among champions, have built an exemplary record of service and achievement. In so doing, they have brought honor to this institution and immeasurable change to the lives of others.”

Of the 14 recipients, eight were chosen to receive the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award. Distinguished Alumni awardees have demonstrated significant achievement and service that bring honor to the University.

During the awards ceremony, six MUSC alumni received an Emerging Leader Award. This award recognizes MUSC graduates who are within 10 years of graduation for their exemplary leadership and dedication, exceptional accomplishments, achievements and service.

Alumni Awards are open to graduates of all six MUSC colleges. Winners are chosen annually by the awards committee from a pool of nominations.

More information about each awardee, including photos, biographies and nomination details.

 Medicine dean Dr. Terry Steyer with 2023 Alumni Award recipients Dr. Jacqueline Savage and Paul Merchant.

2023 MUSC Emerging Leader Award recipients

Megan Michelle Bickford, ’17, College of Graduate Studies

Anthony Thomas DeClue, Pharm.D., ’16, College of Pharmacy

Kendrea Focht Garand, Ph.D., ’14, College of Health Professions

Tara O’Brien, Ph.D., ’13, College of Nursing and College of Graduate Studies

Brandi Rollins Hair, D.M.D., ’18, College of Dental Medicine

Jacqueline A. Savage, M.D., ’14, College of Medicine

2023 MUSC Distinguished Alumni Award recipients

Joanne Conroy, M.D., ’83, College of Medicine

James Lee Decker, DHA, ’12, College of Health Professions

Kahlil Demonbreun, DNP, ’12, College of Nursing

Isabel Ghowanlu Driggers, D.M.D., ’02, College of Dental Medicine

Natalie Gamble Johnson, DHA, ’21, College of Health Professions

Paul G. Merchant, M.D., ’87, College of Medicine

Jennifer Means Stephens, Pharm.D., ’94, College of Pharmacy

Cynthia Bradshaw Wilder, Ph.D., ’97, College of Graduate Studies