Center of Excellence: Excellence in Partnerships, Community Outreach, Research on Health Disparities, and Training


	University of South Carolina The University of South Carolina is the state's flagship university, offering more than 350 undergraduate and graduate courses of study. The primary mission of the institution is the education of the state's diverse citizens through teaching, research, creative activity, and service. The University of South Carolina is ranked No. 52 in the nation among public universities, according to the latest rankings from the U.S. News & World Report. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine has ranked the University of South Carolina among its top selections in the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges. Claflin University Claflin University is the oldest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the state of South Carolina. Claflin University has a rich history of preparing students for success. A comprehensive, baccalaureate degree-granting institution offering select graduate programs, Claflin University is currently making profound progress in achieving its vision of becoming one of the premier educational institutions in the United States. For three years the US News & World Report ranked Claflin University in the top tier of regional liberal art colleges in the South and a "Best Value" among peer institutions. USC Arnold School of Public Health The Arnold School of Public Health is one of thirty-two accredited schools of public health in the United States and the only school of public health in South Carolina. The Arnold School of Public Health offers the following programs of study: Communication Sciences and Disorders Environmental Health Sciences Epidemiology and Biostatistics Exercise Science Health Services Policy and Management Health Promotion Education and Behavior. These programs strengthen the skills of current public health practitioners and provide public health expertise to students and non-practitioners involved in health policy and program development and implementation. A variety of ongoing projects and programs demonstrate the commitment the Arnold School of Public Health has to improving the lives and health of South Carolinians. USC Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities The mission of the Institute is to promote and facilitate academic and community partnerships to address health disparities through inter-disciplinary research, education, training, and service in South Carolina. The Institute was created to provide methods for the University of South Carolina to develop public and private partnerships as a key strategy in addressing racial and ethnic health disparities. The goal of the Institute's work is to improve the health status of South Carolina citizens by developing public health professionals, health disparities researchers, and supporting the programs and activities of other community organizations committed to eliminating health disparities. USC School of Medicine The mission of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of the state of South Carolina through the development and implementation of programs for medical education, research, and the delivery of health care. A distinguished core faculty of basic scientists and clinicians brings a variety of outstanding academic training and experience to the School of Medicine. In addition to the degree of Doctor of Medicine, the School of Medicine offers the following degrees: Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Science Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Master of Biomedical Science with specialization in Nurse Anesthesia Master of Rehabilitation Counseling. A national leader in primary care medical education, the University of South Carolina School of Medicine also sponsors research focused primarily on South Carolina health care needs and provides a wide range of clinical care services to South Carolinians. USC College of Nursing The College of Nursing is one of the largest in the southeast which prepares graduates to practice nursing at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. Degrees offered include: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (with a joint Registered Nurse program) Master of Science in Nursing A joint Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health program Doctor of Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Philosophy The College is to leader in establishing collaborative partnerships with a verity of academic, practice and research initiatives. Under the leadership of a dynamic faculty, students are prepared to meet the increasing demands of contemporary health care. Minority AIDS Council of Orangeburg, Bamberg, and Calhoun Counties, Inc. The Minority AIDS Council (MAC) of Orangeburg, Bamberg, and Calhoun counties was organized in 1989 by members of the Tri-County communities. The mission of MAC is to reduce the stigma and spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs and to enhance the quality of life in Orangeburg, Bamberg, and Calhoun counties through community education, service, and support delivered in a culturally sensitive manner. MAC is housed in the M. C. Butler Community Resource Center at Victory Tabernacle Deliverance Church in Orangeburg. Empowerment programs utilized by MAC to support and strengthen health in the Tri-County areas include: Sisters Informing Sisters on Topics About AIDS (S.I.S.T.A) Empowerment Program Community based support group for persons and families living with HIV/AIDS "A Family Affair" outreach program and personal "Stories" HIV testing in collaboration with South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) programs in the Tri-County area Teen program in collaboration with Orangeburg, Calhoun, Allendale, Bamberg Community Action Agency (OCAB) University of South Carolina Rural Women’s Health Project Behavior Research VICTORY TABERNACLE Victory Tabernacle Deliverance Temple, Inc. was founded in 1984 by Bishop Michael C. Butler. The church began in Bishop Butler’s living room and has grown to a membership of over 350 parishioners. The mission of Victory Tabernacle in its ministry and through the outreach of the Michael C. Butler (MBC) Community Development Center is to empower and educate the people of greater Orangeburg and the surrounding areas, spiritually, physically, and mentally. These ministries place special emphasis on persons in impoverished areas and seek to assist in promoting wellness, awareness, and early treatment of illness. The community center also holds an in-house partnership with the Minority AIDS Council and houses the "A Family Affair" support group for persons infected with the HIV/AIDS virus and their families. The USC/Claflin EXPORT Center provides a weekly clinic for blood sugar and blood pressure screenings conducted by a medical professional at the church through the Michael C. Butler Community Development Center.