Student Health and Well-Being (SHWB) has welcomed three key leaders to its core management team as part of an ongoing commitment to provide comprehensive health and well-being services at the University of South Carolina (USC).
Damian Bridges started June 3 as SHWB’s inaugural chief of staff. In this role, he will manage the daily operations of the unit and work closely with department leaders to develop and implement strategic plans, provide fiscal guidance, and foster relationships with university and community partners to advance the student and employee experience.
Bridges joins USC from Elevance Health, where he served in a variety of leadership roles for nearly a decade. These roles included portfolio director, business change director, and quality management director for the government business division. In these capacities, he was responsible for providing financial leadership, strategic direction, and operational guidance.
Prior to his time at Elevance Health, Bridges worked for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. At SCDHHS, he served as a senior consultant and was responsible for overseeing the Patient Centered Medical Home model, value-based payment reimbursements, and other quality management initiatives. He also held leadership roles at the USC School of Medicine in internal medicine, information technology, and family and preventive medicine.
Bridges earned a bachelor’s degree in technology and a master’s degree in health administration from the University of South Carolina.
Amanda Castles has been promoted to the director of employee well-being, where she will spearhead the wellness and health services that are available to all USC employees. With a deep understanding of employee engagement and well-being, Castles will lead efforts to cultivate a supportive environment to help employees thrive personally and professionally. Employees will have access to benefits designed to support their mental and physical health as well as team-building activities and support groups.
Most recently, Castles was the associate director for wellness services and employee well-being at USC. Prior to that, she was a health promotion consultant for Lexington Medical Center. In these roles, she planned, implemented, and managed employee wellness and prevention services.
Castles earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in health promotion, education, and behavior from the University of South Carolina.
Brittoni Reynolds will serve as SHWB’s director of facilities and event management. She will be responsible for the inclusive management of the unit’s facilities operations, creating a welcoming and supportive environment, and coordinating events that promote the overall health and wellbeing of the university community.
Brittoni began her career at USC as a facility coordinator for campus recreation and progressed to serve as the unit’s associate and iterim director in which she provided leadership oversight of facilities, membership services, capital projects, and renovations.
Reynolds earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and a master’s degree in sports and recreation management from Hardin-Simmons University.