School of Medicine Columbia

2024 News

The Neuroscience of Sleep

Ana Pocivavsek researches maternal sleep quality and lasting impacts on brain development and cognition

New Faculty Spotlight: Paul Toriello

From personal struggle to professional success, Paul Toriello on leading innovation and the future of technology in health care.

Velazquez Named Cancer Moonshot Scholar

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia researcher Kandy Velazquez, PhD, is one of 11 early-career researchers and research teams to be named to the second cohort of Cancer Moonshot Scholars.

Bringing Hope Home: A Pharmacologist's Role in His Wife's Cancer Treatment

October is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, bringing attention to a disease that will affect more than 360,000 people this year alone--a statistic deeply familiar to Randolph "Randy" Johnson, PhD, a School of Medicine Columbia alum, whose wife of 44 years, Charlyn, was diagnosed in 2008.

Grice, Kauffman win Outstanding Medical Student Poster at Prisma Research Showcase

School of Medicine Columbia second-year medical students Emma Grice and Cecily Kauffman won outstanding medical student poster at the Prisma Research Showcase in Greenville, S.C., for their project titled New Diagnosis HIV linkage to care evaluation in Southeastern United States: A retrospective cohort study.

Wenceslau Receives 2024 Pete Cala Physiology Award for Research Excellence

Camilla Ferreira Wenceslau, PhD, was the recipient of the 2024 Pete Cala Physiology Award for Research Excellence. This award honors the remarkable legacy of Pete Cala, PhD, the former chair of the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis.

School of Medicine Columbia Celebrates 2024 Award Recipients

Take an inside look at our 2024 Awards celebration, held on a beautiful fall evening in the courtyard of our VA campus. Seventeen individuals were recognized for their contributions to the health care field and their service to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia.

Clinical Practice Teaching Award winner: Dr. Sara Lindsey

Dr. Sara Lindsey, a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics, helps School of Medicine students prepare for bedside care by guiding them in the classroom and during their clinical rotations.

USC partners with health systems and patients to address chronic illness care across S.C.

Health science researchers from the University of South Carolina are taking a new approach to address chronic health conditions and reduce patient hardships across the state.

First renderings of USC's Brain Health Center unveiled

Forthcoming center will serve as the hub of the Brain Health Network.

Doctor, scientist, teacher, mom

Dr. Anna Hoppmann opens up about her many hats and the importance of mentorship and teamwork.

USC health science researchers play critical role in first-ever S.C. pediatric cancer report

A new report led by the state Department of Public Health provides a comprehensive look at the burden of childhood cancer in the Palmetto State over the past 25 years. University of South Carolina health science researchers played a critical role in developing the report; additional partners include the South Carolina Children’s Hospital Collaborative and the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.

Awards Event Information

Seventeen individuals will be recognized for their contributions to the health care field and their service to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia at the 2024 Alumni and Dean's Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony and Reception, which will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6-8 p.m., at the School of Medicine Columbia's VA campus in the Building 3 courtyard. Other award categories include the William C. Gillespie Staff Recognition Award and the Award for Advancement of Women in Science and Medicine.

Fierce names Kevin Bennett, Ph.D., as one of its Fierce 50 Honorees of 2024

Fierce Life Sciences and Fierce Healthcare have named Kevin Bennett, Ph.D., as one of 2024’s Fierce 50 honorees. The Fierce 50 showcases 50 individuals and companies driving advancements in medicine, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of biopharma and healthcare. Bennett has received a nomination in the “Health Equity” category.

State Legislators Representative Bannister, Senator Cromer to receive the Friend of the School of Medicine Award

As part of its annual Dean's Distinguished Service Awards, the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia presents the Friend of the School of Medicine Award to a member(s) or organization of the community whose service to the school has contributed to its mission. This year, interim dean Gerald Harmon, MD, is excited to honor two deserving awardees in South Carolina State Representative Bruce Bannister and State Senator Ronnie Cromer.

2024 Alumni Awards, Dean's Distinguished Service Awards, and the Award for the Advancement of Women in Science and Medicine

Award recipients will be honored at a special evening of celebration at the 2024 Alumni and Dean's Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony and Reception, which will be held the evening of Oct. 17, 2024, at the School of Medicine Columbia's VA campus in the Building 3 courtyard.

COBRE Phase III Offering Pilot Project Grants

The Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase III on Dietary Supplements and Inflammation (CDSI) funded by NIH is pleased to announce an open call for Pilot Project grant proposals.

Community Impact at the Ollie Johnson I-95 Health Fair

On Thursday, August 1, team members from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia participated in the Ollie Johnson Memorial I-95 Health Fair at the Santee Conference Center in Santee, S.C.

From Gamecock to Ironman

Read about SOMC M.D. program alum, Eddie Herd's journey from Columbia, to Hawaii, to finding his why in his patients, friends and competing.

Living Life with Arms Wide Open - SOMC Student Brian Haimerl Makes Most of Time in Columbia

M-IV student Brian Haimerl arrived at the University of South Carolina in the Fall of 2015 with an unwritten path that ultimately led him to the School of Medicine, two degrees and a residency at Vanderbilt University.

Miller named Senior Assistant Dean for Education Projects, Executive Director CQI

Bobby Miller, MD, has been named senior assistant dean for education projects and the executive director for medical educational continuous quality improvement for the School of Medicine Columbia, interim dean Gerald Harmon, MD, has announced.

PA Class of 2024 Achieves Perfect PANCE Pass Rate

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia Physician Assistant program celebrates the Class of 2024 for achieving a 100% pass rate on the national board certification exam (PANCE) for the third time in four years.

Krajacic named Associate Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education

Predrag Krajacic, MD, has been named associate dean of undergraduate medical education for the School of Medicine Columbia, interim dean Gerald Harmon, MD, has announced.

USC opens Sumter Brain Health clinic, expands cognitive care

The University of South Carolina opened a Brain Health clinic in Sumter during a ribbon cutting event on Monday (May 13) — its second operational clinic since forming the Brain Health Network in August 2023.

Alumni Spotlight: Angelo Sarmiento

Unopposed opportunities, one-on-one and individualized learning opportunities and the best decision of his medical career, defined M.D. Class of 2020 alum, Angelo Sarmiento’s time at the School of Medicine Columbia’s Florence Regional Campus.

To the Next Adventure: The Profile of Philip Nordstrom

M-IV student, Philip Nordstrom took a non-traditional path to medical school, riding the wave of each adventure that ultimately brought him to Columbia and will carry him through his professional career as a doctor.

Taking the Extra Five Minutes: M.D. Student Emma Gray finds self and career path at the School of Medicine Columbia

For M.D. student Emma Gray, the extra five minutes a physician gives a patient can be the difference maker in that patient obtaining the care they deserve.

Winters to lead School of Medicine Columbia advancement team

Bryan Winters has been selected as the new lead senior director of advancement at the School of Medicine Columbia, interim dean Gerald Harmon, MD, announced this week.

The neurological underpinnings of social behavior

Scientists at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia are researching important linkages between brain mitochondrial function and social behavior that could lead to a better understanding of autism spectrum disorder and post-partum depression.

MD Class of 2024 Celebrates at Match Day Event

On Friday, March 15, medical students at the School of Medicine Columbia, and at medical schools across the country, celebrated as they learned where they matched for their residency appointment, signifying the next step in their career in medicine. The big reveal occurs at Noon ET each year on the third Friday in March.

Fun and spirited competition at Ultrathon 2024

In late January the School of Medicine Columbia's Ultrasound Institute hosted the ACP Ultrathon, an ultrasound-focused event that tested the knowledge and skills of over 100 health care professional and student attendees.

Long-term collaborative partnership is at the “heart” of a thriving cardiovascular research lab at USC

Drs. Wenceslau and McCarthy apply their partnership at home and in the lab to generate high level research and stay productive in their fields. The couple mentor the next generation of well-rounded, thoughtful and innovative cardiovascular researchers in their lab at the university's Cardiovascular Translational Research Center.

2024 Commencement & Hooding Information

Here is information regarding the 2024 Commencement and Hooding Ceremonies for the School of Medicine Columbia

FoodShare SC increases online access, reduces food insecurity

FoodShare South Carolina received approval from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP online for purchases of fruits and vegetables sold through its Fresh Food Box program. FoodShare SC is one of only a few community-based organizations in the nation selected to participate in the online purchasing program.

Summer Learning: SC high schoolers get close look at health careers

Nearly 70 rising high school seniors from across the Midlands invested part of their summer vacation toward gaining in-depth insights into health science careers thanks to a partnership of the College of Nursing, the School of Medicine Columbia and Lexington Medical Center.

Spreading good health: Pediatric subspecialists move beyond urban hubs to visit rural patients

The South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare at the USC School of Medicine Columbia works to improve health care delivery for rural communities by operating and facilitating a range of programs and sending subspecialists into areas outside the state’s urban hubs.

Redefining the future of rural health

School of Medicine Columbia’s Kevin Bennett began his tenure leading the National Rural Health Association on Jan. 1, 2024.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.