February 27, 2017 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
Matt McGrievy, the director of the Web Development and Communications (WDC) Core within the Arnold School’s Office of Operations and Accreditation, has joined the Board of Directors for Eat Smart, Move More South Carolina (ESMMSC). With the three-year term, McGrievy will contribute to ESMMSC’s mission of advancing community-led change to reduce obesity by making the healthy choice the easy choice for South Carolinians.
Through advocacy, community action and youth engagement, ESMMSC works with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) Statewide Obesity Plan to bring lasting and healthy change to local communities. With nearly 40 percent of S.C. adults and more than 30 percent of S.C. children considered obese, ESMMSC’s efforts rely on collaborations from a range of organizations and groups throughout the state.
The Board of Directors is one way that ESMMSC ensures the interests of these varied stakeholders are represented as the organization leads and facilitates projects and partnerships to increase physical activity and healthy eating. The Board boasts a broad range of expertise with members whose backgrounds include city and state governance, fundraising, public health practice, medicine, social services, law, and many other areas. They hold key positions in organizations such as the S.C. state legislature, S.C. Department for Social Services, DHEC, United Way of the Midlands, S.C. Hospital Association, and Partners for Active Living.
His unique knowledge and skill set build upon the diverse and representative profile we’ve worked so hard to establish over the years.
-Jen Wright, Vice Chairman of ESMMSC Board
McGrievy’s appointment will add yet another perspective to the already diverse Board. He has 15 years of systems administration, data management, security and project management experience—across major universities, such as the University of North Carolina, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Alabama. McGrievy joined the University of South Carolina in 2011 as the Informatics Manager, overseeing the development of custom web-based projects (e.g., website design, online training systems, mobile web app to track healthy eating and physical activity, web apps for data capture/management) within the Arnold School of Public Health.
In the five years since then, McGrievy has also assumed responsibility for the Arnold School website (including the migration of its 1400+ pages to USC’s new content management system) and the communications/public relations activities within the School. Meanwhile, the scope of the fee-for-service, custom web-based projects for which McGrievy was hired has grown to include a diverse group of public health clients (e.g., Arnold School departments, DHEC, Health Sciences South Carolina, S.C. Hospital Association, S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Mary Black Foundation and various federally- and privately-funded projects). In addition to his School website and communication responsibilities, McGrievy currently manages almost 20 active fee-for-service projects.
I’m excited to lend my expertise to support our partners in new ways and help increase the impact of their collective efforts.
-Matt McGrievy, Director of Web Development & Communications
As a result of these successful collaborations, McGrievy has become an expert in the intersection of technology/communication and public health—an area of growing importance in the public health field in the digital era and yet one that is underpopulated with individuals who possess this dual background. It was this unique perspective that led Jen Wright, Vice Chairman of the ESMMSC Board of Directors and the Working Well Manager at the S.C. Hospital Association, to nominate McGrievy to join the Board.
“The Board Governance and Development committee identifies innovators and thought leaders to help guide the strategic direction of ESMMSC in the pursuit of our mission,” says Wright, who has also worked with McGrievy to create a worksite wellness assessment tool for hospitals and employers across various sectors in S.C., which will soon extend to Oklahoma and other states. “Matt certainly fits that description. His unique knowledge and skill set build upon the diverse and representative profile we’ve worked so hard to establish over the years. Jumping right in, Matt offered his talents as the co-chair of our Marketing Advisory Committee, a vital role as ESMMSC enhances its brand, messaging, and delivery. I’m excited and grateful to serve alongside Matt on the Board.”
Matt will bring unique talent, experience and insights to the Board discussions, and he will add immediate value to the strategic direction of this highly respected organization.
-Lee Pearson, Associate Dean for Operations and Accreditation
As a Board member, McGrievy will further strengthen the connection between the Arnold School and ESMMSC. “Departments and programs within the Arnold School work with many different partners throughout the state to engage in a variety of outreach activities, and I see my work as just another way to represent the Arnold School and support its work both statewide and nationally,” says McGrievy. “As the first Arnold School faculty or staff member to serve on the Eat Smart, Move More Board, I’m excited to lend my expertise to support our partners in new ways and help increase the impact of their collective efforts.”
“I am so pleased that Matt McGrievy will be representing the Arnold School as a member of the ESMMSC Board of Directors,” adds Lee Pearson, the Arnold School Associate Dean for Operations and Accreditation and past chairman for the ESMMSC Board. “Matt will bring unique talent, experience and insights to the Board discussions, and he will add immediate value to the strategic direction of this highly respected organization.”