Celebrating Excellence: MUSC College of Medicine’s 2026 Golden Apple Award Winners

Each year, the MUSC College of Medicine and the MUSC Chapter of the American Medical Student Association recognize exceptional educators through the prestigious Golden Apple Awards. These awards celebrate faculty and residents whose dedication to teaching, mentorship, and student development has made a lasting impact on the next generation of physicians.

This year, the Department of Medicine is especially proud to celebrate Paul McDermott, M.D., recipient of the 2026 Teacher of the Year Award — the College of Medicine’s Golden Apple Award’s highest individual teaching honor. This distinction recognizes an educator who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to student growth, mentorship, and excellence in medical education.

In addition to this top honor, Dr. McDermott also received the Preclerkship Teaching Excellence Award (SFP Theme), highlighting his continued impact across multiple areas of medical education.

The Department of Medicine also congratulates all 2026 Golden Apple Award winners and nominees for their dedication to fostering a supportive, engaging, and academically rigorous learning environment.

Award Winners

Teacher of the Year & Preclerkship Teaching Excellence Award (SFP Theme)

• Paul McDermott, M.D.

Preclerkship Teaching Excellence Award (HRR Theme)

• Aundrea Loftley, M.D.

Clinical Awards

Clinical Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award – Faculty

• Maggie Thomas, M.D.

Clinical Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award – Resident

• Michael Vinzani, M.D.

Congratulations to All Department of Medicine Nominees

Being nominated for a Golden Apple Award is a significant honor and reflects the meaningful impact these educators have on student learning, mentorship, and professional development (those with an asterisk are award winners.)

Preclerkship Teaching Excellence Award Nominees:

• Dr. Andrew Brock

• Dr. Ashley Duckett

• Dr. Natalie Freidin

• Dr. Keri Holmes-Maybank

• Dr. Aundrea Loftley* (HRR Theme)

• Dr. Paul McDermott* (SFP Theme)

Preclerkship Student Support Award Nominees:

• Dr. Marc Heincelman

Clinical Awards

Clinical Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award: Faculty Nominees

• Dr. Thompson Barr

• Dr. Jamel Brown

• Dr. Theresa Cuoco

• Dr. Dustin Dalton

• Dr. Andrew Dorsey

• Dr. Nancy Hagood

• Dr. Marc Heincelman

• Dr. Nicholas Honko

• Dr. Karyn Messer

• Dr. Ernest Murray

• Dr. Debo Odulana

• Dr. Pamela Pride

• Dr. Andrew Schreiner

• Dr. Pranav Shah

• Dr. William Shelley

• Dr. Drew Stone

• Dr. Maggie Thomas*

• Dr. Mason Walgrave

• Dr. Leonidas Walthall

Clinical Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award: Resident Nominees

• Dr. Eli Bettiga

• Dr. Vincent Bolus

• Dr. Shea Evans

• Dr. Brody Fogleman

• Dr. Nikhil Gangasani

• Dr. Qi Jin Guo

• Dr. Serena Khaleghi

• Dr. Matt Kienzle

• Dr. Nikalina O’Brien

• Dr. Zachary Patel

• Dr. Lexie Rasco

• Dr. Christian Robertson

• Dr. Max Rubin

• Dr. Jered Schenk

• Dr. Hannah Story

• Dr. Michael Vinzani*

Med/Peds: Dr. Sean Cosh

Clinical Student Research Mentor Award Nominees

• Dr. Valerian Fernandes

• Dr. Nathalie Malcolm

• Dr. Blaithin McMahon

• Dr. Charlie Strange

• Dr. Charles Terry

• Dr. Leigh Vaughan

• Dr. Mason Turner

• Dr. Kelli Williams

Clinical Student Careers in Medicine Advising Award Nominees

• Dr. Kathryn Anderson

• Dr. Jamel Brown

• Dr. Susan Evenhouse

• Dr. Keri Holmes-Maybank

• Dr. Aundrea Loftley

• Dr. Andrew Schreiner

Clinical Student Support Award Nominees

• Jenn Caldwell

Teacher of the Year Award Nominees

Preclerkship Nominations

• Dr. Aundrea Loftley

• Dr. Paul McDermott*

Clinical Nominations

• Dr. Andrew Dorsey

• Dr. Aundrea Loftley

• Dr. Karyn Messer

• Dr. Pamela Pride

• Dr. Thompson Barr

• Dr. Leonidas Walthall

• Dr. Pranav Shah

• Dr. William Shelley

Med/Psych Chief Resident: Dr. Andrew Kern (PGY-5)

For a complete list of nominees and award winners from the College of Medicine, please visit the official MUSC College of Medicine announcement.