Cassandra Salgado, M.D., MS, is a professor of medicine and public health and serves as director of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the College of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). A nationally recognized leader in hospital epidemiology and infection prevention, she has been instrumental in advancing patient safety and infectious disease control at both institutional and national levels.
Since joining MUSC in 2004, Dr. Salgado has served as the institution’s hospital epidemiologist and medical director of infection prevention, playing a critical leadership role during major public health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, she was appointed the inaugural vice chair for Wellness in the Department of Medicine, where she leads strategic initiatives to promote the well-being of faculty, staff, and trainees. She also serves as senior associate dean for Faculty Affairs, Development, and Wellness in the College of Medicine, focusing on retention, engagement, and career advancement. In addition, Dr. Salgado holds the J. Michael Kilby, M.D. Endowed Chair in Infectious Diseases.
A committed mentor, she has guided the development of early-career faculty, medical students, residents, and fellows through extensive service on mentoring committees and one-on-one advising.
Her numerous awards include the 2019 Department of Medicine Education Mentoring Award and the 2023 MUSC ARROW Advancement of Women Faculty Award.
Dr. Salgado’s scholarly work includes significant national contributions to infection prevention and control. She also serves as principal investigator for the Trident HIV/AIDS Care Coalition, supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC). Under her leadership, the clinic now serves over 1,200 patients annually and continues to expand.
Dr. Salgado earned her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and her medical degree from West Virginia University. She completed a combined residency in internal medicine and pediatrics and served as chief resident in internal medicine at West Virginia University Hospital. During her fellowship in infectious diseases, she also earned a Master of Science in Health Evaluation Sciences and Epidemiology from the University of Virginia.
