Message from Chair Benjamin Clyburn, M.D.

It has been a privilege to serve the MUSC Department of Medicine as interim chair for these past 12 months, and I am absolutely delighted and honored to be the department's new chair.

Having been in the department for over 20 years, I already knew that our people are outstanding for their brilliance, their compassion, and their drive. I am humbled and deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve as leader for such an outstanding group of people.

There is literally no limit to the impact we can have as a department, and in collaboration across the institution, to lead advances in medicine. We are entering a tremendously exciting time in medical science, and we are positioned extremely well to effect changes that improve our understanding of human health and to develop personalized strategies to care for patients. My commitment to each of you is that I will work tirelessly to support all of our missions. My only agenda is our patients, our trainees, our donors, and our faculty and staff. This past year has been uniquely challenging, but we are stronger because of this challenge. I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead.

Moving ahead, I am delighted to announce the appointment of two new vice chairs in the Department of Medicine.

Aundrea Loftley, M.D., assistant professor, Division of Endocrinology, will assume the new role of vice chair for Diversity and Inclusion. She will provide vision and leadership in promoting a departmental culture that values and honors diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Gerard Silvestri, M.D., professor, Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy & Sleep Medicine, is our new senior vice chair for Faculty Development, a role he previously served from 2012 to 2018. In this role, Dr. Silvestri will be mentoring faculty members at all levels – instructor through professor – and in all tracks – clinician, research and investigator. He will meet with candidates for promotion and review their individual development plans.

Both appointments are effective May 1, 2021. To read more about the newly appointed vice chairs, visit the Department of Medicine blog.

Warmly, 

Benjamin Clyburn, M.D.
Chair, MUSC Department of Medicine