Faculty Development

The overall purpose of the Faculty Development Program in the Department of Family Medicine is to encourage excellence in practice, teaching and research at the Medical University of South Carolina, and to do so in ways that respond to individual faculty needs, department priorities, and overall MUSC strategic goals. The Faculty Development Program will provide assistance to each faculty member to reach his/her individual academic goals, through the use of seminars and individual mentoring. Topics for the coming year will focus on teaching skills, research, and professional development. 

Our overall mission is to improve the health of South Carolinians and promote excellence in training of family physicians by developing and improving the skills of the faculty. This program will be led by Alec Chessman, M.D. 

Past Topics & Presenters

  • Mentoring - Alec Chessman, M.D.
  • Inpatient Billing - Brandon Brown, M.D.
  • Collaboration and Research - Vanessa Diaz, M.D.
  • Struggles and Successes in Medical Education - Drs. Benich, DeCastro, Hood-Watson, Mims
  • Financial Literacy - Chris Bunt, M.D.
  • A Developmental Approach to the Peer-Review Publication Process - Drs. Freedy, Diaz, Bunt
  • Conducting Literature Review - Emily Brennan, MLIS
  • Four Evidence-Based Principles for Improving Learning - Alec Chessman, M.D.
  • Outpatient Billing - Sarah Bradford, M.D. & Eric Matheson, M.D.
  • Population Health Simulation - Phil Smeltzer, Ph.D.
  • Conflict Resolution - Daniel Smith, Ph.D.
  • Making Phenomenal Presentations - Scott Bragg, PharmD, BCPS
  • CERA Survey Proposal - Alec DeCastro, M.D. & Lisa Mims, M.D.
  • Educator Portfolios - Lindsey Hamil, Ph.D.
  • Running an Effective Meeting - Elisha Brownfield, M.D.
  • MUSC Strategic Plan for Fostering Innovative Education and Learning - Donna Kern, M.D.
  • Creating Research Surveys - Beth Wolf, Ph.D.
  • MUSC Promotion Requirements - Leonie Gordon, M.D., ChB
  • Family Medicine in Medical Education - Kristen Hood Watson, M.D.
  • Giving Effective Feedback - Brian Lanier, M.D., FAAFP
  • How to Write Multiple Choice Questions - Alec Chessman, M.D.
  • Curriculum Design, Engaging Teaching, and High Quality Feedback - Scott Bragg, PharmD, BCPS
  • Communication and Observations - John Freedy, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Philosophy of Teaching and Innovative Teaching Techniques - Melissa Hortman, MEd
  • Making EPIC Yours - Adjusting preferences, screens, smart text, templates - Laura Camacho, Ph.D.
  • Geriatric Medicine and Skilled Nursing Facilities - Russ Blackwelder, M.D., Div
  • Transgender and Gay Men Patient Care - Marty Player, M.D.
  • Ages and Stages and M-CHAT - James Durant, M.D.
  • Inpatient Handoff - IPASS - Lauren Destino, M.D.
  • Handling Controversial Issues - Dr. DaNine Fleming & Dr. Willette S. Burnham
  • Music Therapy - Claire Littlejohn, MT-BC
  • Teaching to Your True Colors - Melissa Hortman, MEd
  • How to Develop a Career as a Clinician-Educator - Elisha Brownfield, M.D. & Benjamin Clyburn, M.D.
  • Utilizing EPIC - Joseph Benich, M.D.
  • Introduction to Ultrasound - SonoSite, Inc.
  • Women's Health - Jennifer Bain, M.D.
  • Injections - Alec DeCastro, M.D.
  • One Minute Precepting - Chad Garven, M.D.
  • Dermoscope Training- Erek Majka, M.D.
  • Developing Effective Presentations - Water Renne, M.D.
  • Utilizing TurningPoint Technology - Gary Melancon
  • Inpatient Billing and Coding - Jairy Hunter, M.D., MBA, SFHM
  • Skin Surgery - Barry Hainer, M.D.
  • Faculty Promotion and Tenure Criteria - Daniel Lackland, Ph.D.
  • Evaluations and Feedback - Lisa Mims, M.D.