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Carullo poised to lead University HRM by Cindy Abole Public Relations Finding the right fit is a necessity when it comes to trying on shoes, matching a puzzle piece or accessing a computer password. These are things that require accuracy in order for each to work. That same exactness can apply to people within the workplace. It’s ideal when a group of people can create a team focused and marshaled towards a shared mission and goal.   As campus leaders searched for someone to provide leadership in the vacant University Human Resources Management’s top position, they were considering a candidate that would be the right fit for every aspect of the position. They found it with Susan Hyler Carullo.   Carullo, former Human Resources Employment and Compensation manager with the Medical Center for more than nine years, was named the University’s Human Resources Management director Oct. 1. For Carullo, the appointment returns the Lancaster native to her roots in the State of South Carolina’s human resources field. Previously, she worked as a compensation and employee relations analyst for the university in the mid-1990s, and prior to that with the S.C. Budget and Control Board in Columbia.      “This is both a challenging and exciting opportunity for me,” said Carullo, a University of South Carolina graduate. “I look forward to working and collaborating with so many people both in human resources management and our customers throughout the university system. Moving in this direction came at just the right time in my career.”      Already Carullo has hit the ground running. Of the many duties and responsibilities on her plate, she wants to address staff and department issues as a top priority. Like any new kid on the block, she is getting to know her area and the human resources staff and their specific needs. Eventually, she wants to collaborate with staff to develop the department’s role and image as an open, supportive and responsive resource for all employees. Among her top initiatives are staff training, rebuilding and other improvements including new tools and products that would help staff excel in their roles.   In addition, Carullo plans to meet with human resource management customers and contacts throughout academic and universitywide service departments to build upon relationships with managers and contacts in an effort to learn their needs for employee services and hiring practices.   “It took us two years to find the right person that was a good fit for this position,” said Stewart Mixon, MUSC chief operations officer. “We’re fortunate to have found that in Susan. She brings a great deal of talent and knowledge both locally and with state entities with whom, we, as a state institution, have to work. Susan possesses a wonderful combination of experiences and human resource services knowledge. I know she will do a great job.”   Carullo was the leading candidate after a lengthy and complex search process headed by Mixon after the retirement of former director Jacquelyn Jones in April 2005.  The search process spanned three phases and two different sets of applicants throughout a two-year period. Mixon worked closely with a nine-member search committee to review applications, meet and interview candidates and provide guidance throughout the hiring process.   “ Timing was the key to this entire process,” said Wayne Brannan, director in the Office of University Risk Management. “We thought we picked good candidates throughout different stages of the process but ultimately learned that no one would totally commit to the job. At times it became frustrating but our committee remained patient and steadfast throughout the entire process. They wanted to complete this mission despite challenges and the timeliness associated with the process.”   As the field of candidates narrowed, Carullo shined through multiple interviews and deftly responded to a mix of questions from how to deal with faculty issues to sharing her outlook on the future of human resources in higher education five or 10 years from now.   “It is exciting to be a part of a growing and dynamic organization like MUSC,” said Carullo. “Human Resources will play a key role in achieving many of the MUSC Excellence-related initiatives and key customer service-related goals that will continue to make MUSC a great place to work and a great place to receive services.”      The timing could not have been better for Carullo. She spent more than nine years helping leaders build the Medical Center’s Office of Human Resources from the ground up assisting and directing job classification and employee compensation, employment and recruitment, instituting human resources policies and procedures, managing employer-community career programs and Equal Employment Opportunity activities. She was also responsible for guiding the hospital’s compliance to meet state and federal employment laws and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards relating to human resources. Among key projects that she managed include the centerwide conversions of staff from Charleston Memorial Hospital and Ambulatory Care Clinics to the MUSC Medical Center and the Medical Center to Medical University Hospital Authority in 2000.   “Susan’s presence brings a new, fresh start to university human resources—a new era,” Mixon said. “She’s accepted this opportunity and is excited about it. It’s an exciting time to be part of the MUSC campus because of the growth and activity that’s occurring within it. I feel sure exciting days are ahead of us where HR can and will make a significant difference to the campus community. With Susan at the helm in university human resources, she will elevate the campus’ human resources, services and guide a supportive, creative staff that will meet the needs of our campus customers.” HR Director Search Committee Wayne Brannan, chairman, Claire Hoefer, Dana Tumbleston, Velma Stamp, Helena Bastian, Richard Albenesius, DMD., Belle Dubis, Tom Higerd, Ph.D., John Malmrose     Friday, Nov. 24, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.