by Cindy Abole
Public Relations

The campus' most talented student leaders and volunteers shined during an evening filled with praise at the annual MUSC Student Leadership Award and Service Banquet April 11.

Hosted by the Office of Student Programs and MUSC Gives Back, the event recognized individual students and student teams and honored eight inductees into the MUSC Student Leadership Society. Students were selected based on their effectiveness for working with diverse groups, character, integrity, interprofessional characteristics and potential as leaders in their own profession, health care or biomedical research.

The 2012 inductees of MUSC's Student Leadership Society include Ryan Rhome, College of Graduate Studies; Oday Alsarraf, Ophthalmology-Medicine; Janna Cone, College of Health Professions; Margaret Croom, SC College of Pharmacy; Brandon Hagan, College of Dental Medicine; Daniel West, College of Dental Medicine; Ashley McColl, College of Nursing; and Mia V. Taylor, Pathology-Medicine.

Mark S. Sothmann, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs and provost, reminded students that leadership is not a static but a transitional, non-permanent state, speaking about the ongoing transformational outcomes related to health care reform.

The leadership awards were presented by Darleen Shaw, Ph.D., associate provost for education and student life.
Also recognized were students and student organizations for their involvement with the Gives Back Community Volunteer Awards. Gives Back director Liz Sheridan continues to respond to student and community requests for volunteer assistance and support throughout the Tri-county. In 2011, students contributed more than 17,000 hours in 109 Lowcountry partnerships.

"As MUSC's student community is rich with service-minded student leaders, I feel many students deserve to be recognized. I grow prouder each year to be associated with our students as they grow in their leadership, achievements and service activities," said Sheridan.

Dental Medicine — Psi Omega Dental Fraternity; Individual: Mary Alice Hughes.

Graduate Studies — Multicultural Graduate Student Association; Individual: Joe Taylor.

Health Professions — Occupational Therapy Class of 2013; Individual: Melissa Kubinski.

Medicine — Women Interested in Surgical Experiences; Individual: Thomas Beckham.

Nursing — Multicultural Student Nurses Association; Individual: Lindsey Palmer.

Pharmacy — Kappa Psi Fraternity: Individual: Diane Okpala.

Universitywide Organizations — CARES – A free clinic operated by student volunteers to provide health care for people without insurance.

Banov Humanitarian Award

The 2012 Dr. Charles H. Banov Humanitarian Award is presented to Gino "Gini" Ikwuezunma, center, a College of Medicine (COM), Class of 2013 student and Masters in Clinical Research program candidate. Banov joins Wanda Taylor, COM admissions director as one of two faculty who nominated Ikwuezunma.