MAGNIFY | Welcome to the SOMC Alumni Family, Class of 2025!

We're excited to welcome the newest class of MD, PhD, DNAP, and Master's graduates to the alumni family. Hooding and Commencement ceremonies took place earlier this month, where we gifted our youngest alumni with SOMC branded leather padfolios.
Class of 2025 Graduation Numbers:
Biomedical Sciences - 17
Counseling and Rehabilitation - 3
Genetic Counseling - 9
Medicine - 92
Nurse Anesthesia - 31
Physician Assistant - 29
To the Class of 2025: we are so proud of you and can't wait to connect in the future! You'll receive an email from our office later this summer about quick and easy ways you can remain engaged with the USC SOMC. If you want to get a head start, here are the best ways to stay in the loop (also a great refresher for our seasoned alumni):

Alumni Contact Information Form - once you get settled to wherever you're headed, fill out this detailed form that's easily found on our Alumni Engagement website. Every time you move or start a new job, it's always a good idea to revisit this form and send us new information!

SOMC Alumni Facebook Group - a private group we use to update weekly with our efforts and serve as a sharing community amongst alumni since so many are on FB. Feel free to share job postings, educational opportunities, community events, or anything and everything all alumni could find value. 

The Garnet Microscope - this is your first issue to our monthly alumni e-newsletter! Click on the link to confirm your subscription to make sure it doesn't go to your spam folder in the future. Or if you want to check out past issues from this year, CLICK HERE.

FOCUS | Around the State in 265 Days

Our first complete Regional Alumni Happy Hour Tour was a tremendous success, as we roadtripped our way to five areas around the state. Launching in Columbia last August, we visited Florence, Greenville, Charlotte, and Mt. Pleasant, while meeting alumni who are proudly representing the USC SOMC and supporting the health needs in those areas. Interim Dean Harmon came along for the ride and provided exclusive updates regarding the new Health Sciences Campus in the BullStreet District, as well as future endeavors for the SOMC.
To those who joined us: we loved connecting with you on your own turf, meeting your guests and significant others, and hearing the SOMC stories you hold dear that keep you passionate about our school. 
Midlands Happy Hour
Columbia, SC
Pee Dee Happy Hour
Florence, SC
Upstate Happy Hour
Greenville, SC
Greater CLT Happy Hour
Charlotte, NC
Our team has already begun brainstorming ways to expand the tour to other South Carolina regions and nearby states. Be on the lookout for the release of our 2026 Regional Alumni Happy Hour Tour sometime later this fall, and please reach out if you'd like to serve as an ambassador for your region. We'd love your help with suggesting venues and spreading the word to local alumni.

NOTE | A Fond Farewell from Paige Stiles

After an incredibly rewarding chapter serving as the Assistant Director of Alumni and Student Engagement at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia, I will soon be stepping away from this position as I move over to the Nurse Anesthesia program to be their Student Experience Coordinator. My last day in the Office of Advancement is Wednesday, May 28.
Student development in higher education has always been my passion, and I'm grateful to my team for giving me the opportunity to thrive in a model that integrates student engagement into alumni relations. It has been an honor to connect with every student, all of you, and serve as a conduit to help you all connect with one another.  
Specifically with this monthly piece, curating the newsletter and sharing your milestones, memories, and meaningful work has been extremely rewarding. Each story, event, and conversation has reminded me of the deep and enduring bond shared by the SOMC community.
To everyone who has shared your time, your knowledge, and your support over the last 7.5 years — thank you. You’ve made this role more than a job; you’ve made it a journey filled with purpose and gratitude.
Though I won't be moving far, I will carry with me the pride and privilege of being a part of this remarkable community, and look forward to seeing all the ways the SOMC alumni family continues to grow and advance the mission of this institution.

With heartfelt thanks,
Paige

ILLUMINATE | Class Notes

Will Mitchell, MD ('18) recently accepted a position at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas as an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. His focus will be on hemostasis and thrombosis, and will officially start in October. Congratulations, Dr. Mitchell!
CONTACT HOLLY JEFFERSON
Deadline to submit personal news is June 23.

BREAKTHROUGH | SOMC News & Alumni  Features

Congratulations to our 2025 Discover USC Award Winners
School of Medicine Columbia May News and Notes
Lessons from Haiti
Health Sciences grads have major impact in rural areas
SC impact: Pell Grant recipients thrive in a wide range of fields
New USC clinic tackles mental health provider shortage in rural South Carolina

DISCOVER | Engagement Opportunities

Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
The Advancement Team
University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia


Bryan Winters, Lead Senior Director of Advancement
Holly Jefferson, Director of Alumni Engagement
Paige Stiles, Assistant Director of Alumni & Student Engagement
Alyssa Fencel-Davila, Assistant Director of Development

The Garnet Microscope | Volume 8 | Issue 5
May 2025
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