MAGNIFY | LEAPing for Joy
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It's Leap Day! When we think about the word "leap," we think about performing, and we know that many of our graduates pursue different art forms to stay active and combat burnout. To celebrate this quadrennial occasion, we're featuring two alumnae who have made "leaping" their passion outside of their busy careers.
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Lauren Desrosiers, MS, CGC ('18)
Instructor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas
Performance Art: Show Choir (just like Glee!)
Years of Experience: I've been performing in choirs and/or band for as long as I can remember, but made the switch to show choir after moving to Houston in 2018.
What does performing do for you? Music first and foremost gives me a sense of community. Performing in large ensembles like Houston Show Choir has helped me find my chosen family.
What skills as a genetic counselor prepare you well for performing? Or vice versa? As a genetic counselor, specializing in pediatric oncology (a multi-disciplinary sub-specialty), my role relies heavily on teamwork. I firmly believe that the collaborative skills I've built in both my career and as a performer have been instrumental in enhancing my success in both areas of life. In addition, the confidence I've built through mastering complex dance combos has translated into comfort presenting genomic data at international conferences and vice versa.
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Sloka Iyengar, PhD ('10)
Consultant with non-profit organizations in India and the United States in fields of mental health and substance abuse, palliative care, and the use of arts in health; lives in New York City, N.Y.
Performance Art: Bharatanatyam, a 2,000 year old dance form that originated in South India. It consists of a rich vocabulary of hand gestures, facial expressions and emotions for storytelling.
Years of Experience: More than 25 years.
What does performing do for you? My life revolves around dance, so dance is integral to almost everything I do. I am fascinated by movement and consider it a privilege to move. I take inspiration from my local environment and am fascinated by the way animals move and the adaptations that make their movement possible.
How do you currently fit dance into your busy NYC lifestyle? I read about dance, notate dance, listen to music, or choreograph (in my mind!) on the subway which helps me make use of commute time. I continue to learn from my guru in India, which helps me stay current and get feedback from her in real time. I also learn Sanskrit (mostly because I love words), but also to gain a deeper understanding of the texts I hope to choreograph to.
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February may be the shortest month of the year, but so far, it's been our busiest! Play catch up with us as we recap some of the school's most exciting events this month.
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Carolina Day 2024
Tuesday, February 13
USC alumni, students, faculty, staff and South Carolinians from around the state came together in a concerted effort to support higher education. Interim Dean Harmon accompanied a group of students to speak with members of SC government to advocate for the impact that the SOMC has on the state as a whole. Click here for a USC video about Carolina Day 2024.
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FoodShare SC Open House
Thursday, February 15
Friends of the SOMC and FoodShare South Carolina gathered to celebrate the official opening of their brand new teaching kitchen and facility in Columbia, including a ribbon cutting by Rep. Leon Howard. Click here to read more from WLTX.
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Dean's Circle Reception
Wednesday, February 28
Alumni, faculty, staff and friends who contributed $1,000 or more to the SOMC during fiscal year 2023 were honored at an exclusive reception in the Columbia Museum of Art. Members heard from Interim Dean Harmon, alumnus Jim Chow, MD ('85) and others.
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In May, we will surpass 5,000 graduates!
Help us celebrate on March 20-21 for this year's Give 4 Garnet challenge – 500 donors, each contributing $5 or more. Let's come together as we #Strive4Five to preserve our promise and build a legacy of impacting the health of all South Carolinians and beyond.
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Richard Bidwell, MD ('21) and his wife Anna Gayle welcomed their twins, Sara Kate and Baker, on Feb. 4, 2024. They were delivered by Ashley Foreman, MD, from the SOMC class of 2019. Congratulations to the Bidwells!
Carolyn Gregorie, MD ('23) and her husband, David, welcomed their second child, Elizabeth Walker on Sept. 10, 2023. Congratulations to the Gregories!
Jean Ann Lambert, MHP, MRC ('02) received the Heart and Soul Award from Mental Health America of South Carolina. This award is given annually to someone who is an embodiment of caring service and love for others, which is demonstrated through their work with clients and in everyday life. Congratulations, Jean Ann!
Buckley McCall, MD ('23) was recently announced as the Chair of the Southern Medical Association's Physicians-in-Training Committee. The duties of the Physicians-in-Training Committee are to participate in the development and evaluation of educational activities and programming of the Association aimed at pre‐medical students, medical students, interns, residents and fellows. He is a first-year resident at Prisma Health Greenville in the Internal Medicine program. Congratulations, Dr. McCall!
Kristin Strange, MD ('94) recently opened her own practice, Thrive Pediatrics and Wellness, in Lake Park, N.C., where she has been practicing for the last 27 years. It features a non-insurance based "Direct Primary Care" model with the goal of full family practice with an emphasis on pediatrics and investigating root cause of disease to tackle more effective treatment for symptom resolution. Congratulations, Dr. Strange!
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Deadline to submit Class Kudos is March 18.
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