Showcasing success: Celebrating the 2019 CHP faculty & staff awards

Jessie Bradley, MBA
December 20, 2019
Kit Simpson accepting her Teacher of the Year Award from Dean Kapasi
Dr. Kit Simpson accepting her Teacher of the Year Award from Dean Kapasi.

On Tuesday, December 17, the College of Health Professions (CHP) held its annual faculty and staff award ceremony. During the ceremony, individuals were recognized for their hard work and achievements over the last year.

Each year, four faculty members are selected to receive one of the following awards, Developing Scholar of the Year, Excellence in Service, Scholar of the Year, and Teacher of the Year. Nominations are made by CHP faculty members and the college’s Faculty Awards Committee determines the year’s winners.

The Developing Scholar of the Year Award is given to a junior faculty member in the college who has demonstrated a promising research career as made evident by their research contributions. The 2019 award was given to Addie Middleton, Ph.D., DPT, assistant professor in the Division of Physical Therapy.

Addie Middleton accepting her Developing Scholar of the Year award from Dean Kapasi. 
Dr. Addie Middleton accepts her Developing Scholar of the Year Award from Dean Kapasi.

The Excellence in Service Award is given to recognize and honor a faculty member who, during a substantial portion of their career, have provided exceptional and sustained service and contributions in teaching, research, health care, public service, and clinical service to the college, university, and the citizens of South Carolina and the nation. The 2019 award was given to Abby Swanson Kalzey, Ph.D., professor and director for the Division of Health Informatics.

Abby Swanson Kazley accepting her Excellence in Service Award from Dean Kapasi Dr. Abby Swanson Kazley accepts her Excellence in Service Award from Dean Kapasi.

The Scholar of the Year Award is given to recognize a senior CHP faculty member who have an established research agenda, as demonstrated by their research contributions. This years’ award was given to Annie Simpson, Ph.D., associate professor and co-director for the Division of Health & Rehabilitation Services.

Annie Simpson accepting her Scholar of the Year Award from Dean Kapasi Dr. Annie Simpson accepts her Scholar of the Year award from Dean Kapasi.

The Teacher of the Year Award is given to recognize a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching. Unique to this award, nominations are submitted from both faculty and students. This year, the committee received nine total nominations. The nominees were:

  • Clint Blankenship, Pharm.D., PA-C, RPh, DFAAPA

  • David Morrisette, PT, Ph.D., OCS, ATC, FAAOMPT

  • Gretchen Seif, PT, DPT, MHS, OCS, FAAOMPT

  • Jack Thomas, PT, EdD

  • Jami Jones, MHA, Ph.D.

  • Kit Simpson, DrPH

  • Patty Coker-Bolt, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA

  • Sarah Kraft, PT, DPT, NCS, ATP

  • Stephanie McGowan, PT, DSc, OCS

Given the accomplishments of all the nominees, the committee selected two winners for this year’s award. The 2019 Teacher of the Year award recipients were Sarah Kraft and Kit Simpson (pictured above).

Sarah Kraft accepting her Teacher of the Year Award from Dean Kapasi. Dr. Sarah Kraft accepts her Teacher of the Year Award from Dean Kapasi. 

Also during the ceremony, several faculty members were inducted into the Alpha Eta scholastic honor society, CHP employees were recognized for their years of service to the MUSC enterprise, faculty promotions were celebrated, and the college’s Team of the Year and Staff of the Year awards were given. 

Alpha Eta Inductees

  • Annie Simpson

  • Sarah Kraft

  • Jillian Harvey, MPH, Ph.D.

Annual Service Awards

30 Years

  • Cindy Gittinger

  • Naomi Sampson

20 Years

  • Cami Meyer

  • LuAnne O’Conner

  • Kit Simpson

  • David Sword, PT, DPT, CCS, CEP, CSCS

  • Renee Vick

  • Holly Wise, PT, Ph.D., FNAP

10 Years

  • Michele Ballister, DNP, CRNA, APRN, CHSE
  • Catherine Cummins

  • Jesse Dean, Ph.D.

  • Heather Knight

  • Chris Miller

Staff of the Year
Alyssa Chestnutt

Team of the Year
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