Greenville Welcomes New Dean at USC School of Medicine
Greenville, SC – The University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville has recently appointed Phyllis MacGilvray as its new dean. MacGilvray began her tenure in July and is eager to lead the medical school towards new accomplishments.
MacGilvray, who is originally from Abbeville, has a rich background in medical education. She began her career in 2005 and has taken on several leadership roles at institutions such as Eastern Virginia Medical School and the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2018, she joined Prisma Health as the vice chair for academic affairs in Family Medicine and also became a clinical associate professor at USC School of Medicine Greenville.
Plans for Student Involvement
As she steps into her new role, MacGilvray has outlined plans that emphasize student-service learning and encourage students to lead health initiatives in the community. “I really enjoy volunteering with the medical students in the community,” she shared, highlighting that students will participate in events like “Fall for Greenville”, where they will conduct CPR demonstrations and blood pressure screenings. The establishment of student-led clinics every spring is also part of her vision.
Focus on Lifestyle Medicine
MacGilvray plans to delve deeper into lifestyle medicine, which emphasizes healthy living to prevent chronic diseases. She explained, “We teach the components of lifestyle medicine from the first day that students set foot on our campus.” For example, when learning about hypertension, students will also learn about foods that can help manage blood pressure.
Addressing Physician Shortages
Another significant initiative is the growth of the Primary Care Accelerated Track (PCAT) program, aimed at reducing medical school by one year for aspiring primary care physicians. Participants in this program receive full tuition reimbursement in exchange for a four-year commitment to family medicine with Prisma Health. “We have a primary care shortage nationwide and in South Carolina. This program is a step to help alleviate the burden of medical school debt,” MacGilvray noted.
Educational Background
MacGilvray’s academic credentials are impressive. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Clemson University and graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Vermont and has multiple certifications in family medicine and lifestyle medicine.
With her extensive experience and clear vision for the future, Phyllis MacGilvray is set to make a positive impact on the students and the community at the USC School of Medicine Greenville.
