Our Accomplishments

Brain Imaging

The McCausland Center for Brain Imaging, Center for Animal Imaging, Center for Advanced Imaging Research, partnership with Force Protection Industries.

Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Therapy

Seeking discovery of ways to use adult stem cells from bone marrow or organs to treat cancer

Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety

10 Simulation Centers throughout South Carolina, more than 60 active simulation courses having taught more than 60,000 encounters, SimTunes LLC spinout

Childhood Neurotherapeutics

Established a statewide team to develop neural stem cell therapeutic approaches to neurological disorders in children, ImmunoMod spinout

Healthcare Facilities Design and Testing

Patient Room of the Future

Healthcare Quality

Statewide Clinical Data Warehouse and associated research tools and services, RPMS, helped establish the SC Healthcare Quality Trust, CITIA-SC, assisted SCHIEx, CeHa, PCORNet, Carolinas Collaborative, SCTR

Medication Safety and Efficacy

Founded SONAR (Southern Network on Adverse Reactions) and RADAR (Research on Adverse Drug events and Reports), internationally regarded organizations that investigate and disseminate information about adverse drug and device reactions. To date, 43 drugs have been identified as potentially fatal and/or with previously unreported side effects

Molecular Proteomics in Cardiovascular Disease and Prevention

Identified a new biomarker class, micro-RNAs, having diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic importance for cardiac disease.  Established statewide network of five primary, separate care locations linked by a central bioinformatics core, with screening for >450 patients analyzing 16 plasma proteins and developing a specific biomarker portfolio for the diagnosis and prediction of left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic heart failure.

Regenerative Medicine

Established the MedTransTech Program, a partnership of healthcare delivery organizations, academia, and industry to accelerate commercialization of biomedical research, partnership with Synthes, First String Medical spinoff

SeniorSMART®

Established 3 themed research areas

1.  SMARTBrain® helping seniors maintain intellectual activity,
2. SMARTWheels® promoting independent mobility outside the home for seniors,
3. SMARTHome® helping seniors maintain independent mobility inside the home.  Collaborations with Lutheran Homes of South Carolina, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community and Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, CU-ICAR, opened Palmetto Health-USC Mobility and Research Clinic, funded by The Duke Endowment

Stroke

Established REACH (Remote Evaluation of Acute Ischemic Stroke) Network providing around-the-clock, Internet-based stroke consultation for patients within the first three hours of a stroke occurrence.   Now, 56 percent of the South Carolina population is within a 60-minute drive of tPA treatment compared with only 39 percent prior to REACH, with plans to extend the network to seven counties covering ~1,000 beds and 200,000 emergency room visits per year.  Earned Joint Commission Certification as a Primary Stroke Center at the University of South Carolina. Established fourteen telemedicine sites in rural areas, giving patients access to stroke specialists

Technology Center to Enhance Healthful Lifestyles

Established Technology Center to Promote Healthy Lifestyles (TecHealth) and Technology Applications Center for Healthful Lifestyles (TACHL).  Each are developing technology, such as interactive, web-based coaching programs, to help people make healthier lifestyle choices and delay or prevent chronic diseases. These tools have the potential to reach all segments of society and reduce health disparities.