Medical University of South Carolina

Media Resources

The MUSC Office of Public Affairs and Media Relations (PAMR) offers assistance to print, broadcast and online media. We can connect you with faculty experts; help you arrange interviews, video and photo shoots on campus; make parking arrangements; and help you find photos, press releases, and recent news items.

News & Press Releases

Visit MUSC Catalyst News and our news release page for the latest in what's happening at MUSC.

Find an Expert

Members of the news media can contact the media relations team for assistance in finding experts to comment on timely new topics, explain complex health care related issues and more. Our office also maintains a list of faculty experts available for comment on timely topics. Contact Media Relations for assistance.

Photos & Video

You can request MUSC stock photographs, head shots, or specific event photos. B-roll and interview footage are often available to members of media in regards to press releases and major announcements.

Condition Reports

The MUSC Office of Public Affairs and Media Relations provides condition reports to members of the media 24/7/365. Our office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, we can be reached through our on-call system.

Procedures for After-Hours Media Requests

If you need information outside of office hours, a PAMR representative will be on call to provide condition reports. Any other requests (interviews, expert recommendations, etc.) must be made during regular office hours. In disaster, emergency or mass crisis situations, the on-call representative may be contacted.

  • Media representatives must have the name of the patient for whom they seek a condition report before paging the on-call PAMR representative. Without a patient’s name, a condition report cannot be provided.
  • Please double-check the spelling of names and the ages of patients, as this will help PAMR representatives respond to your requests.

To Reach the On-Call PAMR Representative

Call 843-792-2123 to reach the paging operator.

  • Ask to page the on-call Public Affairs and Media Relations representative. The paging operator will ask you to give your name and phone number. It is also helpful if you provide the name and age of the patient that you are inquiring about at this time.
  • Upon receiving a page, the on-call PAMR representative will call you to verify the request. Once the PAMR representative makes the necessary phone calls to obtain the condition report, he or she will follow up with you. This process may take several minutes or longer if hospital staff are very busy.
  • Again, only condition reports can be provided after hours. A condition report will include one of four words:
    • GOOD: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are excellent.
    • FAIR: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable.
    • SERIOUS: Patient is acutely ill. Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits.
    • CRITICAL: Vital signs are not stable and not within normal limits. Patients may be unconscious and indicators are unfavorable.

The release of additional information, without a written release form, is in violation of HIPAA regulations.

Protocol for Media Visits to the MUSC Campus

As Public Affairs and Media Relations representatives at MUSC, our office frequently works with local, regional and national media to facilitate news coverage of the progress involving research, education, and patient care. We do our best to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner, with the expectation that our colleagues in the media industry will follow the necessary protocol while seeking information.

All media representatives wishing to conduct interviews or shoot video anywhere on the MUSC campus must first contact the Office of Public Affairs and Media Relations to arrange the visit and verify that a media escort will be available or is needed.

  • The media representative (including reporters and camera and/or audio operators) is not allowed to enter MUSC patient facilities without a member of the PAMR staff escorting them.
  • In the event that a PAMR staff member is unavailable for escort, the media representative will be informed that he or she must come back at a later time or date.

Press Badges

All media representatives entering MUSC facilities must obtain a PRESS badge upon arrival to campus via a PAMR staff member. The media representative will not be allowed in any area of the MUSC system without displaying the PRESS badge at all times and must be accompanied by an escort at all times.

  • To receive a badge, the media rep must present a photo ID to the Office of Public Affairs and Media Relations staff member and sign a log that includes the name of the news organization, the specific purpose of the visit, date, and arrival time.
  • Once the media rep has completed his or her assignment, the badge should be returned to PAMR and the sign out time must be documented in the log.

Parking 

Parking is available in the horseshoe outside of the Main Hospital on Ashley Avenue as spaces permit. Media representatives who want to reserve parking must notify the Office of Public Affairs and Media Relations before the visit. Media representatives found in patient areas without an escort will be immediately removed.