MUSC named a founding partner in launch of first South Carolina Innovation Month

CHARLESTON, S.C. (April 4, 2023) – The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) announced a partnership with the South Carolina Department of Commerce and South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) to launch, for the first time in the state’s history, South Carolina “Innovation Month” in April. The large-scale program is designed to celebrate the booming culture of innovation in the state as well as highlight meaningful outcomes of local innovations. A proclamation event, featuring S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, was held April 3 at the S.C. Statehouse.

“Economies stay competitive through the development of new disruptive technologies,” said South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “That’s why S.C. Commerce is proud to partner with SCRA and MUSC on South Carolina’s inaugural Innovation Month. Communities across the state are coming together to celebrate and empower South Carolina’s thriving innovation ecosystem, and we are excited for all Innovation Month will bring.”

The partnership is part of a multiyear effort to take MUSC’s annual Innovation Week statewide. For the fifth year, MUSC will host its own Innovation Week, April 24-28. The yearly event is a showcase and celebration of the culture of innovation at MUSC observed during the last week of April. Innovation Week will now anchor South Carolina Innovation Month with events and sessions throughout all MUSC locations. 

“We are excited that MUSC's annual Innovation Week has grown into an event worthy of anchoring a statewide Innovation Month,” said Jesse Goodwin, Ph.D., chief innovation officer at MUSC. “I am proud of the trajectory of innovation in the state. This partnership aligns South Carolina on a collective and clear mission of innovative excellence that will result in a nationally recognized culture of innovation, not only at MUSC but for the entire state."

In addition, interested parties will be able to attend events hosted by the three founding partners. A full list of events for the month can be found on the Innovation Month webpage, which will be a center point of events, activities and information about the growth of South Carolina’s innovation ecosystem. The website will be updated throughout the month with a growing list of events for media and entrepreneurs to attend statewide.  

S.C. is currently ranked 13 in the country in Small Business Technology Transfer funding. MUSC has launched 51 active faculty startups and brought 33 products to market. By working with South Carolina’s only integrated academic health sciences center in the state, SCRA and S.C. Commerce gain a partner with an emphasis on growing a culture of innovation amongst thousands of providers and researchers who are dedicated to providing the highest-quality patient care and offering scientifically transformative studies to the people of South Carolina and beyond.

"MUSC is honored to serve as a founding partner in creating Innovation Month for the state of South Carolina," said MUSC President David J. Cole, M.D., FACS. “Innovation is woven throughout our institutional DNA, and it fuels our commitment to transforming patient care, providing excellent health sciences education, and pursuing research discoveries that have impact for generations. South Carolinians can trust that at MUSC, our work will push the boundaries of what’s possible and enable a brighter, healthier future for all."

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About MUSC  

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a unique mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates more than 3,200 students in six colleges – Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy – and trains more than 900 residents and fellows in its health system. MUSC brought in more than $298 million in research funds in fiscal year 2022, leading the state overall in research funding. MUSC also leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health funding, with more than $220 million. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Patient care is provided at 16 hospitals (includes owned and equity stake), with approximately 2,700 beds and four additional hospital locations in development; more than 350 telehealth sites and connectivity to patients’ homes; and nearly 750 care locations situated in all regions of South Carolina. In 2022, for the eighth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $5.1 billion. The nearly 26,000 MUSC family members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, students, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina's leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

About SCRA

Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy through the impact of its four programs. SC Academic Innovations provides funding and support to advance translational research and accelerate the growth of academic startups. SC Facilities offers high-quality laboratory and administrative workspaces for technology-based startups and academic institutions. SC Industry Solutions facilitates and funds technology advancements and partnerships with industry, startups, and academic institutions. SC Launch mentors and funds technology-based startups that may also receive investments from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch, Inc.