The Real DEIL Recognition

Recognize The Real DEIL (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader)  

The Real DEIL Award Program focuses on our people, by highlighting employees at various levels and in many different areas of MUSC who are owning and sharing DEI work and principles. It will recognize the grassroots programs, actions and initiatives that make an impact within the direct area or department, but the program's impact may not have spread across the entire MUSC Enterprise yet. These contributions could be occasional or continuous in nature. The primary goal of the MUSC Real DEIL program is to focus on employees who are owning and sharing diversity, equity and inclusion work and principles, with a secondary goal to help elevate the culture of One MUSC by celebrating these diversity initiatives on an individual level to help inspire others to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion in their roles. The Real DEIL Awards will be complimentary to the already established Earl B Higgins Awards. If the work and impact of the REAL DEIL award  programs' recipients continue to grow, they may later be recognized by the Earl B. Higgins Award. The Earl B. Higgins Award recognizes the significant and sustained contributions to MUSC. Both awards, the

Real DEIL and the Earl B. Higgins, are recognized, administered and supported by the Office of Equity.

Nominate a Real Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader by completing this electronic form. If you have questions regarding this recognition, please contact Imari J. Woods II, MHSA. Program Manager, Training and Intercultural  Education. 

Previous Awardees: 

2023 Winners

A. Sharee Wright, MD, RPVI, FACS
Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Department of Surgery

Recognized for collaborating with other individuals on creating the diversity wall that will showcase diversity in not only the department of surgery, but the diverse events going on around campus as well.

Keller Lee
Fiscal Analyst & Accountant
College of Medicine Surgery Administration Division

Recognized for collaborating with other individuals on creating the diversity wall that will showcase diversity in not only the department of surgery, but the diverse events going on around campus as well.

Zahi R. Jurdi, DHA
Assistant Professor
Director, Master of Health Administration Division
Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management
College of Health Professions

Recognized for the ethical leadership that he brings to his class in the RMHA and EMHA programs. Dr. Jurdi educates students on healthcare disparities, by providing updated and supported evidence. In his class he discusses how to address patient and staff discrimination in a healthcare setting, and why it is critical that teams are equitable, and inclusive.

Gina Koppenaal
Executive Intern, Office of Equity
Masters of Healthcare Administration '24                                                                                                                                                                                           

Recognized for being engaged with MUSC equity and inclusion efforts since starting graduate school in the College of Health Professions, Fall 2022. Gina has assisted in creating inclusive educational modules for students and staff.

 

Parneet Grewal, MBBS
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, College of Medicine
Recognized for educating and training neurology trainees, raising awareness and building skills to mitigate the impact of pervasive inequities.

2022  Inaugural Winners

Jonah Burrell, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse II, Institute of Psychiatry 3-North
Recognized for championing LGBTQIA+ inclusion through education and community engagement. 

 

Demetress Adams Ludd, LMSW
Social Worker III, Tobacco Treatment Program, MUSC Health Florence and MUSC Health Marion                                                                                            Recognized for creating allyship and camaraderie amongst team and advancing DEI throughout the organization.