Meet Our Team

Wendy Minor, MBA/MHA, PMP, the Senior Director of Enterprise Partnership Management & Operations at MUSC.

Wendy Minor

System Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships

Wendy Minor is the System Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships for MUSC and MUSC Health. In this role she oversees the organization's strategic partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders to drive innovation and achieve MUSC's strategic goals.

Wendy is relationship- and results-driven and brings many years of diverse work experience including project management, clinical affiliations and acquisitions, and ambulatory operations. She also has a clinical laboratory background.

Prior to joining MUSC in 2018 where she has worked in operations and finance, Wendy served in many leadership roles during her 28-year career at Novant Health. She earned an undergraduate degree in medical technology from Appalachian State University and her MBA/MHA from Pfeiffer University. She also received her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Kathy B. Booker

Kathy B. Booker

Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager

Kathy Booker is the Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager for MUSC in Orangeburg. In this role, she maintains connectivity to enterprise-wide partnerships and locally manages relationships with key external stakeholders across Orangeburg and neighboring counties to establish unique collaborations and partnerships.

Born and raised in Orangeburg, SC, Kathy attended Winthrop University. She formerly served as executive assistant to RMC's President & CEO and the previous Board of Trustees and served more than 20 years as administrative coordinator to the president of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. Kathy was appointed by Orangeburg County Council to the Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees in 2022 as the Chief of Board Operations; her appointment also required that she simultaneously serve as Board Secretary. She served as co-chairwoman of the South Carolina chapter of the United States Naval Academy Parent Club; Parent Ambassador for the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics; chairwoman of the Orangeburg High School for Health Professions Board of Trustees; and Board member and chair-elect of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. An avid fitness enthusiast, Kathy is a fitness instructor at both Claflin University and the YMCA. She is the daughter of Doris Dickerson of Orangeburg and mother of two sons, Jackie and Jason.

Caoilin Byrne – Relationship Manager

Caoilin Byrne

Relationship Manager

Caoilin Byrne serves in the role of Relationship Manager in the Office of Strategic Partnerships at the Medical University of South Carolina. In this role she manages a portfolio of enterprise collaborations and partnerships with key external stakeholders to achieve MUSC’s strategic goals.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Caoilin also holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from MUSC. Additionally, Caoilin completed an Administrative Fellowship at MUSC with the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Office of Strategy, gaining valuable experience working alongside enterprise leaders.

Merrette Dowdell

Merrette Dowdell

Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager
MUSC Pee Dee Division

Merrette Dowdell is the Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager for MUSC Health's Pee Dee Division. In this role, she maintains connectivity to enterprise-wide partnerships and locally manages relationships with key external stakeholders across Florence, Lake City, Kingstree, Marion, Mullins and neighboring counties to establish unique collaborations and partnerships.

Merrette brings a unique perspective as the previous marketing and development coordinator at a federally qualified healthcare center, HopeHealth. Most recently she was the project manager for the local foods division of the City of Florence. In this role, her work addressed two key principles of progress in the City's comprehensive plan: to improve community health and community livability.

Merrette, a Florence native, earned her undergraduate degree in English and master's degree in secondary education- English from the University of South Carolina.

Amanda Dwojak – Director of Partnership Strategy and Development

Amanda Dwojak

Director of Partnership Strategy and Development

With more than a decade of experience in health care, Amanda is a seasoned professional known for her expertise in business development, strategic planning, and fostering innovation. Amanda's proficiency in business development has led to the successful implementation of numerous complex collaborations and projects.

Prior to joining MUSC, Amanda has worked for a health technology start-up, a large multi-state insurer, a regional health system, and even a few years working in psychiatric care. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University and a master’s in health administration from Drexel University.

Outside of work, you can find Amanda spending time outdoors, staying active, enjoying time with her loved ones, and gardening.

Wendi Huff – System Director of Local Affairs and Economic Engagement

Wendi Huff

System Director of Local Affairs and Economic Engagement

Wendi Huff is the System Director of Local Affairs and Economic Engagement and is responsible for strategic partnership development and economic engagement initiatives across the Lowcountry. She collaborates with key stakeholders, including academic, clinical, administrative, industry and research leaders, to advance the OneMUSC mission and commitment to providing access to high-quality healthcare in regional communities. She leads the Regional Health Network team that represents MUSC's hospital markets across South Carolina.

Before joining MUSC, Wendi held executive leadership roles with national rare disease research foundations and patient advocacy organizations, including Vice President at the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Associate Vice President at Morehouse School of Medicine and Senior Director at the National Brain Tumor Foundation. She implemented comprehensive programming to support research, advocacy, and public policy in Glioblastoma and Myasthenia Gravis patient communities. Wendi has extensive expertise in connecting patients to clinical research and disease registries and building impactful partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies to drive healthcare innovation.

Headshot of Stephanie Kapets.

Stephanie Kapets

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Stephanie Kapets is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for MUSC and MUSC Health. In this role she oversees a portfolio of the organization's strategic partnerships and contributes to the development of new partnerships in support of MUSC's strategic goals.

With fifteen years of experience spanning two continents, four countries, and ten US states, Stephanie has deep experience in healthcare operations, program management, revenue cycle and finance, procurement and supply chain, analytics, and systems implementation. She has previously been employed by Accenture, the U.S. Army's Regional Health Command Europe, and MUSC Health. Stephanie's greatest strength is her ability to translate her passion for healthcare innovation into meaningful financial, operational, and clinical outcomes.

Stephanie holds a master's degree in quantitative management with a concentration in healthcare analytics from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan.

Ann Collins Josey, MUSC External Affairs Coordinator.

Ann Collins King

Senior Relationship Manager

Ann Collins Josey serves in the role of Senior Relationship Manager on the Medical University of South Carolina's Office of Strategic Partnerships team. The team works to advance MUSC's vision and mission through meaningful relationships, collaborations, and partnerships with key external stakeholders ranging from global industry leaders to state and local partners. Ann Collins manages a portfolio of prospective, new, and existing enterprise collaborations with key external stakeholders to drive innovation and achieve MUSC's strategic goals. A graduate of Clemson University, Ann Collins also holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from MUSC.

Kate Mayer – Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager, Midlands Division

Kate Mayer

Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager, Midlands Division

Kate Mayer is the Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager for MUSC Health's Midlands Division. In this role, she maintains connectivity to enterprise-wide partnerships and locally manages relationships with key external stakeholders across Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, and neighboring counties to establish unique collaborations and partnerships.

With 15 years of experience as a senior nonprofit leader, Kate is skilled in the relationship building, strategic planning, and resource development required to advance a healthy and thriving South Carolia. Prior to joining MUSC Health, she served as Director of Development for Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) and Senior Major Gift Officer at Lexington Medical Center Foundation in the Midlands and Executive Director at Blue Tent and Director of Development at Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg in the Upstate.

Kate, a Greenville native, earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism with a focus on Public Relations from the University of South Carolina.

Ashley Shannon

Ashley Shannon

Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager
Catawba Division

Ashley is the Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager for the Catawba Division of MUSC Health. She has been with the Lancaster hospital since 1994 and has been working with the Chester facility since 2017. In her role with both hospitals, she is also a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

A native of Lancaster and a graduate of Winthrop University, she has been active in a plethora of community efforts and agencies since her youth. Past community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors of The United Way of Lancaster County, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, HOPE in Lancaster Board, and the Lancaster County Council of the Arts Board. She has also played an active role in the School Improvement Councils of Discovery Elementary and Lancaster High School and coordinated a regular show with students of Lancaster High School's Learn TV station. Ms. Shannon currently serves on the Board of Trustees of The Arras Foundation, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Lancaster planning committee, and the board of the Lancaster County Natural Gas Authority.

Ms. Shannon is an active member at Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in Lancaster and is the mother of one adult daughter.

Meredith Verona, MUSC Executive Assistant to the Chief External Affairs Officer.

Meredith Verona

Office Manager and Executive Assistant, Strategic Partnerships

Meredith Verona is the Office Manager and Executive Assistant within the Strategic Partnerships team. In this role, she is responsible for the execution of the day-to-day activities and operations of the office and works with the team to ensure financial and strategic goals are realized. Meredith collaborates with MUSC's diverse internal and external stakeholders including senior leadership, frontline staff, external partners, and other key members of the community.

Meredith is a seasoned administrative professional who brings many years of diverse work experience in operations, human resources, and business. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina.