International thought leader joins MUSC to lead its AI and biomedical informatics initiatives

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is proud to announce the appointment of Marylyn D. Ritchie, Ph.D., as chief artificial intelligence (AI) officer of MUSC to lead its Center for Artificial Intelligence and associate dean for Artificial Intelligence and director of the Division of Computational Health Sciences & Artificial Intelligence in the MUSC College of Medicine, effective Nov. 3.

Ritchie joins MUSC from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, where she served as vice dean of Artificial Intelligence & Computing, Edward Rose, M.D., and Elizabeth Kirk Rose, M.D., professor of Genetics, director of the Institute for Biomedical Informatics, director of the Division of Informatics in the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, & Informatics, co-director of the Penn Medicine BioBank, and vice president for Research Informatics in the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

An internationally recognized leader in translational bioinformatics, Ritchie has over 20 years of experience developing, applying, and disseminating computational methods that integrate genomics, multi-omics, and electronic health record data to advance precision medicine. She has authored more than 500 publications and has been honored as a fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics (FACMI) and as a member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

At MUSC, Ritchie will lead enterprise-wide strategies to harness AI in support of the institution’s tripartite mission of education, research, and patient care. She will focus on building collaborative AI initiatives that connect clinicians, faculty, industry partners, staff, students, and trainees to drive innovation in MUSC’s five key areas of strength: cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular, neurosciences, and precision health.

Her leadership will also expand educational offerings in AI and computational health sciences, develop shared research infrastructure, and foster responsible AI practices that improve patient outcomes, eliminate health disparities, and position MUSC at the forefront of digital transformation.

“Dr. Ritchie’s expertise in AI and biomedical informatics will help propel MUSC’s academic mission forward in transformative ways,” said Lisa K. Saladin, Ph.D., executive vice president for Academic Affairs and provost. “Her commitment to collaboration and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision to integrate AI across education, research, and patient care, and I am excited to see the impact she will have on our students, faculty, and the communities we serve.”

“AI is reshaping the way we deliver care, from diagnostics to personalized treatment planning, and Dr. Ritchie brings the leadership and technical expertise to ensure MUSC is at the forefront of this transformation,” said Eugene S. Hong, M.D., chief physician executive, MUSC Physicians and MUSC Health. “Her ability to connect cutting-edge technology with real-world clinical applications will help us improve outcomes, enhance efficiency, and keep our patients at the center of everything we do.”

“Dr. Ritchie’s arrival marks an important step in advancing our College’s leadership in computational health sciences and AI education,” said Terrence E. Steyer, M.D., vice president for Medical Affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. “She brings a wealth of experience in developing AI-driven research programs and training the next generation of innovators. I look forward to working closely with her to grow our faculty expertise, expand our academic offerings, and strengthen our national profile in this rapidly evolving field.”

 

Ritchie’s research program spans three core themes – data integration, disease gene discovery, and phenotype exploration – supported by advanced machine learning and AI methodologies. Her work bridges basic science and clinical utility to enable more precise diagnoses, personalized treatments, and deeper insights into complex diseases. She is passionate about creating an AI-ready workforce, mentoring the next generation of scientists and clinicians, and ensuring AI tools are accessible and impactful across the healthcare spectrum.

A first-generation college graduate who grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ritchie brings a personal connection to her new role and a long-standing affection for Charleston, where she spent time visiting family as a child. Her husband, Josh, an avid golfer and talented chef, celebrated her new appointment by cooking a celebratory “Charleston Shrimp & Grits” dinner to illustrate how thrilled he was about their decision to join the MUSC community. Her two children, Zach, a sophomore at Ithaca College, and Kenzie, a high school junior, are looking forward to moving back to the South as they were both born in Nashville, TN, and are missing it dearly.

Outside of her professional work, Ritchie is a self-described foodie who loves to travel, read, and spend time near the water. She has a passion for golf, pickleball, and tennis, and is also an enthusiastic podcaster. She has hosted both The Biomedical Informatics Roundtable Podcast and The CALM Podcast: Combining Academic and Life with Marylyn, which explores topics such as mentorship, productivity, mental health, and navigating change.

Ritchie will bring with her a deep commitment to advancing MUSC’s mission to empower healthy communities, drive innovation and health transformation, and reshape the future workforce through the thoughtful integration of AI into every facet of our work.