Meet Our Team

Susan L. Johnson, Ph.D.

Dr. Susan Johnson is the Director of Health Promotion and Assistant Professor of Graduate Studies in the College of Health Professions. In her role at MUSC, Dr. Johnson directs and manages system-wide initiatives related to organizational wellness and provides leadership in the development and implementation of a comprehensive and collaborative approach to promoting health to students, employees, visitors, and the external community. Dr. Johnson has conducted numerous presentations at the local, state, and national level, is active in community and professional activities, and serves as an elected and appointed leader in multiple community and state organizations and projects. She received her undergraduate degree from UNC Charlotte, master’s degree from The Citadel, and Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Johnson was recently named Smoke Free Advocate of the Year by the Smoke Free Lowcountry Coalition, winner in the Rising Star category of Influential Women in Business by the Charleston Regional Business Journal, Prevention Partners Agent of Change, and 2015 Health Influencer by the Charleston Post and Courier. Her work at MUSC has also been recognized through multiple prevention awards and publications, both locally and nationally.

Kaitlin DaPore, Wellness Coordinato, NBC-HWC

Kaitlin DaPore brings nearly a decade of leadership experience within the Wellness Community to The Medical University of South Carolina, as one of the state's only Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches as recognized through the National Board of Medical Examiners. Kaitlin completed her training at Emory University and is a member of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Additionally, Kaitlin has a background in directing non-profit organizations addressing the needs of patients, healthcare providers, and whole communities to measurably improve health outcomes and behavioral lifestyle factors. In her role at MUSC, she strives to integrate wellness into the culture through the implementation of a wide variety of health promotion programming. Kaitlin also serves as the Program Coordinator for the MUSC Urban Farm and is a guiding member of the Farm’s leadership committee, ensuring its unique role of connecting diet with health outcomes through community engagement.

Laura Nance, Wellness Dietitian, MA, RDN/LD, CDCES

Laura Nance brings more than 15 years of experience as a masters trained Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Diabetes Care Specialist to the MUSC Office of Health Promotion. Laura has an extremely diverse portfolio of leadership and managerial experience across clinical and community platforms. In her role within the Office of Health Promotion, Laura seeks to educate and empower all members of the MUSC family and community at large to optimize their wellbeing through healthy eating. Additionally, Laura is passionate about serving her profession through education, sustainability, and volunteerism and oversees a variety of collaborative efforts aimed at addressing the nutritional and food security needs of the community at MUSC and beyond including the Kids Eat Free at MUSC Program as well as the MUSC e.a.t.s. pediatric food pharmacy program.