A Message from the Executive Director

This is often the time of year for reflection and gratitude. I want to take this moment to let you know that I am excited to join the SC AHEC Program and I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of such an impressive organization. The dedication of our statewide team to meet the needs of the current and future healthcare workforce is palpable and I am looking forward to jumping right in along with you to meet the needs of students and health professionals across South Carolina. In my short time here, I have already crossed paths with health professionals in our state with stories of how our program influenced or supported their decisions while they were in high school or young in their studies in a health profession. 

In the upcoming months, I plan to spend a good deal of time traveling the state to visit the regional AHEC centers, meeting with our AHEC staff and our local, regional and statewide partner organizations to learn even more about the great work that we do to serve our crucial role in this state. Our AHEC team and our strong partnerships are our greatest assets. You know the needs of the students and professionals within your region and I hope that you will help me to learn from you about how we can continue to grow our provision of high-quality programs and services.

I consider it an honor and a privilege to serve the state of South Carolina through our work at AHEC. I am excited about embarking on this journey with all of you because together, we are a powerful force for supporting healthcare professionals as we help them to improve care, address cost and apply a patient centered approach that can enrich their lives and the people they serve.

Ann Lefebvre, MSW, CPHQ

SC AHEC Executive Director

South Carolina Office for Healthcare Workforce Welcomes Kathie Greenberg

The South Carolina Office for Healthcare Workforce (SCOHW) welcomed Kathie Greenberg in October as Senior Research Associate. Kathie joins that team after previously serving as an associate professor at the College at Old Westbury. The college is located just outside the New York City area and is the most diverse of the 64-campus State University system. It was founded in 1972, with a mission built on a commitment to addressing areas of social injustice and meeting the educational needs of underserved and underrepresented students.  At Old Westbury, Kathie specialized in the teaching of research methods and statistics. Her research was focused on assessing the effectiveness of innovative approaches to teaching, with emphasis on the development and testing of grading methods that are fair and objective, and promote learning rather than just critique.

Kathie has a PhD in experimental psychology and a Master’s degree in general psychology from Adelphi University and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Queens College, City University of New York.

Kathie is thrilled to be a part of SC AHEC and (SCOHW), where she can continue to work toward serving the greater good among colleagues who seek to do the same. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching classic movies, bike-riding, and spending time with her family.  Cooking… not so much.

Welcome, Kathie! She can be reached at greenbek@musc.edu or 843-792-8995.

Dr. Carmen Piccolo Receives VCOM-Carolinas Preceptor of the Year Award

Carmen Piccolo, DO, with Pee Dee AHEC HPS Coordinators
Stephanie Flowers, MHA, and Lance Butler, MEd

Carmen Piccolo, DO, was awarded a Preceptor of the Year Award for 2017-2018 from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas campus in Spartanburg.  The Preceptor of the Year award is given each academic year to one provider per medical facility, as nominated by both third- and fourth-year medical students.

Dr. Piccolo has precepted for Pee Dee AHEC for two years. He is extremely passionate about medical education and is always willing to precept students.  He is thorough and takes pride in his work, offering students quality hands-on time and other interprofessional opportunities during their clinical rotations.  Pee Dee AHEC is thankful for his willingness to precept medical students and is confident that he is giving each student the best clinical experience during their rotation.

Dr. Piccolo is a board-certified vascular surgeon with McLeod Vascular Associates of Florence.  He studied at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and then completed his residency at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he also served as Chief Vascular Fellow for General Vascular Surgery. 

For more information, please contact Pee Dee AHEC Health Professions Student Coordinators Lance Butler or Stephanie Flowers.