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School of Medicine Columbia

Reporting Mistreatment

The School of Medicine is committed to a safe and equitable environment for all of our learners. Resources for discussing or reporting mistreatment and Title IX are included below.

Reporting Mistreatment

If you would like to report student mistreatment, please complete the SAFE (Supporting A Fair Environment) Form.


Please note that SAFE reports will be sent to 
Eric R. Williams, M.D., Assistant Dean for Student Affairs (eric.williams@uscmed.sc.edu, office: 803-216-3616, cell: 803-727-9788).

Dr. Williams is a mandated reporter and is required to inform the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination if he becomes aware that a student (undergraduate, graduate, or professional) may have experienced conduct prohibited by the USC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy or the USC Nondiscrimination Policy Statement, even if it is reported anonymously.

As your PALs (Peer Advocate Liaisons), we hope to provide you with access to the resources you need if an incident of mistreatment occurs. We hope to foster an environment of confidentiality in order to protect students disclosing any issues with mistreatment. Reporting issues of mistreatment will not only help to protect you, but also your peers and future medical students.

M4 PALs

Carter Boykin
Boykin Eshleman, Columbia

Boykin.Carter@uscmed.sc.edu
803-920-5761

Chylee Martin
Chylee Martin, Columbia

Chylee.Martin@uscmed.sc.edu
864-280-2522

Megan Martin
Megan Clement, Florence

Megan.Martin@uscmed.sc.edu
864-991-1969

M3 PALs

Mikaela Ruvolo
Mikaela Ruvolo, Columbia

Mikaela.Ruvolo@uscmed.sc.edu
516-492-0386

Brent Sodeman
Brent Sodeman, Columbia

Brent.Sodeman@uscmed.sc.edu
330-842-3328

Rylee White
Rylee White, Florence

Rylee.White@uscmed.sc.edu
843-877-0118

M2 PALs

Amber Dorn
Amber Dorn, Columbia

Amber.Dorn@uscmed.sc.edu
949-922-9878

Brynn Franz
Brynn Franz, Columbia

Brynn.Franz@uscmed.sc.edu
516-640-7407

Hansel Haase
Hansel Haase, Florence

Hansel.Haase@uscmed.sc.edu
864-901-0929

The educational program in the School of Medicine has been developed to support and encourage the collegiality and professionalism essential to an effective learning environment. Students who believe that they have been punitively assessed or mistreated because of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age or other factors have access to the School of Medicine ombudspersons.

The ombudspersons are empowered to receive and investigate reports of mistreatment, to mediate between the parties involved, and, in the event mediation is not successful, to make recommendations directly to the dean of the School of Medicine regarding appropriate resolution of any complaints.

The use of the ombudspersons’ services to resolve a complaint represents a form of alternate dispute resolution. For this reason, the services of the ombudspersons will no longer be available to a student once that student engages an attorney to initiate legal action against the School of Medicine, the University of South Carolina, or the employees of those institutions.

M-I and M-II Students
Jay Potts, Ph.D.
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy
School of Medicine
Email: Jay.Potts@uscmed.sc.edu
Phone: 803-216-3820

M-III and M-IV Students
Robin B. Welsh, M.D.
Department of Pediatrics
14 Medical Park, Suite 400
Email: Robin.Welsh@palmettohealth.org
Phone: 803-479-1999

Florence Regional Campus Students
Brittany Rainwater, Psy.D.
McLeod Family Medicine Center
Email: Brittany.Rainwater@mcleodhealth.org
Phone: 843-777-2826

Title IX Information

The University of South Carolina is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and related retaliation. This commitment helps realize the university’s primary mission and aligns with institutional values and to complying with all requirements set forth by civil rights laws, including Title IX, and related federal and state authority.

Read more about the university's policies and resources regarding sexual violence and harassment. 

Graduate Student Advocacy

The School of Medicine is committed to your well-being and success. While you have the right to a graduate education in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, we realize challenges will arise. Resources for meeting these challenges can be found on the Graduate Student Advocacy page within the My SOMC website.


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