Medical Affairs Committee issues favorable reports for several statewide board nominees

The Senate Medical Affairs Committee on Tuesday administered oaths and issued favorable reports for several statewide board nominees, including two Donate Life South Carolina candidates and three reappointments to medical and allied boards.

Kimberly Young, who identified herself as a 10-year heart transplant recipient, told the committee she wants to volunteer and advocate for people waiting for transplants. "Donate Life means more to me than anything that I can think of," she said. A second candidate introduced by the chair as Miss Jira Patel described losing her son Neil five years ago and her volunteer and fundraising work on behalf of organ donation.

Committee staff confirmed required disclosures and personal-data questionnaires. After members offered supportive remarks, the chair called for and received a motion for a favorable report; the committee registered the voice vote in favor.

The committee also considered and approved reappointments to the State Board of Medical Examiners and allied boards. Mary J. Richardson summarized decades of local residency and public-service experience; Doctor Theresa Mills Floyd described clinical, teaching, and private-practice experience relevant to the board. Dr. Jason Wigand summarized his faculty roles in speech, pathology and audiology and his lived experience with hearing loss.

Each of those nominations received committee review by staff (personal data and statements of economic interest) and a voice vote for a favorable report. The committee moved next to S.1095 after completing the confirmations.

What happens next: The favorable reports send the nominees forward in the legislative process for consideration on the floor or placement on the next stages of confirmation.