Desiree Rew, MSW, LCSW, MBA

Desiree Rew is a multifaceted individual passionate about social work, self-care, and community building. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and national speaker on self-care, she is committed to empowering individuals and communities to prioritize their well-being. In addition to her social work and self-care work, Desiree is also a freelance food and travel writer who enjoys exploring new cultures and cuisines, a workplace wellness trainer, host of Self-Care*ish AF!®️ The Podcast, and a community steward dedicated to positively impacting the lives of those around her. Desiree's diverse interests and expertise reflect her deep commitment to making a difference in lives and communities.

William H. Edwards, PhD, BCBA

Billy currently serves as the Director of the Clemson Center for Behavior Analysis (CBA) at Clemson University. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 1996, his Master's degree from the University of North Texas in 1999, and most recently his PhD from Clemson University in 2022 in Youth, Family, and Community Studies. He has been directly involved in service delivery to children, youth, and families for over 30 years. He has practiced as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2000 in both private and public capacities. He is a former President of The South Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis and Texas Association for Behavior Analysis and an active member of both the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), and the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA). He is globally recognized as a thought leader and provided countless trainings regarding the applications of Applied Behavior Analysis across the globe and is actively involved in efforts to change local, state, federal, and global legislation in order to improve the quality of services made available to persons with disabilities, as well as promoting Behavior Analysis and the applicability of Behavior Analysis in addressing the needs of the broader population.

The CBA is responsible for having trained over 200 persons in Behavior Analysis and has helped to create various programs around the world including in Albania, the United States, the UAE, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, The Republic of Moldova, Portugal, and Romania, and has trained students residing on every continent. His work generally includes supporting organizations addressing issues facing families, children, youth, disabilities awareness, disabilities legislation, and disparities in both access and types of services. In 2018, Billy, in conjunction with the Clemson University Student Accessibility Office, piloted the Clemson University Spectrum Program (CUSP) for matriculating students at Clemson diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Billy is also the former Chair of the Clemson University Accessibility Commission. His current efforts focus on culturally responsive programming, services for marginalized persons in South Carolina and throughout the United States, and addressing the behavioral health needs in public school systems.

Ngawang Legshe, DSW, LCSW-BACS

Dr. Ngawang Legshe is an educator, psychotherapist, and clinical supervisor. He was ordained by H.H. the Dalai Lama, was a Tibetan Buddhist monk for more than 20 years, and was a Kahn Buddhist fellow at Smith College. He has developed and taught cross cultural courses on social welfare, social movement, and mindfulness at Tulane University since 2005. He was the Louisiana ACT Director for RHD. He offers evidence-based multi-faceted treatment modalities to improve and optimize psycho emotional and mind-body balance. Compassion focused therapy, psycho-dynamic psychotherapy, T.E.A.M. cognitive therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy methods are used to decrease symptoms and improve quality of life for adolescents, couples, families and groups. He has conducted wellness workshops and retreats using Buddhist psychology and psychoanalysis.

Jennifer Hammer

Jennifer Hammer joined USAging in February 2023 as Assistant Director, Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative (ADVC), a national effort funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living that focuses on vaccine uptake among older adults and people with disabilities. In this role, Jennifer serves as the primary liaison to national grant partners and supports the development, implementation and evaluation of the project.

Jennifer has extensive experience working with older adults in a variety of different capacities, including senior move management, helping veterans, and technology focused on helping older adults live well. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Texas A&M University and a teaching certificate from Western Washington University. When she’s not at work, Jennifer is likely enjoying the outdoors with friends, traveling or cooking.

Tina Lewis, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, AHPCN, CEN

Tina Lewis began her nursing career with 24 years in a rural emergency department/trauma center. After obtaining her Family Nurse Practitioner, she transitioned to an inpatient acute palliative care provider. This transition was a refreshing view of medical care- focusing on the patient's goals of their care rather than a standard treatment approach. Currently, Dr. Lewis continues to practice palliative care on a locums basis while focusing her efforts in education at Gardner-Webb University as Doctorate Nursing Practice program chair, which leads post-master's doctorate, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. 

Yarneccia D. Dyson, PhD, MSW

Dr. Yarneccia D. Dyson is an award-winning innovative thought leader, higher education strategist, and subject matter expert, with over 20 years’ experience in supervisory and leadership roles. She is a Professor and the Executive Director & Head of the School of Social Work at North Carolina State University. She is passionate about inclusive and equity-centered practices in higher education, faculty development, advancing Anti-Black and Anti-Racist practices in all systems as well as applying a futurist approach to social work education. Her research interests focus on improving the health, access, and well-being of historically oppressed communities, mentoring experiences for student and faculty development, as well as improving the sexual and reproductive health outcomes among women & girls and Black College Students. Finally, she is a Certified Healthy Love HIV Prevention Intervention Facilitator (https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/research/interventionresearch/rep/packages/healthylove.html).

Michael Christopher, BA

Michael Christopher has over three years of experience working in Public Information. He has been with the Department on Aging for two years and enjoys informing the public about resources for the aging population. Michael has a dozen years of experience in journalism where he picked up a passion for writing, editing, and designing materials to make an impact.

Mandy Halloran, BA, CPS

As the Director of Public Health and Disability Integration at Able SC, Mandy is responsible for the evaluation, development, and implementation of public health programs in South Carolina to ensure equitable access for people with disabilities. She works with various public health services, supports, and organizations to ensure the delivery of healthcare services, assistive technology, and transition and diversion programs to the disability community. 

Mandy graduated from the University of South Carolina. She earned a certification in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction from Upstream, a Center for Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. She is a graduate of the SC Diversity Leaders Institute from the Riley Institute at Furman University and a founding member of the non-profit SC Women in Leadership. Mandy serves as the Vice-Chair of the SC DMH State Planning Council, the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council as well as the SC Department of Mental Health 988 Advisory Board. Mandy is certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid by the National Council of Mental Wellbeing and is a Certified Peer Support Specialist. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Action Council for Cross Cultural Mental Health & Human Services and Latino Community Development. Mandy is passionately dedicated to advancing health equity for people with disabilities and all marginalized communities. 

Jennifer Holland, MSW, LMSW

Jennifer Holland has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina and has been a licensed social worker in the state of South Carolina for 20 years. She began her social work career providing in-home hospice services, which led to an interest in aging and end-of-life issues. For the past 17 years, she has been teaching classes such as Introduction to Social Services, Policy and Social Change, Aging and Death, and Mental Illness at Clemson University.

Valarie Petersen, DNP, FNP-BC, GCNS-BC

Dr. Valarie Petersen serves as a nursing professor at Bob Jones University. She is in a small group of nursing educators with an advanced degree in Clinical Gerontology. As a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology and a family nurse practitioner, she brings a unique point of view to the study of gerontological topics. With a background in oncology, long-term care, and home health, along with years of nursing education experience and nurse practitioner service, Valarie facilitates interactive lectures using storytelling and humor to present the topic at hand.

Kaylena Riendeau, MSW, LGSW, DSW Candidate

Kaylena Riendeau holds a MSW from the University of Southern California and is pursuing a DSW at Simmons University. She currently teaches for the Master of Social Work program at Grand Canyon University, while serving as a Social Work Field Liaison for both MSW and BSW programs at GCU, supporting and mentoring students. Additionally, Kaylena serves as an Adjunct Professor at University of Northwestern for the Psychology and Criminal Justice Department. She has had a footprint in diverse areas of social work, including advocacy for trauma survivors, outpatient mental health counseling, crisis intervention, school-based mental health, medical social work, and higher education.

Jeffery R. Black, MDiv, MD

Jeff Black is a practicing psychiatrist who works with those who have experienced loss and grief. In private practice he worked with adolescents and adults who had experienced loss and trauma. He worked for the Defense Health Agency to assist active -duty personnel in their struggles with loss and grief experienced from times of war as well as the loss of family and friends to suicide. He now teaches psychiatry residents and provides an elective for fourth year residents on death, dying, loss and grief.  

Charlotte Branyon, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Dr. Branyon is a lecturer in the School of Nursing. She graduated from Clemson University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, in 2010 with a Master of Science with an emphasis in Family Nursing Practice, and in 2023 with a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Dr. Branyon is a board certified Nurse Practitioner with over 18 years nursing experience in Acute and Primary Care. Currently, she is teaching Community Health and Health Promotion, Foster Innovation in Nursing, and Health Informatics. Dr. Branyon is a board member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Phi Kappa Phi, a member of The American Nurses Association, and a member of The American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 

Kimberly Trammell, AGPCNP-BC, Senior Lecturer

Lecturer Trammell has more than 10 years of experience providing holistic, research based, compassionate care to clients and families. She is an Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and has been working in Long-term care in the specialty of geriatric psychiatry. As a nurse, she had a rich experience working at St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta working with patients waiting on heart transplant. She uses effective communication skills and her ability to problem solve within the healthcare team and faculty. She adapts well to various health care environments and forms working relationships with administration and staff. She is committed to nursing and passionate about sharing this profession with students. She worked as a graduate teaching assistant during graduate school. Lecturer Trammell has experience in multiple areas of nursing including mental health, geriatrics, medical-surgical, critical care and community.

Angela Newton, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Mrs. Newton is a Senior Lecturer who graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and with a Master of Science with an emphasis in Family Nursing Practice from Clemson University. Mrs. Newton is a board certified Nurse Practitioner with experience in Acute and Primary Care and Home Health. Her educational and professional experiences have provided her with opportunities in the clinical setting, community, and rural health.

Katharine Few, DNP, FNP-C

Katy has BSN from Clemson and a Doctorate and Masters from MUSC. Katy worked in primary care before transitioning to Geriatrics. Her main role is anchoring nurse practitioner at The Center for Success in Aging caring for dementia patients. Her job is one of care manager that she shares with the physicians and the primary care team. She also provides primary and memory care within assisted living/memory care facilities. Her passions include dementia diagnosis, behavioral management, caregiver support and education.

James Davis, MD

A longtime Geriatrics Specialist, Dr. Davis was former Medical Director of the Prisma Health Memory Health Program. He provides consultation for persons with memory concerns and works in concert with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care to persons with dementia and their caregivers.

Diana Jahries, LBSW, MPH, CDP

Diana is the social worker for the Memory Health Program (a dementia specialty office) at Prisma Health’s Center for Success in Aging. She views this role as “coaching” caregivers through the dementia journey. On any given day she will provide disease education, communication techniques, behavior management strategies, direction on future considerations, community resource information, self-care admonishments, and empathy to caregivers. In her spare time, she loves to be with her expanding family.

Hannah Long, BS

Hannah graduated from Clemson University with my degree in nutrition in May 2022. Currently she is using her nutrition education background to serve the CULI (Clemson University Learning Institute) SNAP-Ed team as a Health Educator. Within this role, she has served schools, senior centers, libraries, and other community partners in Barnwell and Allendale Counties to teach about nutrition and physical activity. Hannah is a certified Walk With Ease instructor, ServSafe certified and CPR/First Aid certified as well as being trained in curriculums such as Cooking Matters, MyPlate, and CATCH. 

Myra Brookins, BS

Since graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Southern Mississippi, Myra has worked in various roles within the health and wellness field. First serving youth as the director in recreation within residential camp services, then as a Health Educator within the SNAP-Ed program and currently in a supervisory role within the CULI (Clemson University Learning Institute) SNAP-Ed team as the Assistant Director of Program Operations. Her focus has continued to be on how what we eat and how we move can impact our physical and mental health.