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Gayenell S. Magwood, PhD, RN
Associate Professor

Medical University of South Carolina
College of Nursing
99 Jonathan Lucas
MSC 160
Charleston, SC 29425-1600

Telephone: (843) 792-0685
Fax: (843) 792-1741
magwoodg@musc.edu

Dr. Gayenell S. Magwood is an Associate Professor and Research Scientist in the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina. She received her Ph.D. in Nursing Science from the College of Graduate Studies, Medical University of South Carolina, a Master of Science in Nursing from George Mason University in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina; and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Mass Communication and Psychology from Winthrop University.  Dr. Magwood also holds a certificate in Faith Community Nursing; completed specialized training in Cognitive Interviewing at the Joint Program of Survey Methodology, University of Michigan and University of Maryland; and post-graduate work in Public Health.  She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society in Nursing, National Black Nurses Association (TCBNA) and the American Nurses Association.

Dr. Magwood serves as the Co-Director for the Center for Community Health Partnerships’ Community Advisory Board. She is also a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Research Assistant Professor) at the University of South Carolina, Arnold school of Public Health, Prevention Research Center.  In her collaboration with the Prevention Research Center at USC, she is examining the effects of cultural influencers, health literacy, and body image on the effectiveness of interventions and outcomes among underserved women obese women.

From 2002-2006, Dr. Magwood was Project Director and Co-Investigator for REACH 2010: Charleston and Georgetown Diabetes Coalition a research and demonstration grant focused on reducing disparities and improving care for African Americans with diabetes. Most recently (2007-2009), she served as the Co-Principal Investigator for the REACH U.S. Center of Excellence in the Elimination of Disparities. Prior to joining REACH, Dr. Magwood was a kidney and pancreas clinical transplant coordinator at the Medical University Hospital Authority’s Transplant Center; a liver transplant coordinator at the INOVA Fairfax Transplant Center in Northern Virginia; and a surgical/trauma critical care nurse at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. Dr. Magwood has held certifications as both, an adult critical care nurse (CCRN) and a clinical transplant coordinator (CCTC).

Dr. Magwood has helped organize community and faith-based health promotion and prevention programs in South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. She has been honored by the YWCA of Greater Charleston, Inc. as one of 16 Women of Influence recognized for outstanding achievements, contributions, and leadership in both the community and business arena. Additionally, Dr. Magwood’s work in the Washington, DC area earned her the Washington Hospital Center’s Community Outreach Service Award, given to those individuals that make significant contributions to improving the quality of life for District of Columbia residents.

Her research interests include multiple-risk factor reduction and prevention of chronic illnesses especially diabetes and cardiovascular disease, obesity, health disparities and health literacy. She is also concerned with the under representation of culturally diverse individuals in health professions and has worked with the SC AHEC student development and diversity program to establish a pre-nursing Academy.