GIA Member Spotlight

Kendall Givens-Little (he/him/his)
Director of Strategic Communications
University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville

We caught up with Kendall Givens-Little to discover more about him, what he’s up to, and what we can learn from him.

Briefly describe your current role.
As the Director for Strategic Communications, I am deeply committed to improving health outcomes in South Carolina by spearheading communication strategies for the USC School of Medicine Greenville (SOMG), a platinum-plus-certified ACLM Lifestyle Medicine school.

As the leader of our team of communication professionals, I am tasked with developing and implementing communication strategies aimed at bolstering the reputation and increasing awareness of our medical school. Moreover, I work hand in hand with our development team and our valued community partners to cultivate strong relationships, furthering SOMG’s mission to transform medicine one doctor at a time. Our focus is on student-centered learning as the pathway for lifelong learning, extending from undergraduate to graduate education and continuing medical education.

Briefly describe your career journey and what led you to institutional advancement in academic medicine.
My professional journey began after completing graduate school, where I started working with various media organizations in the Washington, DC area, focusing on digital video marketing. Following that, I joined the administrative team at a small undergraduate institution in Mississippi, where I worked in the advancement department. It was there that I developed a passion for creating communication strategies and fundraising. The sense of fulfillment I derived from being part of the team responsible for building infrastructure that supports our students and the professionals who keep the institution operational was unparalleled. This passion led me to a new chapter in my career, transitioning into medical education and serving the state of South Carolina. The opportunity to serve and be a part of the solution to South Carolina’s healthcare outcomes and physician shortage problem has been a profound honor and a source of great joy.

What achievement in your current job are you proud of? 
Despite being a relatively new medical school, I am thrilled to have been part of the team that launched our brand awareness campaign, “Transforming Medicine, One Doctor at a Time.” This campaign has helped increase our visibility across South Carolina and neighboring states. By raising awareness about the medical school, we have garnered more support for our community-based programs, such as Root Cause, a monthly health fair aimed at promoting healthcare outcomes. Additionally, we have partnered with the local community and now serve as one of the official EMT first responders at our annual town festivals.

What innovation or trend in the field inspires or motivates you?
I am inspired by the School of Medicine Greenville’s dedication to training doctors who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. I am thrilled to contribute to the healthcare mission of producing physicians for the state where I grew up. It fills me with joy to see physicians and students from all walks of life working together at the medical school, collaborating to address the challenges we all encounter and, most importantly, striving to improve healthcare in my home state.

What is the best career advice you were given and how have you used it?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to continue growing and evolving. Trends are constantly changing, and I want to understand these communication and marketing trends to assist organizations better. Professional development is a massive part of my success, and I've been encouraged to seize these opportunities as they arise. That’s why I’m grateful for AAMC and the opportunity to serve this organization dedicated to helping medical schools nationwide.

What advice do you have for other institutional advancement professionals in academic medicine?
My advice would be to understand the educational environment and your institution’s goals. Building strong relationships with faculty, researchers, and stakeholders is crucial. Compelling storytelling about research breakthroughs and student and patient successes can inspire donors and alumni to support the institution. Personalized donor engagement strategies based on individual interests and using digital platforms for outreach and fundraising are essential in today’s environment. Collaboration across departments and staying informed about industry trends ensure that efforts remain effective and innovative. Stay flexible and willing to adapt to changes and embrace new strategies that can drive advancement and effectively support the mission of academic medicine.

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