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Pre-Medical Society's Outstanding Service Award in Medicine

Celebrating our alumni leaders

This award is sponsored by the Alumni Association, the School of Sciences and Mathematics, and the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical Society. The award recognizes a College of Charleston graduate whose practice of medicine, including dental, veterinary, and related medical sciences represents remarkable achievement, and who demonstrates an enduring commitment to the College and his or her community.

2020 Pre-Medical Society's Outstanding Service Award in Medicine

Susan Olson Hilsman ’83

Susan Olson Hilsman grew up in Irmo, South Carolina, and graduated from the College of Charleston in 1983 with a B.A. in German. While at the College, she was President of the Student Government Association and received the Bishop Robert Smith Award.

She completed medical school at the University of South Carolina and was an exchange student at Oxford University in England. Following her residency in Spartanburg, SC, Dr. Olson worked as a staff physician in Spartanburg’s Level One Emergency Department, caring for all aspects of traumatic, medical and cardiac emergencies. In 2002, she began a hybrid career: still working in the ED, she began dividing clinical time to include additional work in the Wound Healing Center. She completed additional training in hyperbaric medicine and wound healing. Since 2016, she has practiced exclusively in the Wound Center.

Career highlights have included serving as Chair of the Emergency Department, Chief of Staff of Spartanburg Medical Center, Chair of the Credentials Committee, and President of Spartanburg Women in Medicine. She has also been a volunteer at St. Matthews Free Clinic and teaches at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg. Additionally, she is on the Board for the Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing, a national organization for wound care practitioners. She serves on the Hub City Farmers Market Board in Spartanburg promoting health and wellness for the local community. Finally, she has enjoyed recent work with the College of Charleston’s Board of Advocates for the School of Sciences and Mathematics.

In addition to having a fulfilling career, Dr. Olson is most grateful for the support and encouragement of her husband, Ralph; sons, Riley and Cal; and daughter-in-law, Rebecca.

Pre-Medical Society's Outstanding Service Award in Medicine Past Recipients

*Deceased