MUSC Health - Orangeburg

Dr. Nagaraj is an accomplished physician executive with over a decade of progressive leadership in hospital medicine, healthcare transformation, and academic medical education. He most recently served as Interim Specialty Medical Director and Section Chief of Hospital Medicine at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist-an academic hub of Advocate Health and led strategic initiatives across clinical operations, faculty development, and system-wide integration. Dr. Nagaraj brings a visionary approach to value-driven healthcare, combining clinical innovation with operational efficiency. He has launched and led innovative care models like Hospital at Home and Virtual Hospital, and driven multi-million dollar improvements in performance and efficiency. An academic leader, Dr. Nagaraj was a Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He holds an MPH from Texas A\&M University and completed his Medical School from JSS Medical College, India. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University at Buffalo. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a Senior Fellow of Hospital Medicine. A nationally recognized voice in relationship-centered communication, Dr. Nagaraj is a faculty with the Academy of Communication in Healthcare and currently serves on its Board of Directors. He has authored peer-reviewed publications on healthcare delivery innovation and continues to mentor the next generation of physician leaders through academic and professional development programs. With a passion for system transformation and team empowerment, Dr. Nagaraj exemplifies collaborative leadership in complex, matrixed healthcare environments.

Catherine M. Millender, MD, MHA is a board-certified physician specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine. A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Dr. Millender went on to complete her residency in internal medicine, where she was recognized with multiple awards for her excellence in critical care, including the *Outstanding ICU Resident Award*. She further advanced her expertise through fellowship training in pulmonary and critical care medicine, serving as Chief Fellow during her program. Dr. Millender has presented research at national and international conferences, including the American Lung Association Tristate Conference, CHEST International Conference, and Discover USC. Her academic contributions focus on conditions such as refractory hypotension, venovenous ECMO, and pleural sarcoid, earning her both national and international recognition for outstanding case presentations. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, Society for Critical Care Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians, and American College of Healthcare Executives. Dedicated to medical education, Dr. Millender has served as a lecturer and preceptor for medical students at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she was recently awarded the Fourth Year Preceptor of the Year Award. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as the Medical Director of Respiratory Services and is involved on many committees, especially those focusing on quality improvement. She recently earned her Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, and was honored with the Foster G. McGaw Scholarship Award in recognition of her academic excellence and dedication to public health improvement. Her career reflects a blend of clinical excellence, research, teaching, and community service, with a continued commitment to advancing quality patient care in the Intensive Care Unit.