Medical Affairs Committee advances three health‑board appointments

The South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs Committee voted to give favorable reports to three health‑sector nominations, advancing each to the Clerk of the Senate for the next step in confirmation.

Raymond Tiller, introduced as administrator at Compass Post Acute Rehab in Conway, was sworn in and told the committee he has been a licensed nursing‑home administrator for more than 25 years. “Taking care of the elderly is a calling,” Tiller said, and pledged to “serve with an open mind” and preserve residents’ dignity if confirmed.

Committee member Mr. Hogan led standard vetting, asking about conflicts of interest, prior arrests, investigations, tax liens, bankruptcy and disciplinary actions; Tiller answered “No” to those questions. After brief praise from senators, the committee made a motion, and by voice vote “the ayes have it,” advancing Tiller’s appointment.

The committee next reappointed Lindsey Mitcham to a public member seat on the South Carolina Board of Nursing. Mitcham, a Camden resident who said she has worked for the South Carolina Department of Corrections since 2016 recruiting and supporting medical and behavioral health staff, described the department’s nurse recruitment efforts and noted a rise in RN salaries from about $54,000 to approximately $84,000 in recent years. She said the work involves recruiting new graduates as well as experienced nurses and emphasized the board’s role in protecting public health and safety. After routine questions and expressions of appreciation, the committee voted favorably by voice to advance her reappointment.

The committee also approved the reappointment of Ricardo Holmes to the State Board of Occupational Therapy. Holmes introduced himself as a Columbia resident, a former military medic and long‑time board member since 2005 who has been recently promoted to chair of the Occupational Therapy Board. He described ongoing work on an interstate compact involving roughly 30 states and said he will continue to promote competence among occupational therapists and protect the public. The committee reviewed Holmes’s paperwork, thanked him for his service and gave a favorable voice vote to advance his reappointment.

All three items were carried forward by voice votes with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the committee transcript. The chair said the nominees will receive further communication from the Clerk of the Senate.