Columbia, SC – Jane M. Charles, MD, recently retired from MUSC Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, has been awarded The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence's (CCME) 2021 Timothy S. Llewelyn, MD, Memorial Award in recognition for her outstanding achievements in health care quality and service to the medical community and specialized care and advocacy services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Dr. Charles' dedication to medical care for children with ASD includes spearheading research for South Carolina patients, placing her as a forefront expert and advocate for patients and their families. She is considered by her colleagues as a "tireless advocate for people with autism in South Carolina for decades." Dr. Charles has been a key member of the SC Act Early team that has aided individuals with ASD in accessing needed medical services, including diagnostic and intervention services.

"I am honored to win this year's Llewelyn Memorial Award," said Dr. Charles. "I believe that health care providers should be the best advocate for patients. For years my role has been supporting parents of my patients as they access needed services. CCME's role complements that of providers like myself, supporting the larger picture of advocacy for patients as a group by keeping agencies within policy and high standards."

"CCME is honored to award Dr. Charles the Llewelyn Memorial Award for her many years of commitment and service to South Carolina patients with autism," said John R. Mangum, MD, Chairman of CCME's Board of Directors. "She exemplifies the qualities and dedication in the medical field that this award represents."

CCME bestows the Llewelyn Memorial Award to physicians in South Carolina demonstrating outstanding achievements in health care and service in the medical community and for residents. It was established in 2014 to honor the life and memory of one of its long-serving board members, Timothy S. Llewelyn, MD, who passed away in 2014. An internist, Dr. Llewelyn was highly regarded for his integrity, compassion, and expertise in patient care for 30 years and resided in Spartanburg, SC.

For more information about the Llewelyn Memorial Award, please visit: www.thecarolinascenter.org/awards/llewelyn-memorial-award.