Public Information and Community Outreach - About Us
A critical factor in the success of community development is being well-informed. The purpose of the Public Information and Community Outreach (PICO) Program is to help community leaders know how to access and obtain the information necessary to make decisions for the betterment of the communities they serve.
PICO is convinced that a healthy community recognizes the unique relationship between human health, environmental quality and protection, economic development and environmental justice. Rather than competing with or openly opposing each other, those interests and their constituencies must work together to create action. “Action” occurs when those with authority assume an informed and active leadership role.
The late Dr. David E. Rivers founded PICO, and his vision included “building and sustaining healthy communities nationwide”. Currently, under the direction of Dr. Latecia Abraham-Hilaire, PICO continues to conduct conferences, workshops, Made-for-Television dialogues thanks to our generous and long-standing sponsors:
The late Dr. David E. Rivers, DHL, MA
Professor and Director
riversd@musc.edu
843-792-5546
The late David E. Rivers, DHL, MA, served as Professor and Director of the Public Information and Community Outreach at the Medical University of South Carolina. He served the University in a number of capacities since January 1995.
During the past forty years, he held senior-level positions in the City of Atlanta government, the Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia State University, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Energy and the District of Columbia Government.
Dr. Rivers received his Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Affairs from Georgia State University and his Master of Arts degree in Political Science/Public Administration from Georgia State University, where he completed course work for the Ph.D. in Political Science. He was a graduate of the National Urban Fellows Program in Public Administration from Yale University. He was a graduate of the Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Program at Furman University and received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Allen University. In addition, Dr. Rivers served three years in the U.S. Army.
Dr. Rivers served as Board Chairman of the National Urban Fellows in New York, NY. He also served as Chairman of the James E. Clyburn Research and Scholarship Foundation. In addition, he served as President of the Jonathan Green Foundation. Dr. Rivers was Vice Chairman of the Sea Island Comprehensive Health Care Corporation. He was a member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, and the 100 Black Men of Charleston, SC. Dr. Rivers was a Board Member of the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, SC; My Brothers Keeper, Charleston, SC; National Council of La Raza ~ California State University Center for Latino Community Health in Monterey Bay, California; Allen University Board of Trustees in Columbia, SC; the Congressional Black Caucus Institute’s 21st Century Council Executive Committee; Advisory Board Member of Charleston First Reliance Bank; and the Trident Urban League. He also served as a Board Member of the Community Foundation and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. In addition, he was elected citywide to serve as a Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Charleston in 2003 and was re-elected in September of 2009 and 2015 unopposed, where he served as Vice Chairman.
Glenn Fleming, Ed.D
flemingg@musc.edu
843-792-5541
Glenn Fleming, Ed.D, is a Professor in the Department of Library Science and Informatics at the Medical University of South Carolina. Currently assigned to the Public Information and Community Outreach section, Dr. Fleming has been involved in educational support services and outreach activities for over 25 years.
Latecia M. Abraham-Hilaire, DHA, MHA
Associate Professor
abrahaml@musc.edu
843-792-5530
Latecia M. Abraham-Hilaire, DHA, MHA, serves as Associate Professor with Academic Affairs Faculty, Director of the Public Information and Community Outreach Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, and Principal Investigator of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Community Leaders Institute and Allen University’s Environmental Justice Institute. She serves as Chair of the Culturally Sensitive Care National Conference. Dr. Abraham-Hilaire is an author of articles in peer-reviewed journals. She has conducted research related to health and gender disparities.
Dr. Abraham-Hilaire received her Bachelor of Science with an option in Health Administration degree from Winthrop University. In addition, she earned a Master in Health Administration degree and a Doctor of Health Administration degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed Leadership South Carolina in 2001.
Dr. Abraham-Hilaire is a member of American College of Healthcare Executives, American Public Health Association, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has received the following accolades:
- Academic Affairs Faculty Member of the Year 2022,
- Black History Award in recognition of Outstanding Community Service 2023,
- Outstanding Facilitator of Interprofessional Courses Fall 2019 Award from MUSC’s Office of Interprofessional Initiatives,
- 2018 Bronze Telly Award,
- 2017 Allen University’s Twelfth Annual Richard Allen Award,
- SCPAAE Award,
- National Association of Health Services Executives’ Ellis J. Bonner Award,
Richard Jablonski
jablonsr@musc.edu
843-792-5548
Richard Jablonski is a Research Associate in the Department of Library Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he has worked in various capacities for 17 years. He currently serves the Public Information and Community Outreach section as author/editor of publications and Producer of made-for-television programs on minority health, energy security and emergency preparedness issues. He previously worked for daily newspapers in Upstate New York and Charleston, SC. Mr. Jablonski is a 1979 graduate of McGill University.
