Trauma Resilience & Recovery Program

Ken Ruggiero, PhD, is Professor and SmartState Endowed Chair of the Technology Applications Center for Healthful Lifestyles (TACHL), as well as Director of the Telehealth Resilience and Recovery Program. He received his BA from the State University of New York at Buffalo and MA and PhD from West Virginia University, and completed his internship and NIMH postdoc at MUSC. Dr. Ruggiero’s research centers on the development, testing, and implementation of technology-enhanced interventions. Most of his early research focused on brief, web-based self-help interventions. Over time, this work evolved into the use and evaluation of technology-based stepped care approaches for victims of disaster and serious injury. He is PI on an active NIH grant (through 2021) to conduct a randomized controlled trial of Bounce Back Now, a smartphone-based intervention for disaster survivors in partnership with the American Red Cross. He is also Co-PI on an active Duke Endowment grant (through 2020) to adapt and implement the Telehealth Resilience and Recovery Program in three partnering trauma centers in South Carolina.

Dr. Tatiana Davidson is a tenured professor of Nursing and Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is the Endowed Chair of Innovation in Behavioral Health and director of the Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health Nursing in the College of Nursing. Her research has focused on the development, evaluation, and implementation of technology-enhanced resources and clinical programs to improve access and quality of care available to youth, adults, and families who develop mental health conditions secondary to traumatic events. To this end, Dr. Davidson has acted as principal investigator and co-investigator in numerous well-designed and federally, state, and foundation-funded (i.e., National Institutes of Health, Duke Endowment Foundation, Victims of Crime Program) studies focused on the development, evaluation, and implementation of technology-enhanced clinical programs and interventions for addressing health (e.g., diabetes) and mental health (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder) problems among trauma-affected children, teens, and adults.

Leigh Ridings, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She received her BS from the University of Kentucky and PhD from Oklahoma State University with an emphasis in clinical child psychology. She completed her internship at Baylor College of Medicine and her postdoctoral research fellowship at MUSC. Dr. Ridings is the Associate Director of Child and Family Services for the Trauma Resilience and Recovery Program (TRRP) at MUSC, an interdisciplinary service that provides evidence-based mental health screening, education, and treatment for children and adults hospitalized for traumatic injury.

Dr. Anton is a Postdoctoral Fellow with TRRP. She is a clinical psychologist and supports research and clinical initiatives.

Ms. Winkelmann is the Program Manager of TRRP and a licensed professional counselor. She leads the program data management and supports research initiatives.

Ms. Eilers is the Program Coordinator and Training Manager of TRRP. She coordinates patient care and trainings through the clinic. She also leads daily operations.

Ms. Mack is a program coordinator with TRRP. She supports daily operations including screening, treatment, coordinating patient care, and research initiatives.