WellFest Speakers and Presenters
Craig Melvin
Craig Melvin is an award-winning news anchor on NBC News’ TODAY Show, a co-host of 3rd Hour TODAY, an anchor on MSNBC Live, and a host of Dateline. His breaking news coverage and reporting appears across all NBC News and MSNBC platforms. Prior to joining NBC News and MSNBC in July 2011, Melvin was a weekend anchor for WRC, an NBC owned-and-operated station in Washington, DC. Before that, Melvin earned acclaim as an evening news anchor at WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, which is also his hometown.
Melvin is a graduate of Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina where he serves on the board of trustees. He is an active member in several charities, including the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Melvin lives in Connecticut with his wife, awarding winning sportscaster Lindsay Czarniak, who is a Fox Sports reporter and the host of the podcast “The Artist and The Athlete.” They have a son and a daughter.
Meghan L. Businaro, DO
Meghan L. Businaro, DO, is a cardiologist with the Prisma Health Medical Group and a clinical assistant professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Dr. Businaro earned her undergraduate degree at Eastern Illinois University and her DO at Midwestern University-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her internship and residency in internal medicine were conducted at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL where she also completed her fellowship in cardiology.
Dr. Businaro is board certified in cardiology, echocardiology and nuclear medicine. She is the medical director for Prisma Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Columbia, South Carolina. Her interests are preventative cardiology, women’s heart disease and heart failure.
Ebony Hilton, MD
Ebony Hilton, MD, earned her degree from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 2008, after graduating magna cum laude from the College of Charleston with a triple major in biochemistry, molecular biology and inorganic chemistry. Dr. Hilton completed her anesthesiology residency at MUSC, and was awarded a fellowship in critical care medicine at the university. In 2013, she made history, becoming the first African American female anesthesiologist at MUSC since its opening in 1824.
Dr. Hilton’s passions center on exploring the issue of health disparities, particularly as it pertains to race, and bridging the gap between physicians and the communities they serve. Her work has led to her integration in the medical school curriculum, and have taken her across the globe to participate in numerous medical mission trips.
Now as a practicing physician and associate professor at the University of Virginia - Charlottesville, Dr. Hilton continues to drive change in marginalized populations. As medical director of GOODSTOCK Consulting, LLC, she works with companies to address local social issues that affect community health, such as education, transportation, food insecurity and housing. She is also a sought-after speaker on subjects related to health disparity and other issues plaguing at-risk communities.
Jaqui A Jones, MD
Jaqui A Jones, MD, is a family medicine physician with Prisma Health Family Medicine. Before joining Prisma Health, she was the family medicine chief resident at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, Il. She is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Medicine and received her bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from the University of Alabama.
Dr. Jones is an advocate for the overall health of her patients and cares for many patients with diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic health conditions. She recently became involved in community outreach to increase understanding and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines.
Jones has presented locally, regionally and nationally to help patients, including communities of color, understand the importance of protecting their health from specific diseases. Her professional and personal affiliations include being a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Saria Saccocio, MD
Saria Saccocio, MD, is the Prisma Health ambulatory chief medical officer and co-chair of Prisma Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force. Her leadership supports clinical integration, quality and patient safety, medical student and resident education. Prior to joining Prisma Health in 2017, she served as chief medical officer at Bon Secours St. Francis Health System in Greenville, South Carolina.
In addition to leading award-winning programs, her focus is continually improving the coordination and quality of care for patients. During Dr. Saccocio’s tenure, she served on a team receiving the distinguished honor by Truven Health Analytics as one of the 100 Top Hospitals Award Winner for achieving lower mortality rates, fewer complications, shorter patient stays and reduced readmission rates. Becker’s Hospital Review has recognized Dr. Saccocio as one of the top 100 Hospital and Health System CMOs to Know. She is a graduate of University of Florida College of Medicine and completed her family medicine residency with University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.