Gwendolyn (Gwen) Thompson serves as director of Healthcare Quality for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Healthcare Quality's primary purpose is to work together with health care facilities and services to protect the public's health by assuring that safe, quality care is provided. Its programs and staff utilize licensing and regulatory tools and provide a consistent, strong approach to protecting health. Healthcare Quality programs touch every hospital, nursing home, emergency medical service, and pharmacy in South Carolina.

Thompson has been a member of the DHEC team since 1990. During her more than three decade-long career with the agency, she has held numerous positions within Healthcare Quality. This includes spending 25 years with DHEC’s Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing where she most recently served as bureau chief. In addition, she has held increasing leadership positions within the department as a field manager, assistant director, and director.

Thompson earned her bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina.