University Hospital first in Alabama to adopt new diagnostic tool for sepsis

Edward A. Panacek, M.D., MPH, co-authored a

manuscript on the clinical validation of the

TriVerity test for sepsis.

By Lindsay Hughes

USA Health University Hospital is the first and only hospital in Alabama to implement a breakthrough blood test that helps emergency clinicians rapidly identify and treat sepsis and other acute infections with unprecedented accuracy.

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s extreme response to infection, affects more than 1.7 million people in the United States each year. Early detection and treatment are crucial.

The TriVerity Test System, developed by California-based Inflammatix, measures the body’s immune response to infection using a small blood sample. Within about 30 minutes, artificial intelligence algorithms analyze biomarkers to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections and non-infectious inflammation, while also predicting illness severity in patients with suspected infection or sepsis. The rapid test enables physicians to make faster, more confident treatment decisions — improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics and hospital resources.

University Hospital played a pivotal role in validating the new test as one of 22 emergency departments in the United States and Europe to participate in the SEPSIS-SHIELD study. Across more than 1,200 patients, the study demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, confirming the test’s reliability in real-world clinical settings. Based on these findings, TriVerity received clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2025.

Study results were published in Nature Medicine, a high-impact, peer-reviewed journal, in a series of three manuscripts in September 2025. Edward A. Panacek, M.D., MPH, professor and chair of emergency medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine, is co-author of the manuscript “Clinical validation of an AI-based blood testing device for diagnosis and prognosis of acute infection and sepsis.”

“This test is a gamechanger in the ER evaluation of potential sepsis patients,” Panacek said. “For the first time, we have a tool that can both improve patient care and reduce costs. Physicians can now use a simple blood test like TriVerity to identify which patients with sepsis need aggressive therapy and which might be harmed by it.”

The findings also suggest that drug companies can design smarter trials by targeting therapies to patients most likely to benefit, Panacek noted. “The results support a move away from the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to sepsis care and toward the adoption of precision medical care in the ER and ICU, a shift that can save lives worldwide,” he said.

Jordan Sahawneh, RN, demonstrates the

TriVerity test at University Hospital. 

Josh Snow, MSHA, chief executive officer of University Hospital, said the hospital’s participation in the clinical study and early adoption of the TriVerity test underscore USA Health’s commitment to improving outcomes for patients and their families.

“Being the first hospital in Alabama to implement this groundbreaking diagnostic tool reflects our dedication to advancing patient care through innovation,” Snow said. “Early and accurate detection of sepsis saves lives, and this technology gives our clinicians the insight they need to act quickly and confidently.”

Kristen Noles, DNP, CNL, director of quality and performance improvement for USA Health, said the new technology reflects the health system’s ongoing efforts to combine innovation with compassionate care.

“Innovation means the most when it transforms how we care for people in their most vulnerable moments, with speed, accuracy and compassion,” Noles said. “This innovation not only transforms how quickly we can diagnose and treat sepsis but also helps us identify patients who can safely recover at home. By reducing unnecessary hospital stays, we create capacity to care for others in need — extending our mission of healing to even more patients and families."

Learn more about Inflammatix and the TriVerity Test System at inflammatix.com.

Internal medicine resident presents at international nephrology conference

Ekta Khubchandani, M.D.

By Michelle Ryan-Day

Ekta Khubchandani, M.D., a third-year internal medicine resident at USA Health, recently presented a research poster at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2025 in Houston.  

Her case report focused on a rare kidney disorder, C1q nephropathy, which typically appears in childhood or early adulthood but can sometimes manifest during pregnancy. The presentation described a 41-year-old patient who developed edema, high blood pressure, and proteinuria in the second trimester, later complicated by fetal growth restriction and intrauterine fetal demise.   

The case underscores the importance of early recognition and management of unusual renal diseases during pregnancy to reduce maternal and fetal complications.  

“ASN 2025 marked my first international conference, where I had the opportunity to present my poster on C1q nephropathy in a pregnant woman,” Khubchandani said. “The event was buzzing with innovation, energy, and collaboration — truly inspiring to see how far nephrology has progressed. With so many ongoing studies and groundbreaking trials, I’m hopeful for a future where kidney diseases become not just manageable, but curable.”  

Kidney Week, hosted by the American Society of Nephrology, is one of the largest gatherings of kidney professionals in the world, bringing together experts and trainees to share the latest research and clinical advances.  

To learn more about the event, visit ASN Kidney Week 2025.  

Plash shares insight on wilderness medicine education

The wilderness medicine elective provides hands-on learning opportunities for students in resource-limited natural environments.  

Walker Plash, M.D.

Walker Plash, M.D., an ardent outdoorsman and associate professor of emergency medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine, recently shared his expertise in the latest edition of Wilderness Medicine Magazine.

Plash serves as associate director of the Department of Emergency Medicine’s Wilderness Medicine Program and co-director of the wilderness medicine elective for senior medical students. A Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, Plash is an expert in plant and animal toxins, particularly copperhead envenomation. An avid camper, backpacker and paddler, he also has a special interest in injuries related to canoeing and kayaking.

In the online publication of the Wilderness Medical Society, Plash co-authored an article titled “Starting a Wilderness Medicine Student Elective: A Step-by-Step Guide.” The piece covers topics such as curriculum design, core content, teaching and evaluation methods, funding and recruitment.

Students carry a fallen 'hiker' during a 

simulation in the wilderness. 

One of the article’s key recommendations is to “add your unique flavor” when developing a wilderness medicine program, highlighting the natural features, experiences and faculty expertise that set each institution apart. At the University of South Alabama, that means leveraging the distinctive environment of the Gulf Coast and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. 

Through hands-on wilderness learning opportunities, the program aims to equip future doctors with the skills they need to respond to natural disasters, search-and-rescue operations, and humanitarian crises.

Learn more about the Wilderness Medicine Program. 

USA Health resident presents at national cardiology conference

Pavel Hurtado Cabrera, M.D., presents at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

By Michelle Ryan-Day

Pavel Hurtado Cabrera, M.D., a second-year internal medicine resident at USA Health, recently presented his research at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions, held this month in New Orleans.  

The annual conference brings together thousands of cardiovascular professionals from around the world to share leading-edge research and clinical advancements in heart and vascular care. USA Health’s internal medicine faculty also had a presence at the national meeting, including Angel Gonzalez Rodriguez, M.D., a hospitalist and assistant professor of internal medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine, who participated remotely.  

Hurtado presented a clinical case study titled, “Pulmonary Embolism Presenting with Classical S1Q3T3 Pattern on Electrocardiogram: Implications for Hemodynamic Instability,” developed in collaboration with colleagues from Larkin Community Hospital and the University of South Alabama.  

The presentation highlighted a case of acute pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition caused by a blood clot obstructing the pulmonary arteries. The research emphasized the diagnostic and prognostic significance of the S1Q3T3 electrocardiographic pattern, traditionally associated with right heart strain and hemodynamic instability.   

Using ECG tracings and CT imaging, Hurtado and his co-authors illustrated the importance of early recognition and intervention in improving patient outcomes.  

“I was honored to take part in the AHA Scientific Sessions, an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and grow professionally,” Hurtado said.  

Participation in national conferences such as the AHA Scientific Sessions highlights USA Health’s commitment to advancing academic medicine and fostering professional development among its residents and faculty.  

To learn more about the event, visit AHA Scientific Sessions.  

Grelet honored by international society for ‘groundbreaking’ work in mitochondrial biology

Simon Grelet, Ph.D., presents his research at the World Mitochondria Society conference in Berlin.

By Carol McPhail

Cancer researcher Simon Grelet, Ph.D., has been honored by the World Mitochondria Society for achieving the year’s most significant scientific advance in the field of mitochondrial biology. 

Grelet, an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, was awarded the Best Scientific Contribution Award 2025 for his research on nerve-to-cancer mitochondria transfer. He presented his work and served as a session co-chair at the society’s conference Oct. 22-24 in Berlin. 

In announcing the award, the society called Grelet’s presentation “groundbreaking.” 

“This award celebrates not only scientific excellence but also the spirit of dynamic mitochondrial medicine connecting metabolism, communication, and therapy,” the society said in its announcement. “Dr. Simon Grelet’s discovery redefines how we understand mitochondria not as static powerhouses, but as mobile organelles shaping cancer evolution and system health.” 

In his presentation, “Nerve-to-Cancer Mitochondrial Transfer: A Key Driver of Metastasis,” Grelet revealed a transformative mechanism by which neurons transfer their mitochondria to cancer cells, fueling their metabolic flexibility and metastatic potential. His team utilized advanced in vivo and in vitro models and the MitoTRACER genetic system they have designed to trace the fate of cancer cells that acquired neuronal mitochondria, discovering that these cells are more likely to succeed in forming distant metastasis. The findings were published earlier this year in the scientific journal Nature. 

“This work uncovers a new and profound biological dialogue between the nervous system and cancer,” the society said. 

Grelet, whose research has attracted global attention, is a recipient of the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute MERIT Award and the recent recipient of the 2025 Mayer Mitchell Award for Excellence in Cancer Research at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Grelet is also lead inventor on a U.S. patent application describing methods to track mitochondria transfer between cells. 

“This award is a fitting recognition of Dr. Grelet’s exceptional achievements and clear affirmation of the international impact of his research,” said Christopher Davies, Ph.D., associate dean for research at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “With his group’s recent Nature publication, his NIH MERIT award and the Mayer Mitchell Award, it’s been a remarkable year for Dr. Grelet – and one that sets the stage for even greater discoveries ahead.”