Friday, September 11, 2009

USA Pediatrician Featured in September Mobile Bay Monthly


Dr. Jessican Kirk is featured in this month's Mobile Bay Monthly.  The article - "The New Brain Trust" -  notes Dr. Kirk's efforts in preventing child abuse and her care for children who are victims of abuse.  Dr. Kirk is an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at USA.  The September issue of Mobile Bay Monthly is available at local bookstores.

Dr. Errol Crook Talks About Healthcare Reform




WPMI spoke with Dr. Errol Crook, chair of the Internal Medicine at USA, about the president's healthcare reform initiative.  Follow this link for story - http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/story/Locals-react-to-health-care-debate/H5kFLP-cP0CG8anGDLCBMw.cspx .

South Alabama gears up for flu season | Fox10tv.com

Beverly Kellen, practice director for the USA Student Health Center, talks with WALA about the University's efforts to keep students healthy this flu season.  Follow this link for the story -  South Alabama gears up for flu season | Fox10tv.com

Med students await health care speech | Fox10tv.com




WALA interviews Grant Zarzour, COM junior class president, and Dr. Errol Crook, chair of Internal Medicine, in advance of President's address to congress this week.  Follow this link for story - Med students await health care speech | Fox10tv.com .

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Study: Smaller Dose Equally Effective Prep

The work of Dr. Jack A. Di Palma, a gastroenterologist and professor of internal medicine at the University of South Alabama, was recently published in the current issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. The study evaluates a new, colon-cleansing solution to prepare adults for a colonoscopy.

For a colonoscopy to be performed properly, the colon must be free of solid matter. Current colon-cleansing solutions are isotonic, meaning patients must ingest upwards of a gallon of fluid for effective purging. Patients often complain of the amount of solution that must be ingested.

Dr. Di Palma said the low-volume, oral sulfate solution in the study provides a more tolerable way of preparing the bowel for colonoscopy. “The study confirmed that this new solution produces the same degree of cleansing as other solutions,” he said. “In addition, preparation-related symptoms of cramping, bloating, nausea, and vomiting were generally mild and infrequent.”

A colonoscopy is an exam used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It is often used as a standard procedure for detecting colon cancer.

During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube is inserted into the rectum. A tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon. If necessary, abnormal tissue can be removed through the scope during a colonoscopy.

Dr. Di Palma is medical director of the USA Digestive Health Center and director of the division of gastroenterology at USA. His special interests include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, acid reflux, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers. The USA Digestive Health Center is located at Infirmary West Pavilion.

To view article, follow this link - http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/v104/n9/full/ajg2009389a.html .

Med Students - In Their Own Words

We caught up with several third-year medical students at USA Medical Center who were quickly eating lunch before an afternoon lecture started.

These juniors, who transitioned to clinical training back in June, shared their experiences from the first several months of training in the hospitals.  Click here to view - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncc0TGoSRTo .

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Spotted at Jags Football Game

The University of South Alabama Football team played their inaugural game on Saturday and were victorious over Hargrove Military Academy with a 30-13 win.

Medical school faculty, staff and alums were among the 26,000+ fans cheering on the Jags.