Thursday, August 4, 2011

New Administrative Appointments Announced

Dr. Jonathan G. Scammell, professor and chair of the department of comparative medicine at the University of South Alabama, has been appointed assistant dean for admissions, effective Aug. 1, 2011.

He will lead the effort to review and modify the admissions policies, procedures, and practices towards the goal of admitting a diverse group of students who will successfully enter the practice of medicine.

Dr. Scammell joined the faculty in the USA College of Medicine in 1986 as assistant professor of pharmacology. In addition to his position as professor and chair of comparative medicine, Dr. Scammell also serves as professor of pharmacology and a member of the graduate program in basic medical sciences.

He has served on and chaired the admissions committee and has been involved in the interview process and recruitment of new students for the University’s Early Acceptance Program (EAP).  Dr. Scammell brings a faculty perspective, extensive academic and administrative experience, and a strong record and commitment to excellence to this new position.

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The USA College of Medicine has created a new Office for Diversity and Cultural Competence that will be headed by an assistant dean. Dr. Johnson Haynes, professor of internal medicine at the USA College of Medicine, will oversee this office, effective Aug. 1, 2011.

Dr. Haynes will provide the leadership needed to improve the recruitment and retention of a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff, together with enhancing the curriculum and training programs in order to improve the cultural competence of our graduating students and residents.

The new assistant dean will work with the Center for Healthy Communities to maximize efforts toward enhancing the pipeline of students drawn from underserved communities, especially those suffering from health disparities; the Admissions Office of the College of Medicine to ensure that the admissions process provides increased focus on admitting students who will add to the diversity of the school; and the Offices of Student Affairs, Undergraduate Medical Education and Graduate Medical Education  to improve retention and performance of students and residents and enhance awareness and understanding of issues of cultural competence in preparing them to enter the practice of medicine in the 21st Century.

Dr. Haynes is a 1980 graduate of the USA College of Medicine and joined the faculty in 1984 following completion of a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonary medicine. He currently holds the positions of professor of internal medicine in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine, as well as director of the USA Sickle Cell Center. He brings a wealth of academic and administrative experience and both the interest and commitment to this new and expanded effort to improve diversity and enhance cultural competence of students, faculty, and staff within the College.