USA College of Medicine Mourns Loss of Sandy Worley

Sandy Worley, secretary in the physiology department at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, passed away on Feb. 14, 2011.

Worley has been with the University for 29 years, working closely with medical and graduate students in the College of Medicine.

As a cancer survivor, she participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life for many years and was also a strong supporter of the American Heart Association's Gumbo Cook-offs and the American Heart Association's Heart Runs.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A "Celebration of Life" service will follow at 11 a.m. All services will take place at the Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home at 27409 U.S. Hwy. 98, Daphne, Ala., 36526.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
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"Sandy was not just a good friend, she was like a sister to me. We were often together, at work and outside of work. Her laugh was priceless, and we laughed a lot! We truly had fun together and that made work a joy every day. I will miss her with all my heart. My very dear friend." Penny Cook

"Sandy had the best sense of humor and made coming to work a fun experience. She was a wonderful lady to work with, and she will be greatly missed." Kelli Roberson

"She was a beloved co-worker and dear friend to many. She will be deeply missed by the entire University family." Ashley Turbeville

"Sandy was one of those people that everyone wants as a work colleague, as well as a friend. There was no task too large or too small. If you needed help, Sandy was there with her good nature and knowledge. She will be missed for so many reasons, but most of all because she was just plain wonderful and we loved her." Judi Naylor

"Dearest friend and co-worker, Sandy was one of the most generous people I've had the privilege to know and work with. In the workplace, she was quick to give of her time and share her expertise. Sandy's generosity extended to her eagerness to welcome everyone into the Physiology family's daily workings, as well as special events, both in and apart from the department. She was family. Sandy shared so much of herself with many of us, on and off campus, on so many occasions." Lanette Flagge

2011 Sickle Cell Conference Set For April 9 - Make Plans To Attend

Dr. Jane S. Hankins

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine will be hosting the 2011 Sickle Cell Conference on April 9, 2011.

The conference, “Practical Issues XI: Cost Containment of Healthcare Delivery in the Era of Healthcare Reform,” will be held at the USA Student Center Ballroom from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Educational credits are available.

Dr. Jane S. Hankins, assistant faculty member in the hematology department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, will be the keynote speaker for the conference. She will lecture on “The Use of Hydroxyurea in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease.”

The conference will begin with a healthcare reform update given by Dr. Allen Perkins, professor and chair of family medicine at USA.

Dr. Johnson Haynes Jr., professor and director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at USA, will lecture on “Multi-organ Failure Syndrome in SCD,” and the luncheon speaker will feature Karen F. Marlowe, assistant dean of Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy at the USA campus. She will speak on “Opioid REMS: Potential To Change Us All.”

In addition, Dr. Abdul Siddiqui, assistant professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at USA, will present “Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Sickle Cell Disease.” The conference will conclude with “Management of Catheter-related Infections,” given by Dr. John A. VandeWaa, professor and director of the division of infectious diseases at USA.

Dr. Hankins received her medical degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Her clinical interests include decision-making in sickle cell disease, new therapeutic approaches in sickle cell disease, long-term effects of hydroxyurea in sickle cell patients, and iron overload.

To win free admittance to the 2012 Sickle Cell Conference, register for this year’s conference by March 25, 2011, at 5 p.m. The drawing for the free admittance will be held on April 9, 2011. Participants must be present to win.

To register for the conference, visit http://www.usa-cme.com/. For additional information contact Marilyn Chancellor at (251) 470-5893 or e-mail mchancel@usouthal.edu.

Med School Café - Expert Advice for the Community

This month's Med School Café lecture, "Understanding Seizures: A Real Brain Storm," was given by Dr. Juan Ochoa, associate professor of neurology at the University of South Alabama. The lecture was held at Little Sisters of the Poor and had a total of 53 attendees.

Video from this lecture will be posted online by next week. To read more about the lecture, click here.

The next Med School Café lecture will be held on March 31, 2011, and will feature Dr. Carlo Contreras, a surgical oncologist with the department of surgery at the USA College of Medicine. Dr. Contreras' talk is titled "Ten Things Mobilians Can Do To Significantly Reduce Their Cancer Risk."  If you are interested in attending, email kebarnes@usouthal.edu for details.

Mark Your Calendar - Women's Imaging Conference

The University of South Alabama department of obstetrics/gynecology will host the third annual Women's Imaging Conference on April 9, 2011, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Atlantis Room in the CWEB II building.

The conference will update healthcare community professionals about the ever-changing field of women's imaging. Participants will be able to identify current topics of relevance impacting the field of sonography and women’s health, as well as utilize new information in the clinical practice of sonography.

Conference speakers and their presentations include: Dr. Stacey Black, Breast Imaging; Dr. Botros Rizk, Ultrasound Assisted Reproductive Therapy; Dr. Lynn Batten, Fetal Cardiology; Dr. Susan Baker, Ventral Wall Defects; Cherie Pohlmann, Ultrasound Standards; Dr. Robert Stauffer, Growth Restriction; Dr. Sheri Owens, Adnexal Masses; and Dr. Brad Steffler, Interventional Radiology.

The registration fee is $75 for sonographers, radiographers and nurses; $100 for physicians; and $50 for students and residents. After March 10, the registration fees will go up. The fee includes educational materials, breaks and meals.

The USA College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of eight American Medical Association (AMA) credits. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) credits approval is pending.

To register, contact Missy McCreary at (251) 415-1563.