USA Scientist Dr. Glenn Wilson is ‘Best Mobilian Right Now’

Dr. Glenn Wilson, professor and chair of cell biology and neuroscience at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, has been named the "Best Mobilian Right Now" by Lagniappe, a newspaper in Mobile.

The award is a top honor among the 200 categories Lagniappe readers vote on annually in their readers' choice awards. The award categories range from Hardest Working Elected Official to Best Sweet Tea.

Dr. Wilson was awarded for his work with Dr. Mark Gillespie, USA professor and chair of pharmacology, in creating a drug that attaches to the mitochondria of a cell and repairs organ damage.

“This award is the product of 30 years of research being made into something that is translational,” said Dr. Wilson, who has been teaching at USA since 1980.

According to Dr. Wilson, there are numerous potential applications of the drug. “Our long-term hope is that it will slow down the growth of cancer cells and help treat patients with sepsis,” explained Dr. Wilson, the first USA scientist to hold this title. “In the short term, it will provide treatments for heart attack, stroke and lung and other organ transplants.”

“We received thousands of ballots from our readers, and Dr. Wilson won the title of ‘Best Mobilian Right Now,’” said Ashley Toland-Trice, co-publisher and editor of Lagniappe. “This title is awarded to a citizen that the readers feel is currently doing something significant for the community. We certainly agree with their choice this year.”

The drug was patented and copyrighted to USA and, in turn, licensed to Exscien, a company started by Drs. Wilson and Gillespie along with Steve and Christine Cumbie. The drug is currently undergoing the approval process with the Federal Drug Administration.

To read the full article published by Lagniappe, click here.

Snapshots: USA College of Medicine History

Forty years ago this past January, the USA College of Medicine admitted its first class of medical students. As we look back at the medical school’s four decades of history, each week we will post several photos and look forward to your responses as far as memories and details surrounding the images.

To view last week's featured photos, click here.

USA College of Medicine Class of 1991

USA College of Medicine 2008 Match Day Ceremony

Dr. Arnold Luterman, professor of surgery at the USA College of Medicine

Retirement Reception Honors Mel Leggett

Mel Leggett with his wife, Carla, at his retirement reception on July 26

The University of South Alabama Physicians Group recently hosted a retirement reception honoring Mel Leggett, practice director of internal medicine and neurology at USA. The reception was held on July 26, 2013, at the USA Medical Center.

Harvey Ikner, chief of practice operations for the USA Health Services Foundation, said Leggett has been a great asset to the organization for more than 11 years. "Mel brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Health Services Foundation," Ikner said. "He will be missed, but we wish him well in retirement."

To view more photos from Leggett's retirement reception, click here.

Vince Gill, who has more than 20 years of health care management experience, will be assuming the duties vacated by Leggett. Click here to learn more about Gill.


USA Physician Weighs in on Health of Alabama's Residents

Dr. Allen Perkins, professor and chair of family medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, recently wrote a guest column featured on al.com.

In his column he discusses three steps that could make Alabama the healthiest state in the South.

To read the full article, click here.

USA Welcomes Dr. Marcus Tan

Dr. Marcus Tan was recently appointed as assistant professor of surgery at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.

Dr. Tan earned his medical degree at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. After completing an internship at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, Australia, he moved to the United States.

At Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., he completed a general surgery residency, serving as chief resident in 2010-11. From 2011-2013, Dr. Tan served as a surgical oncology fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Dr. Tan is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a candidate member of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA), and the Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). His research on pancreatic cancer and colorectal liver metastasis has been presented at numerous national meetings and published in journals including Annals of Surgery, Clinical Cancer Research and the Journal of Immunology.

Dr. Tan’s clinical interests are in complex surgical oncology, including cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas, sarcoma and melanoma.

Dr. Tan will see patients at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. He is now accepting new patients and referrals. To make an appointment, call 251-445-8405.