Internal Medicine Residents Participate in Toy Drive

Dr. T.J. Hundley (center), assistant professor of internal medicine, poses with residents (from left) Dr. Sobia Ozair, Dr. William Hundley, Dr. Emile Kleyn, and Dr. Christina Huang.

Internal medicine residents at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine are collecting toys as part of a Christmas toy drive being run in conjunction across the state with all internal medicine residency programs under the American College of Physicians banner.

As of Dec. 18, 2013, the residents had collected approximately 40 toys. The toy drive ends Friday.

Holiday Greetings from USA Physicians Group

Happy holidays from the University of South Alabama Physicians Group. Watch the video below for a special greeting.


USA Physicians Group Holiday Card for 2013 from USA Health System on Vimeo.

Med School Café - Expert Advice for the Community

This week, Dr. Brooks Cash, professor of internal medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a gastroenterologist with USA Physicians Group, presented the December Med School Café lecture. The lecture, titled "Irritable Bowel Syndrome," had a total of 41 attendees.

During the talk, Dr. Cash discussed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder. He included information on the symptoms and causes of irritable bowel syndrome as well as strategies to manage the disorder.

The next Med School Café lecture will feature Dr. Marcus Tan, assistant professor of surgery at the USA College of Medicine. The lecture, "Surgery for Cancer: Myths and Modern Approaches," will take place Jan. 24, 2014.

If you are interested in attending, email kepartridge@usouthal.edu for more details. To learn more about the lectures, click here.

Dr. Townsley is Phi Kappa Phi Scholar of the Year

Dr. Mary Townsley, professor of physiology and internal medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, was recently selected as the Phi Kappa Phi Scholar of the Year, which honors one USA professor annually.

“There are many outstanding scholars here at the University of South Alabama,” said Dr. Townsley, “and I’m honored to be recognized.” This award, given by the USA chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, honors a teaching faculty member who embodies the ideals of life-long commitment to scholarly endeavors.

Selected for her extensive research and service to USA, Dr. Townsley received her first research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study pulmonary vascular function research in 1986. Her research pursuits continue to receive funding from NIH, as well as from other public and private agencies. She has published 100 academic articles and served as a mentor to future scientists, including postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate trainees.

Dr. Townsley, an outstanding scholar, also serves as associate dean for faculty affairs in the USA College of Medicine and the director of training programs in the USA Center for Lung Biology. She is the founder of the University Women in Science, a contributor to the Girls Exploring Math and Science (GEMS) workshop for middle school girls, as well as a recruiter of individuals from minority backgrounds into health professions and research careers.

“I believe that service is an integral part of being both an academician and a professional,” said Dr. Townsley. “Fortunately for me, service has almost always returned more to me than the effort invested, in terms of satisfaction and opportunities for networking.”

Biomedical Library Hosts Retirement Receptions

Barbara Lewis (center), Evelyn Reed (right), and Bonnie Seibert (left) pose for a picture during Lewis' retirement reception Dec. 6.

The University of South Alabama Biomedical Library hosted retirement receptions honoring Barbara Lewis on Dec. 6, 2013, and Evelyn Howard Reed on Dec. 13, 2013, at the USA Faculty Club.

Lewis, a library technical assistant, and Reed, library supervisor, both retired after 36 years of dedicated service to the university.

AOA Coat Drive - Donate Today

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine’s chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society is hosting a coat drive to benefit the homeless of Mobile. Collection boxes are located in the student affairs office of the medical sciences building on USA’s main campus, the USA Medical Center lobby, and the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital lobby.

The honor society is asking for new or gently used coats to be dropped off at collection centers before Dec. 20, 2013, in order for them to be distributed at a health fair for the homeless in January.

“This is a great opportunity to share some of our blessings with those who are less fortunate than us,” said Sarah Bragg, Alpha Omega Alpha president.

For more information on the coat drive, contact Bragg at seb907@jagmail.southalabama.edu.