USA Neurology to Host Spring Symposium

The University of South Alabama department of neurology will host a spring symposium on Friday, March 21, 2014, at Space 301 in Mobile, Ala. The event will offer a full day of continuing education sessions on topics ranging from vascular neurology and movement disorders to epilepsy, headache, and multiple sclerosis.

“Our goal in this endeavor is to showcase the outstanding array of services available to the patients and primary caregivers of the Southeast region via USA Neurology,” said Dr. Elizabeth Minto, assistant professor of neurology at the USA College of Medicine and a neurologist with USA Physicians Group. “This includes our clinics, our exceptional clinicians, and our state of the art Comprehensive Epilepsy and Neuroscience Center.”

This program is intended as an interdisciplinary conference for neurologists, primary care providers, nurses and health professionals throughout the Gulf Coast region. “From their attendance, these individuals will receive updates on best practice for patients with a broad spectrum of neurologic disease and updated information on how the faculty of the neurology department at USA can serve as a valuable resource,” said Dr. Minto.

Online registration is available at the USA CME website. The registration fee is waived for USA full time and adjunct faculty, students and residents. For this code, please contact Caroline Edwards (see below). USA adjunct faculty and RN/LPNs may attend at a rate of $20, and physicians not affiliated with USA may attend at a rate of $50.

The event will take place at Space 301,which is part of Mobile’s Centre for the Living Arts (CLA), a non-profit contemporary arts center located on Cathedral Square in the heart of Mobile’s historic downtown district. There is limited free parking adjacent to Space 301, as well as at the Cathedral next door. Additional paid parking is readily available. The USA College Of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 7 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

For additional information on the 2014 USA Neurology Spring Symposium contact Caroline Edwards at (251) 445-8292 or carolineedwards@health.southalabama.edu. To view the event brochure, click here.

USA Medical Student Matches Early in Ophthalmology

One medical student at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Robert “Evan” Levy, recently found out he matched in an early match program in ophthalmology.

“Ophthalmology is a very competitive residency,” said Dr. Susan LeDoux, associate dean for medical education and student affairs and professor and vice chair of the department of cell biology and neuroscience at USA.

The majority of medical students go through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) to find out where they will be doing their residency training following graduation, but students who wish to match in ophthalmology and urology participate in a specialty match program that takes place months before Match Day on March 21st.

Levy matched at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill’s Ophthalmology program. “I was overcome with excitement and relief.”

His interest in ophthalmology began when he witnessed a cataract surgery in high school. Levy volunteered at a hospital in Birmingham where he had the opportunity to view multiple cataract surgeries, as well as oculoplastics surgery.

He furthered his interest in ophthalmology by doing a year of research at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital the year before he started medical school.

While a third-year medical student, Levy shadowed several ophthalmologists in Mobile and Birmingham. “It reignited my interest, and I have been hooked ever since,” said Levy.

“We are extremely proud of Evan,” said Dr. LeDoux. “It is always rewarding when we have the opportunity to witness students fulfill their dreams.”Levy is the first physician in his immediate family. His hard work complemented by the instruction received from the USA College of Medicine has provided him the opportunity to pursue his career vision as an ophthalmologist.

This year, the USA College of Medicine's Match Day ceremony will take place March 21, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile.

RSVP Today - 2014 Oncology Outlook

The University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute is hosting a CME event, Oncology Outlook 2014, on March 14-15, 2014, at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort Golf Club & Spa in Point Clear, Ala.

This year's focus is on GI oncology and neuro-oncology. Keynote speakers include Dr. Burt Nabors, director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham neuro-oncology program, and Dr. Richard Goldberg, physician-in-chief of The Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

Dr. Ed Partridge, director of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, is this year’s luncheon speaker.

USA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. USA designates this educational activity for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM.

To view the brochure and complete schedule of events, click here. To register online, click here.

For more information contact Susan Crutchfield at scrutchfield@health.southalabama.edu or Sharrie Cranford at scranford@southalabama.edu.

Med School Café - Expert Advice for the Community

Last week, Dr. Elizabeth Minto, assistant professor of neurology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a neurologist with USA Physicians Group, presented the February Med School Café lecture. The lecture, titled "Migraine: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention," had a total of 50 attendees.

During the talk,  Dr. Minto discussed the diagnosis of migraine; current evidence on causes and mechanisms; treatment strategies and common pitfalls; and ways to prevent migraines, including both medications and some alternative therapies that have shown evidence of success.

The next Med School Café lecture will feature Dr. Donna Bennett, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the USA College of Medicine. The lecture will take place March 19, 2014.

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

March 6 DSS to Feature Dr. Christine M. Szymanski

Next week’s Distinguished Scientist Seminar at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine will feature Dr. Christine M. Szymanski, professor of biological sciences and Alberta Innovates Scholar at the University of Alberta in Alberta, Canada.

The lecture will take place March 6, 2014, at 4 p.m. in the first floor auditorium of the Medical Sciences Building on USA’s main campus.

Dr. Szymanski’s research involves examining host-pathogen interactions in order to understand and exploit virulence mechanisms used by bacteria colonizing mucosal surfaces.

After completing a B.S. degree at the University of Winnipeg with double majors in cooperative chemistry and molecular biology and four terms of research experience, she obtained her Ph.D. degree from the University of Alberta.

The lecture series is comprised of distinguished scientists from other academic institutions who are invited by the USA College of Medicine basic science departments to present a seminar showcasing their latest research findings. Faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to attend.

For more information on Dr. Szymanski’s research, click here.

To learn more about the lecture series, click here.