USA Welcomes Dr. Preston Daugherty

Dr. Preston Daugherty recently was appointed adjunct assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and will serve as a part-time orthopaedic surgeon with USA Physicians Group.

Dr. Daugherty earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala. He completed his internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Ala. He completed his residency training in orthopedics at the University of Alabama Hospital and Clinics. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons and is board certified.

Prior to joining USA, Dr. Daugherty has had a long private practice career in Mobile. Most recently he practiced with the Alabama Orthopaedic Clinics. He is a member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Alabama Orthopaedic Society and the Clinical Orthopaedic Society. 

Dr. Daugherty sees patients at 2 Medical Park. To make an appointment, call (251) 665-8200.

Department of Defense Awards DxDiscovery Inc. and USA College of Medicine $1M for Research

DxDiscovery Inc. and the University of South Alabama College of Medicine recently were awarded a $1 million Phase II small business innovation research (SBIR) contract to continue efforts aimed at developing safe and effective ways to combat diseases caused by pathogenic Burkholderia species.

Burkholderia species cause significant morbidity and mortality in human populations, and infections caused by these bacteria are often difficult to diagnose.

The current award will enable Dr. Mary Burtnick, assistant professor of microbiology at the USA College of Medicine, and Dr. Paul Brett, associate professor of microbiology at the USA College of Medicine, to assess the protective capacity of several carbohydrate-specific monoclonal antibodies that have recently been generated in collaboration with DxDiscovery. DxDiscovery is a biotechnology research and development firm. Their goal is to develop quality, high-affinity antibodies to microbial antigens.

“The ultimate goal of the project is to develop humanized monoclonal antibodies that will serve as novel vaccines and immunotherapeutics to prevent and/or treat melioidosis and glanders,” Dr. Burtnick said.

Melioidosis and glanders are emerging infectious diseases that do not currently have licensed vaccines.

“This research is important because diagnosis and treatment of melioidosis and glanders is challenging, and without appropriate antibiotic treatment, acute infections can be fatal,” Dr. Brett said.

The research continues a long-time collaboration between Dr. Mark Hubbard and Dr. David AuCoin at DxDiscovery, and Drs. Burtnick and Brett at USA.

Employee Benefits Fair Takes Place This Week

The University of South Alabama human resources office will host the 2015 Employee Benefits Fair on Nov. 5-6, 2015.

The fair will be held at the following locations:

USA Children's & Women's Hospital
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015
CWEB 2 - Atlantis Room
8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

USA Medical Center
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015
Cafeteria
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

USA Main Campus
Friday, Nov. 6, 2015
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
USA Student Center - Second Floor Ballroom

The University of South Alabama Physicians Group will have a booth at the fair, and vendor representatives will be available for inquiries regarding employee benefits. There will also be giveaways, door prizes and refreshments.

All employees are encouraged to attend. For additional information on the event, contact USA Human Resources at (251) 460-6133.

COM Alum Dr. John LeDoux Speaks at Medical Alumni Association Lecture

The University of South Alabama Medical Alumni Association recently hosted a lecture featuring Dr. John LeDoux, cardiologist at Cardiology Associates of Mobile.

Dr. LeDoux’s lecture was titled “Integrated Work and Life: Pathways in Cardiology.” During the talk, Dr. Ledoux discussed the recent advances in cardiology care and how to achieve a balance between the demands of work and life.

Dr. LeDoux, a 2002 graduate of the USA College of Medicine, completed his undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University in chemical engineering. He worked as a process engineer prior to starting medical school at USA. He completed his residency at USA and a fellowship in adult cardiovascular diseases and interventional cardiology at the University of Texas Health and Science Center.

Click here to view more photos from the event.