Thursday, April 28, 2016

COM Alum Dr. Anne Schott Presents Lecture

The University of South Alabama Medical Alumni Association recently hosted a lecture as part of its Distinguished Medical Alumni Speaker Series. The event featured Dr. Anne Schott, clinical professor of medicine in the division of hematology/oncology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Dr. Schott, a 1989 graduate of the USA College of Medicine, presented "From Mississippi to Michigan: Keeping an Open Mind" on April 14, 2016.

Dr. Schott's research interests include breast cancer therapeutics, clinical trials, imaging in oncology and incorporating -omics into clinical research. She currently serves as the deputy chair of SWOG, one of only four adult cancer research cooperative groups in the nation and is a federally funded organization that develops and publishes data on clinical trials. The importance of clinical trials is far reaching as the results set new standards of care both domestically and worldwide.

Click here to watch the lecture in its entirety. View more photos here.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Marymont Named VP for Medical Affairs, Dean of the College of Medicine

Dr. John V. Marymont has been named vice president for medical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama.

Marymont currently is chair of the department of orthopedics at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport.  He was selected following a nationwide search and will begin his USA career on July 1.

“First and foremost I was very impressed by the wonderful people at USA,” Marymont said of his visit to the University.  “I could feel the energy from students, staff, faculty and leadership.  There is a commitment to quality, leadership, diversity, education, service, academics, research and patient care.”

“John Marymont has the experience, skills and character needed to guide the University of South Alabama though changes and challenges in health care and lead our College of Medicine,” said Dr. Tony Waldrop, University president.  “Dr. Marymont will collaboratively seek innovative solutions and build on our excellent programs and strong foundation.”

An orthopedic surgeon by trade, Marymont has more than 20 years of broad-based executive experience in major academic medical centers.  In 1995, he began a 15-year career with the Baylor College of Medicine prior to moving to LSU where, for the last six years as part of numerous senior leadership teams and as interim dean, he helped lead the largest health care transition in Louisiana’s history. 

While the health care landscape is seemingly in a constant state of change, Marymont said this is nothing new.  “There have been challenging times in health care for as long as I can remember.  The key is to stay focused on our mission to deliver the best possible care to our patients, while providing excellent training to our students and residents and building our research enterprise.  Academic medicine is a very special and key element to this country’s health care infrastructure.”

And, Marymont says, the University of South Alabama is perfectly positioned to effect positive change in health care delivery.  “We hold the keys to the future of health care,” he said.  “We must be innovative and collaborative with other academic health care institutions in adjusting to changes and fighting for what we need to address the predicted health care workforce shortage.  We need adequate resources to ensure our physicians, nurses and allied health providers are well-trained.  We have to be part of the solution.”

Marymont graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Northwestern University and obtained his medical degree from Vanderbilt University.  He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, a sports medicine fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic, and a foot and ankle fellowship at the New England Baptist Hospital and Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston.  Marymont earned a certificate in medical and healthcare management as well as a master of business administration degree from the Jones School of Business at Rice University, where he was selected by the MBA faculty to receive the distinction of a “Jones Scholar” for his accomplishments.

In his new position, Marymont will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Medicine and will collaborate with Vice President for Health Systems Stan Hammack in overseeing the USA Health System.

As previously announced, Dr. Sam Strada, current dean of the University’s College of Medicine, will be stepping down from that position, which he has held for more than ten of his 33 years with USA.

USA Health to Offer Free Skin Cancer Screenings

USA Health will offer free skin cancer screenings for all USA Health and Dental Plan members on Monday, May 2, 2016, as part of Melanoma Monday, a national event held annually on the first Monday of May.

Appointments will be available from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at University Physicians Group, located at the University Commons.

According to Dr. Marcus Tan, assistant professor of surgery at the USA College of Medicine and a surgical oncologist with the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, the incidence of melanoma in the United States is rising more rapidly than for any other cancer. “In fact, one in every 55 individuals will develop melanoma. However, if caught early, it is curable in 90 percent of cases.”

There are several risk factors to consider in a melanoma diagnosis including family history of melanoma, prior melanoma, multiple pigmented skin lesions and some rare genetic syndromes. In addition, a history of extensive or severe sun exposure or severe sunburns may also contribute to the development of this potentially fatal cancer.

To schedule your free skin cancer screening, call 660-5787. USA Commons is located at 75 University Blvd. at the intersection of University Blvd. and Old Shell Road.

Dr. Kevin Green Discusses Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Dr. Kevin Green, associate professor of internal medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, recently spoke with FOX10 News about mosquito-borne illnesses to watch for this season.

No cases of the Zika virus have been reported in Mobile County, and Dr. Green said there are other mosquito-borne diseases that you're more likely to contract than Zika.

Click here to view the full story. To make an appointment with any USA physician, call 434-3711.