The events were held to celebrate the opening of the building and to honor Dr. Samuel J. Strada, dean emeritus of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, and his late wife, Judy.
At USA, there are only two examples of the institution naming a building in honor of the impact made by a person during their career and life. The first is the Frederick Palmer Whiddon Administration Building, named in honor of USA’s founding president Dr. Whiddon. The second is the Strada Patient Care Center named in honor of both Dr. Strada and Judy for their collective, indelible impact on the advancement of medicine, as well as their generosity to their community.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, USA President Dr. Tony G. Waldrop discussed the significance of the building. “Inside the building are clinics filled with dedicated, caring professionals who provide health and wellness to those who are sick and injured,” Dr. Waldrop said. “Also ever-present are our faculty who mentor and provide medical educational opportunities to those who are dedicating their lives to serving others, as well as clinical investigators providing an environment where new and better treatments are made available. All of these things will be part of the Strada Patient Care Center and are all a tribute to both Sam and Judy Strada.”
During the grand opening celebration, speakers recalled personal memories shared with Dr. Strada and Judy, discussed the reasoning behind naming the building in their honor, and outlined the significance of the Strada Patient Care Center for USA Health.
Dr. John Marymont, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the USA College of Medicine, thanked the people who work in the Strada Patient Care Center. “Today we celebrate the completion of a building. For you, it is a beginning. Each day moving forward, your talents and expertise that you share along with your compassion and dedication to our patients and their families are what make this new building such a special place.”
The grand opening ceremony concluded by unveiling a plaque dedicated to the Stradas that will be placed at the entrance of the Strada Patient Care Center.
A large portion of the USA Physicians Group practice including general pediatrics, pediatric subspecialties, obstetrics and gynecology, neurosciences and orthopaedics, X-ray and orthopaedic rehabilitation moved to the new building. To learn more about the Strada Patient Care Center, visit www.usahealthsystem.com/strada.
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