USA Center for Healthy Communities Hosts Community-Engaged Research Forum

Dr. Lisa Vaughn, professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, speaks during the University of South Alabama Center for Healthy Communities Community-Engaged Research & Scholarship Forum on Jan. 13, 2017.

The University of South Alabama Center for Healthy Communities recently hosted a forum on community-engaged scholarship titled “Strengthening the Community-Engaged Research and Scholarship Tool Box.”

This year’s keynote presentation was given by Dr. Farrah Jacquez, associate professor of psychology and licensed clinical psychologist at the University of Cincinnati, and Dr. Lisa Vaughn, professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. They presented “The Process and Power of Community-Engaged Research; Moving from Outreach to Shared Decision-Making.”

The goal of the forum was to increase awareness of community-engaged scholarship and community-based participatory research occurring in our region. The forum also included 26 interactive research poster presentations to highlight community-engaged projects, processes and efforts.

Dr. Martha Arrieta, director of research at the USA Center for Healthy Communities and associate professor of internal medicine at the USA College of Medicine, said engaged research and scholarship is one of the most powerful strategies to address health disparities and foster health equity.

“Through the Center for Healthy Communities, the College of Medicine has established a solid base for community-engaged participatory research focused on improving the health status of marginalized communities,” Dr. Arrieta said. “The forum provided an avenue to review the progress made to-date, while also opening a space to share experiences with local, regional and national practitioners of community engagement.”

The Center for Healthy Communities is the lead entity within the University for coordinating community education, research, public service and health activities to help eliminate health disparities, foster access to health care for underserved populations and enhance the capacity of individuals to better participate in decision making about their health. Click here to learn more.

Students, Residents and Faculty Named to USA Chapter of Gold Humanism Honor Society

Ten medical students, three residents and one faculty member recently were named to the University of South Alabama Chapter of the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society (GHHS).

The USA College of Medicine Class of 2018 selects individuals who have demonstrated leadership, excellence in clinical care, compassion and dedication.

Each member of the Class of 2018 completes a ballot with statements such as "the classmates who have shown exceptional interest in service to those in need in our community" and "the classmates you would like to have work at your side during a medical emergency or unforeseen disaster," among others. Each student is asked to name two students from their class who would best fit the situations described.

Recently, the following USA students, residents and faculty were selected:

Alan Akira - student
Sarah K. Cassity - student
Winston M. Crute - student
Darren S. Ferree - student
Katherine E. Glosemeyer - student
Lauren E. Nelson - student
Adam M. Powell - student
Ashton W. Todd - student
Mary Morgan Weed - student
Charles Alexander Wiles - student
Dr. Lee Grimm - faculty, department of surgery
Dr. Mary Caitlin Marshall - resident, department of internal medicine
Dr. Justin Sobrino - resident, department of surgery
Dr. John D. Byrd – resident, department of internal medicine

This year's class officers are Charles Alexander Wiles, president; Sarah Cassity, treasurer/secretary; and Mary Morgan Weed, social coordinator.

New inductees will be recognized at the USA College of Medicine’s annual White Coat Ceremony on June 17, 2017, at 10 a.m. at the USA Mitchell Center.

Click here to learn more about GHHS.

Dr. Gremse Named Chair of ABP Board of Directors

Dr. David Gremse, professor and chair of pediatrics at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a pediatric gastroenterologist with USA Physicians Group, was named chair of the board of directors of the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP).

As chair, Dr. Gremse will lead the board, providing support and directing the activities of the ABP to achieve its mission of healthy outcomes for children. According to Dr. Gremse, becoming chair of the board of directors will be beneficial to his role at USA. “The experience I will gain serving as chair of the board of directors of the ABP will foster relationships with other leaders in pediatrics that will enhance the reputation of USA in academic medicine and in the pediatric profession,” he said.

The chair, along with the President and CEO, serves as a liaison for the ABP to other pediatric organizations and serves as an ex-officio member of all ABP committees during their term in office. Dr. Gremse’s one-year term begins January 2017.

Dr. Gremse has been an active member of the ABP since 2000. He began by serving on the Maintenance of Certification Examination Committee, later serving a six-year term on the Pediatric Gastroenterology Sub-board where he also chaired the Credentials Committee. He was later appointed to the board of directors where he served on the Finance Committee. In 2015 he was elected secretary-treasurer of the board of directors and now serves as chair-elect of the board of directors.

As a USA College of Medicine alum and faculty member, Dr. Gremse said his appointment speaks to the quality of pediatricians at USA. “I am indebted to the USA College of Medicine for providing me the medical training to prepare me to serve in this capacity,” he said. “My accomplishments are an example of leadership opportunities that can be achieved through a career at USA. I am but one of the numerous examples of leaders in pediatrics who have been members of the USA faculty.”

Dr. Franklin Trimm, professor and vice chair of pediatrics at the USA College of Medicine and a developmental and behavioral pediatrician with USA Physicians Group, is also a member of the ABP Education and Training Committee. “Dr. Gremse’s leadership within the ABP puts the USA College of Medicine on the forefront of pediatric leadership discussions, policy development and planning for the current and future well-being of children,” Dr. Trimm said. “It is a unique opportunity to increase the diversity of perspective by incorporating the insights of a department chair from the South and from our size medical school.”

In addition to serving as chair, Dr. Gremse serves on the Conflict of Interest Committee, Charter and Bylaws Committee, Audit Committee, Credentials Committee, Education and Training Committee, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Foundation Finance Committee, Global Health Task Force, Informatics Tasks Force, Long-Term Investment Committee, Maintenance of Certification Committee, New Subspecialties Committee, Nominating Committee and the Research Advisory Committee of the ABP.

Dr. Gremse received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and earned his medical degree from the USA College of Medicine in 1983. He completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at USA Medical Center and his fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. In addition, he was a research fellow in the division of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation. He was the first board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist in Mobile.

The American Board of Pediatrics is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Learn more about the ABP here. 

'I'm on the Road to Recovery!'

 
Pete Jones - "I'm on the Road to Recovery!" from USA Health on Vimeo

"Earlier this year, my wife called and my conversation was not coherent. We went to a local hospital, where I stayed for four days. They determined that I needed a center of excellence in order to get a proper diagnosis, so I was transferred to USA Medical Center and admitted under the care of Dr. Naritoku.

After an accurate and quick diagnosis of autoimmune limbic encephalitis, I was put into a medically induced coma and appropriate treatment began. Dr. Naritoku explained that if I continued to have the bursts of seizures that it would have a very negative effect on me.

Now, I am on the road to a full recovery. I will be able to resume all normal activities, and I look forward to spending time with my family and living a fuller, richer life."

Pete Jones
Fairhope, AL

To view more patient stories from USA Health, visit
http://www.usahealthsystem.com/patientstories.