Temple Grandin to speak at South Alabama Conference on Mental Health: Autism

The University of South Alabama Office of Continuing Medical Education will host the second annual South Alabama Conference on Mental Health from 8 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. July 25, at the USA Mitchell Center.  The conference will bring together speakers and experts to share their research, experience and interventions surrounding autism.

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., will deliver the keynote address, "Autism and My Path Through Life." Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, and autism spokesperson. She is one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to publicly share insights from her personal experience of autism.

Grandin will also present a community talk at 7 p.m. July 25, at the USA Mitchell Center.

For more information and to register for the conference or community event, visit the CMA Tracker. Contact Sharrie Cranford at (251) 414-8080 or usacmeducation@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Learn more about Temple Grandin.

Third Annual Resident and Fellow Exposition winners announced

Dr. Anthony M. Todd explains his research to Dr. Michael Chang, chief medical officer for USA Health and associate vice president for medical affairs and professor of surgery at the USA College of Medicine. Todd won in the Quality Improvement or Patient Safety category.

USA College of Medicine residents and fellows competed at the Third Annual Resident and Fellow Exposition on Thursday, May 23, at the Strada Patient Care Center.

Participants displayed scholarly studies from research projects, quality improvement projects, and patient safety and advocacy projects. Cash prizes of $300 were awarded to winners in two poster categories. The event drew 27 entries and more than 60 visitors, and was hosted by the Graduate Medical Education Committee.

“The exposition gives residents and fellows a place to showcase their work,” said Dr. Samuel McQuiston, assistant dean of graduate medical education and associate professor of radiology. “Another benefit of this event is to disseminate information about their work to other departments.”

Winning projects by category included:

Dr. Daniel Kim discusses his research with Dr. David Clarkson, 

professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology. Kim won in the 

Clinical and Translational Research category.

Clinical and Translational Research

Dr. Daniel Kim won for “Outcomes Following Occipitocervical Fusion for Complex Suboccipital Spine Pathology.” (Co-authors: Dr. Mark Prevost, Kelsey Templeton, Dennis Foster, Dr. Anthony Martino, Dr. George Rusyniak.)

Kim’s research looked at the outcomes of 47 patients suffering from suboccipital spine trauma, assessing their neurologic function and examining the angle of the fusion.

The research found that the fusion procedure improved neurological outcomes with low rates of complications. Rates of infection and revision surgery were comparable to previously published rates. Four hospital deaths occurred due to other health conditions. The study also found that correct fusion position was crucial to avoid complications and further surgery.

Quality Improvement or Patient Safety

Anthony M. Todd, PharmD, won for “Development of an Inappropriate Prescribing Protocol for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Family Medicine Clinic.” (Co-authors: Nicole A. Slater, PharmD; Barry E. Porter, Ph.D.; and Hayley R. McCarron, PharmD.)

Todd led a study analyzing the medical records of 143 elderly diabetic patients in a family practice setting to see whether those with cardiovascular disease were more likely to be prescribed inappropriate medications. The researchers found no significant impact on prescribing patterns in that group.

The study sets the stage for further research assessing the root causes of inappropriately prescribed medications for the elderly, Todd said.

View more photos from the Resident and Fellow Expo.

USA College of Medicine student receives ASCO foundation award

Zachary White II, a rising third-year medical student in the USA College of Medicine, is one of nine students in the nation to receive a 2019 Medical Rotation for Underrepresented Populations Award from the Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The purpose of the award is to support the work and interest of young researchers and medical professionals, and help facilitate recruitment and retention from populations that are underrepresented in the field of medicine. ASCO is the world’s largest clinical cancer research organization representing nearly 45,000 oncology professionals.

The award will allow White to complete a four-week research and clinical rotation in radiation oncology at USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. The 26-year-old Birmingham native, who serves as president of his medical school class, said he intends to specialize in radiation oncology after medical school.

“I love technology, and I love having the opportunity to care for people,” he said. “I want to give them hope throughout the process and help them every step of the way.”

White’s interest in radiation oncology led him to create the Oncology Interest Group at the College of Medicine for which he serves as co-president. In 2018, he was awarded the 2018 ASTRO Minority Summer Fellowship Award, which led to eight weeks of research and clinical studies in radiation oncology at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB in Birmingham.

White said he was inspired to become an oncologist by his mother’s battle with breast cancer. She underwent surgery, radiation and six months of chemotherapy. “She’s a 17-year survivor now,” he said.

USA Health University Hospital Renovations and Parking Update

The growth of USA Health is on full display now at University Hospital. Renovation work to nearly double the size of the emergency department, including the level 1 trauma center, is under way. When completed in the summer of 2020, the building that houses the academic medical center will reflect the exceptional quality of care given within its walls.

To ensure the safety of our patients, staff, students and visitors, portions of some parking areas have been blocked as heavy equipment and work crews prepare our property for the state-of-the-art expansion.

To create more parking and make the process more convenient:

• University Hospital is offering free valet parking to visitors and patients.
• The hospital is actively working to secure additional parking in coming weeks in several locations.
• A new, larger motorized cart is now available to take staff and visitors to their cars in outlying areas.

"As the plans for more parking areas are finalized, we will share the news with everyone," said Sam Dean, USA Health University Hospital administrator. "We respectfully ask for your patience and support as we expand the emergency department and transform medicine in our region."