Sanchez joins neurology faculty at USA College of Medicine

José Sanchez, M.D., recently joined the USA College of Medicine as an assistant professor of neurology.

Sanchez chose to work for the region’s only academic health system because of USA Health’s commitment to patient-centered care that thrives in an atmosphere focused on continuous learning for all providers, including residents and more seasoned physicians.

“I am looking forward to continuing to foster the education of our residents as we all provide the best neurological care for our patients,” Sanchez said.

As a neuromuscular neurologist, Sanchez treats conditions including myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disease causing muscle weakness), neuropathies and muscle disorders.

A licensed Spanish medical interpreter, Sanchez earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine in Mexico and completed his medical school career and a pre-internship at New York Medical College. Following a residency in neurology at the USA College of Medicine, Sanchez completed a neuromuscular fellowship at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Naritoku honored with Heart of Gold award

Dean Naritoku, M.D., professor and chair of

neurology, and professor of pharmacology,

received the Heart of Gold award from United 

Way of Southwest Alabama.

For his efforts to ensure children have access to life-saving medicines at school, Dean Naritoku, M.D., professor and chair of neurology, and professor of pharmacology at the USA College of Medicine, recently was awarded the Heart of Gold award from United Way of Southwest Alabama.

Naritoku was unanimously selected to receive the Heart of Gold award in education for his contribution to the Seizure Safe Schools Act.

The Seizure Safe Schools Act – House Bill 76 – allows for rescue medications to be accessible to young patients when a school nurse is not. This legislation was crucial for the more than 7,500 families who have children with epilepsy.

“I am very honored to receive the award and the recognition of the importance of care for children and those of all ages who are affected by epilepsy,” said Naritoku. “I have committed a lifetime to epilepsy patient care, research and education, so I was happy to provide my strong endorsement for the Seizure Safe Schools Act with the Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama.”

The award is given to one volunteer in each of four categories: education, health, financial stability and essentials. Each volunteer is nominated by another community member.

Sara Franklin, executive director for the Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama, nominated Naritoku. “Because of his help, the bill passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by Governor Ivey earlier this summer,” she said. “Dr. Naritoku was always willing to contact Alabama state legislators and instrumental committee chairs to emphasize the importance of this legislation.”

The Heart of Gold award is an annual recognition to honor volunteers for their dedication and service to the four counties of southwest Alabama: Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile and Washington.

COM Faculty Spotlight: Raymond John Maguire, M.D.

Raymond John Maguire, M.D.

Academic title: Assistant professor of emergency medicine 

Joined the USA College of Medicine faculty: November 2020

What does your position in the USA COM/USA Health entail?
My primary responsibility for the Emergency Department is clinical. While covering shifts in the ED, I am also responsible for teaching and mentoring interns and residents.  

What is your favorite or most rewarding part of your position?
Watching the residents develop as professionals and gain considerable confidence is fun to experience.  

What research or other initiatives are you involved in?
Along with several other USA faculty members, I am helping to establish a Division of Wilderness Medicine through the Department of Emergency Medicine.  

What is your advice for medical students?
Avoid group think. You will never achieve your greatest potential if you think like everyone else. All you have to do is look around at what's happening today to understand the danger of group think.

What are your hobbies and interests outside work?
Most of my hobbies revolve around being outside. I love to fish and ride my bikes. My wife and I love to hike and visit the national parks. We also have a new granddaughter who is a tremendous joy to be around.

Help requested in locating treasured book: 'Tradition of Excellence'

Ernest E. Seewer, former media specialist

at the USA College of Medicine, holds a

copy of 'Tradition of Excellence.'

While serving on the surgery faculty at the USA College of Medicine, Charles B. Rodning, M.D., and Arnold Luterman, M.D., authored and compiled a book about the history of surgical education at the medical school and in Mobile. 

The 1,043-page book, titled "Tradition of Excellence: A Pictorial History of Surgical Education at the Mobile General Hospital and University of South Alabama, College of Medicine and Medical Center, Mobile, Alabama," was published in 1999 by American Literary Press. 

Ernest E. Seewer, then a media specialist at the College of Medicine, had one treasured and irreplaceable copy of "Tradition of Excellence" that was used to solicit autographs and brief written comments from numerous faculty, residents and staff who had been recognized in the book. The intent was to preserve that copy in the Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library in the Marx Library at the University of South Alabama.

"Unfortunately, at the moment the location of that copy is unknown," Rodning said. "It was borrowed by someone and never returned. We sincerely hope the readers of this vignette may be able to assist us in locating that copy. Please search your memory and personal library." 

If you have any information about the book's location, contact Ernest E. Seewer at eseewer@southalabama.edu or Charles B. Rodning, M.D., at cbrodning@hotmail.com.