Audia receives NIH grant to study antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Jonathon Audia, Ph.D., professor of microbiology

and immunology, is the recipient of an NIH grant

to study an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Learning more about the pathogenesis of highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause pneumonia and sepsis in critically ill patients is the goal of new research being conducted by scientists at the Whiddon College of Medicine.  

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently awarded a two-year, $400,400 grant to Jonathon P. Audia, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and immunology, to study the virulence of P. aeruginosa, which is the most frequent Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen causing pneumonia in patients who have chronic lung disease, are older and/or immunocompromised.   

That same pathogen, P. aeruginosa, is also common in critically ill patients hospitalized with respiratory failure in intensive care units.  

Coincidence? That is something Audia and other investigators would like to find out.  

Importantly, Audia said, strains of the P. aeruginosa pathogen expressing what is known as the ExoU virulence factor, are associated with the highest levels of patient morbidity and mortality.  

“We have discovered that ExoU triggers unscheduled inflammatory cell death in lung endothelial cells by activating an innate immune signaling complex known as the inflammasome,” he said. A main goal of the new study is to determine the mechanisms underlying ExoU-mediated inflammation.  

The scientists also want to further study how other bacterial infections in the lungs interact with endothelial cells to elicit inflammatory damage.   

Previous research has led them to this point. “We discovered that when the bacteria interact with endothelial cells,” Audia said, “it triggers a massive inflammatory response.” 

Jonathon Audia, Ph.D., and graduate student Amanda

Tuckey study the P. aeruginosa pathogen. 

Amanda N. Tuckey, a Ph.D. candidate in the Audia laboratory, was a co-author on the previous work and will continue to move these newly funded studies forward. 

“The broader impact,” said Audia, “is potentially identifying a novel target for the development of therapeutics against the bacteria and understanding the impact of infection of the host immune or inflammatory response, which may ultimately lead to a better understanding of why some patients suffer from long-term consequences.”  

Mikhail Alexeyev, Ph.D., an associate professor of physiology and cell biology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, is also a collaborator on the work. “His renowned expertise in the molecular biology and genetic manipulation of cultured lung endothelial cells is an essential component of the project,” Audia said, “and will help to create new tools that can be used to develop a better understanding of endothelial inflammatory responses.” 

Reconstructive urologist joins USA Health and Whiddon COM

Jatinder Kumar, M.D.

USA Health is expanding its urology services with the addition of Jatinder Kumar, M.D., a urologist who specializes in reconstructive procedures involving the urinary tract and certain reproductive organs. 

Kumar joins USA Health University Urology and will hold the academic title of assistant professor of urology at the Whiddon College of Medicine. He most recently was chief of the Department of Urology and director of outcomes research at the Armstrong Center for Medicine and Health in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. 

In addition, Kumar will be the only reconstructive urologist on the Gulf Coast. 

“With reconstructive urology, we aim to restore normal function by repairing, rerouting or recreating areas of the upper and lower urinary tract,” he said. “This helps patients by not only restoring function but also improving their quality of life.” 

Patients may require reconstructive urology because of injuries, birth defects, medical conditions or complications from surgery or other treatment. 

“Dr. Kumar’s unique skills and experience in reconstructive urology allows us to provide a wider range of treatment options for people in our region,” said Christopher E. Keel, D.O., associate professor and chair of the Department of Urology. “We are excited to welcome him to USA Health.” 

Kumar earned a medical degree from Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College in Meerut, India. He competed an internship at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Hospital in Meerut and residency in general surgery at King George’s Medical University in Lucknow, India. He went on to a residency in urology at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow, India, and a fellowship in advanced and reconstructive urology at the University of Florida in Jacksonville. 

Kumar said he is drawn to academic medicine by the opportunity to teach and train residents. “I will have the opportunity to share new ideas and different ways of treating patients,” he said. 

While at the University of Florida, Kumar started a program for holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, a minimally invasive procedure that uses laser pulses to remove tissue from inside an enlarged prostate. He also developed a program for mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy, a minimally invasive surgery that removes kidney stones through tiny incisions.  

He is the author of more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has presented research at many national and international conferences. Kumar is a member of the American Urological Association and the Urological Society of India. 

Kumar will see patients at University Urology in Mobile and at the Mapp Family Campus in Fairhope. To make an appointment, call 251-660-5930. 

Perkins awarded $16 million grant to help address national physician shortage

Allen Perkins, M.D., M.P.H., professor of family medicine, received a Health Resources and Services Administration grant that seeks to increase the number of primary care physicians in the state.

While improving healthcare access remains a challenge, a recently awarded grant and an ongoing initiative aim to help USA Health and the University of South Alabama address the issue head on. 

Allen Perkins, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of family medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine, was recently awarded a $16 million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant that seeks to increase the number of primary care physicians in states facing the highest projected shortages within the next two years. He also serves as a family medicine physician, chief ambulatory medical officer, and population health officer for USA Health. 

The multi-year grant will fund a comprehensive approach to improving healthcare access in underserved communities that builds on its Primary Care Pathway program, which prepares medical students through a broad-based four-year program in primary care to serve patients in rural and underserved areas. 

New to the program is a post-baccalaureate component that takes students from historically underserved communities, Perkins said, and prepares them for the rigors of medical school so they will be more likely to succeed once admitted. Additional training in the Whiddon College of Medicine prepares students for practicing in underserved communities in partnership with Franklin Primary Health Center and Accordia Health. 

The new funding also allows for the Whiddon College of Medicine to hire an epidemiologist and biostatistician to help characterize the communities the students are training in and help to focus the student outreach and impact on the communities, Perkins said, noting “the students have now been in the communities for four years and are beginning to identify resource needs unique to each of the areas.” 

With the help of the Covey College of Allied Health Professions, USA Health Department of Family Medicine and the USA Center for Healthy Communities, the latest training model is an expansion of the Primary Care Pathway program. It will recruit and enroll up to 40 students from historically underrepresented groups or those who have had formative experiences in historically underserved communities and have expressed an interest in practicing primary care in such settings. 

“This grant is a vital steppingstone for identifying these students, supporting them in medical school and keeping them focused on the care they are training to deliver,” said John Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine at USA and vice president for medical affairs. “The idea is that after medical school these new physicians will complete residency training and return to rural communities to provide much needed care.” 

For years, Perkins has championed reaching underserved communities through training primary care physicians and obtaining grants like this one. 

“We’re proud Dr. Perkins and his team continue to aggressively seek ways to address and alleviate the health disparities that persist in our community and throughout the United States,” said Owen Bailey, MSHA, FACHE, chief executive officer for USA Health and senior associate vice president for medical affairs. “We are extremely optimistic this project will not only be transformational for the Whiddon College of Medicine, its educators and students, but also for residents of rural communities in southwest Alabama served by our academic health system.” 

Alumni, faculty participate in medical mission trip

From left, Bob Chagrasulis, M.D., ’81; Desiree Soter-Pearsall, M.D.; Alan Shain, M.D.; Grace Lagasse, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine; Kyran Dowling, M.D., ’81; Pat Nolan, M.D., ’81; and Cindy Richendollar, Rotary Club member, were volunteers on a recent medical mission in the Dominican Republic.

For the past several years, alumni of the Whiddon College of Medicine and faculty from the Department of Emergency Medicine have traveled to the Dominican Republic to provide medical care to underserved populations. 

Now, faculty hope to use the medical mission trip as an opportunity to further develop global health experiences for residents and medical students. 

Pat Nolan, M.D., ’81, examines a patient in the clinic.

Bob Chagrasulis, M.D., a member of the Class of 1981, has led medical mission teams in the Caribbean country for 30 years in partnership with Rotary International and through established relationships with clinics, hospitals and local charitable organizations in the Dominican Republic. 

The mobile outreach clinics provide basic medical care to two primary populations: sugar cane cutters and their families who live in the sugar cane villages called bateys, and people in the city jails and government prisons. During the weeklong trip, volunteer physicians see 1,000 to 2,000 patients. They treat childhood illnesses related to water and sanitation issues, nutritional deficiencies, and acute and chronic adult diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.  

Over the years, the team has included emergency medicine faculty and alumni from the Whiddon College of Medicine. Edward Panacek, M.D., professor and chair of emergency medicine and a 1981 graduate of the Whiddon College of Medicine, facilitated the connection between the faculty members and his medical school classmate, Chagrasulis. 

Grace Lagasse, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine, was among the physician volunteers in February and again in November. 

“For me, these trips have been an incredible experience,” she said. “I have learned much about Dominican and Haitian culture and felt very fortunate to be able to provide both acute and primary care services to populations that do not regularly have access to physicians.” 

Lagasse has a special interest in global health initiatives. Prior to joining the faculty in 2020, she completed a global health fellowship in emergency medicine through the University of Cincinnati Department of Emergency Medicine. 

She said, “I think these trips are an invaluable opportunity, and I am looking forward to being able to expand this opportunity to residents and medical students who are interested in having this type of medical experience.”

In addition to Chagrasulis, Class of 1981 alumni volunteers included Kyran Dowling, M.D., and Pat Nolan, M.D. Community physicians included Desiree Soter-Pearsall, M.D., and Alan Shain, M.D.

Grace Lagasse, M.D., second from left, works in the pharmacy area with Cindy Richendollar and the Dominican nurse and physician who assist the team of volunteers. 

Doctoral students receive inaugural Godwin Emerging Scholars Endowed Awards

Samantha Chaney

Two doctoral students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program at the Whiddon College of Medicine – Samantha Chaney and Adeyeye Haastrup – are the inaugural recipients of the USA Center for Lung Biology Gary and Susan Godwin Emerging Scholars Endowed Award.

The purpose of the award is to support training opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral scholars toward discovery of novel mechanisms in lung health and disease.

Chaney will use the award to attend the North American Vascular Biology Organization’s Vasculata conference at Stanford University in summer 2024. 

“I am excited to be able to network with a new group of researchers and learn about current vascular biology research and innovative techniques,” she said. “This awesome opportunity will give me insights from new perspectives and help me to develop my own project and career.” 

Chaney is a third-year graduate student in the vascular biology and neuroscience tracks. Her research focuses on how systemic infections, such as pneumonia, cause vascular dysfunction in the brain, including blood-brain barrier breakdown. 

Adeyeye Haastrup

Haastrup will use the award to participate in a training course in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) data analysis at the University of California–Davis in spring 2024. 

“This award is extremely useful toward equipping me with the tool set needed for the execution of my graduate project and making me a better scientist,” he said. “The only way to go is forward, as we expand our capabilities to provide scientific answers to pertinent questions, contributing toward advancing the course of humanity.”

Haastrup is a second-year graduate student in the bioinformatics track. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying bioenergetic crisis in sepsis with possibilities of identifying potential molecules as biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes. He received a pharmacy degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Gary Godwin was a long-time announcer for the University of South Alabama Athletics. He developed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and received a lung transplant in 2010. He survived five years post-transplant before his death in late 2015. His experience with a lung disease of unknown cause motivated him and his wife, Susan, to empower the next generation of lung scholars to find solutions. Their generous contribution to the USA Center for Lung Biology supports the Gary and Susan Godwin Emerging Scholars Endowed Award.

USA Student-Run Free Clinic receives grant from CeraVe

Members of the USA Student-Run Free Clinic provide free skin cancer screenings at community events.

With a $20,000 grant from CeraVe, the USA Student-Run Free Clinic will be able to expand its dermatology services including free skin cancer screenings and biopsies. 

The grant is part of CeraVe’s Dermatology Expansion Program and awarded through the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, of which the USA SRFC is an active member. The grant supports the expansion of dermatology services in alignment with clinical guidelines by the American Academy of Dermatology. 

“Through these funds, we plan to open a quarterly dermatological clinic where patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or who are having trouble accessing a dermatologist can receive dedicated dermatological care. This will include skin cancer screenings and biopsies,” said Chandler Hinson, M.B.A., M.S., president of the USA SRFC and a third-year medical student at the Whiddon College of Medicine. 

In addition, Hinson said the clinic plans to use the funds to increase the number of skin cancer screening events in the community, offered in partnership with the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute and the Dermatology Student Interest Group. 

The grant will allow the groups to provide free skin biopsies or excisions with dermatopathological workup for any skin malignancies. Funding also will support new privacy tents, imaging equipment, and dermatological software that allows for appropriate long-term imaging and skin surveillance.

“We are incredibly honored and excited, as this is the second major grant that we have won this year,” Hinson said.

Earlier this year, the USA SRFC received a $20,000 grant from The McKesson Foundation to support the Food as Medicine initiative.

USA breaks ground on $200 million Whiddon College of Medicine building

The University of South Alabama broke ground Friday, Dec. 8, on a new 250,000-square-foot Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building that will allow the University to graduate more physicians and accelerate research and innovation. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and other supporters attended the event on South’s campus.

The $200 million facility, set to be completed in 2026, will round out a medical education hub on campus that includes the College of Nursing, the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, the Health Simulation Building and the Charles M. Baugh Biomedical Library. When the new building opens, more than 500,000 square feet of campus facilities will be dedicated to healthcare education and research.

“This facility will offer our future students the most advanced learning and research opportunities anywhere in the country,” said USA President Jo Bonner. “It will transform medicine to the unique needs of our community while educating and training the next generation of providers.”

The new Whiddon College of Medicine building will provide state-of-the-art laboratory spaces that will create flexibility and efficiency for research today and in the future. It will also allow for expanding the class size of first-year medical students from 80 to 100, with the capability of increasing to 120 in the future, at the same time the nation faces a projected shortage of healthcare providers.

“This is an investment in the future of healthcare to meet the needs of Alabamians,” said John Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. “By national metrics, this medical school produces high-quality physicians that stay in the state, helping meet the needs in primary care as well as in rural and underserved areas at an affordable cost.”

The Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama is one of 158 accredited M.D.-granting institutions in the United States, and one of only two in the state. More than 1,139 of its graduates are practicing medicine in Alabama. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Whiddon College of Medicine consistently ranks in the top tier nationally for graduates practicing in underserved areas. 

Key stakeholders have responded to help invest in the state’s healthcare. In one of his final acts as an Alabama U.S. senator, Richard Shelby set aside $60 million in federal appropriations for the new facility. The USA Foundation contributed $30 million, while the State of Alabama has given $50 million in support of the project.

“Alabama proudly recognizes the value of the Whiddon College of Medicine, and by breaking ground on this state-of-the-art facility, we are further positioning one of our state’s premier institutions to connect our people with the care they need,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “From larger cohorts to greater research capabilities, this new facility will take an already excellent program to the next level.” 

Many others have also recognized the critical need to build a new College of Medicine. The City of Mobile will give $10 million, and Mobile County has pledged $5 million. Alabama Power, The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the Bedsole Foundation, the Daniel Foundation and others also have given transformational gifts.  

“We made a call for support to provide a building to match the quality of our students’ education,” Bonner said. “Their action shows that they understand the critical value an academic health system brings to its local community and throughout the state.”

The University has set an additional $30 million philanthropic goal to see the project through to completion. Gifts may be pledged over five years and recognized through naming opportunities in perpetuity.

Shortly after the University of South Alabama was established in 1963, President Frederick P. Whiddon began discussions with community and state leaders about creating a medical school in Mobile. In 1973, this vision became a reality, and the charter class was admitted to the USA College of Medicine. One year later, the Medical Sciences Building was completed as the home of the Whiddon College of Medicine.

The University of South Alabama and USA Health have more than 11,000 employees, making it one of the largest employers in the region.

Other donors include:

• Dr. and Mrs. Charles Rodning
• Dr. J.B. Craven
• USA Medical Alumni Association
• Gerber Taylor
• Dr. and Mrs. Steven Stokes
• Dr. Glenn Wilson
• The Sullivan Family
• The Family of Dr. C. William Daniels

View more photos from the groundbreaking ceremony on Flickr.

University of South Alabama leadership and supporters broke ground Friday on a new Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Rayner awarded grant funding for biotechnology research center

Jonathan Rayner, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology, received a grant to help fund the proposed South Alabama Biotechnology Research Center.

The University of South Alabama and scientist Jonathan Rayner, Ph.D., were named as inaugural designees of the Innovate Alabama Network, a new resource to connect and foster innovation in communities, nonprofits, and higher education institutions across the state. 

Rayner, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, and director of the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, received a $125,000 award to help fund the proposed South Alabama Biotechnology Research Center (SABRC).  

“Mobile has the potential to serve as the biotechnology hub for the Alabama Gulf Coast,” Rayner said. “This award will go a long way in making sure that happens.”  

Innovate Alabama is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots here in Alabama. 

In line with USA’s mission, the biotechnology research center will promote innovative technologies to improve human health on the Gulf Coast and around the world, Rayner said.  

The center, he noted, will also provide unique learning opportunities to further prepare the area’s workforce with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to support translational research and product development. The primary objective of the center will be to solidify USA as the hub for biotechnology research and development on the Gulf Coast by officially offering contract research services in biomedical research to government and industry partners in addition to academic collaborators.  

Plans call for the SABRC to be formally established using the university’s existing facilities.  

To set the center apart from other contract research entities and solidify South and the region as an innovative biotechnology research center focused on arthropod-borne infectious diseases, researchers will investigate the utility of co-administering mosquito salivary gland components along with the challenge virus to reflect natural transmission and disease progression more accurately.   

This research will enable other biotech programs and companies to use the foundational work and laboratories to grow biotech enterprises in the region. Rayner said he plans to use Chikungunya virus, abbreviated as CHIKV, as the model virus system to demonstrate this innovative approach.  

An emerging arboviral infectious disease, CHIKV has spread globally from Africa causing significant outbreaks in tropical and subtropical regions of the world including the United States. Because of this, the virus has been designated a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization.   

“Like other mosquito-borne infectious diseases,” Rayner noted, “current animal models used to evaluate candidate vaccines and therapeutics ignore the immunomodulatory effects of mosquito salivary gland proteins and contributions to virus pathogenesis.”   

That means existing models do not accurately reflect the natural course of human infection, according to Rayner. The studies proposed at USA are expected to demonstrate proof of concept for CHIKV and to also be applicable to other mosquito-borne infectious diseases of consequence to human health such as dengue and Zika virus.

Meet a Med Student: Caroline Kinchler

Caroline Kinchler

Age: 25

Class: 2025

Hometown: Scottsboro, Alabama

Undergraduate education: B.S. in biochemistry, Auburn University

What do you enjoy most about being a medical student at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
The Whiddon College of Medicine's administration, professors and students go out of their way to make sure we are taken care of as we learn and grow. They all invest so much of their time and energy into us to make sure we are prepared for taking care of patients, while also giving us amazing support and encouragement to make sure we are also taking care of our own mental and physical health. The professors look out for us, and my classmates look out for one another, and that has been so important in helping me grow as a person and as a future doctor.

Are you involved in any research, organizations or other initiatives at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
I've been involved with research through the Summer Research Program, specifically with Dr. Caleb Butts and the other trauma surgeons at University Hospital. They looked at it as a way to get us involved with their projects, but it was also a way to shadow them and see what they do every day and explore a field of medicine that I was interested in. It was an awesome experience!

What are your interests and hobbies?
Crocheting, video games, coffee drinking

What is something unique about you?
One of my goals in life is to have a miniature Highland cow. They're so fluffy and cute!

USA to break ground on new Whiddon COM building

The University of South Alabama will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. to kick off construction of the new Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building. 

The ceremony will be held in parking lot 801, south of the Health Sciences Building. A section of the parking area at lot 801 will be blocked off. Alternate parking includes lots 802, 803 and 901. The red route JagTran shuttle will run from lot 901. 

The campus community is invited to attend. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be relocated to the lobby of the Health Sciences Building.

The ceremony will be livestreamed on the University's Facebook page at facebook.com/theuniversityofsouthalabama. 

Alumnus and board-certified pediatrician joins pediatrics faculty

USA Health Pediatrics is expanding its medical practices in Mobile and Baldwin counties with the addition of Michael Strickland, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician with more than two decades of experience caring for children.

“Dr. Strickland’s skills and compassionate bedside manner make him an excellent addition to our talented healthcare team,” said David A. Gremse, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist who is professor and chair of pediatrics at USA Health. “He has a real heart for taking care of children with medically complex health issues, helping to ensure parents and caregivers feel supported as they navigate that journey.”

After working in private practice in Mobile, Strickland said he made the move to USA Health to be part of an academic health system. “I love teaching – always have, even since residency, where you could pass on some knowledge to medical students,” said Strickland, who will hold the academic title of associate professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “And teaching is a two-way street, so you can help mold and fashion new physicians who will ultimately be your colleagues.”

Strickland received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, then earned his medical degree from the Whiddon College of Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency at USA Health, where he served as pediatric chief resident. Beginning in 2016, he became an adjunct clinical faculty member for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dothan, serving as a third-year pediatric clerkship preceptor. His medical interests include wellness and preventive medicine.

“I think, day in and day out, the most important things I do are vaccinating children and preventing deadly illnesses,” he said. “I also strive to carefully follow each child’s development so that any delays are noticed as early as possible to get the best therapies available early on, so a child has the best outcome possible.”

A fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Strickland has served as president of the Mobile Pediatric Society. In 2014, he was named Best Pediatrician in Lagniappe’s Nappie Awards.

“I love building relationships with families, and seeing families and children grow over the years,” he said. “It is an absolute honor that people entrust me with the care of their children. And I take that privilege very seriously.”

Pediatric interventional radiologist joins radiology faculty

Kevin Wong, D.O., a fellowship-trained pediatric interventional radiologist, recently joined the Department of Radiology at USA Health. A subspecialty of radiology, there are only 300 or so such specialists now practicing in the United States. He is the only pediatric interventionalist on the Alabama Gulf Coast. 

“We are delighted to have Dr. Wong join the USA Health team as we seek to continuously improve the services we provide to our patients,” said Suzy Figarola, M.D., professor and chair of radiology at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “He has a passion for helping children and their families find answers to medical questions using less-invasive diagnostic procedures.”

Pediatric interventional radiologists use various imaging modalities – including X-rays, ultrasounds, and CT scans – to perform minimally invasive procedures such as the placement of central venous lines, conducting biopsies and joint injections, Wong said.

“I was taught to focus on the whole patient, mind, body and spirit – and I remember that as I go through my day, meeting and talking with families who want to find out as quickly as possible what issues their child may be facing,” said Wong, who is an associate professor of radiology at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Most recently, Wong served as an assistant professor of radiology and pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was also vice chief of the Division of Pediatric Radiology. He is double board certified in diagnostic radiology and pediatric radiology. 

Wong received his medical degree from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York. He completed a residency in diagnostic radiology at Michigan State University and continued his training at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Arizona, completing fellowships in diagnostic pediatric radiology and pediatric interventional radiology.

“I'm excited to be part of a growing academic health system that's focused on patient- and family-centered care,” he said.

USA researchers identify potential biomarkers for detection and treatment of triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers leading the study, from left, are Kunwar Somesh Vikramdeo, Ph.D., Ajay Singh, Ph.D., Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D., and Shashi Anand, Ph.D.

Early detection and effective treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are the ultimate goals of a study by researchers at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute and the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine.  

The research is a collaborative endeavor from the laboratory of Ajay Singh, Ph.D., leader of the Cancer Biology Program at the Mitchell Cancer Institute and a professor of pathology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, and Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D., a cancer researcher at the Mitchell Cancer Institute and an assistant professor of pathology at the Whiddon College of Medicine. 

Upon diagnosis, breast cancer is divided into different molecular subtypes based on the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2, a growth factor receptor that is known to fuel breast cancer growth. If the cancer cells test negative for these three receptor proteins, it is categorized as triple-negative breast cancer that relies on yet uncharacterized growth pathways. 

TNBC accounts for 10% to 15% of all breast cancers. This aggressive type of cancer grows and spreads more rapidly and is more likely to return after treatment than other types of breast cancer. These cancers tend to be more common in women younger than age 40 or who have a BRCA1 gene mutation. Black women also have a higher risk of developing TNBC. 

Treatment options for TNBC are limited compared to other molecular subtypes for which receptor-targeted therapies are available. Researchers at the Mitchell Cancer Institute and the Whiddon College of Medicine aim to find novel therapeutic vulnerabilities for this aggressive subtype as well as develop tools for earlier diagnosis at a localized stage. In their recent efforts, they measured changes in mitochondrial DNA in tumors and circulating extracellular vesicles from women with a primary diagnosis of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Mitochondria plays a role in fulfilling the energy demand of the cells, and cancer cells often exhibit mutations in their mitochondrial DNA. 

Postdoctoral researchers Kunwar Somesh Vikramdeo, Ph.D.,

left, and Shashi Anand, Ph.D., are lead authors of the study.

“The broader vision and mission of our study is to develop a minimally invasive blood test kit for early diagnostics, monitoring, and guiding therapeutic planning of triple-negative breast cancer patients,” Dasgupta said.

Published in FASEB BioAdvances, a journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, this is the first study to catalog metastatic tumor-signature mitochondrial DNA mutations in TNBC patients and then trace the tumor-signature mutations in the circulating extracellular vesicles of the same patients with high sensitivity and specificity. Notably, the majority of the hotspot mitochondrial DNA mutations detected in the TNBC patients were also detected in the circulating extracellular vesicles of highly aggressive pancreatic cancer patients, as found in a 2022 study conducted by the Singh and Dasgupta team.

“These findings are very encouraging and implicate the role of these mutations in driving human tumorigenesis,” said Kunwar Somesh Vikramdeo, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher and one of the lead authors of the study.

In addition to the mutational events, the team found unique abundances of mitochondrial DNA and cardiolipin contents (an inner mitochondrial membrane lipid) in the extracellular vesicles of these TNBC patients. 

“Thus, measuring tumor-signature mitochondrial DNA alterations in concert with cardiolipin contents in the circulating extracellular vesicles could be useful to formulate a minimally invasive method for early cancer detection and monitoring using a small amount of blood samples,” said Shashi Anand, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher and one of the lead authors of the study. 

Based on these findings from the Singh and Dasgupta laboratories, the University of South Alabama has submitted a non-provisional patent application for the development of a novel mitochondrial DNA detection platform using blood samples from patients. The researchers are currently seeking funding support and collecting blood samples from a larger number of cancer patients to test the panel of mitochondrial markers that were developed in their laboratories.

“Mitochondrial DNA mutations are detectable in the circulation and are frequent in human cancers, likely promoting aggressive tumor growth,” Singh said. “We want to exploit these observations to develop ways to detect cancer early and even predict its nature for improved therapeutic management and enhance patients’ survival.”

The work is supported by funding from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, the Mitchell Cancer Institute, and the University of South Alabama. Additional authors from the Mitchell Cancer Institute and the Whiddon College of Medicine are Sarabjeet Kour Sudan, Ph.D.; Paramahansa Pramanik, Ph.D.; and Seema Singh, Ph.D. Andrew K. Godwin, Ph.D., a professor of cancer biology, laboratory medicine, pathology, microbiology, molecular genetics, and immunology, is a co-author and collaborator from the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Read the full article in FASEB BioAdvances.

Now accepting nominations for USA Medical Alumni Awards

Harold DuCloux, M.D., presents Marilyn Aiello, M.D.,

both members of the Class of 1978, with the Medical

Alumni Humanitarian Award.

Nominations are now open for the 2024 USA Medical Alumni Awards, to be presented on Saturday, June 22, at the Awards Luncheon during Reunion Weekend in Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

We need your nominations of outstanding COM alumni and faculty who are worthy of these special recognitions.

For complete awards criteria and nomination forms, visit southalabama.edu/colleges/com/alumni/awards.html. 

The deadline is Jan. 12, 2024.

Register now: Tools for Teaching in Medical Education

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development invites Whiddon College of Medicine faculty and residents to join the Tools for Teaching in Medical Education program.  

This six-session course will be offered on Tuesday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Strada Patient Care Center first-floor conference room. 

• Jan. 10: Backward Course Design: Part 1
• Jan. 24: Backward Course Design: Part 2
• Feb. 7: Interactive & Active Learning: Technology in the Classroom
• Feb. 21: Assessment Design & Feedback
• Mar. 6: Writing & Analyzing Exam Questions
• Mar. 20: Small Group/Bedside Teaching

Sessions will be taught by faculty and staff from the Whiddon College of Medicine and USA Health. Two hours CME per session will be provided. While in-person attendance is preferred, there will be a Zoom option available.

Contact Amanda Arnold at akarnold@southalabama.edu for more information or to register.  Space is limited.

Center for Healthy Communities to host community health worker forum

The University of South Alabama Center for Healthy Communities and the Mobile County Health Department are hosting a professional development forum for community health workers in Mobile County. The session is set for Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Goodwill Gulf Coast Community Center, located at 2440 Gordon Smith Drive in Mobile. 

Ashley Williams Hogue, M.D., the new CHC director, and Kevin Michaels, M.D., the Mobile County Public Health Officer, lead the team that is piloting the integration of community health workers at the USA Health Stanton Road Clinic and the USA Student-Run Free Clinic.

Community health workers help facilitate access to services and improve the quality of delivery through outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and accuracy.

USA faculty will provide insights and strategies to enhance professional growth, including Dr. Shelly Bates with the Covey College of Allied Health Professions; Dr. George Bovenizer and Lea Malofsky, Department of Communications; and Dr. Jo Ann Otts, College of Nursing.

This event is open to everyone from seasoned professionals to those who are just getting started. Expert speakers will discuss effective communication, building strong professional relationships, and leveraging social media for career advancement.

This session will give participants the chance to engage in interactive discussions, ask questions, and gain practical knowledge that they can apply immediately.

Register for the event. 

Students and residents celebrate The Art of Medicine

Sponsored by the Wellness Council and the Gold Humanism Honor Society, The Art of Medicine showcased students' and residents' artistic talents. The event was held Nov. 14 in the MacQueen Alumni Center Grand Ballroom. 

Seventeen medical students, two doctoral students, and two residents participated as artists at the event, which featured paintings, ceramics, jewelry, drawings, singing, and piano and guitar playing.

In honor of the late Cindy Sheets, M.D., the groups collected book donations for USA Health's Reach Out and Read Program. 

Additionally, the event raised $4,540 for the Dr. Cindy S. Sheets Endowment for Early Literacy. The total includes a $1,000 matching gift from John Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. 

Kilgo presents results of using unique blood test at world MS research meeting

William Kilgo, M.D., presented at MS Milan 2023.

William Kilgo, M.D., a neurologist with USA Health, recently shared research findings using a first-of-its-kind blood test that monitors multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity in a poster presentation at MS Milan 2023, the world’s largest research meeting on the topic.  

Kilgo, who also serves as director of the neurology residency program and assistant professor of neurology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, specializes in MS treatment.

MS is a disease in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, potentially disabling communication between the brain and spinal cord. Vision loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination are among its common symptoms. However, each person’s experience with MS can be widely different, varying from nearly symptom-free for some to others experiencing chronic severe conditions. 

Physical therapy and medications that suppress the immune system can help address symptoms and slow disease progression.  

But the Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) test, created by Octave Bioscience, Inc., a leading precision care company, could offer patients new hope. Typically, MRIs conducted annually provide insight into a patient’s MS journey. The MSDA test, which can be done more frequently, can indicate earlier signs of disease activity, characterized by a breakdown of the nervous system. 

The MSDA test helps provide insight into the behavior of MS in each patient. It can help determine treatment therapies, monitor stability or slow decline, evaluate new symptoms, and conduct routine surveillance.  

Kilgo applied the test to a diverse group of patients to determine the feasibility of its real-world application and concluded it is a reliable indicator of disease activity. 

“We found a high concordance between the MSDA test and clinical and radiographic assessments of disease activity and noted a few prognostic case studies where the test showed a high score prior to subsequently identified clinically evident disease activity,” he said. “The test is a reliable indicator of objective disease activity, and we look forward to future studies on its capabilities.”  

He presented those findings at the 9th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS Meeting in Milan, Italy. ECTRIMS, the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, and ACTRIMS, Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, are both dedicated to the understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis.  

New data from Octave’s clinically validated multivariate biomarker blood test, the first of its kind designed specifically for MS, was presented in nine posters, including Kilgo’s, at the international conference.  

“We are proud to share work at this year’s MS Milan conference that continues to demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the MSDA test in real-world settings with diverse patient populations,” he said.   

Kilgo said future research will include further investigation into how different patient populations experience the disease.  

Students and faculty share unique patient cases at national OB-GYN conference

Nicolette Holliday, M.D.,Taran Carrasco, Kramer Crider, Grant Barry, Brennan Smith, Taylor Coe, and Candice Holliday, M.D., attended the conference.

Five students from the Whiddon College of Medicine, along with faculty and a USA Health resident, recently attended the 90th Annual Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Nashville, Tennessee.  

They presented five posters describing unique patient cases and outcomes. The presentations included: 

• “Primary Posterior Uterine Rupture in Labor: Case Report and Literature Review” by Grant Barry, M.D., and Kramer Crider
•  “Postpartum Bilateral Nerve Palsy: A Harbinger for Pre-Eclampsia?” by Taran Carrasco
• “Peripartum Torpor: A Chilling Case Report and Review of Literature” by Taylor Coe
•  “A Rare Case of Bilateral Retroperitoneal Ovaries: A case report and review of the literature” by Sarah Gross
•  “Adnexal Torsion of a 28-centimeter Paratubal Cyst: A Case Report” by Brennan Smith

Sarah Gross presented her poster at the conference.

For more than 90 years, the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has promoted optimal healthcare for women by providing high-quality continuing medical education and a forum for advancing and discussing scientific research in obstetrics, gynecology, and women’s healthcare. The group is one of the founding organizations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  

Sign up for spring 2024 cohort of Academic Medicine Coach Training Program

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development invites all faculty and staff, both clinical and nonclinical, to participate in the next iteration of the Academic Medicine Coach Training Program. 

Coaching is a process of partnering with other individuals – whether students, residents, peers or executives – in thought-provoking conversations designed to inspire coachees to maximize their personal and professional potential. 

The pilot program launched in 2021 and included 18 faculty members and the Whiddon College of Medicine leadership team. The program expanded to include students and residents in 2022 and 2023. 

Sign up to be part of the spring 2024 cohort of the Academic Medicine Coach Training Program. 

Meetings will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Fridays at the Strada Patient Care Center in the first-floor conference room.

Spring 2024 dates:

• Feb. 9
• Feb. 23
• March 8
• March 22
• April 12
• April 26
• May 3
• May 17
• May 31

Pathology resident presents at leading pathology conferences

Lingling Xian, M.D., Ph.D., presented at the American

Society for Clinical Pathology conference.

Lingling Xian, M.D., Ph.D., a third-year pathology resident at USA Health, recently presented her research work at prominent national and international conferences in the field of pathology. Her contributions were highlighted at the 2023 United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) conference, College of American Pathologists (CAP) conference, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) conference, where she presented three posters. 

At the USCAP 2023 conference, Xian presented her findings on “Synchronous Colorectal Cancers: Different Primaries or Intramucosal Metastasis?” Synchronous colorectal cancers refer to more than one primary colorectal cancer detected in a single patient at initial presentation.  

She showed a case at the CAP 2023 conference on metastatic prostate ductal adenocarcinoma, a rare subtype of prostate cancer, that presented as a solitary colon mucosal polyp.  

Additionally, at the ASCP 2023 conference, Xian shared insights on a skin inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor that penetrated through the skull to the dura, the tough outermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord.  

Two of her abstracts have already been accepted for presentation at the USCAP 2024 annual meeting, known for its stringent selection process.  

With a focus on becoming a GI/liver pathologist and independent investigator, Xian has her eyes set on Yale University, where she has received an offer for further GI/liver pathology fellowship training in 2025 upon completion of her residency at USA Health. “For my long-term aspirations, I aim to become a pathology physician-scientist, fully dedicated to delivering the utmost diagnostic care to patients, while simultaneously exploring the nature of human diseases,” she said. 

Lingling Xian, M.D., Ph.D., presented her 

research at the CAP conference.

Acknowledging the support she received, Xian expressed gratitude to her mentor, Wei Xin, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology at the Whiddon College of Medicine and director of anatomic pathology at USA Health, for his guidance and supervision. Xin was the GI pathology attending physician on the cases and supervised all four of Xian’s GI pathology abstracts.  

Her research endeavors also were supported by Ajay Singh, Ph.D., professor of pathology at the Whiddon College of Medicine and leader of the cancer biology and cancer health disparities programs at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute; Elba Turbat-Herrera, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology and interdisciplinary clinical oncology, and director of the USA Health Biobank; and Eric Wei, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pathology and director of cytogenetics. 

Xian earned a medical degree from Shihezi University School of Medicine in Xinjiang, China; and a Ph.D. from Fudan University in Shanghai, China. Prior to her residency training at USA Health, she gained valuable experience through postdoctoral training and junior faculty positions at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. 

Whiddon College of Medicine representatives host sessions at AAMC annual meeting

Representatives from the Whiddon College of Medicine attended the Association of American Medical Colleges' annual meeting in Seattle.

The Whiddon College of Medicine sent a delegation of students, researchers, and medical education leaders to engage in a transformative experience at the Association of American Medical Colleges' annual meeting. 

Learn Serve Lead 2023, held Nov. 3-7 in Seattle, provided a unique opportunity for representatives to reunite with peers, connect with new colleagues, and immerse themselves in discussions that shape the future of academic medicine. 

The conference, known for fostering civil discourse and impactful conversations, featured five days of programming, including major education sessions, small-group discussions, and networking activities. Attendees had the chance to hear from leading experts, share experiences with like-minded professionals, and experience Seattle's rich culture while sharing team-building time together. 

“The lessons and insights gained at Learn Serve Lead have a global reach, influencing the direction of healthcare facilities, research institutions, and more,” said Melisa Pierce, director of quality improvement at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “Whether it was their first time or a return visit, our attendees contributed to the collective pursuit of improving healthcare and medical education.” 

Administrators and staff members hosted discussion sessions on the following topics:

T.J. Hundley, M.D., associate dean for medical education
“Curriculum Phase Reviews and Effective Learner Transitions”
Ensuring students are prepared for each stage of their training is important for learner development and institutional accreditation. Curriculum phase reviews are one method medical schools use to assess and evaluate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes learners have attained at important transition points. The discussion focused on sharing best practices for conducting phase reviews.

Abu-Bakr Al-Mehdi, M.D., Ph.D., assistant dean for medical education
“Artificial Intelligence in Pre-Clerkship Clinical Reasoning Education”
Teaching clinical reasoning is essential to improving diagnostic acumen. We discussed how utilizing AI tools, even at this early stage in their development, can be highly effective in the instruction of diagnostic reasoning.

David Weber, Ph.D., assistant dean for medical education
“Use of Culinary Medicine and Teaching Kitchens for Medical Student Nutrition Education During Pre-Clerkship Modules”
Medical students are highly engaged with peers and faculty in basic meal preparation. Typical session objectives focus on learning the components of a healthy meal, appreciating basic functions of a kitchen, executing basic food preparation skills, and discussing potential barriers to eating healthy. Students report increased awareness and necessity of physician training in applied nutrition.

Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D., assistant dean for student affairs
“Developing and Implementing a Career Coaching Program for Medical Students in Support Roles”
We discussed the process to implement a Career Coaching program to support medical students in peer-support roles. Utilizing career-focused ILPs and coaches trained in academic medicine coaching, the program helped these students to become career ready for their transition to residency.

David S. Williams, Ph.D., M.P.A., assistant dean for institutional and academic success
“Pre-Matriculation Programs Focused on Academic Success to Ease the Transition to Medical School”
Many medical schools provide pre-matriculation programming with several goals: cover content-related knowledge and skills, introduce wellness/academic-success strategies, or both. We presented our research on our pre-matriculation course that focused on academic-success/evidence-based-learning strategies and discussed ways to improve programming to ease transitions to medical school.

Angie O'Neal, M.Ed., director of learning support services
“Implementing Individual Learning Plans in Medical School to Create Lifelong Learners”
Individual Learning Plans (ILP) have become a common requirement for residents, but many enter their residency without creating an ILP. We discussed the importance of introducing ILPs early in medical school to better prepare physicians to be lifelong learners. We shared ideas for creating and implementing ILP programming as early as the first year and throughout medical school.

Melisa Pierce, M.P.A., director of quality improvement
“Maximizing Student Survey Responses for Accreditation”
Student feedback is vital for continuous improvement. We discussed strategies, incentives, and success stories for achieving high response rates, enhancing satisfaction scores, and contributing to a positive educational climate through surveys and student evaluations of teaching. We shared insights and ideas to optimize participation and elevate medical education.

Members of USA SRFC present posters at national conference

Members of the USA Student-Run Free Clinic

presented at the society's annual conference.

Members of the USA Student-Run Free Clinic's executive board presented their clinic research projects at the Society of Student-Run Free Clinics' annual conference. The meeting was held Oct. 21-22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

• Hanna Bobinger, a third-year medical student and patient education coordinator at the USA SRFC, presented “Targeting Behavioral Changes: Development of a Patient Education Curriculum at a Student-Run Free Clinic.”
• Emily Cleveland, a third-year medical student and clinic manager of the USA SRFC, presented “Comprehensive Approach to a Diabetic Protocol.”
• Isabella Dinelli, a second-year medical student and outreach coordinator at the USA SRFC, presented “Effectively Implementing A Preventative Healthcare Screening Initiative Can Grow Community Engagement: A Student-Run Free Clinic's Approach.”
• Tara Hicks, a third-year medical student and vice president of the USA SRFC, presented “Prevention and Health Screening in an Underserved Population: A Student-Run Free Clinic Experience.”
• Allen Perkins, a second-year medical student and research coordinator at the USA SRFC, presented “Research Efforts of a Student-Run Free Clinic for Improved Patient Care.”
• David Salchert, a fourth-year medical student and research coordinator at the USA SRFC, presented “Impact of Patient Education on Establishing Trust as the Medical Student Provider: A Student-Run Free Clinic Experience.” 
• Claudia Stephens, a fourth-year medical student and project coordinator at the USA SRFC, presented “High-Impact Fundraising: A Targeted Three-Tier System for a Student-Run Free Clinic.”
• Lillie Ange, an audiology student and audiology liaison at the USA SRFC, gave an oral presentation on “The Importance of Audiology in Free Clinics: A Student-Run Free Clinic Hearing Screening Experience.” 

The 2023 annual conference of the Society of Student-Run Free Clinics brought together healthcare professional students, advisors and professors to network, collaborate and learn about the latest research and developments in individual free clinics.

Bauer discusses potential of extracellular vesicles at international lung vascular biology conference

Natalie Bauer, Ph.D.

Natalie Bauer, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology and assistant dean for admissions at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, recently presented at The Grover Conference, the only international meeting in North America that repeatedly focuses on subjects relevant to lung vascular biology and medicine.

Her presentation, “Exosomes and Microparticles: Biomarkers, Therapeutic Vectors or Both,” was part of a session on Biomarker Discovery and Cell Therapy for Pulmonary Vascular Disorders in the Era of Precision Medicine. The 2023 conference was held in Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado.

“I gave an overview of the current status of the field and introduced some of our own new data on using extracellular vesicles as therapeutic vectors in pulmonary hypertension,” she said.

Bauer, the only speaker from the University of South Alabama this year, was selected through a competitive review process and chosen for her expertise in extracellular vesicle signaling and pulmonary vascular disease.

“The program is designed by investigators with expertise in precision medicine and pulmonary vascular disease and submitted through a competitive process for support through the American Thoracic Society,” she said. “The society reviews these applications annually and selects the most competitive slate of speakers to provide the most robust information to its membership.”

Since 1984, the Grover Conference has drawn the world’s best scientists and physicians in pulmonary circulation to its meetings. Named in honor of Robert F. Grover, a doctor and scientist devoted to the field, it is the longest-standing conference dedicated to pulmonary circulation.

The American Thoracic Society, which hosts the conference, improves global health by advancing research, patient care, and public health in pulmonary disease, critical illness, and sleep disorders. Founded in 1905 to combat TB, ATS has grown to tackle asthma, COPD, lung cancer, sepsis, acute respiratory distress, and sleep apnea, among other diseases.

Whiddon College of Medicine staff recognized for excellence

Recipients of the Staff Recognition Awards, back row: Alice Nolen, Stephanie Roote, Connie Land, Jennifer Collins, Meredith Moody, with John Marymont, M.D., M.B.A.; front row: Rosemary Roberts, Helen Moore, Joanne Brookfield, Kelly Wood, Brooke Thistlethwaite, and Tony Lamm. Not pictured: Melisa Pierce, M.P.A.

Twelve staff members were honored at the second annual Whiddon College of Medicine Staff Recognition Awards on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Hosted by the Dean's Office, the awards were presented during a special breakfast in the Dean's Conference Room. 

John Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs, thanked each of the staff members for their service to the university before presenting them with framed certificates. The awardees, who also received swag bags, were nominated for exhibiting excellence in job performance, possessing strong work ethic, and being team players. 

Three of the honorees earned top recognition: Joanne Brookfield, Meredith Moody and Helen Moore. In addition to certificates and swag bags, they received invitations to the WCOM tailgate and tickets to the South Alabama football game against Arkansas State on Saturday, Nov. 11. 

Below are excerpts from colleagues' nominations of this year's award recipients: 

• Joanne Brookfield, director, Educational Technologies and Services  – “Since 2020 when we were affected by COVID and subsequent staff shortages, Joanne has stepped up and consistently picked up the additional workload to keep our academic programs on track. She is at work early, stays late, and works weekends as needed to ensure that there is no disruption to our undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education activities.”
• Jennifer Collins, grants administration specialist, Center for Lung Biology – “Despite the sometimes overwhelming nature of the work, Jenn never complains and, in fact, offers a listening ear and voice of encouragement when the rest of us are frustrated and exhausted. Her work keeps our projects funded and her kind disposition keeps our team happy.” 
• Tony Lamm, management systems specialist, Medical Education – “Tony is phenomenal at what he does. Not only is he talented, but he also goes above and beyond to make sure faculty, students and staff in the WCOM have properly functioning technology so they may be productive and meet their research/educational/administrative objectives.”
• Connie Land, accountant, Student Affairs – “She is always eager to lend a helping hand and easily handles unexpected tasks, making her an essential and valued member of the Student Affairs team. Connie's dedication to excellence and willingness to exceed expectations make her a tremendous asset to the WCOM community.”
• Meredith Moody, program coordinator, Microbiology and Immunology – “She quickly picked up her duties and responsibilities to make the lives of our faculty members much easier. Indeed, she is our only support staff for the department, and she currently plays the roles of two to three administrators.”
• Helen Moore, research administration specialist, Grants Research Office – “She carefully examines all the grant's details, providing invaluable assistance to all principal investigators at the Mitchell Cancer Institute. Her friendly demeanor and punctuality make her a valuable asset to the WCOM. Additionally, her dedication and efficiency in completing tasks consistently contribute to our success.”
• Alice Nolen, faculty affairs specialist, Faculty Affairs – “Alice is well respected by Whiddon College of Medicine faculty and staff. She is a team player, who possesses a strong work ethic and displays excellence in job performance. She takes pride in her work and she is dedicated to the success of the WCOM.”
• Melisa Pierce, M.P.A., director of quality improvement, Office of Accreditation and Planning – “Ms. Pierce has become one of the most valued and trusted sources of information and support across the Whiddon College of Medicine. … She frequently proposes new directions, challenges existing strategies, and supports others within the Office of Accreditation and Planning, all in an effort to improve the WCOM.” 
• Rosemary Roberts, laboratory manager, Microbiology and Immunology – “Rosemary has trained many students, undergraduate and rotating graduate students on proper laboratory technique. Additionally, she’s the lab’s biggest cheerleader. Any time someone has an event or milestone, she goes out of her way to ensure they feel confident and prepared. Rosemary is such a kind and caring soul, she deserves more praise than we are able to give.” 
• Stephanie Roote, associate director of financial aid, Student Affairs – “She is a highly dedicated worker who takes the time to meet with students individually every year. She addresses common concerns students have regarding debt and creates a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable discussing their financial worries with her. Thanks to her efforts, Stephanie has built strong relationships with the students she works with.”
• Brooke Thistlethwaite, accounting data specialist, Pharmacology – “Brooke is the ultimate problem solver, working tirelessly to maintain schedules, finances, and more. Her presence here is integral not only to successful completion of our projects, but also in boosting team morale. The department would not function as well without her.”
• Kelly Wood, business manager, Business Office – “If you have a question, chances are Kelly knows the answer. Kelly is a wealth of knowledge! She has been wonderful at training and onboarding new employees the past two years. She works hard to make sure everything is tied out and correct. She always has a smile on her face and is wonderful to work with!”