Keel named chair of urology at Whiddon College of Medicine

Christopher Keel, D.O., who has served as interim chair since last year, was named chair of the Department of Urology.

Christopher Keel, D.O., FACS, has been named chair of the Department of Urology at the Whiddon College of Medicine. A board-certified urologist at USA Health University Urology, Keel has served as interim chair of the department since it was established in 2022.

“We have been impressed by Dr. Keel’s leadership in helping USA Health fulfill its mission as an academic health system,” said John V. Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs at USA. “He is passionate about mentoring and training medical students and residents, and he has demonstrated that enthusiasm during his time as interim chair.”

As interim chair, Keel has led the creation of a five-year urology residency program, now accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. He also has worked to recruit urology specialists with an interest in academic medicine. The Department of Urology now includes seven urologists, including two fellowship-trained pediatric urologists, and five advanced practice providers.

“I am very proud of what our team has accomplished in the short time I have been here and of the evolution I have seen in the level of care we are now able to provide,” said Keel, who also serves as an associate professor of urology at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “Our response to the growing physician shortage and the development of a residency training program have been paramount and will be vitally important for the future health of our community and our mission. This will have a long-lasting positive impact on our region, and I am just happy to be a part of a team of talented and compassionate urologists who share a desire to educate.”

In August, Keel worked with a visiting surgeon to perform University Hospital’s second-ever renal auto-transplant, a rare surgery in which a patient’s kidney is removed and implanted in a different location in the body to restore function. The two performed the first-ever surgery together last year.

“Since Dr. Keel joined USA Health, he has worked diligently to expand our services and build upon the high quality of urology care provided to people of all ages in our area,” said Owen Bailey, MSHA, FACHE, chief executive officer for USA Health and senior associate vice president for medical affairs.

A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Keel joined USA Health University Urology in 2019. He earned his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and completed an internship in surgery and a residency in urology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He is board certified by the American Board of Urology and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Keel has been recognized for achievements in researching the impact of surgery on the kidney and for developing novel approaches for minimally invasive surgery. He is an active member of the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association and the Society of Robotic Surgery.

GHHS welcomes new advisor, GME representative

Melody Petty, M.D., M.P.H.

The Whiddon College of Medicine chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) has filled two new leadership positions.

Melody Petty, M.D., M.P.H., an associate professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine, was named a chapter advisor. She serves as associate chief medical officer for pediatrics at USA Health and is a pediatric hospitalist at USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital. Petty is double board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics in pediatrics and pediatric hospital medicine. She earned a medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and completed residency training in pediatrics at USA Health. 

Petty joins GHHS chapter advisors T.J. Hundley Jr., M.D., associate dean for medical education, and Karen Braswell, supervisor of clinical education/student affairs. 

Ashley Nguyen, M.D.

Ashley Nguyen, M.D., an intern in neurology at USA Health, was named the chapter's graduate medical education representative. She graduated from the Whiddon College of Medicine in May 2023. While a medical student, she served as president of the Student Interest Group in Neurology and as social coordinator for the Gold Humanism Honor Society. She earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Spring Hill College. 

Braswell said the chapter is looking forward to having additional support, working with more USA Health residents, and creating more opportunities in which students, faculty and residents can participate. 

The Gold Humanism Honor Society is a community of medical students, physicians, and other leaders who have been recognized for their compassionate care. GHHS reinforces and supports the human connection in healthcare, which is essential for the health of patients and clinicians.

Residents earn outstanding poster presentation awards at annual GI meeting

Hunter Chance Dickson, D.O.

Two USA Health internal medicine residents received red ribbons for Outstanding Poster Presenter at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting & Postgraduate Course held Oct. 20-25 in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Third-year resident Hunter Chance Dickson, D.O., and his poster titled “A Rare Case of Cowden Syndrome Diagnosed in a Young Adult Male”; and second-year resident Haris Manan, M.D., and his poster titled “Heptocellular Carcinoma in the Absence of Liver Disease” were awarded. 

For the second consecutive year, Dickson won the Outstanding Poster Presenter award. His poster featured a case in which a 27-year-old was diagnosed with a rare syndrome and why it can be easily overlooked. 

Cowden syndrome is characterized by a high risk of cancerous and benign tumors of the breast, thyroid, uterus, kidney and colon. According to his presentation, the case highlights the importance of considering Cowden syndrome as a differential diagnosis in patients who present incidentally with harmartomatous gastrointestinal polyps.  

“USA Health has helped shape who I am as a doctor and a person. I’m truly blessed to be training at this program and to be surrounded by so many great co-residents, faculty, and friends,” he said. “It’s always fun to represent my program at a national conference and bring home an award that I couldn’t have received without their love and support.” 

Haris Manan, M.D.

Manan’s poster highlighted a case involving a 65-year-old female with vague right-side abdominal pain and a five-plus-year history of oral contraceptive use.  

“Despite normal lab results, an abdomen CT revealed a malignant liver mass,” he said. “Timely surgical resection offered a curative solution, underscoring the importance of early imaging in oral contraceptive pill users with right-sided abdominal pain.” 

Manan, a first-time Outstanding Poster Presenter award winner, credited his mentors, faculty and wife for the achievement. 

“USA Health is more than a residency program. It’s a family,” he said, “and it has been an absolute honor to be part of that family. I dedicate my award to my family and everyone who has supported me through this journey.” He specifically thanked pathology residents Muhammad Tahir, M.D., and Yusuf Ozcelik, M.D., and the Department of Pathology for their contributions to the poster.

The recognition helps ACG encourage clinical GI researchers to use critical storytelling and presentation skills essential for careers as clinical investigators and scientific communicators. During daily poster rounds at the meeting, poster presenters may be invited to give a short informative briefing on their research, followed by a one-minute Q&A with a faculty judge.  

Each judge selects one or more “Outstanding Poster Presenters” who are best able to communicate their key findings, the significance of their data, and articulate the potential impact of their work for clinicians and patients.  

Anas Khouri, M.D., and Seema Mir, M.D.

In addition to Manan and Dickson, five residents, including Alvin Green, D.O.; Anas Khouri, M.D.; Charles Yi, M.D.; Karan Bir Singh, M.D.; and Seema Mir, M.D.; and two gastroenterology fellows, Kane Edwards, M.D., and Elizabeth Craig, D.O., attended the conference and felt the experienced prepared them for the future. 

“I've gained invaluable knowledge from the exceptional educational sessions and leaders in the field who are presenting the most cutting-edge information in the field of GI, which is crucial for me both as a clinician and an academic,” Khouri said. 

Mir said she also considered it an honor to represent the academic health system. 

“Attending the postgraduate courses to learn about the newest innovations in GI and presenting case reports on my patients helped me develop my skills as a clinician,” she said. “Being able to spend time with my co-residents in this collegiate environment helped me connect and learn from my peers.” 

The ACG is the preeminent professional organization that champions the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive disorders. 

Jefferson returns to USA Health as family medicine physician, assistant professor

Richelle Jefferson, M.D.

From an early age, Richelle Jefferson, M.D., saw the importance of giving back and treating others with compassion. Now she’ll put those values into practice at USA Health as a family medicine physician and assistant professor at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

“I had the privilege of being born into an extremely giving family who showed kindness and generosity to friends and strangers alike,” she said. “Like many others, I was taught to treat others the way you’d like to be treated in every circumstance.  

“The same drive and calling that pushed me to become a physician also mandate caring for and considering the needs of other people, in every aspect of life.” 

Besides generosity, Jefferson was taught to value another important trait that will serve her well. 

“I come from a family of educators and have always enjoyed teaching,” she said. “I actually taught math at a high school in my hometown, New Orleans, for a while before starting graduate school.” 

That appreciation for teaching and learning is what drew her to USA Health’s academic health system. 

“Practicing in an academic health system allows me the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion with so many future healthcare providers,” she said. “I believe that working in academics causes me to be a better individual clinician by committing to focus on up-to-date, evidence-based medicine.”  

Jefferson will combine her lifelong passion for teaching and a commitment to providing quality care to medically underserved populations in her role at USA Health. She also brings the experience of working for another local federally qualified health center (FQHC), which has given her insight into USA Health’s recent partnership with Accordia Health, also an FQHC. 

“I love the variety we have in family medicine as far as patient ages and medical issues that we take care of. A half-day could consist of a newborn well-child check, pap smear, and a wellness visit,” she said. “I especially enjoy when that variety exists within one family that I take care of. I have a special interest in women’s health, preventive health, and office-based procedures, which I’m able to incorporate into my clinic as well.”  

Jefferson, who is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science in biology, medical science from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. She graduated from medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. 

She completed a residency in family medicine at USA Health, where she served as chief resident during her third year.  

Distinguished Scientists Seminar to focus on MicroRNAs and microproteins

Ryan L. Boudreau, Ph.D.

The next Distinguished Scientists Seminar will feature Ryan L. Boudreau, Ph.D., an associate professor of internal medicine, division of cardiovascular medicine, at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. 

Boudreau’s seminar, “MicroRNAs and microproteins in health and disease,” is set for Thursday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m. in the first-floor auditorium of the Medical Sciences Building. Students and faculty are invited to attend the lecture, hosted by Glen Borchert, Ph.D., and the Department of Pharmacology.

Boudreau’s laboratory studies post-transcriptional responses in diseased and developing heart and brain using viral vectors, mouse models, human tissues, and cell culture systems. Another major aspect of his research involves determining how human genetic variations contribute to disease by altering post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms.

The Distinguished Scientists Seminar (DSS) program comprises invited talks by leading scientists from outside institutions. Speakers are selected to complement the Graduate Training Program in the Whiddon College of Medicine and cover a wide range of leading-edge biomedical research.  

Learn more about the DSS program and view the full schedule of seminars. 

Pathology resident presents at national dermatopathology conference

Muhammad Tahir, M.D., M.S.

Muhammad Tahir, M.D., M.S., a third-year pathology resident at USA Health, attended the 60th American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP) conference and presented two posters. The conference was hosted by ASDP in Chicago and brought together dermatopathologists from across the United States. 

Tahir presented “Dermal Granuloma Annulare Post SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: A Rare Case Report’’ and “Malignant Cutaneous Neurocristic Hamartoma with Features of Melanoma.’’ The attending dermatopathologists on the cases were Thuy Phung M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pathology at the Whiddon College of Medicine and director of molecular genetic pathology and dermatopathology; and Kurt Knowles M.D., assistant professor of pathology at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Tahir said he is interested in pursuing further training with a fellowship in dermatopathology, which involves the study and diagnosis of skin diseases and disorders by examining skin tissue and lesions under a microscope. Dermatopathologists play a crucial role in diagnosing and understanding various skin conditions, including skin cancers, inflammatory skin diseases, and infections. Their work is essential in helping clinicians and patients make informed decisions about treatment and management. Tahir is drawn to the challenge of deciphering the intricate histopathological patterns of skin diseases and contributing to the management of conditions that often have profound impacts on patients' quality of life.

“As a resident physician who has been actively engaged in the field of pathology and dermatopathology for several years, I can confidently say that this conference surpassed all expectations, thanks in no small part to the outstanding participation and remarkable poster presentations,” Tahir said. “I wholeheartedly recommend attending the ASDP conference to any professional in the field, as it offers an unparalleled platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and personal growth.”

Tahir has presented in multiple national and international conferences and has published more than 20 unique case reports and abstracts. His current research focuses on studying the effects of amygdalin on triple-negative breast cancer and melanoma, and the effect of nicotine on prostate cancer neurogenesis and angiogenesis.

Tahir earned his medical degree from Taishan Medical University in Shandong, China. Prior to starting his residency training with USA Health, he earned a master’s degree in molecular pathology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

GHHS and Wellness Council collecting book donations

The late Cindy Sheets, M.D.

The Gold Humanism Honor Society and the Wellness Council are collecting donations for the Reach Out and Read Program in memory of the late Cindy Sheets, M.D., a beloved pediatrician who served in various roles at USA Health and the Whiddon College of Medicine.  

Donations can be made by giving to the Dr. Cindy S. Sheets Endowment for Early Literacy, or by purchasing books on the designated Amazon wish list. These books are approved for distribution in USA Health clinics and will be shipped directly to the USA Health Department of Pediatrics. 

The groups are partnering to host an Art of Medicine event on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. at the MacQueen Alumni Center Grand Ballroom. This is an opportunity for medical students and residents to display their artistic talents to an audience of their peers and faculty mentors. Art may include musical talents, poetry, paintings and more. Light refreshments will be served. 

To RSVP for the event and/or sign up to contribute artwork, fill out the Google form by Friday, Nov. 10.