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| Carmen Dessauer, Ph.D. |
Dessauer's seminar, “Unique scaffolds for localized cAMP signaling in heart,” is set for Thursday, Feb. 15, 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 Tom Rich, Ph.D., and the Department of Pharmacology.
Learn more about the DSS program and view the spring 2024 seminar schedule.
Age: 27
Class: 2026
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
Undergraduate/graduate education: B.A. in medicine, health and society from Vanderbilt University; M.S. in biomedical sciences from University of Alabama at Birmingham
What do you enjoy most about being a medical student at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
I enjoy the collaborative environment where we all help each other by sharing resources and study materials. Our small class sizes also make it so easy to get to know my classmates and to interact with faculty in an authentic way.
Are you involved in any research, organizations or other initiatives at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
Last summer, I researched the applications of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of melanoma through the Summer Medical Student Research Program. I also helped organize the Student Organizations Fair as a member of the M1 Orientation Committee and assisted with the Stars & Stripes Program through the USA Center for Healthy Communities. I am the current president of Student National Medical Association and a member of the Dermatology Interest Group.
What are your interests and hobbies?
I love cooking, traveling, exploring different cultures through food, and Beyoncé.
What is something unique about you?
My name is rarely pronounced correctly. :)
The symposium is presented by the USA Health Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Burns, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Public Health and Alabama Gulf Emergency Medical Services.
The Gulf Coast Trauma Symposium is an annual event designed to educate all providers in our region who care for critically injured patients. The goal this year is to provide current evidence-based concepts and techniques of resuscitation, diagnostic evaluation, and therapeutic intervention from scientific and humanistic perspectives.
The friendly competition helps support research and critical clinical needs at USA Health, and at least one member of each band has an affiliation with USA Health or the Whiddon College of Medicine. Vote for your favorite band and buy tickets here.
Meet the bands that will perform at this year's Doc Rock:
By the Way
Supporting the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute
Comprised of multiple members familiar with the Mobile music scene, By the Way delivers high-energy shows that feature incredible harmonies and popular song selections.
Mobile Second Line Society
Supporting H. Pete & Ashley Jones Neuroscience Research Endowment - USA Neurology
Mobile Second Line Society is Mobile's own brass band, playing hard-driving funk and rock since 2014. Inspired by the sounds of Mardi Gras, Mobile Second Line Society is an integral part of Mobile's culture.
The Shotcallers
Supporting USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital Cardiopulmonary Department
Since they started performing in 2021, The Shotcallers have been playing hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s to newer songs. Their favorite bands are SRV, John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Wet Willie, and Blackstreet.
Sloth Racer
Supporting USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital
Formed in 2017, Sloth Racer features a revolving cast of like-minded musicians with a love for live performance. Expect to hear an eclectic mix of your favorite hits, from the ‘90s to now.
Society Hill
Supporting USA Health’s Project Inspire
Society Hill consists of members who have been singing and playing instruments for decades. They will perform a medley of classic songs from throughout the years.
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| From left, Michael Damrich, M.D., adjunct associate professor of surgery; Dimitris Kyriazis, M.D., associate professor of surgery; and Carl Maltese, M.D., associate professor of surgery, recently joined USA Health and the Whiddon College of Medicine. |
Board-certified cardiovascular surgeons Michael Damrich, M.D., FACS; Dimitris Kyriazis, M.D., FACC, FACS; and Carl Maltese, M.D., FACS, will now be part of USA Health, where they will provide surgical procedures for patients with heart, lung, esophageal and vascular conditions. The practice will remain at 1901 Springhill Ave. in Mobile and be known as USA Health Cardiovascular Surgery.
“We are excited to expand our cardiovascular surgery services as we continue to meet the healthcare needs of people in the Gulf Coast region,” said Owen Bailey, MSHA, FACHE, chief executive officer for USA Health and senior associate vice president for medical affairs. “We have known and worked alongside these excellent surgeons for years, and we welcome them to USA Health.”
John V. Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, said the addition of three board-certified cardiovascular surgeons will further strengthen the surgical training opportunities for residents and fellows at USA Health. “Preparing the next generation of physicians is a significant part of our mission as an academic health system,” Marymont said.
Damrich, a native of Mobile, earned his medical degree from the Whiddon College of Medicine. He trained in general and vascular surgery under the direction of the renowned cardiovascular surgeon and educator Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., in Houston and was chosen to continue training under DeBakey in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Damrich is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Damrich will serve as an adjunct associate professor of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine.
Kyriazis, a native of Skyros, Greece, earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago Health Sciences – Chicago Medical School. He completed residency training in general surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and studied thoracic and cardiovascular surgery under the direction of DeBakey. Kyriazis is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Chest Physicians. Kyriazis will serve as an associate professor of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine.
Maltese received his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He studied general and vascular surgery under the direction of DeBakey and continued his training in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery with the legendary surgeon. Maltese is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Chest Physicians. Maltese will serve as an associate professor of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine.
“The addition of these experienced surgeons will allow us to expand our cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgical services,” said William O. Richards, M.D., FACS, chair of surgery at USA Health and professor of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “We will be able to help more people suffering from heart, lung or vascular conditions.”