Sansing retires from USA after three decades of service

Susan Sansing has provided her professional expertise, mentorship and leadership throughout her 33 years with the University of South Alabama and USA Health. On May 1, she will retire from her position as associate dean for finance and administration at the Whiddon College of Medicine. 

In 1991, Sansing was hired as an accountant at Doctors Hospital, which later became USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital. She worked various positions within the USA system before joining the Whiddon College of Medicine in 2000 as the associate business manager, overseeing all budget and financial aspects of the college including post-award grant activities. Since then, she has served as business manager and the assistant vice president for health sciences before taking on additional responsibilities as the assistant dean and later the associate dean for finance and administration. 

Sansing said she has enjoyed being part of the overall success of the Whiddon College of Medicine. “We have one of the best academic programs in the country, a strong financial position, and some of the best leadership, faculty and staff to work with,” she said. “I enjoy building teams that work together, maintain a strong sense of integrity, and strive for success; and I share my accomplishments with all of those who have worked alongside me.”

One of the most remarkable things Sansing has noticed, she said, is the number of long-term employees who have served USA and USA Health for decades, and have also experienced and been a part of the growth and outreach of the university and the health system. 

Sansing said she will most miss her coworkers who have supported her and the Whiddon College of Medicine over the years. “There has always been a great sense of loyalty to the college by those that I have worked closest with, and those bonds will be missed,” she said.

Faculty, staff and students of the Whiddon College of Medicine honored Sansing at a retirement reception on Wednesday. Her post-retirement plans include traveling and spending time with her family. 

MAA requests 'a note for every white coat'

The USA Medical Alumni Association is proud to provide Whiddon College of Medicine students with their first white coats. As a part of this special tradition, a handwritten note card is included in the pocket of every white coat when they are presented to students at their White Coat Ceremony.

The MAA requests your words of encouragement and advice for these notes. Submit your own special message via email to medalum@southalabama.edu by Friday, June 7. 

The Class of 2026 White Coat Ceremony is set for Friday, June 14, at 2 p.m. at the USA Mitchell Center.

Members of the Class of 2024 recognized at honors ceremony

Classmates Bailey Manning and Justin Penninger high five as she accepts an award.

The Whiddon College of Medicine recognized select members of the Class of 2024 at a special breakfast and honors ceremony on Wednesday, April 24, in the USA Student Center. The following students received awards:

John Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., presents Arcole Brandon

with the Dean's Award.

Dean’s Award: Arcole Sims Brandon
Awarded to the graduating senior who has accumulated the highest scholastic grade-point average for the full four years of medical school.

Merck Award: Jordan Ingram Chappell, Rachel Elise Emig
Awarded to senior students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement.

Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Citations: Madeleine Derbonne Boudreaux, Jordan Ingram Chappell, Rachel Elise Emig, Taylor Coe Yockers
Presented to those women students who graduate in the top 10% of their class.

Dr. Robert A. Kreisberg Endowed Award of Excellence: Claudia Paige Stephens
Awarded to a graduating senior student in the top 25% of the class who is distinguished in both the clinical and basic sciences. This student has demonstrated superior leadership and integrity, possesses a strong work ethic, and has performed in such a way as to earn the respect of his or her fellow students and faculty.

The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award: Marjorie Teel Jones, Antwan J. Hogue, M.D.
Presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation to the senior student and to the faculty member nominated and selected by the senior class who have demonstrated outstanding compassion to patients and their families.

Medical Alumni Leadership Award: Carey Patrick Johnson
Awarded to the senior student by vote of classmates, in recognition of outstanding leadership of the graduating class.

Community Service Award: Taran Santana Carrasco, Alexander Gabriel Polski
Presented by the Medical Society of Mobile County to two senior medical students whose classmates believe best fulfill the ideals of humanitarian public service as demonstrated by superior awareness of, and achievement in, civic and community programs.

SNMA Leadership Award: Carey Patrick Johnson
The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians. This award is granted to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, and community, school, and organizational service.

Dr. Richard William Gurich Memorial Endowed Scholarship: Brandon David Rosser, Taylor Coe Yockers
Awarded to two graduating senior students who have not only performed at the highest level during the third and fourth years, but have also demonstrated efficacy in patient relations and professionalism.

Dr. William James Atkinson Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship: Elizabeth Gray Statham
Presented to a fourth-year medical student exhibiting exemplary character, possessing a dedication to the field of medicine, and demonstrating a commitment to compassionate patient care. This student is interested in primary care and plans to practice in the state of Alabama.

Adele Mantiply and Dr. Gerald Galle Pediatric Endowed Scholarship: Carey Patrick Johnson
Awarded to a graduating senior student who has accepted a position in a pediatric residency program at the University of South Alabama and intends to practice pediatrics in Mobile and/or Baldwin counties.

Excellence in Public Health Award: Chandler Hinson
This award is presented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Public Health Service to recognize the medical student who has demonstrated a commitment to public health and public health practice and has exhibited leadership and hard work with a passion and dedication to public health within the medical profession.

Dr. Joseph G. Hardin Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Zara Ijaz
Awarded to a graduating senior student who is interested in pursuing a career in internal medicine.

National Medical Fellowships Henrietta Lacks Scholarship: Tiara Dean; Sage Garriss, senior doctoral candidate for Ph.D.
Runners-Up: Taran Santana Carrasco, Cara Joy King
This National Medical Fellowship’s award was established in 2021 by Margie Malone Tuckson and Dr. Reed V. Tuckson. This scholarship honors the life of Henrietta Lacks and the invaluable impact she has made in the advancement of science and medicine. The scholarship is given to underrepresented in medicine students at the Whiddon College of Medicine who have exemplified outstanding academic achievement, leadership, research and community service.

John A. Desak Award: Madeleine Derbonne Boudreaux
In honor of USA College of Medicine graduate Dr. Maryella Sirmon’s father, this award is presented to the highest-ranking female in the graduating class who has accepted a residency in internal medicine.

Steven Karl Teplick, M.D., FARC Memorial Award: Shane Gray Stephenson
Awarded to a graduating senior student specializing in radiology and committed to lifelong learning as exemplified by Dr. Steven Teplick.

Recipients of the Cooke-Scott Scholarship

Cooke-Scott Scholarship: Alana Breann Andrew Fortune, Jordan M. Burlingame, Sela Renee Gavan, Samuel Troupe Grimes, Luke Edward Harris, Cara Joy King, Nicole Elizabeth Matis, Shubha Vinod McClelland, Alexandra Paige Templin, Brandon Phillip Webb
Awarded to fourth-year medical students wishing to pursue a career in the neuroscience field (neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, ophthalmology) and who have demonstrated exemplary qualities and commitment to their field.

Edgar C. Fonde Scholarship: Olivia Grace Durant, Erik Joseph Herslebs
Awarded to fourth-year medical students with financial need who have matched in pathology.

College of American Pathologists Distinguished Medical Student Award: Emily Hartsell
Recognizes an outstanding medical student who demonstrates exceptional achievement and dedication in the field of pathology. 

Outstanding Student in the Pre-clerkship Curriculum: Arcole Sims Brandon
Awarded to a graduating senior student for outstanding performance in the pre-clerkship curriculum.

Award for Excellence in Teaching Clinical Skills: Zara Ijaz
Awarded to a graduating senior student for outstanding teaching skills and student mentoring in the clinical skills program. This student has demonstrated a dedication to education in the field of clinical skills.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Excellence Award: Shane Gray Stephenson
Presented to a graduating senior student for demonstrating outstanding knowledge in basic and clinical pharmacology.

Hollis J. Wiseman Award for Excellence in Pediatrics: Justin Ryan Penninger
Presented to the student who best exemplified Dr. Wiseman’s outstanding scholarship, compassion for patients and families, involvement in the profession and community, enthusiasm for exploration and steadfast love of family, friends and colleagues.

Samuel Eichold Award: Arcole Sims Brandon
Presented to the graduating medical student who through scholarship, patient care, interaction with faculty and housestaff, and motivation, has demonstrated outstanding achievement in internal medicine.

Dr. Michael M. Linder Endowed Award: Mia Michaela Jetsu
Awarded to a senior student who has accepted a residency in family medicine and exemplifies a commitment to family medicine, as practiced by Dr. Michael Linder, through astute clinical acumen based on the knowledge of the human body and evidence-based medicine. This student possesses a passion for teaching this knowledge and the art of family medicine to others, and demonstrates courage to do what is best for the whole patient and their family.

Ralph Denny Wright and Anne G. Wright Memorial Scholarship: Bailey Alese Manning
Awarded to the senior student focusing on internal medicine/family practice, who strives to become a compassionate physician and skilled diagnostician as exemplified by Dr. Wright.

Orthopaedic Research Award: Robert Thomas Rella
The Orthopaedic Research Award is presented by the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program to a student pursuing an orthopaedic surgery career who has shown outstanding scientific achievement and a commitment to orthopaedic research.

John W. Donald Memorial Award in Surgery: Jordan Ingram Chappell
Awarded to the senior student who best demonstrated clinical and academic excellence in the surgery clerkship.

H. C. Mullins, M.D. Award: Jarrett A. Barnes
Awarded by the faculty of the Department of Family Medicine to the graduating senior who demonstrated excellence in the ability to apply principles, practice, and philosophy of family medicine in caring for patients and their families. This award is given in honor of Dr. H. C. Mullins, professor emeritus and founding chair of the department.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Award: Claudia Paige Stephens
Presented to the graduating medical student who, through scholarship, patient care, interaction with faculty and housestaff, and motivation, has demonstrated excellence in obstetrics and gynecology.

Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award: Jelani Dia Bender
This award is presented by the Department of Emergency Medicine to the graduating medical student who best exemplifies outstanding clinical performance in emergency medical care.

Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Award: Jonathan Keith Lee
Presented on behalf of SAEM to the graduating medical student who has demonstrated excellence and academic proficiency in emergency medicine.

Excellence in Psychiatry Award: Alexandra Paige Templin
This award is given to a fourth-year medical student who excels in psychiatry, displaying exceptional knowledge and skills in providing compassionate and evidence-based mental healthcare. This award recognizes their academic excellence, clinical proficiency, and leadership potential in the field of psychiatry.

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society: Madeleine Boudreaux, Arcole Brandon, Taylor Coe Yockers, Rachel Emig, David Gahan, Matthew Handley, Jordan Ingram, Christian Manganti, Bailey Manning, Jessica Moore, Mary Katherine Moore, Lauren Mussell, Brandon Rosser, Claudia Stephens, Robert Yockers

Alumni of DREAM and SouthMed Prep Scholars

Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society: Arcole Brandon, Tiara Dean, David Gahan, Carey Johnson, Marjorie Jones, Christian Manganti, Jessica Moore, Justin Penninger, Lameace Sayegh, Trentyn Shaw, Claudia Stephens

Peer Emotional and Educational Resilience Support (PEERS): Alana Andrew Fortune, Tiara Dean, Luke Harris, Rainer Jones, Brenna Katz, Jonathan Lee, Laneace Sayegh, Alexandra Templin

Peer Academic Leaders (PALS): Alana Andrew Fortune, Luke Harris, Lauren Mussell, Brandon Rosser

M.D. Research With Honors: Kiley Brady, Daniel Irelan
Presented to graduating medical students who have conducted in-depth research in a chosen area related to the health sciences.

Primary Care Pathway Scholars: TiAriel Anderson, Jarrett Barnes, Amber Crenshaw, Tiara Dean, Isabelle Hudson, Carey Johnson, Marley Lee

DREAM and SouthMed Prep Scholars Alumni: TiAriel Anderson, Alana Andrew Fortune, Jarrett Barnes, Gabby Brumfield, Taran Carrasco, Amber Crenshaw, Tiara Dean, Carey Johnson, Cara King, Marley Lee, Trentyn Shaw

Students Serving in the Military: Jelani Bender, Kiley Brady, Kayman Strickland-Beach

View more photos from the breakfast and honors ceremony on Flickr. 

USA Health residents and fellows present research at cancer advocacy conference

Muhammad Areeb Ashfaq, M.D.; Anita Mazloom, M.D.; Pranitha Prodduturvar, M.D.; Daisy Escobar, M.D.; and Haris Manan, M.D., attend the NeauxCancer Conference in New Orleans.

Hematology and oncology fellows and internal medicine residents from USA Health recently presented their research at the third annual NeauxCancer Conference presented by the Career Advocacy Group of Louisiana (CAGLA) in New Orleans.

The following represented USA Health: third-year fellows Daisy Escobar, M.D., and Anita Mazloom, M.D.; third-year internal medicine resident Muhammad Areeb Ashfaq, M.D.; and second-year internal medicine residents Jose Alejandro (Alex) Asturias, M.D., and Haris Manan, M.D. Pranitha Prodduturvar, M.D., a medical oncologist and assistant professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology, also attended the conference. 

The conference attracted medical oncologists, cancer surgeons, radiation oncologists, and other physicians, as well as advanced practice providers, medical trainees, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. The three-day event covered wide-ranging topics beyond discussions about the disease and emerging therapies, including advocacy and the future of AI in the field.

Escobar, a hematology and oncology fellow, attended the conference for the first time. She presented research on health disparities between races and response to treatment in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients. 

“It was great to see so many people coming together for advocacy and more importantly to see all the changes that CAGLA has done for the state of Louisiana,” Escobar said. “Times continue to change, and it is up to us to learn how to advocate for our patients both within and beyond the confines of the clinic.”

Manan, a second-year internal medicine resident, described participating in the conference as a positive experience. “It was a great experience for all of us to present our study,” he said. “There were great lectures about breast cancer, current chemotherapy agents and the future of AI in the world of oncology.”

Their research studied the extent of cardiac toxicity that could be associated with concomitant use of anthracyclines and immune check inhibitors in a retrospective cohort. 

CAGLA is a grassroots advocacy group that champions improved cancer care. Community leaders, dedicated physicians and resilient survivors unite to drive progress in healthcare policy and practice.

OAP team collaborates regionally and nationally to advance medical education

Members of the Office of Accreditation and Planning, from left, are Melisa Pierce, M.P.A.; David Williams, Ph.D., M.P.A.;  Angie O'Neal, M.Ed.; Timothy Gilbert, Ed.D.; Breland Walley; and Russell Cantrell, MSCIS, M.B.A. 

The Whiddon College of Medicine’s Office of Accreditation and Planning (OAP) is committed to excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement in medical education. Their guiding philosophy, “A rising tide raises all ships,” inspires their active engagement in communities of practice beyond the college and their participation in regional and national opportunities.

Under the leadership of Associate Dean Timothy Gilbert, Ed.D., the OAP team strives to align the college's goals with the evolving landscape of medical education. This commitment to planning ensures the unique needs of students, faculty, and the community are addressed. The team includes David S. Williams, Ph.D., M.P.A., assistant dean of institutional and academic success; Melisa Pierce, M.P.A., director of quality improvement; Russell W. Cantrell, MSCIS, M.B.A., director of data administration and strategic initiatives; Angie O'Neal, M.Ed., director of learning support services; and Breland Walley, administrative support. 

Williams is key in advancing medical education beyond the University of South Alabama campus. He was recently appointed to serve on the steering committee for the Medical Education Learning Specialists (MELS) organization, representing the Southern region of medical schools and contributing to regional and national strategic directives. Additionally, he's on the Accreditation Preparation and Quality Improvement (APQI) inaugural annual conference committee, shaping the discourse on defining scholarship in accreditation and quality improvement. Williams, alongside four other faculty and administrators across the University, completed the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ Institute on ePortfolios, for institutional adaptation of ePortfolios as a high-impact practice to support USA’s LevelUP Quality Enhancement Plan. He also collaborated on an Association of American Medical Colleges’ Holistic Student Support community research study with T.J. Hundley, M.D., on pre-module checklist processes for course improvement. 

Pierce contributes her expertise to discussions on various topics related to medical education practices. For example, she is a panelist for the monthly Central Group on Education Affairs webinar series on course evaluation and grade reporting, and student feedback initiatives. In May, she will present at the APQI national conference on the topic of enhancing medical education course evaluation. She is also collaborating with two other medical colleges to present on closing the loop on student feedback. Through her participation in these webinars and conferences, Pierce collaborates with educators and leaders nationwide to drive innovation and improvement in medical education practices.

Cantrell advocates for data literacy and proficiency and is an active community member of Tableau, a data visualization software company. He is a Tableau Academic Ambassador and a featured speaker at the upcoming Tableau Conference 2024. He was selected as a national data visualization competition judge, exemplifying his dedication to advancing data visualization. Collaborating with colleagues at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, he has also shown how Tableau can enhance data visualization and quality improvement initiatives. 

Additionally, Williams, Pierce and Cantrell will present their work at the APQI annual conference, discussing “Advancing Accreditation: Integrative Heatmap Strategies for Enhanced Continuous Quality Improvement in Medical Education.”

O’Neal empowers students through workshops and programs, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing in medical education nationwide. She volunteers on the MELS conference planning committee and as a peer reviewer for APQI conference proposals. She collaborates on presentations with faculty and staff from various medical schools, promoting student-centric innovation beyond the Whiddon College of Medicine. 

Learn more about the Office of Accreditation and Planning.