USA Health residents and fellows present research at cancer advocacy conference

From left, Leena Patel, M.D.; Lauren Healey, M.D.; Marialaina Carter, M.D.; Sam Hall, M.D., Vishal Shroff, M.D.; Hussein Haidari, M.D.; Dawood Sheikh, M.D.

Two hematology and oncology fellows and five internal medicine residents from USA Health recently attended the 2025 Gulf Coast Hematology & Oncology Summit presented by the Alabama Cancer Congress (ACC) at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  

These physicians-in-training represented USA Health: second-year fellow Sam Hall, M.D.; first-year fellow Vishal Shroff, M.D.; and second-year internal medicine residents Marialaina Carter, M.D.; Hussein Haidari, M.D.; Lauren Healey, M.D.; Leena Patel, M.D.; and Dawood Sheikh, M.D., along with two USA Health providers and Whiddon College of Medicine educators.

Jennifer Young Pierce, M.D., MPH, a gynecologic oncologist, division director of Cancer Control and Prevention, program director of the gynecologic oncology fellowship, and professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology, shared her expertise at the event. Medical oncologist Nabin Karki, M.D., an adjunct assistant professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology, also attended.

Four second-year residents made the following presentations during the three-day conference:

• Marialaina Carter, M.D. – “Localized urethral AL amyloidosis”
• Hussein Haidari, M.D. – “Malignant transformation of esophageal lichen planus into local squamous cell carcinoma” 
• Lauren Healey, M.D. – “From Psoriasis to Cutaneous PTCL: A Diagnostic Journey”
• Dawood Sheikh, M.D. – “SMARCA4 deficient poorly differentiated carcinoma of LUNG”

The Alabama Cancer Congress was established in 2009 to represent all types of hematology and oncology-related providers who touch patient lives in the state. The ACC promotes education, advocacy, and a sense of community for professional medical cancer organizations. In this difficult healthcare environment, the ACC aims to advocate for excellent patient care while supporting the interests of Alabama cancer care providers.