Graduate Research Forum set for April 1

Students, faculty, researchers and aspiring scientists are invited to attend the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine Graduate Research Forum on Tuesday, April 1, starting at 9:30 a.m. in the USA Student Center Ballroom. 

The event is organized by the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Student Organization with the support of the Office of Research, Education and Training. It will highlight the incredible research by Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program and medical students participating in the research honors program.

The forum will feature engaging poster presentations showcasing a diverse range of basic science research topics. Additionally, the morning session will include speakers conducting cutting-edge medical research. 

Why attend?

• Discover advanced, innovative research in the fields of medicine and science.
• Network with graduate students, faculty and professionals.
• Gain inspiration and ideas for your own academic or research projects.
• Celebrate the dedication and achievements of your peers.

Abstract deadline is March 20. Poster submission deadline is March 25. 

Register for the event on the Google doc. 

For more information, contact Alani Rodgers, M.Ed., at arodgers@southalabama.edu or oret@southalabama.edu. 

GHHS celebrates Thank a Resident Day

Emily Cleveland and Peter Ledet deliver goodies to the orthopaedic surgery department.

The USA chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) recognized resident physicians and fellows at USA Health during Thank a Resident Day on Feb. 28. The special day takes place each year on the last Friday of February to show gratitude and appreciation for these integral members of the healthcare team.

Mary Claire Carlton prepares the

baked goods for delivery.

“I am so thankful for the amazing residents and fellows who go above and beyond to teach, mentor and support us,” said fourth-year medical student Peter Ledet. “Every resident and fellow I have had the opportunity to work with has been incredibly kind, patient and dedicated — not just to their patients, but to helping us learn and grow as future physicians. They truly set the bar for compassionate and humanistic patient care.”

Mary Claire Carlton, a fourth-year medical student, agreed: “I love our residents! Every one I’ve worked with has made a difference in my life. Their jobs are so hard: caring for the sick, managing hundreds of tasks in a day, keeping up with their studies, maintaining their health, and trying to manage family/friend relationships in between is an almost insurmountable task, yet they do it. And somehow, they still find time to let us students practice, teach us on rounds, and mentor us.”

She added, “Being a resident is a very selfless job, and they don’t get to hear 'thank you’ enough. We wanted to thank them from the bottom of our hearts because we are in awe of the good work they do and want each one to feel appreciated.”

Pediatrics residents enjoy lunch at Magnolia Manor.

Audrey Gunn, D.O., a resident in pediatrics, said she was grateful for the acknowledgement. “It was so nice to have a fun lunch with my co-residents and colleagues for Thank a Resident Day,” she said. “We appreciate the program leadership for celebrating us.”

In 2018, the Gold Humanism Honor Society decided to bring to light the importance of the residence staff and encourage medical students at chapters throughout the nation to show their gratitude and appreciation. 

Students planning reproductive health fair at Mobile community center

To build more awareness about reproductive health among area residents, medical students interested in obstetrics and gynecology are planning a health fair on Saturday, April 5, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the James Seals Community Center, 540 Texas St.

Topics to be covered include menstrual health, reproductive health and anatomy, breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings, plus sexually transmitted illness (STI) education and prevention, mental health, safety and more. 

Students from the Whiddon College of Medicine, in partnership with USA Health OB-GYN and the City of Mobile Parks and Recreation, are hosting the event.   

During the health fair, at least two specialty classes will be offered to participants. A women's self-defense class will be hosted by Corey Richardson from Gulf Coast Jiu Jitsu.  

Those who attend can also take part in a high-intensity, low-impact resistance bands workout with dance-fitness instructor Kristen Alyce. 

The public is invited to join medical students, physicians, other members of the medical team and specialized services to learn about reproductive health topics at this event.  

USA Center for Lung Biology hosts first ReSPIRE conference

Conference organizers were, back row, Troy Stevens, Ph.D., Jennifer Collins, and Mahendra Damarla, Ph.D.; front row, Natalie Bauer, Ph.D., Jamie Meegan, Ph.D., and Rebecca Hough, Ph.D.

The University of South Alabama Center for Lung Biology hosted its first Research Symposium on Pulmonary Injury and Repair of the Endothelium (ReSPIRE). About 70 researchers, representing all career stages, participated in the meeting, held Feb. 11-14 in Point Clear, Alabama. 

The conference is dedicated to the study of the pulmonary circulation in health and disease, with an emphasis on endothelium, a single layer of cells that lines the inside of all blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. It plays an essential role in maintaining vascular health and regulating blood flow. 

“While scientists and physicians have begun to appreciate the essential contribution of endothelium to lung health and disease, its normal function and processes driving endothelial dysfunction as a cause of disease or impairment to recovery remain poorly understood,” said Troy Stevens, Ph.D., director of the USA Center for Lung Biology and professor and chair of the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “The ReSPIRE convened to highlight scientific focus on these issues, for the advancement of human health.”

Lisandra Vila Ellis, M.D., from

Northwestern University presents at the

conference. 

Lung vascular diseases represent major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. These diseases cross the developmental spectrum and are inclusive of neonatal, pediatric and adult illnesses, in both sexes. According to the World Health Organization, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third leading cause of death, while lower respiratory tract infections, neonatal conditions, and lung/airway cancers account for the fourth through sixth leading causes of death worldwide. 

“In all these conditions, the lung circulation plays a cardinal role, as it is in intimate contact with the airway, receives 100% of the cardiac output, and orchestrates communication between the air-blood interface and circulating immune cells,” Stevens explained. 

Highlights from the conference included a slate of esteemed speakers, novel science by new investigators, poster sessions, rich discussion, and opportunities for collaboration.  

Additionally, the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, in partnership with the American Physiological Society, and the Microcirculatory Society made generous contributions to support early-stage investigators to attend the conference. In total, 10 early-stage investigators were selected from submitted abstracts to receive travel awards and give oral presentations at the meeting.

Conference organizers said the first meeting was a great success, and they plan for it to be a biennial event. “It was incredibly helpful for colleagues to gather together, be reminded of the importance of our work and why we chose a career in research, and be encouraged by one another,” said Jamie E. Meegan, Ph.D., assistant professor of physiology and cell biology.

The USA Center for Lung Biology comprises more than 40 faculty members and 25 postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows, and graduate students representing both basic and clinical science departments. The center seeks to provide state-of-the-art scientific development in lung biology that advances the understanding of human health and disease, to improve patient care and serve as the foundation for outstanding graduate, post-graduate, and fellowship training.

View more photos from ReSPIRE on Flickr.

Three USA Health physicians selected for national honor medical society

From left, Anna Foust, M.D., Taylor Cook, M.D., and Haris Manan, M.D., were named to Alpha Omega Alpha.  

Three USA Health providers who practice internal medicine – Anna Foust, M.D., Taylor Cook, M.D., and Haris Manan, M.D. – were selected for membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society.

Election to AOA is an honor signifying a lasting commitment to professionalism, leadership, scholarship, research and community service. A lifelong honor, membership in the society confers recognition for a physician’s dedication to the profession and art of healing. 

Foust, a graduate of the Whiddon College of Medicine, is an associate professor of pediatrics and internal medicine. She is a specialist in internal medicine and treats patients at USA Health University Hospital

“As an educator and clinician, I am honored to be selected into AOA,” she said. “This recognition is not just a reflection of past dedication but a commitment to upholding these values in the service of patients and the profession of medicine.” 

Cook is a fellow at University Hospital in pulmonology and critical care.  

“I’ve been so lucky to have received so much support and guidance from mentors, peers and friends that have become like family during my training here at USA, which I give credit to for helping me achieve this accomplishment,” she said. “To have been selected for this honor among so many other worthy individuals, is truly touching and inspiring. This nomination represents a standard of integrity, scholarship and leadership that I aim to uphold throughout my career. I am proud to be one of so many like-minded individuals who are committed to improving patient care and advancing medical knowledge.”  

Third-year resident Manan said he, too, is grateful for the support of mentors, colleagues and patients: “I hope to use this opportunity to further contribute to the education and development of our future physicians.” 

More than 4,000 students, residents/fellows, faculty, and alumni are elected each year to AOA. Since its founding in 1902, nearly 200,000 members have been elected to the society.