Class of 2025 donned with academic hoods at annual ceremony

The Class of 2025 receives their academic hoods. 

By Lindsay Hughes

Hippocrates once said, “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love for humanity.” 

The theme of humanity – and remembering why they chose medicine as a vocation – was a common thread at the Whiddon College of Medicine Class of 2025’s Academic Hooding Ceremony. The event was held Thursday, May 8, at the USA Mitchell Center.    

T.J. Hundley Jr., M.D.

Sixty-eight graduating medical students were hooded by special people in their lives before taking the Hippocratic Oath. Two graduating students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program were awarded doctoral hoods by their major professors.  

The Class of 2025 selected T.J. Hundley Jr., M.D., as the faculty member to address the class. Hundley, an alumnus of the Whiddon College of Medicine, is associate dean for medical education and an associate professor of internal medicine. 

“On July 26, 2021, you began medical school with one goal … the desire to help others and make a difference,” Hundley said. He reminded the class that amid the everyday stress of being physicians not to forget why they started down this path.  

“Paperwork, tasks in the electronic record, changing rules and regulations, stressful environments, long hours, are just a few of the things that will tug at you every day,” he said. “Do not let them detract you from spending an extra moment with your patients and families in their time of need. A moment to listen, a simple word of encouragement, or a kind touch can mean the difference between healing and just working.”  

Naden Kreitz

Naden Kreitz was chosen to represent the Class of 2025 at the ceremony. As a medical student, he was actively involved in the Gold Humanism Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and the Research with Honors Program.  

Currently a captain in the U.S. Air Force, he will begin residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.  

Kreitz encouraged his classmates to embrace three concepts as they start their residencies: Show themselves and others abundant grace; remain thankful; and remember their purpose and passion for people.  

“We have been called to one of the most incredible professions in the world, and we have the privilege of serving our communities with humility and dignity,” he said. “May we never forget that every patient is important and is deeply loved by others.”   

Aishwarya Prakash, Ph.D.

Aishwarya Prakash, Ph.D., an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and pharmacology, shared personal experiences that shaped her life and career as a cancer researcher.  

Her story began on the other side of the world in Bangalore, India, where she and her mother cared for her grandfather, who had multiple myeloma.  

“I did not have the language for science yet, but I had all the questions,” said Prakash, who joined the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute as a researcher in 2016. “I wanted to understand cancer, to unravel its complexity, and to do something – anything – that might spare another family that kind of pain.”   

Jerry Andrews

For Prakash, hooding her very first graduating Ph.D. student – Marlo Thomas – at the ceremony was a “full-circle experience, a reminder of where I began.”

She urged the soon-to-be graduates to stay true to their authentic selves and to always choose being kind over being right.  

“As you leave here and take your next steps as physicians, scientists, caregivers and leaders, I urge you to lead with compassion,” she said. “Because while your degrees reflect your intelligence, it is your kindness that will define your legacy.”  

Jerry Andrews, who served as president of the Class of 2025, presented the following faculty awards: 

• Best Pre-Clerkship Module: Respiratory (Troy Stevens, Ph.D., and Brian Fouty, M.D.) 
• Best Pre-Clerkship Educator: Brian Fouty, M.D. 
• Best M3 Clerkship: Internal Medicine (Anna Foust, M.D., and Katherine Glosemeyer, M.D.) 
• Best Clerkship Educator: Nicolette Holliday, M.D. 

View more photos from the Academic Hooding Ceremony on Flickr.  

Watch the recorded livestream on YouTube. 

Whiddon COM continues its regional impact at AAMC’s Southern Group on Student Affairs Conference

From left, Frank Lucas, Ed.D.; Grace Chaffin; Becky Smith, Ph.D.; Kayla Pavlick, Ph.D.; and Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D., attend the regional conference.

Frank Lucas, Ed.D.; Kayla Pavlick, Ph.D.; Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D.; Becky Smith, Ph.D.; and student Grace Chaffin attended the Association of American Medical Colleges’ 2025 joint Southern region conference in Miami, hosted by the Southern Group on Student Affairs, the Southern Group on Educational Affairs, and the Organization of Student Representatives. 

As the foremost regional meeting for academic medicine, the convention gathers those who drive innovation, lead thought-provoking discussions, and foster strategic collaboration in healthcare education, curriculum, holistic student support, and more. This year, the Whiddon College of Medicine’s contributions to the regional conference underscored the importance of holistic student support and showcased the development process of the Whiddon COM’s support services.

Becky Smith Ph.D., and Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D.

Ridgeway, assistant dean for student affairs, and Smith, health and wellness counselor, facilitated a workshop titled “The facets of a medical student: A wrap-around approach to medical student support.” The workshop was developed in collaboration with David S. Williams, Ph.D., MPA, assistant dean for institutional and academic success, and Angie O’Neal, M.Ed., director of learning support. 

For attendees, this session outlined data from a two-part study exploring the current offerings and organizational structure of student support services within U.S. medical schools. This session also highlighted the Whiddon COM’s three-pronged approach to holistic student support through intra- and inter-office collaborations. Additionally, the workshop provided attendees the opportunity to work through case vignettes and plan how they would use existing services or develop the necessary relationships to provide students with holistic collaboration and support.

“It was exciting to share our unique approach to holistic student support and learn from colleagues through their approaches to student support,” Smith said. “We have developed a robust program in a short period of time centered around wellness, resilience, and academic success for our students, thanks to our collaboration, and it was rewarding to inspire other medical schools in their efforts to support their students.” 

Additionally, Ridgeway participated as a panelist in the “Leave of absence policies and processes: Opportunities for cross-department collaboration” session, alongside colleagues from Vanderbilt University, the University of Miami, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. This panel session offered attendees insights and considerations for crafting or enhancing their existing leave of absence policies. 

Ridgeway noted, “A key takeaway from the session was to encourage medical schools to think about how leaves of absence are communicated and who needs to be involved in this process to continue supporting students.” 

Ridgeway also moderated a series of oral presentation sessions that focused on professionalism and covered topics such as the long-term effects of early professionalism interventions, preparing students for patient death, and social media policies among U.S. medical schools.

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.

Your voice matters: Shape the future of wellness

In the demanding world of academic medicine, especially in our medically underserved region, your well-being directly impacts the quality of care our community receives. Yet, too often, the needs of those providing care are overlooked.

This is your chance to change that.

Our wellness research initiative is currently seeking additional faculty and resident participants to share their experiences with workplace stressors and identify the support needed to thrive in our unique healthcare environment.

Why your participation matters
Your insights will directly inform the development of: 

• Tailored wellness tools designed specifically for our medical community
• Evidence-based policies that address the real challenges you face
• Sustainable procedures that protect your well-being while enhancing patient care

Your privacy is protected

• All data transfers directly from Qualtrics to Tableau without intermediate storage
• Access restricted to study investigators only through password protection
• Complete freedom to skip any questions you prefer not to answer
• Option to withdraw at any time without consequences

How to participate
Simply complete the confidential survey through Qualtrics: https://southalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nagUFuLAh1m7DE

Join your colleagues who have already participated in building a more sustainable practice environment for all of us — and ultimately, better healthcare for our community. This research initiative aims to understand faculty and resident stressors in our academic health system and develop a comprehensive wellness program tailored to our unique needs. 

For questions about the study, contact Binata Mukherjee, M.D., MBA, at bmukherjee@southalabama.edu.  

Pierce named Advocacy Champion by the Association for Clinical Oncology

Jennifer Young Pierce, M.D., MPH, a gynecologic oncologist at USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute and division director of Cancer Control and Prevention, was named an Advocacy Champion by the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) during the Association’s 2025 Advocacy Summit in April.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as an Advocacy Champion by ASCO,” said Pierce, a professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology. “Advocacy is at the heart of ensuring that every patient, regardless of where they live or their circumstances, has access to the care they deserve. I am deeply committed to not only advancing the science of cancer treatment but also to amplifying the voices of those who need it most — our patients. I am proud to stand with ASCO and so many dedicated professionals who work endlessly to make that vision a reality.”

Advocacy Champions are ASCO volunteers who have made meaningful contributions to its advocacy activities throughout the year to ensure that every patient with cancer has access to high-quality, high-value cancer care, no matter who they are or where they live. Advocates speak with federal lawmakers and agencies, send personalized letters to members of Congress through ASCO’s ACT Network, engage with state lawmakers on policy priorities at the state level, and host site visits for lawmakers in their home states and districts.

“ASCO’s Advocacy Champions make up an extremely dedicated group of healthcare providers and researchers that go beyond the day-to-day work by advocating for patients,” said Martin Palmeri, M.D., MBA, chair of ASCO’s Government Relations Committee. “Collaborating with policymakers helps create an environment that allows us to provide the best quality of care and research possible to all people with cancer.”

Pierce has participated in multiple ASCO advocacy activities during the year, making her a part of the Senator’s Circle in the organization.

Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day set for May 13

To celebrate the end of a successful academic year, the Whiddon College of Medicine will host a Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.

The event is planned for Tuesday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to noon in the connector hallway between CSAB and MSB second floor.

Breakfast and snacks will be provided.

For questions, contact marcinalang@southalabama.edu.