Whiddon COM faculty receive promotion and awarded tenure

In recognition of their excellence in scholarship, teaching and service, Whiddon College of Medicine faculty received approval for promotion and were awarded tenure at the USA Board of Trustees meeting on June 7. New academic ranks will be effective Aug. 15. 

Join us in congratulating these faculty members for their outstanding achievements.

Tenure:

• Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D. – Pathology
• Meghan E. Hermance, Ph.D. – Microbiology and Immunology

Promotion to Professor:

• Charles W. Hartin Jr., M.D. – Surgery and joint in Pediatrics
• Nicolette P. Holliday, M.D. – Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Terry J. Hundley Jr., M.D. – Internal Medicine
• Rosemary J. Klecker, M.D. – Radiology

Promotion to Professor, Research:

• Viktor G. Solodushko, Ph.D. – Pharmacology

Promotion to Associate Professor:

• Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D. – Pathology
• Nita S. Davis, M.D. – Pediatrics
• Luis del Pozo-Yauner, M.D., Ph.D. – Pathology
• Christopher M. Francis, Ph.D. – Physiology and Cell Biology
• Meghan E. Hermance, Ph.D. – Microbiology and Immunology
• Robert P. Kobelja, M.D. – Neurology
• Yann-Leei L. Lee, M.D. – Surgery
• Brett S. Martin, M.D., MBA – Radiology and joint in Neurosurgery
• Maryann I. Mbaka, M.D. – Surgery
• Benjamin R. Niland, M.D. – Internal Medicine
• Karen J. Parsell, M.D. – Pediatrics
• William M. Perez, M.D. – Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Walker B. Plash, M.D. - Emergency Medicine
• Jai D. Thakur, M.D. – Neurosurgery
• Ashley Y. Williams Hogue, M.D. – Surgery

M3 Case Symposium highlights medical students' unique case reports

Winners of the M3 Case Symposium with the judges, from left: Frederick Rossi, D.O.; Anne-Marie Kaulfers, M.D.; Caroline Howell; Brian Nguyen; Bree Cobine; Larry Lee, M.D.; and Nicolette Holliday, M.D. 

Members of the Class of 2026 presented interesting, rare and novel case studies observed during their third-year rotations at the annual M3 Case Symposium, held June 6 at the Strada Patient Care Center. 

A total of 54 posters were judged based on originality, strength of conclusions, quality of references, overall appearance, organization and topic. 

Caroline Howell

Caroline Howell took first place for her presentation of a case of lepromatous leprosy in a patient without classic risk factors or exposures. The patient was initially diagnosed with granuloma annulare on biopsy, but her condition worsened after initiating the drug methotrexate. Empiric multidrug therapy was started, and histopathology in collaboration with the National Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) Program confirmed lepromatous leprosy.

Howell said the case highlights the importance of including leprosy in the differential diagnosis for granulomatous skin lesions, even in non-endemic settings. 

“Presenting at the M3 Case Symposium was a truly rewarding experience,” she said. “I appreciated the opportunity to share what I learned through this unique case and was honored to be recognized. It was also a pleasure to engage with faculty and explore the wide range of fascinating cases presented by my classmates.”

Brian Nguyen won second place for his presentation of a 60-year-old patient living in a rural area, with multiple chronic conditions including diabetes, neuropathy, and chronic sacral wounds. 

“More critically, his care was shaped by significant social determinants — limited transportation, food insecurity, and complete reliance on caregiver support,” Nguyen said. “My case emphasized the importance of integrating community resources, shared goal-setting, and patient-centered planning into chronic disease management so that he could regain control over his life. It also highlighted how addressing social context can be just as impactful as medical treatment in improving health outcomes.”

Nguyen said he felt strongly about sharing this patient’s story, as it changed the way he thinks about providing care. 

“His case reminded me that medicine isn’t just about managing diseases, but also about understanding the day-to-day challenges patients face,” he said. “So, when I was awarded second place, it was a truly welcome surprise. More than the recognition, it reinforced the importance of listening to patients and providing care that’s grounded in their real lives — a lesson I’ll carry along with me for a long time.”

Bree Cobine won third place for her presentation of an atypical etiology of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) following a dental procedure. SBP is a serious infection of the fluid in the abdominal cavity that occurs in people with liver disease, particularly cirrhosis. Patients who are post-liver transplant, as in this case, are more likely to exhibit severe and atypical features of SBP than the non-transplant population. 

Serving as judges at the symposium were Nicolette Holliday, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology; Anne-Marie Kaulfers, M.D., professor of pediatrics; Larry Lee, M.D., assistant professor of surgery; and Frederick Rossi, D.O., assistant professor of internal medicine.

Student coordinators of the event were Olivia Grace Brookins, Juliette Lewis, Thomas Robinson and Macy Wright.

View more photos from the M3 Case Symposium on Flickr. 

Residents, medical students present research at Alabama psychiatry conference

Caleb Thomas, a third-year medical student, was

awarded first place for the poster he presented.

Third-year medical students and psychiatry residents recently presented research at the Alabama Psychiatric Physicians Association (APPA) Spring Conference in Gulf Shores. 

The APPA is a district branch of the American Psychiatric Association. 

Caleb Thomas, a third-year medical student at the Whiddon College of Medicine, and second-year resident Robert Hays Osborne, M.D., won first place for the poster presentation “A Child in Pause: Recognizing and Managing Pediatric Catatonia.” 

The poster detailed the management of a 3-year-old patient with catatonia, a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by abnormal movements, behaviors, and withdrawal.  

“We found this case to be especially interesting because our patient was found to be one of the youngest patients diagnosed with non-drug-induced catatonia,” said Thomas, who presented the poster. “During hospitalization, the patient was also found to have a form of autoimmune encephalitis called MOG-ADEM, which coincidentally had a similar presentation to the previous youngest documented case of catatonia.” 

Thomas said the patient’s condition improved with treatment. 

Fourth-year resident John T. Olsen, D.O., presented “Psychotherapy as Monotherapy: A Patient with Severe Illness Anxiety Disorder” during a series of presentations on integrating therapy into a psychiatry practice. 

J. Luke Engeriser, M.D., DFAPA, DFASAM, director of the psychiatry residency program, the addiction medicine fellowship, and an associate professor of psychiatry at the Whiddon College of Medicine, presented “Gas Station Pharmacology,” outlining common substances, available at gas stations, that are potentially addictive, have no FDA oversight and whose legality is unclear. 

Other presenters at the conference included: 

Third-year resident Shyla Hossain, M.D., presented “Admitting Criminal Guilt in Clinical Settings: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas of Documentation.”  

Evan Chavers, M.D., a third-year resident, and Ginger Llivina, a third-year medical student, presented “Seeing the Difference: Comparing HPPD and Psychotic Hallucinations.” Marianne Saitz, D.O., MPH, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Whiddon College of Medicine, was an additional author on the research. 

J. Morgan Malone, M.D., a fourth-year resident, and Miranda Crowell, M.D., a third-year resident, presented “Treatment of ADHD with Concurrent Cannabis Use Disorder.” 

Ridgeway appointed associate dean for student affairs at Whiddon College of Medicine

Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D.

In a move that underscores his leadership and commitment to student success, Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D., has been named associate dean for student affairs at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama.

For the past two years, Ridgeway has served as assistant dean for student affairs, a role he describes as a period of discovery and adjustment. “I would summarize my last two years in Student Affairs as a season of acclimation,” he said. “You quickly learn that nothing repeats itself, as many of the events and courses are offered only once a semester. It really takes a full calendar year to gain a foundational understanding of the College of Medicine.”

That understanding — and the confidence it fostered — has positioned Ridgeway to take the lead as associate dean following the retirement of Kelly Roveda, M.D. At a pivotal time in the medical school’s history, Ridgeway sees his new role as an opportunity to shape the student experience in a meaningful way.

“It’s an exciting time in the Whiddon COM with the new building coming and the expansion of our class size over the next several years, so I am thrilled about the opportunity to serve in this role,” he said. “Dr. Roveda was a great mentor and teacher to me, leaving behind a solid legacy to build on and an excellent team of experts to work with and do the work to support our students’ experience.”

Ridgeway is already thinking strategically, balancing continuity with progress. His short-term priority is to bring a sense of calm and stability amid ongoing changes. “The immediate goal is always to assess what should absolutely not change and where there are opportunities for growth or enhancement,” he said.

Looking further ahead, Ridgeway hopes to expand the Office of Student Affairs’ offerings in several key areas: “I would like to expand the services we provide around career exploration, specialty advising, and research opportunities across all four years of the curriculum.”

“Laventrice brings a genuine passion for supporting our students’ personal and professional growth,” said John V. Marymont, M.D., MBA, dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. “He exemplifies what it means to be a student-centered leader, and I’m confident the Office of Student Affairs will thrive under his direction.”

A three-time graduate of the University of South Alabama, Ridgeway earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling and a National Certified Counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Ridgeway previously served as coordinator of student disability services at USA and later as director of the Center for Educational Accessibility and Disability Resources.

Medical students present at regional emergency medicine conference

Third-year medical students presented at the conference in Destin, Florida.

Matthew Westerfield and Juliette Lewis

Eight third-year medical students represented the Whiddon College of Medicine in the poster competition at the American College of Emergency Physicians' EMerald Coast Conference. This annual multi-state emergency medicine conference, held in Destin, Florida on June 4, pits residents and medical students from across nine states against one another. 

This year, Matthew Westerfield, Juliette Lewis, Kelly Blacksher and Hannah Hill collaborated to win two of the three awards presented in the case studies category for their presentations. Westerfield and Lewis presented a case on a patient with a pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor that develops in the adrenal glands. Blacksher and Hill presented a poster detailing a case of gross cervical lymphadenopathy, an enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck. 

Kelly Blacksher and Hannah Hill

Richard Preus, Noah Que, Jonathan Hubbert and Charlie Crider rounded out the group of M3s who presented at the conference. 

Michael Sternberg, M.D., professor of emergency medicine, and Christopher Musselwhite, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine, served as the students' mentors. 

“The Whiddon College of Medicine has a strong history of winning at this conference, and the Class of 2026 is no exception,” Sternberg said. “The Department of Emergency Medicine is very proud of them and looking forward to continued scholarly and clinical activities in the upcoming year.”

The EMerald Coast Conference brought together emergency medicine providers from participating ACEP chapters in Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee.