Biomedical Library to host Creative Arts and Storytelling in Health and Wellness Summit

Willie Dinish with Black Ink Coalition will present 'Healing Through the Written and Spoken Word.' 

The Charles M. Baugh Biomedical Library will host a one-day event, the Creative Arts and Storytelling in Health and Wellness Summit, on Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Student Center Terrace Room.  

'Lilly' by Dr. Lisa Ennis, who will host

a mindful sketchbooking session.

The summit will feature several invited speakers and workshops on integrating the creative arts into healthcare and healthcare education. The goal of the project is to provide opportunities for individuals and organizations to learn about and engage with creative ways to communicate about health and healthcare and to increase wellness through visual arts, comics, and personal narratives. 

Medical students can earn Continuing Professional Development Credit for attending. Lunch will be provided.

Seating is limited to 80 attendees. Contact Gail Kouame, director of the Biomedical Library, for more information: gmkouame@southalabama.edu. 

Register and learn more at jagworks.southalabama.edu/creativearts. 

Pediatrics residents share important health messages at area schools

Residents speak with students at Saraland

Elementary.

To bring more awareness to health and safety topics, USA Health pediatrics resident physicians have been interacting with local school students, outreach services, and after-school programs, delivering vital messages aimed at keeping children and adolescents safe. 

Second-year resident Erika Morales, M.D., and first-year resident Laxman Aryal, M.D., opened the school year at Saraland Elementary as invited experts in the field of germs, hygiene, and handwashing. They spoke to students in second through fifth grades, interacting with more than 200 children per session during PE classes.  

Highlights of their presentation included learning the handwashing song, using glitter to demonstrate how hard germs are to wash off, and a lively question-and-answer session, said Jennifer Cole, M.D., a pediatrician at USA Health and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine who works closely with the physicians-in-training.    

“The students showed off their knowledge of how long they needed to wash their hands for 20 seconds and even verged into more practical matters,” she said, “asking the physicians questions such as 'how long does it take to be a doctor' and 'what classes do you have to take?'”  

Residents present to Saraland High School

students.

At Saraland High School, first-year residents Shirisha Sandadi, M.D., and Syed Bokhari, M.D., spoke to students in health classes, delving into the difficult topics of stress management, anxiety, and self-harm. Recently, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues have soared in adolescents, Cole said.  

“The residents’ discussion focused on positive management techniques, such as a healthy diet, exercise and developing a support network,” Cole said. “The presentations also addressed cyber bullying, different mindfulness techniques, and avoiding the negative effects of drugs and alcohol.” 

The residents really enjoyed engaging with local students, Cole said, noting that the presentations have served as valuable educational resources for the schools and students.  

Medical student presents prostate cancer research at urology meeting

Hridhay Sheth presents his poster at the meeting.

Hridhay Sheth, a second-year medical student at the Whiddon College of Medicine, recently presented research regarding a new device designed to improve the accuracy of prostate cancer biopsy. The poster was presented at a joint meeting of the Focal Therapy Society and the Society of Urologic Robotic Surgeons in Washington, D.C. 

Sheth’s research evaluated the SmartBx biopsy management system, which was designed to preserve the location and orientation of biopsy specimens. His study compared results from 171 patients who underwent prostate biopsies using the SmartBx from 2022 to 2024 with results from a control group of 376 patients who underwent the standard procedure, transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy, between 2019 and 2021.  

“The results showed that SmartBx had a higher cancer detection rate per core and reduced over-diagnosis of low-risk cancer while improving the detection of intermediate-risk cancers,” Sheth said. 

Traditionally, tissue cores, or samples, have been dropped directly into formalin vials, which can disrupt their orientation and location. The SmartBx is designed to preserve the length, orientation and integrity of biopsy tissue by maintaining its configuration within the needle. 

Sheth said the SmartBx demonstrated better Gleason score consistency and resulted in fewer upgrades at surgery, “indicating more accurate initial biopsies.” A Gleason score is a number that describes the aggressiveness of prostate cancer by showing how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how likely they are to grow and spread. 

Prostate cancer affects approximately 1 in 6 men during their lifetime and is the most common cancer in men other than skin cancer. 

Sheth said he has been passionate about the field of urology since working as a scribe in the specialty. “Prostate cancer has always intrigued me due to its prevalence among men and the significant implications it has for their health,” he said. 

Sheth conducted the research this past summer as part of the Whiddon College of Medicine Medical Student Research Program. He was one of four recipients of the Clyde G. Huggins Awards for his presentation at the 51st Annual Summer Research Day. 

Sheth credited Jatinder Kumar, MBBS, M.S., M.Ch., M.D., assistant professor of urology, and the Department of Urology for their guidance and support. “Dr. Kumar’s mentorship has been instrumental in shaping my research experience and providing me with many shadowing opportunities that have allowed me to see different sides of the field,” he said. 

J-1 training session scheduled for Oct. 18

The USA Office of Immigration is hosting a J-1 training session from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. Faculty and staff who wish to learn more about bringing a foreign national to campus as a visiting researcher, professor, short-term scholar, or student intern are invited to attend the Zoom webinar. 

Contact Arrin Hines, immigration manager, at arrinhines@southalabama.edu with any questions and to request the Zoom link.

Medical students recognized for community service and professional development

Skyler Hamilton

Last month, second-year medical student Skyler Hamilton was attending the first lecture of the respiratory module when T.J. Hundley, M.D., entered the classroom. 

Hundley, associate dean for medical education, then announced the winners of two awards: the Community Service Certificate of Honor for completing the most community service hours during the M1 year and the Professional Development Certificate of Honor for earning the most professional development credits in the first year. 

Hamilton was surprised to learn she was the recipient of both. “When Dr. Hundley called my name, my stomach dropped and I couldn't stop smiling,” she said. “I was completely blown away but honored all in the same moment.” 

Hamilton, who serves as secretary for the Class of 2027, is involved in many initiatives, including weekly tutoring at Wilmer Hall Children’s Home, providing patient education at the USA Student-Run Free Clinic, volunteering at the Hispanic Health Fair, and participating in several student interest groups. She has also shadowed colorectal surgeon Lee Grimm, M.D., a professor of surgery.  

Hamilton said she does not engage in community service for any awards or recognition, however. “I do it because giving back to the community makes me feel whole,” she said. “I love serving my community in any way I can because that is what I was put on this earth to do. That has always been my primary motivation for pursuing a career in medicine. I just love helping people any way that I can.” 

Ben Cockrell

Ben Cockrell, a third-year medical student, received the Community Service Certificate of Honor for completing the most community service hours in the Class of 2026 during his M2 year.  

“I was honored and pleasantly surprised when I received this award,” Cockrell said. “Everyone in my class is involved in organizations that have a huge positive impact in our community, and I was surprised to have the most logged community service hours for the class.”

He volunteers with Rapahope for children diagnosed with cancer and their families, serves as a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and works with Heart for Athletes, an organization his mother started that provides free heart screenings for young people. He also serves as one of the patient education coordinators at the USA Student-Run Free Clinic, where he leads or coordinates sessions on topics like diabetes and hypertension. 

Brandon Schonour, a third-year medical student, received the Professional Development Certificate of Honor for earning the most professional development credits in the Class of 2026 during his M2 year. 

Brandon Schonour

Last year, Schonour worked on a diagnostic radiology-focused research project. The experience helped him develop skills in working as part of a team, writing manuscripts, and giving oral presentations, he said. 

He also volunteered over the course of the year with the Quatsabadi STEM Mentoring Program, which aims to help Native American high school students explore professions in healthcare. Additionally, he served as president of the Native American Student Association at USA, leading the group in hosting lectures, volunteering in the community, and working with local tribes to create more awareness about Indigenous issues as well as support Native students on campus. 

“Leading the group in this way, I feel, will help prepare me for the future when I will need to step into a similar leadership role as a member of interprofessional teams in the healthcare setting,” he said.

Schonour said he was shocked by receiving the professional development honor. “I know that my fellow classmates consistently go above and beyond by doing so much outside of the classroom, whether it be in the community performing acts of service, in the lab doing research, and so much in between,” he said. “To be able to represent the class with this award is a real honor that I am truly thankful for.”