‘IMPROV Your Networking’ event builds student confidence, connection skills

Angie O'Neal, M.Ed., Rachel Cotter, and

Kayla Pavlick, Ph.D.

On March 25, Whiddon College of Medicine students gathered for a unique professional development opportunity titled “IMPROV Your Networking,” an event designed to equip future physicians with essential communication skills for building authentic connections.

Organized by Rachel Cotter, a second-year medical student and the Whiddon College of Medicine delegate to the Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA), the event used improvisational activities and reflective discussion to encourage students to approach networking with greater confidence and intentionality.

The session was co-led by Angie O’Neal, M.Ed., director of Learning Support Services, and Kayla Pavlick, Ph.D., assistant professor of medical education. Together, they guided students through interactive exercises focused on “telling your story” by helping students articulate who they are, what motivates them, and how to make memorable first impressions.

“As an introvert, networking can sometimes feel overwhelming or unnatural,” Cotter said. “This event was about helping students feel more comfortable being themselves while making meaningful professional connections.”

The program also served to build enthusiasm for the upcoming MASA Annual Session, scheduled for April 11–13 in Orange Beach. Cotter encouraged her peers to attend the statewide gathering, which brings together physicians, medical students, and healthcare advocates for networking, continuing education, and policy discussions.

“Events like MASA’s Annual Session are where professional relationships begin,” Cotter said. “They’re also where student voices matter. This is how we become part of the larger conversation shaping healthcare in Alabama.”

The Whiddon College of Medicine is proud to support student leaders like Cotter in creating innovative, peer-centered programming that fosters both personal growth and professional development.

For more information about MASA and the Annual Session, visit www.masalink.org.

Medical student awarded scholarship from USA Department of Neurology

From left, Juan Ochoa, M.D., Yulong Huang Stokes, and Bassam Bassam, M.D.

By Milena Mata 

Fourth-year medical student Yulong Huang Stokes recently received the Eran and N.Q. Adams Endowed Scholarship in Autonomic Disorder from the USA Department of Neurology.  

The scholarship was created to support young physicians engaged in neurology who wish to gain a better understanding of dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is an autonomic disorder that affects the involuntary functions of the nervous system such as heart rate. Third- and fourth-year medical students at the Whiddon College of Medicine can apply for this unique research and learning opportunity.  

“On a professional and personal level Yulong is a very talented and achieved medical student,” said Bassam Bassam, M.D., a professor of neurology at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “She has significant professional and scholastic achievements at an early stage of her medical career. Those achievements, qualifications, and motivation to better understand autonomic disorders clearly qualifies her for receiving the scholarship.” 

Stokes received an undergraduate degree from the University of South Alabama in 2021 and will graduate from the Whiddon College of Medicine in May 2025. With a special interest in epilepsy, Stokes plans to pursue a fellowship after completing her residency in neurology at USA Health. 

“I became interested in neurology after my third-year clerkship,” she said. “I originally thought I should pursue a primary care specialty since I liked everything I did, but I didn’t love anything as much as neurology.” 

Stokes’ skills include differential diagnosis formulation, interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific manuscript writing, patient communication and counseling and navigation of electronic medical records. She has also made writing contributions to five peer-reviewed journal articles.  

After receiving the neurology scholarship, Stokes began research of literature and medical records at USA Health’s Strada Patient Care Center to address the prevalence of symptoms and diagnostic trends in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). She detailed changes in the definition of the syndrome which helped increase awareness. This highlights the importance of specifying the differences between POTS and other medical conditions, Stokes said. 

Juan Ochoa, M.D., a professor of neurology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, said he admires Stokes’ passion for the field.   

“Ms. Stokes’ compassion, resilience, and determination distinguish her as an extraordinary individual who will undoubtedly become an exceptional physician,” Ochoa said. “She has not only shown a profound commitment to her patients but has also demonstrated impressive scholarly aptitude, evidenced by her publication of a peer-reviewed paper during her clerkship rotation. This achievement underscores her intellectual rigor and dedication to advancing the field of neurology.” 

In addition to her academic career, Stokes worked as a clinical skills tutor, a group fitness instructor, and a research lab manager. She has also served as an English tutor, student peer mentor at the USA College of Education and has volunteered at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital. 

Radiology residents receive Outstanding Trainee Poster Award at Southern Radiological Conference

Anas Souid, M.D.

By Jessica Jones and Milena Mata

The Department of Radiology at USA Health was presented with the Outstanding Trainee Poster Award at the 2025 Southern Radiological Conference held in Point Clear, Alabama. This recognition highlights the academic and professional achievements of the department’s residents and the program’s efforts to successfully train the next generation of radiologists. 

“We are incredibly proud of our residents’ accomplishments, and this award is a testament to the high level of dedication and excellence we strive for in our department,” said Brian Wood, D.O., interventional radiologist, and vascular and interventional radiology section chief at USA Health. “Our residents continue to push the boundaries of radiological research, and we are thrilled to see their work being recognized on a national stage.” 

The poster, which showcased the management of visceral abdominal aneurysms, including cases diagnosed and treated by USA Health’s Radiology Department, was recognized for its informative content and impressive visual presentation.  

The award recipients were radiology residents: Anas Souid, M.D.; Ian Thompson, M.D.; Hunaid Rana, M.D.; Zubair Chaudry, M.D.; with oversight by Zeiad Hussain, M.D., and Wood. 

“I am truly honored to be a part of this award,” said Anas Souid, M.D. “The Department of Radiology and the Graduate Medical Education (GME) office have consistently encouraged us as residents to engage in scholarly activities. We are deeply grateful to our attending physicians for their guidance, inspiration and unwavering support. We also appreciate the resources provided by USA Health, including funding opportunities that enable us to pursue scholarly endeavors and participate in national conferences.” 

Souid expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the achievement, with a special thanks to the Radiology Department Chair Suzy Figarola, M.D., the Residency Program Director Brett Martin, M.D., and Wood for their invaluable support. 

The Southern Radiological Conference serves as an important platform for the brightest minds in the field of radiology, where professionals come together to share research, advancements and innovations.  

EDGE for Success kicks off with connection, reflection and leadership growth

From left, Melisa Pierce, EdD, MPA, Jordan Wood, Ashley Givens, and Domenico Spadafora, PhD., led the EDGE for Success session.

The Whiddon College of Medicine kicked off a powerful start to EDGE for Success with the first session this month.

The program is designed to elevate professional growth for staff through a unique approach that blends leadership development, self-discovery, and mentorship in a supportive, engaging environment. Throughout the series, both mentors and mentees are building relationships that support quality improvement, professional development, and personal growth. The experience is about more than skill building; it’s about recognizing the potential in each other and helping it flourish.

Session 1 focused on the Foundations of Leadership, inviting participants to explore their values, reflect on their “why,” and think intentionally about the kind of impact they want to make in their roles. Through small group activities and lively discussions, participants unpacked how self-awareness, communication, and personal values contribute to effective leadership at every level. 

Jordan Wood, medical oncology research assistant; Ashley Givens, medical education coordinator; and Domenico Spadafora, Ph.D., flow cytometry lab manager; led the session’s content delivery, presenting leadership concepts like values-based leadership, emotional intelligence, and defining their “why” with clarity and real-world insight that made the material resonate. Their contributions sparked meaningful conversations and set the tone for what’s shaping up to be a powerful and collaborative series.

The session was facilitated by Melisa Pierce, Ed.D., MPA, who developed and helps lead the EDGE program with a focus on recognizing potential, building meaningful connections, and supporting individual and institutional growth through leadership development. 

“One of the best parts of launching EDGE has been meeting colleagues from across the Whiddon College of Medicine and seeing just how much talent, insight, and heart we have within our walls,” said Pierce, who serves as director of quality improvement in the Office of Accreditation and Planning. “This is about creating space for people to grow, be seen, and lead in their own way — and we’re just getting started.”

Stay tuned for more updates as the Whiddon College of Medicine continues to showcase EDGE participants’ voices, talents, and leadership journeys throughout the series.

Student Affairs welcomes new program coordinator

Gracie Overstreet

Gracie Overstreet recently joined the Office of Student Affairs at the Whiddon College of Medicine. 

In her role as program coordinator, she manages the daily operations of the Office of Student Affairs and provides administrative support to the College of Medicine’s associate and assistant deans, Registrar’s Office, Office of Financial Aid, and Student Affairs Business Operations. She also serves as students’ first point of contact and fields student concerns to the appropriate Student Affairs office.  

“I am very excited to join the College of Medicine, not only because there are a lot of exciting things happening in the college, but also because of the work that I get to provide to the students and having the opportunity to watch them grow along their journeys,” she said. “Now that I am a two-time graduate of the university, having the ability to be a part of the students’ support system and giving back in a way that was given to me, is incredibly rewarding.”

A native of Jackson, Alabama, Overstreet earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, and she is expected to graduate with a Master of Business Administration from USA this spring. 

Prior to joining the Whiddon College of Medicine, she served as a secretary in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at the University of South Alabama. Previously, she was a student assistant in the USA School of Computing. 

Laventrice S. Ridgeway, Ed.D., assistant dean of student affairs, said he and the staff look forward to Overstreet’s significant contributions to the team, as she brings a wealth of influential experiences from her previous positions at the university. 

“One of the things that was clear about Gracie during the hiring process was her ambition and zeal to work with USA students, as she is a two-time graduate of the university, which makes us happy to retain her as a part of the Jag nation,” Ridgeway said.