Two USA Physicians Group Clinics Relocate

In late December, two busy clinics associated with USA Physicians Group relocated to the University Commons at the corner of University Blvd. and Old Shell Road. The USA Digestive Health Center and Knollwood Physicians Group - both previously located on the Infirmary West Hospital campus - have moved into their new offices and will start seeing patients on Jan. 2, 2014.

According to Becky S. Tate, chief executive officer with USA Physicians Group, there were several reasons for the move. "Our plans to develop a health care campus in west Mobile are no longer active, and probably most importantly, the move allows us to be closer and conveniently located to one of our most important patient populations - the University community."

Knollwood Physicians Group changed its name to University Physicians Group to coincide with the relocation. The rationale was to more accurately describe the practice and its new location.

The two new clinics offer spacious patient parking, new landscaping and space designed specifically for the two practices. Appointment numbers for the two clinics are unchanged: University Physicians Group - 660-5787; Digestive Health Center - 660-5555.

The new internal mailing addresses are: University Physicians, 6000-A USA Commons; USA Digestive Health Center, 6000-B USA Commons. The street address for both is 75 S. University Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608.

Dr. Di Palma Receives Weiss Award for Exemplary Service

Dr. Jack Di Palma, director of the University of South Alabama Digestive Health Center and professor of internal medicine at the USA College of Medicine, recently received the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Weiss Award for Exemplary Service.

The Weiss Award for exemplary service is only presented to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the American College of Gastroenterology. Through the commitment of his time, effort, and talents to the College, Dr. Di Palma has served in every important leadership role, including ACG presidency in 2005-2006.

“Service to this professional organization helped me grow as a physician and a person,” said Dr. Di Palma, “and I encourage more faculty to get involved.”

Dr. Di Palma earned his medical degree at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y., and completed residency in internal medicine at U.S. Air Force Medical Center at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. Dr. Di Palma received a fellowship as a teaching faculty of gastroenterology at Wilford Hall U.S. Air Force Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He went on to establish the Division of Gastroenterology at USA, a program in which he continues to direct.

With scholarly interests spanning a vast range of digestive disorders and physiology, Dr. Di Palma has contributed to over 350 published articles, reviews, book chapters and abstracts. Continuing the tradition of service, Dr. Di Palma has copious experience as an editor and reviewer of others’ work to be published in medical journals.

In addition to his research contributions, Dr. Di Palma directs the gastroenterology fellowship training program, which is noted for providing educational leadership to medical students, residents, physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners. Among his many honors, Dr. Di Palma received recognition as “Best Clinical Teacher” by the USA College of Medicine’s Class of 1996, as well recognition as a “Best Doctor” in Mobile and Baldwin counties, Alabama, and America.

USA Welcomes Dr. Sophia Goslings

Dr. Sophia Goslings was recently appointed assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and serves as a hospitalist seeing patients at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital.

Born in Amsterdam, Dr. Goslings earned her medical degree from the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine in the Netherlands. She completed her pediatric residency at USA in 2012 after which she served as chief resident for a year prior to her appointment of assistant professor.

She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Mobile Pediatric Society.

Dr. Goslings is part of the new Pediatric Hospitalist Program at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital.

Start 2014 With 'PHind A Cure'

On Jan. 4th at 8:30 a.m., the Pulmonary Hypertension Association will host “PHind A Cure 5-K and PHun Run” at the University of South Alabama’s Intramural Pavilion.

The event, which is a certified 5-K, benefits research to improve patient care for those living with pulmonary hypertension.

According to USA physician-scientist Dr. Karen Fagan, an expert in the field of pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary hypertension is a disorder of the lungs in which the pressure in the pulmonary artery – the blood vessel that leads from the heart to the lungs – rises above normal levels and may become life threatening.

Registration is $20 before the race and $25 on race day. To register online, click here. Onsite registration begins at 6:30 a.m.

For more information contact Donna Head with the Mobile Bay Area Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group at head_df@bellsouth.net.