Ann Eleece Kouns Appointed Assistant Director of Medical Alumni Association

Ann Eleece Kouns was recently appointed assistant director of the medical alumni association at the University of South Alabama’s College of Medicine.

Prior to her appointment at USA, Kouns served as an advancement research analyst at USA. Kouns was also the campaign coordinator for the Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative (MMSI) at USA.

Kouns, a native of Mobile and graduate of McGill Toolen High School, earned a bachelor of arts degree in English literature and gender studies at USA. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in library science (MLIS) online at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss.

She has served as a member of the MMSI Development Leadership Team; Team Lead: Administration Task Force: MMSI; Assistant Team Lead: Marketing and Events Task Force: MMSI; Assistant Lead: Prospect Committee; and was the Research Office Representative on the Division’s Database Maintenance Team.

She is a member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She can be contacted by phone at (251) 460-6805 or by email at aekouns@southalabama.edu.

September Med School Café - 'Surgical Management of Movement Disorders – Deep Brain Stimulation'

The September Med School Café lecture will feature Dr. Anthony Martino, chair of neurosurgery at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a neurosurgeon with USA Physicians Group.

His lecture, titled “Surgical Management of Movement Disorders – Deep Brain Stimulation,” will take place Sept. 18, 2014, at the USA Faculty Club on USA’s main campus. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the presentation begins at noon.

Patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia are initially evaluated and treated medically by a neurologist. Those patients who have failed medical management of movement disorders are candidates for deep brain stimulation. During the lecture, Dr. Martino will discuss the surgical role in the management of movement disorders and the new program at USA.

The Med School Café lecture and lunch are provided free of charge, but reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, call Kim Partridge at (251) 460-7770 or e-mail kepartridge@health.southalabama.edu.

Med School Café is a free community lecture series sponsored by the USA Physicians Group. Each month, faculty from the USA College of Medicine share their expertise on a specific medical condition, providing insight on the latest treatment available.

Dr Martino Med School Cafe Teaser from USA Health System on Vimeo.

USA Physicians Group to Host Welcome Reception for 12 New Physicians

The University of South Alabama Physicians Group is hosting a welcome reception to honor and celebrate the physicians who have joined the practice during the past year. The event will take place Sept. 23, 2014, from 2-4 p.m. at the USA Children's & Women's Hospital Dining Room and Courtyard.

The following physicians will be recognized:

Dr. Haley H. Ballard

Hospitalist/Emergency Medicine
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

Dr. Brett W. Baskovich
Molecular Pathology
Assistant Professor of Pathology

Dr. Lynn A. Batten
Pediatric Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Ramachandra Bhat
Neonatology
Assistant Professor of Neonatology

Dr. Nordie Anne Bilbao
Pediatric Endocrinology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Brian E. Brocato
Maternal/Fetal Medicine
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Brooks D. Cash
Gastroenterology
Professor of Internal Medicine

Dr. Joel E. Lightner, Jr.
Mammography
Assistant Professor of Radiology

Dr. Derek Samuels
Interventional Radiology
Assistant Professor of Radiology

Dr. Alana J. Schilthuis
General Internal Medicine
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

Dr. William W. Scott
Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery

Dr. Rachel T. Seaman
Hospitalist/Emergency Medicine
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

Light refreshments will be served. To learn more about these physicians and the entire practice group, visit www.usahealthsystem.com.

Lucille Jaco Recognized for Customer Service

Lucille Jaco, a billing/insurance clerk in the department of surgery, was recently presented an Employee Recognition Award for her outstanding customer service skills.

“What amazed me about Ms. Jaco was her contagious rapport with whomever she hosted. She was so very professionally receptive (she greeted me with such confidence and care); she was informative (she stated that I was early, but that I would be taken care of as soon as the physician was available); she was attentive (I failed to remove an ID wristband from a  previous appointment and she offered to remove it for me); and she was a multi-tasker (even when helping me she never neglected others needing assistance.)"

                    -Excerpt taken from a patient nomination form

To learn more about the USA Physician Group Customer Service Performance Recognition Program and to print a nomination form, click here. 

USA Welcomes Dr. Nordie Bilbao

Dr. Nordie Bilbao was recently appointed assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and will serve as a pediatric endocrinologist at USA Physicians Group.

Dr. Bilbao earned her medical degree from the University of the City of Manila in the Philippines. She completed a pediatrics residency at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., as well as a pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Winthrop University Hospital.

Dr. Bilbao will see patients at the Pediatric Endocrinology Specialty Clinic at the Springhill Avenue Campus, located on the 4th floor at 1504 Springhill Ave. To make an appointment with Dr. Bilbao, call (251) 405-5147.