USA College of Medicine Represented in Mobile Bay's 40 Under 40

Dr. Jon Simmons, assistant professor of surgery at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a trauma/critical care surgeon at USA Medical Center, and Dr. Racheal Banks, director of health sciences development and alumni relations, recently were selected to be included in the 2014 class of the Mobile Bay 40 Under 40.

The annual Mobile Bay 40 Under 40 awards identify 40 of the area’s young professionals who will benefit the community for years to come with their leadership, professional excellence and community service.

Those who were chosen to be included in 40 Under 40 were featured in the January issue of Mobile Bay. Click here to view the article in its entirety.

Med School Café - Expert Advice for the Community

Dr. Elizabeth Minto, assistant professor of neurology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a neurologist with USA Physicians Group, presented the December Med School Café lecture, “Multiple Sclerosis: A Simple Message About a Complicated Disease."

Dr. Elizabeth Minto, assistant professor of neurology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a neurologist with USA Physicians Group, presented the December Med School Café lecture, “Multiple Sclerosis: A Simple Message About a Complicated Disease."

During the talk, Dr. Minto discussed current treatments for the disease and its secondary symptoms, and she reviewed some of the exciting developments that have occurred and continue to occur in our understanding of this complex disorder.

Dr. Minto attended the USA College of Medicine for two years before completing her medical degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine in 2003. She completed an internship in internal medicine in 2004, followed by neurology residency in 2007, both at Vanderbilt University.  She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

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. The Med School Café lecture and lunch are provided free of charge, but reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, call (251) 460-7770.

Watch the video below to view Dr. Minto's lecture in its entirety.


Med School Cafe December 2014 - Multiple Sclerosis from USA Health System on Vimeo.

Jan. 8 DSS to Feature Dr. Geoffrey R. Norman

The next Distinguished Scientist Seminar at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine will feature Dr. Geoffrey R. Norman, professor of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics and assistant dean for the Program for Educational Research and Development (PERD) at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The lecture, titled "The Science of Teaching and Learning: Evidence-Based Strategies to Enhance Clinical Teaching," will take place Jan. 8, 2014, at 4 p.m. in the first floor auditorium of the Medical Sciences Building on USA's main campus.

Dr. Norman's academic interests focus on the psychology of expertise particularly as applied to expert clinicians. His research is focused on the psychology of clinical reasoning, particularly in the relative contribution of rapid processing based on prior experience (so-called pattern recognition) and analytical rules, and educational strategies to improve reasoning.

Dr. Norman earned his master of arts degree from Michigan State and his Ph.D. from McMaster University. Click here to learn more about Dr. Norman. 

The lecture series is comprised of distinguished scientists from other academic institutions who are invited by the USA College of Medicine basic science departments to present a seminar showcasing their latest research findings. Faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to attend.

Sherryle Givens Appointed Manager of Quality Improvement

Sherryle Givens, R.N., was appointed to the role of manager of quality improvement for the University of South Alabama Physicians Group. Previously, she was a coding and compliance nurse specialist in HSF reimbursement and compliance.

“Sherryle is well versed in the quality arena, with years of experience as a quality professional in hospitals and government healthcare facilities,” said Rebekah Bailey, director of compliance for the Health Services Foundation. “We are truly fortunate to have her join us in our quality initiatives.”

Givens’ new role as manager of quality improvement will include educating staff on the performance improvement process, supporting the development and implementation of quality audits and activities, and assisting in resolving issues that impact performance with regulatory and accreditation quality requirements.  She will also serve as a liaison and patient advocate for the practice.

“In my new position I will be a resource for quality and patient safety initiatives,” said Givens. “Healthcare requires ongoing monitoring, measurement and a team effort to continuously improve. I look forward to working with the USA Physicians Group during this process.”