Med School Café - Expert Advice for the Community

Dr. Alana Schilthuis, assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and an internist with USA Physicians Group, presented the April Med School Cafe lecture, "Choose Healthy."

During the talk, Dr. Schilthuis discussed in detail the top five most important things people can do to significantly improve their health and quality of life. Her top five tips are: knowing your ideal weight, identifying your primary care provider, smoking cessation, appropriate preventative screenings based on age and sex, and proper vaccinations.

Watch the video below to view the lecture in its entirety.


Med School Cafe 4-14-15 from USA Health System on Vimeo.

The next lecture will feature Dr. Kenneth Rettig, professor emeritus of pediatrics at the USA College of Medicine and a pediatric endocrinologist with USA Physicians Group. His lecture, titled “Civil War Medicine,” will take place May 26, 2015, at the USA Faculty Club. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the presentation begins at noon. 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. 

USA Medical Center Holds Dedication Ceremony for Arnold Luterman Regional Burn Center

The University of South Alabama Medical Center held the dedication ceremony for the Arnold Luterman Regional Burn Center on Tuesday, May 5, 2015.

Dr. Luterman, retired Ripps-Meisler professor of surgery at the USA College of Medicine and former director of the burn center, was recognized for his development of the regional burn center and for helping it grow into one of the busiest in the country.

“The Burn Center became involved in the development and testing of many new advances in burn care, which gained it a national and international reputation,” Dr. Luterman said.

When he arrived at USA there was a burn unit, but “there was a need to increase its level of service to that of a burn center,” Dr. Luterman said. The change required a joint effort by many departments, from the hospital’s administration to nutrition services.

The university’s board of trustees approved a resolution last year to name the facility the Arnold Luterman Regional Burn Center. The new namesake of the USA Medical Center’s regional burn center is “flattered” to have the center named in his honor.

Dr. Luterman recently retired from the university after more than 30 years of service. He is nationally known as a burn care expert and a medical educator.

Click here to view more photos from the dedication. 

Chris Buckley Named Co-Director for Camp SKAMP

Chris Buckley, a recent graduate of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, was named co-director for Camp SKAMP (Special Kids And Meaningful People) located in McDavid, Fla.

Buckley became a counselor and staff member with Camp SKAMP in 2004. During his time with the camp, he has worked diligently with both campers and volunteers to ensure that the camp is an enjoyable and safe experience. Each counselor is responsible for assisting the campers with feeding, dressing, bathing, attending classes and other activities. Staff members teach classes, supervise the waterfront, prepare a yearbook, serve meals, wash dishes and take care of administrative paperwork.

“It is such an honor and delight to have been selected as co-director for Camp SKAMP. This camp plays a tremendous role in the lives of these wonderful children, and the invaluable impact of this camp will live on for decades to come,” Buckley said. “My seven summers as a volunteer camp counselor at SKAMP is, without a doubt, the greatest privilege I ever had. I look forward to working with the incredible staff, ensuring that the best years of this camp are yet to come.”

In 2007, Buckley was awarded the Community Scholarship from Tulane University in New Orleans, recognizing his dedication to SKAMP during high school. Tulane is also where Buckley received his residency assignment this past March, matching in psychiatry.

Camp SKAMP was established in 1971, and the campers range from age six to 22. The camp provides mentally and physically disabled children and adults with an authentic, overnight summer camp experience at no financial cost to the campers.

Ann Sprague, vice president of Camp SKAMP Board of Directors, said Buckley’s medical knowledge is extremely valuable in caring for the children and adults who attend this camp. “His dependability, sense of humor, musical talents and his caring attitude make him a perfect choice for this position,” she said.