USA Health System Honors Employees at Jags Game

USA Health System employees were recognized during an on-field presentation at the USA Jaguars vs. Louisiana football game Nov. 12, 2015. From left: Dr. Angus McBryde, interim chair of USA Orthopaedics; Jennifer Hines, USA Medical Center operating room nurse manager; Nwamaka Ikefuna, USA Mitchell Cancer Institute patient navigation specialist; Lakasha French, USA Children's & Women's Hospital switchboard supervisor; and Dr. Samuel Strada, dean of the USA College of Medicine.

The University of South Alabama Health System recently showed appreciation to its employees at the USA Jaguars vs. Louisiana-Lafayette football game on Nov. 12, 2015.

The USA Health System provided complimentary tickets for every USA Health System employee and a guest. Prior to the game, employees enjoyed a tailgate dinner provided by Sonny's BBQ.

Five Health System employees were selected to walk onto the field during the game to be recognized: Dr. Angus McBryde, interim chair of USA Orthopaedics; Jennifer Hines, USA Medical Center operating room nurse manager; Nwamaka Ikefuna, USA Mitchell Cancer Institute patient navigation specialist; Lakasha French, USA Children's & Women's Hospital switchboard supervisor; and Dr. Samuel Strada, dean of the USA College of Medicine.

Click here or watch the video below to view more photos from the event.


USAHS Game Day 2015 from USA Health System on Vimeo.

Tommie Carlisle Recognized for Customer Service

Tommie Carlisle, coordinator for health services operations, recently was presented an Employee Recognition Award for his outstanding customer service skills.

"Tommie always goes above and beyond and is willing to help anyone with any need. He always has a positive attitude, a smile on his face and a word of inspiration for everyone. He is an absolute pleasure to be around."

-Excerpt taken from a nomination form

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

USA College of Medicine Hosts Teaching for Quality Workshop

Earlier this year, the University of South Alabama College of Medicine hosted the Teaching for Quality Workshop (Te4Q), a faculty development program of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

The purpose of this workshop was to provide faculty from across the College of Medicine with professional development on teaching quality improvement skills to students in the USA College of Medicine and residents and fellows in the USA Graduate Medical Education programs.

Participants were included to represent their departments within the College of Medicine, based on demonstration of interest in medical education and quality improvement in healthcare. Included in the event were clinical faculty, basic sciences faculty and quality improvement staff from USA Medical Center and USA Children's & Women's Hospital.

“Several individuals commented that the future of the USA Health System was in that room. In many ways, it was,” said Dr. Samuel McQuiston, assistant dean of graduate medical education and associate professor of radiology.

During the workshop, Dr. Dave Davis, Te4Q Director, guided participants through a series of educational and interactive sessions. Participants worked towards creating a quality improvement education project. After creating their project, participants were given time to work as a group to refine their projects and ideas.

As a result, five educator teams were developed. This will amplify the impact of the workshop as these teams take what they have developed and implement it into the clinical learning environment.

“The event was a tremendous success. The meeting was held at the USA Biomedical Library with nearly 100 percent attendance of anticipated faculty participants,” Dr. McQuiston said. “Faculty members were so engaged that discussions carried over into mealtimes during the workshop and into the parking lot after conclusion of the meeting.”

A follow-up presentation session will be scheduled in early 2016 for the teams to report on the outcomes of their projects.

Pediatrics Hosting Grand Rounds This Week

Dr. Celeste Hollands, associate professor of surgery at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, will present "Antibiotics for Appendicitis” for November’s pediatric grand rounds.

The event will take place Nov. 20, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Atlantis Room in the CWEB-2 building behind USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital. 

Dr. Hollands will define the best practice for managing acute appendicitis with antibiotics, review the best practice for antibiotic prophylaxis for appendectomy for acute appendicitis, review the best practice for antibiotic therapy for perforated appendicitis and define the criteria for interval appendectomy.

The event is open to faculty, staff and students at USA. For additional information, contact Katie Catlin at kncatlin@health.southalabama.edu.