USA Medical Student Lauren Nelson Attends American Academy of Pediatrics Meeting

Lauren Nelson, a fourth-year medical student at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, attended the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) District III and District X meeting in Naples, Fla.

Nelson, who previously has served as an assistant district representative on the Medical Student Committee, recently was appointed district X student representative. “I feel like I have a bit more responsibility now as a district representative,” Nelson said.

Nelson stays busy on the committee by connecting with medical students in district X - which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico - and keeping them updated on things going on in the medical student committee. The goal of the medical student committee is to support and encourage medical students interested in pediatrics.

In addition, Nelson also serves as the mentorship work group chair for the committee. They are currently working on integrating PedsConnect, a forum where medical students can submit questions to pediatric faculty and resident experts with the AAP Mentorship Platform in order to encourage conversation between students and mentors. “It is a great opportunity to network and form relationships with mentors,” Nelson said.

During the conference, Nelson presented her experiences and work to district X leadership, including the district chair, state chapter presidents, vice presidents and executive directors and upcoming district leadership. She was excited to network within the conference. Nelson said a highlight of the conference was meeting AAP president-elect Colleen Kraft.

Nelson encourages other medical students interested in a career in pediatrics to get involved with the AAP. “The AAP is an organization full of mentors who are passionate about pediatrics and want to share their knowledge with you. Everyone I have met within the AAP wants to connect you to others and help you build a professional network,” she said.

Nelson also enjoys the relationships she has built with other medical students through the AAP. “I am so grateful that the AAP has connected me with other medical students across the country who are passionate about pediatrics and are at a similar stage in their training,” she said.

For more information about the AAP, click here.

Pediatrics Hosting Grand Rounds July 21

Dr. Lynn Batten, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of South Alabama and director of the division of pediatric cardiology at USA, and Dr. Daniel Preud’Homme, professor of pediatrics at the USA College of Medicine and director of the USA Pediatric Healthy Life Center, will present “Hypertension: The (Blood) Pressure is On” for July’s pediatric grand rounds.

The event will take place Friday, July 21, at 8 a.m. in the conference room on the first floor of the Strada Patient Care Center.

Together, Dr. Batten and Dr. Preud’Homme will discuss the pathology of essential hypertension in pediatrics and review the risks and benefits associated with the routine use of drugs in hypertension. They will also discuss lifestyle modifications within the present guidelines and cover physician examination signs in pediatric hypertension.

The event is open to faculty, staff and students at USA. A light breakfast, coffee and beverages will be provided. For additional information, contact Katie Catlin at kncatlin@health.southalabama.edu.

The Strada Patient Care Center is located at 1601 Center St. in Mobile.

USA Welcomes Dr. Meir Mizrahi

Dr. Meir Mizrahi recently was appointed assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and serves as a gastroenterologist with USA Physicians Group.

Dr. Mizrahi previously served as a professor of internal medicine and academic instructor at the Hadassah School of Medicine at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.

Dr. Mizrahi earned his medical degree from the Bologna School of Medicine in Bologna, Italy. He completed his residency training and a fellowship in gastroenterology at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel. He then completed a research and clinical fellowship at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, in the Center of Advanced Endoscopy in Boston.

Dr. Mizrahi is an accomplished researcher who has been published in many peer-reviewed journals, case reports and medical reviews. He also has presented research at many scientific conferences and lectures throughout the world.

Dr. Mizrahi is a member of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American Gastroenterology Association.

Dr. Mizrahi sees patients at the USA Digestive Center, located at 75 S. University Boulevard, Suite 6000-B. To make an appointment, call (251) 660-5555.