USA Medical Alumni Association welcomes three new board members

The University of South Alabama Medical Alumni Association (MAA) is welcoming three new members to its board of directors: Sabrina Bessette, M.D., Ashleigh Butts-Wilkerson, M.D., and Nancy Wood, M.D.

According to Ann Eleece Kouns, MPH, associate director of medical alumni relations, board members are chosen based on their active involvement in both the association and their community. “How interested they are, how invested they are – that’s what makes a good board member,” she said. “Working to ensure that our college is as robust as it possibly can be.”

Bessette earned her bachelor’s degree in zoology from Oklahoma State University. She went on to earn a second bachelor’s degree in nursing from Old Dominion University, graduating summa cum laude. She spent six years working as a registered nurse in Mississippi before and while a medical student at the USA College of Medicine. At USA, she was selected for the Medical Scholars Program, graduating in 2003. Bessette completed her internal medicine residency at USA and completed her nephrology fellowship training at the Medical College of Virginia.

Bessette, who joined the USA College of Medicine faculty in 2011, is currently chief of nephrology and hypertension and associate professor of internal medicine. Since 2008, she has also served as a clinical instructor at Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine.

Butts-Wilkerson, graduated from the USA College of Medicine in 2012. Prior to medical school, she earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical science from USA, graduating summa cum laude. She completed her residency training in and served as chief resident in family medicine at USA.

Currently Butts-Wilkerson, who is an assistant professor in the USA department of family medicine, serves as the assistant residency program director and is a medical director for the department. Prior to joining the faculty, she worked as an examining physician for Disability Determination Services in Mobile. In addition, Butts-Wilkerson volunteers with the Washington County Junior Livestock Association and Oak Park Church of God in Mobile.

Wood graduated from the USA College of Medicine in 2007 after earning her bachelor’s degree in biological science from the University of Alabama. She completed her residency training and served as chief resident in pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia.

Wood worked with Pediatric Associates of Mobile from 2011 to 2020 and recently joined Mobile’s Children’s Medical Group in Mobile. She was awarded the Nappie Award for Best Pediatrician in 2016. Wood also was the 2019 and 2020 co-chair of Local Goodness, an annual fundraiser benefitting USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital.

The MAA’s board of directors is made up of 18 elected USA College of Medicine alumni. Board members devote their time to help ensure that MAA’s mission, goals and initiatives are being met. They provide leadership and guidance to medical alumni and current students.

New board members are typically recognized at the Medical Alumni Association’s annual Reunion Weekend, but this year’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both new and retiring board members will be acknowledged at the 2021 reunion.

The MAA was founded in 1976, and it exists to uphold and nurture a lifelong relationship between USA’s College of Medicine and its alumni physicians. Through this connection, the College of Medicine helps alumni by providing opportunities for networking, professional advancements and furthering medical education.