New students begin Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program

Incoming Basic Medical Sciences students enjoyed conversations with some of the program's senior students during orientation. 

The Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine welcomed 11 new students to the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program this semester. 

As part of orientation, senior students shared advice and insight with incoming students about coursework, finding a lab, and what they wished they had known when they started the program. 

“Orientation is my favorite part of the year,” said Angie O’Neal, associate director of research education and training. “There’s so much excitement in welcoming new students to the Basic Medical Sciences program and beginning the process of introducing them to their new community of students.” 

During their first year, students will complete the interdisciplinary core curriculum designed to teach them the fundamentals essential to advanced research training, ranging from biochemistry and molecular biology to mechanisms of human disease. At the end of the first year, students will choose a major professor to serve as their mentor. This selection determines the program track and their research for the duration of their studies. 

View more photos from orientation on Flickr.

Whiddon College of Medicine announces leadership changes in Department of Internal Medicine

Errol Crook, M.D.

Colleagues:

One of our longtime leaders is leaving. Errol Crook, M.D., F.A.C.P., the Abraham A. Mitchell Endowed Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine in the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama, will be joining the faculty at the Morehouse School of Medicine as senior associate dean and chief medical officer on Oct. 3, 2022. 

Since joining USA Health in 2005 as a nephrologist, Dr. Crook has been instrumental in the strategic development and implementation of plans that have helped USA Health expand over the years. 

A native of Monroeville, Dr. Crook understands the healthcare challenges we face in Alabama and has worked throughout his career to make a difference. One of his areas of emphasis has been how to make entire communities healthier and to address significant health disparities. One of his very visible activities has been serving as the director of the USA Center for Healthy Communities since 2009. The Alabama Academy of Science in 2021 recognized his work and that of the Center for Healthy Communities, earning the Wright Gardner Award for outstanding achievement in science in the state of Alabama. Since his involvement, the Center has received more than $15 million in funding. 

His passion for medical education and training was evident early in his career. During his time on the faculty at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, he was selected four times for the Paul Ruble Award for Teaching Excellence. That streak continued when he joined USA, and for 16 consecutive years he was selected by graduating medical student classes at the Whiddon College of Medicine to receive a Red Sash Award for teaching excellence. He also has earned the John Bass, M.D., Award for Best Clinical Attending eight times. Further, the graduating class has invited him to deliver the address at the honors convocation on four occasions. 

We want to thank Dr. Crook for his years of service to the Whiddon College of Medicine and USA Health and wish him the best of luck as he explores this next chapter in his distinguished career. 

Karen A. Fagan, M.D.

Karen A. Fagan, M.D., professor of internal medicine and pharmacology in the Whiddon College of Medicine, will serve as interim chair effective Aug. 22, 2022. Dr. Fagan also serves as chief of the USA Health pulmonary and critical care medicine division and director of the pulmonary hypertension center. Prior to joining USA in 2008 as a pulmonologist, Dr. Fagan worked at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. 

Board certified in three specialties, Dr. Fagan also has been recognized for her excellence in teaching, earning a Red Sash Award on eight occasions at USA. For three years in a row – 2019, 2020 and 2021 – Dr. Fagan was awarded the Exceptional Women in Medicine designation by Castle Connolly Top Doctors. 

An accomplished researcher, Dr. Fagan is the co-investigator on a five-year grant with the National Institutes of Health and previously was awarded a Howard Hughes Individual Investigator Award as well as an NIH K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award and two NIH R01 grants. 

Dr. Fagan’s understanding of USA Health and the Department of Internal Medicine will guarantee that we have a smooth transition. 

John V. Marymont, M.D., M.B.A.
Dean, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine
Vice President, Medical Affairs 

Owen Bailey, M.S.H.A., F.A.C.H.E
Chief Executive Officer, USA Health
Senior Associate Vice President, Medical Affairs

Cooper recognized for top academic performance in doctoral program

Triston Cooper, left, receives the Edwin R.

Hughes Memorial Award from Christopher

Davies, Ph.D., associate dean for research.

Triston Cooper, a second-year student in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program at the Whiddon College of Medicine, is the recipient of the Edwin R. Hughes Memorial Award for the 2021-2022 academic year. 

The annual award, presented at the beginning of each fall semester, recognizes the student with the best academic performance in the program’s core curriculum. Christopher Davies, Ph.D., associate dean for research at the Whiddon College of Medicine, presented Cooper with the award and plaque at new student orientation on Aug. 11. 

Cooper is in the Infectious Diseases and Host Defense track and works in the lab of Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D., professor and Locke Distinguished Chair of Microbiology and Immunology. His research focuses on vector transmission of rickettsial pathogens.

Originally from Newville, Pennsylvania, Cooper moved to Mobile with his wife and dog for the University of South Alabama’s graduate program. “My experience has been great so far,” he said. “I have become friends with all of my cohort, lab members and even some others from other cohorts and labs.” 

He received a bachelor’s degree in general biology/pre-health science from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. 

The award is named in memory of Edwin R. Hughes, who served as director of the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program at the Whiddon College of Medicine from its inception in 1978 until 1990.

Meet a Ph.D. Student: Christian Macarilla

Christian Macarilla

Age: 26

Hometown: Waterbury, Vermont

Undergraduate/graduate institutions and degrees earned: High Point University, B.S., exercise science and health promotion; Florida Atlantic University, M.S., exercise physiology

BMS Program track and year of study: Vascular Physiology, third year

What research are you involved in?
The relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and endothelial health, calcium signaling, miRNA relationship with exercise

What do you enjoy most about being a doctoral student at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
My mentor and the rest of the physiology department are always willing to help with my work and want the best for me, and the rest of the students in the department.

What are your interests and hobbies outside of school and work?
Competitive weightlifter, CrossFit coach, 3D printing, biggest Yankees fan in Alabama