Prakash named 2024 recipient of the Samuel H. Wilson Award for Studies on DNA Repair

Aishwarya Prakash, Ph.D., has been named recipient of the 2024 EMGS Samuel H. Wilson Award for Studies on DNA Repair by the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EMGS). 

An associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and pharmacology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, Prakash is set to receive the award during the 55th annual meeting of the EMGS in Palm Springs, California, in September. 

“I am deeply honored to receive the Sam Wilson Award for DNA Repair,” Prakash said. “Though I didn’t train directly under Sam, he was a mentor to me in many ways. His passing left a significant void in the scientific community, but his legacy lives on through his many trainees, several of whom are my close colleagues and collaborators.” 

Created in honor of scientist Samuel H. Wilson, M.D., the award is given to provide career advancement opportunities for the next generation of environmental health scientists. Award candidates are evaluated based on their teaching experience, commitment to mentorship and their recent scientific accomplishments. 

Prakash was chosen from among applications submitted by investigators within 10 years of starting an independent position.  

Prakash has been invited to give an oral presentation in a symposium or platform session during the annual meeting and will be awarded a travel stipend. The title for her talk and abstract is “Gene-Environment Synergisms and Their Role in Cancer.” 

Prakash joined the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute in 2016 as an assistant professor of oncologic sciences after completing her post-doctoral research at the University of Vermont. Her work focuses on DNA repair mechanisms in mitochondria. She earned her Ph.D. in cancer research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2010. She also received specialized training in crystallography at Brookhaven National Labs in Long Island, New York. 

Wilson was a leader in the field and made substantial contributions to base excision repair (BER). He was also a dedicated mentor, and many of his trainees became significant players in the field of DNA repair, studying the impact of DNA repair pathways on environmental health. He served as deputy director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences from 1996 to 2007. He was acting director of the NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program from 2007 to 2009. 

“What I admired most about Sam was his ability to offer thoughtful comments, even during the toughest times,” Prakash said. “He always knew how to encourage and uplift others when they needed it most. His wisdom and kindness continue to inspire us all. 

The EMGS was founded in 1969 to provide a forum for the establishment and support of scientists in environmental mutagenesis. Although the initial focus was on germ-cell mutagenesis, the interests of the society expanded to encompass all areas of mutagenesis, including mutational mechanisms, development of test methods, molecular epidemiology, biomarkers, and risk assessment. 

M3 students prepare for patient care in the clinical setting

The Class of 2026 practices advanced cardiovascular life support during M3 orientation.  

After receiving their white coats last Friday, third-year medical students are preparing to begin their clinical training with M3 Clerkship Orientation this week. 

Orientation kicked off with training in basic life support and advanced cardiovascular life support. 

In addition to policies and procedures, students learned about transitioning to clerkship, establishing a work/life balance, and succeeding in their third year. 

Medical student selected to present findings of MS research at national forum

Maxon Bassett presents his poster on MS misdiagnosis.

Maxon Bassett, a third-year medical student, has known for a long time that he wanted to do something in neurology. A recent research project and his poster presentation at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) gave him a new perspective.  

“My exposure to neurologic diseases prior to this project had always been more focused on the surgical aspect of patient care,” he said, “and I saw this project as a great way to get exposure to the clinical aspect of neurologic disease.”  

Last summer, Bassett looked at the incidence and causes of the misdiagnosis of MS in the patient population of William Kilgo, M.D., a neurologist with USA Health, director of the neurology residency program and assistant professor of neurology at Whiddon College of Medicine, who specializes in MS treatment.  

“This was the largest project in terms of patient numbers that has been completed nationally to the best of our knowledge,” Kilgo said.  

A retrospective chart review of new patients over a four-year period yielded data on the initial diagnosis, final diagnosis, patient demographics and treatment plans of each patient.   

“We found that the misdiagnosis rates were very similar to those at other academic centers,” Bassett said. “The academic centers that we were comparing to have very different patient populations than what we see in Mobile, as well as different access to healthcare, so it was very positive to see the misdiagnosis rates were consistent.”   

They also noted, he said, that most misdiagnosis occurred when a patient was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when they had another disease.  

He presented the findings in his poster titled, “Incidence and Causes of Multiple Sclerosis Misdiagnosis in an Academic Center Serving a Diverse Patient Population” at the ACTRIMS annual forum in February in West Palm Beach, Florida.  

“Presenting my research was an invaluable experience,” Bassett said. “It was a fantastic opportunity to not only meet people in the field, but also to get exposure to other forms of research. It is great as a student to have the privilege of presenting, especially at such a large conference.”  

He continues to work on projects involving neurology and neurologic surgery and hopes to present his findings at conferences and publish them in academic journals.    

Founded in 1995, ACTRIMS is a community of leaders from the United States and Canada who are dedicated to the treatment and research in MS and other demyelinating diseases. ACTRIMS focuses on knowledge dissemination, education, and collaboration among disciplines.   

Its annual forum allows experienced and newer clinicians and researchers to exchange information, debate current issues, and discuss advances related to basic research and clinical issues. 

Pediatric gastroenterologist joins pediatrics faculty

Jenelle Fernandez, M.D.

To better serve children with digestive health issues on the upper Gulf Coast, USA Health Pediatrics has expanded its gastroenterology division with the addition of Jenelle Fernandez, M.D., FAAP.  

She is double board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology and will serve as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine. 

Fernandez said she decided to become a pediatrician because she loves children and enjoys seeing how small changes can make big impacts in their lives. 

The decision to pursue a specialty in pediatric gastroenterology came following an experience she encountered during her residency.  

“I got to take care of a teenager with Crohn's disease,” Fernandez recalled. “She was very ill and could not participate in school activities as she was so weak.” Shortly after diagnosis and treatment, she was able to return to competitive cheerleading and spending time with friends. 

Watching the teen recover helped open her eyes, she said, to how physicians can help patients improve their quality of life. 

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the GI tract.   

Fernandez earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies. She completed her residency at Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, Georgia, and a fellowship at Orlando Health. Most recently, she served as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida in Tampa. 

Among her achievements, Fernandez earned the Young Investigator Award by the Federation of International Societies of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in 2021.  

Class of 2026 dons white coats, GHHS inducts new members

The Whiddon College of Medicine Class of 2026 knows that with the power of the white coat comes great responsibility. 

Marking the transition into their clinical training, 76 third-year medical students were cloaked with white coats in a ceremony at the Mitchell Center last Friday. The students also took the Medical Student Oath, a promise to uphold the human aspects of medicine such as sensitivity, compassion and respect for patients. 

Brian Fouty, M.D., professor of internal medicine and pharmacology, was one of the keynote speakers at the event. “In 22½ months, when you return to this stage,” he said, “and you trade the short white coat you are about to receive for a diploma and a longer white coat that you will wear in residency, you will want to be able to say to the faculty, to your family, to your classmates, but most importantly to yourself, that you spent this time wisely and that you only used the power of the white coat for good.”  

In his remarks, Abu-Bakr Al-Mehdi, M.D., Ph.D., assistant dean for medical education and professor of pharmacology, emphasized the importance of building trust with patients. “It takes communication skills – both nonverbal and verbal – sympathy and empathy, confidence in one’s own training, learning by observing your teachers, and experience,” he said. 

However, Al-Mehdi noted, “you never really stop learning. Once a medical student, forever a medical student.” 

Class of 2026 President Thomas Robinson

gives the class response. 

Thomas Robinson, class president, reflected on the bond his classmates have forged in their preclinical years. He referenced “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown. In the book, Brown describes the concept of “swing,” or the essence of teamwork. When all eight oarsmen are moving perfectly in sync, rowing becomes a kind of perfect language – poetry.  

“This swing is what we have between this class,” Robinson said. “This perfect unison and seamless teamwork have brought us to where we are today. As we move into our clinical years, let’s strive to maintain this swing in our practice, working together in harmony to provide unwavering devotion to our patients.

“Let us wear our white coats with honor, humility and a deep sense of purpose. Let us continue to strive for excellence for our future patients and each other.” 

Robinson reinforced the responsibility that comes with wearing the traditional dress of physicians for more than a century. “As we don our white coats today, and embrace a new responsibility,” he said, “we will soon be entrusted with the care of patients, hearing their stories, sharing in their triumphs, and supporting them through difficult times.” 

The event also served as the induction ceremony for the USA chapter of the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society (GHHS). Inductees – elected by vote of medical students – were selected for practicing patient-centered medical care with integrity, compassion and altruism. They also received GHHS pins.

GHHS inductees gather at Moulton Tower on campus.

The inductees included:

Class of 2025 Medical Students

• Jerry O. Andrews II
• Mary Claire Carlton
• Emily S. Cleveland
• Cinnamin C. Cross
• Tara L. Hicks
• Chandler S. Hinson
• Naden W. Kreitz
• Warren E. Law III
• Peter Ledet
• Natalie A. Simpkins
• Yulong H. Stokes

Residents

• Kiah Gledhill, M.D., Department of Surgery
• Christopher Warren Johnson III, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine
• Alexander McNally, M.D., Department of Surgery
• Matthew Norris, D.O., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Faculty

• Abu-Bakr Al-Mehdi, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Medical Education, Professor of Pharmacology
• Brian Fouty, M.D., Director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Program, Professor of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology

The White Coat Ceremony is sponsored in part by the USA Medical Alumni Association.

View more photos from the ceremony on Flickr. 

Whiddon College of Medicine Class of 2026