Medical student presents at annual pathology conference

Emily Hartsell presents at CAP24.

Emily Hartsell, a third-year medical student, recently presented a poster at the College of American Pathologists CAP24 Conference in Las Vegas. 

“The annual CAP conference is a valuable experience that provides opportunities to build a national network, explore subspecialties and career paths, and learn about cutting-edge technologies in the field and how to implement them for the benefit of our patient population,” she said. 

Her poster detailed a case involving an unusual presentation of Rosai-Dorfman disease in the nail bed of a child. The disease is a rare, benign condition that involves an overgrowth of white blood cells called histiocytes. It usually causes swollen lymph glands in the neck, but the overgrowths can also affect the skin and other organs.

“This case was unique because Rosai-Dorfman disease rarely affects pediatric populations or presents in the nail bed, so I thought it would be of interest to other conference attendees and help spark great conversations,” she said.

Hartsell’s travel to the conference was supported by the CAP Foundation, which awarded her the Medical Student Travel Award and the CAP Distinguished Medical Student Award in 2024. The award is given to a medical student, in any year of training, for outstanding achievement, aptitude or interest in pathology, and honors the student’s initiative in learning about pathology and participating in pathology-related activities. 

The foundation also funded the Pathology Interest Group (PAIG), which Hartsell leads as president, with the Sparking Interest in Pathology Award. The award is intended to support projects and initiatives that introduce, educate and inspire medical students to pursue a career in pathology.

CAP, the leading organization of board-certified pathologists, serves patients, pathologists and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide.

Advancing reproductive advocacy in the South topic of upcoming lecture

Nikki Zite, M.D., MPH

Nikki Zite, M.D., MPH, a professor and vice chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in Knoxville, will be the guest speaker for a meeting of the OB-GYN Interest Group and the Public Health Interest Group of the Whiddon College of Medicine next month. 

Zite, who specializes in complex family planning, is scheduled to talk about what reproductive advocacy is, her involvement in advocacy efforts, and how to advance reproductive healthcare in the South. The meeting will be presented as a Zoom session and is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. in the Atlantis Room at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. 

Please RSVP if you plan to attend in person, where food will be provided. Those who plan to attend are asked to bring questions for this discussion-based meeting with a Q&A panel. RSVP on the Google spreadsheet.   

The meeting will also be available via Zoom. Access the Zoom meeting here.

Among her many accomplishments, Zite has been working to expand perinatal care access to more women in Tennessee by coordinating with the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care on a statewide quality improvement project. 

Staff recognized for excellence at annual breakfast with the dean

John Marymont, M.D., MBA, center, recognized staff members, from left, Alani Rodgers, Allison Bauman, Patricia Powe, Sherry Parnell, Heather Fleming and Madeline Wasden. Not pictured is Angela O'Neal.  

Seven staff members were honored at the third annual Whiddon College of Medicine Staff Recognition Awards on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Hosted by the Dean's Office, the awards were presented during a special breakfast in the Dean's Conference Room. 

John Marymont, M.D., MBA, dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs, thanked each of the staff members for their service to the university. The awardees were nominated by multiple faculty and staff for exhibiting excellence in job performance, possessing strong work ethic, and being team players. 

The honorees were awarded certificates and received swag bags and two tickets to the South Alabama basketball game against Troy in January. 

Below are excerpts from colleagues' nominations of this year's award recipients: 

• Allison Bauman, Lab Manager, Physiology and Cell Biology – “Allie is everything to the Nelson lab. She is the glue that bonds my team together and the grease that keeps the wheel going. … She has done so much and sacrificed so much of her time towards the betterment of people and science.”
• Heather Fleming, Assistant Director of Faculty Affairs, Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development – “Heather is a dedicated team player, collaborating within our department, the Whiddon COM, and the USA Health system. She consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and takes pride in her work. She effectively manages the huge responsibility of onboarding our faculty, and her work is vital to the success of the COM.” 
• Angela O’Neal, Director of Learning Support Services, Office of Accreditation and Planning – “Angie's positive attitude is infectious. Described by a coworker as ‘a ray of sunshine,’ her constant smile and kind words create an uplifting atmosphere that enhances our workplace. Angie's commitment to students and their success, exceptional people skills, and positive influence make her an ideal candidate for this recognition. Her work significantly improves our college community.”
• Sherry Parnell, Secretary V, Office of Health Advancement – “Sherry is present and consistent, and students TRULY come to her for any and everything. …  I, and all of the members of our team, often look at Sherry with awe – how she can make time and space for so many people in her heart is beyond comprehension.” 
• Patricia Powe, Business Manager, Whiddon COM Business Office – “With a cheerful demeanor and an outgoing personality, Patricia fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere in our team. She consistently collaborates with others, demonstrating a strong commitment to teamwork and helping everyone succeed.” 
• Alani Rogers, Assistant Director, Whiddon COM Admissions – “Alani radiates positivity, and her high-quality work ethic is unmatched. She lifts everyone's spirits and brings a smile to those around her, which makes the work environment fun and enjoyable. Her commitment is consistent, and she has a strong dedication to excellence no matter the project.” 
• Madeline Wasden, Program Coordinator, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Immunology – “Madeline is an exemplary employee that goes above and beyond to ensure that the researchers at the LID have the resources they need to conduct their science to the best of their ability. She has a strong work ethic and humble attitude. She is always willing to assist faculty, staff and students and lend a hand wherever needed.”

Cranford to retire from CME at Whiddon College of Medicine

Sharrie Cranford, M.S., LICSW, PIP, who has served as director of the Office of Continuing Medical Education since 2008, will officially retire from the University of South Alabama on Dec. 1. 

Before joining the Whiddon College of Medicine, Cranford worked for the USA Health system as a social worker and financial counselor from 2002 to 2008. During her time with University Hospital, she developed their resource guide and discharge planning guide that were shared with other local hospitals and are still used today. Her journey in the Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) has been one of continuous growth and expansion, she said. 

“Over the years, our CME program has grown into a comprehensive educational initiative spanning multiple healthcare disciplines,” she said. “We have developed robust relationships across the medical school, USA Health, local and regional healthcare providers, and the broader university campus. This interdisciplinary approach has allowed us to create more diverse and impactful educational offerings.” 

Working with different departments has enriched the program, leading to innovative approaches in continuing education, she added. “Our success stems from this cross-departmental collaboration, which has become our hallmark in delivering excellence in CME.”

Two significant accomplishments stand out in Cranford’s career. First, the CME program achieved Accreditation with Commendation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Second, the program attained Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education, placing USA among an elite group of only 176 providers worldwide, compared with 1,400 with standard ACCME or state accreditation.

Cranford expressed her gratitude to Maggi O’Brien, M.D., former associate dean for student affairs, and Samuel Strada, M.D., dean emeritus, who supported her initiatives throughout her tenure along with John Marymont, M.D., MBA, dean and vice president for medical affairs.

“Their unwavering support, even for my unconventional approaches, allowed me to innovate and grow in my role,” she said. “Their trust and encouragement were instrumental in helping me develop successful programs.”

Cranford said she will miss being immersed in continuous learning while making a meaningful impact. “Planning educational activities that improved patient outcomes was fulfilling, as I expanded my own knowledge through conferences and grand rounds while helping others grow,” she said. “Influencing both the content and delivery of medical education made this role more than a job – it was a genuine passion.”

However, she is looking forward to pursuing several exciting ventures in retirement. She plans to continue adjunct teaching at USA and the University of Alabama, while growing her private practice as a social work therapist.

“To balance work with leisure, I am hoping to spend summers in Italy, combining my love for travel with cultural experiences,” she said.

A retirement reception honoring Cranford will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Technology and Research Park, 650 Clinic Drive, Building III, Suite 1100. 

Alford joins OB-GYN faculty at Whiddon COM

Hannah Alford, M.D.

With a passion for working with women of all ages, Hannah Alford, M.D., recently joined USA Health OB-GYN.

Alford received multiple awards during her residency at USA Health and now serves as an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Alford knew from an early age that she wanted to be a physician. “I actually wrote a letter to myself in the fourth grade that was mailed to me when I graduated high school that asked if I still wanted to be a doctor,” she said. “There was no one in my family in the medical field, and I was fascinated by it.”

She earned a medical degree from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, then moved to Mobile for her residency at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital.

Alford considers seeing patients across all stages of life a privilege: “It is an honor to get to know women and experience life stages alongside them, from the early years of starting their cycles to needing birth control, through pregnancies and into the menopause transition.”

Because USA Health is the region’s leading academic health system, research plays an integral role in the mission for medical students, residents, fellows and faculty. Alford said her research interests so far have involved clinical quality improvement to ensure the healthcare team provides the best, most efficient and supportive care for patients.

“I chose to work in academic medicine so that I could stay up to date on the latest clinical guidelines and surgical techniques,” she said. “I love working with my mentors as my colleagues. I also enjoy teaching medical students and residents about the field of OB-GYN.”

In 2024, Alford was selected as the Best Resident in Obstetrics at USA Health, and the Best Resident in Urogynecology at USA Health, honors that were bestowed for her outstanding performance in both fields by the obstetrics and gynecology staff at Children’s & Women’s Hospital and faculty of the Whiddon College of Medicine.

She also received the Resident Award for Excellence in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons, as chosen by OB-GYN faculty for her outstanding performance in minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries.

In 2023, she earned the Gynecologic Oncology Resident of the Year Award, Society of Gynecologic Oncology, from USA Health’s gynecologic oncology faculty for her outstanding performance during clinical rotations. Further, she was selected as the Gynecology Resident of the Year in 2023, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, by the OB-GYN faculty for outstanding performance in gynecologic surgeries.

Alford, who grew up in a small town in middle Tennessee, met her husband in medical school. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, in May.

She is accepting new patients at the Strada Patient Care Center in Mobile. To make an appointment, call 251-415-1496.