USA Health welcomes Bradley as new chief of geriatrics

Jerry Bradley, M.D., Ed.D., M.Div.

By Milena Mata

USA Health recently broadened its geriatric, hospice and palliative care with the addition of Jerry Bradley, M.D., Ed.D., M.Div., a hospitalist who specializes in elder and end-of-life treatment. He will serve as chief of the geriatrics division in the Department of Internal Medicine.  

“I enjoy connecting with families while helping them through challenging moments in their lives,” Bradley said. “Whether it is a new diagnosis of dementia or confronting end-of-life care transitions, this specialty provides an opportunity to practice impactful medicine in a meaningful and fulfilling way.”  

Prior to joining USA Health, Bradley completed a fellowship in geriatric, hospice, and palliative medicine at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He later completed his residency at the University of Louisville-Owensboro in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he specialized in family medicine.  

During his career, Bradley also served in the U.S. Navy as a medical officer for seven years until 2020.  

An advocate for mental health, Bradley earned a Doctor of Education degree in community care and counseling with a focus in traumatology from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He wrote a dissertation on the impact of a program on improving mental health screening and prevention in outpatient military health clinics. He has received several awards for clinical process improvement programs.  

As an assistant professor of internal medicine and family medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine, Bradley is proud to join the region’s only academic health system. “Working in academic medicine allows me to improve the quality of care for my patients through innovative system design and research,” he said.  

While deeply passionate about medicine, Bradley also has an expansive educational background in engineering, theology and business. A lifelong learner, he has earned advanced degrees in healthcare systems engineering and theological studies and is working on two more in business administration and science.

Additionally, Bradley earned a Master of Divinity from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, making him an ordained minister, and a Master of Healthcare Systems Engineering from John Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is currently pursuing a second doctorate degree at Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity. He says all the fields of study interconnect to help him improve patient care. 

“Each of these degrees helps me serve my patients better and improve the quality of care,” Bradley said. “The training was one of the reasons why I have been able to develop and build programs for quality improvement initiatives.” 

Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Bradley is a member of the American Academy of Family Practice and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.  

He will see patients at University Hospital and the Stanton Road Clinic. To make an appointment, call 251-471-7207. 

Smith promoted to director of health and wellness at Whiddon COM

Becky Smith, Ph.D.

When Becky Smith, Ph.D., joined the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine in early 2021 as its first full-time health and wellness counselor, students were still navigating the uncertainty and strain of the pandemic. In just a few years, she has helped strengthen and expand wellness initiatives across the college — work that has now led to her promotion as director of health and wellness.

For Smith, wellness is more than a program; it’s an essential part of medical education.

“I firmly believe you cannot give what you do not have,” she said. “What you learn and practice now will become your disciplines in the future. Equipping our students to foster their own wellness is critical to helping them find greater life satisfaction, success, and enjoyment in their work, both now as physicians in training and later as full providers in the community.”

Medical school is inherently rigorous and demanding, Smith said, and without a foundation in wellness, students can easily become overwhelmed. By teaching them how to balance the pressures of training with personal needs and life stressors, she hopes to prepare future physicians to thrive not only in their careers but also in their personal lives.

As she steps into her new role, Smith is expanding initiatives that emphasize wellness as a collective effort across the college. 

“One initiative is shifting the focus of wellness being one office to a shared responsibility at the Whiddon COM and the important contributions of our interdisciplinary team,” she said. “We already have so many faculty and staff supporting and encouraging the wellness programming in place. I hope to highlight those contributions and increase opportunities for more collaboration.”

This year, the M1 and M2 Lunch & Learn curriculum grew to include sessions led by faculty such as LoRen Modisa, Ed.D., MPA, and Tiquera Hall, Ph.D., MPA, from the Office of Health Advancement, who spoke on professional identity formation, and Peyton McElroy, Ph.D., from the Division of Medical Education, who shared on the humanities and medicine.

Collaboration has also extended into the M3 Rx for Resilience curriculum, in which McElroy facilitated a neurology session on the ethics of wellness, and Modisa led a psychiatry session on fostering healthy team dynamics. “I hope to continue inviting key faculty into this curriculum to model to our students that wellness is a shared goal and how different members of the Whiddon COM team contribute and support their wellness,” Smith said.

Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D., associate dean of student affairs at the Whiddon COM, said Smith is well-versed in the nuances of counseling medical students, having worked directly in a medical program since 2019. “This experience lends to her vision for mental health and wellness at the Whiddon COM and her ability to expand our programming in a meaningful way,” he said. “Given her significant contributions to not only wellness efforts but the Whiddon COM as a whole, Dr. Smith's leadership is undeniable and will continue bringing distinction with her new title.”

The Whiddon COM wellness program has earned attention beyond campus, with other medical schools reaching out to learn from its approach. For Smith, this is both gratifying and motivating.

“We have a unique, innovative, and robust wellness program that we are continually improving and expanding,” she said. “I am proud of the program that I have been able to build and collaborate with my colleagues at the Whiddon COM and be leaders in the field.”

Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia and a Master of Education in clinical mental health counseling from Auburn University. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Ohio University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling and a National Certified Counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors. 

Graduate students recognized for top academic performance

Christopher Davies, Ph.D., center, presents the Edwin R.

Hughes Memorial Award to Angela Russ, left, and

Sicily Hardy.

Sicily Hardy and Angela Russ, both second-year students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program at the Whiddon College of Medicine, were named the recipients of the Edwin R. Hughes Memorial Award for the 2024-2025 academic year. The annual award, presented at the beginning of each fall semester, recognizes the students 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 Hardy and Russ with the award and plaque at the meet and greet for new students on Aug. 15. 

Hardy, who earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences at the University of South Alabama, decided to continue her education at South after working in the lab of Allyson Shea, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and immunology.

“The environment and valuable mentorship made me feel this was the right place to continue my academic and professional growth,” Hardy said. “At South I've had so many incredible mentors, and I felt it would be a mistake to leave when I could continue building on that foundation here.”

She described her first year in the program as challenging and rewarding. “The coursework was rigorous, but I learned more than just the material for exams. I became a better critical thinker and learned to approach problems from different perspectives by the end of the year,” she said. “I always felt supported by staff and professors.”

Hardy is in the graduate program’s Infectious Disease and Host Defense track under Shea’s mentorship. Her research focuses on how riboside pyridones influence host-pathogen interactions and contribute to infection susceptibility. 

Receiving the award, she said, was especially meaningful. “It was validating to have my hard work recognized, especially given the challenging coursework and the many hours of studying last year.”

Russ, who earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from USA, joined the Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics track of the graduate program. She is working under the mentorship of Mark Gillespie, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology, with research centered on DNA base damage and modifications.

“South has a great environment for collaboration and supportive faculty that help students develop the skills they need for whatever career path they want to pursue,” Russ said.

Coming from a background outside of the biomedical sciences, Russ said she had to put in extra hours to fill in the gaps. “It was a great feeling to be in a program I was passionate about, though, and to know that everything I was studying would help me build a foundation in this field,” she said.

Russ said she is honored and proud to receive the award. “After putting in so much work to adapt to a new field,” she said, “it feels great to come out the other side and to know that it all worked out.”

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

USA Health Game Day shirts available to order

Get ready for USA Health Game Day 2025! The annual employee appreciation event is set for Tuesday, Oct. 14, when the South Alabama Jaguars take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the USA campus.  

USA Health employees and volunteers, and Whiddon College of Medicine employees and students are each eligible to receive two free tickets to the football game. Registrants will also receive two wristbands to attend the tailgate event, catered by Sonny's BBQ, which begins at 4:30 p.m.  

T-shirts are now available to order online through Promotional Designs: promo-designs.com/product/game-day-long-sleeve-shirt. The shirt features USA Health’s updated core values statement: “Our TEAMS deliver SAFE, RELIABLE, PATIENT-CENTERED care patients can TRUST.”   

The deadline to order T-shirts is Tuesday, Sept. 16. They will be available for pickup at the location selected beginning Oct. 2. A very limited number of shirts will be available for cash purchase at hospital gift shops.  

More information on USA Health Game Day registration and tailgate event to come. Go Jags! 

Grelet receives prestigious $1.8 million MERIT Award from NIH

The Grelet lab team, from left, Andrew Parton, undergraduate biology student; Shila Gilbert, lab technician and manager; Simon Grelet, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology; Lizzy Davis, biomedical sciences graduate student; and Greg Hoover, lab technician.

By Carol McPhail

Simon Grelet, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, has received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award of $1.8 million for five years. The prestigious R37 grant is designed to provide long-term funding support to investigators whose research competence and productivity are distinctly superior and who are highly likely to continue to perform in an outstanding manner. 

Grelet’s award will support his research efforts to understand the contribution of the nervous system in promoting cancer progression, with a focus on the role of the nerve-cancer transfer of mitochondria in promoting cancer metastasis. He and his team will work to identify the key mediators involved in the transfers and assess the impact of inhibiting this process on cancer progression. 

“Our project investigates how cancer-infiltrating nerves transfer their mitochondria to breast cancer cells, leading to increased metabolism of cancer cells, signaling changes, and dissemination of cancer cells to distal sites,” said Grelet, who conducts research at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. “We aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms and consequences of inhibiting these transfers to aid the future development of novel approaches that inhibit cancer metastasis.” 

Richard E. Honkanen, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, called the award “a tremendous honor.” 

Honkanen pointed out that researchers cannot apply for MERIT awards directly. Rather, an investigator must first submit an R01 grant application, and the NIH program staff and the National Advisory Board must jointly conclude that the researcher has demonstrated competence and productivity at a level distinctly superior to others, he said. 

“To put this into perspective, securing an R01 grant from the National Cancer Institute at the NIH already requires ranking in the top 10% of all applications nationwide. Having that grant further recognized as distinctly superior places Dr. Grelet among the very best cancer researchers in the entire country,” Honkanen said. “This recognition is not only a profound honor for Dr. Grelet, but also for the department, the college, the Mitchell Cancer Institute and the University of South Alabama.” 

Grelet’s research into how cancer cells exploit their microenvironment, especially nearby nerve cells, to grow and spread was published this summer in the scientific journal Nature. 

In that study, his team used innovative models to investigate how breast cancer cells interact with nerve cells and how that interaction contributes to cancer aggressiveness and metastasis. The researchers identified the metabolic dependencies on nerves through bioinformatic screenings, and further developed synthetic biology approaches, combined with flow cytometry and custom-coded tools to quantify the transfer of mitochondria between neurons and cancer cells in vivo. They found that mitochondria transferred from neurons helped cancer cells acquire metabolic plasticity, which enabled them to form distant metastases. 

“Following closely from the recent publication of his paper in Nature, the NIH MERIT award is another fitting recognition of Dr. Grelet’s remarkable achievements to date,” said Christopher Davies, Ph.D., associate dean for research at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “This highly prestigious award, made only to a select group of investigators nationally, is a clear demonstration of the high regard in which Dr. Grelet is already held by his peers in cancer research and a reflection of their confidence that he is poised to transform our understanding of cancer aggressivity and metastasis.” 

Grelet established the Cancer Innervation and Neurobiology Laboratory at the Mitchell Cancer Institute in 2021 and is one of six investigators at the Whiddon College of Medicine who hold NIH MERIT Awards since the award’s creation by the NIH in 1986. 

Read more about Grelet’s work. 

Register now for GO Run: Sign up to run, walk or volunteer

The 18th Annual GO Run 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the SGA Pavilion, located directly across from Hancock Whitney Stadium. The 5K starts at 8 a.m., and the Fun Run starts at 9 a.m. 

Proceeds from the GO Run support revolutionary gynecologic cancer research happening at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Early detection, prevention, and treatment advancements are continuing thanks in part to the long-standing community support that GO Run receives.

Register to run, walk or volunteer: usahealthsystem.com/gorun

Rx for Success: Clerkship Edition prepares students for the next step

Third-year medical students participate in a workshop designed to help them transition to clinical clerkships.

On Friday, June 27, the Whiddon College of Medicine launched its first-ever Rx for Success: Clerkship Edition, a one-day workshop designed to equip rising third-year medical students with the tools, strategies, and confidence needed to thrive in their clinical clerkships. Fifty-five M3 students took part in the inaugural program, which, like its predecessor Rx for Success for incoming M1s, was entirely voluntary. The strong turnout reflected students’ eagerness to prepare for one of the most pivotal transitions in medical training.

The program was a collaborative effort of the Division of Medical Education, the Whiddon COM Simulation Program, the Office of Student Affairs, and the Office of Accreditation and Planning’s Academic Success Team. Together, these groups designed a day that blended evidence-based learning strategies with practical skill-building and peer teaching. 

“This program was intentionally developed using research and data on medical student success,” said David Williams, Ph.D., MPA, assistant dean for institutional and academic success. “We know that transition points in medical school can be especially challenging, so creating programming that eases these moments and equips students to thrive is central to our mission.”

A standout feature of the day was the involvement of 14 M4 student volunteers, who guided their M3 peers through discussions, skill stations, and reflection exercises. Their insights and encouragement helped bridge the gap between pre-clinical and clinical training. Sessions included Learning Science & Self-Management in Clinical Settings, Interpreting Feedback, and a lunch and learn that highlighted resources available during the third year. Students explored ways to balance time, apply proven learning strategies, and make the most of faculty and peer feedback in clinical environments.

The afternoon centered on hands-on learning in the Whiddon COM Simulation Lab. Students practiced head-to-toe physical exams with standardized patients and sharpened essential clinical skills such as knot tying, suturing, and sterile technique. “The simulation lab experience gave students the chance to practice, make mistakes, and learn in a safe environment before stepping into real clinical settings,” said Laura Boatright, M.D., assistant dean for medical education and director of clinical skills. “That hands-on readiness is invaluable.” A Pre-Rounding by Specialty session added further preparation by offering clerkship-specific insights from both faculty and upper-level students.

The day concluded with reflection, as students revisited questions they had posed to themselves at the start of the program, tying their new skills and insights into their longitudinal learning plans. “Supporting students through transitions is a responsibility I take seriously as both a teacher and a clerkship director,” noted Anna Foust, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics, and internal medicine clerkship director. “Because I work across multiple phases of the curriculum, I see how important it is to build continuity. Programs like this one create a smoother path for our students and strengthen their readiness for clinical learning.”

Wellness was also emphasized throughout the day. Becky Smith, Ph.D., director of COM health and wellness, reminded students of the importance of caring for themselves as they step into the demanding environment of clinical training. “Clerkships can be both exciting and stressful, and it is essential for students to have strategies to protect their well-being,” Smith said. “Being proactive about wellness not only helps students manage the challenges of medical school but also models the balance and resilience they will need as future physicians.”

The inaugural Rx for Success: Clerkship Edition underscores the Whiddon College of Medicine’s commitment to preparing students for every stage of their training, Williams said, and is planned to be offered again next year. 

Graduate students awarded Dean's Predoctoral Fellowships

The Whiddon College of Medicine has announced the recipients of the 2025-2026 Dean's Predoctoral Fellowship Awards. 

The program awards up to three one-year fellowships to eligible students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program. The awards provide comprehensive support including the student’s stipend, individual health insurance, and $5,000 to cover travel and expenses for awardees to present their work at a national or international conference, or to attend an extramural course/workshop.

Oluwagbenro Adesunloro
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
“The Antimicrobial Role of Amyloid-Beta Against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli”
Mentor: Allyson Shea, Ph.D.

Adeyeye Haastrup
Department of Pharmacology
“Targeting Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Dysregulation in Sepsis: Nicotinamide Riboside and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Transcript Isoform Switching”
Mentor: Ray Langley, Ph.D.

Shovon Lal Sarkar
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
“Characterization of Amblyomma maculatum saliva microRNAs and their role in Rickettsia transmission”
Mentor: Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D.

Adesunloro is investigating the antimicrobial role of Amyloid-β (Aβ) against uropathogenic Escherichia coli, the primary cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The rising threat of antibiotic resistance has made it critical to explore alternative antimicrobial strategies while enhancing the effectiveness of conventional therapies.

Traditionally linked to Alzheimer’s disease, Aβ has been recognized as an antimicrobial peptide with activity against a variety of bacteria, fungi and viruses. However, Adesunloro said, its role in UTIs remains poorly understood. 

“Ultimately, my findings will establish Aβ as a key component of host defense in UTIs and create novel therapeutic avenues to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens,” he said.

Haastrup’s research focuses on sepsis, which is responsible for approximately 11 million deaths globally each year. A major challenge in its pathology, he said, is the metabolic collapse driven by NAD⁺-dependent bioenergetic dysregulation.

“My research, utilizing a preclinical murine model of sepsis, aims to generate translational evidence addressing NAD⁺ insufficiency in septic conditions,” Haastrup said. “Additionally, this work also investigates transcript isoform switching — shaped by host-pathogen interactions — and its correlation with metabolic changes to better illuminate mechanisms of sepsis-associated bioenergetic failure.”  

Sarkar is studying the role of the Gulf Coast tick's saliva microRNAs (miRNAs) in Rickettsia transmission. Tick saliva contains molecules that modulate the host immune response and enable blood acquisition and pathogen transmission. Bacterial pathogens alter the salivary gland and ovary transcriptome of ticks, emphasizing the intricate relationship between pathogens and their vectors. 

“Guided by previous findings, we propose a comparative study of ticks infected with pathogenic Rickettsia parkeri, non-pathogenic Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae, and uninfected ticks,” Sarkar said. “We anticipate discovering a distinct catalog of miRNAs in tick saliva, highlighting unique expression patterns that could enhance our understanding of host-vector-pathogen interactions related to tick transmission of pathogens.”

The fellowship award recipients expressed their gratitude to their mentors, labs, departments, and the Office of the Associate Dean of Research for their guidance and support.

Learn more about the Dean's Predoctoral Fellowship Award Program.

Whiddon COM welcomes new cohort of Ph.D. students

The new class of graduate students attend orientation at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

The Whiddon College of Medicine welcomed 13 new students to the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program. The incoming class represents a diverse group of talented individuals from all over the country and the globe, bringing with them a wide range of experiences and a shared passion for scientific discovery.

“We wish them the best of luck as they embark on this challenging and rewarding chapter of their academic careers,” said Alani Rodgers, M.Ed., assistant director of the Office of Research, Education and Training. “We are confident that they will thrive and become the next generation of leaders in medical research.”

Makala Cox, of Riverside, Iowa, earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical science with a biotech concentration from the University of South Alabama. She became interested in the BMS program after one of her undergraduate professors recommended that she attend an informational session.

“The staff and faculty were so hospitable and emphasized the program's collaborative nature, which really stood out to me,” Cox said. “Additionally, the program equips graduate students with strong research skills through peer mentorship and hands-on experience, which is really important to me. On top of everything, I was impressed by the quality of research that was coming out of the program.” 

During last week’s orientation, Cox had the opportunity to meet with all of the BMS program track leaders. She describes her experience thus far as “phenomenal,” as she immediately felt welcomed into the program. 

At this stage in her academic journey, Cox is interested in genetics research. “I have some past experience with characterizing novel DNA structures across species, and I really enjoyed that,” she said. “Looking forward, I think I would like to get a job working in bioinformatics because I think visualizing data is a powerful way to disseminate knowledge.”

Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Sergio Guerrero earned his bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology from Jacksonville State University. With an interest in cancer tumorigenesis, he would like to understand better the underlying mechanisms of how these cells develop resistance against therapy. 

“My experience at South so far has been amazing,” Guerrero said. “I love Mobile’s coast scene and how many entertaining things there are to do. Everybody in the BMS program and its surroundings have been helpful and easy to approach, which is something that I highly appreciate.”

Elisa Pizzocaro, a native of Pavia, Italy, received her undergraduate degree in biology from Southern Utah University. She is interested in studying the mechanism of disease progression, along with possible treatments, either in neuroscience or cancer biology. 

She was drawn to the Whiddon College of Medicine to pursue her Ph.D., she said, because of the program’s strong sense of community, teamwork and innovative research. 

“Everyone is welcoming, accessible, and ready to offer a hand when needed,” Pizzocaro said. “The professors are outstanding. It is clear from the way they teach that they are passionate about what they do, and how committed they are to guiding us in becoming great researchers.”

Faculty from the basic medical sciences speak to new students in the graduate program.

New faculty development series to focus on AI in medical education

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development will host a comprehensive five-week series titled “Introduction to AI in Medical Education.” 

Classes will be:

• Oct. 21 to Nov. 18
• Tuesdays, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
• Hybrid format

This hands-on workshop series is designed for health professions educators who want to harness the power of AI tools while maintaining ethical teaching practices. Whether completely new to AI or already experimenting with these emerging technologies, participants will gain practical skills and ethical frameworks to enhance their teaching effectiveness.

The series takes a deeply interactive approach, moving beyond theoretical discussions to give participants real experience with AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Bing Copilot. They'll learn to create compelling educational content, generate assessments, and develop clinical scenarios while navigating the important ethical considerations that come with integrating AI into medical education. Each session builds on the previous one, culminating in participants' own custom-designed AI-enhanced teaching activity that they can immediately implement in their courses.

Weekly outline:

• Week 1: AI Fundamentals & Medical Education Applications
• Week 2: Hands-On AI Toolbox Lab
• Week 3: Ethical AI Use & Policy Development
• Week 4: AI-Human Teaching Simulations
• Week 5: Design Your Own AI-Enhanced Teaching Activity

Register now for in-person or virtual participation. Space is limited.

For more info, contact Amanda Arnold at akarnold@southalabama.edu or 251-460-6823.

Meet a Med Student: LouAnn Crosby

LouAnn Crosby

Class: 2027

Hometown: Madison, AL

Education: B.S. in biomedical sciences and M.S. in biological sciences from Auburn University

What do you enjoy most about being a student at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
I love how supported I am by the faculty and staff here. It is clear that they all want me to succeed and will help me reach my goals.

Are you involved in any research, organizations or other initiatives at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
I am the founder and president of Med-Able, an affinity group for students identifying as disabled or neurodiverse. I am also the president of the Otolaryngology Interest Group. I am currently working on a research study on hearing disabilities in medical schools.

What are your interests and hobbies?
I am a flautist in The Mobile Pops! I also enjoy building the LEGO Botanicals in my free time.

Registration open for 2025 Sickle Cell Regional Conference

USA Health healthcare professionals are invited to register for the 2025 Sickle Cell Regional Conference, a one-day educational event dedicated to advancing knowledge and care strategies for sickle cell disease hosted by the Johnson Haynes Jr., M.D. Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.   

The conference will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Strada Patient Care Center first-floor conference room. Registration will be from 7:30 to 8 a.m.  

The event, Sickle Cell Disease Practical Issues XIX: Nurses, Anchors of Healthcare in Sickle Cell Disease, will bring together leading experts to discuss the latest developments in pathophysiology, precision medicine, gene therapy, nursing management, and emerging treatments.  

This year’s program is designed for advanced practice providers, nurses, medical and nursing students, community health workers, social workers, case managers, and allied health professionals. The conference has been approved for 6.3 CEU contact hours by the Alabama Board of Nursing.  

Registration information:

• Advance registration deadline: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at 5 p.m.  
• $60 general admission  
• $40 non-USA Health nurses, social workers, case managers and allied health  
• No charge for USA Health advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, case managers, interns, residents, and students with a USA ID.  
• Late registration after Sept. 12 will be $85 for most categories.  
• Registration fee includes conference syllabus, breakfast, and a box lunch.  

Featured presentations include:  

• Pathophysiology of Sickle Cell Disease – Felicia Wilson, M.D., a pediatric hematologist/oncologist with USA Health and professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine
• Precision Medicine in Sickle Cell Disease – Antwan J. Hogue, M.D., medical director of the sickle cell center and assistant professor of internal medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine
• Gene Therapy in Sickle Cell Anemia – Hamayun Imran, M.D., a pediatric hematologist/oncologist with USA Health and professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine
• Nursing Management in Pediatric & Adult Sickle Cell Care – Jennifer Williams, CRNP, and Jessica King, FNP-C

Participants may register online.  

For questions or requests for special accommodations, contact the Johnson Haynes Jr., M.D. Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at (251) 470-5893 or amabien@health.southalabama.edu.  

USA Health expands nephrology division with addition of Sinha

Urshita Sinha, M.D.

By Milena Mata

To meet the growing nephrology needs of community residents, USA Health has added Urshita Sinha, M.D., who will care for patients at the Mastin Internal Medicine Clinic and University Hospital. 

Sinha was initially drawn to nephrology, the study of kidney disease, because of its challenges and complexities. “Regardless of one's subspecialty, nephrology plays a significant role,” she said. “After all, the body is 60% water.”   

Prior to joining USA Health, Sinha was a nephrology fellow at the University of Illinois in Chicago. As a fellow, she learned about transplant surgery and renal diseases. She also developed her management skills, helping to assess patients and perform renal biopsies. Sinha published most of her research during her time there.    

Originally from India, she earned her medical degree at Kasturba Medical College in India and completed an internship there as well. During her internship, she gained experience in a variety of fields, including nephrology and transplant surgery. She later completed her residency training at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, where she also mentored students.  

As part of the University of South Alabama’s academic health system, Sinha will serve as assistant professor of internal medicine at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine. “I knew I loved teaching ever since I was in medical school,” she said. “The first time I taught was when a close friend of mine asked me to teach her anatomy and cardiology in our first year.” 

Sinha further developed her teaching experience at Weill Cornell and Qatar University. In addition to her medical work, Sinha won the inter-university debate championship for the National Kidney Foundation in 2023 and contributed to published research.  

Nadarajan joins emergency medicine faculty

Annamalai Nadarajan Jr., M.D.

Annamalai Nadarajan Jr., M.D., has joined the University of South Alabama as an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Drawn to the specialty for its complex problem-solving and diverse patient population, Nadarajan began his training with a general surgery internship at USA Health before joining the inaugural class of USA Health’s Emergency Medicine Residency Program in 2019.

“I really enjoyed my residency experience,” he said. “As a member of the inaugural class, I had the unique opportunity to help shape the program, and I am amazed to see how much it has grown since I graduated.”

During residency, he was honored with the Resident Award for Outstanding Performance in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and the Golden Laryngoscope Award for excellence in performing and teaching emergency procedures.

Nadarajan completed an anesthesiology/critical care fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Since graduating from fellowship, he has practiced critical care medicine at UAB St. Vincent’s East Hospital in Birmingham. 

With his return to USA as a faculty member, he looks forward to teaching and mentoring future emergency medicine residents.

Medical students recognized for summer research

Winners of the Huggins Award for Summer Research and their mentors: front row, William Richards, M.D., Mariam Hashmi, Paul Doan, Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D.; middle row, Robert Barrington, Ph.D., Seth McClendon, London Hinton, Timothy Casselli, Ph.D.; back row, Jonathan Rayner, Ph.D. 

The Whiddon College of Medicine recently announced the top oral and poster presentations from the 52nd Annual Medical Student Summer Research Day. These exceptional students have demonstrated outstanding dedication, creativity and excellence in the research projects they worked on as part of the Medical Student Summer Research Program. 

Winners of the 2025 Clyde G. Huggins Award for Summer Research, all second-year medical students, each received a plaque and a $100 prize. The award honors the memory of Clyde G. “Sid” Huggins, who served as the first dean of students at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

This year’s oral presentation winner is:

• Seth McClendon: “Macrophage dysfunction in Job syndrome”
  Sponsored by Robert Barrington, Ph.D, Department of Microbiology and Immunology

McClendon assessed the role of macrophages in Job syndrome, a rare primary immunodeficiency characterized by eczema and recurrent skin and lung infections that primarily affects children. 

“We found that macrophages in Job syndrome exhibit decreased antigen presentation, decreased ROS (reactive oxygen species) production, and decreased TLR-4 signaling in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli (LPS),” he said. “This suggests that macrophages in Job syndrome have a decreased capacity to respond to and clear pathogens when challenged with infection.”

The summer experience served as a reminder for McClendon of the interdependence of the two divisions of medicine. “Collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists is vital to ensuring that we are considering various aspects of how we develop and implement treatments,” he said. “It has demonstrated to me that every person in this field has unique interests and expertise, and that when we put our trust in each other, we can find the answers we need to continue to try to improve patients’ lives in this increasingly nuanced profession.”

Leading up to Research Day, McClendon felt nervous, having never presented to such a large audience. Once on stage, his stress gave way to excitement as he shared the team's work.

“Once the presentation was finished, I felt very proud of not just the presentation itself, but of all the work we had done in such a short period of time,” he said. “I hope to continue working on this project through my medical education and expand our understanding of the pathologic mechanisms of Job syndrome.” 

Winners in the poster presentation category are:

1. London Hinton: “Interferon-stimulated gene expression during neuroborreliosis is enriched near ventricular and vascular structures”
   Sponsored by Timothy Casselli, Ph.D., Department of Microbiology and Immunology
2. Paul Doan: “Longitudinal host cutaneous response to tick bloodmeal acquisition”
   Sponsored by Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D., Department of Microbiology and Immunology
3. Mariam Hashmi: “Prevalence of scurvy in surgical patients”
   Sponsored by William Richards, M.D., Department of Surgery

Hinton studied how the brain responds to infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. In specific cases, this infection can spread to the central nervous system, leading to a condition known as Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). Cerebrospinal fluid in patients with LNB contains white blood cells, elevated cytokines, and B. burgdorferi; however, the underlying mechanism that drives neurological complications within LNB patients remains unclear.

To investigate this, the team used RNAscope in situ hybridization to localize the expression of Type I Interferon-Stimulated Genes (ISG) within the brains of LNB-infected mice. “We observed intense ISG expression in the ventricles, choroid plexus, and circumventricular organs,” Hinton said. “ISG signaling also often appeared in close relation to blood vessels, suggesting vascular involvement in interferon signaling in the brain.”

Hinton’s biggest insight from this summer was learning to think like a scientist. “I developed skills in forming meaningful questions, conducting in-depth content analysis, and troubleshooting potential complications within the experiment beforehand,” he said. “I also gained a stronger understanding of neuroanatomy and neuroinflammation, both of which align with my interest in neurology.”

Doan’s research aimed to visualize how the skin reacts when a tick bites into it, specifically the Dermacentor (American dog tick) and Gulf Coast tick. Using a microscope, he analyzed a piece of mouse skin at the exact point where the tick’s mouth entered and examined how the mouse’s immune system responded to that bite.

The summer research program helped Doan realize that a lot of research is done best as a team. “While there will certainly be main contributors and such, I definitely could not have conducted this research without the help of my fellow lab members,” he said. “I went into my project with very very minimal knowledge on ticks and the lab protocols necessary to complete this work, but with the help of my lab members, they taught me how to work through my knowledge gaps and led me to my end goal.”

Hashmi analyzed vitamin C levels in surgical patients and discovered that over a third of those tested had deficiency severe enough to be classified as scurvy. Although scurvy is often thought of as a historical disease, today's vitamin C deficiency presents differently, she said. Instead of the classic symptoms like bleeding gums, patients seem fatigued, bruise easily and heal slowly — things usually attributed to other causes or normal post-surgical recovery.

“Our findings suggest that many complications we see after surgery might be preventable if we routinely checked vitamin C levels perioperatively,” Hashmi said. “This pattern appeared across all types of surgery, suggesting that scurvy could be a much more widespread problem than we currently suspect.”

Partaking in the project, Hashmi said, opened her eyes to how clinical research works and taught her valuable skills in data collection, statistical analysis, and presenting findings.

“Dr. Richards had noticed patterns in his own patients, and we were able to turn those observations into systematic data that could improve patient care,” she said. “The biggest takeaway was realizing how research can directly impact patient outcomes and that important discoveries often come from paying attention to what we see in everyday practice.”

Rx for Success pre-matriculation course marks third year with record participation and growing impact

Seventy-three incoming first-year medical students participated in the Rx for Success pre-orientation course.

The Academic Success Team within the Office of Accreditation and Planning at the Whiddon College of Medicine hosted the third annual Rx for Success: Achieving Academic Excellence in Medical School pre-orientation course July 21-24. Now in its third year, the course continues to build momentum, drawing a record 73 incoming M1 students — a milestone that required a change in venues to accommodate the full in-person cohort.

Directed by David S. Williams, Ph.D., MPA, and Angie O’Neal, M.Ed., the course offered a dynamic blend of learning science, personal development, and professional preparation. The instructional team included faculty and staff from across the college, alongside two M2 student facilitators, Charity Yarbrough and Allee Alexander, who received dedicated professional development prior to the course to enhance their leadership and teaching skills.

A hallmark of the course was its focus on personalized learning plans, helping students identify their learning strengths, and anticipate academic challenges through structured self-assessment, reflective practice, and goal-setting. Each session emphasized actionable strategies grounded in evidence-based learning science, empowering students to approach their M1 year with clarity and confidence.

The four-day course included immersive instruction in:

• Research-based learning strategies
• Time and task management techniques
• Resilience and self-regulation skills
• Peer collaboration and professional identity formation

“Rx for Success was created in 2023 to equip incoming students with practical, evidence-based learning strategies that ease the transition to medical school,” said Williams, assistant dean for institutional and academic success. “Seeing students engage so enthusiastically with the material and with each other was both energizing and affirming. I am thrilled that one of the first programs created by the formal Academic Success Team is now stronger than ever.”

“Rx for Success is designed to equip students with what they need to thrive in medical school from day one,” said O’Neal, director of learning support services. “We focus on helping them manage the workload, learn how to study effectively and retain information over time, and use self-reflection as an ongoing practice to improve and adapt. It’s about building a strong foundation and staying grounded throughout the journey.”

M2 facilitators Yarbrough and Alexander played an integral role in guiding discussions, facilitating peer-learning sessions, and supporting participants as they translated strategies into personalized approaches.

“Attending Rx for Success last year as an incoming M1 really helped ease my nerves about beginning medical school and helped me develop a plan to succeed through my first year,” Alexander said. “Getting to serve as a facilitator this year has been so rewarding. It has been such a privilege to mentor the incoming M1 class and help them develop their own study strategies they will use throughout their time in medical school and beyond.”

Yarbrough added, “I’m thankful for the opportunity to mentor the incoming M1 class because I provided them authentic insight into life as a medical student.” 

“Rx for Success has grown into one of our most impactful student success initiatives,” said Tim Gilbert, Ed.D., associate dean of accreditation and planning. “It’s not just about content — it’s about culture.”

The Academic Success Team remains committed to refining and expanding Rx for Success in the years ahead. Williams is leading a longitudinal research and program evaluation effort to better understand how students implement the learning science principles introduced in the program, and how these strategies influence academic performance, confidence, and development across the phases of medical education. He is working alongside T.J. Hundley, M.D., and Nia Booth, a student facilitator from last year’s course, to present expanded findings at the National Association of Medical Education Learning Specialists Conference in November.

“We’re learning a lot about how exposure to structured, evidence-based strategies impacts long-term development in medical school,” Williams said. “It’s exciting to take what we’re discovering here at the Whiddon College of Medicine about our pre-matriculation programming and share those lessons with national audiences who are also thinking deeply about how to support students before day one.”

View more photos on Flickr.

Members from the Office of Accreditation Planning (Academic Success Team), faculty from the Division of Medical Education, and M2 student facilitators served as the primary instructional team. 

Meet a Med Student: Vanessa Georgiadis

Vanessa Georgiadis

Class: 2029

Hometown: Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Education: B.S. in Biomedical Sciences, University of South Alabama; B.S. in Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Reconcavo of Bahia

What do you enjoy most about being a student at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
From all the things that I have been learning about the COM, I think that seeing how much of a close-knit community we have here is by far my favorite. My classmates are so incredible, and the faculty is genuinely invested in making these four years the best and most formative years of our lives. 

Are you involved in any research, organizations or other initiatives at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
I am very excited to start getting involved in some of the organizations and interest groups at the COM, specifically the Medical Spanish Interest Group and the Student-Run Free Clinic.

What are your interests and hobbies?
I love traveling, reading, doing some occasional birdwatching, but my favorite hobby is photography.

Whiddon COM welcomes Mujeeb Ullah as assistant professor of pathology

Ateeqa Mujeeb Ullah, M.D.

Ateeqa Mujeeb Ullah, M.D., is a board-certified and fellowship-trained surgical pathologist who blends her love for medicine and the arts into her work. She describes pathology as “the most artistic field in medicine,” where the microscope is not just a diagnostic tool but a window into nature’s own canvas — the pink and purple hues telling stories of health and disease.

Mujeeb Ullah, who recently joined USA Health and the Whiddon College of Medicine as an assistant professor of pathology, says she was drawn to the institution by its people and the promise of academic collaboration. “I am excited for this opportunity to mentor the next generation of pathologists,” she added.

Prior to this role, she completed a fellowship in surgical pathology with a focus on gastrointestinal diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she trained under leading experts in the field, including Elizabeth Montgomery, M.D., and Rhonda Yantiss, M.D.

Her current research focuses on various benign and malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the evolving influence of academic conferences on the direction of medical research and the future of pathology.

Originally from Pakistan, Mujeeb Ullah earned her medical degree from Rawalpindi Medical University before completing her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine in New York.

She is a diplomate of the American Board of Pathology and the College of American Pathologists, and a member of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology and the Pakistani-American Pathologists’ Society.

Call for Nominations: 2026 USA Medical Alumni Association Awards

The USA Medical Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2026 USA Medical Alumni Awards, which recognize outstanding members of the Whiddon College of Medicine community. These honors celebrate the achievements and service of our medical alumni and faculty/staff.

Award categories:

• Distinguished Medical Alumni Award
• Medical Alumni Humanitarian Award 
• Distinguished Service Award 

Nominations are open through Sept. 10. To learn more or submit a nomination, visit www.southalabama.edu/colleges/com/alumni/awards.html.

Meet and greet new graduate students

Whiddon College of Medicine faculty, staff and students are invited to a meet and greet to welcome incoming students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program. The event is set for 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Moe's Original BBQ, located in downtown Mobile at 701 Springhill Ave.  

During the social, the winner of the Edwin R. Hughes Award will be announced. The award recognizes the doctoral student with the best academic performance in the program's core curriculum. 

Dinner will be provided, and a cash bar will be available. 

Weekly writing group launching this fall

The Office of Faculty Development is launching a new weekly writing group this fall to help faculty, postdocs, Ph.D. candidates, and research staff make steady progress on their writing goals.

Write Now! provides two hours of structured, distraction-free writing time in a supportive environment. Each session follows a proven format:

• Brief check-in (5 minutes)
• Four focused writing blocks (25, 25, 25, and 20 minutes)
• Strategic breaks between sessions for rest and informal connection

This isn't a workshop or critique group. There's no pressure for participants to share their work or discuss their writing. The simple goal is to carve out protected time to write alongside colleagues who understand the challenges they face.

Writing groups create accountability without pressure, community without judgment, and structure without rigidity. The time-blocked format helps participants maintain focus while the group setting provides gentle motivation to show up consistently for their writing practice.

Meeting Details

• When: Mondays, 8 to 10 a.m.
• Starting: Aug. 25
• Format: Hybrid (in-person and virtual options available)
• In-person location: CSAB third-floor conference room
• Zoom link: https://southalabama.zoom.us/j/95466296533

Both in-person and virtual participants follow the same structured format and timing, creating a unified writing community regardless of location.

For more information, contact Amanda Arnold at akarnold@southalabama.edu or 251-460-6823.

Register now: CCTS Translational Science Symposium

The 2025 Center for Clinical & Translational Science (CCTS) Translational Science Symposium is set for Oct. 30-31 at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores.

This one-and-a-half-day learning event brings together scholars and professionals from across the CCTS Partner Network. Highlights include a keynote from Reshma Jagsi, M.D., DPhil, professor and chair of radiation oncology at Emory University School of Medicine; the popular Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition; poster presentations; and the CCTS Scholars’ Dinner. 

Registration is free, and submissions for posters and 3MT presentations are now open.

Learn more and register for the symposium. 

Sarkar receives DOD grant to study novel link between obesity and colorectal cancer progression

Chandrani Sarkar, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology, is principal investigator of the project.

By Lindsay Hughes

With a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), researchers at the University of South Alabama will investigate a novel molecular link between obesity and colorectal cancer progression.

Chandrani Sarkar, Ph.D., a cancer researcher at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute and an assistant professor of pathology at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, is principal investigator of the project. She has been awarded a two-year $616,000 Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program Idea Award from the DOD to lead the research. 

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and lethal cancer in both men and women, affecting a large population not only in the United States but also worldwide. The National Cancer Institute reports that colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. While incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer are decreasing in adults 50 and older, they are rising at an alarming rate in adults under age 50.

“With emerging evidence supporting that the disease is often detected at more advanced stages in young adults, there is an urgent and unmet need to identify factors that regulate CRC and elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms to develop targeted therapeutic approaches for patients,” Sarkar said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overweight and obesity are associated with a higher risk of developing 13 types of cancer, including colorectal cancer. These cancers make up 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. Visceral fat, or “belly fat,” is a type of fat stored deep in the abdominal cavity and surrounds vital organs. Excess visceral fat disrupts normal body functions, which can promote abnormal cell growth and increase the risk of cancer.

The molecular links between obesity and CRC, though explored, are not fully understood. Sarkar’s study aims to study the role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its receptors in obesity-induced CRC progression. Key functions of NPY include regulating appetite and energy balance, stress response, cardiovascular health, and immune modulation.  

Identifying new targets will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for colorectal cancer, Sarkar said.

Collaborators on the project are Debanjan Chakroborty, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology; Guillermo Herrera, M.D., professor and chair of pathology; Paramahansa Pramanik, Ph.D., assistant professor of math and statistics; and Ahmed Abdalla, M.D., assistant professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology.

Sarkar joined USA Health and the Whiddon College of Medicine in July 2021. She earned a Ph.D. in cancer biology from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She also holds a Master of Clinical Research from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. 

Sarkar’s research efforts have led to several publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals. She has also authored book chapters and presented her work at national and international professional meetings.

Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development team members selected for national GFA Mentoring Circles Program

Four members of the Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development have been selected to participate in the Group on Faculty Affairs (GFA) Mentoring Circles Program, a national initiative of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Amanda Arnold, education and training specialist; Heather Fleming, assistant director of faculty affairs; and Alice Nolen, faculty affairs specialist, will join this year’s cohort as mentees. Emily Wilson, Ph.D., associate dean of faculty affairs and faculty development, has been selected to serve as a mentor.

The GFA Mentoring Circles Program is a year-long, cohort-based initiative that connects faculty affairs professionals from academic medical institutions across the country. Rather than pairing individuals in a one-on-one relationship, the program organizes participants into “mentoring circles” — small groups of five to seven mentees and two to three mentors who meet regularly throughout the year. The goal is to promote networking, peer support, and shared learning on topics relevant to faculty affairs and professional development.

Each circle is thoughtfully composed based on career goals, institutional roles, and areas of interest, with the intent to foster meaningful collaboration and cross-institutional connection. Monthly meetings follow a structured curriculum provided by the GFA, focusing on topics like leadership development, GFA committee involvement, and best practices in career advancement.

Reflecting on her decision to apply, Arnold shared: “I joined the GFA Mentoring Circles Program because I wanted to connect with others who do similar work and learn from their experiences. Being part of a mentoring circle gives me a chance to grow professionally while also contributing to a supportive community.”

The staff members' involvement represents both a personal milestone and an opportunity for the institution to engage with the broader national conversation around faculty development and leadership in academic medicine.

Register now: Faculty Development Grand Rounds

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development at the Whiddon College of Medicine has announced the return of the Faculty Development Grand Rounds series for the 2025-2026 academic year. This ongoing professional development initiative provides valuable learning opportunities for our faculty community.

Session Information
When: Second Friday of each month, noon to 1 p.m.
Format: Virtual sessions via Zoom
Duration: Full academic year 2025-2026

Kickoff Session
“AI in Medical Training”
Hector Lopez, M.D., Associate Professor of Medical Education
Friday, August 8, noon to 1 p.m.

Register today to secure a spot for the entire series. Faculty members only need to register once to participate in all sessions.

For more information, contact Amanda Arnold at akarnold@southalabama.edu or 251-460-6823.

USA Health internal medicine residents and fellow publish article on Cureus

Four USA Health internal medicine physicians-in-training recently published an article on Cureus, a web-based medical journal, about infections in people with underlying liver diseases.  

Fluoroscopic angiogram showing coil embolization

of splenic artery

The authors include second-year residents Brandon Boeur, D.O., and Kristen Buchanan, M.D.; third-year resident Hussein Haidari, M.D.; and recently graduated pulmonary/critical care fellow Sagar Kumar, M.D. 

The article, titled “Vibrio vulnificus causing severe multiorgan failure in a patient with underlying cirrhosis,” follows v. vulnificus, a bacterium that is found in raw shellfish like oysters. While typically it does not pose a threat, people who have liver disease are more likely to have a serious and potentially fatal reaction to the bacterium.   

Cirrhosis is a liver condition in which scar tissue replaces healthy tissue cells, weakening the immune system and increasing iron levels in the body. The article details a case study of a patient who presented symptoms of septic shock after v. vulnificus entered the body. As a result, the patient experienced severe organ failure. The patient also developed severe thrombocytopenia, a condition causing a decrease in platelet levels.  

In the article, the residents emphasized the importance of managing v. vulnificus infection efficiently to prevent fatal reactions as seen in this case. The study urges awareness of bacteria found in raw shellfish, especially to those more prone to serious infection.  

The case study was published under the supervision of Philip Almalouf, M.D., a pulmonologist with USA Health and an assistant professor of internal medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine.  

Established in 2009, Cureus is a peer-reviewed medical science journal with 1.2 million monthly readers. The web-based journal publishes a wide range of health-related articles, including those focused on the U.S. healthcare system. 

Read the full article in Cureus. 

Welcome, Class of 2029!

The Class of 2029 gathers in front of the Medical Sciences Building.

The Whiddon College of Medicine Class of 2029 officially began their medical school journey this week with a host of orientation activities. 

Miles Hunt, Trinity Upshaw and Ayanna Whittaker

Orientation kicked off Monday with a welcome from John Marymont, M.D., MBA, dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. Afterward, the students gathered in front of the Medical Sciences Building for their first photo as the Class of 2029. 

Other highlights from the week included a meet and greet with faculty at the MacQueen Alumni Center, and dinner with the dean at Moe's Original BBQ in downtown Mobile. 

Activities continue Thursday afternoon when the students are sorted into their wellness houses and compete in a kickball tournament sponsored by the Wellness Program. 

View more photos from orientation week. 

Medical students socialize at the meet and greet at the MacQueen Alumni Center.