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, 2025. To learn more or submit a nomination, visit www.southalabama.edu/colleges/com/alumni/awards.html.

Help us celebrate the exceptional individuals who represent the best of the Whiddon College of Medicine.

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.