EDGE for Success expands with new ambassadors and USA Health launch

Ambassadors and co-leads of EDGE for Success: Christina Murphree; Amanda Arnold, M.S., RDN, LD; Melisa Pierce, Ed.D., MPA; Marcina Lang, MPA; and Domenico Spadafora, Ph.D.

The Whiddon College of Medicine’s EDGE for Success program is entering its next cycle with exciting momentum, a new cohort of mentors, and a new home at USA Health. Building on the success of the inaugural series, which showed measurable growth in leadership and self-efficacy across every area assessed, EDGE continues to grow as both a program and a community.

Three new EDGE Ambassadors — Brittany Brown, MSN, RN, NE-BC; Christina Murphree; and Domenico Spadafora, Ph.D. — will join returning co-leads Marcina Lang, MPA; Amanda Arnold, M.S., RDN, LD; and program designer Melisa Pierce, Ed.D., MPA, as mentors in this second cycle. Notably, the new ambassadors were participants in the first EDGE cohort, and their transition to mentoring is a powerful reflection of the program’s core vision: Leadership is not about titles; it’s about growth, impact, and lifting others as you climb.

What EDGE Covers

EDGE for Success is a six-session interactive program designed to help staff build leadership skills, enhance communication, and strengthen collaboration — regardless of formal role or title. Through guided discussion, hands-on practice, and mentorship, participants will:

• Explore personal leadership values and emotional intelligence.
• Build practical skills in communication, feedback, and collaboration.
• Learn strategies for productivity, including the integration of AI tools.
• Cultivate resilience and reflective practices for continuous growth.
• Develop a personal brand and professional presence.
• Conclude with a reflection and recognition session to celebrate growth.

The program blends evidence-based readings, small group interaction, and structured mentorship, providing participants not only with knowledge but also with space to apply, practice, and reflect.

“EDGE was created with a simple belief: leadership is not about position; it’s about practice,” Pierce said. “Seeing participants grow in confidence, skills, and voice — and now watching mentees step into the role of mentors — has been incredibly rewarding. This next cycle will continue to build on that foundation as we expand to USA Health.”

Details and Registration

The next cycle begins with orientation on Sept. 24, followed by six sessions held from 11 a.m. to noon in the USA Health Clinical Trials Training Room. Interested staff can register at this link.

Senior medical students named to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

Fifteen medical students from the Whiddon College of Medicine Class of 2026 have been elected to the Beta Chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. 

Alpha Omega Alpha, founded in 1902, is the national medical honor society. Election to the society is an honor signifying a lasting commitment to professionalism, leadership, scholarship, research and community service. A lifelong honor, membership in the society confers recognition for a physician's dedication to the profession and art of healing.

The new members are as follows:

• Qays Aljabi
• Noah Baker
• Olivia Brookins
• Madelyn Campbell
• Caroline Clutton
• Corinne Gautreaux
• Madison Hogans
• Caroline Howell
• Benjamin Loftis
• Samuel Motz
• Allen Perkins
• Richard Preus
• Grace Sullivan
• Brooke Tarrant
• Macy Wright

Learn more about Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Staff development series to explore ethical challenges

The Whiddon College of Medicine's Spark & Start Staff Development Series continues this fall. This is a quarterly staff development session designed to spark participants' attention and enable them to get started using new or underused skills and technology.

Peyton McElroy, Ph.D., assistant professor of medical education, and Leesha Coleman, MLIS, assistant librarian at the Baugh Biomedical Library, will facilitate an interactive session exploring everyday ethical challenges in work and life through the lens of medical humanities, art, literature, and creative activities. This professional development opportunity offers a chance to step away from the daily routine, engage in thought-provoking exercises, and reflect on life’s big — and small — questions in a meaningful and enjoyable way.

The session will be held Oct. 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Medical Sciences Building third-floor multipurpose room. The Zoom link will be shared with participants closer to the event. 

RSVP by Oct. 3: https://forms.gle/W4EuMSTHggLCocSM7

Medical student's art piece featured on Physiatry in Motion cover

Isabella Dinelli holds a copy of Physiatry in Motion featuring her artwork on the cover.

A medical student's artwork is featured on the cover of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) Physiatry in Motion's summer 2025 issue. Inspired by a hike in a botanical garden in the rain, fourth-year medical student Isabella Dinelli created the art piece titled “Across” in Procreate. 

Physical medicine and rehabilitation, or physiatry, is a medical specialty focused on restoring function and improving quality of life for patients with injuries or illnesses affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints or muscles. 

The first page of the magazine includes Dinelli's description of the piece: “It reflects the idea that sometimes a single step in the rehabilitation journey can feel as impossible as walking on water. With resilience, we conquer what we once thought was beyond our reach and accomplish things we once thought were impossible. The work symbolizes perseverance, forward motion, and accomplishing the seemingly impossible, merging the serenity of nature with the determination at the heart of rehabilitation medicine.”

Dinelli, who is president of the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group, is applying to physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs. 

The AAP's mission is to empower academic physiatrists to advance the science of physical medicine and rehabilitation, educate leaders of the future, and champion physiatry to transform healthcare. Physiatry in Motion is a quarterly publication created by the AAP’s Resident/Fellow Council.

USA celebrates Whiddon College of Medicine construction milestone

Medical students from the Class of 2028 sign the beam, which will leave a lasting imprint hidden in the framework of the new Whiddon College of Medicine building.

Representatives from USA and Mobile gather for the

beam signing ceremony. 

The University of South Alabama is one step closer to making the new medical education and research building a reality. 

On Sept. 4, the Whiddon College of Medicine marked an exciting milestone with a beam signing ceremony, a longstanding construction tradition that celebrates the placement of the final structural steel beam at the highest point of the building. 

The beam was signed by many who represent the heart of this project, including second-year medical students who will be the first graduating class to learn and grow in the new building.

“We will provide the next generation of high-quality physicians and cutting-edge research to improve the lives of Alabamians,” said John V. Marymont, M.D., MBA, dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. “There is no better investment to meet these growing needs of our state than to invest in our own people and our own University.”

Learn more about the latest progress and the construction goals ahead.

View more photos from the event on Flickr.

Join us for Walk with a Doc

Looking for a fun, healthy way to kick off your weekend? Join the next Walk with a Doc event on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 8:30 a.m. at the University of South Alabama Student Recreation Center. 

This month, Luke Mueller, D.O., medical director of the Stanton Road Clinic and assistant professor of internal medicine, will give a brief talk on routine health screenings you can expect during a primary care visit. After the discussion, you’ll enjoy a relaxed group walk, perfect for getting active and connecting with others. 

When you arrive, check in at the front desk. You’ll be directed to the classroom where participants will gather before the walk begins. 

This event is free and open to all, so feel free to bring along family, friends, and coworkers. For more information about this and future Walk with a Doc events, visit the Walk with a Doc webpage. 

Student scientists earn top honors at Infectious Diseases and Host Defense Research Symposium

From left, Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D.; Nam Suwanbongkot; Killian Brewer; Allyson Shea, Ph.D.; Meagan Taylor; and Shovon Lal Sarkar.

Nam Suwanbongkot and Christopher

Davies, Ph.D.

Nam Suwanbongkot, a Ph.D. candidate in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program at the Whiddon College of Medicine, received the Outstanding Young Scientist Award at the 2025 Infectious Diseases and Host Defense (IDHD) Research Symposium held in August at the University of South Alabama.   

The award honors a graduate student who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and service to the discipline.  

Basic medical sciences Ph.D. candidate Killian Brewer was also recognized, earning the Best Presentation Award for his research on lung pathology in lab models.  

The symposium featured nine trainee research presentations that examined biological and immunological aspects of disease. Topics ranged from immune system responses to tick-borne infections to mechanisms of cytokine release in antibody therapies for cancer.  

The symposium is designed to give students valuable conference-style presentation experience while fostering collaboration and feedback from outside perspectives.  

Student presentations included:  

• 

  Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D., and Killian Brewer

  Olu Adesunloro: “Importance of manganese uptake in uropathogenic Escherichia coli CFT073 during urinary tract infection”  
• Killian Brewer: “Neutrophil hyperresponsiveness contributes to lung pathology in STAT3V463Δ mice” 
• Manley Hicks: “Optimizing macrophage phagocytosis in monoclonal antibody therapies”
• Hoa Tran: “Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III secretion system effector ExoU activates caspase-1, thereby triggering programmed cell death in lung endothelial cells”  
• Sarah Macon-Foley: “Tick co-feeding transmission of tick-borne flaviviruses: Developing a working model system”  
• Brianna Mitchell: “Mechanisms of cytokine release by monoclonal antibody therapies”  
• Meagan Taylor: “Using primary human dermal fibroblasts as an in vitro model of chikungunya virus infection at the vector-virus-host interface”  
• Shovon Lal Sarkar: “Characterization of Amblyomma maculatum saliva microRNAs and their role in Rickettsia transmission”  
• Nam Suwanbongkot: “Cutaneous response to rickettsial infection via a single infected tick feeding event”  

Keynote speaker Kathryn Patras, Ph.D., of the Baylor College of Medicine, delivered a lecture titled “The path to uncovering an immune conversation that predicts preterm birth,” sharing insights from her scientific research and career path.  

Students including Suwanbongkot, Brewer, Shovon Lal Sarkar and Meagan Taylor, served on the 2025 symposium planning committee. The event was chaired and moderated by Allyson Shea, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology.  

USA Health Pediatrics administers first infusion to prevent Type 1 diabetes progression in 8-year-old patient

The team celebrated after the patient finished

his 14-day treatment. 

Because of a mother’s deep concern for her child and a physician’s willingness to listen, a little boy may be able to postpone treatment for Type 1 diabetes – including daily needle sticks and strict food restrictions – for several years.   

After a series of tests revealed that a patient was a candidate for a new treatment, pediatric endocrinologists at USA Health successfully administered its first Teplizumab infusion to the patient in Mobile, marking a milestone in the fight against Type 1 diabetes.  

The treatment, completed in late July after a 14-day course, is designed to delay the onset of symptomatic stage 3 Type 1 diabetes by as much as two years.  

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), formerly called juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disorder that leads to loss of the pancreas's ability to produce insulin, a critical hormone for the body's glucose use. Children with symptomatic T1D present with health conditions including hyperglycemia, polyuria, and polydipsia, requiring the initiation of insulin replacement therapy.   

“This is the first available disease-modifying therapy available for these patients and presents as a light of hope to currently delay – but maybe one day potentially cure – T1D,” said Melissa Perez-Garcia, M.D., a pediatric endocrinologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at USA Health who worked with the patient and his family. The patient treated at USA Health is the health system’s first pediatric patient to receive the therapy.   

After seeking care in other facilities in the region, the patient’s family came to see Perez-Garcia for a third opinion. The pediatric endocrinologist sat with the mother and took a detailed history, asking questions that revealed her son could have Type 1 diabetes. Tests confirmed her suspicion.  

Fortunately, when detected early enough, the disease can be delayed with treatment. 

In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Teplizumab as the first therapy shown to delay the progression to symptomatic T1D. Delaying the onset of the disease could have a profound impact on a child’s quality of life, allowing them more years free from the burden of frequent injections and glucose monitoring.  

“This is an exciting moment for our pediatric endocrine team,” said Benjamin Estrada, M.D., interim chair of pediatrics, professor of pediatrics, and assistant dean for medical education at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at USA. “By offering this therapy, we hope to delay the need for insulin treatment and give our patient and his family more time before facing the daily challenges of Type 1 diabetes.”  

After pre-treatment testing, the treatment required a daily IV infusion for 14 days, which was administered in the pediatric infusion center at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital.  

“We are filled with optimism that this sweet 8-year-old boy will be a responder to the medication,” Perez-Garcia said, “and won’t have to think about insulin injections or blood glucose checks for at least two more years.”    

USA Lions Eye Research Institute marks 35 years of contributions to local basic science

Members of the USA chapter of the Lions Eye Research Institute gather for a special program at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

By Casandra Andrews  

To recognize the contributions of the Alabama District 34C Lions Clubs, part of the USA Lions Eye Research Institute (LERI), a special program was held in August at the Whiddon College of Medicine.  

Founded in 1990, LERI marks 35 years of support in 2025 for USA scientists and researchers seeking to better understand the causes of — and ultimately end — preventable blindness. Local Lions Club members gathered for lunch and a tour of the instrumentation they helped purchase through donations and grants from the Lions International Foundation.   

The total amount of contributions from the Lions Eye Research Board, comprising members from more than 30 Lions Clubs in District 34C, is now more than $1.3 million, said Robert A. Barrington, Ph.D., an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, and a Lions Club member.   

“We are truly grateful for the generous support from Lions Club members that spans more than three decades now,” Barrington said. “It continues to be a remarkable example of how civic-minded individuals can have a profound impact on basic science research.”  

During the program, Barrington talked about the history of LERI and of the vision scientists supported by the donations and their eye research, including an example of a current project that highlights how gamma delta T cells provide protection against pathology and blindness caused by corneal Herpes Simplex virus 1 infection.  

Barrington’s lab studies infectious blindness caused by herpes virus, the leading cause of infectious blindness in the developed world. He also serves as the director of the Office of Research Education & Training, as scientific director of the Flow Cytometry Laboratory, and a member of the Center for Lung Biology.  

Present at the meeting was LERI founder Leonard Rich, M.D., a Lions Club member and local ophthalmologist. Along with fellow member Joe Bitzer, Barrington said, the two rallied District 34C Lions to respond to Lions Clubs International's SIGHT FIRST campaign to eradicate preventable blindness by forming LERI, a group with a unique vision to fund basic science eye research to drive medical advances for eye diseases.  

With more than 1.4 million members in some 49,000 U.S. and international groups, Lions Clubs International and Lions Clubs International Foundation take on some of the greatest challenges facing local communities and the world through service and grants.   

Pediatric hospitalist joins Whiddon COM faculty

Rakesh Das, M.D.

By Milena Mata 

To better meet the healthcare needs of sick and injured children, Rakesh Das, M.D., has joined USA Health as a pediatric hospitalist at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital and USA Health Providence Hospital. 

He joins a team of 14 pediatricians and five advanced practice providers who exclusively care for children in USA Health hospitals. 

Das said his passion for pediatrics emerged while caring for patients in his community after earning a medical degree. Growing up in a rural village in Nepal, he noticed the challenges children can experience when healthcare is limited. 

“I am passionate about advocating for children, as they are often without a voice of their own,” Das said. “Working with children and their families brings me immense fulfillment and continues to fuel my passion for pediatrics. Every child has a unique story and helping them grow healthier and stronger is deeply rewarding.” 

Das earned his medical degree at Tribhuvan University, a medical school in Nepal, where he attended on a full scholarship. He served as a medical doctor in Nepal, providing care in marginalized communities and leading immunization initiatives. 

Later, he moved to New York to complete his pediatric residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he specialized in complex neonatal cases. During his time there, Das also rotated in pediatric oncology and pediatric cardiology, gaining a broader understanding of those fields. His research efforts have focused on the association between congenital heart disease and gestational diabetes. 

Das said he appreciates that USA Health allows him to experience both patient care and collaborative teaching and research. As an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine, Das values sharing knowledge and gaining new perspectives from his students. He said teamwork and collaboration in pediatric medicine ensure the best outcomes for patients. 

“The academic setting fosters collaboration and innovation, giving me the chance to help advance pediatric care,” Das said. “For me, it is not just about making a difference locally but contributing to a broader impact globally.” 

Das is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society of International Medical Graduates. He is also the author of multiple published research articles. 

“I am very excited to bring my experiences, skills, and passion for teaching to USA Health,” he said, “and I look forward to serving children and families while growing together with this amazing team.” 

USA Health pediatric pulmonology expands with addition of Choudhary

Saroj Choudhary, M.D.

By Milena Mata  

Fellowship-trained pediatric pulmonologist Saroj Choudhary, M.D., recently joined the medical staff at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital and is accepting new patients at the Strada Patient Care Center.   

“As a pediatric pulmonologist, I was drawn to this field by a deep desire to help children with respiratory conditions live full, active, and healthy lives without feeling limited by their diagnoses,” she said.   

Choudhary said she is grateful to care for children with respiratory diseases and provide them with the necessary support. Continued advances in pediatric medicine have greatly improved survival rates for children with pulmonary complications.  

“Seeing these children thrive despite their challenges is the most fulfilling part of my job,” Choudhary said. “Being part of their care journey as they grow and overcome obstacles is both a privilege and a driving force in my work.”  

She most recently worked as a pediatric pulmonologist at Ochsner Hospital for Children in Jefferson, Louisiana, where she performed outpatient care and provided consultations in the emergency department.  

Choudhary earned her medical degree at Sawai Man Singh Medical College in Jaipur, India. During her studies, she scored in the top 10% of her class for four consecutive years. Choudhary completed her residency at the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in New York City. Then, she completed a fellowship in pediatric pulmonology at Langone Hospital in Long Island, New York. Her scholarly activity has focused on the early detection of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-related metabolic syndrome (CRMS) in infants.  

In addition to her clinical activities, Choudhary is also an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine. The pulmonologist said her passion for teaching helped her decide to join USA Health, USA’s academic health system.  

“I find great meaning in teaching and mentoring medical students and residents and contributing to the education of the next generation of physicians,” she said.   

Choudhary is board certified in pediatrics and has been an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2017. “I want families to know that I am deeply committed to partnering with them – helping each child breathe easier, grow stronger, and achieve their fullest potential,” Choudhary said.