Regional Stroke Support Group Meeting to Feature Biomedical Librarian Geneva Staggs

The University of South Alabama Medical Center will host the next meeting of the South Alabama Regional Stroke Support Group on Feb. 19, 2013, at 6 p.m. in the Medical Center's 10th floor dining room.

The meeting's topic will be "Where Did You Get That? Health Information on the Internet." The meeting will feature guest speaker Geneva Staggs, assistant director for hospital library services at USA's Biomedical Library.

Staggs has been designated a consumer health information specialist by the Medical Library Association and was recently named the Hospital Librarian of the Year for the Southeast region of the United States.

"I truly enjoy helping patients and other individuals find information that helps them make better health care decisions for themselves and their families," Staggs said. "I have seen evidence that informed patients have better and more productive health care interactions and better outcomes."

The meeting, which is offered free of charge, will also feature a healthy meal and door prizes. Reservations are requested and can be made by e-mailing Angela Blakley at ablakley@usouthal.edu or calling (251) 471-7671. Attendees are requested to arrive by 5:45 p.m., if possible.

USA Medical Center is the Mobile area's first "Gold Plus" Performance Achievement Award recipient for stroke care, awarded by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.  Click here for more information.

To learn more about Staggs' selection as Hospital Librarian of the Year, click here.

USA Chapter of Gold Humanism Honor Society to Focus on Compassion

In honor of the Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society's (GHHS) 3rd annual Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care, the University of South Alabama chapter of GHHS is planning several activities to remind students and employees of the importance of compassion in medicine.

On Solidarity Day - Feb. 14, 2013 - USA medical students are asked to wear red to symbolize unity and to act as a reminder of the importance of compassion and love in health care.

The GHHS Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care was initiated after the 2011 shootings in Tucson, Ariz., to honor the humanistic actions of Dr. Randall Friese, the trauma surgeon who first treated Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

The senior medical students of the USA chapter of GHHS are Laura Jelf, William Kilgo, Emile Kleyn, William Moore, John Moultrie, Sonia Savani, Kaci Sims and Joseph Wehby.

Click here to learn more about the USA chapter of GHHS. For more information on the chapter's participation in Solidarity Day and the planned events, contact Sonia Savani at sis401@jagmail.southalabama.edu.

USA Cardiologist Honored at 2013 Go Red for Women Symposium

Dr. Clara Massey (right), professor of internal medicine and director of the division of cardiology at the University of South Alabama, with Beth Anderson (left), hospital administrator at the USA Medical Center. Dr. Massey was recently recognized as the 2013 Go Red for Women Honoree at the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women symposium.

Both Dr. Massey and Dr. Steve Cordina (pictured above), assistant professor of neurology and medical director for the USA Stroke Center, presented lectures at the Go Red for Women symposium.

Dr. Clara Massey, professor of internal medicine and director of the division of cardiology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, was recently recognized as the 2013 Go Red for Women Honoree at the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women symposium.

The event, which was partially sponsored by the USA Health System, was held Feb. 1 at the Mobile Marriott.

Beth Anderson, hospital administrator at the USA Medical Center, introduced Dr. Massey at the event. Anderson said Dr. Massey was honored for her efforts not only in preventing heart disease, but also for her efforts in early detection and evidenced based treatment.

“Dr. Massey has been involved with the American Heart Association’s Go Red movement since her fellowship days, and she regularly speaks at community events to educate the public about prevention and treatment of heart disease,” Anderson said. “She balances her role as a physician with that of a wife, mother and community leader.”

Dr. Massey, along with Dr. Steve Cordina, assistant professor of neurology and medical director for the USA Stroke Center, presented lectures during a series of break-out sessions at the Go Red event.

As part of the "Go Red for Women" campaign against heart disease, the event educates and inspires women to take action against the number one killer of women in the United States.

Click here to view more photos from the event.

Next Week's DSS - Dr. Ann Bonham

The next Distinguished Scientist Seminar at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine will feature Dr. Ann Bonham, chief scientific officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington D.C.

The lecture, titled “The Social Contract of Biomedical Research in Fiscally Perilous Times,” will take place Feb. 14, 2013, at 4 p.m. in the Medical Sciences Building auditorium on USA’s main campus. A reception will follow.

Dr. Bonham directs the AAMC's array of programs that support all aspects of research and training. As the primary AAMC contact for external research organizations, Dr. Bonham addresses policy issues affecting research through engagement with key officials in the public and private sectors. Dr. Bonham also works closely with AAMC constituents to address their research needs, and represents the association on the national stage in forums dealing with research policy and administration.

Prior to joining the association, Dr. Bonham served as executive associate dean for academic affairs and professor of pharmacology and internal medicine at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, where she oversaw the school's research, undergraduate medical education, and faculty academic programs.

Dr. Bonham received her doctoral degree in pharmacology from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University School of Medicine.

USA Medical Center, Community Volunteers Help with Mobile Street Beautifcation Effort

Volunteers gathered near the University of South Alabama Medical Center campus Saturday to help plant 125 trees on Mobile Street between Springhill Avenue and the USA Medical Center.

The tree planting was in partnership with Keep Mobile Beautiful and is part of the beautification effort organized by Mobile City Councilman Fred Richardson and the USA Health System.

Bob Haskins, coordinator of Keep Mobile Beautiful, said that 73 volunteers from the community helped plant the 120 crepe myrtle trees.

"The tree planting was a huge success because of the variety of volunteers," he said. "We received enthusiastic support from the USA Medical Center, people in the neighborhood, students from LeFlore High School and other volunteers from the area."

According to Haskins, the trees were provided with funds from the Keep Mobile Beautiful Living Legacy program and a grant from the Hearin-Chandler Foundation.

"We greatly appreciate the input and support from the University and are thanksful for the cheerful volunteers who helped plant the trees," he said. "It was a beautiful morning, and everyone came ready to work."

The planting was supported by the City of Mobile Parks Department, which provided transportation, delivery and the drilling of the 120 holes for the trees.

Elmer Sellers, assistant hospital administrator at the USA Medical Center, said more than 20 hospital and administration staff participated in the tree planting.

"We are excited to see Mobile Street being improved," he said. "After the street was widened to three lanes, we reached out to the City of Mobile to see if we could collaborate to beautify and maintain the route to the hospital from Springhill Avenue."

Sellers said future plans include adding decorative street lighting and remodeling the USA Medical Center sign to help identify the route to the hospital.

"We have several ideas to help improve the area's appearance," he said. "There's a lot to be done, and we will continue to cooperate with the City of Mobile to beautify this area."

To view more photos from the event - taken by Elmer Sellers - click here.