USA Health System Honors Employees at Jags Game

Several USA Health System employees were recognized during an on-field presentation at the USA Jaguars vs. Troy University football game Oct. 24, 2014. 

The University of South Alabama Health System recently showed appreciation to its employees at the USA Jaguars vs. Troy University football game on Oct. 24, 2014.

Prior to the game, employees enjoyed a tailgate dinner provided by Sonny's BBQ. Several Health System employees were selected to walk onto the field during the game to be recognized.

Click here or watch the video below to view more photos from the event.


USA Health System Game Day from USA Health System on Vimeo.

USA Welcomes New COM Associate Registrar

Frank Lucas was recently appointed the associate registrar for the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.

Prior to joining the staff at USA, Lucas was the assistant registrar for Spring Hill College. He also previously served as the help desk manager/specialist at Spring Hill College. Lucas will work in the medical school’s office of student affairs on USA’s main campus.

Lucas earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration at the University of Mobile and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in liberal arts with a concentration in leadership and ethics at Spring Hill College.

USA College of Medicine Researchers Featured in Lagniappe

Two University of South Alabama College of Medicine research projects were featured in the Oct. 23rd issue of Lagniappe.

Dr. Richard Honkanen, professor of biochemistry at the USA College of Medicine, was featured on the issue's cover. The article includes an overview of Dr. Honkanen's research involving the PP5 protein inhibitor. The article also mentions Dr. Thomas Rich, associate professor of pharmacology, and his work on real-time hyperspectral imaging.

Click here to read the full story.

Department of Pediatrics Hosts Residents Day

The University of South Alabama Department of Pediatrics hosted its 12th annual Residents Day on Oct. 17, 2014.  At the event, 12 senior residents in the pediatrics residency program presented their scholarly work to fellow residents, faculty and students.

Dr. Rosina Connelly, associate director of the pediatrics and residency program and associate professor of pediatrics at USA, said the program requires scholarly activity in one of three options: research, quality improvement or community advocacy projects.

Residents choose a topic and faculty adviser. With guidance from their faculty adviser, residents complete their scholarly work during their training.

“It is a great opportunity to foster scholarly work and collaboration between residents and faculty within the department,” Dr. Connelly said. “Participation in scholarly activities furthers the medical career for residents who are pursuing fellowship training by helping them become familiar with scientific methodology and research procedures.”

Many senior resident projects have been and will be presented at the American Federation for Medical Research's Southern Regional Meetings in New Orleans.

The Department of Pediatrics bestows the Charles Jay Hoff Award for excellence in scholarly activity to the resident and his/her faculty adviser with the best scholarly work project, as chosen by evaluations from faculty members in attendance during the Pediatric Residents Day. The recipient of this award is announced at the end of the academic year.

To view more photos from the event, click here.

The residents' abstracts can be viewed here.

Nov. 6 DSS to Feature Dr. Jose F. Perez-Zoghbi

The next Distinguished Scientist Seminar at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine will feature Dr. Jose F. Perez-Zoghbi, assistant professor of physiology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences in Lubbock, Texas.

The lecture, titled “Regulation of Smooth Muscle Contraction in Small Airways and the Potential Use of Flavonoids to Treat Asthma,” will take place Nov. 6, 2014, at 4 p.m. in the first floor auditorium of the Medical Sciences Building on USA’s main campus.

Dr. Perez-Zoghbi's laboratory is interested in understanding cellular mechanisms underlying lung diseases such as asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and pulmonary hypertension.

The lecture series is comprised of distinguished scientists from other academic institutions who are invited by the USA College of Medicine basic science departments to present a seminar showcasing their latest research findings. Faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to attend.

To learn more about Dr. Perez-Zoghbi, click here.