Memorial Service To Celebrate Life of Dr. Robert Kreisberg

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine will hold a celebration of life service for Dr. Robert Kreisberg at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on Oct. 5, 2016, at 4 p.m.

Dr. Kreisberg, who served as the founding chair of the USA department of internal medicine, former dean of USA’s medical school and vice president for medical affairs for the university, passed away on Aug. 21, 2016. He was laid to rest in Big Sky, Montana, where he frequently spent time enjoying the beauty and peace of nature with family and friends.

Dr. Kreisberg had a pivotal role in the early development of the USA College of Medicine. He joined USA’s newly founded medical school in 1973, as the USA College of Medicine was beginning its operation. In his early 40s at the time, he was a noted clinician, scientist, educator and endocrinologist. His appointment brought credibility to the USA College of Medicine.

In his role as both chair of the department of internal medicine and dean of the medical school, Dr. Kreisberg was able to recruit a core group of talented clinical educators. He, along with this group of physicians, built a foundation of clinical and medical education excellence that still remains a defining characteristic of the USA College of Medicine today.

After leaving USA in 1987, Dr. Kreisberg came back in 1999 as associate vice president for clinical affairs, chief of staff for the USA Hospitals and chief executive officer for the Health Services Foundation. In 2000, he began his second stint as dean and vice president for medical affairs following the death of his friend, Dr. Charles M. Baugh. After retiring in 2006, he was appointed professor emeritus of internal medicine in honor of his many contributions to USA, the medical profession and the field of internal medicine.

Dr. Kreisberg was known as a gifted teacher, caring physician, committed mentor and nationally respected researcher and scholar in endocrinology.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Leonora, and is survived by wife Ginger; children Howard Kreisberg (wife Elise, children Alexa and Jordan), Mark Kreisberg (wife Chinh, children Anna and Adan), David Kreisberg (daughter Grace), Michele Kreisberg Palmer (husband Marty), and John Kreisberg; Step-children Shannon Wilder (husband Thomas, children Ramsey, Thomas Jr., Ginny and Olivia), Holly McKinney (children Mac and Charlie), and Christen McKinney; sister Maryce Cohen (husband Lewis, children Lauren and Rich).

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Robert A. Kreisberg College of Medicine Endowment Fund, University of South Alabama Development Office, 300 Alumni Circle, Mobile Ala. 36688.

Natalie Fox Appointed Manager of Clinical Operations for Pediatrics

Natalie Fox, pediatric nurse practitioner at the University of South Alabama Midtown Clinic, was recently appointed manager of clinical operations for pediatrics at USA Health.

Fox’s appointment follows Debbie Gilbert— who previously served as manager of clinical operations for pediatrics and will retire later this year.

“Debbie Gilbert announced her retirement after many years of loyal service to USA Health,” said Howard Holcomb, assistant administrator for pediatrics at USA Health. “We thank her for her many contributions and wish her well in her upcoming retirement.”

Holcomb said the general pediatric division at USA Health is moving toward patient centered medical home (PCMH) certification, a designation that rewards teamwork, quality improvement and patient satisfaction. Fox has been coordinating certification efforts and assisting the Stanton Road Clinic and Family Medicine Center as they also seek certification as part of a multi-site application process.

“We are excited to have Natalie join our management team,” Holcomb said. “Her combination of supervisory skills, clinical insight and expertise with PCMH is appreciated.”

Fox earned both her bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in nursing from USA.  She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.

She will continue to see patients on a part-time basis.

College of Medicine Research Forum Set For Nov. 4

Graduate student Joseph Otto explains his project to Dr. Donna Cioffi, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the  University of South Alabama College of Medicine, during last year's research forum.

The 10th annual University of South Alabama College of Medicine Research Forum will be held Nov. 4, 2016, at the Medical Sciences Building on USA's main campus. The deadline for abstract submission is Oct. 7, 2016.

The Research Forum provides a venue for researchers from the College of Medicine and the Mitchell Cancer Institute to present their work to the university’s biomedical community. “Since the Forum’s inception, we have seen many new ideas generated, as well as new collaborations develop among our community,” said Dr. Cioffi, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at USA.

The forum consists of two sessions - the morning session for oral presentations in the first floor auditorium, and the afternoon session for poster presentations in the second floor south hallway. Lunch will be served in the Joseph Bitzer Conference Room.

Participation is required for all basic medical science graduate students in their second year and beyond.

In addition to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, clinical fellows, residents and junior faculty are encouraged to participate.

Travel awards will be given for the two overall best presentations: one for graduate students and one for postdoctoral fellows. These awards are to be used for travel to national or international meetings.

The event is co-sponsored by the USA College of Medicine and the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.

For more information and to view abstract forms, click here.

USA Welcomes Dr. John Hunter

Dr. John Hunter recently was appointed assistant professor of surgery at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and will serve as a surgeon with USA Physicians Group.

Prior to joining USA, Dr. Hunter served as assistant professor of acute care and trauma surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and as a general surgeon at the VA Hospital in Birmingham, Ala.

Dr. Hunter earned his medical degree from UAB, where he also completed his residency training in general surgery. He then completed a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at UAB and a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at the University of Texas Houston Colon and Rectal Clinic.

Dr. Hunter is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery.

To make an appointment with Dr. Hunter, call (251) 445-8282.

Free Football Tickets, Tailgate for USA Health Employees

USA Health is providing complimentary tickets for every USA Health employee and a guest to attend the USA Jaguars vs. Troy University football game on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Each employee is eligible for two tickets. Each employee and a guest also can attend a free tailgating barbecue dinner catered by Sonny's BBQ before the game. Food will be served from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Please register for tickets by clicking here anytime between now and Oct. 12. You must pre-register for tickets by Oct. 12.

We've designed a special USA Health Game Day T-shirt for the event, and we hope you will join us in wearing one at the game. These long-sleeve shirts cost $10 and will be sold at USA Medical Center on Oct. 4, USA Children's & Women's Hospital on Oct. 5, Springhill Avenue Campus on Oct. 6 and the Medical Sciences Building on Oct. 7.

Get details about tickets, tailgating, T-shirts and parking here. View photos from last year's event below.

USA Health System Game Day 2015 from USA Health on Vimeo.