More than 60 vaccinated at Medical Spanish Interest Group events in Mobile

The Medical Spanish Interest Group hosts a vaccine clinic for members of the Spanish-speaking community in Mobile. 

Led by a desire to save lives and prevent the spread of diseases, USA College of Medicine students fanned out in the community as the fall semester started, posting flyers in grocery stores and diners, calling residents on the phone, and talking to people where they live and work to let them know about vaccine clinics where Spanish-speaking providers would be present.

Their efforts to alleviate vaccine hesitancy among members of the Spanish-speaking community seem to be working. More than 60 people received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine during two recent events led by members of the College of Medicine’s Medical Spanish Interest Group (MSIG). 

 

“This was a unique opportunity to have Spanish-speaking providers present for the vaccinations,” said Elizabeth Hernandez, president of the MSIG. “I think it was comforting for those who attended to have their concerns and questions addressed in their language.”

Another vaccine clinic planned by the student group and staffed by Spanish-speaking providers is scheduled for Oct. 23 at Overlook Presbyterian Church, 5311 Overlook Road, in Mobile.  

The previous vaccination events, on Sept. 11 and Oct. 2, were held at the Mobile County Public School English Second Language Welcome Center on Azalea Road. Members of the USA Health Pandemic Response Team assisted with preparing the vaccine for injection and administering the shots. To date, more than 95,000 doses of the vaccine have been provided by USA Health. 

The students also partnered with Mobile County Public Schools and BELONG, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing aid and resources to refugees and immigrants in the Mobile area. 

Spanish-speaking providers including medical students, pediatric residents and faculty members Eduardo Calderon, M.D., the group’s advisor, and physicians Benjamin Estrada, M.D., Karen Parsell, M.D., and Haidee Custodio, M.D., assisted at the vaccine clinics. The USA Center for Health Communities donated educational flyers to the student group.

Nominations open for Mayer Mitchell Award

Arlene Mitchell speaks at a past award ceremony. The Mayer
Mitchell Award honors the memory of her late husband.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2021 Mayer Mitchell Award for Excellence in Cancer Research now through Oct. 22, 2021.

Arlene Mitchell established the endowment and annual award in July 2009 in memory of her late husband, Mayer. Mayer Mitchell was a formative figure in the effort to establish the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute in Mobile and was an inspiration to many individuals involved in the fight against cancer. This award is a lasting tribute to his memory. 

It will be the 12th year of the award’s presentation. Last year’s recipient was Seema Singh, Ph.D., professor of oncologic sciences and a senior member of the cancer biology program at the MCI.

The purpose of the Mayer Mitchell Award is to provide an unrestricted award to a promising scholar/scientist. The $10,000 award can be used for any purpose other than salary enhancement, including but not limited to travel, equipment, research, expenses and the hiring of research assistants. The recipient will be announced at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021.

Members of the Mayer Mitchell Award committee, comprised of faculty members from the USA College of Medicine and the Mitchell Cancer Institute, will use the following criteria to evaluate nominees:

• Originality and creativity of the research conducted
• Degree to which the research could substantially contribute to the current state of knowledge
• Entrepreneurial ideas including patent activity and success
• Scientific articles submitted and accepted for publication
• Grant submission activity and success
• Peer recognition, honors, and awards received
• Commitment to the mission of the cancer institute as envisioned by Mayer Mitchell
• Perception of being a team player
• Responsibility as a steward of USA funds

Download the nomination form.

Nominations and supporting documentation should be submitted to Estella Raymond, USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, 1660 Springhill Ave., Mobile, AL 36604-1450, or eraymond@health.southalabama.edu.

Students launch gift box campaign for children in need

Jessica Moore, left, and Rachel Emig, 

second-year medical students, show off gift 

boxes they are collecting to send to children 

around the world.

Two second-year medical students at the USA College of Medicine have launched a campaign to send gift boxes to children around the world during the holidays.

Jessica Moore of Huntsville and Rachel Emig of Tuscaloosa said they grew up participating in Operation Christmas Child, a project affiliated with the Samaritan’s Purse relief organization, at their hometown churches. “Around Christmas time every year, shoeboxes nationwide are packed with toys and simple gifts for children in need,” Moore said. “It is a tangible way to demonstrate God’s love to kids across the world.”

Moore and Emig, who became friends as undergraduates at Mississippi State University, wanted to create an Operation Christmas Child campaign at the USA College of Medicine, and invite faculty and fellow students to join. “Rachel and I grew up packing Christmas shoeboxes and find great joy in it,” she said.

The students reached out to the Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama for help in organizing the campaign. It will run through Nov. 1.

There are three ways for faculty, staff and students to participate:

1. Pack a shoebox. Boxes can be picked up at the Office of Student Affairs in the Medical Sciences Building. They can be packed with approved items and returned to the pickup location.
2. Donate items online through the Amazon wish list. 
3. Make a monetary donation. Donations will go toward Amazon wish list items and shipping the boxes. A $9 donation covers the cost of shipping for one box. Participants can donate via Venmo to @jmariem24 or @RachelEmig.

For more information, email Jessica Moore at jmm2022@jagmail.southalabama.edu or Rachel Emig at ree2021@jagmail.southalabama.edu.

Meet a Med Student: Shane Stephenson

Shane Stephenson

Age: 23

Class of: 2024

Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Undergrad/grad institution: Clemson University

Degrees earned: Bachelor of Science in health science

Interests, hobbies: Running, cycling, hiking, fishing, skiing, traveling and spending time outdoors. 

Something unique about me: I have a fishing-based YouTube channel (youtube.com/bamabass13), and one of the videos unexpectedly has received 350,000+ views.

Three of my favorite things: Enjoying a hot cup of coffee, getting some fresh air on an early morning run and spending the day fishing/grilling my catch.

What I enjoy most about being a student at the USA College of Medicine: The inclusive nature of the entire USA system: from classmates, to interest groups, to the healthcare professionals at the USA Health system.

USA College of Medicine alumna joins USA Health as rheumatologist

Sonia Savani, M.D., a 2013 graduate of the USA College of Medicine, recently joined USA Health as a rheumatologist to help the community that played a pivotal role in her academic journey.

Savani was drawn to science at an early age, and the opportunity to help those who struggle with chronic conditions eventually led her to rheumatology.

“I have a deep desire to try to make things better for the people around me,” she said. “Many of the diseases we take care of as rheumatologists are chronic illnesses that can be absolutely debilitating and chip away at people's lives. I wanted a lifetime of being able to do something for others that could provide them the opportunity to live a healthier and more complete life.”

Rheumatology focuses on the treatment of rheumatic diseases, which affect the body’s muscles, bones and organs. Arthritis is the commonly used umbrella term for many rheumatic diseases, which also include lupus and gout. These conditions can cause periods of intense pain that can impact a person’s quality of life deeply. The goal of a rheumatologist is to alleviate the intensity of these diseases and slow their progression.

Savani hopes to build a diverse outpatient practice for patients of all ages, though she currently is accepting only adult patients. She also is eager to participate in the academic side of the health system by teaching medical students and encouraging them to pursue rheumatology.

Savani earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from USA and a medical degree from the USA College of Medicine. She completed residency training in internal medicine and pediatrics, followed by a fellowship in adult and pediatric rheumatology at the Medical University of South Carolina. She also earned a master's degree in clinical research from MUSC.

She is a member of the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Savani is accepting referrals and new patients at the USA Health Mobile Diagnostic Center at the Commons. Call 251-660-5787 to schedule an appointment.