Physicians and students engage in Honest Conversations

Students, faculty and staff attend the Honest Conversations panel discussion at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

The Wellness Council and Gold Humanism Honor Society hosted the third annual Honest Conversations panel discussion on Feb. 17. The event served as an opportunity to openly discuss the difficulties that medical professionals face. 

“The heart behind Honest Conversations is simply that: having an honest conversation about mental health, burnout, and the challenges physicians experience,” said Becky Smith, Ph.D., health and wellness counselor at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “These topics are often uncomfortable and difficult to talk about, yet so important to discuss. This event creates a safe space and opportunity for a panel of physicians that the students admire, respect, and idolize to come and share their own personal experiences of navigating these issues.”

Panelists for the event were Melissa Goslawski, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology; Brandy Merritt, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics; Maryann Mbaka, M.D., assistant professor of surgery; and Lorie Fleck, M.D., associate professor of urology.

Students were able to pre-submit questions, and the moderator helped facilitate those questions during the discussion. Students were also invited to ask questions throughout the event. 

“This is our third year hosting this event, and we always have excellent physician panelists that are vulnerable and share real-life experiences and advice in navigating mental health, burnout, and the ups and downs of medicine,” Smith said.

Medical student selected for esteemed Otolaryngology Future Scholars Program

LouAnn Crosby

Second-year medical student LouAnn Crosby has been selected for the highly competitive Otolaryngology Future Scholars Program at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

As one of only five medical student-scholars nationwide, Crosby will participate in the immersive program May 19-23, gaining early exposure to the field of otolaryngology through clinical observation, research engagement, and professional development.

Crosby’s passion for otolaryngology is deeply personal. “As someone born hard-of-hearing, I've experienced firsthand how ENT care can impact lives,” she shared. “This opportunity at the University of Minnesota represents not just recognition of past work, but a path forward to help me reach my goals and contribute to a field that has personally impacted me. I look forward to joining my fellow scholars this May and bringing together my academic dedication and personal experiences.”

The Otolaryngology Future Scholars Program is designed to introduce first- and second-year medical students to the specialty, particularly those from institutions without an otolaryngology residency program. The program provides scholars with hands-on experience in the operating room and clinic, exposure to ongoing otolaryngology research, and mentorship on residency applications and interview skills. 

In addition to professional training, scholars will take part in community-building social events, offering insight into life at the University of Minnesota and fostering connections with faculty, residents and fellow students.

Crosby’s selection highlights the excellence, ambition and leadership of Whiddon College of Medicine students, who consistently stand out academically, professionally, and in competitive specialties. Her achievement reflects the strength of the institution’s medical education, which prepares future physicians to excel in clinical practice, research and leadership.

Solidarity Week highlights human connection in healthcare

Members of the Gold Humanism Honor Society visit administration and staff at University Hospital. 

This week, the University of South Alabama chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society celebrated Solidarity Week for Compassionate Patient Care by visiting patients and their support systems at University Hospital and Children's & Women's Hospital. 

During their visits, members of the honor society handed out Mardi Gras beads, stickers, notes, small gifts, refreshments and snacks. The students also showed their appreciation to hospital staff.

The purpose of Solidarity Week is to reaffirm the importance of human connections in medicine and to ensure that all individuals — patients, families and healthcare professionals — feel seen, heard and valued. The program is a national initiative that takes place each year during the week of Valentine’s Day. 

View more photos from Solidarity Week.

Cardiology fellows win state Jeopardy championship for second consecutive year

From left, Brent Ruiz, M.D.; Mariam Riad, M.D.; Christopher Malozzi, D.O.; Mustafeez Ur Rahman, M.D.; and Celestine Odigwe, M.D., attend the American College of Cardiology Alabama Chapter winter meeting.

USA Health cardiology fellows won the FIT (Fellow in Training) Jeopardy: Battle of the Chapters competition at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Alabama Chapter winter meeting for the second consecutive year.  

After defeating UAB, the USA team will retain the championship trophy in Mobile until next year’s competition.  

The friendly, but competitive Jeopardy format allows FIT teams to test their clinical knowledge and compete for the title of national FIT Jeopardy Champion. The competition promotes a healthy rivalry between ACC chapters and provides educational value to both the contestants and the audience on a variety of topics ranging from imaging, intervention, and prevention.   

"Winning the state ACC Jeopardy competition was both an exhilarating and humbling experience,” said Mariam Riad, M.D., chief fellow. “I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such brilliant colleagues and excited for what's ahead!"  

Fellows in attendance included: Riad, Brent Ruiz, M.D., Mustafeez Ur Rahman, M.D., and Celestine Odigwe, M.D. Also attending were Bassam Omar, M.D., Ph.D., fellowship program director, and Christopher Malozzi, D.O., fellowship associate program director.    

As the winning team, USA Health will send two fellows in training to ACC.25 in Chicago in March.  

The Alabama Chapter of the American College of Cardiology is committed to improving heart health through continuing medical education, continuous quality improvement, patient-centered care, professionalism, and the influence of health care policy.   

Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists and practice managers are among its members.   

The American College of Cardiology, the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, and its 56,000 members, are dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health. The organization provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions.    

Whiddon COM showcases data-driven research on physician wellness and healthcare disinformation

Russell W. Cantrell, MSCIS, MBA

At this year’s Southeastern Decision Sciences Institute conference in Greenville, South Carolina, Russell W. Cantrell, MSCIS, MBA, director of data administration and strategic initiatives for the Office of Accreditation and Planning, presented two studies addressing critical challenges in healthcare — physician wellness and the rising impact of disinformation on medical professionals.

The Decision Sciences Institute (DSI) is dedicated to advancing research and education in decision sciences, bringing together scholars and professionals who use analytical methods to solve complex problems. With a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making, DSI fosters collaboration across disciplines, including analytics, information systems, statistics, healthcare, and higher education.

Cantrell’s first presentation, “Now You See Me: Tracking Medical Faculty and Resident Wellness in Tableau,” was a collaborative research effort with Binata Mukherjee, M.D., MBA, assistant dean for faculty and professional development; Amy Campbell, DNP, RN, assistant professor of nursing; Walker Plash, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine and director of the residency program; Amanda Arnold, M.S., education and training specialist; and medical student Ben Loftis. Their work highlights how data visualization can be a powerful tool in supporting physician and resident well-being, a key factor in both medical education and healthcare delivery. 

“Wellness is often dismissed with surface-level efforts, but real improvement starts with data,” Cantrell explained. “Our goal is to provide healthcare professionals with the ability to see patterns so they can make proactive choices about their well-being.” This research underscores the importance of incorporating wellness tracking into medical training programs, ensuring future physicians develop sustainable, long-term strategies for their own health as they care for others.

His second presentation, “Surveying Vulnerabilities: Tech-Driven Insights into U.S. Healthcare Disinformation,” explored how misinformation affects healthcare workers and its potential impact on patient care. 

“Fake news can spread faster than any virus,” Cantrell noted. “My research examines whether healthcare systems are vulnerable to the same types of disinformation campaigns that have influenced politics.” This study is particularly relevant to medical education, as the ability to critically evaluate information and combat misinformation is becoming an essential skill for future physicians.

Both research projects reflect the Whiddon College of Medicine’s commitment to equipping future healthcare providers with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly complex medical landscape. By leveraging data analytics to track physician wellness and investigating the impact of misinformation on clinical decision-making, these studies directly support the university’s broader mission of advancing medical education, enhancing provider well-being, and improving patient care. 

Through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative research, Whiddon COM continues to strengthen medical training by integrating evidence-based approaches that prepare students and residents for the challenges of modern healthcare.