Whiddon COM showcased nationally at the Assessment Institute

Melisa Pierce, Ed.D., MPA

This October, Melisa Pierce, Ed.D., MPA, executive director of accreditation and continuous quality improvement in the Office of Accreditation and Planning, represented the Whiddon College of Medicine at the Assessment Institute in Indianapolis. She presented her session, “The EDGE Effect: Transforming Professional Development Through Leadership Growth,” highlighting the College’s innovative approach to developing leadership capacity among faculty and staff who do not hold formal supervisory roles.

The session shared key findings from the EDGE for Success program, an initiative created within the Whiddon COM to address a clear gap in professional development. Traditional models often overlook non-supervisory professionals, despite their essential role in communication, collaboration, and student support. EDGE was designed to meet that need by pairing structured skill-building with mentorship, reflection, and facilitation practice.

The research demonstrated measurable gains in leadership confidence, resilience, and general self-efficacy, reinforcing the idea that leadership can be cultivated at every level of an institution. “We identified a gap in professional development and created EDGE to address it,” Pierce sad. “It has been incredibly well received, and the data shows how meaningful it has been for both mentees and mentors.”

The presentation also connected EDGE to broader institutional priorities. The program reflects the University of South Alabama’s Strategic Plan, particularly its emphasis on student success, high-impact practices, and a supportive professional culture. Within the Whiddon COM Strategic Plan, EDGE directly supports goals related to staff and faculty success, educational excellence, and fostering a collaborative academic environment.

Presenting this work on a national stage allowed the Whiddon COM to share a scalable model for workforce development while highlighting the College’s commitment to continuous improvement, inclusive leadership, and investing in people. The EDGE Effect continues to demonstrate how intentional development, supported by strong mentorship and reflective practice, can elevate both individual growth and institutional effectiveness.

Faculty, residents and alumni provide lifesaving care in the Dominican Republic

The group of volunteers provided essential medical care to underserved populations on the island.

By Lindsay Hughes

During a weeklong mission in La Romana, Dominican Republic, faculty, residents and alumni from the Whiddon College of Medicine joined colleagues from across North America to deliver essential medical care to some of the region’s most vulnerable populations. 

The group, Cross Cultural Medicine on Hispaniola (CCMH), worked side-by-side in farming villages and correctional facilities, bringing critical medical services to individuals who rarely, if ever, have access to healthcare.

Tosin Oladunjoye, M.D.; Grace Lagasse, M.D.; and

Jashen Bailey, D.O.

CCMH is a multidisciplinary, international coalition dedicated to caring for underserved populations on the island. Their longstanding mission focuses on providing care for Haitian sugar cane workers living in remote settlements known as bateys, as well as individuals in local jails and prisons. For many patients, the clinics provided by CCMH represent their only opportunity to receive medical attention.

Over the course of the week, the team treated approximately 1,200 patients through mobile clinics in the bateys and onsite care inside correctional facilities. They managed a wide spectrum of acute and chronic conditions and provided essential dental services, including extractions. Each encounter reflected the mission’s commitment to compassionate, reliable care.

Grace Lagasse, M.D., an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Whiddon COM, was among the participants this year. She emphasized the importance of reaching communities that are otherwise excluded from basic services. “By continuing these batey clinics, which now expand beyond bateys to reach even more Haitians living in the eastern Dominican Republic,” she said, “basic medical care will continue to be delivered to this highly at-risk population, who is otherwise denied access to quality care.” 

Residents also played a key role in the effort. Second-year emergency medicine residents Tosin Oladunjoye, M.D., and Jashen Bailey, D.O., joined the mission to help staff clinics and provide direct patient care.

Patrick Nolan, M.D.

“I had an unforgettable experience on the medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic,” Oladunjoye said. “Providing health care for individuals in the rural bateys, underserved communities and local prisons deepened my purpose as a physician. I am grateful for every moment of compassion, connection and healing.”

“This trip was one of the best experiences I’ve had in residency,” Bailey said. “I spent the week alongside physicians from multiple specialties; each bringing unique experiences and years of wisdom to serve and encourage others. Together, we cared for patients who continually expressed their gratitude simply for being seen, heard, and cared for. I hope I can be a part of this trip again in the future.” 

Several Whiddon College of Medicine alumni from the Class of 1981 contributed their expertise as well, including general surgeon Robert Chagrasulis, M.D., who helped organize the trip; infectious disease physician Patrick Nolan, M.D.; interventional radiologist Kyran Dowling, M.D.; and obstetrician-gynecologist Thomas Miller, M.D. Internal medicine physicians Alan Shain, M.D., who completed his residency at USA Health, and Desiree Soter-Pearsall, M.D., a former faculty member, also volunteered.

CCMH’s service effort began in the late 1990s and has been sustained by volunteers ever since, with only a brief pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whiddon COM faculty began participating in 2022, and residents joined the mission in 2024, strengthening a partnership that continues to expand its reach and impact across Hispaniola.

Graduate student presents research at regional microbiology conference

Oluwagbenro Adesunloro

By Casandra Andrews

Oluwagbenro Adesunloro, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, recently presented his research at the Southeastern Branch of the American Society for Microbiology (SEB-ASM) conference in Athens, Georgia.  

Adesunloro, a member of the Shea Lab, delivered an oral presentation on the role of amyloid beta during urinary tract infection. “The conference was a wonderful experience that provided an opportunity to connect with colleagues from other institutions and discuss my research,” he said.  

Amyloid beta is a small protein best known for its link to Alzheimer’s disease, where it builds up in the brain. But new research, including work from USA collaborator Jonathan Audia, Ph.D., in sepsis, suggests that it might also play a role in the body’s natural immune defense, said Allyson E. Shea, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology. “With Olu’s project, we are exploring this idea for the first time in urinary tract infections.”  

When bacteria invade, the immune system fights back, and some evidence shows that amyloid beta can act like an antimicrobial peptide — it can trap or damage bacteria and may even help signal other immune responses. The tricky part, notes Shea, “is that while this might help control infection, too much amyloid beta can also cause inflammation and tissue damage. Our goal is to understand when it helps and when it hurts.” 

At the conclusion of the meeting, Adesunloro was honored with a travel award in recognition of his contributions to the conference.  

“Olu did an outstanding job presenting this work,” Shea said. “His oral presentation was clear, confident, and engaging, which is likely why he was recognized with a travel award for his performance. He represented both our lab and the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program exceptionally well, as a Dean’s Fellowship recipient. His professionalism and enthusiasm reflect the strength of our training environment and the promise of his future as a scientist.” 

The Southeastern Branch of the American Society for Microbiology is a regional division of the ASM representing microbiologists across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The branch promotes and advances microbial sciences through education, research, and collaboration among scientists, educators and students.  

Whiddon COM launches newsletter focused on continuous quality improvement

The Whiddon College of Medicine is excited to launch CQI Quarterly, a new newsletter from the Office of Accreditation and Planning.

This newsletter is part of our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the college. Each issue will highlight the work happening behind the scenes to strengthen our educational programs and support our strategic goals.

Look for:

• Students asked, we acted
• Project updates from across the Whiddon COM
• Strategic plan progress
• Insight to impact – how your feedback drives change
• What’s next – and how you can get involved

Read the first issue here: www.southalabama.edu/colleges/com/administration/resources/cqi-quarterly-vol1.pdf

PALs make an impact through peer-led academic support

At the Whiddon College of Medicine, peer support plays a crucial role in student success. Each year, a select group of motivated and academically successful second-, third-, and fourth-year medical students serve as Peer Academic Leaders (PALs), helping strengthen the college’s culture of shared learning.

PALs are an integral part of the Academic Success team and play a vital role in fostering an inclusive, collaborative learning environment. Through individualized guidance, group sessions, and structured academic programming, they help fellow students navigate the academic demands of medical school and build the skills necessary for long-term success.

“Our Peer Academic Leaders are an essential part of our Academic Success efforts,” said Angie O’Neal, M.Ed., director of learning support services, who oversees the PAL program. “They create a supportive, collaborative environment where students can strengthen their skills, build confidence, and learn from peers who truly understand the challenges of medical training. Their commitment to helping others succeed is one of the things that makes our learning community so strong.”

Throughout the year, PALs design and lead a wide range of academic support opportunities, including content review, question-based coaching, peer-to-peer case learning, study sessions, and exam preparation workshops. Their support extends to Step 1 and Step 2 preparation and other critical milestones, ensuring that students at every stage of training have access to timely and relevant academic guidance.

To prepare for this role, all Peer Academic Leaders complete training at the start of the academic year and participate in monthly professional development focused on evidence-based learning strategies, effective communication, and peer support. This ongoing training not only enhances the quality of support they provide but also builds valuable skills in leadership and medical education that will benefit them in their future careers as physicians.

David Williams, Ph.D., MPA, assistant dean for institutional and academic success, said the program reflects the college’s commitment to shared learning and mutual support. “Our Peer Academic Leaders exemplify the spirit of mentorship and collaboration that we value in our medical education program,” he said. “Their dedication to supporting their classmates not only strengthens academic performance but also reinforces a culture of shared success. I am proud of the impact they make and the leadership they demonstrate.”