Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Features Art of USA Physician's Son

The art work of Benjamin Joseph Estrada (age 9), was recently featured on the cover of the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (JPIDS). Benjamin is the son of Dr. Benjamin Estrada, professor of pediatrics at the University of South Alabama Health System.

Benjamin was inspired to draw "Chickenpox" after receiving his annual influenza immunization. After a discussion with his father about why it was important to be immunized, he became interested in learning more about vaccines and the diseases that they help to prevent. He learned about the causes and effects of varicella and decided to illustrate them to raise awareness about the prevention of infection.

This issue of JPIDS features manuscripts discussing influenza, pneumococcal, meningococcal, and rotavirus vaccines as well as an outbreak of pertussis. To view the issue in its entirety, click here.

COM Training Program Begins Third Cycle of Funding from National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute

Dr. Townsley

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine’s T32 Training Program in “Cell Signaling and Lung Pathobiology” recently began its third 5-year cycle of funding (2014-2019) from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The program supports predoctoral trainees enrolled in the interdisciplinary Basic Medical Sciences Ph.D. program and medical students engaged in research training at the USA College of Medicine.

“This is a great turning point for our training program, as a successful review after 10 years is critically dependent upon training outcomes,” said Dr. Mary Townsley, professor of physiology at the USA College of Medicine. “We have an excellent training infrastructure and excellent outcomes.”

Dr. Stevens

The current program, according to Dr. Townsley, has two components. One component provides support (stipends, travel and other training related expenses such as health insurance) for six predoctoral students per year in the lung biology track of the Basic Medical Sciences Ph.D. program. The second component provides 8-10-week stipends and training-related expenses for four medical students per year who are engaged in summer research or research honors.

T32 faculty, affiliated with the USA Center for Lung Biology, provide expertise and research training on pulmonary hypertension/smooth muscle, lung endothelial cell inflammation/infection and acute lung injury, mitochondria/oxidant stress, and lung ion channels/transport.

Dr. Troy Stevens, professor of pharmacology at the USA College of Medicine, serves as the co-director of the program’s third cycle.

For more information on the program, contact Dr. Townsley at mtownsley@southalabama.edu.

May Med School Café - 'Your Brain is What You Feed It: Effects of Nutrition on the Brain'

The May Med School Café lecture will feature Dr. Anne-Marie Kaulfers, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a pediatric endocrinologist with USA Physicians Group.

Her lecture, titled “Your Brain is What You Feed It: Effects of Nutrition on the Brain,” will take place May 20, 2014, at the USA Faculty Club on USA’s main campus. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the presentation begins at noon.

During the talk, Dr. Kaulfers will discuss nutrition and how what you eat can affect how you think. “A current hot topic is that insulin is a major brain-signaling protein,” she said. “So if you eat too much sugar, it could actually slow down your brain signals and cause poor brain functioning.”

Dr. Kaulfers will also include information on the hormones that are involved in food addiction, as well as foods that are good for your brain.

The Med School Café lecture and lunch are provided free of charge, but reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, call Kim Partridge at (251) 460-7770 or e-mail kepartridge@health.southalabama.edu.

Med School Café is a free community lecture series sponsored by the USA Physicians Group. Each month, faculty from the USA College of Medicine share their expertise on a specific medical condition, providing insight on the latest treatment available.
Dr Kaulfers MSC Teaser from USA Health System on Vimeo.

Medical School Graduates Participate in Honors Convocation Ceremony

The University of South Alabama held commencement ceremonies for the 2014 College of Medicine graduates on May 10, 2014, marking the 39th class to earn medical degrees from USA.

The day before, the 63 graduates participated in an honors convocation where they were “hooded” by an individual of their choice, signifying the awarding of a doctoral-level degree. During the honors convocation ceremony, students were also recognized for their academic achievements. Both ceremonies took place at the USA Mitchell Center.

Including the 2014 class, 2,472 physicians have graduated from the USA College of Medicine since its opening in 1973. Approximately one-third of the physicians practicing in the Mobile area earned their medical degree from USA or completed residency training in the USA Hospitals System.

Click here to view all photos from this year's event and here to see the award recipients.

USA Medical Students Make a Difference in Rwanda

The Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama (CMMSA) returned March 12 from a medical mission trip to Rwanda, Africa. The group, including 11 University of South Alabama medical students and six physicians, spent a month working at Kibogora Hospital in Eastern Rwanda. The hospital is roughly a 230-bed self-supported facility that has two operating rooms and wards for internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology.

The physicians on the trip included Dr. Carl Albertson, retired private orthopaedic surgeon; Dr. Jon Simmons, USA general surgeon; Dr. Richard Whitehurst, USA neonatologist; Dr. Alana Schilthuis, USA internal medicine chief resident; Dr. Gwen DeLeon, USA surgery resident; and Dr. Jeremy Drake, USA surgery resident.

While in Rwanda, medical students were able to directly help patients in the area and receive hands-on experience. “We were able to perform about 35 operative procedures each week,” said Dr. Simmons, who has previously traveled to Cameroon, Ghana and Rwanda on medical missions.

For fourth-year USA medical student Stephanie Stopka, her most rewarding experience stemmed from a frightened and timid 7-year-old boy who came to the emergency department with a septic hip. He was unable to walk and upon examination, was even more ill than they thought. “As I began taking over his care, I learned more than I expected,” said Stopka, “and I think he did too.”

Stopka said she had to examine her patient while encouraging him and his mother -- who never left his side -- to smile and laugh.

“I went from dreading our daily visit – because I didn't want to scare him – to being excited to check up on him as he began to trust me,” she said. “I continually gained his mother's trust and appreciation as she saw my concern and the time I'd spend with him.”

Days after visiting with her young patient, Stopka was in one of the surgical wards when she saw a boy walking down the aisle with a walker. “I didn't know of a boy on this ward who was using a walker,” she said. “When I looked more closely, it was my friend! Yesterday he was bedridden on oxygen in the intensive care unit and now he was walking and putting weight on his hip we had treated,” she said.

It was at that moment Stopka realized she was making a difference. “Despite all of the frustrations of language barriers, cultural differences and fears of safety, the entire trip became worth it at that exact moment. I was doing what God had called me into medicine for – to help patients.”

Dr. Simmons said each student and resident on the trip was influenced in a positive way, which he believes will translate to a more compassionate and caring physician in the future.

“A simple gesture of kindness – such as holding the hand of a child or praying with a mother – can be encouraging and inspire hope in otherwise dire circumstances,” he said. “These types of interactions are perfect examples of the power and influence of a compassionate physician, which is exactly the type of physician that we are trying to produce at USA.”