This is the April 20, 2014 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine\u27s newsletter - Watercooler.
Contents Include:   Dr. Arnold Luterman Receives 2014 Gardner Award USA Medical Student is Second Place Winner of Young Investigator Award Dr. R. Phillip Burns to Present Frazer/Leigh Memorial Lecture USA Health System to Offer Free Skin Cancer Screenings on Melanoma Monday Dr. Paul Brett Awarded $1.7 million by DTR

Lyle, Lindsey

English

University of South Alabama Institutional Repository

1/19/23, 10:24 AM Med School Watercooler: 4/20/14 - 4/27/14https://medschoolwatercooler.blogspot.com/2014_04_20_archive.html 1/5T h u r s d a y ,  A p r i l  2 4 ,  2 0 1 4Posted by Med School Watercooler at 8:43 AM No comments:   Dr. Arnold Luterman Receives 2014 Gardner AwardDr. Arnold Luterman, former Ripps-Meisler professor of surgery at theUniversity of South Alabama College ofMedicine and retired director of theburn center at the USA Medical Center,recently received the Alabama Academyof Science’s 2014 Gardner Award. Theaward committee unanimously selectedDr. Luterman for Alabama’s highestacademic award.The award was presented at the 91stJoint Junior and Senior AlabamaAcademy of Science Annual banquet, which was held on March 13, 2014, at 7p.m. at Auburn University.Dr. Luterman joined the USA faculty in 1981 and served as chief of surgery andchair of the department of surgery from 1994 to 2002. He also developed theLevel I Trauma Center at the USA Medical Center and served as its first directorfrom 1981 to 1985 -- at the same time, Dr. Luterman was the director ofemergency services.To add to his accomplishments, Dr. Luterman also established the Regional BurnCenter and served as its director until 2012.During his tenure at USA, Dr. Luterman was also the director of the surgery post-graduate training program, as well as assistant dean for graduate medicaleducation.In 2013, Dr. Luterman was selected to receive the Distinguished Service Awardsponsored by the USA Medical Alumni Association, an honor that recognizesoutstanding leadership and a commitment to advancing medical education. Hewas also one of 50 Outstanding Scholarly and Creative Works Contributorsawarded at the University of South Alabama’s 50th Anniversary in May.Dr. Luterman, who retired from USA after more than 30 years of service, wasselected for the 2014 Gardner award by the Alabama Academy of Science for hiscontinued contributions in science and his service to the academy.USA Medical Student is Second Place Winner of YoungInvestigator AwardSearch This BlogFeel free to email your ideas tolalyle@health.southalabama.eduGot news to share?►    2023 (10)►    2022 (249)►    2021 (269)►    2020 (191)►    2019 (245)►    2018 (236)►    2017 (231)►    2016 (206)►    2015 (205)▼    2014 (241)►    12/14 - 12/21 (4)►    12/07 - 12/14 (4)►    11/30 - 12/07 (4)►    11/23 - 11/30 (4)►    11/16 - 11/23 (5)►    11/09 - 11/16 (5)►    11/02 - 11/09 (5)►    10/26 - 11/02 (6)►    10/19 - 10/26 (5)►    10/12 - 10/19 (5)►    10/05 - 10/12 (5)►    09/28 - 10/05 (6)►    09/21 - 09/28 (7)►    09/14 - 09/21 (5)►    09/07 - 09/14 (5)►    08/31 - 09/07 (6)►    08/24 - 08/31 (4)►    08/17 - 08/24 (5)►    08/10 - 08/17 (4)►    08/03 - 08/10 (4)►    07/27 - 08/03 (4)►    07/20 - 07/27 (4)►    07/13 - 07/20 (4)Blog ArchiveMore Create Blog  Sign In1/19/23, 10:24 AM Med School Watercooler: 4/20/14 - 4/27/14https://medschoolwatercooler.blogspot.com/2014_04_20_archive.html 2/5Brian McGrath, a first-year medical student at the University of South AlabamaCollege of Medicine, was recently chosen as the second-place winner of theSouthern Society for Clinical Investigation Young Investigator Award.As part of the award, McGrath presented his research titled “Role of Aspergillusfumigatus sialidase in the disruption of pulmonary artery and pulmonarymicrovascular endothelia” at the Southern Regional Meeting of several societiesincluding the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, the Southern Region ofthe American Federation for Medical Research, the Southern Society of GeneralInternal Medicine, the Southern Society for Pediatric Research, the SouthernRegion of the American Pediatric Association, as well as the American Society forNutrition.McGrath’s project, which also won first place for best medical research poster atUSA’s 40th annual Medical Student Research Day in 2013, involved a closer lookat Aspergillus fumigatus, which is a fungus of the genus Aspergillus, and is one ofthe most common Aspergillus species to cause disease in individuals with animmunodeficiency. He studied its effect on the pulmonary artery and pulmonarymicrovascular endothelia.The project is looking into the effect of sialidase on the organism's ability todisrupt pulmonary artery and pulmonary microvascular endothelia. “Ourpreliminary data indicated that the enzyme may play a role in both theorganism's growth and its ability to disrupt these endothelial barriers,” saidMcGrath. “Further research is needed to separate these different effects and toconfirm conclusions.”McGrath was sponsored by Dr. Jarrod Fortwendel, assistant professor ofmicrobiology and immunology; Dr. Eugene Cioffi, associate professor ofpharmacology; and Dr. Donna Cioffi, assistant professor of biochemistry andmolecular biology. “I am so thankful for all of the guidance and support I'vereceived from my faculty mentors and other lab partners,” said McGrath. “Theyhave taught me so much about how to do research over the past year, and Iknow that the significant amount of time they’ve invested in me has beeninstrumental in providing the promising results and exciting opportunities I’vehad with this project so far.”“Brian is a hard-working, highly-focused student and his maturity andcollaborative nature were evident from his first day in the laboratory,” said Dr.Fortwendel. “These attributes served him well for this project, as he split timebetween two labs with different research programs. It is exactly these personalattributes and skills that will also aid him in developing into a top-notchphysician.”This opportunity to present his project to scientists at all stages in their careersprovided McGrath with a variety of different perspectives on how to continue theproject this summer, as part of the 41st annual Medical Student Research Day.“This award really means a lot to me,” said McGrath. “It allowed me to attend the►    07/06 - 07/13 (4)►    06/29 - 07/06 (5)►    06/22 - 06/29 (4)►    06/15 - 06/22 (5)►    06/08 - 06/15 (4)►    06/01 - 06/08 (4)►    05/25 - 06/01 (4)►    05/18 - 05/25 (4)►    05/11 - 05/18 (4)►    05/04 - 05/11 (5)►    04/27 - 05/04 (5)▼    04/20 - 04/27 (5)Dr. Arnold Luterman Receives 2014Gardner AwardUSA Medical Student is SecondPlace Winner of Youn...Dr. R. Phillip Burns to PresentFrazer/Leigh Memor...USA Health System to Offer FreeSkin Cancer Screen...Dr. Paul Brett Awarded $1.7 millionby DTRA►    04/13 - 04/20 (4)►    04/06 - 04/13 (6)►    03/30 - 04/06 (5)►    03/23 - 03/30 (5)►    03/16 - 03/23 (5)►    03/09 - 03/16 (6)►    03/02 - 03/09 (6)►    02/23 - 03/02 (5)►    02/16 - 02/23 (5)►    02/09 - 02/16 (5)►    02/02 - 02/09 (9)►    01/26 - 02/02 (4)►    01/19 - 01/26 (5)►    01/12 - 01/19 (4)►    01/05 - 01/12 (4)►    2013 (232)►    2012 (245)►    2011 (262)►    2010 (247)►    2009 (88)1/19/23, 10:24 AM Med School Watercooler: 4/20/14 - 4/27/14https://medschoolwatercooler.blogspot.com/2014_04_20_archive.html 3/5Posted by Med School Watercooler at 8:43 AM 1 comment:   first scientific meeting of my medical career with the added bonus of theopportunity to hear from and interact with other speakers at the conference --which taught me a lot about many aspects of patient care and about the clinicalresearch process in general.”“This glimpse into what a career in academic medicine might look like certainlygave me a lot to think about as I continue to explore the different career pathsavailable to me in medicine,” said McGrath.W e d n e s d a y ,  A p r i l  2 3 ,  2 0 1 4Dr. R. Phillip Burns to Present Frazer/Leigh MemorialLectureDr. R. Phillip Burns, professor and chair of thedepartment of surgery at the University ofTennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga,Tenn., will present two CME accredited lecturesin May.Both talks are open to all medical professionalsand are made possible through the Dr. EmmettB. Frazer and Dr. Milton M. Leigh Endowmentsat the University of South Alabama departmentof surgery.Dr. Burns will present the first lecture,"Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery,” on Thursday, May 8, 2014. There will be areception starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at the USA Faculty Clubon USA’s main campus.His second lecture, "Surgical Education," will take place Friday, May 9, 2014, at 7a.m. at the conference room located on the second floor of the USA MedicalCenter.Dr. Burns earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College ofMedicine in Memphis. After internship and residency training in Memphis alongwith two years Air Force service, Dr. Burns was recruited to assume the positionof chair of surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine inChattanooga in 1976.Under his leadership, the surgery residency program has grown from 8 to 32 plusresidents in general surgery, along with vascular, critical care, and colon andrectal fellowships directed by 30 multi-specialty full-time faculty. He hasdeveloped a national training program, along with the American College ofSurgeons, called Transitions to Practice for the purpose of “finishing” residentswho have already completed a general surgery residency.Recently first vice president of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Burns isalso the past secretary-director of the Southeastern Surgical Congress and pastpresident of the Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. Heserved two terms on the Residency Review Committee for Surgery and wasappointed by the ACGME as a special site visitor to the surgery programs inLouisiana after the Katrina Disaster. He holds membership in the SouthernSurgical and the American Surgical Association and recently completed a term asgovernor of the American College of Surgeons.  He was inducted into theprestigious Halsted Society in 2010. He is the past president of the SoutheasternSurgical Congress and the Southern Surgical Association.Dr. Burns’ clinical interests range from trauma care, to vascular to breast diseaseand he has published and lectured widely on these subjects.This annual memorial lecture, funded by community surgeons and the USADepartment of Surgery, is given to honor the legacy of Dr. Emmett B. Frazer andDr. Milton M. Leigh as leaders in clinical service and graduate surgical educationin the Mobile community.1/19/23, 10:24 AM Med School Watercooler: 4/20/14 - 4/27/14https://medschoolwatercooler.blogspot.com/2014_04_20_archive.html 4/5Posted by Med School Watercooler at 10:20 AM No comments:   For more information on both lectures, contact the USA department of surgery at(251) 471-7990.Posted by Med School Watercooler at 10:17 AM No comments:   USA Health System to Offer Free Skin CancerScreenings on Melanoma MondayThe USA Health System will offer free skin cancer screenings for all USA Healthand Dental Plan members on Monday, May 5, 2014, as part of Melanoma Monday,a national event held annually on the first Monday of May. Appointments will beavailable from 8 a.m. to noon at University Physicians Group, the new clinic atUniversity Commons.Screenings will be performed by Dr. Marcus Tan, a surgical oncologist at the USAMitchell Cancer Institute; Dr. Curtis Harris, a plastic and reconstructive surgeonat USA; and Mona Hagmaier, PA-C, with University Physicians Group.According to Dr. Tan, the incidence of melanoma in the United States is risingmore rapidly than for virtually any other cancer. “In fact, one in every 55individuals will develop melanoma. However, if caught early, it is curable in 90%of cases.”There are several risk factors to consider in a melanoma diagnosis includingfamily history of melanoma, prior melanoma, multiple pigmented skin lesions andsome rare genetic syndromes. In addition, a history of extensive or severe sunexposure or severe sunburns may also contribute to the development of thispotentially fatal cancer.To schedule your free skin cancer screening, call 660-5787. USA Commons islocated at 75 University Blvd. at the intersection of University Blvd. and Old ShellRoad (adjacent to the USA College of Education).To learn more about Melanoma Monday, click here.M o n d a y ,  A p r i l  2 1 ,  2 0 1 4Dr. Paul Brett Awarded $1.7 million by DTRA1/19/23, 10:24 AM Med School Watercooler: 4/20/14 - 4/27/14https://medschoolwatercooler.blogspot.com/2014_04_20_archive.html 5/5Dr. Paul Brett, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at theUniversity of South Alabama College of Medicine, was recently awarded$1,728,535 by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) for his researchinvolving biodefense and emerging infectious diseases. The award will cover athree-year study period.According to Dr. Brett, the award will enable his lab to characterize the protectivecapacity of several promising vaccine candidates that they have developed forimmunization against diseases caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei andBurkholderia mallei, the causative agents of melioidosis and glanders.Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium found in water and soilthat is spread to humans and animals through direct contact with thesecontaminated sources. Melioidosis is similar to glanders disease, which is passedto humans from infected domestic animals.Research in Dr. Brett’s lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanismsused by these bacteria to cause disease in humans and animals.“In particular, we are interested in identifying carbohydrates and proteinsexpressed by pathogenic Burkholderia species that enable these organisms toavoid detection and killing by the immune system,” Dr. Brett said. “Onceidentified, the goal of our research is to use these components to develop safeand effective vaccines.”Dr. Brett said infections caused by pathogenic Burkholderia are often difficult todiagnose and treatment is complicated due to the organism’s high level ofresistance to antibiotics. Because of this, there is a great deal of interest indeveloping effective countermeasures such as vaccines to immunize againstdiseases caused by these bacterial pathogens.“Diagnosis and treatment of these diseases is challenging, and in the absence ofappropriate antibiotic treatment, acute infections can be fatal,” Dr. Brett said.“Melioidosis and glanders are emerging/re-emerging infectious diseases for whichno licensed vaccines currently exist.”Other key investigators who will participate in the research project include Dr.Mary Burtnick, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, and Dr.Michele Schuler, associate professor of comparative medicine.DTRA is the U.S. Department of Defense’s official Combat Support Agency forcountering weapons of mass destruction.

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - April 20, 2014

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Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - April 20, 2014

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