Impacting Health Together: 2024 Giving Report

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

IMPACTING health together

2024

IMPACT by the numbers OCTOBER 2023 - SEPTEMBER 2024

35,348,370

$

raised to support clinical programs, research, access to care, and education

Dear Friends and Supporters, There’s no better time to be a part of USA Health. And, there’s no better time to be a Jaguar. The University of South Alabama and USA Health continue to thrive, and we are thrilled to share updates on our progress with you.

This year, USA Health’s expansion has allowed us to serve more upper Gulf Coast communities. From just seven locations in 2016, we now have more than 40 locations across Mobile County, Baldwin County and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Providence Hospital is now part of the USA Health family, marking a new era of comprehensive care. As we expand our reach, we can better meet our patients where they are: in urban and rural communities alike. We also created the Southwest Alabama Rural Hospital Collaborative to partner with 10 rural hospitals. This group allows us to share ideas, grant opportunities, and USA Health’s intellectual capital. We’re proud to support the sustainability of rural hospitals to serve more communities in need.

We are excited to present our 2024 Impact Report. Inside, we illustrate the transformative power of your contributions and our shared commitment to improving lives. We hope you are encouraged by the stories of innovation, inspiration, and progress, all of which highlight the important work of USA Health.

Your generosity is the cornerstone of our collective achievements, and we are deeply grateful for your unwavering support. Thank you for being an integral part of our success.

Sincerely, John V. Marymont, M.D., M.B.A. Vice President for Medical Affairs Dean, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama

Owen Bailey, MSHA, FACHE Chief Executive Officer Senior Associate Vice President for Medical Affairs

3,659

number of gifts

708

new donors

Beauty Blooms Visitors to Children’s & Women’s Hospital can now experience the whimsical beauty of a new art sculpture, Bed of Flowers, created by renowned artist and Mobile native Gay Outlaw.

Commissioned by Arlene Mitchell, chair pro tem of the Board of Trustees at the University of South Alabama, it’s the first sculpture by Outlaw in her hometown.

Mitchell says it has been her dream to have a piece by Outlaw at the hospital for the enjoyment of patients, families and staff.

Miracles for Kids In the busy checkout lines at your local supermarket, a small but mighty fundraising effort is taking place. As shoppers make everyday purchases, they are invited to round up to the nearest dollar to support a local children’s hospital.

Pennies, nickels and dimes fuel an effort to transform children’s healthcare right here on the upper Gulf Coast. This is the power of partnership between Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) and USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, your local CMN hospital.

Anyone can be a philanthropist.

Fundraising partners, like Costco, Ace Hardware, Walmart, Publix and Love’s, run “roundup” and donation campaigns by encouraging shoppers to make a difference.

Even national organizations like Phi Mu are committed to children’s health. The University of South Alabama Chapter of Phi Mu hosts annual fundraisers, like social events and bake sales, to support Children’s & Women’s Hospital.

And it’s kids like Maci, the 2024 Children’s Miracle Network Champion, who inspire us to give. Maci was a patient at Children’s & Women’s Hospital when she took her first breath. As champion, Maci’s photograph appears on donation cards and posters in stores across the region.

Her story inspires everyone to give.

Maci and her family know firsthand how important a pediatric hospital is to the region.

Maci was diagnosed with Stage 3b kidney disease in utero, along with other health conditions. She faced a 58-day stay in the NICU, and her parents were told she may never be able to walk.

Thanks to the advanced care provided at Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Maci’s story is one of resilience and hope. She defied the odds and is now an energetic nine-year-old. Maci’s journey even inspired her mother to go back to school to become a pediatric nurse.

100%

of local Children’s Miracle Network donations are put right to work at Children’s & Women’s Hospital 142 partner businesses raised

638,879

$

for Mobile area kids in 2023 Local CMN partners have raised more than

5 million

$

to benefit Children’s & Women’s Hospital over the past 10 years

Partners give in other ways too!

A local group of 50 RE/MAX real estate agents hosted a silent auction, donating more than $20,000 to Children’s & Women’s Hospital

Any small business can be a community partner.

We have professionals in place to help you create a customized campaign to support Children’s Miracle Network.

Contact us to learn more at development@southalabama.edu.

The Future of Medical Education When the new University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine opens in 2026, it will stand as the most-advanced, state-ofthe-art medical education and research facility in the nation.

The $200 million facility will allow the University to expand the class size of first-year medical students from 80 to 100, with the capability of increasing to 120 in the future. This is at a time when the nation faces a projected shortage of healthcare providers.

“This facility will offer our future students the most-advanced learning and research opportunities anywhere in the country,” said USA President Jo Bonner. “It will transform medicine to the unique needs of our community while educating and training the next

generation of providers.”

The Whiddon College of Medicine is one of 158 accredited M.D.-granting

This is an investment in the future of healthcare to meet the needs of Alabamians.

– Dr. John Marymont, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine

institutions in the United States and one of only two in the state. More than 1,139 of its graduates are practicing medicine in Alabama. According to

the Association of American Medical Colleges, USA consistently ranks in the top tier nationally for graduates practicing in underserved areas.

“This is an investment in the future of healthcare to meet the needs of Alabamians,” said Dr. John Marymont, dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. “By national metrics, this medical school produces highquality physicians that stay in the state, helping meet the needs in primary care as well as in rural and underserved areas at an affordable cost.”

The Maisel Family Forum: Collision space in the new Whiddon College of Medicine that will foster exchanges between researchers, educators and students.

“The buzzword that emerged during the building design process was collision. Not physical collisions, but scientific collisions between clinicians and researchers, fostering a creative and dynamic synergy that promotes ideas. And ultimately ideas are the currency of science.”

Dr. Chris Davies, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine Associate Dean for Research

Maisel Family Forum The Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building received its largest gift from an individual in September 2024. Elliot B. Maisel, a Mobile native and local businessman, has committed $5 million to the $200 million facility. In recognition of Mr. Maisel’s generosity, a large gathering area in the building will be named the Maisel Family Forum. Mr. Maisel hopes the gift will inspire others to step up and support the ongoing progress at the University of South Alabama.

Funding Opportunities Join our community of alumni, faculty, staff and friends who have demonstrated their commitment to advancing medical education and research at the University of South Alabama through a monetary gift.

Your financial support will directly benefit thousands of South Alabama medical students, empowering them to pioneer research, advance medical discoveries, and become skilled healthcare professionals who provide quality care to patients around the world. Few opportunities for giving offer such a far-reaching and profound impact.

Learn more and give today. southalabama.edu/WhiddonCOMcampaign

We are truly grateful for the transformational gift from Elliot Maisel; its impact will be felt not only in our local community but also statewide.

– USA President Jo Bonner

Meet the Robinsons In the scariest of moments, when a close family member is critically ill, suddenly everything comes into sharp focus. That has certainly been the case for Heather and Luckett Robinson of Mobile.

Their nephew Jeb, when he was a toddler, suffered a serious head injury in a terrible car accident. He was taken by helicopter to USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, where he remained in intensive care for weeks.

Fortunately, he survived and today is a thriving 26-year-old.

“It was really traumatic,” Luckett said. “But what I remember most about the experience was that all of the employees were compassionate and devoted to caring for patients and their families.”

More recently, their sister-in-law Allison collapsed at her home in Mobile from a stroke. The young mom was transported to USA Health University Hospital, where surgeons removed multiple blood clots caused by a heart defect Allison didn’t know she had.

“That was a scary time for us. Our huge family wanted to be there,” Heather said, recalling brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews gathering in the ICU waiting room and awaiting updates on Allison’s condition.

Allison survived the surgery and, though she was critically ill, began to improve a bit more every day.

Since being released from the hospital and intensive rehabilitation in Atlanta, she has returned to work and continues to recover.

Luckett recalled healthcare providers telling him how fortunate his sister-in-law had been to live so close to a level 1 trauma center like University Hospital. “Had she had her stroke in a small town, without this kind of medical care, she would not have survived,” he said.

For the Robinsons, gratefulness is always coupled with action. They are serving as the 2024 co-chairs of USA Health’s signature event, A Night Honoring Healers, presented by the University of South Alabama Foundation. The gala honors the remarkable stories of USA Health care team members in action as they provide

exceptional and compassionate care for patients. The event also raises funds to support the mission of USA Health, the region’s only academic health system.

“My mother always told me, ‘To whom much has been given, much is expected,’” Luckett said. “Giving back to your community is a critical component of being a good citizen.”

Heather and Luckett are using their voices in the Mobile community to sing the praises of USA Health and its mission to provide education, research and clinical care to the region.

“One of the things about having teaching hospitals is that you’re getting the best of the best,” Heather said. “We’re becoming increasingly known for our medical care here, and that is a blessing for our entire community.”

The two have also experienced being anxious parents as they waited for good news and healing. When their fourth child was a third-grader, she developed a red bumpy rash all over her body, but no fever. The pediatrician referred them to Children’s & Women’s Hospital, where an infectious disease specialist found the answer. Their daughter had scarlet fever, an infection caused by the same bacteria that causes strep throat and tonsillitis. After a round of antibiotics, the infection cleared.

“I now have more appreciation for the breadth and depth of the medical care that USA Health offers,” Luckett said.

“Giving back a little bit to an institution like that creates the opportunity to help so many people.”

We believe great things begin by sharing gratitude.

To learn more about honoring a care team member, go to usahealthsystem.com/grateful

Forward Together USA HEALTH GIVING PRIORITIES: YOUR GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND TRANSFORMS LIVES

Interventional Radiology (IR) USA Health interventional radiologists perform critical procedures for many patients from those experiencing acute trauma to those that need life-saving cancer treatments. The IR team elevates the level of care for patients by using advanced imaging techniques to guide surgery.

An example of minimally invasive surgery would be using imaging to apply the use of extreme heat or extreme cold to destroy cancerous tumors in the liver, kidneys, lungs and bone. The expansion and upgrade of the IR program and its facilities is a critical priority to better serve patients.

“Our vision is to create a program that delivers tomorrow’s science to our patients today. We have a strong plan in place, and with your help, we can make this vision a reality.”

- Dr. Brian Wood, USA Health Interventional Radiology Section Chief

Lynda G. Bell Endowment Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research The USA Health Department of Oncology Research is a joint collaboration between the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine and the Mitchell Cancer Institute. As part of this collaboration, the Lynda G. Bell Endowment Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research was established to explore more opportunities for early detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

“Our family established the endowment fund in memory of Lynda G. Bell—a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Her passion for caring for others will be honored through this fund, supporting research in pancreatic cancer at the MCI. With the generous support of friends and family, this endowment will carry on Lynda’s legacy and the positive impact she had on countless lives.”

- Kinley Bell, Hillary Bell Haas, and Ley Bell

Integrative Health and Wellness The USA Health Integrative Health and Wellness Program combines evidence-based nutrition and culinary medicine with personal wellness programs that support positive changes in diet, exercise and mental health. Culinary medicine classes are open to the public and are now being held at teaching kitchens in Mobile and Baldwin counties.

“Through good eating habits, we can change the course of some chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, while still being able to eat flavorful foods that are enjoyable.”

- Dr. Robert Israel, USA Health Integrative Health and Wellness Program Director and Internal Medicine Physician

Impacting Healthcare Along the Gulf Coast

420,133

$

Raised from events to support USA Health

OCTOBER 2023 - SEPTEMBER 2024

Providence Clay Shoot January 19, 2024

16,893

$ November 7, 2023

148,547

$

net proceeds for USA Health

net proceeds for Providence Hospital Pulmonary Care

MCI Golf Tournament May 2, 2024

18,689

$

net proceeds for a new EKG machine at MCI

MCI GO Run September 21, 2024

62,266

$

March 8-10, 2024

100,840

$

estimated net proceeds for gynecologic oncology research

net proceeds for EKG machines at Providence Hospital

PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION

Save the Date A Night Honoring Healers NOV. 7, 2024

Charity Clay Shoot

March 21, 2024

35,858

$

net proceeds for research and critical clinical needs across USA Health

JAN. 17, 2025

September 12, 2024

49,500

$

net proceeds for Camp Bluebird and Providence Cancer Center

Questions? Contact the University of South Alabama Office of Medical Affairs Development at 251-460-7032

Doc Rock

JAN. 30, 2025

Festival of Flowers MARCH 20-22, 2025

Local Goodness MAY 4, 2025

MCI Par 3 Golf Tournament MAY 22, 2025

Make a gift online: usahealthsystem.com/givenow If you do not wish to receive fundraising requests from USA Health, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

please email development@southalabama.edu.