USA Health honored with community partner award from USA National Alumni Association
The region’s only academic health system was recognized for its efforts to support patients and the community during the global health pandemic.
The University of South Alabama National Alumni Association honored USA Health as a community partner and five individuals with Distinguished Alumni Awards during the 17th annual Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards held on March 10 in Mobile.
“After a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic, we are delighted to have the opportunity to recognize the achievements of our alumni and friends,” said Margaret Sullivan, vice president for development and alumni relations. “These individuals have shown outstanding leadership in their respective careers, to the University and in their communities.”
Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, USA Health has been on the front lines of the crisis, caring for sick patients at its hospitals and also partnering with the City of Mobile to establish drive-thru testing and later vaccine centers and offering protection to residents of nursing homes and correctional facilities.
As the only academic health system on the upper Gulf Coast, USA Health has administered more than 116,000 COVID-19 tests and provided more than 106,000 vaccines to residents of Mobile and surrounding counties.
USA Health employs more than 4,500 clinical and nonclinical staff members, including more than 200 academic physicians who serve dual roles treating patients and teaching the next generation of medical doctors.
As an academic health system, USA Health offers unique innovations brought about by its extensive research capabilities and education programs. This includes clinical trials and new treatments to residency programs and other opportunities for educating young medical professionals.
Recipients of the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards were Major General William Joseph “Joe” Hartman, class of 1989, and retired Mobile County Public Schools Superintendent Martha Peek, ME.D. class of 1978. The Distinguished Service Award was given to Clyde Higgs, class of 1997, while the Honorable Harvey L. Barnett, Jr., class of 1974, received the V. Gordon Moulton Distinguished Service Award. The William J. “Happy” Fulford Inspirational Achievement Award was given to Dr. Carl C. Moore, former dean of the Mitchell College of Business.
“We are honored to recognize these five individuals and USA Health, and we are grateful to call them part of the South family,” said Jim Moore, president of the USA National Alumni Association Board of Directors. “They represent the significant contributions our alumni and friends are making in our region and throughout the world.”
The USA National Alumni Association was founded in 1974 to support and positively influence the goals of the university through an active relationship with students, alumni and friends.
