About the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine
The Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama is
an expanding network designed to provide all facets of medical education, research
and patient care. Candidates for M.D. and Ph.D. degrees study basic medical sciences
in the Medical Sciences Building (MSB) on USA’s main campus. Medical students spend
the last two clinical years training in USA Health hospitals and clinics, as well
as in rotations with community physicians.
During its history, the Whiddon College of Medicine has supplied one-third of the
physicians in the Mobile area. It enrolls more than 70 medical students each year,
selected from more than 1,100 applicants, and provides graduate medical education
training to more than 240 residents and fellows. A doctoral program in basic medical
sciences opens doors to academic careers in universities or medical institutions,
or to research or administrative positions in government, nonprofit or industry settings.
USA Health University Hospital and USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital serve
as the primary patient care facilities for the Whiddon College of Medicine. Other
clinical training facilities are located at the Strada Patient Care Center, USA Health
Mitchell Cancer Institute, USA Health Stanton Road Clinic, and at a number of family
medicine preceptor sites throughout Alabama.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide innovative research, education, and clinical care in a culture of excellence, discovery and scholarship to the next generation of physicians, scientists, and educators to advance patient-centered and equitable healthcare.
Vision Statement
We envision a thriving community of medical educators, researchers, and physicians who advance high quality, innovative, and reliable health care for all.
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Degree Program
The Whiddon College of Medicine is a member of the Association of American Medical
Colleges (AAMC). The M.D. program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical
Education (LCME). Residency and fellowship programs at USA Health are affiliated with
the College and are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME).
The educational design of the M.D. program is a competency-based curriculum across
all four years, with the first two years of medical school comprising an integrated
organ systems-based approach. The first two years are largely taught on USA’s main
campus in the Medical Sciences Building and the adjacent Small Group Learning Center.
The last two years of medical school are held in USA Health hospitals and care centers,
as well as in offices of community physicians, and expand the students’ education
in the surrounds of full-time patient care.
Throughout all four years, students are given the opportunity to participate in various
student initiatives including many discipline-oriented interest groups, the Wellness
Program, the Professional Development Program, and the USA Student-Run Free Clinic.
Service learning, a required component of undergraduate medical education, offers
medical students opportunities to serve the community in Mobile and the surrounding
area. Not only is service learning a great break from the rigors of medical school,
but it also allows students to learn more about the populations they serve.
During medical school, students have the opportunity to take part in research projects
in both basic and clinical science arenas as well as research in medical education.
In addition, students may participate in overseas clinical electives.