EDUCATION

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING

HOSPITAL STAFF APPOINTMENTS

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Appointments

Hospital Staff Appointments

University of South Alabama Children’s and Women’s Hospital (Attending)
University of South Alabama Medical Center (Consultant)
Mobile Infirmary Medical Center (Consultant)
Providence Hospital (Consultant)
Springhill Memorial Hospital (Consultant)
 

BOARD CERTIFICATION

National Boards, 1988

American Board of Pediatrics Board Certified 
       No. 052428 October 13, 1993
       Certification renewed 2001 through 2007

American Board of Pediatrics 
       Sub Board of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
       Valid 1999 through 2006
 

LICENSURE

TEACHING

1. Bhattacharjee A, Whitehurst RM Jr. Zhang M, Wang L, and Li M. T-Type Calcium Channels Facilitate Insulin Secretion by Enhancing General Excitability in the Insulin-Secreting -Cell Line, INS-1. Endocrinology 138(9): 3735-3740, 1997.
 
2. Whitehurst RM Jr, Laskey R, Goldberg RN, Herbert D, Van Breemen C. Influence of Group B Streptococci on the Piglet Pulmonary Artery Response to Bradykinin. Journal of Applied Physiology 86(1), pgs. 61-66, 1999. 
 
3. Whitehurst RM Jr, Zhang M, Bhattacharjee A, Li M. Dexamethasone induced hypertrophy in rat neonatal cardiac myocytes involves an elevated L-type Ca²⁺ current. The Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 31, 1551-1558, 1999.
 

ABSTRACTS

1. Whitehurst RM, Daniels J: Effects of washing on Red Cell Membrane Fragility. The Alabama Journal of Medical Sciences 22(3): 333, 1985.
 
2. Whitehurst RM, Peevy KJ, Coker P, Parker J and Johnson W: Overdistension, Not High Peak Inspiratory Pressure, Produces Pulmonary Microvascular Injury. Clinical Research 38(4): 927A, 1990.
 
3. Whitehurst RM, Laskay R, Goldberg RN, Lu Y, vanBreeman C: Influence of Group B Streptococci on the Pulmonary Artery Response to bradykinin. Pediatric Research 35(4pt2): 399A, 1994.
  
4. Eyal FG, Hamm CR Jr, Zayek MM, O’Donnell K, Whitehurst RM Jr: Effect of Inhaled Nitric Oxide (NO) and pH on Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) in Thromboxane Induced Pulmonary Hypertension. Pediatric Research: Abstract #1974, 39(4),pt.1, pg. 332A. April 1996.
 
5. Eyal FG, Hamm CR Jr, Zayek MM, O’Donnell K, Whitehurst RM Jr. Changes in Acid Base Status Does Not Affect the Response to Inhaled Nitric Oxide. Presented by Dr. Fabien Eyal at the XVth European Congress of Perinatal Medicine in Glasgow Scotland, September, 1996.
  
6. Eyal FG, Hamm CR JR, Beals DA, O’Donnell K, Whitehurst RM Jr. (Sponsored by Keith J. Peevy, M.D.) Efficacy of Inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) and Alkalosis during Partial Liquid Ventilation in Pulmonary Hypertension. Pediatric Research 41(4)Pt. 2, Abstract #1495, page 252A, April, 1997.
  
7. Zayek MM, Hamm CR Jr, Whitehurst RM Jr, Eyal FG. (Sponsored by Keith J. Peevy, M.D.) Indomethacin (IND) Does Not Blunt the Response to Inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) Therapy in Piglets with Oleic Acid Lung Injury (OALI). Ped Res 41(4) Pt. 2, Abstract #1120, page 189A, April 1997.
  
8. Whitehurst RM Jr, Ballard-Croft C, Schaffer SW, Li M. The Effect of High Extracellular Glucose on the Regulation of Voltage-Dependent C^{2+} Channels in the Rat Neonatal Myocytes. Pediatric Research 41(4)Pt.2, Abstract #425, page 73A, April, 1997.
  
9. Ballard-Croft C, Whitehurst RM Jr, Li M, Schaffer S. Regulation of Calcium Transport by Hyperglycemia and Hyperosmolality. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 29, Abstract #99, 1997.
  
10. Whitehurst RM Jr, Li M. Dexamethasone Increases Calcium Channel Current Density in Neonatal Rat Primary Cultured Myocytes. Pediatric Research 43(4), Part 2 of 2, Abstract #147, page 28A, April, 1998.
  
11. Hamm CR Jr, Beals DA, O’Donnell K, Zayek MM, Whitehurst RM Jr, Eyal FG. Inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) and Inhaled Prostacyclin (iPGI2) in an Animal Model of Pulmonary Hypertension (PHT): Compared Efficacy and Synergy. Pediatric Research 43(4), Part 2 of 2, Abstract #1661, page 283A, April, 1998.
 
12. Hamm CR Jr, Beals DA, O’Donnell K, Zayek MM, Whitehurst RM Jr, Eyal FG. Pulmonary Administration of Prostacyclin (PGI2) during Partial Liquid Ventilation (PLV) in an Animal Model of Pulmonary Hypertension (PHT). Pediatric Research 43(4), Part 2 of 2, Abstract #1662, page 284A, April, 1998.
 
13. Zhang M, Zhuang H, Bhattacharjee A, Li M, Whitehurst RM Jr. High Glucose Increases [Ca²⁺]i Through an Increased Expression of T-type Ca²⁺ Channels in Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes. Pediatric Research 45(4) Pt. 2 of 2, Abstract #184, PG 33A, April 1999.
 
14. Whitehurst RM Jr., Li M. Dexamethasone Increases Cardiomyocyte L-type Ca²⁺ currents in an in vivo Model of Cardiac Hypertrophy. Pediatric Research Supplement (Program Issue) 47:4, Part 2 of 2, Abstract #308, pg. 53A, April 2000.
 

BOOK CHAPTER

NEONATOLOGY: Management, Procedures, On-Call Problems, Diseases, and Drugs, 4th Edition, Gomella ed. Chapters Contributed: ABO Incompatibility, Rh Incompatibility. Appleton & Lange, Stamford, Ct. 1999, pgs. 314-315 and 326-330. 
 

MANUSCRIPT REVIEW

The effect of valvular regurgitation on plasma Cardiotrophin-1 in patients with normal left ventricular systolic function. S. Talwar, IB Squire, JE Davies, DB Barnett, LL Ng. Dept. of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. August, METABOLISM, 1999.
  

PRESENTATIONS

Pediatric Grand Rounds, University of South Alabama. “Current 

Concepts in the Management of Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension. September 19, 1996.
 

Journal Club, University of South Alabama. T-Type Calcium

Channels in Heart Disease. April 17, 1997.
 

1997 SPR Meetings, Washington DC. Poster Presentation.

Whitehurst RM Jr, Ballard-Croft C, Schaffer SW, Li M. The Effect of High Extracellular Glucose on the Regulation of Voltage-Dependent C^{2+} Channels in the Rat Neonatal Myocytes. May 2-6, 1997.
 

The Eighth Annual Continuing Education Conference in Obstetrics, 

Gynecology and Neonatology. “Neonatal Sepsis”. Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, Alabama. May 22 - 23, 1997 
  

Pharmacology Research Seminar, University of South Alabama. 

Side Effects of Dexamethasone Therapy in the Newborn - Is Cardiac Ca²⁺ Channel Regulation Involved? December 15, 1997.
  

1998 Annual Meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies (SPR). 

Platform Session: “Dexamethasone Increases Calcium Channel Current Density in Neonatal Rat Primary Cultured Myocytes”. New Orleans, Louisiana, May 1-5, 1998.
 

The American Society for Cell Biology 38th Annual Meeting. Poster 

Presentation. Zhang M, Zhuang H, Bhattacharjee A, Li M, Whitehurst RM Jr. High Glucose Increases [Ca²⁺]i Through an Increased Expression of T-type Ca²⁺ Channels in Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes. San Francisco, December 1998.
 

Family Practice Grand Rounds, University of South Alabama. 

Neonatal Sepsis, February 4th, 1999.
  

Physiology Seminar, University of South Alabama. Calcium 

Channels in Neonatal Cardiomyocytes, March 25, 1999.
 

1999 Pediatric Academic Societies’ Annual Meeting. Platform 

Presentation. Zhang M, Zhuang H, Bhattacharjee A, Li M, Whitehurst RM Jr. High Glucose Increases [Ca²⁺]i Through an Increased Expression of T-type Ca²⁺ Channels in Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes. San Francisco, May 1-4, 1999. 
  

Pediatric Conference, University of South Alabama. Sepsis in the 

Newborn. August 20, 1999.
 

Gulf Coast Radiologic Technical Society. Neonatal Radiological 

Potpourri. October 19, 1999.
  

2000 Pediatric Academic Societies and The American Academy of 

Pediatrics: Advancing Children’s Health 2000 (Annual Meeting). Dexamethasone Increases Cardiomyocyte L-type Ca²⁺ Currents in an In Vivo Model of Cardiac Hypertrophy. Poster Presentation, Boston, MA, May 12-16, 2000.
  

Pediatric Conference, University of South Alabama. Pulmonary 

HTN of the Newborn. March 23, 2001.
  

American Heart Association Seminar, Providence Hospital DePaul 

Center, Mobile, AL
6/19/2001 “Why Are We Walking”
6/20/2001 “AHA Funded Research in Mobile”
 

USA Department of Pharmacology Presentation to Graduate 

Students
“Research Involving Animals”
September 18, 2001
 

TEACHING SEMINARS (University of South Alabama)

Department of Pharmacology Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Lecture: Animals in Research (7/2000)
 

UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES

University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Committee on Admissions
Ad Hoc Member (10/96 - 1998) 
Continuing Medical Education Committee (9/98-9/2001)
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (9/98-Present)
Chairman, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (10/99-Present)
Research Organization and Performance Evaluation (ROPE) Task Force (4/00 –12/2000)
Region IV Perinatal Advisory Committee (1999-Present)
Committee on Committees (9/2001 – Present)
 

DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES

Department of Pediatrics Resident Recruitment/Selection Committee (10/94-1998) and (2000 – Present)

Department of Pediatrics Residency Training Committee (6/97 - 2000)

Course Leader - Pediatrics/Neonatology Course #465 (4th year Medical Students) 10/96 – Present

Pediatrics Research/Scholarly Activity Design Team (7/2000 – Present)
 

HOSPITAL COMMITTEES

Infection Control Committee, USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital (1/97-1/98)
 
Pediatrics/Neonatology Committee, USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital (1/2001 – Present)
 

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

Mobile Pediatric Society
Southern Society for Pediatric Research
Alabama Society of Neonatology
Alabama Regional Perinatal Advisory Committee (1998-present)
Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA)
Medical Society of Mobile County
 

ADVISORY BOARD

Forest Pharmaceuticals Regional Infasurf Advisory Board
 

PRESENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

The role of voltage-activated Calcium Channels (L-type and T-type) in the developmental physiology of the heart

The role of L-type calcium channels in the development of dexamethasone induced cardiac hypertrophy in the neonatal heart. Its association with catecholamines, cytokines, Endothelin 1 and growth factors such as insulin and IGF

The investigation of T-type calcium channels as it plays a role in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in infants of diabetic mothers and other birth defects.
 

PAST RESEARCH INTERESTS

Pulmonary Hypertension

Control of Pulmonary Vascular Tone
Particularly the role of Nitric Oxide, Prostaglandins, and Calcium

Maturation of the Gastrointestinal Tract in the Extremely Immature Infant with Special Emphasis on Trophic Factors Originating from the Amniotic Fluid

Role of Potassium Channels in the Development of Type I Diabetes
 

PRESENT PROJECT

Investigation of the L-type calcium channel expression in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes and its association with catecholamines, cytokines, Endothelin 1 and insulin.
 

PAST PROJECTS

Investigation of a novel inward rectifying K⁺ channel in Hamster Insulinoma Tumor Cells

Developing a research protocol looking at the trophic effects of amniotic fluid on the gastrointestinal tract in the extremely immature infant
 

EXTRAMURAL FUNDING

American Heart Association
Grant-In-Aid
AHA Reference Number: 9950881V
The Effect of Dexamethasone on Neonatal Cardiac Myocyte Ca²⁺ Channels and it’s Association with Ventricular Hypertrophy
Award Dates: 7/1/99 – 1 year extension to 6/30/02
$35,000 per year

PAST EXTRAMURAL FUNDING

University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Research Advisory Committee
Intramural Research Grant for $7500.00. 9/23/96 - 9/23/97.