Molokhia promoted to chair of the Department of Family Medicine
Posted on March 25, 2026 by Michelle Ryan-Day
Ehab Molokhia, M.D., has been named chair of the Department of Family Medicine at
USA Health, following a distinguished career of leadership in clinical care, education,
and community health. Molokhia is also a professor of family medicine at the Frederick
P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama.
Molokhia succeeds Allen Perkins, M.D., MPH, who stepped down from the role to focus on advancing healthcare access in underserved communities through training primary care physicians and securing grant funding to support health equity initiatives in rural areas.
“Dr. Molokhia has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing primary care, medical education, and community health throughout his career at USA Health,” said Michael Chang, M.D., chief physician executive and system chief medical officer of USA Health. “His extensive experience as a clinician, educator and leader, combined with his passion for improving access to care, make him an exceptional fit to guide the Department of Family Medicine as it continues to grow and serve our region.”
Molokhia joined USA’s academic health system in 2002 and has served for more than two decades in expanding roles. Those leadership positions within the department include director of the family medicine clerkship, medical director of the family medicine clinic, and director of the family medicine residency program.
“As chair, my vision is to continue strengthening the Department of Family Medicine as a leader in community-centered primary care while advancing our core missions of education, clinical care and scholarship,” Molokhia said. “Family medicine plays a vital role in improving population health by providing comprehensive, relationship-based care across the lifespan.”
Molokhia said the department will continue expanding innovative models of team-based care, strengthening population health initiatives, and preparing residents and medical students to practice in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
A central focus will remain on improving and expanding healthcare access, particularly in underserved and rural communities. One example is the department’s ongoing partnership with Accordia Health, a federally qualified health center that integrates residency training with primary care services to help improve access for underserved populations.
“Expanding access to care has always been central to the mission of family medicine,” Molokhia said. “By strengthening partnerships with community organizations and healthcare providers while leveraging team-based care, population health strategies, and telehealth, we can extend the reach of our physicians and better serve vulnerable populations.”
As USA Health continues to grow, Molokhia sees family medicine playing a vital role in shaping the future of care delivery across the region through care coordination, chronic disease management, and preventive health.
“Primary care is the foundation of a strong and effective healthcare system,” he said. “Family medicine physicians work closely with specialists, hospitals and community partners to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time while improving health outcomes for our communities.”
Molokhia also emphasized the importance of addressing workforce shortages in primary care by investing in education and mentorship for future physicians. Already, the department is committed to expanding access to quality healthcare through preparing family physicians to serve, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“Academic departments like ours play a critical role by providing strong training environments and meaningful mentorship,” he said. “By continuing to invest in education and innovative models of care, we can help ensure primary care remains strong and accessible.”
Key initiatives include offering extensive community medicine experiences in rural and underserved areas; training physicians in prenatal and delivery care through its family medicine obstetrics fellowship; integrating telehealth skills to deliver care remotely to areas with limited providers; and the Primary Care Pathway Program, which is a four-year curriculum for medical students that emphasizes primary care in underserved communities.
“It is truly an honor to serve the University of South Alabama, including USA Health, in this role,” Molokhia said. “I am deeply proud of the work our faculty, staff and trainees do every day to improve the health of our community, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation of the department in the years ahead.”