About 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

As a diverse community focused on the science and practice of medicine for Alabama, the central Gulf Coast, and beyond: We educate, We discover, We serve.

Vision Statement

To excel as a college of medicine recognized for its education, diversity, outreach, discovery, compassion and service.

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, 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. In addition, students may participate in overseas clinical electives.