title: Department of Surgery/College of Medicine University of South Alabama: historical and contemporaneous perspectives.
abstract: Many members of the medical profession in Mobile, Alabama, have exemplified a strong commitment to the education of their colleagues and successors, a tradition (L., traditio, "to hand over") that dates from the early 18th century. The Mobile General (city/county) Hospital (1830 to 1970) and its successor, the Medical Center, University of South Alabama (1971 to the present), were the institutional foci of those endeavors. Because it is individuals who create, design, and vitalize institutions, this monograph is an acknowledgment of the accomplishments of those who gave that endeavor purpose, direction, and meaning, particularly with reference to the evolution of surgical education. Numerous clinical and societal forces--cultural, economic, political, and social-influenced that evolution. This compilation gives attribution to a legacy of commitment to health and medical/surgical care, education, and research within southern Alabama.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Medical Center, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: William O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luterman
authors.forename: Jon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: Charles B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Rodning
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration; D000407:Alabama; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education* / Q000266:history; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration