Leadership changes announced for Department of Internal Medicine

Colleagues:

One of our longtime leaders is leaving. Errol Crook, M.D., F.A.C.P., the Abraham A. Mitchell Endowed Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine in the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama, will be joining the faculty at the Morehouse School of Medicine as senior associate dean and chief medical officer on Oct. 3, 2022. 

Since joining USA Health in 2005 as a nephrologist, Dr. Crook has been instrumental in the strategic development and implementation of plans that have helped USA Health expand over the years.

A native of Monroeville, Dr. Crook understands the healthcare challenges we face in Alabama and has worked throughout his career to make a difference. One of his areas of emphasis has been how to make entire communities healthier and to address significant health disparities. One of his very visible activities has been serving as the director of the USA Center for Healthy Communities since 2009. The Alabama Academy of Science in 2021 recognized his work and that of the Center for Healthy Communities, earning the Wright Gardner Award for outstanding achievement in science in the state of Alabama. Since his involvement, the Center has received more than $15 million in funding. 

His passion for medical education and training was evident early in his career. During his time on the faculty at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, he was selected four times for the Paul Ruble Award for Teaching Excellence. That streak continued when he joined USA and for 16 consecutive years was selected by graduating medical student classes at the Whiddon College of Medicine to receive a Red Sash Award for teaching excellence. He also has earned the John Bass, M.D., Award for Best Clinical Attending eight times. Further, the graduating class has invited him to deliver the address at the honors convocation on four occasions. 

We want to thank Dr. Crook for his years of service to the Whiddon College of Medicine and USA Health and wish him the best of luck as he explores this next chapter in his distinguished career. 

Karen A. Fagan, M.D., professor of internal medicine and pharmacology in the Whiddon College of Medicine, will serve as interim chair effective Aug. 22, 2022. Dr. Fagan also serves as chief of the USA Health pulmonary and critical care medicine division and director of the pulmonary hypertension center. Prior to joining USA in 2008 as a pulmonologist, Dr. Fagan worked at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. 

 Board certified in three specialties, Dr. Fagan also has been recognized for her excellence in teaching, earning a Red Sash Award on eight occasions at USA. For three years in a row – 2019, 2020 and 2021 – Dr. Fagan was awarded the Exceptional Women in Medicine designation by Castle Connolly Top Doctors. 

An accomplished researcher, Dr. Fagan is the co-investigator on a five-year grant with the National Institutes of Health and previously was awarded a Howard Hughes Individual Investigator Award as well as an NIH K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award and two NIH R01 grants. 

Dr. Fagan’s understanding of USA Health and the Department of Internal Medicine will guarantee that we have a smooth transition. 

John V. Marymont, M.D., M.B.A.

Dean, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine,

Vice President, Medical Affairs  

Owen Bailey, M.S.H.A., F.A.C.H.E

Chief Executive Officer, USA Health

Senior Associate Vice President, Medical Affairs