South Magazine Fall 2023
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SIX DECADES OF SOUTH<br />
1980<br />
1980s: Research and Innovation<br />
<strong>South</strong>’s first patent comes in 1983, for a mechanical torque converter<br />
invented by Dr. Eugene Odell, professor of mechanical engineering. Seven<br />
more patents follow in the 1980s; the total now stands at 108. Dr. June<br />
Ayling and Dr. Steven Bailey of the College of Medicine’s Department<br />
of Pharmacology collaborate on 11 of them, which generate millions of<br />
dollars in revenue for the University. Many of their patents involve ways<br />
of formulating and administering folates — B vitamins that can decrease<br />
the risk of birth defects, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease and<br />
other disorders.<br />
JOHN A. COUNTS SR.,<br />
standing far right,<br />
becomes the first <strong>South</strong><br />
alumnus to join the Board<br />
of Trustees. He serves<br />
until his death in 1995.<br />
1980<br />
COMPUTERS<br />
ON THE RISE<br />
<strong>South</strong> creates a<br />
Department of<br />
Computer Science,<br />
with about 300<br />
student majors<br />
enrolled.<br />
1983<br />
WHERE BABIES<br />
COME FROM<br />
<strong>South</strong> establishes<br />
Children’s & Women’s<br />
Hospital within<br />
University Hospital<br />
and later purchases<br />
Doctors Hospital,<br />
its current location.<br />
Today, USA Health<br />
Children’s & Women’s<br />
Hospital delivers<br />
more babies annually<br />
than any other<br />
hospital in Mobile.<br />
Its Hollis J. Wiseman<br />
Neonatal Intensive<br />
Care Unit is the<br />
region’s only Level III<br />
neonatal intensive<br />
care unit. And the<br />
Arlene Mitchell<br />
Pediatric Intensive<br />
Care Unit is the only<br />
facility of its kind in<br />
the region.<br />
22 SOUTH MAGAZINE