Alabama – Mobile

Alabama – Mobile
Node Host & Lead Collaborator: Mobile County Health Department
Acronym: AL

About the Node Hosts: The Major General William C. Gorgas Clinic otherwise known as the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) boasts a rich history. This history began with the establishment of the Board of Health in Mobile in 1816 approximately three years before Alabama became a state. In 1838, construction began in Mobile on what was originally known as the United States Marine Hospital, an iron stucco building in a Greek revival style located in what today is downtown Mobile. During the building's history it was passed through different hands, including the United States government, and served different purposes. Confederate and Union soldiers were treated at the hospital, and patients suffering from various epidemics including smallpox, tuberculosis, yellow fever and malaria were all treated there as well. In 1975, the Board of Health acquired the building, and in 1984, in honor of Major General William C. Gorgas, who served as the 22nd Surgeon General of the United States Army, and did important work in reducing the transmission of diseases such as yellow fever and malaria, the Mobile County Health Department facility was rededicated as the Major General William C. Gorgas Clinic. Today public health services continue operation at the site which serves as one of the region's leading facilities for primary care and the treatment of transmissible diseases.

History of the DEVELOP Node: The node was founded in 2003 at the request of the longtime mentor to participants at the location Dr. Bernard Eichold, M.D., Dr.P.H., F.A.C.P. Since being founded, the node has expanded from a single room office to a nearly an entire floor of a building located on health department property. The node has partnered with the Mobile County Health Department on several projects addressing public health concerns within the community including air quality, extreme heat, and the possibility of disease transmission.

About the Node: On average, the node conducts 3 projects with 16 participants each year, with on project and roughly 4 particpants each term. Historically, projects have most frequently focused on health & air quality or water resources application areas. The node participants receive additional mentoring and advising from Dr. Bernard Eichold, M.D., Dr.P.H., F.A.C.P whose office is located at the MCHD. This node is open to international applicants.