Timeline

Major milestones related to the University of South Alabama and the Whiddon College of Medicine
Date Event
May 3, 1963 USA is founded by an act of the Alabama Legislature.
June 1964 USA opens its doors to the students of Mobile County and the state of Alabama.
1965 The Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association send representatives to USA to assess the possibilities of establishing a medical school there.
August 1969 A resolution of the Alabama Legislature supports establishment of a medical school under the auspices of the University of South Alabama.
1970 $4.5 million committed by City and County of Mobile to establish USA College of Medicine.
November 1970      Mobile General Hospital is transferred to the University.
May 1971 Dr. Robert M. Bucher named first dean of the College of Medicine. 
January 1973 The charter class of 25 students enter the College of Medicine.
April 1975 Mobile General Hospital renamed University of South Alabama Medical Center.
September 1978 The University’s first Ph.D. program — in Basic Medical Sciences — is initiated.
January 1983 The USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital is established.
August 1987 The former Providence Hospital is acquired by the University to house programs of the colleges of Allied Health Professions, Medicine and Nursing.
June 1990 The University acquires Doctors Hospital and Knollwood Park Hospital.
October 2001 Geri Moulton Children's Park is dedicated at USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital.
March 2008 Plans for USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital expansion approved by USA Board of Trustees.
November 2008 Dedication of the USA health Mitchell Cancer Institute building, representing an investment of more than $135 million.
May 3, 2013 50th Anniversary of USA’s founding and 40th anniversary of College of Medicine.
July 2018 SouthFlight returns to University Hospital.
August 2018 USA Medical Center renamed USA Health University Hospital.
June 2019 Small baby unit opens at USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital.
December 2020 Governor Kay Ivey cuts ribbon on Fanny Meisler Trauma Center at USA Health University Hospital. 
June 2021 USA Health gains approval for free-standing surgery center in Baldwin County. 
June 2022 The USA College of Medicine is renamed the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine.
November 2022 The University announces plans to construct a new medical school on campus.
November 2022 USA Health dedicates a medical office building at the new Mapp Family Campus in Baldwin County.
April 2023 The University announces an agreement to acquire Providence Hospital.
October 2023 Providence Hospital and clinics join USA Health.
December 2023 Ground is broken on the new Whiddon College of Medicine building.