The Suite Spot

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Posted on June 16, 2026 by Alumni

Alumni

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On the upper gulf coast, only Dr. Kevin Wong practices pediatric interventional radiology full time. Without him, many children and their parents would have to drive hours for simple medical procedures — some as critical as stopping emergency bleeding.

USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, where Wong practices, soon will build the region’s only dedicated pediatric interventional radiology suite.

The reason is simple. “This is about offering complete care,” Wong says.

“Right now, there are procedures I’m trained to perform that we can’t fully support here without the right space and equipment. The suite allows us to change that so families don’t have to leave the region for care we should be able to provide locally.”

The initiative is being funded through philanthropic support, including Local Goodness, a farm-to-table event that raised $145,000 in the spring of 2026.

An interventional radiologist peeks inside the body using such imaging technologies as X-rays and ultrasound to guide minimally invasive procedures that can often replace traditional surgery. Getting a tissue sample to test for cancer requires only a stick from a needle, not an incision from a scalpel. Less pain. Fewer complications. Faster recovery.

The new suite will be designed with colorful lighting, video screens and other amenities designed to soothe fearful children. Even more important are the understanding and empathy of the caregivers.

“Children, especially those facing serious illness, have so much of their lives dictated to them,” says Wong, father of a 7-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter. “We try to give some of that control back. They can choose what they want to watch or listen to. Those small choices matter.”

Learn more about Where Bold Begins, the campaign for the University of South Alabama, at SouthAlabama.edu/WhereBoldBegins. Make your bold impact with a gift today.

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