Researchers at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine were awarded $5.6 million of expected funds for a 4-year study from the U.S. Department of Defense to examine why many people with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) go on to also develop heart disease, a major cause of death for those with FA.

Principal investigator for the USF study is Thomas McDonald, MD, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Cardiology) and the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. McDonald is also a researcher in the USF Health Heart Institute and director of the USF Health Cardiogenetics Clinic.

“We still don’t have a full understanding of the genetic mutation for Friedrich’s ataxia to determine why so many patients go on to get heart disease – we need to know,” Dr. McDonald said. “The physiology is not well characterized. This study will help us gain a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of the gene that carries FA, and help identify clinical predictors of the FA-associated heart disease.”

The new study dovetails with current work taking place in Dr. McDonald’s lab, including an R56 grant from the National Institutes of Health, which focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of LMNA-associated heart disease passed from one generation to the next — and what can be done to help prevent disease and its consequences.

This FA-heart disease study will follow FA patients and their parents over four years, and will involve careful clinical monitoring of heart health, examination of biomarkers, whole genome sequencing, stem cell modeling of heart tissue, and mitochondrial function studies.

From left, Dr. Kami Kim, Dr. Aarti Patel, Dr. Thomas McDonald, and Dr. Theresa Zesiewicz. Not pictured is Sami Noujaim, PhD.

Spearheading the work in the DoD study is a multidisciplinary team of USF Health experts representing cardiology, genetics, neurology, molecular pharmacology, cardiac electrophysiology and predictive modeling. The diverse expertise will help distinguish the clinical, genetic, and biological factors that contribute to cardiac disease in FA patients. Data from FA families and basic science models will be integrated with clinical data to identify unique factors in the heart that influence the cardiac phenotype and separate cardiac-specific traits from those influencing the neurological phenotype.

“Study results could lead to tools used in patient care settings to identify those FA families most at risk for cardiomyopathy and allow for potential intervention and treatment that could help delay onset of the heart disease,” Dr. McDonald said.

The USF Health interdisciplinary team for the study includes:

• Thomas McDonald, MD: clinical cardiology, molecular pharmacology and cardiogenetics (Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MCOM)
• Aarti Patel, MD: neurocardiogenetics and cardiac imaging (Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MCOM)
• Sami Noujaim, PhD: molecular pharmacology and cardiac electrophysiology (Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, MCOM)
• Kami Kim, MD: machine learning and clinical predictive modeling (Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, MCOM; Center for Global Health Infectious Diseases Research, COPH)
• Theresa Zesiewicz, MD, clinical neurology (Department of Neurology, MCOM)

Dr. Zesiewicz, professor in MCOM and director of the USF Health Ataxia Research Center, has specialized in clinical research and patient care for ataxias and other movement disorders’ for more than 20 years and is recognized as an international expert and leader in the field of hereditary ataxias. Her movement disorders clinic supports the evaluation of over 3,000 patients per year, likely the busiest in the world.

“Dr. Zesiewicz will play a vital role in recruiting research participant and in overseeing neurological assessments of patients as they are longitudinally followed in this study,” Dr. McDonald said.

The funding for the study came from the DoD through its Congressional Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), a section of DoD that funds novel approaches to biomedical research. Link: https://cdmrp.health.mil/

The team will begin recruiting study participants next month.

Photo by Ryan Rossy, USF Health Communications

Irene Davis, PhD, PT, FACSM, FAPTA, FASB, professor in the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, is trying to understand the intricate relationship between lower extremity mechanics and overuse injuries in runners. With a focus on transforming the way runners experience pain and preventing injury, Dr. Davis and her team are researching gait retraining for injury prevention. 

Subject crossing the force plate at a constant velocity to test the three-dimensional components of force being produced on their joints.

At the heart of their research is a force plate used at the center of an elongated runway. This allows individuals to simulate a complete running cycle, starting from acceleration, and crossing the force plate at a consistent velocity. The force plate captures not only vertical forces but also forces in all three dimensions, offering a clearer picture of the intricate nature of the forces exerted when landing. This three-dimensional analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of how alignment and mechanics contribute to the risk of injury.

Reflective markers attached to a subject’s body which supply data with a multi-dimensional perspective on joint movement. Essential for understanding the mechanics involved in running.

To access this data, the research team attaches reflective markers to the subjects’ bodies, which are then tracked by multiple cameras. These complex algorithms decipher the markers’ movements, enabling the researchers to see the angles at the ankle, knee, and hip joints. This approach supplies a multi-dimensional perspective on joint movement, essential for understanding the mechanics involved in running.

The integration of force plate data and marker tracking empowers the team to calculate joint loads and torques, giving a complete picture of the forces experienced by various joints during a runner’s gait cycle. This holistic approach enables Dr. Davis and her team to identify problematic mechanics and design interventions that could alleviate pain and reduce the risk of injury. 

By applying their findings, her team is pioneering an innovative approach to runner rehabilitation. Through a series of sessions involving real-time feedback and targeted practice, the research team has started receiving results. A notable example is a study focused on addressing knee pain, in which participants underwent a tailored gait retraining program. Participants experienced improvements in their alignment and mechanics, easing the persistent pain that they have dealt with for years. 

This groundbreaking research challenges the traditional notion that gait patterns are fixed and unalterable. By bridging the gap between scientific understanding and medical practice, Dr. Davis and her team have proven that gait retraining is not only possible but also effective in alleviating pain and preventing future injuries. The success of their interventions underscores the transformative potential of multidimensional biomechanical analysis in sports medicine. 

The researcher is analyzing data provided by the force plate.

In a field where innovation meets application, Dr. Davis and her team are revolutionizing the way we think about running mechanics and their impact on injuries. This has not only raised awareness but also instilled hope for countless runners who want to run free of pain. Dr. Davis hopes that science and medicine can work hand in hand to reshape runners’ lives.

“We hope our clinic and our research will offer injured runners a solution so they are able to continue to run pain-free,” Dr. Davis said. “We really have pioneered this idea of retraining gait patterns.”  

Story, photos, and video by Ryan Rossy.

The Esophageal String Test is a brand-new option, and USF Health is one of only three sites in the country offering it.

Racha Khalaf, MD, assistant professor and chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, is using a less invasive method to monitor a condition known as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). The chronic disease is characterized by white blood cells called eosinophils infiltrating the esophagus and causing inflammation, which can lead to difficulty swallowing or food getting caught in the swallowing tube known as the esophagus.

“EoE patients have a migration of eosinophils to the esophagus, causing symptoms like vomiting and difficulty eating,” Dr. Khalaf said. “In children, it can even lead to difficulty with growth.”

Dr. Racha Khalaf.

Traditionally, after diagnosing the condition, physicians monitor EoE using a sedated procedure known as an endoscopy, in which the doctor snakes a tube containing a tiny camera down the patient’s throat to view the esophageal lining. The procedure requires anesthesia in children and can have risks including pain and discomfort. But Dr. Khalaf said she uses the Esophageal String Test, which provides her the information she needs to determine a treatment plan without the same level of discomfort and an improved risk profile.

The Esophageal String Test is a brand-new option, and USF Health is one of only three sites in the country offering it.

During the test, the patient swallows a small pill containing a flexible string. The end of the string is taped to the cheek and the string remains in place for one hour and collects esophageal secretions that are then examined for the presence of inflammation caused by eosinophils.

Esophageal String Test with capsule.

For 9-year-old Shark Smith, who has been diagnosed with EoE, the Esophageal String Test is a welcome alternative to regular endoscopies. “It’s better because I don’t have to get put under with anesthesia,” he said. “And it doesn’t take that long. It only takes an hour.”

Shark’s mother, Jennifer Smith, shared his sentiment. She said, “He’s been scoped, I think, seven times since he was two years old.” The diagnosis of EoE came accidentally when Shark swallowed a penny, leading to his first endoscopy. “We never had any symptoms,” she said.

The Esophageal String Test proved beneficial when Shark’s treatment was not yielding the desired results. “It told us that we’re pretty much taking this medication for no reason now,” Jennifer Smith said. “So, we have to change our treatment plan.” They came to Dr. Khalaf, seeking other options apart from scoping every six to 12 months.

“It’s easier on him; it’s easier on the mom,” Jennifer Smith noted. Shark recommends patients bring something to keep themselves entertained during the procedure, such as a book or an electronic device. Both mother and son praise Dr. Khalaf and the string test. “Dr. Khalaf is amazing,” Shark said. “And if anybody has the chance to do this, I would definitely recommend it over scoping.”

“We’re just really happy,” Jennifer Smith said. “We’re happy with Dr. Khalaf. We’re happy with the test.”

Story, video and images by Allison Long, USF Health Office of Communications.

Tampa General Hospital continues to be the best hospital in the Tampa Bay area, as today’s release of the 2023-24 rankings by U.S. News & World Report show.

Today’s U.S. News announcement also recognized 11 Tampa General specialties for their strong national reputation and performance, including six in the nation’s top 50 and three in the top 20. Many of the 11 specialties are led or co-led by USF Health faculty physicians.

“Tampa General’s strong showing in this year’s rankings is a testament to the compassionate care and clinical expertise of our primary teaching partner,” said Dr. Charles J. Lockwood, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

“I’m so proud of our physicians and the leadership they have provided in propelling so many specialties to be among the best in the nation. These rankings translate into saving patients’ lives across Tampa Bay and beyond.”

Dr. Lockwood is also the executive vice president and chief academic officer of Tampa General Hospital.

The six specialties ranked among the top 50 in the nation are:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology – ranked #9 in the U.S. and #1 in Florida
• Gastroenterology and GI Surgery – ranked #19 in the U.S. and #1 in Florida
• Diabetes & Endocrinology – ranked #18 in the U.S. and #2 in Florida
• Ear, Nose & Throat – ranked #39 in the U.S. and #2 in Florida
• Orthopedics – ranked #30 in the U.S. and #2 in Florida
• Urology – ranked #49 in the U.S. and #2 in Florida

In addition, five more specialties were recognized as “high performing” and among the top 10% in the nation:

• Cancer
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery
• Geriatrics
• Neurology & Neurosurgery
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

Using a comprehensive hearing intervention designed, tested, and implemented by researchers at the University of South Florida, the multi-site ACHIEVE study examined the efficacy of hearing aids for reducing long-term cognitive decline in older adults.

Results from the largest randomized, controlled clinical trial testing the efficacy of hearing aids for reducing long-term cognitive decline in older adults were published July 18, 2023, in the journal Lancet, as well as reported for the first time at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®) 2023, held the same day, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Called the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) study, the multisite study found that, in older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline, hearing intervention slowed down loss of thinking and memory abilities by 48% over three years.

While the results were negative in the total study population, the hearing intervention did slow cognitive decline by 48% in a study subset of older adults with mild to moderate hearing loss who are participating in an ongoing observational study of heart health. Investigators believe that the effect of the hearing intervention on reducing cognitive decline was only apparent in the group of participants from the heart health study because this group had nearly a 3-fold faster rate of cognitive decline over the study period than the healthy volunteers that enrolled in the trial. That much faster rate of decline allowed researchers to see the beneficial effects of hearing intervention on reducing this decline within the limited 3-year period of the study.

“The hearing intervention had a significant effect on reducing cognitive change within three years in the population of older adults in the study who are at increased risk for cognitive decline,” said Frank Lin, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, and co-principal investigator of the ACHIEVE study. “Hearing loss is very treatable in later life, which makes it an important public health target to reduce risk of cognitive decline and dementia, along with other dementia risk factors such as less education in early life, high blood pressure, social isolation and physical inactivity.”

The overall ACHIEVE study was led by researchers at Johns Hopkins and seven additional contributing institutions. A team of researchers from USF led the hearing intervention provided in the study. From the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Theresa H. Chisolm, PhD, professor and vice provost for Strategic Planning, Performance and Accountability, and Michelle Arnold AuD, PhD, assistant professor, collaborated with Victoria Sanchez, AuD, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

In addition to designing the hearing intervention, the USF team also trained the study audiologists and continuously monitored the hearing intervention that was provided in the overall study.

“The ACHIEVE Study is evidence that auditory rehabilitation, including the use of hearing aids, in older adults who had more risk factors for cognitive decline slowed the rate of cognitive decline,” said USF Health’s Dr. Sanchez. “Important risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia that could be potentially addressed to help reduce dementia include hearing loss, less education in early life, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, social isolation, and physical inactivity. Addressing hearing loss is one way we could reduce the increase rate of older adults living with dementia.”

Established research shows that loss of hearing can increase a person’s likelihood of cognitive decline, she said, adding that further research is needed.

“Our main trial results shared today are exciting and informative, but much more research is still needed,” Dr. Sanchez said. “Our team of multi-institution investigators are continuing to follow all participants in the ACHIEVE study beyond three years to look at longer term effects of hearing intervention on cognition and other outcomes.”

This foundational work can also help guide policymakers, she said.

“Our results will hopefully create policy changes because in many parts of the world we need improved affordable access and insurance coverage for hearing treatment/intervention,” Dr. Sanchez said. “This does not mean just a hearing aid, as hearing intervention consists of two components. First are hearing aids and related hearing technologies, and second are the diagnostic and hearing care support services of an audiologist to guide the individual in using these hearing technologies to hear and communicate optimally.

“We recommend that people who have concerns about their hearing and their risk factors for cognitive decline discuss these concerns with their doctor and be seen by an audiologist to address their hearing and communication needs.”

The ACHIEVE study is a randomized trial of older adults aged 70-84 with untreated hearing loss who were free from substantial cognitive impairment, conducted at four study sites in the United States, and 977 total participants were recruited from two study populations: 238 adults participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, and 739 healthy community volunteers newly recruited to the study.

The complexities and nuances for successfully treating chronic sinusitis usually involves two medical specialists, an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon (also called an ENT) and an allergist/immunologist.

Patients with this condition usually see these two specialists in separate appointments.

Now USF Health is offering a merged clinic for patients with chronic sinusitis and related conditions where they will have one appointment with both an ENT and an allergist at the same time.

Farnaz Tabatabaian, MD, associate professor in the Department of Allergy and Immunology in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, and Mark Tabor, MD, associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, have combined their expertise and their clinics to form this new merged clinic.

The aim is to more effectively treat patients by being more efficient with the treatment plan, Dr. Tabatabaian said.

“We’re an academic institution so we see more complex conditions,” Dr. Tabatabaian said. “Bringing these two specialties into one clinic, one visit for the patient, makes incredible sense, not just for convenience but also for continuity of care and better outcomes. An ENT and an immunologist both in the room will better help meet the needs of patients experiencing the most complex sinusitis cases.”

Those with chronic sinusitis need the expertise of both an ENT and an allergist because they may need surgery to address the physical and structural problems, which the ENT will provide, and then also need allergy shots, antibiotics and, perhaps, biologics from the allergist to address the underlying immune and inflammatory response. Most patients will need both approaches but, as typically happens, the time between appointments allows the condition to return, causing patients to need further care and starting the cycle of treatments and procedures over again.

“Done separately, the condition isn’t fully treated, meaning patients may go back and forth with ENT and allergist appointments,” Dr. Tabor said. “The structural fix only lasts until the immune system flares up again and sinusitis returns, or the immune system is calmed and the barriers in the structure continue to limit and sinusitis returns. By addressing both structural and immune response at once, treating the two root causes together, patients will fare better for beating the return of sinusitis.”

“The therapies are available, but the collaborative environment in one clinical setting means we are offering precision medicine at its core,” Dr. Tabatabaian said. “Combining our clinics into one collaborative setting means we are taking great care of patients and also learning from each other as colleagues.”

The USF Health combined clinic is also a great educational opportunity for medical students, resident physicians and fellows. And for patients, the merged clinic also means greater access to clinical trials for new therapies.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is inflammation of the nasal and sinus linings, nasal blockage, rhinorrhea, facial pressure/pain and loss of sense of smell, and may include nasal polyps.

Patients seeking appointments at this new USF Health combined clinic will need to have a diagnosis of chronic sinusitis and have tried but not benefited from traditional therapies. Ask your physician about a referral to the clinic to see if your condition qualifies.

As the day wanes, medical student volunteers with the USF Health Tampa Bay Street Medicine (TBSM) Refugee Clinic are inventorying medical supplies and vaccines before patients arrive for evening appointments.

“In the past six months our patient population doubled,” Azd Al-Mashal, MD, co-founder of the USF Health TBSM Refugee Clinic, said before the start of another busy Wednesday night.

The USF Health TBSM Refugee Clinic provides free medical care to refugees from all over the world, adults and children who now have a common bond of being refugees in the Tampa area. TBSM is a student-run organization dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable populations in our community. The TBSM Refugee Clinic offers medical provider visits, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, labs, imaging, mental health services, preventative care and hygiene kits to refugees and asylum seekers who don’t have insurance. The clinic is held twice a month, evenings on the second and fourth Wednesday, at USF Health Carol and Frank Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare.

“Ten years down the line, I definitely want to see Refugee Clinic continuing its incredible momentum of growth,” said Richa Bisht, MD, the former co-director of the USF Health TBSM Refugee Clinic.

To donate to the USF Health Tampa Bay Street Medicine and the Refugee Clinic, please visit giving.usf.edu

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Office of Research Innovation and Scholarly Endeavors (RISE) inducted the newest members of the Robert A. Good Honor Society (RGHS).  The April 25 ceremony honored all of the class of 2023 medical students and newest faculty inductees.

RGHS membership is open to junior and senior medical students who demonstrate excellence in scholarly endeavors.  Applicants must be in good academic and professional standing reflecting in the highest ideals of the profession of medicine.  No more than 20% of any graduating class are inducted into the RGHS.  It was established at MCOM in 2017 to recognize and honor medical students, faculty, and alumni who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to improve health outcomes through research, innovation and scholarly endeavors.

The goal of RGHS is to:

• Establish a community for the exchange of ideas and opportunities for continued scholarly growth.
• Foster a spirit of lifelong scholarly approach to the practice of medicine.
• Support the USF system goal regarding excellence in research and national prominence.
• Commit to model, support, and advocate scholarly activities MCOM.

Left to right: Hanna Zeurcher; Daniela Moino; Nam Tran, MD, PhD, FAANS; Matthew Mifsud, MD, FACS; John Meisenheimer; Taha Huda. All represent the newest inductees of the Robert A. Good Honor Society.

In addition to the newest inductees, the Steven Specter Award for Outstanding Contribution in Scholarly Achievement of Medicine, and the Martin and Ruth Silbiger Research Award were also presented.

The Steven Specter Award recognizes an medical student and RGHS member who has demonstrated exemplary research achievements in any field of medicine.  This year’s recipient is Jeffrey Farooq.  Farooq is a SELECT student who matched general surgery at the University of Washington.

The Silbiger Award recognizes a graduating senior medical student who has contributed most to the efforts at MCOM.  This year’s recipient was Grace Wei.  Wei is a SELECT student who matched dermatology at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Who was Robert A. Good?

Robert A Good, MD, PhD, DSc, FACP, was the true definition of a physician-scientist.  He was internationally known as the “father of modern immunology.” His understanding of the basic sciences facilitated his work in transplantation, where he performed the first successful human bone marrow graft between an immunocompromised five-month old boy and his eight-year-old sister in 1968.  He was an active leader in the MCOM Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief at All Children’s Hospital from 1985-2001.

Class of 2023 Medical Student Inductees:

Fenil Bhatt – Inducted as a junior

Alec Bigness – Inducted as a junior

Aaron Brad Hall – Inducted as a junior

Jeffrey Farooq (SELECT) – Inducted as a junior

Madeline Hooper (SELECT) – Inducted as a senior

Taha Huda – Inducted as a junior

Mallorie Huff (SELECT) – Inducted as a junior

Sydney Korsunsky – Inducted as a senior

Presmai Kumar – Inducted as a junior

Lauren Linkowski (SELECT) – Inducted as a junior

John Meisenheimer – Inducted as a senior

Daniela Moiño – Inducted as a junior

Robert Monsour – Inducted as a junior

Joseph Tang (SELECT) – Inducted as a junior

Christopher Wang (SELECT) – Inducted as a junior

Grace Wei (SELECT) – Inducted as a junior

Gary Wong (SELECT) – Inducted as a junior

Hannah Zeurcher – Inducted as a junior

Faculty Inductees:

Matthew J. Mifsud, MD, FACS, MCOM Department of Otolaryngology assistant professor.

Nam D. Tran, MD, PhD, FAANS, MCOM associate professor of oncology and neurosurgery.

More photos from the event:

Graduate programs at USF Health had promising gains in this year’s rankings from U.S. News & World Report (U.S. News), with some programs breaking into the top 50 of their rankings.

In the U.S. News 2024 Best Graduate Schools list released on April 25, USF Health’s physician assistant, nursing and public health programs ranked among the best in the country.

The rankings released April 25 did not include medical schools or law schools; those rankings were released by U.S. News May 11.

Among the notable advancements this year are the two graduate programs from the USF Health College of Nursing, each of which had major gains, and the Physician Assistant Program in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, which made the ranking list for the first time in its young history after receiving its inaugural full accreditation needed to qualify.

“Our nursing school is clearly garnering attention on the national stage as both its master’s and doctoral programs are making incredible gains in the rankings, and proving to be the best in Florida,” said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “And the first-time ranking for our physician assistant program marks a significant milestone. While this USF Health program is still young, its inaugural ranking is among the top third of PA programs across the country. We anticipate further rankings gains as our program continues to develop.”

According to U.S. News, its methodology uses data from expert opinions and statistical indicators when measuring a program’s ranking, examining qualities students and faculty bring to the educational experience and graduates’ achievements linked to their degrees, such as job placement and research impact.

The posted results for USF Health this year include:

• #46 in Medical Schools for Primary Care: The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine improved significantly for U.S. medical schools for primary care, going from #56 last year to #46 this year, and breaking into the top 50 for the first time.
• #50 in Medical Schools for Research: The Morsani College of Medicine continues to rank well among U.S. medical schools for research, ranking at #50 this year.
• #65 in Health Doctoral Programs – Physician Assistant: The Morsani College of Medicine’s Physician Assistant program ranked for the first time, ranked at #65 this year, placing it in the top third of the more than 200 PA programs in the rankings.
• #31 in Nursing for Master’s: The USF Health College of Nursing jumped 11 spots, going from #42 last year to #31 this year, making it the top-ranked public nursing master’s program in Florida.
• #33 in Nursing for DNP: The College of Nursing also continues to improve in its DNP program ranking and skyrocketed into the top 50 for doctoral programs in the country with its 34-spot jump from #67 last year to #33 this year, making it the top-ranked public or private DNP program in Florida.
• #22 in Public Health: The USF Health College of Public Health remains the top-ranked public health program in Florida, with its rank at #22 this year.

U.S. News does not provide new rankings for all graduate programs each year, so the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy maintains its rank of #68, and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences maintains its rank of #49.

More on rankings for other USF graduate programs…

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming and isolating. Never was that more true than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eileen Poiley understands that challenge well, having dedicated more than 35 years to educating caregivers at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Center. When the world stopped, she knew this important work could not.

Poiley launched the Alzheimer’s Caregivers Podcast in May 2021 to offer practical guidance to caregivers where and when they need it. As the show posts its 100^th episode this month, this resource has helped more than 7,000 unique listeners around the world with downloads from six continents.

Eileen Poiley.

“Some caregivers are at the end of their ropes, and they don’t know what to do,” Poiley said. “We help caregivers deal with the challenges from a non-medication perspective, as there are a lot of behaviors that medication can’t change.”

The podcast features 30-minute episodes on a wide range of topics affecting families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, including understanding short-term memory loss, managing the challenges of daily life, reducing safety risks, frequently asked questions and more.

Podcast producer Scott Huetteman, whose mother has Alzheimer’s disease, encouraged Eileen to create the podcast after hearing one of her presentations in person.

“There are a lot of ways to get information out, and the challenge with caregivers is that there is so much they need to know,” Huetteman said. “The podcast is a great way caregivers can listen to episodes any time of the day or night at their convenience.”

Poiley agrees that caregivers need a large volume of information, but that comprehensive books that cover a wide range of topics aren’t typically useful for caregivers. The podcast format allows them to pick the topic they need at the right moment.

Eileen Poiley.

One caregiver who has listened to all 100 episodes—several many times—said he was in a dire situation looking for help as he cared for his family member. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years before he reached out for support beyond medical care.

“I wish that I could reconstruct the morning I discovered the Institute,” said the caregiver, who asked to remain anonymous. “I had been looking through articles I had collected in a file over the previous five years, as her needs were getting well past what I could provide. Things were getting really emotionally intense for both of us.”

The Pinellas County caregiver became hopeful upon discovering the nearby virtual Alzheimer’s support programs at USF, along with the podcast series, through a Google search.

“It was like Eileen was here in the home, how she described what we were going through at the time,” said the caregiver. “She was spot on, and I could implement what I was learning and see almost immediate results.”

“My loved one and I are now both much calmer, in a better place, all because I listened to the podcasts. Eileen identified behaviors to watch for, explained them, and gave me strategies for how to respond and how to cope.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the 7^th leading cause of death in the United States, and one in three seniors dies with dementia.

To support Alzheimer’s caregiver education at USF Health, give online at usf.to/caregivers or contact Dan Minor at danielminor@usf.edu.

Story by Davina Gould, USF Foundation.