The medical students of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Class of 2021 officially became doctors in a socially distant ceremony at the Mahaffey Theatre, St. Petersburg, Fla., May 7.

Graduation may have looked a little different this year.  But the end of the four-year medical school journey was just as gratifying for the Class of 2021 USF Health Morsani College of Medicine medical students.  As the world continues to recover from a pandemic, 173 of the country’s newest doctors graduated in a socially distanced ceremony at the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg, Fla. May 7.

The ceremony wasn’t filled with the typical pomp and circumstance and VIPS that have become synonymous with MCOM ceremonies.  And friends, families and loved ones watched the ceremony outside of the theater or via live stream through MCOM and USF Health social media channels, rather than fill theater seats for in-person views .  COVID-19 has undoubtedly changed the way of the world and emphasized the more vital role innovative doctors will play in the effort to heal the world.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, USF Health senior vice president and MCOM dean.

“COVID-19 has underscored that in the 21^st century, health is global not local; dynamic not static; and that medical knowledge is accelerating at an unimaginable rate. Health care will never be the same,” said USF Health senior vice president and MCOM dean, Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, during his remarks to the class. “While I do not want to dwell on the challenges presented by COVID-19, I do want to recognize your remarkable determination in overcoming those challenges. Your resilience has paid off, and I speak for all of USF Health when I say that we could not be prouder of you.”

Jasmina Ehab, MD, selected by her fellow class of 2021 graduates to deliver remarks, also acknowledged the resilience and compassion of her classmates.  She recalled when Hurricane Irma shut down the state of Florida when they were only a couple of months into their first year of medial school.  It was through those trying times the class of 2021 grew stronger together.

Jasmina Ehab, MD, was chosen by her fellow graduates to deliver a speech to her fellow classmates.

“Although we didn’t know each other well, all of us opened our homes to one another. We shared our food; we shared our resources. Many of us stayed with each other’s families in other states. Not only did we exhibit this sense of family early on, but this experience was the landscape for our relationships, moving forward. We became each other’s keepers, we relied on one another and from that point on we knew that we were always going to be there to help each other,” she said.  “I have never been prouder of us as a class than when we held each other, supported one another and cried with each other. When one of us hurts, we all hurt. That’s what makes us unique, that’s why we have this unbreakable bond, this is what makes us family.”

Steven Currall, PhD, University of South Florida System President.

The most important, and most welcomed remarks came from University of South Florida System President, Steven Currall, PhD. His words were few, but impactful ending with “I confer upon each of you the doctor of medicine degree,” officially marking the transition from student to doctor.

The impact of graduating from medical school in the wake of uncertain and trying circumstances was not lost on the class.  One graduate described his fellow graduates and their journey with one word: resilient.   The Class of 2021 will use resilience as they move on to residency this summer.

More images from the ceremony:

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, USF Health senior Vice President and MCOM dean, presented the 2021 Dean’s Award to recently retired Tom Whalen, MD. Dr. Whalen served as executive Vice President and chief medical officer at the Lehigh Valley Health Network in Penn. He has played an instrumental role in strengthening the ties between USF Health and LVHN.

Mathia Nittmann, MD, Class of 2021 recipient of the Donn L. Smith Award.

Timothy Koo, MD, Class of 2021 recipient of the Morsani College of Medicine Dean’s Award.

Karim Hanna, MD, chosen by the class to deliver the charge to the class. Dr. Hannah is also a Class of 2014 MCOM alum.

Pre-ceremony celebration:

Post-ceremony excitement:

Photos and story by Fredrick J. Coleman.  Video by Allison Long. 

USF recently held a big meeting about exploring the very small.

In November, the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy hosted the 12^th annual NanoFlorida International Conference on the USF campus.  The three-day conference, which included keynote addresses by USF President Steven Currall and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, was centered around future developments in the field of nanotechnology.

Participants pose for a group photo during the NanoFlorida International Conference.

“Nanotechnology is to work in the smallest scale possible, called nanoscale,” explained USF Health professor Shyam Mohapatra, PhD, director of the Center for Education and Research in Nanobioengineering and conference chair of the International Academy of Nanotechnology.

For comparison, one nanometer is one-millionth the diameter of single strand of human hair, Dr. Mohapatra said.

USF President Steven Currall gave a keynote address during the NanoFlorida International Conference in the Marshall Center on USF campus.

Nanotechnology is being studied in a wide range of sciences, including chemistry, engineering and medicine. The technology is already being used in many industries and products people use every day. For example, nanotechnology has helped reduce the size of cell phones from the unwieldy devices of yesteryear to the advanced computers that now fit in your pocket.

But it’s not just consumer goods where nanotechnology is making a difference. USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy is looking at how the technology can help better deliver medication to patients.

“The whole notion of pharmaceutical nanotechnology is to take a molecule and make it even smaller so we can deliver (medicines) into parts of the body that normally we can’t get into,” said Kevin Sneed, PharmD, FNAP, FNPHA. Dr. Sneed is senior associate vice president, USF Health and dean of the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy.

Kevin Sneed, PharmD, FNAP, FNPHA, talks to dignitaries during the NanoFlorida International Conference. Dr. Sneed is senior associate vice president, USF Health and dean of the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy.

For instance, researchers are studying how nanotechnology can assist the treatment of brain cancers and brain disorders.

“Lots of medications cannot get into the brain when taken orally or otherwise,” Dr. Sneed said, “By making them smaller, now we can transport them into the brain.”

The Taneja College of Pharmacy is embracing pharmaceutical nanotechnology by offering a master’s in science degree in pharmaceutical nanotechnology – the first such degree in the state of Florida.

“We had an opportunity to build a pharmaceutical or drug delivery program,” Dr. Sneed said. “Nanotechnology was very futuristic, and we wanted to be a very futuristic, very innovative, very transformative pharmacy program.”

About 50 students are currently enrolled in the pharmaceutical nanotechnology degree program.

Shyam Mohapatra, Distinguished USF Health Professor, Director of Center for Education and Research in Nanobioengineering in the Morsani College of Medicine and Associate Dean Graduate Program in the Tanjea College of Pharmacy and Conference Chair of the International Academy of Nanotechnology, opens the NanoFlorida International Conference.

During the NanoFlorida International Conference, participants attended a number of plenary sessions discussing advances in nanotechnology and its use, and students from USF and other major colleges presented 138 research posters for judging.

Sonali Kannaujia (left) and Liguan Li, a graduate student and a PhD candidate both studying electrical engineering, look at their poster presentation before the start of judging during the NanoFlorida International Conference. The USF students created a Wireless Interrogated MEMS Capacitive Intraocular Pressure Sensors to help with the treatment of Glaucoma.

The NanoFlorida International Conference is organized by the Florida Association for Nanotechnology, a society composed of basic and translational nano-bio technologists who use a variety of nanoscale sciences and technologies to better understand the way the nano-bio systems function.

Video, photos and article by Allison Long, USF Health Communications & Marketing

The 30 students of the charter class of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program before their graduation banquet Wednesday evening.

On the evening before graduation, the charter class of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program gathered at the USF Research and Innovation galleria room to celebrate the two-year journey from applicant to physician assistant.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, USF Health Senior Vice President and Morsani College of Medicine Dean.

USF Health Senior Vice President and Morsani College of Medicine Dean Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, told the group how proud and excited he is for the graduating class.

“Tonight’s commencement dinner represents the culmination of hard work and dedication, the realization of a dream over the past two years and the beginning of a successful career,” Dr. Lockwood said. “You are pursuing one of the fastest growing careers in the medical field and you are going to play an indispensable role in delivering excellent, cost-effective care.”

Todd Wills, MD, assistant dean and program director.

Todd Wills, MD, assistant dean and program director reflected on the path these inaugural students have taken to get where they are.

“It was just two short years ago when we welcomed 30 students to the USF Health Rotunda before the start of orientation,” Dr. Wills said. “As you each begin your careers in health care over the next weeks and months, remember that the confidence our program has in you is more than justified and we can’t wait to see what comes next.”

A highlight of the evening came when select students and staff received several awards based on academic excellence, clinical performance.  Additionally, four students were inducted into MCOM’s chapter of the the Association of Physician Assistant Programs Pi Alpha National Honor Society.  Those selected showed significant academic achievement, leadership, research, community service and a high standard of character and conduct among PA students and graduates.

First student inductees:

– Kathryn Rudibaugh, MPAS

– Shannon Aurelius, MPAS

– Brittany Bianchi, MPAS

– Mollie Pleasenton, MPAS

(L-R) Shannon Aurelius, MPAS, Brittany Bianchi, MPAS, Larry Collins, MPAS, PA-C, ATC, Kathryn Rudibaugh, MPAS, Mollie Pleasenton, MPAS.

After the student inductions, Larry Collins, MPAS, PA-C, ATC, associate professor and associate program director, became the first faculty member to be inducted into the honor society.

Other award recipients:

Highest Didactic Year GPA: Brittany Bianchi, MPAS

Highest Clinical Year GPA: Shannon Aurelius, MPAS

Outstanding Pre-clinical Instructor, selected by the students as the most positive impact on their pre-clinical education: Dr. Todd Wills.

Outstanding Clinical Preceptor, selected by the students for having the most positive impact on their clinical education: Meredith Plant, MD

The PA’s PA, given to the student chosen as best exemplifying the characteristics of a PA they would choose to care for them and their family: Katie Lucas, MPAS

Katie Lucas, MPAS, center, received the PA’s PA awarded to the student chosen as best exemplifying the charastics of a PA they would choose to care for them and their family.

Following the presentations, Kevin Allison, MPAS, and Elisabeth “Libby” Kusiak, MPAS, delivered a heartfelt charge to their classmates.

Class co-presidents Elisabeth “Libby” Kusiak and Kevin Allison.

“We hope you can all reflect and think about how this program and your classmates have changed you and shaped you into the person you are today and into the provider you want to be. This is not goodbye, but hello to new beginnings,” said Kusiak. “It has been an honor to serve as your class co-president and I can honestly say I know we are all going to make outstanding providers.”

To conclude the event, Larry Collins announced the start of a scholarship foundation to help future MCOM PA students and contributed $1,000 to the foundation.

“Think about all of the future PAs and be sure to pay it forward,” he said.

The 30 charter PA students will graduate May 2 during the USF Health graduation at the Yuengling Center.

For Bianca Arboleda, who was born in Florida and raised in Puerto Rico, getting into medical school was quite the journey.

Arboleda, who wants to become an obstetrics and gynecology doctor, faced many cultural and language barriers before coming to USF. But, she never gave up.

“I always knew I wanted to become a doctor,” Arboleda said. “So, I am beyond grateful to be an MD student at USF. Every obstacle I encountered along the way, gave me the courage to do better and study harder to make my dream a reality.”

Bianca Arboleda receives her white coat.

Arboleda was one of 173 medical students to take the oath of commitment and receive the coveted white coat in front of families, friends, guests and USF Health leaders – marking the beginning of a remarkable journey into the MD program at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM).

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, poses with a group of students from Class of 2021.

The White Coat Ceremony, held this year on Sept. 1 at the Tampa Convention Center, is an annual event that welcomes students to the prestigious MD program at USF Health MCOM.

“This is a surreal experience, I’m in medical school,” said Cannon Nelson, who came to USF from Salt Lake City, Utah, and wants to become a pediatric neurosurgeon. “To us, the white coat is the symbol of transition, responsibility and commitment to a greater cause that’s bigger than any of us. It took a lot of work to get here, so being a part of this event today makes it all worth it.”

Cannon Nelson, student in the Class of 2021, is excited to celebrate the big day with his entire family, who flew in from Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Class of 2021 brought in the most selective medical student cohort in the history of the program — with an average MCAT score of 514 — placing it among the top 25 of all medical schools in the country.

This group of students was selected among more than 6,400 applicants – also a record number — giving them a less than three percent chance of getting into the program.

“It feels absolutely amazing to be among such a talented group of students,” said Katie Reming, student from the class of 2021, who wants to go into internal medicine. “No matter how challenging the road ahead may be, I feel so incredibly grateful for this opportunity and to be surrounded by such supportive faculty, staff and fellow students.”

During the event, Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, welcomed the students to the MD program with an inspirational speech about the future of health care and the challenges the field faces ahead.

Dr. Lockwood speaks to students, families and guests. 

“The future of our nation’s health care belongs to those who are unafraid to challenge the status quo, unafraid to think deeply about problems and unafraid to embrace change,” Dr. Lockwood said. “Decades from now, when people look back on this time in health care, my hope is it will be said of all of you that you were the forward-thinking generation of physicians who did not postpone addressing these great challenges – you embraced them. Your generation leveraged tools such as precision medicine, the mining of ‘big data’, cutting edge tissue imaging, and telehealth to improve health while lowering costs.”

This year, the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Scholarship Fund –the beneficiary of funds raised to sponsor the white coats — was the most successful and largest white coat sponsorship program of all medical schools in the U.S., raising more than $100,000 towards the Class of 2021 scholarships.

“I’d like to thank our faculty, staff, alumni and members of the MCOM Alumni Society Board for their unwavering support in sponsoring white coats for this year’s class,” Dr. Lockwood said. “We are committed to increasing scholarship funding and I’m deeply grateful to all of you who have donated to our White Coat Scholarship fund – you are supporting an amazing group of students.”

Offering the keynote address was Sion “Bill” Carter, MD ’87, chair of the MCOM Alumni Society, who told the new students “The white coat you receive today welcomes you into the community of medicine and signifies your commitment to the long road of training ahead. But most importantly, this ceremony is meant to emphasize the humanistic side of medicine at a time when headwinds can dehumanize its practice.”

Sion “Bill” Carter, MD ’87, chair of the MCOM Alumni Society, gave the keynote address at the event.

City of Tampa Mayor, Bob Buckhorn spoke to the new students during the ceremony and welcomed them to the city of Tampa.

City of Tampa Mayor, Bob Buckhorn.

“This is an exciting time for USF, an exciting time for Tampa and an exciting time for all these young people,” Mayor Buckhorn told the crowd. “This is a city that’s risen from the worst recession since the Great Depression. This is the city of hope, the city of destiny and a city where young people are flocking to. For those of you who will spend four years with us, you are in the midst and part of an amazing renaissance American city. We want you to make Tampa your home when you complete this journey. I promise you this that you’re going to learn to love this place.”

Rose Tillis, a current fourth-year medical student and president of the MCOM student council, spoke to the new students about humanism in medicine and the responsibility of wearing the white coat.

“All of you have a gift,” Tillis said. “It’s a gift of intellect, compassion, motivation and determination, and a decent amount of stubbornness. That’s how you got here. But that gift comes with the responsibility to give back. And that’s what you’ll learn while you’re here. You have the ability to change the trajectory of your patients’ lives, just by walking with them in the hallway. That’s what this white coat represents, and that is the responsibility that comes with it.”

The Class of 2021 also received a copy of “On Doctoring,” a compilation of poems, fiction and essays edited by John Stone, a physician writer, and USF Health’s Lois Nixon, MPH, PhD, professor in the Division of Medical Ethics and Humanities. The books are provided by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

To conclude the special evening, the new students recited the Oath of Commitment — a promise they make to the health care profession and their patients.

“This is an important milestone in the journey of becoming a physician,” Reming said. “In some ways it’s celebratory, recognizing that all of the hard work involved in getting to this point has paid off. At the same time, I think it also symbolizes a transition from living life as a regular member of society, to becoming part of the health care profession, which necessitates a higher standard of behavioral expectations, has ethical implications and includes social responsibilities.”

Ameyo Jereen, student from the Class of 2021, is excited to finally wear her white coat.

“This is a celebration of the start of a difficult but rewarding journey in which we will learn intricate details about our bodies, our minds and our society,” said Ameyo Jereen, student from the Class of 2021, who wants to go into neuroscience. “I am very excited and honored to partake in this ceremony to mark the start of this wonderful journey.”

Arboleda celebrates this important milestone with her parents and siblings.

Among the Class of 2021 medical students receiving a white coat was Madeline Carney, shown here as a baby held by her mother Nancy Murphy at Murphy’s USF College of Medicine graduation ceremony in 1996. As she was walking off stage with her new white coat, the now young adult Carney shared a hug with Associate Vice President and MCOM Obstetrics and Gynecology Professor Dr. Catherine Lynch. “I haven’t seen you in a while, I delivered you,” Lynch told her.

Story by Vjollca Hysenlika and photos by Eric Younghans, Sandra C. Roa and Frederick Coleman, USF Health Communications and Marketing

It’s an exciting time at USF Health. Colleges across health disciplines celebrated the new fall semester, welcoming more than 1,600 new students to different programs.

In this blog post, we break down the numbers from each USF Health college, school and program including Morsani College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy and School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences.

USF College of Nursing

The USF College of Nursing welcomed 678 students this fall, an impressive increase in undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college enrolled 395 students in the graduate programs — including 225 new students in the master’s programs, 50 students in the CRNA program, 112 students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice, eight students in the PhD program and 30 students in the pain management certificate.

The college has also enrolled 253 students in the undergraduate program, with 150 students in the RN-BS program, 82 students in the upper division sequence and 21 in the veteran to bachelor’s program (VCARE).

USF College of Nursing’s RN-BS students for Fall 2017.

USF College of Pharmacy

USF College of Pharmacy enrolled 126 students in the college’s PharmD and Masters of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology programs.

This fall, the college welcomed its seventh group of 101 students to one of the top PharmD programs in the country. The college’s masters of pharmaceutical nanotechnology enrolled 25 new students.

The new group of PharmD students, class of 2021. 

Morsani College of Medicine

Morsani College of Medicine welcomed 174 students to its prestigious MD program. Forty-eight of those students are in the SELECT program, which recruits and develops students with the intellectual perspective, empathy, creativity and passion to change patient care, the health of communities and the medical profession.

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine celebrates the new Class of 2021 at the Tampa Museum of Art.

Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs

The MCOM’s Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral programs enrolled 280 students this fall.

Of the 17 matriculates in the medical science PhD program, five come from underrepresented ethnic groups in the life sciences. The average GPA is 3.49.

The program also welcomed 263 students to its various master’s degrees and concentrations, including:

• 150 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences
• 29 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Health Sciences concentration (100% online)
• 15 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Aging & Neuroscience concentration
• 26 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Anatomy concentration:
• 10 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Women’s Health concentration
• 7 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine concentration
• 4 in the Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• 2 in the Master of Science in Biotechnology
• 20 in the Master of Science in Advanced Athletic Training

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences

The USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences welcomed 52 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students to its class of 2020 this fall.

USF College of Public Health

USF College of Public Health welcomed 295 students to their undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college enrolled a record number of 31 new students into its DPH program this fall.

The college also brought in 171 students in the master’s in public health program, 14 students in the MSPH program, nine students in the master’s in health administration, 58 students in the BS program and 12 in the PhD program.

New USF COPH students attend fall 2017 orientation.

Stay tuned, more to come…

USF Health faculty, students, staff and local and state leaders celebrated the extraordinary work and legacy of John S. Curran, MD, professor of pediatrics, associate vice president of USF Health, and senior executive associate dean for faculty and academic affairs at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, during a special ceremony on June 29 at USF.

Children help Dr. Curran unveil the new name of Children’s Medical Services, John S. Curran, MD, Children’s Health Center.

During the event, USF Health honored Dr. Curran for his outstanding contributions as a pediatrician and leader, by naming the Children’s Medical Services building, the John S. Curran, MD, Children’s Health Center. The special recognition was authorized by USF Board of Trustees at their June 8 meeting.

(L to R). Edmund Funai, MD, chief operating officer at USF Health, vice dean for administration at Morsani College of Medicine and senior vice president for strategic development at the USF System, and Dr. Curran listen to Roberta K. Burford, JD, associate vice president for Strategic Health Operations at USF Health, read the USF BOT Resolution before unveiling the new name of the Children’s Medical Services.

“Consider this special token of our appreciation for the many years of passionate service as a developer of innovative programs, exemplar as a physician educator, and, most of all, as an advocate for Florida’s children,” said Edmund Funai, MD, chief operating officer at USF Health, vice dean for administrational at the Morsani College of Medicine and senior vice president for strategic development at the USF System, after unveiling the new sign of the Children’s Medical Center. “Because of your guiding hand, we are all better positioned for the future, and we have all benefitted from your hard work, activism, leadership and friendship.”

Dr. Curran greets USF Health faculty, staff, leaders and friends outside John S. Curran, MD, Children’s Health Center.

Celeste Philip, MD, surgeon general and secretary of the Florida Department of Health, also honored Dr. Curran for his impact on health outcomes across the state of Florida.

“We’re grateful to Dr. Curran for his contributions to children’s medical services and the state’s department of health,” said Dr. Philip during the celebration. “I’m impressed by his desire and motivation to continue to help improve health outcomes in our state until the very end. He may be leaving for a short period, but we’re certain he will be back in some capacity. That speaks to how much he means to our state and all of his contributions. That is who he is and that is what he stands for.”

Gene Earley, deputy director of the Hillsborough County Healthcare Services, honored Dr. Curran for his tremendous impact on the Hillsborough County Health Care Plan, which he helped develop more than 20 years ago.

Gene Earley, deputy director of the Hillsborough County Healthcare Services, presents Dr. Curran a plaque for his contribution to Hillsborough County Health Care Plan.

“Hillsborough County Healthcare Services Department is thankful to Dr. Curran for his many years of outstanding services to Hillsborough County,” said Earley. “Your professionalism, leadership, commitment, dedication and passion has significantly improved the Hillsborough County Health Care Plan and health provided in Tampa and nearby counties. Your dedication to duty has improved the quality of health care services provided to the residents of Hillsborough County.”

The Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County also recognized Dr. Curran’s tremendous career by declaring Thursday, June 29, 2017 as Dr. John S. Curran Day.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman presents the county’s proclamation to Dr. Curran. 

“I am overwhelmed at the great outpouring of love and affection that you have given me for a fairly long career here at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine,” Dr. Curran said.  “I’ve been overwhelmed by your support, but I’ve always had great interest in helping those who couldn’t help themselves. I’m not the wizard. I just have been blessed with the opportunity to bring people to work together to help people in our community. And I am not going to rest. I will continue to be an advocate for those in need.”

Dr. Curran with his wife Christine, and daughters Heidi, far right, and Heather.

William Sappenfield, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Community and Family Health at the USF College of Public Health, signs guest book for Dr. Curran.

*****

John Curran, MD — an influential pediatrician and inspirational leader and pioneering child health advocate who advanced public policy to benefit some of Florida’s most vulnerable patients – is retiring after 45 years of service at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Curran, who is a professor of pediatrics, associate vice president of USF Health, and senior executive associate dean for faculty and academic affairs at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, has helped transform health care through his long-term dedication and commitment to children’s health.

John Curran, MD, professor of pediatrics, associate vice president of USF Health, and senior executive associate dean for faculty and academic affairs at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

“Dr. Curran has been an invaluable member of our faculty and has offered his expertise and service well beyond our university to include local, regional and national health care efforts,” said USF System President Judy Genshaft. “His passion for putting the children of this state first and assuring their access to quality health care is truly impressive. As a founding faculty member of our medical school, an accomplished pediatrician, and a tireless advocate for child health, Dr. Curran will forever have a prominent place in this university’s history.”

“We’re forever grateful to Dr. Curran’s exemplary service to the Morsani College of Medicine, USF, Tampa Bay, Florida and beyond,” said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “Dr. Curran’s incredible efforts to improve perinatal health have contributed to saving the lives of thousands of babies. His distinguished career has been vital to the Morsani College of Medicine’s rise to prominence. We’re blessed to have such an outstanding physician, teacher, servant leader and child advocate on our faculty.”

Dr. Curran reads to children at the USF Health’s Children’s Medical Services in 2008.

Dr. Curran began his career at USF in 1967. Since then, he’s made a tremendous impact on faculty, students and staff in various positions and capacities. Dr. Curran is one of the founding faculty members of the Morsani College of Medicine. In 1972, he helped establish the USF Division of Neonatology and the USF neonatology fellowship program.

As a faculty member and leader, Dr. Curran made significant contributions to the Department of Pediatrics at the Morsani College of Medicine. As a result, he was named the acting chairman of the department from 1987 to 1990. Under his leadership, the department became one of the largest and most innovative departments at USF.

“In his four decades of service to USF, Dr. Curran has held many roles and influenced the medical community throughout Tampa Bay, but no contribution is greater than his work with children,” said Patricia Emmanuel, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Morsani College of Medicine. “He has impacted the lives of thousands of children across the state. There is no child born with a chronic condition that is not touched by his legacy. The department of pediatrics is honored and thankful for his leadership and service.”

Following his role at the Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Curran joined the Dean’s office in various positions as the executive associate dean and associate dean for academic affairs overseeing all education programs. During that time, Dr. Curran also started the general pediatrics program in downtown Tampa and integrated Children’s Medical Services (CMS) case management with pediatric subspecialty services. He also helped develop innovative ideas for faculty development and promotion.

“Dr. Curran was notable for consistently giving sage advice,” said Steven C. Specter, PhD, associate dean for Alumni Relations and director of MD Career Advising. “He was always direct and honest, and I always knew he could be counted on if asked for help. USF loses one of the brightest, most influential faculty members in its 46-year history.”

Dr. Curran also held various positions at Tampa General Hospital (TGH) serving as the founding director of the neonatal intensive care unit from 1972 to 1987, and the chief of pediatrics at TGH from 1992 to 2001.

During his outstanding career, Dr. Curran expanded his service beyond the university and into the community locally, regionally and nationally. He was one of the core architects and passionate advocates for the Children’s Medical Services program in Florida — creating an exceptional network of pediatric medical specialists across the state to provide care and services for children with chronic conditions.

He was also one of the founders of the nationally award-winning Hillsborough County Health Plan for families that can’t afford traditional insurance coverage. His commitment towards the project for more than 20 years has been critical to the long-term success of the program. To this day, that program continues to provide primary and specialty care to thousands of uninsured individuals every year.

More recently, Dr. Curran co-founded and co-directed the Florida Perinatal Collaborative (FPQC) with William Sappenfield, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Community and Family Health at the USF College of Public Health.  FPQC’s evidence-based statewide initiatives are helping to transform the quality of care for pregnant women and newborns.

L to R: USF leaders of the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative include Linda Detman PhD, Department of Community and Family Health at the Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies; William Sappenfield, MD, MPH, director of the Chiles Center; and Dr. Curran, executive director of the FPQC.

“Dr. Curran’s leadership was instrumental in convening stakeholders in 2010 to agree to the establishment of FPQC — facilitating cooperation across maternal and infant health disciplines with a history of working in silos,” said Dr. Sappenfield. “Under his direction, the FPQC has worked with hospitals and health care providers across the state to reduce early elective deliveries, respond to obstetric hemorrhage and severe new-onset hypertension, reduce neonatal catheter associated blood stream infections, improve teamwork and delivery room processes during the first hour of life for very low birth weight and premature infants and increase the feeding of mother’s own milk to very low birth weight infants. Dr. Curran is passionate about improving the quality and safety of health care and he really set the course for the FPQC.  Simply put, the FPQC, and its success in improving the quality of health care for Florida’s mothers and infants, would not exist without him.”

Dr. Curran received numerous awards during his career. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from USF for his service and devotion to USF and the entire Tampa Bay community. He also received the Abraham Jacobi Award from the American Medical Association, the Lifetime Healthcare Hero Award, the Lawton Chiles Perinatal Award from the March of Dimes, and the Frederick A. Reddy, M.D. Memorial Award from the Hillsborough County Medical Association.

“Dr. Curran’s enthusiastic service has directly benefited our nation’s children by facilitating the development of legislation and programs that have improved pediatric health care delivery,” Dr. Lockwood said. “I am immensely grateful to Dr. Curran and his service. His legacy will be carried on by many USF medical students, residents and faculty who have benefitted from his compassionate leadership, wisdom and encouragement.”

Prior to joining USF, Dr. Curran served in the U.S. Air Force as a physician and chief of newborn services at the USAF hospital in Wiesbaden, West Germany. He entered the military reserves in 1972, but rejoined active duty during the Gulf War in the early 1990s. Dr. Curran achieved emeritus status from the Society of Air Force Flight Surgeons — receiving two Air Force Outstanding Medical Mobilization Augmentee awards. He retired as a full colonel in 1992 after 26 years of service.

Dr. Curran speaks after receiving recognition from Florida legislature for his work in 2007.

There is no doubt, Dr. Curran is a trailblazer and a champion of USF and USF Health. His legacy has impacted generations and will continue to transcend for many years and decades to come.

To celebrate his outstanding career and thank him for his tireless service, USF Health will hold a Dr. John S. Curran building designation ceremony with faculty, staff, leaders and friends at 3 p.m., Thursday, June 29 in the Children’s Medical Services (CMS) lobby, followed by a reception in the USF Health rotunda. In case of rain, the festivities will be held in the USF Health rotunda.

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2019 gathered for its student clinician ceremony at USF’s Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) on June 9. The ceremony marks the students’ official transition from the classroom into clinical training, and the halfway point of their journey to become medical doctors.

Members of the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s class of 2019 have officially reached the halfway point of their medical school journey.

The students celebrated the milestone during a student clinician ceremony on Friday, June 9, at USF’s Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) in downtown Tampa.

“Today’s ceremony signifies the importance of trust, accountability, collaboration and communication in doing the job,” said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, USF Health senior vice president and Morsani College of Medicine dean.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, USF Health senior vice president and Morsani College of Medicine dean, speaks during the class of 2019’s student clinician ceremony.

During the ceremony, students honored five teaching residents with Humanism and Excellence in Teaching awards. Receiving the honor were:

Tanner Wright, MD – general surgery

Adam Fusick, MD – psychiatry and neurology

James Lee, MD – maternal newborn/inpatient pediatrics

Jacqueline Young, MD – internal medicine

Bailee Oliff, MD – general surgery

At the conclusion of the ceremony, students recited the Oath of Commitment, reaffirming their vows as medical students.

To conclude the student clinician ceremony, members of the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s class of 2019 recite the Oath of Commitment, reaffirming their oath as medical students.

“It’s very exciting to know that we’ve already gone through so much and we only have a little bit more to go,” said Catherine Divingian, a third-year medical student at MCOM.  “We’re learning how to function more as physicians and learning where we fit in as working members of the medical team.  I’m excited for what the future brings.”

Photos by Ryan Noone

The Charter Class of the USF Health Physician Assistant (PA) program made their commitment to the profession during the inaugural White Coat Ceremony on May 26 at the USF Gibbons Alumni Center.

During the event, the Class of 2019 took the oath and received their first white coats in front of friends, family, guests and USF Health leaders – marking the beginning of a remarkable journey into the PA program at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

The Charter Class of the USF Health Physician Assistant (PA) Program.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, welcomed the PA inaugural cohort and congratulated them for entering into one of the fastest growing careers in medicine.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, speaks to students and attendees at the inaugural PA white coat ceremony.

“We’re delighted to have assembled our first-ever group of compassionate and brilliant PA candidates,” Dr. Lockwood said. “This future belongs to you and it all starts here today. The white coat you will receive is not only a uniform, not only a marker for the beginning of your course as a physician assistant, but a well-recognized symbol of trust and understanding – a commitment to provide great patient care, and also to accept great personal responsibility.”

Dr. Lockwood also recognized donors for their continuous support and contribution to the USF Health PA program, and who sponsored 100 percent of the white coats for this Class of 2019.

“Thank you to all the people who generously donated to our White Coat PA Scholarship fund and are supporting the PA students’ academic success,” Dr. Lockwood said.

The USF Health PA Program was established to help meet the growing demand for health care providers, especially those in primary care. The 30 students in the charter class were chosen from more than 1,500 applicants (50 to 1 ratio, or 2 percent). Students officially began classes on May 8.

“It’s incredible to be one of the few select students to be part of the Charter Class of 2019,” said Katherine Lucas, PA student. “USF Health is a reputable institution and well-known in the community, so to be part of this program is a really special feeling.”

During the inaugural ceremony, Todd Wills, MD, assistant dean and program director for the USF Health Physician Assistant Program, discussed the importance of the white coat and its significance as a sign of respect and compassion between patients and clinicians.

Todd Wills, MD, assistant dean and program director for the USF Health Physician Assistant Program, discusses the importance of the white coat and its significance for PA students.

“Today, you become our colleagues as we share a high interest in the well-being of our patients and the health of our community,” Dr. Wills said. “Your journey to get here has been long, and the journey ahead will be even longer. But with the support of USF Health faculty, staff, leaders and peers, this will be the beginning of an outstanding career and a day to be remembered.”

Students then one-by-one walked to the stage to receive the white coat — taking a symbolic step on their journey toward becoming PAs. Along with the white coat, they also received a special white and gold lapel pin, which signifies the students’ commitment to the care and dedication of their future patients. Beaming with pride and excitement, PA student Shivani Shah said the ceremony was an unforgettable moment.

Students receive their white coats.

“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for a very long time,” Shah said. “It will be a tough two years, but today pushes us to work hard and commit to the wonderful journey of becoming physician assistants.”

Before the end came for the ceremony, which was in part sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, students recited their Physician Assistant Oath, a students’ pledge to follow the highest professional code of ethics and always make the patients’ health, safety and privacy their highest priority.

PA students recite their Physician Assistant Oath.

“Your job here at USF and going forward is not only to become a great physician assistant, but also to grow as a person who engages in routine self-reflection and one who goes out of your way to establish trust, respect and a sense of belonging among and between all of your unique selves here at USF,” said Gretchen Koehler, PhD, senior associate dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and assistant vice president of USF Health.

Gretchen Koehler, Ph.D. senior associate dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and assistant vice president of USF Health, makes closing remarks.

The Charter Class of 2019 includes:

Story by Vjollca Hysenlika, USF Health Marketing and Communications
Photos by Frederick Coleman, USF Health Marketing and Communications

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They may no longer be considered “endangered,” but Florida’s growing manatee population continues to face various challenges out in the wild. However, the USF College of Public Health is coming to the rescue of these beloved sea creatures, still listed as a “threatened” species.

The USF Health college is training veterinary physicians through innovative research and biostatistical data to help improve the health of manatees and other wildlife.

This is made possible through a Veterinary Public Health Postdoctoral Fellowship created in partnership between USF College of Public Health and Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.

“Public health is about preventing disease in human populations, but it’s extremely exciting to add the animal population to our work,” said Kathleen O’Rourke, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the USF College of Public Health. “In this program, the college works with the zoo to train veterinarians in evidenced-based research and epidemiology to help improve the overall health of animals.”

During the two-year program, students study epidemiology, biostatistics and conduct research for publication, as well as learn health care skills, clinical techniques and hands-on rescue and rehabilitation. They also receive training in indoor air-quality, animal nutrition and other subspecialties.

Melissa Nau, DVM, postdoctoral fellow at USF and full-time veterinarian at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, works together with the Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo veterinarian team to take blood samples from an injured manatee – submitted into the zoo’s manatee critical care center –David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center. The sea mammal has been injured by a boat strike and has a hard time diving.

Melissa Nau, DVM, postdoctoral fellow at USF and full-time veterinarian at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, is one of the first fellows to train through this collaborative program.

“As part of the veterinary team, I help provide rehabilitation and critical care to injured manatees and conduct hands-on research,” said Dr. Nau, who started the program in August 2016. “By working closely with these wild animals and conducting research about them, we help advance the level of medical care that we can provide as well as improve our understanding of wild populations.”

The fellowship, which is funded through Joy McCann Foundation, also provides fellows with a full-time veterinarian position at the Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo – bringing a wealth of knowledge to the zoo veterinarian team. Since this partnership began, the zoo, which cares for more than 1,300 hundred animals, has released more than 70 percent of its patient manatees back into the wild.

(L to R). Ray Ball, DVM, director of medical services at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Dr. Nau and Kathleen O’Rourke, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the USF College of Public Health, at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.

Ray Ball, DVM, director of medical services at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, said the zoo is optimistic about the partnership with USF.  He said he hopes this collaboration will lead to a better understanding of manatees and other animals to help improve their overall health.

“Through this partnership, we’ve conducted a 25-year retrospective epidemiological survey of every manatee that’s come through the hospital,” said Dr. Ball. “From this data, we know why they were admitted, where they were admitted, the age they were admitted, how long they were here, did they survive and where there were released. Looking retrospectively, we can also study the manatees’ obstacles and challenges – looking at blood values, prognostic indications, pregnancy and reproduction rates, as well as help evaluate and predict survivability and discover ways to help them live healthier lives.”

In the last 20 years, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern United States, has received more than 400 manatees for treatment. Dr. Ball said that they now have a strong database they can analyze and from which some solid conclusions can be drawn.

According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are significant improvements among the manatee populations and its habitat, however; they still face many challenges in the wild.

“Manatees continue to deal with natural and man-made challenges,” Dr. Ball said. “Some of the injuries that we see include boat strikes, canal blocks, cold stress, red tide and others. But, we hope that through our efforts and discoveries, we can help make their lives better and safer.”

Dr. Nau, who is receiving two different post-graduate certifications through this program, said she is living her dream through this fellowship.

“I wanted to be a zoo vet since I was a child, so I have my dream job — caring for animals that I love and educating people about them,” Dr. Nau said. “This opportunity is very unique as it allows me to further my education in epidemiology and research. This background is going to be a huge benefit to my career as a zoo veterinarian.”

Story by Vjollca Hysenlika, USF Health Communications and Marketing
Video and Photos by Ryan Noone, USF Communications and Marketing

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=soX8igiEl8k

For Brittany Hay, DNP, nursing runs in the family. The passion to serve is in her blood. It’s in her DNA.

Dr. Hay, instructor at the USF College of Nursing, is one of seven family members to dedicate her life to nursing.

Brittany Hay, DNP, instructor at USF College of Nursing.

“I come from a large family of nurses,” Dr. Hay said. “My grandfather, my father, my mother, my older sister, my twin brother and one of my aunts, are all nurses.”

(L to R). Breton Blair, twin brother, Kim Hanna, sister, Zarah Blair, mother, Ken Blair, father, and Dr. Brittany Hay.

Dr. Hay, who is one of five children, was born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania. Since she was a child, she was surrounded by those who served – so, becoming a nurse was an obvious choice.

This journey started with Dr. Hay’s mother after she became a registered nurse through the Citizens General Hospital diploma program in 1962. Shortly after, her grandfather and father decided to change careers and go to nursing school. Then, the rest of the family members followed.

“My family had a calling to serve, and nursing was the vehicle that helped them get there,” Dr. Hay said. “My grandfather and parents saw a need in the community, and they became nurses to fulfill that need — and help people heal. It was a means to an end.”

Dr. Hay’s grandparents turned their farmhouse into a nursing home to provide health care services to older patients in their small community. Their nursing home is still open today.

Dr. Hay’s grandparents, Charlie and Helena Brown. 

“My siblings and I are proud of my grandparents and parents and what they’ve done for their community,” Dr. Hay said. “They have been our inspiration. That’s why we proudly followed into their footsteps.”

Dr. Hay’s twin brother is a nurse practitioner, and her older sister is an acute care nurse. They each have chosen different paths in the nursing field, but their passion to serve remains the same.

“Even though, we’ve moved to different states and are serving patients in various ways, we still practice the strong, compassionate nursing values, which our parents and grandparents instilled in us.”

Dr. Hay’s parents Ken and Zarah Blair in front of the family’s nursing home. They are both fellows in the American College of Health Care Administrators for their dedication to nursing and the patients they served.

For almost 30 years, Dr. Hay has continued to make her mark in the nursing field as a nurse and nurse practitioner — serving patients in diverse communities in Boston and rural areas of Florida.

Dr. Hay receiving her nursing pin during traditional pinning ceremony at Boston University in 1988.

“Becoming a nurse practitioner has been the honor of my life,” Dr. Hay said. “I find tremendous joy in providing care for patients in rural areas where health care is often out of reach.”

After decades of nursing practice, she decided to join USF in 2015 and teach nursing students. While teaching, she also completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2016 at the USF College of Nursing.

(L to R): USF College of Nursing’s instructors Marcia Johansson, DNP, Deborah Cantero, DNP, Dr. Hay and Rebecca Lutz, DNP, during their DNP commencement ceremony in Dec. 2016.

“I’m happy to pass on my passion for nursing to my students,” Dr. Hay said. “It’s been exciting to give them the knowledge and the tools in the areas of quality improvement, leadership, and role development to be successful in their own careers.”

Dr. Hay, who is married with two children, is also passing her passion for health care to her children. Her son is a pre-medical student at the University of Central of Florida with the goal to one day attend medical school.

“My mom inspired me to consider health care as a career,” said Jordan Hay, Dr. Hay’s son. “Seeing her improve patients’ lives every day, allowed me to think about those possibilities. I’m hoping that one day I will also join my mom, my grandparents, my aunt and uncle, and be a part of this amazing journey.”

Story and video by Vjollca Hysenlika, USF Health Communications and Marketing.
Most photos provided by Dr. Brittany Hay.