USF Connect – Student Innovation Incubator Orientation.

Two students in the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy (TCOP) launched a company that may have the newest innovation in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, and their work opened the way for acceptance to USF Connect, the university’s premier technology and design incubator.  

TCOP pharmaceutical doctoral students Siegrid Pregartner and Laura Borgerding founded Janus AI (Artificial Intelligence), which designed a tool that aims to aid in the early detection of Alzheimer’s using AI technology.

The goal of their company is to give patients with Alzheimer’s disease the opportunity to take control of their lives and make the best healthcare decisions they can before the disease progresses too far.

“There are treatments coming out every single month for Alzheimer’s disease and the amount of money for research increases every single year but, we still do not have a way to know who does and who does not have the disease before symptom onset. Our tool will be able to diagnose patients for when more effective treatments come out to give people extra years to their lives when they are comfortable and in control,” said Pregartner.

USF Connect – The Business Incubator Program.

Recently, their health care startup company won first place and $15,000 at the Florida Blue Health Innovative Challenge, and has been accepted into USF Connects cohort.

“Winning the challenge will not only help us to develop our business but, also it made us realize that this could be a genuine business that could change lives,” Pregartner said.

Students who join a cohort through the USF Connect Incubator will be able to gain access to an abundance of resources such as business experts, legal, and investors. That will assist them in growing their business, concept, and product.

“USF Connect is going to help build a cohesive model and connect us with mentors that will help us with the implementation of our prototype and how to move forward as a business,” Borgerding said.

By utilizing their artificial intelligence tool, they could also contribute to further research and prove that certain drugs have a preventative effect on Alzheimer’s.

“Having the dean and our professors support us from the start at The USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy, has been more than them just doing their job… that is them caring about our future and I think that has been the most important factor in our success,” Borgerding said.

(Left to right): Siegrid Pregartner and Laura Borgerding

Story and photos by Ryan Rossy, USF Health Communications and Marketing 

The Healthcare Imaginarium for Exponential Technologies, or HIETs is the brainchild of visionary College of Pharmacy Dean Kevin Sneed

Kevin Sneed, PharmD, (standing right) dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, spoke about how exciting new technologies would be integrated into the college’s currriculum starting this fall.

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2018) — USF Health’s Pharmacy Dean Kevin Sneed, PharmD, announced this week several key initiatives intended to integrate advanced technologies into the student curriculum and to keep the college at the cutting-edge of innovation in education, research and patient care. He spoke Feb. 20 to a gathering of business and community leaders, as well as students, faculty and staff.

“We want our USF College of Pharmacy to remain relevant not only today, but for the next 25 years,” Dr. Sneed said.  “Right from the beginning, our mission has been to revolutionize health through innovation and empowerment… Now is the time to reimagine what education will be moving into the future.”

The initiatives are part of a newly created Healthcare Imaginarium for Exponential Technologies or HIETs.   They include the introduction in fall 2018 of virtual reality content to supplement existing curriculum and help make the learning experiences of USF pharmacy students more immersive and life-like than textbooks, online content and traditional videos.

Many of those gathered used mobile device technology to record the event.

Students will put on special eyewear to view computer-generated images they could interact with. So for instance, they might experience in 360-degree, three-dimensional context the growth of plaques in coronary arteries and what happens when a stent is inserted to clear a clogged artery.  In yet-to-be-developed ways, virtual reality technology may also seamlessly combine pharmacology with physiology to simulate the effects of treatment. For example, students could visualize in real-time the action on smooth muscle airways when a bronchodilator drug is inhaled by an asthma patient. Such advanced technology could also be harnessed by health professionals as a more engaging way to educate patients about their diagnoses and care, Dr. Sneed said.

The College of Pharmacy plans to work with MediaLab 3D Solutions, a Tampa-based digital content creator, and BioLucid, a digital health company recently acquired by Sharecare, to develop a combination of virtual, augmented and mixed reality content.

USF pharmacy student Natalie Dehaney demonstrates how virtual reality technology allows students to visualize what happens inside the body when a patient experiences atrial fibrillation. She can trigger and replay the simulation of electrical conduction in the heart. 

MediaLab CEO Bruce VanWingerden said the project will be the first time the company, which works with major corporations, has ventured into academia. “This is an exciting opportunity to work with Dr. Sneed and his staff to really look at different ways to present in a new and exciting fashion information that can be difficult to convey,” VanWingerden said. “We want to take all the innovative technology and make it easy to use to further the educational process.”

Laysa Mena, a student delegate for the College of Pharmacy, describes herself as a “visual learner” who absorbs more by seeing than reading. “So I feel implementing virtual reality with our curriculum would be very beneficial and give us a better appreciation of how drugs work in the body,” she said.

Dr. Sneed announced a key initiative known as the Botanical Medicinal Research Consortium, which will team USF researchers and clinicians with local companies to conduct evidence-based  clinical research on whether non-euphoric forms of cannabis may benefit patients with certain diseases.

Another key initiative, known as the Botanical Medicinal Research Consortium, or BMRC, will bring together researchers and clinicians in USF’s colleges of pharmacy and medicine, the university’s Center for Drug Discovery & Innovation, and businesses in Tampa Bay and beyond to conduct rigorous studies on the safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis and other plant derivatives.

Many unanswered questions remain about the potential of cannabinoids, the active chemical found in the plant and elsewhere, to treat various diseases or conditions like chronic pain. The USF College of Pharmacy wants to take the lead in conducting top-quality research on medical cannabis and find the correct noneuphoric formulations that may benefit patients and their overall health, Dr. Sneed said.

Mark Kindy, PhD (left), professor of pharmaceutical sciences, is the College of Pharmacy’s liaison for the Botanical Medicinal Research Consortium, and Kevin Olson, PharmD, MBA, assistant professor of biopharmaceutics and clinical research, is the liaison for the Entreprenerial Academy, a collaboration with the Muma College of Business. 

“Plant-derived compounds are the future of medicine, and we’re looking forward to collaborating with the University of South Florida in this area,” said Garyn Angel, chief strategy officer for ANANDA Scientific, a company that produces nonpsychoactive and nonabusive oral cannabinoid health products. “Evidence-based clinical research is needed for cannabinoids to enter Western medicine.”

Dr. Sneed also announced that the BMRC would collaborate with the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, one of the first academic programs dedicated to investigating cannabis to lead public policy and public health decisions.

Other HIETs initiatives include:

• With the College of Engineering, USF Pharmacy will work to advance personalized medicine that tailors therapy based on an individual’s genetic makeup. As the technology of medicine and drug development continues to shrink down to the nanoscale, USF has also started a Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology master’s program to teach students how to deliver medications in new, more precise ways.

• The College of Pharmacy will join forces with the Muma College of Business to create an Entrepreneurial Academy that inspires innovation and start-up companies.  The aim is to help pharmacists think like entrepreneurs so they can better enhance heath care outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

• Clinical trials: Through its WE-CARE program (Workgroup Enhancing Community Advocacy and Research Engagement), the College of Pharmacy partners with key stakeholders to increase participation of minority and medically underserved populations in clinical trials.  The program seeks to ensure that all communities have access to genomic clinical research as technology advances.

-Photos by Torie Doll, USF Health Communications and Marketing

USF’s Master’s in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology program celebrating its first graduating class

A scanning electron microscope image of nanoparticles that have been optimized for drug delivery.

As the technology of medicine and drug development and delivery continues to shrink down to the nanoscale, students at the University of South Florida College of Pharmacy are prepared to be leaders in this cutting-edge field.

USF’s Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology master’s program is graduating its first class of students at the Fall 2017 Commencement ceremony on Dec. 9. It’s a major milestone for the College of Pharmacy and the program’s director and associate dean, Shyam Mohapatra, PhD, a leader in this rapidly expanding field that combines the science of nanotechnology with direct medical applications.

“The developments we are making in this area are going to help millions of patients,” said Dr. Mohapatra, a distinguished health professor in the College’s Department of Pharmaceutical Science and director of the Center for Research and Education in Nanobioengineering at the Morsani College of Medicine. “It’s exciting to be able to do this research but also to prepare the future scientists who will make world-changing breakthroughs.”

The program enrolled its first student, Kathleen Halasz, in January 2015. Three others, Shannon Kelly, Robert Stearns and Tori Bedell, soon joined to form the inaugural class in the fall of 2015. Now, just two years later, over two-dozen graduate students are working toward this degree with 10 more set to begin classes in spring 2018.

For this first graduating class, commencement marks the culmination of years of hard work but also just the start of careers they hope will lead to lifesaving innovations.

“This is a very unique and specific area,” said Halasz. “But, the future of medicine is really headed in this direction. The impact that nanomedicine will have on society is very important, so it’s exciting to be part of this field.”

From left, Kathleen Halasz and Shannon Kelly are the first Nanotech graduate students from the USF Health College of Pharmacy to receive MS degree. Not pictured are Robert Stearns and Tori Bedell.

According to the National Nanotechnology Initiative, the field is defined as science, engineering and technology conducted at the nanoscale – about one to 100 nanometers. For reference, a human hair is well outside this range, measuring approximately 80,000 – 100,000 nanometers wide. The work of nanotechnology takes place at the atomic and subatomic levels, with researchers exploring ways to see and control individual atoms and molecules.

While the theory of nanotechnology began in a physics laboratory in the late 1950s, the applied use of the science in the medical field is still in its teenage years. USF’s Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology trains students to understand these nanoscopic concepts and looks at conventional treatments for a variety of diseases through the lens of nanotechnology as a mechanism to improve them.

“Nanotechnology allows for a targeted delivery of medications with decreased toxicity and decreased side effects,” explained Halasz. “Basically, it makes medicine more localized.”

One area seeing exciting developments using nanotechnology is in the treatment of cancers. Researchers at USF and around the world are working to design nanoparticles capable of delivering medication directly to diseased cells, giving doctors the ability to treat this deadly disease while sparing patients many of the debilitating side effects traditionally associated with cancer treatments. Mohapatra says it’s these types of applications that make the technology and this degree program so crucial.

“Nanotechnology is giving us the tools to build better medications,” he said. “So, by giving students an interdisciplinary education in the field, we can really make a lasting impact on the world.”

Dr. Mohapatra, along with the rest of the staff, designed the program to be accessible to as many students as possible. Courses can be taken entirely online or face-to-face in classrooms, and three academic tracks give students the ability to focus their work in the area that best fits their interests.

The program’s first four graduates are all currently applying and interviewing for positions in industry, with several also considering furthering their academic careers through PhD programs.

To learn more about the USF College of Pharmacy’s Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology program, click here.

-Story by Aaron Hilf, University Communications and Marketing, and photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Communications

For some students, choosing a major can be a difficult decision. However, an event hosted by USF Health from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at the USF Marshall Student Center, could help make their decision a lot easier.

USF Health’s Shared Student Services, in partnership with Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), is hosting a symposium for undergraduate students to learn about different health professions and explore the array of programs offered at USF Health.

A USF Health student poses with USF mascot Rocky D. Bull at the 2016 USF Health Shared Student Services symposium.

“The health care symposium showcases our nationally ranked academic programs to prospective students,” said Joe Ford, assistant vice president for USF Health Shared Student Services. “This also highlights USF Health and our mission of making life better for patients and the community through top-quality education, research and clinical practice.”

Guest speaker Donna Petersen, ScD, CPH, senior associate vice president of USF Health, dean of the USF College of Public Health and interim dean of the USF College of Nursing, will discuss career opportunities in health care and how USF adapts its programs to align with the ever-changing health care field.

Advisors from all USF Health colleges will be there to answer questions about different programs offered at the Morsani College of Medicine, College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, and School of Biomedical Sciences.

The event, which includes a photo booth, breakfast and lunch, will be free to students.

To register, click here.

To read WUSF‘s news report on the symposium, click here.

Tampa, FL (Oct. 6, 2016) – Global biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb has made the largest single scholarship gift yet to the USF College of Pharmacy, funding two years of full tuition for a student specializing in research and development.

“We are delighted to receive such a generous gift from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company,” said Kevin Sneed, PharmD, dean of the USF College of Pharmacy. “The company’s focus on the application of big data and informatics perfectly aligns with our college’s strategic initiatives. We are all committed to being leaders in the digital transformation of health care, and our appreciation for the support received from Bristol-Myers Squibb will propel our goal of creating health care leaders of the future.”

The $40,000 gift represents the largest single scholarship gift to date for the young pharmacy college, which received full accreditation in 2015.

USF College of Pharmacy student Christopher Konig, recipient of the Bristol-Myers Squibb scholarship.

“We are proud to partner with USF to help develop the incredible talents of today’s students,“ said Lee Evans, general manager of Bristol-Myers Squibb Tampa. “We believe that investing in the best minds of today will help us to discover, develop and deliver more transformational medicines in the future for patients facing serious disease.”

Third-year USF pharmacy student Christopher Konig will receive the Bristol-Myers Squibb scholarship. Described by Dr. Sneed as “the ideal future clinical pharmacist” to receive the scholarship, Konig is a dual-degree student in USF’s MBA program in health care analytics at the Kate Tiedemann College of Business, president of the USF’s chapter of the National Community Pharmacists Association, and informatics chair for the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy chapter.

“I am deeply humbled by Bristol-Myers Squibb’s generous support and profoundly thankful for their strong faith in me,” said Konig, who earned his bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences with honors from USF in 2014. “Through the innovative use of data analytics and business intelligence, together we can collaborate to revolutionize clinical practice and improve the quality of life for our patients.”

Media contact:
Davina Gould, USF Health Development and Alumni Relations
(813) 974-6071, or dlgould@health.usf.edu

Members of the USF College of Pharmacy Class of 2020 marked their entry into the profession at the sixth annual White Coat Ceremony Sept. 16 in the Marshall Student Center ballroom. The 101 new Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students pledged their commitment to integrity, ethical behavior and honor that are hallmarks of the pharmacy profession.

“Receipt of your first white coat is a very personal and special occasion, although the white coat does not contain any magical powers, one cannot help but feel difference once cloaked,” said Amy Schwartz, PharmD, associate dean of academic affairs at the USF College of Pharmacy, who began the ceremony reminding students of the qualities a white coat symbolizes.

“The coat provides a sense of confidence and immediate awareness of the associated professional obligations, responsibility and accountability. Each student has made it to this day following different paths. However, hard work, motivation and passion unites them as a class.”

Edmund Funai, MD, chief operating officer and vice president for administration for USF Health and vice president for strategic development for the USF System, praised the incoming class.

“This class was chosen from a robust pool of applicants who garnered high scores on their PCAT exams and one of the highest GPA’s of any incoming class,” Dr. Funai said. “We started out with a talented class and I’m confident they will excel in the next phase of their professional journey. Today’s ceremony represents the first step in becoming a pharmacists, I personally think that these white coats do have a little magic.”

Dr. Edmund Funai, chief operating officer for USF Health and vice president for strategic development for the USF System, addresses the new class. (Photo by Anna Mayor)

The students were also welcomed into their new profession by leading representatives of all four USF Health Colleges:  Bryan Bognar, MD, vice dean of educational affairs for the Morsani College of Medicine; William Quillen, PT, DPT, PhD, FACSM, senior associate dean for the Morsani College of Medicine and director of the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and Donna Petersen, ScD, CPH, senior associate vice president for USF Health, dean of the College of Public Health and interim dean of the College of Nursing.

The consensus from the representatives was that together we can all improve health care, and that if any student needed help they do not have to go far.

Dr. Kevin Sneed, dean of the USF College of Pharmacy

Kevin Sneed, PharmD, senior associate vice president for USF Health and dean of the College of Pharmacy, opened up his welcome with a story about his extraordinary week helping a patient. He stressed the importance of patient-centered care.

“I’m encouraging all of you that no matter what you do we must do better,” Dr. Sneed said. “We all have an obligation to do better for our patients. We must have more advocacy, more influence and more technological advances to make sure that we are doing everything for that patient and the millions like them.”

Sharing the significance of the doctor of pharmacy degree, he said, “When you get a clinical doctoral degree or any doctoral degree across the world, it’s unlike any other degree you will obtain. When you get a bachelor’s degree we say, ‘Good luck’; when you get you master’s degree we say, ‘Do well’; but when you get your doctoral degree we say, ‘Welcome’.”

Dr. Sneed then recognized pharmacy student Christopher Konig, Class of 2018, for being named the first ever recipient of the Bristol Myers Squibb USF College of Pharmacy Scholar award. Not only will Konig be able to interact with Bristol Myers Squibb for the next two years, the scholarship he will receive will also pay for all of his tuition for his remaining time at the USF College of Pharmacy.

Bristol Myers Squibb USF College of Pharmacy Scholar Christopher Konig.

As keynote speaker, Chris Christopoulos, PharmD, health care supervisor at Walgreens Boots Alliance, shared with the students a theme that had resonated with him – responsibility.

“For each one of you who sits here today, there are at least five or six others who didn’t make it,” said Dr. Christopoulos. “So that in it of itself brings an awesome responsibility. There is a level of respect that comes with that white coat because it represents all that you have achieved, but it also represents the responsibility you have to make the most of this opportunity.”

In his final sentiment, Dr. Christopoulos said, “You represent a sense of hope and it is our hope that you will do more, that you will carry the torch further than we were able to.”

Keynote Speaker Dr. Chris Christopoulos.

After presenting Dr. Christopoulos with the College’s traditional keynote speaker award, Dr. Sneed used his cell phone to snap a selfies with Dr. Christopoulos and the students.

Dr. Sneed and Dr. Christopoulos taking the traditional selfie.

Following the keynote address, Heather Petrelli, MA, PhD, assistant professor and associate dean of clinical affairs at the College of Pharmacy, gave an account of a conversation she had with the students before the ceremony.

“We always put a challenge to the students, who are you going to be?” Dr. Petrelli said. “Now is your opportunity to develop how you’re going to represent yourself in the profession of pharmacy in the future. And then a student, Brittany Smith, raised her hand and said to me that the students have already given this some thought; they are the class of 2020 and they have perfect vision for the future.”

Each student was then helped by College of Pharmacy faculty as they put on their own white coat, which included their name embroidered on the front and a note from its donor in the pocket.

In conclusion of the ceremony, Angela M. Hill, PharmD, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research and associate dean of Clinical Affairs for the USF College of Pharmacy, led the Class of 2020 as they took the Oath of Professionalism. Together, they pledged their commitment to integrity, ethical behavior and honor that are hallmarks of the pharmacy profession.

The USF Pharmacy Class of 2020 contains an array of outstanding and bright students; here are some of their stories.

Ruxandra Ivascu

Ruxandra Ivascu: As the Class of 2020’s newly elected president, Ivascu hopes to unite her fellow colleagues into the exuberant group of visionaries that they are. She is all already envisioning a plethora of innovative ways to advance their profession into the future and believes that they are just the right individuals to take on this challenge. Ivascu attended USF from 2006-2007 during which she switched from a MBA path to journalism. She later returned to school in 2013 after starting her own small business in order to pursue entering into the PharmD program at USF.

What interests Ivascu most about pharmacy is the direction in which it is heading; more specifically, the field of pharmacogenomics and nanotechnology. She believes that we are at the horizon of some incredible medical discoveries that will change the course of medicine, health care, and human longevity. Her future aspirations are currently fairly varied. As much as she would love to delve into research she would be as delighted to work in a clinical setting as well. Ivascu wants to remain open to new opportunities that may peak her interest over the next few years as well, as there is much to learn.

Hayato Delellis.

Hayato Delellis: Delellis earned his bachelor’s of science degree at USF in biomedical science.  What interests him the most about pharmacy is the idea of how readily pharmacists are able to supply information to individuals. He has always held a soft spot for children and is interested in working as a pediatric pharmacist. It makes Delellis feel truly appreciated to be welcomed in this pharmacy program that holds students to such a high standard. Receiving the white coat to him not only shows a more tangible sign of how hard, not only he, but all of his classmates had to work to be here today. It is also a reminder of the responsibility that goes into being a clinician and the start of reaching a long-held goal.

Rachel Fanti

Rachel Fanti: Fanti completed her undergraduate education at USF earning a bachelor’s of science degree in microbiology. She is interested in pharmacy’s vast diversity and believes that pharmacy is not only a science based of drug action and physiology, but also a discipline centered on clinical practice and patient care. Fanti will begin practicing at the Boys and Girls club next semester, and feels that is important to take on this professional role early in the program. She appreciates that the USF College of Pharmacy provides its students with such opportunities at the start of pharmacy school and is excited to begin her transition into the role of a clinician.

Story by Caitlin Keough, USF College of Public Health

Photos by Ryan Noone, USF College of Nursing

USF Health leadership cut the ribbon to mark the grand opening of the WELL Phase II.

The new community space at the USF Health WELL is now open for business, offering a new dining facility, The Table at Four Corners, among other beneficial additions for interdisciplinary student and faculty use.

In grand USF style, the ribbon-cutting ceremony included USF Health leadership and excited students thrilled to have the long awaited space, part of Phase II of the total project. Everything from the choice of food to the selection of the furniture came from student input and ideas.

“This is a space for students to gather together, to nurture and support one another, located in the heart of the USF Health campus,” said Joe Ford, assistant vice president for USF Health Shared Student Services. Ford and colleagues worked tirelessly alongside student leaders to bring the concept of the community space to fruition.

Joe Ford, assistant vice president for USF Health Shared Student Services, kicked off the grand opening celebration.

“This is really a day to celebrate USF Health,” said Charles Lockwood, MD, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “The WELL is the glue that brings all the different student groups together to create a culture of connectivity and wellness.”

Charles Lockwood, MD, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, shared his excitement for the new facility.

The expansion not only includes a new dining area for students, but also a patio area, study rooms, a serenity room and a lactation room. The WELL has over 12,000 square feet of indoor space and 3,000 square feet of landscaped patio space to accommodate students and faculty.

Former Advisory Board student member and USF alum, Ruan Cox, PhD, describes the WELL as “a shared space that impacts all disciplines.” Cox was part of the initial planning of the WELL through the Student Advisory Board and emphasized that student ideas really do impact the growth and development of USF Health as a whole. “This space was designed by us and for us,” Cox said.

University of South Florida College of Nursing student Cecelia Ferguson shared her excitement about the dining options available at The Table at Four Corners, a name decided on through a naming contest to represent the four USF Health Colleges coming together over a meal at the new WELL space. “The selection of The Rising Roll Gourmet Café is the result of a student taste-off last year,” Ferguson said. “This café will provide healthy food options, such as vegan and vegetarian offerings, which is really great for healthy food choices.”

USF Health students Nathanael Stanley, Cecelia Ferguson, Rocky the Bull, Lauren Terpak, Reema Rifaie, Stephen Brock and USF Alum Ruan Cox, PhD, shared what the WELL means for students.

Rising Roll Gourmet is part of the newly expanded dining area that also includes a Central Market convenience store. Both locations will be housed within The Table at Four Corners.“We are honored to be a part of the food service offering at USF and appreciate their commitment to fresh gourmet food. We look forward to serving the students, faculty, and staff,” said Mike Lassiter, president of the Rising Roll Franchising Company.

Starting Monday, Rising Roll Gourmet will be open  7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Central Market hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

The WELL phase II expansion has attained Gold LEED certification status, incorporating sustainable options wherever possible. The design favors green and gold accents to complement USF colors and has lots of details to remind students to “Be well, live well and eat well.”

Morsani College of Medicine student Lauren Terpak was involved in the initial grand opening of phase I of The WELL, and was particularly pleased with the Leadership and Learning Room that will be available to students.“The name says it all,” Terpak said. “It’s a place for greatness, where ideas, collaborations between disciplines, and new friendships continue to shape health care, starting now in our USF community and beyond.”

The next part of the project, Phase III, is expected to bring a fitness center, set to open in Spring 2017, and an additional 12,600 square feet of space that is still being planned by Shared Student Services.

School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences student Stephen Brock is encouraged by the new fitness facility being developed. “The fitness center at the WELL is going to be a central addition to the USF Health community, “ Brock said. “With a myriad of exercise modalities offering, spanning from group classes to state-of-the-art equipment, this facility can meet a majority of health and fitness needs.”

College of Pharmacy student Reema Rifaie shared the importance of adding the Serenity Room, a space to promote overall student wellness. “The serenity room offers students a place to pray, meditate or simply seek a quiet moment in the midst of all the challenges they may face with academics and busy schedules.”

USF College of Public Health student Nathanael Stanley shared his excitement about the sense of community that the dining facility will bring for students at USF Health. “I have to admit I’m excited about the new dining center,” Stanley said. “I love food. I also understand its significance to society. Food is a method of celebration. It brings people together.”

The interdisciplinary collaboration and sense of community of a shared space for USF students and faculty is the main theme of the USF Health WELL, and now, with this official opening, let the connectivity and positivity of the environment bring on that sense of togetherness. Let the good times roll!

USF Health community gathered on the new patio space to celebrate the opening of the WELL’s phase II

Photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications

USF Health welcomed more than 1,400 incoming students to its colleges and programs, a total that reflects record-setting up-tics in several areas. As these new students get their bearings on their first day, here’s a glimpse of their Class stats.

College of Public Health

The USF College of Public Health welcomed more new graduate students this year than last year, and its largest incoming class for its DrPH program in its history.

The COPH lobby is filled with new faces as classes for Fall 2016 begins. Photo by Natalie Preston-Washington. 

College of Pharmacy

As the USF College of Pharmacy welcomed it sixth group of freshman in its short history, its reputation among applicants is growing strong. The College maintained its number of applications this year, while the national trend has seen a decrease in applications to the PharmD programs. In addition, students applying to the USF College of Pharmacy are a more robust pool of applicants, with average PCAT scores and GPAs have increased for this incoming class. Topping of this College’s firsts is the fact that, for the first time, more females were admitted than males; previous years were evenly split.

Total new students: 97 students

Age: Average age is 23, age range is 20 to 44

Gender: 70% Women 30% Men

Dean Kevin Sneed gives a Go Bulls! with the new students in Pharmacy’s Class of 2020. Photo by Katy Hennig.

Morsani College of Medicine

MD Program

The Class of 2020 for MCOM’s MD program is the largest class in the school’s history and the strongest group academically to enter the college, averaging a record 34 on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) exam, the highest of all Florida public universities and a score that places MCOM above the 90th percentile for all students taking the exam nationwide. In addition, this group represents the 183 students who were culled from more than 6,100 applications and successfully admitted to MCOM, also a record number.

Total new students: 183

Gender: 45% Women 55% Men

The MCOM MD Program Class of 2020 had its reception at the Tampa Museum of Art. Photo by Eric Younghans.

Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs

In total, there are 377 new students to the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs who were chosen among 1,433 interested applications.

MCOM PhD Program

The PhD program welcomed 16 new students this fall, five of whom are international.

Gender: 50% Women 50% Men

Dr. Eric Bennett welcomes the 16 new MCOM PhD Program students. Photo by Eric Younghans.

16 PhD students include: Mariana Burgos Angulo, Cory Diemler, Andie Dodge (not pictured), Eric Haas, Alexandra Jenkins, Nicholas Johnson, Michael Kemp, Roukiah Khalil, Andrew McGill, Zeinab Motawe (not pictured), Austin Nenninger, Courtney Penn, Michael Sacco, Meena Subhashini Subbarayan, Jianxiang Xue,and Jiajia Yang.

MCOM Master’s Program

The MCOM Master’s in Medical Sciences program offers two tracks: a research track for those who want to pursue a career in research or enter into a biomedical sciences PhD program, and a pre-professional track for those seeking admission in a health professional school.

This year, there are 361 incoming master’s students.

In the pre-professional track, there are 209 new students, the largest group in the program’s history. Their average GPA was 3.35 and their average MCAT score was a 27 on the old scale and 501 on the new scale.

In the research track, there are 152 new students. Their average GPA was 3.29 and their average MCAT was a 23 (old scale) and 495 (new scale).

Dr. Michael Barber greets incoming Master’s student Juanita Patterson-Price to the Pre-Professional Master’s Program. Photo by Eric Younghans.

School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

The School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences welcomed its Class of 2019 to its Doctor of Physical Therapy program, a group chosen from among a record number 1,493 applicants for 48 positions. With a 3% chance of getting in to the USF DPT program, this group is the School’s most selective class ever. This group also beats national averages for GPA for those entering into DPT programs.

Total new students: 48

Gender: 66.7% Women          33.3% Men

Average Overall GPA: 3.70 (national avg. is 3.5)

Dean Sandy Quillen greets new DPT students at the School of Physical Therapy Orientation. Photo by Eric Younghans.

College of Nursing

The College of Nursing is having a strong start: This new academic year, the nursing school had more than 1,400 undergraduate applicants, with about 600 of those applying for the upper division sequence, the highest number in years. This semester, the College of Nursing also admitted the highest number of CRNA students since the program opened in 2006, admitting a total of 50 applicants. In addition, the College has seen an increase in graduate degree admissions, totaling 250 graduate students – with 60 of those pursuing doctoral degrees.

College of Nursing’s orientation for its CRNA program. Photo by Ryan Noone.

More photos from the College of Nursing orientations: Graduate program, CRNA Program, RN to BSN Program, and Pre-licensure, Upper Division, Second Degree and VCARE.

As USF student athletes commit much of their summer to conditioning training, four students will add internships based in the USF College of Pharmacy to their summer schedules.

The internship program, now in its fourth year and going from May 17 to July 1, is designed to offer qualified student athletes with professional, skill-building experiences they can translate to their future professional endeavors, said Kevin Sneed, PharmD, senior associate vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF College of Pharmacy.

At Pharmacy Plus are, from left, Shalethia Stringfield, Dr. Kevin Sneed, Katelyn Weber and Jaymon Thomas. Not pictured is Kirk Livingstone.

“Our key goal with these internships is to provide learning and mentoring opportunities to student athletes who already display traits for leading and succeeding in science careers,” Dr. Sneed said. “We also want to fill a pipeline between our College and our athletic programs for introducing students to pharmacy in hopes that they pursue their careers in pharmacy with us.”

Dr. Sneed said that, like student groups across USF, the athletic program is full of high-achievers and academically successful students, especially in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

“A student group like athletics is ripe with future scientists and we want to offer opportunities to those who might want a career in health,” Dr. Sneed said. “The key is to make sure these students know about our program and an internship lets them gain an even better glimpse of just how unique our innovative curriculum is.”

This year, four students were accepted as College of Pharmacy interns and will spend this summer conducting research, conducting community health assessments, developing sickle cell education programs, and spending time in the College’s innovative retail pharmacy, Pharmacy Plus.

This year’s interns are Kirk Livingstone (football), Shalethia Stringfield (former basketball), Jaymon Thomas (football) and Katelyn Weber (basketball).

Jaymon Thomas is a rising sophomore at USF and majoring in health sciences. As a safety for the USF Bulls football team, much of his time outside of class is devoted to training. But this summer, he will split time between the gym and the College of Pharmacy.

“A teammate who went through an internship told me about this opportunity and said that I should go for it,” Thomas said. “I’m considering a career in either pharmacy or physical therapy and this internship is helping me take a look at pharmacy, giving me a test run.”

Just a few weeks into the internship, Thomas said he’s had some of his preconceived notions shaken up.

“This is my first time behind the counter of any pharmacy and this one has so many devices helping dispense medicine to patients,” Thomas said. “It’s not what you would think of at all, like counting pills. It’s much more advanced.”

Katelyn Weber plays center for women’s basketball at USF and is a rising senior studying health sciences with a focus nutrition. She is returning to the internship program this summer, after having participated in one last summer.

“I’ve been interested in pharmacy as a career,” Weber said. “And these internships have helped me explore the pharmacy world early. I have an interest in nutrition and was thinking I’d have to choose between nutrition and pharmacy but just recently was told there are great careers as a nutritional pharmacist.”

Alumni from this internship with the USF College of Pharmacy includes Kayvon Webster, who now plays NFL football with the Denver Broncos and is the first USF Bull to play in two Super Bowls.

Photo by Eric Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications

The USF College of Pharmacy continued with firsts as the young school was officially accepted as a chapter of the international Rho Chi Honor Society, and 43 of the School’s students and faculty were inducted as the charter members.

The inaugural members of the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Rho Chi.

Classmates, colleagues and family gathered April 27 to celebrate the landmark moment. The newly formed group, the Epsilon Kappa Chapter, is the 119^th chapter for the national honor society. Since its inception in 1922, the Rho Chi Society has inducted more than 100,000 members into its fellowship. The society’s name is from the Greek letters Rho and Chi that, when juxtaposed a certain way, they form the prescription sign (Rx).

Rho Chi Society is the international academic honor society for pharmaceutical sciences. Induction into membership is reserved to those who distinguish themselves by their academic and professional achievements, said Bradley A. Boucher, PharmD, FCCP, FCCM, Rho Chi Society National President, who officiated the event.

“We are gathered here to install the 119^th chapter into the Rho Chi family,” Dr. Boucher said. “Let me tell how special this evening is for you all. For the students being inducted tonight, you are the charter members – THE charter members – of the University of South Florida College of Pharmacy chapter of the Rho Chi Society. That is very special and I applaud all of your efforts to be here this evening. Your membership confers distinction, but keep this well in mind: no distinction, no honor, no privilege comes to anyone is without added responsibility.”

Dr. Bradley Boucher, presiding national officer and Rho Chi Society National President.

Dr. Boucher went on to share the Society’s mission and vision and what is expected of its chapters and members, saying “the Rho Chi Honor Society encourages and recognizes excellence in intellectual achievement and fosters scholarship among its members, encourages high standards of conduct and character and advocates critical inquiry in all aspects of pharmacy, seeks to achieve universal recognition of its members as lifelong intellectual leaders in pharmacy.”

And for emphasis, he repeated “lifelong intellectual leaders.”

Kevin B. Sneed, PharmD, senior vice presidents for USF Health and founding dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, was among the 10 faculty members who were inducted. He offered this at the closing of the induction ceremony.

Dr. Kevin Sneed was one of 10 faculty inducted into Rho Chi.

“Of all the many firsts for our college, this is one of the most prestigious that our college will ever experience,” Dr. Sneed said. “Congratulations to all of you. By being a part of Rho Chi and being a part of our USF College of Pharmacy, I have every expectation that all of you will go out and be the leaders who change pharmacy moving forward. By being a member of Rho Chi, you’ve been conferred not only a distinction, but a responsibility to take the lead in causing that transformation.”

“We will have a robust opportunity and chapter here at USF College of Pharmacy.”

Dr. Sarah Steinhardt, who was the faculty advisor for the founding executive board, emceed the induction event.

The following students were inducted:

Class of 2015

Luisa Alvarado
Sam Aminov
Frank Fernandez
Morgen Jaeger
Mark LaBossiere
Patrick McKeon II
Alexis Ngo
Tiffany Partney
Rossina Valarezo
Dalia Zall

Class of 2016

Richard Arnold
Jessie Blalock
Lauren Briggs
Ashley Chess
Steven Cindric
Ivonne DelValle
Dianet Gambe
Shauna Hair
Diana Jules
Jose Leon-Burgos
Sullivan Lynch
Thayra Molinary
Benny Yau

Class of 2017

Gabriella Agemy
Sara Anderson
Shannon Blizzard
Ramiek Campbell
Emmanuela Celestin
William Chan
Alex del Cueto
Scott Desmond
Elizabeth D’Esposito
John Donnelly
Sidorela Gllava
Anthony Howell
Erin Kennedy
Andrew Kowalski
Hannah McGrew
Angelia Papa
James Powers
Jonathan Santizo
Andrew Schwartz
Micah Smith
Samantha Tobitt-Carter
Sarah Zoldos

Class of 2018

Kristiann Baluta
Jennifer Caldwell
Nicole Doyle
Cameron Durlacher
Shantel Houston
Saneeya Islam
Bionqua Lynch
Shannon Wright

Faculty inductees included:

John Clark, PharmD, MS
Rachel Franks, PharmD, CDE, BCACP
William Kelly, PharmD
Shyam Mohapatra, PhD, MBA
Radha Patel, PharmD, BCACP
Yashwant Pathak, PhD, MS, MBA
Erini Serag-Bolos, PharmD
Kevin Sneed, PharmD
Katlynd Sunjic, PharmD
Sheeba Varghese Gupta, PhD, MPharm