First published on June 1, 2015 in observance of the COPH’s 30^th anniversary celebration.

It was the evening of May 2.  There was a slight chill in the air as fans gathered in Traditions Hall anxiously awaiting the event of the century.

No, not the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight.  The other event ….

The USF College of Public Health’s Inaugural Alumni Awards Ceremony.

More than 180 supporters of the college traveled from as far as Indonesia to celebrate 28 Bulls with significant impact in public health.  From research to practice to policy to teaching, the awardees have done it all and are doing it exceedingly well.

COPH 2015 alumni awardees

The celebration began with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the ceremony.  The dynamic Dr. Joette Giovinco served as mistress of ceremony for the evening.  She’s the first physician to complete the COPH’s occupational medicine residency program, but is probably best known as Dr. Joe, the medical reporter for Fox News in Tampa.

Dr. Joe shared stories and relics from her days as a graduate student in 1988.  She even dusted off some vintage overhead sheets and her carousel replete with slides!

“We were so fortunate 30 years ago that visionary leaders like Sam Bell and Dr. Robert Hamlin believed that Florida deserved to have a school of public health and created the foundation for the first one in the state at the University of South Florida,” said Dr. Donna J. Petersen, COPH dean and senior associate vice president of USF Health.

“It is only fitting on the occasion of our 30^th anniversary that we recognize some of those alumni who, through their commitment to their profession, improve the health of communities around the world and reflect back so positively on our College of Public Health.”

Nominations were accepted through January.  A selection committee comprised of retired and current faculty, staff, alumni, students and community partners in public health had the arduous task of reviewing dozens of nomination packets.

Each alumni awardee received a stunning silver bull engraved with his or her name.

After dinner, Peggy Defay shared her experiences as a public health graduate student.

“As a first generation immigrant from Haiti,” she said, “higher education in any capacity is a priority for me.”

“I discovered my passion for public health through my experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia.  Through this experience, I gained a better understanding of health issues at the grassroots level.  Being a volunteer in the Peace Corps helped me understand some of my weaknesses and the need to continue training in this field.”

“The past seven years have taken me to various corners of the world where I have been privileged to meet, live and be empowered by many people.  The last two years at the University of South Florida are no exception to that.  And, I can now say that I have once again lived and worked among amazing people!”

Then, it was time for the main event—presentation of the COPH Class of 2015 alumni awardees.  Each alumni award recipient was recognized during the ceremony, and all are listed here.  A few of their stories are included for those who weren’t present to hear them all on May 2.

Tabia Henry Akintobi, PhD, MPH
Director, Prevention Research Center
Director, Evaluation and Institutional Assessment
Associate Professor, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine
Associate Dean, Community Health
Morehouse School of Medicine
Atlanta, Ga.

“As a graduate student, I had the opportunity not just to learn how to conduct research, but how to lead it in partnership with experts who cared,” Dr. Tabia Akintobi said.  “They recognized the importance of students as significant contributors to their research as reflected in the number of co-authored papers and abstracts I had under my belt prior to graduation.”

“Among the wonderful colleagues, mentors and leaders I met during my tenure was the love of my life, professional confidante and partner in good Dr. Adebayo Akindele Akintobi [former student and husband].”

Abdel A. Alli, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiology
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Ga.

Philip T. Amuso, PhD, MS
Consultant
Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Public Health Preparedness

Retired Director
Bureau of Laboratories
Florida Department of Health
Tampa, Fla.

Roy W. Beck, MD, PhD
Executive Director
Jaeb Center for Health Research
Tampa, Fla.

Sherri Berger, MSPH
Chief Operating Officer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, Ga.

“My undergraduate degree was in political science, and I didn’t know exactly what to do with it after graduation,” Sherri Berger said.

Sherri Berger and son Jacob.

“Listening to my mother’s advice to ‘get more education,’ I did what other college kids do, and I followed my boyfriend to Tampa, where he had a job offer.  I was hoping to get a master’s degree in hospital administration.  However, in my first semester at the COPH, I fell in love with epidemiology.”

Arlene Calvo, PhD, MPH
Research Assistant Professor
Depts. of Community and Family Health & Global Health
USF College of Public Health
City of Knowledge, Panama

James R. Chastain, Jr., PhD, PE, MPH
President
Chastain-Skillman, Inc.
Tampa, Fla.

“Having an undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, I found public health a perfect complement to that training,” Dr. James Chastain said.  “While engineering is much more design and nuts-and-bolts execution-oriented, public health was more about the personal impacts and generally a systems-oriented and advocacy approach.  There certainly was a great overlap, but even the way that I had to study was different.  Public health provided fresh perspectives to design problems, and I enjoyed expanding my horizons with my studies.  In a word, public health tended to address the “why” questions, and engineering focused on the “how” questions.  I’ve found that very helpful in my practice.”

The Chastain Family celebrated James accomplishments. James is pictured far left.

“The COPH also was quite progressive at the time in terms of scheduling courses that allowed working professionals to take the courses while working at the same time.”

Chastain managed a company and family with three children while earning his degree.

“The time pressures were intense,” he said, “and would not have been possible without a very understanding and supportive wife.”

Stephen R. Cole, PhD, MPH
Professor of Epidemiology
Gillings School of Global Public Health
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, N.C.

Martha L. Daviglus, MD, PhD
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
Professor of Medicine
Director of the Institute for Minority Health Research
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Ill.

Hanifa M. Denny, PhD, MPH, BSPH
Dean
College of Public Health
Diponegoro University
Semarang, Indonesia

“One day, we were brought to new [medical] student orientation session.  After touring a hospital ward, I was not able to eat or sleep for some days due to seeing a diabetic patient with a severe wound,” Dr. Hanifa Denny recalled.

“I asked one professor if there is a program within the college of medicine without a requirement to visit patients in a hospital ward.  I also said that I wanted to help people to live in a healthy lifestyle without necessarily suffering from sickness.  I wanted to make people healthy and able to work without a fear of being sick.  The professor explained public health and how the science would meet my expectation.  After my second year of college, I fell in love with occupational and environmental health.”

Scott Dotson, PhD, MSC, CIH
Lead Health Scientist – Senior Team Coordinator
Education and Information Division
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cincinnati, Ohio

Anthony Escobio, MPH, FHFMA, CHAM
Vice President
Patient Financial Services
Tampa General Hospital
Tampa, Fla.

“I wanted to be an MD.  I took a few of the pre-med “weed out” courses as an undergraduate and did not do very well,” Anthony Escobio recalled. “I had an entry-level job at St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1990, and this is where I learned that there were many more opportunities in health care that did not involve practicing medicine.”

The Escobios couldn’t be more proud of Anthony (back row, second from right).

One of the more “interesting” events from Escobio’s COPH days involves a class with Dr. Alan Sear.

“I left a management position at University Community Hospital to be a senior analyst at Tampa General Hospital,” Escobio said.  “TGH was having a host of financial challenges at the time, and the leadership was being ridiculed in the press on a weekly basis.  One of my professors, Alan Sear, spent an entire lecture discussing the poor decisions that leadership at TGH was making.  I sat slouched in my chair knowing that I had just taken a job to be an analyst for these very leaders.  All I could think to myself was ‘what have I done?’  Little did I know that I would be at the center of one of the biggest hospital turnarounds in the country for this period of time.”

Ligia María Cruz Espinoza, MD, PhD, MPH
Associate Research Scientist
International Vaccine Institute
Leon, Nicaragua

Kathryn J. Gillette, MHA, FACHE
Market President and Chief Operating Officer
Bayfront Health-St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Fla.

Jan J. Gorrie, JD, MPH
Managing Partner
Ballard Partners
Tampa, Fla.

Richard T. Hartman, PhD, MS, CSP, CIH
Chief Health Strategist
PSI Inc.
Alexandria, Va.

Xiomara Zulay Hewitt, MPH
Director
Infection Prevention and Control
Adventist Health System
Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Winifred M. Holland, MPH, MA, LMHC
Administrator-Health Officer
Florida Department of Health in Clay County
Green Cove Springs, Fla.

Carol Ann Jenkins, MPH, FACHE
Director, Accreditation and Survey Readiness
All Children’s Hospital Inc.
St. Petersburg, Fla.

Claudia X. Aguado Loi, PhD, MPH, CHES
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Community and Family Health
USF College of Public Health
Tampa, Fla.

Christine McGuire-Wolfe, PhD, MPH, CPH
Firefighter/Paramedic and Infection Control Officer
Pasco County Fire Rescue

Adjunct Faculty
Department of Global Health
USF College of Public Health
Tampa, Fla.

Maj. (Dr.) James McKnight
Force Health Protection Officer
U.S. Central Command
Serving in Jordan

Maj. James McKnight’s children accepted his award since he is serving in Jordan.

Rachel Nuzum, MPH
Vice President
Federal and State Health Policy
The Commonwealth Fund
Washington, D.C.

Claudine M. Samanic, PhD, MSPH
Commander
U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Environmental Health Scientist
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Research Region 5
Division of Community Health Investigations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Chicago, Ill.

“Since 1999, when I graduated, I’ve been impressed with the expansion and creation of new institutes and centers, the college’s increasing role in global health, and announcements of various faculty accomplishments and impact,” said Dr. Claudine Samanic.  “It was humbling to be in the room with so many accomplished fellow COPH alumni.”

Angelia Sanders, MPH
Associate Director
Trachoma Control Program
The Carter Center
Atlanta, Ga.

Natalia Vargas, MPH
Public Health Analyst
Health Resources and Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Rockville, Md.

Angelica C. Williams, MPH
Disease Intervention Specialist
Florida Department of Health in Broward County
Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Lauren B. Zapata, PhD, MSPH
Commander
U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Senior Research Scientist
Division of Reproductive Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, Ga.

COPH Deans, from left: Drs. Peter Levin, Donna Petersen (current) and Charles Mahan.

Without question, the night was all about the alumni awardees, but there were a few other show-stoppers in the room. Namely, COPH Deans Drs. Peter Levin, Donna Petersen, and Charles Mahan (above) and COPH alumnus and USF Board Trustee Scott Hopes (below left).

USF Trustee Scott Hopes (on left) with Lesley and Rick Bateman.  Lesley was the college’s first public affairs and development officer.

Founded in July 1984, the USF College of Public Health is wrapping up a yearlong celebration of educating and training public health professionals.  Some of the 30^th anniversary year highlights include

• regional events in Orlando, New Orleans, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
• the Dean’s Lecture Series featuring alumni like Drs. Richard Hartman, Charlan Kroelinger and Hana Osman.
• community building activities like a tailgate and USF football game, fall networking social during homecoming, Super Bowl party and spring BBQ.
• Team #USFCOPHRocks with more than 50 public health Bulls participating in the Gasparilla Distance Classic.
• raising almost $70,000 in new commitments to student scholarships in the college.

“We are proud of the work we have done building on a solid foundation and creating an outstanding school of public health—one that just recently jumped in national rankings from 21 to 16,” Petersen said.  “In addition to our great champions and the consistent high performance of our faculty and staff, the reputation we have earned is due in no small measure to the incredible contributions of our alumni.”

The alumni awards ceremony was made possible with support from the COPH, as well as corporate sponsors USF Health and Bayfront Health-St. Petersburg, and individual sponsors Drs. Jay Wolfson and Phillip and Jean Amuso.

It takes a village to raise a family AND host an amazing alumni awards ceremony.  Salute!

Alumni awardee Dr. Abdel A. Alli (second from right) enjoyed the festivities with his family, as well as nominator and faculty mentor Dr. Donna Haiduven (center) and her husband, Michael Gronquist (far right).

Alumni awardee Dr. Arlene Calvo shares a special moment with fellow alumnus Dr. Clement Gwede.

Go, Bulls!

“I applaud the College of Public Health for recognizing alumni who not only have tremendous accomplishments, but who have made a difference in the lives of so many,” said Bill McCausland, executive director of the USF Alumni Association.

Story by Natalie D. Preston, College of Public Health.  Photos by Ashley Grant and Humberto Lopez Castillo.

Related media:
Alumni Awards photo gallery on Facebook

The post Our past is our future: College recognizes distinguished alumni appeared first on College of Public Health News.

To date, the USF College of Public Health has recognized dozens of alumni with significant impact in public health. Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis.

“During the process of soliciting and reviewing nominations for 2015 it became clear that the Outstanding Alumni Awards should be an annual event recognizing our more than 11,000 alumni doing great things in various places,” said Dr. Heather Stockwell, emeritus professor from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

To be considered for an Outstanding Alumni Award, nominees must have earned an academic degree (BS, MHA, MPH, MSPH, PhD or DrPH) from the COPH.

“Our alumni are doing wonderful things locally, statewide and internationally and this award is one way that the college can acknowledge their success,” said Dr. Karen Liller, COPH professor.

The Outstanding Alumni Awards are presented in Tampa during National Public Health Week, which is typically during the first week in April.

Complete details on eligibility and the nomination process are on the  alumni awards website. The deadline for all materials to be received is 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1.

“I applaud the College of Public Health for recognizing alumni who not only have tremendous accomplishments, but who have made a difference in the lives of so many,” said Bill McCausland, executive director of the USF Alumni Association.

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The endowed Amanda Gill Memorial Fund was established to provide further research or educational opportunities to students studying public health, specifically in the area of infectious disease, which Amanda was passionate about.

USF College of Public Health alumna Amanda Gill had a heart for helping others.

A graduate of the first BSPH class in 2011, her parents said Amanda had a passion for working with people with infectious diseases and always said she wanted to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or in Africa to help AIDS patients.

Amanda was born in September of 1988 in Clearwater, Fla. She spent the majority of her education at Northside Christian School before transferring to Clearwater Hight School, where she graduated.

While attending USF, Gill worked at Busch Gardens and was awarded the Employee of the Year award. But being a big sister was her true badge of honor. “She was a fierce protector of her younger brother, Matthew, who also ended up attending USF, and always had his back,” Amanda’s father, Jim, said.

Always on the go, her family said she was involved in many activities in her free time and was a light to others. She loved adventure, her dog, Oakley, and had a heart to help. “She wanted to help people more than anything,” her mother Denice said. “When she smiled, everybody smiled.”

After graduating the COPH, Amanda’s  career path lead her across many different cities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. From food safety for local restaurants to the North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center, Amanda’s parents said that each role could be linked back to her interest and experience in public health.

One role even led her right to the front lines of COVID at a drive-thru testing center.

In her most recent role, Amanda worked as an Infection Preventionist at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.

“She wanted to do the best and go above and beyond,” said Shalom Patel, infection prevention manager of operations at Piedmont Healthcare with whom Amanda worked. “Amanda was fun and very bright, and she had an infectious smile. She was one of my most enthusiastic employees who was always very open and honest with me, which I appreciated. She was a team player and went out of her way to help other people. Acceptance overall was really important to Amanda.”

During her time at Piedmont, Patel said a big part of Amanda’s role was collaborating closely with the engineering department. She also worked with the MRSA-prevention team and infection prevention in the cardiac critical care unit areas.

Patel also noted that Amanda was a natural leader and mentor who took new employees under her wing.

“When she moved to Atlanta to work at Piedmont, she was very happy,” Patel said. “Amanda said this was the type of work she wanted the whole time. In infection prevention, she got to be the ‘boots on the ground,’ I think she was in the right place.”

In 35 years, Amanda lived a full life and was invested in helping so many others. “She was a shining light in all of our lives,” Denice Gill said.

A Celebration of Life was held Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at Central Christian Church in St. Petersburg, Fla. Live Stream Link: https://boxcast.tv/view/amanda-gill-memorial-service-3p-vnovk1edkyfq3jnemasb

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you please consider donating to the Amanda Gill Memorial Fund #540045 at the University of South Florida.

Donations may be mailed to: USF Foundation, Inc., 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC 100, Tampa, FL 33620 (ATTN: Beth Ahmedic, USF Health); memo line: Fund #540045 Amanda Gill Memorial Fund

Story by: Liz Bannon, College of Public Health

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USF College of Public Health (COPH) alum Marie Denis-Luque, who was born and raised in Haiti, came to the U.S. with her family just before she turned 17, settling in Tallahassee, Fla., where she resides today.

“I learned English in high school and was the first in my family to even entertain the idea of going to a university,” she recalled. “It was because of a teacher in high school who wanted me to go to college. I didn’t know what college was, but she helped me to get into a university.”

Denis-Luque visited other campuses, but felt they weren’t her place. When she got to USF’s campus,  she fell in love with it. “USF felt like home.” she said. “I felt comfortable being in the company of other Haitian students.”

Initially inclined toward medical school, Denis-Luque soon discovered her true passion was public health. Her involvement in the Haitian Club Creole on USF’s campus and learning about public health from a fellow club member played a significant role in this shift.

Denis-Luque realized that public health was aligned with her aspirations and what she wanted to achieve in her life.

“I did not have a perfect GPA, but the COPH made room for me, and in return I was able to help others through the work I’ve ultimately been able to accomplish.”

Despite facing challenges, including the responsibility of caring for her sister and the need to work multiple jobs, Denis-Luque’s enthusiasm for public health never waned.

“When I found public health, it was exciting. I think some of my classmates thought I was a total nerd because every semester I was in awe of everything I learned. I took my first course, then I took another, then I applied to the college,” she said.

Denis-Luque credited her mentors and the welcoming nature of the college as invaluable in her educational and career path.

”When I see Dean Petersen, I still say, ‘Oh, that’s my dean.’ When I see Natalie Preston, director of the Office of Engagement and Constituent Relations, I say, ‘Those are my people.’ “

Denis-Luque’s journey wasn’t confined to the classroom. Her commitment to public health extended to her homeland, Haiti.

Her perspective on Haiti was transformed during a health education trip with USF. She was challenged by her mentor to view Haiti through the eyes of a public health official, prompting her to see her home country in a new light. She said this experience fundamentally changed the way she approached her work in Haiti, making her more attuned to public health hazards and necessary interventions.

“I viewed everything through that lens,” commented Denis-Luque. “As I got off the plane, I noticed several unworking planes on the runway, some rusted. Getting off the plane was borderline dangerous for those not strong enough. As we headed to our hotel from the airport, there was garbage on almost every street corner. Of course, watching the dangers of public transportation, people hanging from bus doors, and sitting on top of vehicles drove me crazy, too.”

Now Denis-Luque said she wants to be someone who helps challenge students’ thinking, just like her mentor challenged her to think through that lens.

Denis-Luque said it was during her visit to Haiti as a graduate student when she met a little girl with HIV that led her to become the founder of the nonprofit organization Caring for Haitian Orphans with AIDS .

“The little girl was living in the hospital courtyard with no one caring for or loving her,” she said.” I decided I could do something to express love for her. Though acting on this feeling to help this child was more significant than anything I had ever done, I had no idea what I was signing up for. Engaging in this work has been more fulfilling than anything I have ever done.”

She said the work of the organization has touched the lives of nearly 70 children, providing them with opportunities and support they might not have otherwise had.

“My nonprofit assumes the role of parents for these children,” Denis-Luque said. “We provide food and shelter, cover the cost of hospital care, recreation, and education, including vocational training. At this time, close to 50% of our staff were once our residents. Since unemployment is very high in Haiti (estimates ranging from 50-80%), locating employment for our young adults is unattainable. Once they get to a certain age, we make sure they receive the education needed to work for us for them to be able to sustain themselves. Then we hire the women to play the role of mothers to the children.”

“December will be 20 years since we started,” she said. “Many lives have been impacted. Children who would otherwise not be here. Women who are positive who work for us, whose life–God knows what it would be today–if it were not for being in the program.”

Denis-Luque graduated in 2005 from the COPH with a MSPH with a concentration in epidemiology and an MPH in community and family health.

Now Denis-Luque is working on her PhD from Florida State University Askew School of Public Administration and Policy. “I’m in the dissertation phase at the moment, and I am looking at how to improve non- governmental organizations that work in Haiti,” she said.

Looking ahead, Denis-Luque envisions staying in academia and said she is hopeful to eventually return to the COPH. “That would be a dream come true. A professor. I want to put it out into the universe,” she said.

In the future, Denis-Luque aspires to work on grant-funded projects and to involve students in her work. She said she believes in challenging students to step out of their comfort zone and discover their passions.

Fast Five

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
Working as a medical doctor in a small hospital in a little province in France where I’d be the only doctor in town and everybody would come to me.

Where would we find you on the weekend?
Probably at Costco.

What’s the last book that you read?

“Just Another Emperor? The Myth and Realities of Philanthrocapitalism,” by Michael Edwards.

What superpower would you like to have?
Invisibility.

What’s your all-time favorite movie?
“Dirty Dancing.” I love Patrick Swayze.

Story by: Liz Bannon, USF College of Public Health

The post Finding a home away from home in public health appeared first on College of Public Health News.

Born in Los Angeles, College of Public Health (COPH) alum Nicole Stokes Zolkos grew up in Tampa since she was 3 years old and calls herself a “Tampanian.”

“Both of my parents taught at USF. My dad was head of jazz studies and my bonus mom is a psychology professor, but I started my undergrad at Florida State University,” Stokes Zolkos said.

By the end of her junior year she had transferred to USF, eventually earning her B.A. in psychology from the university in 2003. She then then worked part-time at Northside Mental Health, serving the chronically mentally ill.

What led Stokes Zolkos to apply for a master’s program in public health was her own chronic illness.

“I have Crohn’s disease,” she said. “I’m always curious about how people navigate chronic illness and the decisions they make to manage that illness while living full lives. That’s why I chose public health.”

While taking classes, Stokes Zolkos worked full-time during the day and said developing relationships with her professors helped her tremendously.

“I’ve had many who invested time in me like Dr. Rita DeBate, a COPH professor who specializes in mental health issues, as well as Natalie Preston, director of the Office of Engagement and Constituent Relations, who helped me feel connected,” she said.

Stokes Zolkos graduated with her MPH in 2007 and was introduced to the public health workforce through what is now called Frameworks of Tampa Bay, an organization dedicated to promoting social and emotional development for youth age 8-18.

“We worked with mostly middle school aged children on things like emotional intelligence, how to handle conflict in safe ways, how to talk about relationships, healthy eating and what choices to make around drug or alcohol use,” she said.

Stokes Zolkos said the work mirrored her psychology roots but also connected with public health and the behavioral change model.

“It really was a nice marriage,” she said. “Then I rose in the organization to be VP of program operations and eventually acting executive director. I was with that organization for 10 years.”

Then, Stokes Zolkos said she got really sick again.

“This was during the 2008-2009 market crash so our funding was impacted,” she commented, “I had a lot of stress, which triggered a problem with my chronic illness and I ended up needing a bowel resection surgery.”

It was during that recovery time that Stokes Zolkos realized she needed to figure out something different for her life, and a friend suggested financial planning. At first, she thought it was a crazy idea, but ultimately found that the career could check a lot of boxes for what she wanted to achieve. So, she took the leap.

“I got the education I needed, which added a bunch of fancy letters behind my name, and I started my own financial planning practice in 2011,” she said. “In total, I earned eight different licenses so that I could advocate for my clients in the most informed way.”

“What I realized is I’m still doing public health work today,” Stokes Zolkos said. “The question the students always ask is, ‘How is financial planning considered public health?”

The answer, she said, is simple.

“When you look at the number-one public health issue today, it is stress,” Stokes Zolkos said. “The number-one stressor is money. People think and worry about money constantly. You worry if you have enough, or you worry if you have so much and what to do with taxes. Everyone is worried about money.”

Stokes Zolkos found an unlikely comparison when explaining the marriage of public health and financial planning.

“I always compare financial planning to smoking,” she said. “People know of the health risks, yet some still choose to smoke. People know there will come a time when they will need to retire, for example. Yet there’s still a disconnect of positive decision-making. I utilize the same behavioral change model that we use to get people to stop smoking as to save money or to make better decisions with their money like retirement saving options. “I am still using what I have learned from my masters of public health every single day to help reduce people’s stress,” she said.

Now a mom of five, Stokes Zolkos is a wealth management advisor and managing director for Northwestern Mutual.

“I own two financial planning companies and now help train, develop and attract new talent. That’s why I was eligible for the Fast 56 award for a third year in a row because it’s a business that is Bull owned and led,” she said.

The USF Fast 56 Awards, now in its 11th year, recognizes the 56 fastest-growing Bull-led businesses.

“We have a Clearwater location and our newest location in Tampa has one of the top-10 internship programs in the nation,” Stokes Zolkos added. “We always love having USF students and would like to see public health student applications.”

Since graduating, Stokes Zolkos has been able to stay plugged in as an alum. She sat on the advisory board for the COPH and attends USF’s annual Green and Gold Gala fundraiser event.

“I see the COPH rocking and rolling and getting awards, which makes me proud,” she said. “I see growth with alumni communication- the alumni newsletter, alumni email updates and the event posts in Facebook and LinkedIn. I see the college working to engage people earlier on to keep people connected to the university, which is really cool.”

Fast Five

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?

I wanted to be a doctor at Doctors Without Borders. Then I realized there’s no way I can ever see that much blood, ever.

Where would we find you on the weekends?

At a soccer game or Girl Scout meeting or anywhere outdoors with my kids.

What is the last book that you read?

What I’m reading right now is “Born to Shine.” by Kendra Scott.

What superpower would you like to have?

A shape shifter. You could be the president one second, signing an order in to place. The next second you could encourage your child’s best friend, giving them advice or courage. There’s so many things you could do. 

What is your all-time favorite movie?

The one I can watch over and over again and never get bored of is “Love, Actually.”

Story by: Liz Bannon, College of Public Health

The post When opposite career paths attract appeared first on College of Public Health News.

Originally from the Midwest, USF College of Public Health (COPH) alum Michelle Pizarro and her family moved to Largo, Fla., when she was an infant.

After graduating with her bachelors in humanities and religious studies from USF in 2007, Pizarro said she wanted to learn more in a different field.   

“My sister was a pharmacist and came across someone with an masters in health administration (MHA) and thought it was something I would be interested in,” Pizarro said. “I wanted to work within hospitals and make a difference, but not be a physician. I did some research and saw USF had a great MHA program. It allowed me to stay local and work nearby, so I applied and haven’t looked back since!”

While earning her MHA, Pizarro’s first experience working in public health was as a student intern for James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Fla.

“I worked within various departments for a couple months at a time to learn what they did—scheduling, oncology clinic, operations and more,” she said. “It was great to see the inner workings of a hospital, but especially a veteran’s hospital which is incredibly unique. Certainly the clientele is unique, but also the staff, many of whom are veterans themselves. It was great to see how the VA system itself operates.”

VA medical centers provide a wide range of services, including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy.

“I think it’s important for anyone in a health care career to understand how different each type of hospital functions,” Pizarro said. “One methodology may work wonderfully at one institute, but that doesn’t mean it will work at another—and there are usually important reasons for that. That experience broadened my viewpoint of health care.”

Pizarro reflects fondly on her days as a Bull. She was an MHA student when the program earned its first accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. The process and ultimate reward was exciting to witness firsthand.

“I am very proud of this accomplishment for the COPH, and it is a highlight of my time in the college,” Pizarro said. “Since I was a student during that time, our work was submitted to the accrediting party. There was a lot of communication with the students during the process and we were kept updated on progress which made us feel very involved and connected with the process.”

The MHA program just recently earned reaccreditation for the next seven years.

Pizarro was also a member of the Healthcare Management Student Association (HMSA), which provides its members with real-world skills to create competent health administration professionals.

In addition, Pizarro was able to travel to Chicago and attend the American College of Health Care Executives Annual Congress (ACHE) as a student member.

“Being a part of HMSA and ‘student’ ACHE was so helpful in making connections and hearing from others in the field,” Pizarro said. “Even if I wasn’t ready to network in the formal sense, just hearing from various workers out in the community was great.”

After graduating with her MHA in health policy and management in 2011, Pizarro went on to be ACHE’s Post-Graduate Fellow in Chicago.

“That introduced me to the medical association world and my career was officially started,” she said.

Pizarro started work as a consultant at PerfectServe, a clinical communication company in Chicago.

“I had multiple roles there from meeting directly with physicians across the country, being a team lead and managing the intake of new contracts and assigning teams to their various implementations,” she said.

Then, Pizarro moved on to be a project manager at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. Northwestern Medicine is the collaboration between Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine that encompasses the research, teaching and patient care activities of the academic medical center.

“My largest project was assisting in the roll out of EPIC to our various hospitals—specifically the specialties preferences,” Pizarro said.

“EPIC is an electronic health record system that is user friendly and has a high level of customization,” Pizarro said. “My job was to get the leaders of each specialty across the system together, along with the EPIC analysts, to decide how they wanted EPIC to work for them. For example, all the orthopedic surgeons met multiple times to determine how their screens would look, what prompts they wanted, etc. Given that everyone has their own workflow, it was a great lesson in gaining consensus.”

Today, Pizarro is director of executive projects and operations at the American Academy of Dermatology, located in Rosemont, Ill.

“This is my second role in the company. I started as a senior manager within practice management, with a focus on health IT,” she said. “I then moved into my current role as director, working directly with our CEO on operations. I am essentially chief of staff. I work directly with the CEO and my focus is on the organization’s operation plan and ensuring initiatives are moving forward. I report to the board of directors on our progress.”

This role is one that Pizarro says did not previously exist and it required someone who was detail-oriented and had experience working with various teams to accomplish tasks and manage large projects.

“I oversee the program we use to monitor initiatives and progress throughout the year. I report out on the organization’s progress throughout the year to our various leadership teams and then prepare our executive director to report to the board on a quarterly basis,” she said. “When changes are needed to the plan, I bring that to the executive team to discuss. This role allows me to work with every department and multiple levels of staff.”

In 2023, Pizarro earned her certificate in nonprofit management from the Executive Education program at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. This tool will support her continuing journey in impacting public health.

“Public health affects everyone,” Pizarro said. “Any role you have within public health makes a difference. I think it’s important to remember your personal connection to the mission you are working toward to stay driven, innovate and make some positive changes.”

As for the future, Pizarro said she’d love to stay in operations. “I’m hesitant to speak too much of the future as opportunities have a funny way of coming about that you would never have expected,” she noted. “My career path has not been a straight line and I think there is something really gratifying in that.”

Fast Five:

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?

A teacher or college professor

Where would we find you on the weekend?

On the couch, reading a book

What is the last book you read?

“The Inmate,” by Freida McFadden

What superpower would you like to have?

Time travel

What’s your all-time favorite movie?

“Dirty Dancing”

Story by Liz Bannon, USF College of Public Health

The post MHA + health operations = an unexpected career path appeared first on College of Public Health News.

Two USF College of Public Health (COPH) staff members took on new leadership positions with the Florida Public Health Association (FPHA), the professional organization for public health workers in Florida.

The leaderships changes took effect during the FPHA’s annual meeting, held in Orlando in July.

Allison Rapp, MPH, moved to first vice president of the group while Parnia Roghani Shareef, who received her MPH from the college, moved to second vice president. Both Rapp and Roghani Shareef are program planner analysts with the COPH’s Center for Leadership in Public Health Practice.

COPH DrPH student Kelli Agrawal currently serves as the FPHA’s student engagement committee co-chair.

The FPHA membership elects the second vice president, who serves a one-year term. Every year the officers move up—from second vice president to first vice president to president and immediate past president. All in all, officers serve for four years.

“When I moved to Florida in 2014, I knew I needed to network and one of the first things I did was find the FPHA,” Rapp said. “In fact, I moved at the end of June that year and the conference was in July. I’ve taken on numerous roles throughout the years with FPHA including member-at-large and treasurer. In an effort to continue to develop as a leader, I wanted to take on FPHA leadership roles and here I am—vice president.”

Rapp said two of her major responsibilities will be planning the annual conference and expanding the reach of the FPHA.

“I like to think that there is not a single issue we are faced with, across all areas, that is not connected to public health,” Rapp said. “Give me an issue you think is not a public health issue and I will explain to you why it is. That said, I want to bring other sectors—from business to education and more—to understand that they should be interested in public health, join the FPHA and come to our amazing conference.”

Roghani Shareef said strengthening connections with those inside and outside public health will be her focus as well.

“I hope to accomplish a successful mentorship program, which I helped launch last year,” she said. “I also hope to continue to collaborate across different sectors. As Allison mentioned, what isn’t public health? Having those connections and networks will really enhance our efforts in public health.”

Roghani Shareef was also recognized with the FPHA’s Meritorious Service Award, which is given annually to an FPHA member who has a record of making outstanding contributions to the FPHA in the field of public health.

“I feel honored not only to be nominated and receive this award from one of my role models [Venise White, FPHA’s immediate past president], but to know that the work I am doing is making an impact,” Roghani Shareef said. “It feels amazing and brings me one step closer to changing the world!”

Also recognized by the FPHA at their annual meeting was alum Nicole Sutton, who received the Robert D. May M.D. Award. The award is given to a public health worker and FPHA member who has demonstrated significant accomplishments advancing public health at local or state levels.

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

The post COPH staff takes on leadership roles with FPHA appeared first on College of Public Health News.

The USF College of Public Health’s (COPH) master of health administration (MHA) program held its inaugural MHA Pinning Ceremony and Reception to honor and celebrate the commitment of its students on Sept. 22. Sponsored by Tampa General Hospital and MHA Advisory Board members, the ceremony, brought together faculty, staff, alumni and health care industry leaders to recognize the dedication and promise of these future health care professionals.

The ceremony commenced with an address from Dr. Donna Petersen, COPH dean and senior associate vice president of USF Health, emphasizing the importance of preparing professionals not only with the right knowledge and skills, but also the right attitudes and character.

“Accepting this pin is a promise. We’re going to do everything in our power to prepare you to be highly effective, ethical and successful professionals,” Petersen said, “And in return, you promise us that you will honor what you learn here as you go forward and remain a part of our community.”

Next, Dr. Victor Weeden, assistant professor and director of the MHA program, spoke of the vision behind the pinning ceremony.

 “The MHA faculty wanted to do something special for the students to acknowledge an important milestone in their career,” he said. “We believe these future leaders should be publicly recognized for committing themselves to the health care profession and being competitively selected for MHA admission. We hope the ceremony will foster a heightened sense of pride and belonging for this special group of students.”

Alumni representatives played a crucial role in the ceremony, presenting the pins to second-year students. Their involvement highlighted the strong alumni engagement in the MHA program and its continued growth. First-year students were then given their pins from the newly pinned second-year students, a tradition that the program hopes to continue.

After the pinning of the students, two MHA alumni and advisory board members Seena Salyani and Steven Chew gave their remarks.

Salyani, CEO of Gastro Florida, praised the students for their commitment to a health care career and emphasized the importance of professionalism.

“Take pride in what you are doing as you enter a challenging field. It will have its ups and downs, but you will have an impact on people’s lives and making life better. Even after going through COVID-19 here, you are coming back even stronger,” Salyani said.

Sharing valuable insights about the health care field’s challenges and the need for creative problem-solving, Chew, vice president of service lines at Tampa General Hospital, urged the students to see the applicability of their knowledge and embrace the spirit of innovation.

“There are headwinds within health care that are real. You have payers wanting to pay less, patient experience, consumers and the rising cost of health care—and all of those problems need to be solved by thinking outside the box,” Chew said. “You’re going to have to apply and see what makes a difference.”

In closing, Dr. Mark Moseley, president of USF Tampa General Physician, emphasized the need for a collective effort to fix a broken health care system. He encouraged the students to consider their careers as contributing to an infinite game of improving health care, where fulfillment comes from a sense of purpose and giving back to society.

“What we need is a coalition of the willing who are committed to the infinite game of improving health care. We don’t declare a winner and a loser in health care, but you can join us in this just cause,” Moseley said. “Through your hard work and effort, you can contribute to the welfare and benefit of others. It will be all-consuming. It will be joyful. It will be challenging. But at the end of the day, when you’re done with your career, you will look back and you will be fulfilled. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get a chance to bring others along with you.”

View all photos of the ceremony here.

Story by Caitlin Keough, USF College of Public Health

The post Pinning ceremony celebrates future health care leaders’ commitment appeared first on College of Public Health News.

Born and raised in Upstate New York, Stephen Tellone moved to Spring Hill, Fla. during his sophomore year of high school. However, his public health journey began one hour further south at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP). It was there that he discovered the College of Public Health (COPH). 

Initially a biology major at the St. Pete campus, Tellone said his interests quickly evolved as he delved deeper into the social contexts that shape human behavior.

He said he remembers the turning point during a seminar on the Psychology of Human Sexuality.

“I felt anger and resentment, but also curiosity,” he recalls. “For the first time, I was able to conceptualize the stigma and discrimination toward being gay that I’ve experienced and how they profoundly impact population health and well-being.”

In the spring of 2018, Tellone transferred to the Tampa campus. During his time at the COPH, Tellone served as the director of marketing and public relations for the Undergraduate Public Health Student Association. The group had the opportunity to attend the American Public Health Association Conference in San Diego in November 2018.

Tellone said some of his COPH highlights included  studying abroad in Panama and London.

“Studying abroad taught me a lot about different health systems, and broadly how social and structural factors impact health and well-being,” he said. “I was able to compare and contrast health systems with one another.”

Tellone also pointed to various faculty members as his inspiration.

“I learned a lot from Drs. Alison Oberne and Rita DeBate about leadership and workforce development,” he said. “They taught me how to adopt a global perspective and helped nurture my critical thinking, problem-solving and effective communication skills.”

Tellone said, “Before my psychology of human sexuality course at USFSP, I only thought about health from a biomedical lens. That class taught me to think about health from a social science and social justice framework.”

In 2019, Tellone graduated with a bachelor of science in public health and a minor in psychology. He said his dedication to public health only grew stronger as he embarked on his Master of Public Health journey at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, specializing in sociomedical sciences with a certificate in sexuality, sexual and reproductive health.

“I chose to get my MPH as I wanted to further my theoretical and methodological training specifically in the social sciences focusing on sexual and reproductive health and human rights,” Tellone said.

Reflecting on his time at Columbia, Tellone said, “I worked on a study that investigated the acceptability, feasibility and ethical challenges of HIV/STI prevention research with men and transgender people who attend collective sex environments.” He also worked to conduct a literature synthesis supporting the 2019 World Association of Sexual Health’s Declaration on Sexual Pleasure.

“This study taught me a lot about the current perspective on sexual and reproductive health,” Tellone said. “It confronted me with the unmet need for a more productive and nuanced analysis of sexual health and pleasure. It helped me understand that we need to incorporate a value for pleasure into health care services, as pleasure is a fundamental reason why people engage in sexual activity. Acknowledging this can support individuals in creating safer, more pleasurable experiences while promoting sexual and reproductive health.”

Currently, Tellone serves as an ORISE Fellow at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, working in the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy. His current role is in analyzing and evaluating programs and policies related to HIV/STIs in the United States.

“My work involves coordinating a national strategic response to address increasing outbreaks and collaborating with federal and non-federal agencies with equity and social determinants of health at the core of their mission,” Tellone said.

He said his current role, where he collaborates with various stakeholders to combat the escalating epidemic of HIV/STIs in the United States, has been the highlight of his journey thus far.

“Equity and social determinants of health are at the center of our mission, and something that we ground in all of the work that we do,” Tellone emphasized.

Fast Five:

• What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
  • It was between being a medical doctor or a physical therapist.
• Where would we find you on the weekend?
  • Enjoying one of my favorite fitness classes in D.C. or at a bookstore or cafe reading. In the spring or fall, you can also find me hiking or enjoying a picnic.
• What is the last book you read?
  • “Red, White, and Royal Blue,” by Casey McQuiston, right before the movie was released.
• What superpower would you like to have?
  • I really wish I could read people’s minds (my dog’s mind, too). Not just on a basic level to know what they are thinking, but to understand the psychology behind why they are thinking that way.
• What’s your all-time favorite movie?
  • “The Devil Wears Prada” or “Call Me by Your Name.” They are such feel-good, comfort movies.

Story by: Liz Bannon, USF College of Public Health

The post How the intersection of passion, pleasure and sexual health ignited one COPH alum’s journey appeared first on College of Public Health News.

For Jimmy Bayes, a USF College of Public Health (COPH) alum and former USF football player, family and culture are top priorities.

“I’m of Haitian descent and among the first in my family to go to college and graduate,” Bayes said. “My mom and dad are hardworking individuals and they are high on morals, tradition and culture. I was raised to show respect to the community around me.”

Bayes had an early introduction to public health, which ultimately led him to the COPH.

“Growing up I was heavily involved in the community and did a lot for organizations like Habitat for Humanity,” Bayes said. “Another thing that got me into public health was my sister being a nurse. I volunteered at our local health department and was always heavily involved in my community, even as a youngster.”

What led Bayes to USF was a relationship with Willie Taggart, head coach of USF football.

“We had an opportunity to really shock the landscape at USF,” said Bayes, a former defensive end. “We had a lot of playmakers in my class.” That, coupled with being able to stay close to family, is what solidified Bayes’ decision to commit to USF.

Academically, Bayes started at USF as a psychology major, then moved to a physical therapy major before ultimately deciding on public health.

“I wanted to use my experience to better the kids coming in behind me,” Bayes said. “I met my mentor, Dr. Joe Bohn, through public health and that’s where I became rooted. It was the best decision I made academically.”

Bayes said he was the only football player in his public health classes at that time.

“I came from a small town and going into a big city that has a lot of international students was a great opportunity. I had to make more friends. I had to learn new perspectives,” he said.

Bayes graduated from the COPH in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

Unfortunately, a shoulder injury changed his plans for a career in football.

 “I couldn’t pass the physical,” Bayes said. “When I realized I couldn’t go professional, I grew depressed. But one thing that helped me out of that depression was my work and focusing on my drive.”

Bayes said the fundamentals and lessons that sports taught him are invaluable.

“When you get knocked down, you get back up. When you don’t know how to make the play, you go back to the film and you watch what you did wrong and you correct it.”

Bayes said what led him back to his hometown in Immokalee, Fla., was the opportunity to give back. He is now coaching at his alma mater, Immokalee High School, is president of the Immokalee Youth Sports League and has even returned to inside the classroom as a teacher.

“The main thing that keeps me going is knowing that my coaches and the pillars in my neighborhood when I was growing up didn’t give up on me,” Bayes said. “They didn’t say they were too tired. They just kept going. I’m a product of that. Like they say, ‘It takes a village to raise a kid.’ My parents worked very hard, and the community helped raise me. I’m literally a product of that concept.”

Today, Bayes is a 9th grade English and intensive reading teacher at Immokalee High School.

“I became aware of the teacher shortage through discussions with the pillars in my community who also supported me growing up,” he said. “They told me there was a shortage of teachers, so I stepped up.”

Recently, Bayes spoke at a mental health wellness event.

“It was for athletes that didn’t go pro and are fighting depression. It targeted athletic suicide,” he said. “I want athletes and competitors to know that just because you don’t go professional, that doesn’t mean you’re not competing. There are always different aspects in life to compete in.”

“I want athletes and competitors to know that just because you don’t go professional, that doesn’t mean you’re not competing. There are always different aspects in life to compete in. I want people to know that just because you don’t train in a collegiate or professional sport, that doesn’t mean it’s over. You’re not ever done competing. There’s still much to tackle. Right now, I’m tackling youth development and it’s really fulfilling. I get to pour my experiences into developing youth.”

For now, Bayes has his sights set on returning to the COPH to visit his mentors and professors to continue to build connection. He says he’s also interested in coaching at the college level, continuing to be a mentor and has plans to start two non-profit organizations to feed the homeless and provide scholarships for future public health professionals. 

Fast Five:

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?

A pro football player.

Where would we find you on the weekend?

Behind a board drawing up plays or being with family.

What is the last book you read?

“The 48 Laws of Power,” by Robert Greene and “What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School,” by Mark McCormack. I read those simultaneously.

What superpower would you like to have?

Healing. A lot of people are hurt behind closed doors. We live in a generation where people don’t really know how to handle the things that hurt them.

What is your all-time favorite movie?

“Remember the Titans”

Story by Liz Bannon, USF College of Public Health

The post One public health alum tackles giving back to his community appeared first on College of Public Health News.