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

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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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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

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Cesar Esmeraldi and Elizabeth Volmy, USF College of Public Health (COPH) health sciences majors in their senior year, were recently elected to lead the USF student government.

Esmeraldi is student body president while Volmy serves as student body vice president.

The duo, who won in a runoff election last spring, ran on a platform they dubbed M.O.R.E.

“M is for mental health, O for opportunities, R for rides, parking and transportation and E for empowerment,” Volmy, a first-generation American, explained. “I believe that each letter of the acronym is relevant to issues we students face on campus.”

Volmy, who also minors in nutrition science and biomedical physics and has plans of attending medical school after graduation, said the pair’s background in public health helped them shape their M.O.R.E. platform.

“Research, data, community and environmental health—these things were all crucial learning points that helped strengthen and frame the platform,” Volmy said. “Being able to implement my knowledge and passion for health sciences into the platform to help make an impact and create positive change was truly amazing. My positions [in student government] have taught me to use my knowledge of public health to support, promote and create initiatives that enhance the wellness and overall health of my peers.”

“We decided to run with this platform after we spoke with students from around all campuses and heard their main thoughts and concerns,” added Esmeraldi, who came to the U.S. from Brazil at the age of 15 and hopes to attend law school once he graduates. “Mental health is an essential pillar of our platform that we want to emphasize. And we think it has everything to do with our experience as members of the COPH. We find it a great asset that we’re both health sciences majors.”

In keeping with the M.O.R.E. platform, some initiatives Esmeraldi and Volmy are kicking around are creating the HERD CARE mental health program, which will include monthly mental health check-ins with students, and promoting the availability of resources. As a way of improving opportunities for students, they have led the installation of 40 new computers and monitors in the Student Government Computer Services computer lab. The goal, said both Esmeraldi and Volmy, is making sure every student feels heard and represented.

“Student government and public health are about taking care of people,” Esmeraldi said. “Service to others is key for both.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

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The USF College of Public Health is saying farewell to one of its esteemed faculty members, Dr. William Sappenfield, a USF Distinguished Professor and director of the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative (FPQC) and the Chiles Center, both housed within the college and dedicated to cutting-edge research and education promoting the health and well-being of women, children and families.

Sappenfield, a pediatrician and epidemiologist who focuses on maternal and child health, retires after serving the college for 12 years. “That’s the longest I’ve been anywhere in my career,” he noted.

Sappenfield says what he’ll miss most about his time at the COPH is the people—the students, faculty, staff and leaders. “I have had the chance to work with outstanding people,” he noted.

And they will undoubtedly miss him as well.

“It was both an honor and a privilege to work with Bill,” said Bobbi Rose, an alum of the college who also served as conference coordinator for USF Health. “He is, WITHOUT FAIL, supportive, super smart, available, ethical and caring—for his colleagues, staff, students and the community at large. We need more Bill Sappenfields in this world!”

Amy Phillips, doctoral student and alum of the college, echoes those sentiments.

“As a new master’s student in 2013, I remember meeting one-on-one with Dr. Sappenfield and he insisted I call him Bill—never Dr. Sappenfield (to this day, I still don’t know that I ever have, lol),” Phillips, currently a COPH doctoral student, recalled. “He also shared his journey to leadership with my Maternal and Child Health Leadership Scholar cohort. I am grateful for the opportunity to know and learn from him!”

Natalie Preston, director of the college’s Office of Engagement and Constituent Relations, also values the knowledge she gleaned from Sappenfield.

“I appreciate that Bill always made me feel like we were equals,” Preston said. “He was very approachable and personal. My son was quite sickly as a toddler and elementary school kid. I reached out to Bill on many occasions for his medical insight as a pediatrician. He always received me warmly and explained options in a manner that was easily understood by a non-medical professional. His demeanor is as warm and bright as his smile! Without question, I will miss him. Hopefully his best life is coming in retirement!”

Sappenfield said some of the highlights of his time at the college have been becoming a faculty member, impacting lives and careers via teaching and mentoring, leading, promoting and revitalizing the Chiles Center and fully developing the FPQC, a group that significantly impacts the health and health care of mothers and infants in Florida.

What’s next for Sappenfield as he heads off into retirement?

“Deciding what I want to do when I grow up,” he said. “That’s going to take me some time to figure out! The college has paid me to do what I so much enjoy doing.”

Here, a pictorial look back at Sappenfield’s 12 years with the college:

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

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Dr. Russell Kirby, a USF Distinguished Professor and perinatal epidemiology expert at the USF College of Public Health, has been honored with a mentoring award that bears his name.

Kirby became the first-ever recipient of the Russell S. Kirby Mentoring Award, presented by the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN).

“The award,” says the NBDPN, an international group of individuals dedicated to birth defects surveillance, research and prevention, “is given to an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to mentoring, advising and building supportive environments for colleagues in the field of birth defects surveillance, research and prevention.”

The NBDPN said it presented the award in Kirby’s honor for his years of supporting the growth of birth defects programs, as well as for mentoring students, staff and other professionals.

“I was very honored to receive the award, which I did not expect,” Kirby said. “I knew that the new award was being created and would be named in my honor, but I did not anticipate I would be its first recipient.”

Kirby estimated he’s mentored “hundreds” of students and professionals on birth defects—their prevalence and prevention—over the years.

“While at USF, in addition to approximately 20 maternal and child health concentration students each year, I have sat on 36 dissertation and thesis committees, serving as major/co-major professor for 21 students,” Kirby noted. “I have also mentored numerous faculty members at USF and other universities around the country, and I have worked with program staff at birth defects surveillance programs in many states. I helped establish programs in Rhode Island, Delaware, Minnesota and Oregon, and I worked closely on projects with colleagues in Colorado, Texas, Michigan and New York. This has been in addition to my leadership for the Birth Defects Surveillance Program at USF.”

Kirby said he feels an obligation to his peers and his profession to act as a mentor to those interested in the study of birth defects.

“Mentoring is what it’s all about,” he said. “Just as others supported me in my education and early career, I feel I owe it to pay it back. Mentoring is very rewarding and generates lifelong connections and friendships that transcend our daily work.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

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Sabrina Rice was raised in rural Cumming, Ga, by parents with humble beginnings who placed great emphasis on her educational pursuits. 

“Public health impacted my ability to be and stay healthy as a child and young adult through eye testing, department of health vaccinations and dental programs,” Rice said.

During high school, Rice became passionate about health occupations. “I still remember when I first learned CPR and took my very first medical terminology test,” Rice said. 

But ultimately for her first undergraduate experience, she decided to pursue a degree in religion.

“After my dad’s cardiac event in 2004, his cardiologist at the time asked me what I was studying and recommended that I pursue health care,” Rice said, “This reminded me of my health occupation passion in high school and spurred my curiosity.”

Rice’s commitment to pursuing a health degree and being a catalyst for change in the health care industry only became stronger after experiencing the deaths of her mother from a brain aneurysm in 2011 and her father from a heart attack in 2014.

“In 2014, I chose USF because of its College of Public Health  (COPH). The college had a reputation for promoting experiential learning and adjusting quickly to healthcare’s evolving landscape,” said the first-generation college student.

While at the COPH, Rice completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in 2016 and a dual Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Public Health in 2018.

Rice said many inspired her during her time at the COPH.

“I often refer to Dr. Jay Wolfson in my own presentations to COPH students because, during my graduate orientation, he altered my perspective about how I could make an impact by appreciating serendipity. I learned to embrace the unexpected or ‘happy accidents’ no matter how challenging it was to step out of my comfort zone,” she said.  “And Dr. Zachary Pruitt transforms education while also having a unique understanding of everyone’s personality and skill set. Because of his teaching style and awareness, he helps students convert their passion to practice.”

During her master’s program, Rice held an administrative residency at Gastro Florida, which is the is the largest gastroenterology group in Tampa Bay.

In 2021, Rice completed the TGH Modern Advances in Leadership Certificate Program and the Leadership Enrichment and Development (LEAD) TGH Program in 2022. That same year, she became a certified patient experience professional (CPXP).

“I am currently a patient experience coordinator at Tampa General Hospital. I was drawn to this role because of how my personal experiences in hospitals with my parents and how that impacted me and my family. This position allows me to make a difference through partnerships, coaching for best practices and telling stories derived from the data submitted by patients,” Rice said .

Rice has also served in multiple capacities for the Western Florida Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She was the first program’s committee intern, serves as a regent’s advisory council member and has earned the Regent’s Early Careerist Recognition in 2018. She now serves as president of the chapter.

“Public health is important,” Rice said, “because everyone has a right to ensure that both themselves and their families have their basic health needs met and are able to thrive in their environments.”

Rice is also deeply focused on giving back to the community and to USF. She meets with and mentors several graduate students. With leadership support, she developed and acted as preceptor for a patient experience internship in 2022. She supports charitable organizations like the Foster Angels program and participates in other volunteer activities including Feeding Tampa Bay and Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch. She has been involved with the American Heart Association Tampa Bay Heart Walk for multiple years and was named a “Walker With the Most Heart” in 2022.

This initiative she pursues specifically in honor of her dad. Rice said, “He always said I could do anything I put my mind to. I aim to inspire the same courage and resolve in others pursuing their careers in healthcare.”

Fast Five:

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?

I had dreams of becoming an astronaut, an interior decorator, an archaeologist and a storm chaser .

Where would we find you on the weekend?

I love spending time with my husband and biggest supporter, Matthew, as well as my family and friends. I may be found at the pool, golfing or mountain biking. I am definitely a foodie and love exploring new places.

What are the last books you read?

“Positive Intelligence,” by Shirzad Chamine and “Dare To Lead,” by Brené Brown.

What superpower would you like to have?

A power that would allow me to enhance empathy in others.

What’s your all-time favorite movie?

I prefer movies that uplift or empower.

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Dr. Lauri Wright, a USF College of Public Health associate professor and director of the college’s nutrition and dietetics program, has been named president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Wright, a registered dietitian nutritionist who received her PhD from USF’s College of Education in 2007, specializes in food insecurity and health disparities, global nutrition, senior nutrition and the nutritional needs of people with AIDs.

Her one-year term commenced on June 1.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest professional organization of food and nutrition practitioners, boosting over 112,000 members. The group is committed to improving health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.

 “In a world where all people thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition, there are countless opportunities for the future of our profession,” Wright said. “Those opportunities include transitioning from a traditional medical model to a population health model; enhanced policy development and advocacy; food access and sustainability at a global level; and incorporating technology to enhance practice and reimbursement. The academy and our members have the expertise and skills to lead and succeed in all these areas. I look forward to working closely in the coming year with the Board of Directors as we embrace our opportunities.”

While Wright currently leads the COPH’s MPH concentration in nutrition and dietetics, she has also chaired the department of nutrition and dietetics at the University of North Florida and served the Bay Pines VA Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., as a registered dietitian and dietetic internship director.

“It is a true honor to be chosen by my peers to lead the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics over the next year,” Wright said. “The profession of dietetics makes such an impact on the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. I am proud to work to elevate and promote our profession.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

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The University of South Florida has reached a historic milestone by accepting an invitation to join the Association of American Universities (AAU), a prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions in the United States and Canada. USF is the first public university in Florida to be invited to join the AAU in nearly 40 years and is now one of two institutions from the State University System of Florida to serve as an AAU member.  

USF is one of six universities in the U.S. announced on June 1 as new AAU members. 

“The University of South Florida is honored to accept an invitation to become an AAU member and join the most prestigious association in higher education,” USF President Rhea Law said. “This is a historic and momentous achievement for USF. Especially when considering we were founded in 1956, to now officially be recognized by our peers as one of America’s leading research universities, is a shining example of our university community’s determination, innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence. Reaching this milestone only strengthens our ambition to improve lives and positively shape the future of our society.”

Membership into the AAU is by invitation only. Prior to today, only four universities have been invited to join in the past decade.

USF has been working toward this goal for more than 15 years, as AAU membership criteria align with USF’s mission to positively shape the future of society and transform lives through education, research and innovation.

“Receiving an invitation to join the Association of American Universities is one of the most significant accomplishments in University of South Florida history,” said USF Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford.  “To be asked by our peers to join such a highly regarded group of the top research universities is a credit to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and other supporters. Having an AAU institution located in Tampa Bay will have a major impact on our region and the state of Florida for generations to come.” 

Joining the AAU will allow USF to grow its research profile, as members earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research.  Membership will also enhance efforts to recruit additional world-class faculty and students to the Tampa Bay region. As an AAU member, USF is even better positioned to drive economic development by helping attract new or expanding businesses to the area, as proximity to the university allows for access to the pipeline of graduates and opportunities for research partnerships. More information on how USF, the region and state benefit from AAU membership is available here.

AAU considers numerous factors for membership, such as research activity, faculty excellence and the quality of educational programs, as well as graduation rates and number of lower-income students who receive financial aid through the federal Pell Grant program.

“We are very proud to have these six distinguished universities from across the United States join AAU,” AAU President Barbara R. Snyder said. “We look forward to working with all of these universities to continue advancing higher education and laying the scientific foundation that helps keep our economy strong and our nation healthy and safe.”

Of the AAU’s 71 members, USF is the fifth youngest university and one of only six founded after 1950. 

“I’m excited to invite these six diverse institutions to AAU,” said AAU Board Chair and University of Southern California President Carol L. Folt. “AAU members are distinguished by the quality of their education and research. It is a testament to our higher education system that we have this many leading research universities in every corner of our country. Congratulations to the faculty, staff and students for this recognition of their hard work and their leadership in research and education. We look forward to our joint efforts to continue to transform lives through higher education.”

What others are saying about USF

Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo: “I’m so proud of the achievements of USF. Their impact in the state is felt in so many ways, including through their expanding pipeline of talent and research that is helping grow Florida’s economy. Congratulations to the Bulls community on this well-deserved recognition!” 

Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner: “Achieving membership in the AAU is a testament to USF’s longstanding commitment to student success, world-class research and faculty excellence. Joining this prestigious association positions the university to compete for the best talent nationally and accelerates the economic development of the Tampa Bay region and the state of Florida.  This is a very proud moment for our state.” 

Florida Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb: “For many years, the University of South Florida has changed lives through research, education and innovation. As a former chair of their board of trustees, I’m proud to see USF achieve membership in the prestigious AAU. This historic accomplishment is a tremendous milestone for USF, Tampa Bay and this great state. Membership in the AAU will provide students and faculty with new academic and research opportunities that seek to address global challenges, creating a transformational impact on generations to come. Congratulations to President Law, Chair Weatherford and the entire USF community. Go Bulls!”

State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues: “Congratulations to the University of South Florida for achieving this significant milestone. USF has been relentless in its pursuit of academic excellence and has been a national leader in student success and research along the way.  The trajectory of higher education in Florida is unparalleled, and this accomplishment is a shining example of that achievement.”

Reposted from USF Newsroom

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USF College of Public Health (COPH) doctoral student Rolando Trejos has recently been appointed to the editorial advisory board of the Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health journal, published by Springer Publishing.

The Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health is a peer-reviewed online journal covering populational research on the intersectional health and well-being of sexual- and gender- minority (SGM) individuals.

During his three-year tenure as an advisory board member, Trejos will provide peer reviews of submissions and engage in journal outreach activities.

“As a gay Latinx public health professional, I am closely aware of how inaccurate or misleading published literature focused on SGM individuals and the LGBTAIQ+ community at large could result in further harm and discrimination,” Trejos said. “Therefore, it is an honor to support the journal’s aims and help promote evidence-based research and practice in SGM populational health research.”

Trejos is hoping that this role will help him further understand the academic editorial publishing infrastructure, improve his peer-review scientific manuscripts and act as a pathway for networking and professional development.

“I feel honored and excited to start,” Trejos said. “I recognize my privileged position and feel encouraged that this role could be used to empower other colleagues and students to believe in their capacity to promote social change.”

In the future, Trejos hopes to become a faculty member and continue to be involved in editorial positions.

“I would love to become a full-time faculty in the future and to continue to be involved in editorial positions and conducting research that applies social epidemiology methodologies to identify root causes of disease, especially factors impacting the health and well-being of Latinos and other populations underserved and/or under-represented in research,” he said. “I firmly believe that public health is an art and a science that can help advance populational health for everyone; however, toward attaining just and fair access to opportunities to be healthy, we must recognize the current and past barriers impeding our progress while envisioning social change.”

Story by Caitlin Keough, USF College of Public Health

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