A daughter of migrant farmworkers, Jazmin Sanchez’s story touched the hearts of many at the 17^th Annual USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy (WLP) Fall Symposium on Oct. 4.

Sanchez, a USF College of Public Health BSPH student, was selected as this year’s recipient of the WLP Lolita Sauza Visot Memorial Scholarship and student speaker for the sold-out symposium.

The scholarship, for full-time undergraduate students, pursuing all majors, in all colleges, on all campuses, is renewable up to eight semesters. Preference is given to a student who demonstrates financial need and is engaged with the Mexican-American Student Association or the Boricua Student Association at USF.

Sanchez’s remarks inspired the nearly 1,000 attendees as she shared her journey to a bright future.

In her first year of junior high school, Sanchez was introduced to university life and lecture halls. Sponsored by a program that prepares students for college, she took her first tour at the University of South Florida sparking the popular question: “What do I want to do when I grow up?”

She recalls the day she told her parents that she wanted to be a farmer, a sentiment to their careers as their strength inspired her. Her parents laughed together at the idea but encouraged her, nonetheless. As she grew older, Sanchez recognized her deep compassion for those around her and decided that, whichever career she chose for herself, she wanted her degree to give her the strength to help and inspire those most in need. She found herself deciding between social work, nursing, emergency medicine and business.

Thanks to the guidance of Ms. Olle, Sanchez’s counselor since middle school, she was introduced to the USF College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)—an initiative designed to assist students from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds in their first year of college and transitioning to complete their bachelor’s degree. This changed Sanchez’s entire trajectory. She originally planned to attend community college, but CAMP gave her hope that attending a university immediately after high school would be possible. Sanchez says she is so grateful she took the leap of faith and is now in her junior year at USF and pursuing a degree in public health.

The connections she created before and during her time at USF helped her find communities such as the USF Latino Scholarship Program (LSP) and WLP. These programs provide students with a sense of comfort as they help prepare them for a professional career but also create a family environment. With the support of WLP and LSP, Sanchez grew confident in herself and her identity as she learned how to navigate through the professional world. Shaking an interviewer’s hand, portraying confidence in an online interview, practicing proper dining etiquette and preparing an elevator pitch now come naturally to her.

Ready to tackle the outside world, Sanchez knows that she will not be forgotten even after graduation, just as she will never forget the generosity of those who have guided her along her journey and set her up for success.

Story by Brooke Russo, USF Advancement Communications and Marketing intern

The post COPH student and first-generation college student receives WLP scholarship appeared first on College of Public Health News.

Since childhood, USF College of Public Health grad Shahrzad Zamani was interested in what makes people sick and how to prevent it, but it wasn’t until her second year of undergraduate school at USF taking biology classes that her path narrowed to public health.  

“I was interested in people,” Zamani said, “but my biology classes were more about life sciences like trees, fossils and things that had nothing to do with human physiology. So, I was just lost.” 

Zamani said she saw a flyer for the public health major while she was on campus that changed everything for her.  “I was immediately intrigued by the COPH,” she said. “The flyer had a list of all the classes. And I said, ‘This is it.’ I met with my advisor and I changed my major to public health that evening. To date, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made!” 

Zamani said she can vividly recall her initial tour of the COPH building.  

“It felt like being at home. It was as if the building exuded positive vibes that instantly resonated with me,” Zamani said “As I recently walked through the building, a rush of nostalgia hit me. The spirit and camaraderie that characterized my student experience are still very much alive within the walls of the college.” 

During her time as an undergraduate student, Zamani presented at the American Public Health Association (APHA).  

“This was a highlight for me. It offered the chance to share my research, insights and ideas with a broader audience of experts and enthusiasts,” she stated. “This experience not only boosted my confidence but also solidified my passion for contributing to the field of public health.” 

Zamani said it was the network of connections, mentors and lasting friendships through the COPH that also stands out to her. 

“The USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy provided exceptional financial support through scholarships, as well as their ongoing mentorship,” she said. “Their guidance has extended beyond my time as a student, and their contributions have been instrumental in my journey.” 

Zamani said Dean Petersen stands out as a consistent source of motivation throughout her educational journey, along with several professors including Dr. Alison Oberne and Ms. Laura Rusnak.  

“I had a pivotal moment during my Intro to Public Health course when Professor Rusnak highlighted the distinction between practicing medicine and practicing public health,” Zamani said. “She elucidated that public health operates on a population level, while medicine focuses on individuals. It was like a light bulb switched on in my mind, leading me to realize that my career aspirations should encompass both these dimensions.” 

Zamani said she chose the COPH because it is among the top public health programs in the country.  

“The college’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research has led to its recognition as a hub of knowledge and innovation in the field of public health. The range of programs, opportunities and resources available to students is a testament to the college’s dedication to training the next generation of scientists. The faculty are experts in their fields and are dedicated to helping students succeed. The community is highly collaborative which created an environment where my cohort and I thrived.” 

Currently Zamani, who graduated the COPH in 2019, is a third-year medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) where she is engaged in a series of monthly rotations that provide exposure to various medical specialties.  

Additionally, Zamani serves as research associate at the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in the cancer epidemiology program under the guidance of program leader Dr. Matthew Schabath. 

“In my current role at Moffitt, what truly captivates me is the process of looking at the same findings through various lenses,” Zamani said. “This approach to analyzing data opens up new insights, which is rewarding and enriching.” 

Zamani’s research focuses on cancer health disparities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations across the entire cancer continuum. 

“The sexual minority describes people who do not identify with heterosexual orientation, but rather with sexual orientations such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and others,” Zamani explained. “Conversely, gender minority individuals have a gender identity that does not align with the biological sex assigned to them at birth or does not fit within the traditional binary gender constructs. The concept of sexual and gender minority (SGM) is an inclusive umbrella that encompasses individuals who identify within one or both categories of sexual and gender minority. Over the last decade, while strides have been made to reduce health disparities, there remains a noticeable gap in research addressing and alleviating cancer disparities within SGM communities. My engagement in this role reflects my dedication to understanding and addressing health inequities, particularly within marginalized communities.” 

Zamani’s future aspirations involve combining her medical training with her public health perspective.  

“I want to be a physician that approaches health care with a broader, population-level perspective that emphasizes preventive measures into patient care,” she said.  “I want to work toward reducing the inequalities that exist in health care access and ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have the same opportunities.” 

Fast Five: 

What did you dream of becoming when you were young? 

A biologist working with microscopes 

Where would we find you on the weekend? 

Running with my local running group RunTampa! 

What is the last book you read? 

“The Light We Carry,” by Michelle Obama 

What superpower would you like to have? 

Ultrasonic hearing 

What’s your all-time favorite movie? 

“Elf” 

Story by Liz Bannon, USF College of Public Health 

The post How public health led to a medical career for one COPH alum appeared first on College of Public Health News.

Dr. Rays Jiang, a USF College of Public Health associate professor who pioneered the first genomics lab at the university, has been awarded the Dr. Kathleen Moore Faculty Excellence Award by USF’s Women in Leadership & Philanthropy (WLP).

Each year, the Dr. Kathleen Moore Faculty Excellence Award is presented to six female USF faculty members who demonstrate achievements in research, instructional excellence and the mentoring and engagement of students.

The WLP was formed in 2005 with the intent of making a difference in the lives of women at USF and in the surrounding communities. Since its founding, WLP has given students and faculty over $3 million in scholarships and research awards.

Jiang was selected for the award based on her research studying cell metabolism (chemical reactions that occur in cells) and its impacts on human health and diseases.

“Cell metabolism addresses women’s health in three different domains: women’s cancer, women’s anemia and malaria in pediatrics and pregnancy,” Jiang said.

She and her team have recently found that a group of cell metabolites (substances the body makes or uses when it breaks down food, chemicals, tissue, etc.) can be targeted, meaning they can be acted on selectively by a drug, virus, hormone, etc.

“These metabolites in humans, called porphyrins, are among the most ancient molecules evolved on earth for billions of years, and they can hold the key to solving urgent human health problems,” Jiang explained. “Porphyrins are as old as life itself, and we are the first to discover that they perform certain functions in humans and can be targeted.”

Jiang noted that current therapies for a variety of diseases, including cancer, can have toxic effects.

“Targeting these newly discovered metabolites could provide entirely novel therapies,” she said. “They may provide solutions for combating cancer and malaria and work to protect women’s health.”

As part of her award, Jiang was given a $5,000 research grant.

“I am honored to join the broad and diverse community of the Dr. Kathleen Moore Faculty Excellence Award community,” Jiang said. “My skills are in genomics and biomedical sciences, while other scientists are experts in entirely different aspects of social science, education and community engagement. My hope is that we can work together to safeguard women’s well-being and give them more opportunities to live healthy lives.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

The post Research on cell metabolism earns Rays Jiang WLP faculty excellence award appeared first on College of Public Health News.

Women in Leadership & Philanthropy (WLP) at the University of South Florida today honored two highly accomplished leaders for their indelible impacts on the USF and Tampa Bay communities.

WLP recognized USF President Emerita and Professor Judy Genshaft with its Lifetime Achievement Award, an accolade presented for a life’s work that has demonstrably improved our communities and contributed to the advancement of women. Donna Petersen, USF’s chief health officer and dean of the College of Public Health, received WLP’s Community Leadership Award, which is for visionary leaders doing extraordinary things to make the Tampa Bay region a better place for women to live and work.

“These two sensational women have made distinctive marks on USF, in the lives of many people as well as throughout our Tampa Bay region,” said USF President Rhea Law, who is also a member of WLP. “These selfless women have led by example, and we are inspired by their passion for serving others.”

Genshaft and Petersen were honored at the 16th annual WLP Symposium in front of approximately 1,000 attendees at the Marriott Water Street hotel. The symposium also included six panel discussions, networking activities, and the awards luncheon featuring a keynote address from empowerment advocate Gretchen Carlson.

During her 19-year presidency, Genshaft catapulted USF to statewide, national, and international prominence for student success, academic rigor, research and innovation, and economic development. Early in her tenure, she was instrumental in the creation of WLP as a founding member of the organization along with 29 individuals and several corporations.

“In 2005, I knew that it was the right time for USF, and our Tampa Bay community, to start a program like this,” Genshaft said. “WLP provides vital funding for female faculty and staff to conduct research and become more knowledgeable through continuing education. It also has provided more than $2 million in life-changing scholarships and other support, and I am proud to say that those scholars enjoy a phenomenal graduation rate of 97 percent.”

In her almost two decades as dean, Petersen has worked to increase the ranking and prominence of the college while serving in numerous leadership roles at the national level to advocate for healthy mothers and babies, public health systems and education. Over the last two-and-a-half years, she played an essential role in protecting the health of the Tampa Bay community as chair of the USF COVID-19 Task Force.

“I am honored beyond belief, and I accept this award on behalf of the many people who have contributed to USF’s public health efforts,” said Petersen. “I am proud to be a part of this organization that does so much to lift our USF students. Every year I hear one of our scholars say how important the support from WLP was in their personal and professional journey. They talk not just of the financial support, but the community support – it makes such an impact.”

Tiana Hill is a first-generation college student who graduated from USF with her bachelor’s degree in social work in 2019 and will complete a master’s degree in public administration this December. She credits WLP with providing the support she needed on her journey.

“Each of the women I have encountered through this program have offered guidance to ensure that I achieve my goals while mitigating my chances of dealing with pitfalls,” said Hill, who received WLP’s Bank of America East Tampa scholarship. “I am so grateful to this organization and will be thinking of all that I have learned from WLP when I walk across that graduation stage in December.”

More than 200 USF students receive WLP scholarships each year. Many were able to attend the symposium, which was presented by Florida Blue and the first in three years to be held in person.

“Tiana’s story is so incredible and is one of literally hundreds from young women like her who have received support from WLP. That is what makes this organization and these women leaders so special,” said USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman.

“It was such an inspirational day,” said WLP’s Executive Director Lauren Gstalder. “It was great to hear first-hand the impact that this organization has in the lives of our students. And we were honored to recognize Judy Genshaft and Donna Petersen – two remarkable women who, through their significant leadership, have improved countless lives throughout the Tampa Bay region and beyond.”

For more information about Women in Leadership & Philanthropy visit usf.edu/wlp.

Reposted from USF Foundation

The post USF’s Women in Leadership & Philanthropy honors Judy Genshaft, Donna Petersen appeared first on College of Public Health News.

USF College of Public Health (COPH) doctoral candidate Marlene Joannie Bewa was recently recognized for her many accomplishments and skills in the second-annual women’s edition of Tampa Magazines “Women to Watch 2022.”

Bewa is a medical doctor and winner of both a USF Outstanding Young Alumni Award and Golden Bull Award. She also is a United Nations Young Leader, among many other accomplishments.

Tampa Magazines feature article “Charging Forward” concentrated on USF alumnae and highlighted such prestigious Bulls as USF President Rhea Law, Melissa Seixas, state president of Duke Energy and Elizabeth Krystyn, co-founder of Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners & Baldwin Risk Partners.

“It’s a great honor to be included in this list alongside other women leaders such as Rhea Law and other prominent women in the Tampa Bay region,” Bewa said. “It’s a sign that our university and city value excellence, service, diversity, equity and inclusion, and they are keen to ensure gender equality including in academia and leadership roles.”

Bewa said she was encouraged to participate in the article by USF Foundation’s India Witte, who is also the former executive director of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy (WLP). 

“I am a WLP-endowed scholar, and I was actively involved in WLP’s Women Who Ignite Student Engagement (WISE) Advisory Council,” Bewa noted. “The magazine’s team were following me and were familiar with my research and global engagement work.”

Not one to rest on her (many!) laurels, Bewa is currently hard at work defending her PhD proposal, which focuses on understanding adolescents’ experiences and factors affecting access and utilization of modern contraception methods in Benin Republic (West Africa), where she is from.

She’s being supervised in her research by the COPH’s Drs. Claudia Parvanta, Russell Kirby, Cheryl Vamos and UC Berkeley’s Dr. Ndola Prata. She’s supported by the Schlumberger Foundation, a nonprofit that encourages science and technology education.

Bewa was also selected to receive an emerging scholar award by the Society of Family Planning to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to contraception nationwide in the United States, research she is conducting with the COPH’s Harrell Center Director Abraham Salinas-Miranda. 

And as if that hasn’t been enough, Bewa has also co-authored a paper selected as a top-cited article of 2020-2021. The article was published by Wiley in the American Journal of Community Psychology and is titled “Youth participatory approaches and health equity: conceptualization and integrative review.”

“I would like to give a special shout-out to the Tampa Magazines team, USF Alumni Association, WLP and the USF Foundation for their endless commitment to uplift women,” Bewa said.

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

The post PhD candidate Marlene Joannie Bewa is “Charging Upward” appeared first on College of Public Health News.

Dr. Ronee Wilson, a USF College of Public Health (COPH) alumna and assistant professor, has been awarded a $5,000 USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy award. USF Foundation, a group that connects the university with donors, presented the award.

Wilson received the Valerie D. Riddle, MD Award in Health. The award is open to all tenure-track USF Health faculty members who conduct research related to women’s health.

“To have the WLP support and recognize my work means a lot,” said Wilson, who received her PhD from the COPH. “I am very honored and humbled to be recognized for pursuing my passion.” Wilson’s passion happens to be maternal and infant health outcomes, primarily among marginalized populations.

“I am very honored and humbled to be recognized for pursuing my passion.” —Dr. Ronee Wilson

“My early-career research involved the study of obstetric near-miss events or extreme cases of severe maternal morbidity, which in the United States primarily impacts African American women,” Wilson said. “Over the past decade, I have explored various behavioral, demographic and clinical risk factors that are associated with adverse outcomes for women and mothers. And most recently, my work has shifted from a predominantly clinical perspective to a more community-engaged focus. My current projects are focused on understanding and evaluating programming designed to address the persistent disparities that impact African American communities. Much of this work is conducted within under-resourced areas and focuses on women and their pregnancy or perinatal outcomes.”

“My current projects are focused on understanding and evaluating programming designed to address the persistent disparities that impact African American communities.” —Dr. Ronee Wilson

Wilson was nominated for the award by fellow COPH faculty members Drs. Ellen Daley and Stephanie Marhefka.

Daley called Wilson a “talented and respected researcher” who has “integrated herself into many areas of maternal and child health epidemiology, including her innovative fatherhood research.” Marhefka described Wilson as “a natural role model, outstanding mentor to our students, strong advocate for mothers and children and an exceptional community-based maternal and child health researcher.”

Wilson will use her $5,000 award to add a research component to the Merck for Mothers (MFM) Safer Childbirth Cities project that she co-leads. The MFM initiative is a collaborative effort undertaken with REACHUP, Inc., a nonprofit that works for racial and ethnic equity in health care, and Dr. Adetola Louis-Jacques, a maternal-fetal specialist with USF Health. The project aims to improve perinatal mental wellness and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in perinatal health outcomes by facilitating access to a holistic, inclusive and responsive continuum of care.

Specifically, Wilson will research whether perceived social support among pregnant and postpartum moms affects cortisol (a biomarker for stress) and cytokines (biomarkers for inflammation). “The $5,000 will support cortisol and cytokine collection and lab fees plus research incentives for 50 women.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

The post Working toward healthier babies and moms [video] appeared first on College of Public Health News.

“While growing up, I had always seen health as just medicinal, but now, I know that there is more to health than just medicine,” said USF College of Public Health (COPH) undergraduate student Adesola “Sola” Orogade.

Orogade is a junior from Deltona, Fla., majoring in public health, with a minor in psychology and applied behavioral analysis. She is the first named recipient of the endowed Women in Leadership & Philanthropy (WLP)/Alena Frey Memorial Scholarship in Public Health.

The scholarship was established through the generosity of friends and family in memory of Alena Frey, a COPH alumna who passed away in June.

Frey, a student who was beloved by so many at the COPH, was working toward her master’s in health science degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“I feel motivated and inspired by Alena Frey to keep striving to make a difference in the communities that I will live in,” said Orogade. “Alena’s determination, numerous engagements and impact on the lives of many have challenged me to do more in my community.”

Orogade said she is grateful to the USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Program for “believing in me” and for naming her the first recipient, which will ultimately provide $2,500 in scholarship support to Orogade annually.  

“This scholarship means more to me than financial support. It has been an encouragement to me in many ways,” Orogade said. “I feel more motivated to study harder and to serve and learn more about the various communities that I can positively impact during and post-college without having the constant worries about financial concerns. Gaining this scholarship has challenged me and made me learn to be grateful for every little thing in my life. I am grateful to Alena Frey’s parents and family for honoring her in this way.”

“We hope that with the help of this scholarship, which we would to like to continue to grow, other like-minded students will carry on her dedication to public health, in her remembrance,” said Sophia Sorolis, Frey’s mother. “At USF, Alena discovered that her public heath passion was heath education and helping people become the best versions of themselves. We hope the recipients of this scholarship will discover their own public health passion and demonstrate compassion for people.” 

Orogade said she’s come to realize a passion for public health policy and hopes to pursue a career where she can advocate for those who need it in the future.

“I am glad and grateful to be a part of this diverse community at USF,” she said. “Every class I have taken reminds me of what public health is and its impact, and I am grateful for all the professors that have made my love for public health deepen. I’d love to dive into the law field where I can expand my knowledge of health and family law after I graduate from USF. I would also like to utilize my public health and law knowledge to advocate for health policy reform for the different populations and communities in dire need of it.”

Aside from maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Orogade has also stayed highly connected and involved with varying campus organizations. She has worked with more than 25 student groups across academic disciplines, assisting in a range of efforts from project management to planning events.

This semester she has also taken up membership in the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity Epsilon Chapter as a leadership committee chair and the COPH Health Scholars as the student coordinator.

“I love volunteering. It’s been a de-stressor for me during the semester,” Orogade said. “I love interacting with the people I meet during my volunteering experiences, and volunteering gives me a sense of happiness and purpose. I never understood the joy of helping others until I started volunteering, and this has changed me forever. As Maya Angelou said- ‘People will forget what you said, what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.’ I believe that effort like this is part of the entire progress that strives to make the world a better place.”

Frey, too, found many ways to stay connected and involved during her time as an undergraduate, something that has remained in the memory of many at the COPH.

“The motto of the College of Public Health is ‘our practice is our passion’ and Alena exemplified that in everything she did,” said COPH Dean Donna Petersen. “She was intellectually curious, she was a natural leader, she understood what it meant to serve her community, and she knew how to live life to the fullest. She carried the spirit of the college with her and we will always carry the spirit of Alena with us. The ability to support other students financially who share her talent and enthusiasm allows her gifts to continue to be shared and for others to be inspired by the way she practiced her passions. Sola is the perfect inaugural recipient of the scholarship. It is students like Alena and Sola who give us hope for the future, hope that the work we do at the college will be carried far and wide in service to our ultimate purpose: keeping people healthy and promoting the highest quality of life for everyone, everywhere.”

The Frey family is grateful for the outpouring of philanthropic support for the scholarship in memory of their daughter. As a gesture of thanks, and to maximize the impact this scholarship will have on the life of Sola and the students who will follow, they have committed to match any future donations made in Alena’s honor up to $5,000. To make a gift online, visit https://usf.to/AlenaFreyScholarship. For more information, contact the USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program at wlp@usf.edu.   

Story by Anna Mayor, USF College of Public Health

The post Adesola Orogade is first recipient of Alena Frey scholarship appeared first on College of Public Health News.

The endowed WLP/Alena Eftihia Frey Memorial Scholarship has been established in her memory through the generosity of friends and family

USF College of Public Health alumna Alena Frey’s passion for public health was evident during her tenure as an undergraduate student. While working toward earning her bachelor’s degree in public health, Frey always found a way to help promote the health of the community.

She served as an HIV/AIDS testing counselor at the USF Health BRIDGE Clinic and the Ybor Youth Clinic. She was also the president of the Undergraduate Public Health Student Association and led the delegation to San Diego during the ASPPH meeting, a GloBull Ambassador, and a member of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority. She was also a recipient of a USF Stampede of Service award for her work. Shortly after graduation from the COPH in the spring of 2019, she was part of the COPH alumni group who visited the APHA’s advocacy bootcamp in Washington D.C.

She was currently working toward her master’s in health science from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. While there, she was a kidney advocacy committee member with the National Kidney Foundation, working alongside elected officials to promote legislation supporting kidney disease and organ donation—a cause for which she had firsthand experience.

Frey, who graduated from Plant High School in Tampa, Fla. was the recipient of a heart transplant in her infancy and a kidney transplant as a teenager.

Frey, who passed away at the age of 23 on June 19, 2020, left a lasting impression on many COPH alumni and faculty during her time at the college.

“Between her friends, family, colleagues and myself we all admired Alena’s positive energy and just the strong ‘can-do’ attitude,” said COPH classmate and partner Shawn Zamani. “I think most folks were surprised to learn about her history of organ transplantation, mainly because she never felt limited or paradoxically burdened by such gifts.”

“Alena was a very bright and caring student,” said Dr. Rita DeBate, a USF COPH professor of health education who had Frey in her London study abroad course. “As a class we all developed a special relationship as we walked the streets of London learning about epidemiology and the history of public health. After the course, Alena volunteered with me to develop the USF WellCheck program, now housed in the Success and Wellness Coaching program. I always valued her work, her creativity, and her thoughtfulness. She was passionate and dedicated to public health and I enjoyed working with her. I miss her laugh and her smile; she will always have a special place in my heart.”

“Alena was an excellent student. She was always engaged in class, asked questions, and had a thirst for knowledge,” said Dr. Alison Oberne, director of the BSPH program and instructor II at the USF COPH. “Her passion for public health was apparent early on in class and I saw this passion blossom through her involvement and leadership (as president) in the Undergraduate Public Health Student Association.”

“I distinctly remember when she took my Intro to Health Advocacy course, which was when I first got to know her well,” said Dr. Anna Torrens Armstrong, USF COPH assistant professor. “She was already an advocate for the things that were so important to her. Her zest for life was contagious, and once you got to know her, and hear her story, you understood just a little bit better why. She was truly an inspiration to all who knew her. One of our last conversations was about pursuing graduate school. She had big dreams and she didn’t let anything slow her down, so when she asked my opinion, I said, I think you’ve already made up your mind. And she most certainly had. In just a short time, she taught many of us what it means to live fully. I will never forget her.”

“What I remember most about Alena is her willingness to help educate other students about public health. She volunteered at countless events to spread the word about what public health is and how students can get involved. One event sticks out to me the most. Alena was working the UPHSA (Undergraduate Public Health Student Association) table at the College of Public Health’s Week of Welcome event. It was incredibly hot that August afternoon, but she stuck it out all day despite the humidity, educating students about public health programs,” said Laura Rusnak, USF COPH instructor III. “I asked UPHSA members if I could interview them about their interests in public health. Although this meant bravely taking the microphone in front of a large crowd in the middle of the Marshall Center lawn, Alena immediately agreed. She earnestly spoke about her passion for keeping people healthy. Her eloquence in explaining to her fellow Bulls the benefits of working in field of public health still resonates with me.”

“It’s hard to sum up the positive impact Alena had on my life in writing, but I want to try and provide a glimpse. She was a kind, loving, and goofy soul. She was my friend and my mentor who inspired me and encouraged me on all my endeavors, I truly would not be where I am today without her. I will never forget the day she surprised me with a dozen red roses and told me how proud she was of me and my hard work and congratulated me on becoming president of UPHSA. She was always so selfless and put others needs before her own. I miss her so much and I feel a little lost without her, but I learned a lot from her, and I hope to continue to make her proud. I will always look back on our time together in San Diego, at our volunteer events, at our late-night hang outs, and so much more with fondness and admiration. I am so lucky to have known her,” said COPH classmate and friend Sarah Callahan.

 “Alena was more than just a classmate or team member on UPHSA executive board, she became a very close friend,” said Jahvon Johnson, a COPH classmate and friend. “She always supported me in my endeavors to rise to the top, and in making UPHSA a widespread organization that welcomed every student. We grew in friendship together, through volunteering at events, meetings and generally having time to socialize with one another. I was always able to tell her my ambitions, she listened and gave her advice, (that was spot on), and always checked in with me to make sure I was doing fine. She will always be a part of sweetest memories in my college life and I continue to uphold her legacy of being the all-around student and person in life.”

“I’m pretty sure every single memory with Alena includes blasting Ariana Grande – which is never a bad thing! Our final year at USF was on full blast – we did mostly everything together at school,” said Stephen Tellone, a COPH classmate and friend. “Her cheerfulness and personality continues to brighten up every single day of mine. I truly couldn’t have asked for a more inspiring and overall better person to call my best friend.”

Frey’s mother, Sophia Sorolis, said that her daughter had written a “TED”-like talk, which she has decided to share in her memory:

If someone were to ask you, what do you live for? What’s your why?

Would you say friends, family, maybe a pet you love dearly? Are some of you having trouble coming up with an answer? I found my reason to live 21 years ago, and then again 5 years ago. I’m not here to give a sob story about my life, but instead supply you with an explanation of what I live for, how I came to realize it, and maybe those of you out there who don’t currently have a reason, will find one.

To begin, 21 years ago I was diagnosed with spongiform myocardium. The easiest way to put it: part of my heart was literally a sponge and would not grow any further. Of course, I don’t remember this, I was a ripe two months of age at the time. Neither my parents nor I would know this would be a catalyst into somewhat of a medically hectic life, but one I wouldn’t change for the world. Back then, transplants were not as evolved as they are now. It required a lot more hospitalization time, treatment, and still was fairly new.

In fact, I was the eleventh child transplanted at my local hospital. I am so lucky to have received this gift of life, a heart from another family’s child. It is impossible for me to understand and know the pain they went through during this time, but for them to allow another child a chance at life, me, is something I can never repay. I can only live a life I would think they would have wanted for their child, one filled with meaningful friendships, growing up as every child does. Going through all the phases of life, transitioning into this scary, sometimes unforgiving place we call “adulthood.” But, I hope, if they are out there, they are happy with the life they have.

Post-transplantation is a complex and frightening world, especially for parents. I am so blessed to have parents that cared just as much for me back then as they do today. My mother took time off work and spent every day in the hospital with me, crib-side. There is truly no love like a mother’s, and I work every day to make sure she is proud of me. My father and sister are amazing, wonderful, caring people. Of course, my sister was only three at the time, so she didn’t really grasp what was going on. And my father, he was and is a champion. Though he stayed at work, he took care of my mother and made sure she was as strong and right-minded as possible in order to take care of me.

My mom often wonders where I get my strength from. And to be honest, I don’t really know. I really don’t like it when people call me brave. What have I done that’s brave? I have simply sat and lived through the various medical issues that have arisen, and luckily, eventually overcame them.

 I compare this to almost like a wave. A very tough wave, I’ll admit, getting cancer was like more a tsunami style wave, and I tried to search for high ground, but I still got wet. It isn’t easy having cancer. But at the age of 13, it’s even more challenging. Your body is trying to grow into its adult form, but your immune system is busy attacking the entire body. I had lymphoma, most likely caused by the immune suppressants I had been taking for my heart transplant.

 These meds work to lower the white blood cells in my body and the immune response so that my transplant organ doesn’t stop working, or as they say in the medical field, reject. It’s a tough balance of these medicines: too much: the patient can get cancer, too little: the immune response isn’t lowered enough and the organ rejects. I’ve seen both effects, both suck.

I don’t really remember much of going through it, but the parts I do remember are not pretty. I know that I stayed in a hospital for about two months during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Watching the seasons change, temperature drop, and life go on through a window on the 5th floor of the PICU is something I do not wish upon my worst enemy. After the chemo and other treatments, my kidneys ended up completely failing. To have to sit and watch your organs fail you, at 13 also sucks. A lot. But life went on.

I survived three years on dialysis. Some days I was awake, feeling great, doing things. Other days, I’d accidentally fall asleep in high school classes and black out from being so anemic.

But amidst all this, I tried hard for grades. They weren’t perfect, I ended up getting a C in an AP class. But looking back, I can’t believe I expected so much from myself at school while I was going through so many things at once.

 I was just a regular HS senior as far as their eye could see. And I was. I went to football games, got my license on the day of my 16th birthday, got into trouble with friends, the usual high school kid stuff. The only difference? I knew at the end of the day or night, I had to come back, connect a tube hanging from my abdomen to a machine for the next 10 hours. It wasn’t glamourous, but it got the job done. Very few people had an idea of what I was going through. I refused to tell people, I didn’t want a pity party, or people to look or treat me differently.

I got the call for a kidney transplant two weeks into my senior year, and I was out almost the entire rest of the year. After three weeks, when I thought I would be going back, I had issues with organ rejection. It was only downhill from there. Problems kept occurring with it, months went by until the actual problem was found. Which of course, only occurs in about 5 percent of transplants. My ureter, near the bladder, had lost blood flow. Essentially all urine created was backed up into my kidney, not a great feeling as I recall. Luckily, I had an amazing team of doctors who were somehow able to attach my old ureter, the one from my long dead original kidneys, to my transplant. It worked. Science is wild isn’t it?

Believe it or not, I did get into a few colleges. I guess some schools really do read those personal essays they make you submit, because that C in the AP class wasn’t very impressive. In all seriousness, here is where I began to realize what I live for.

I moved away to live in a dorm which was my first time truly being on my own. Though I wasn’t far, about a 35-minute drive, it really felt like an entire new state. But I knew I wasn’t doing this alone. I had my family, friends, and doctors supporting this transition.

After freshman year, I became a depressed. I was in my own apartment now, and its where I began to feel so alone, even though again, I had friends, an entire sorority, and lived with one of my best friends. It’s when I really began to see myself for who I was, what I had been through, and how much I had been pushing myself to be the best. I had always felt second best, like I had more to prove, because to my family and cousins I didn’t want to be thought of as the “sick one.” And I surely did not want to be left in the dust academically.

But I remembered, I had more people in my corner than I originally thought. In fact, I live for the people that make up me, because I am just not one person. I never was. 21 years ago, I received someone else’s heart, someone who had an entire life in front of them, if only they had been dealt the right hand of cards. I also live the life of someone who lost his life 5 years ago, who was actually around my age now when he passed. I realized I am not alone, nor will I ever be. I remembered these people and it gave me strength when the sarcoma tumor grew in my bladder, which was highly unlikely for anyone my age. But with the help of great doctors and bladder resection surgery, that wave also passed.

People often say, “pray and thank God for this gift of life and your healing from cancer.” Though I agree I have received a gift, I can’t thank God for this. Because in my mind, I think, why am I praying and thanking God for killing someone else and taking their life away from their family and friends? Everything they ever could have had, is gone. For me? And then again, how can I pray cancer away, if it was God’s plan for me to get it in the first place?

These families, these people, signed up to be organ donors. And unfortunately, the time came where they had to let go of their loved ones, and they did. My family has tried to reach out to the family who donated the heart to pay our respects, but did not get a reply, which we respect immensely. So, everything I do now, I do in part for them. I live three lives, myself and my donors.

I do the things they would have done: have friends, travel, go to college. All these things many people find as normal life activities. I do not. I find them as responsibilities, duties, something I have to do to pay my respects in the only way I know how. And although my donors will never know the life they could have lived, for as long as I go on I promise to give them a life I think they and their families would have wanted. I’ve taken them around North America, to England, France and Switzerland,  and even the coasts of Italy. But of course, there is more, and there always will be.

I don’t stand here to say I feel indebted to their families, in fact I’m sure that’s the last feeling they’d want me to feel. But instead I feel the need to carry on their legacy, to become someone successful and passionate. With every personal and professional success, I thank them, because they gave me another chance at life. My donors are who I live for, who I wake up every day for, even on days when my depression gets the best of me, I know in the back of my mind, or should I say in my chest and in my abdomen, that there are two people, two families, who saved me, 21 and 5 years ago.

I encourage you to leave this conversation and find what you live for. It’s not easy, it took me years to finally understand mine. But there are passions, drives, reasons for living and there is one out there for each and every one of you.

Through the generosity of friends and family, an endowed scholarship in Alena Frey’s memory has been created in the USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program, which will benefit public health students like Alena for generations to come. Gifts to the WLP/Alena Eftihia Frey Memorial Scholarship in Public Health may be made payable to the USF Foundation, Inc. c/o the Office of Donor Relations, ALC100, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, Attn: Beth Corbin or online at https://usf.to/alenafreyscholarship.

To read more about her legacy and words from her friends and families, visit: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/tampa-fl/alena-frey-9227967

Story by Anna Mayor, USF College of Public Health

The post In remembrance of Alena Frey appeared first on College of Public Health News.

The USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy (WLP) program presented USF College of Public Health’s Dr. Cheryl Vamos, an assistant professor in maternal and child health and alumna of the college, with a $5,000 Faculty Research Award at its annual awards dinner, held at the USF Gibbons Alumni Center in April.

The USF WLP is an organization focused on engaging and educating its members in support of women and women’s initiatives throughout the USF System and in its communities.

Since its inception in 2005, WLP has distributed roughly $1 million in scholarships and faculty research awards. Vamos, who is the recipient of the WLP Health Sciences Faculty Research Award, was nominated by both COPH Dean Donna Petersen and Associate Dean Dr. Ellen Daley, who is also a community and family health professor.

Cheryl Vamos, MPH, PhD, at the WLP awards ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Vamos)

According to the WLP, “award-winning faculty have recognition among their colleagues in their discipline for productive research or creative work focused on women or related issues.”

“All my research projects seek to find innovative and better ways to translate emergent evidence into practice for patients and providers,” said Vamos, who noted she’s always had a passion for maternal and child health, and, in particular, reproductive health. “This award is significant because it recognizes research that impacts women’s lives.”

Vamos’ current research is on the development of an eHealth app focused on prenatal oral health. The app, to be used on an iPad, will assist clinicians in implementing the oral health guidelines during a prenatal visit.

Vamos being congratulated by USF President Judy Genshaft. (Photo courtesy of Vamos)

“It tells the clinicians what questions to ask pregnant patients—for example, do you have bleeding gums and have you seen a dentist in the last six months—and will give them pictures of what to look for in the mouth,” Vamos explained. “We have national guidelines on the importance of oral health during pregnancy, but it’s an issue that’s seldom discussed during prenatal visits. This app helps guide the clinician in assessing, advising, and referring pregnant women on oral health issues.”

Right now the app is only being studied with the clinician in mind. But Vamos hopes to use the research award to look at ways the app—which is also being funded through the National Institutes of Health—can be extended to patients.

“A big part of my research is health literacy, and that involves making sure information is understandable, usable and actionable,” she said. “There has to be patient activation. This award helps give us the financial support to extend the research and tease out that patient perspective.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

The post USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy honors Dr. Cheryl Vamos appeared first on College of Public Health News.

“You should be proud of your accomplishments!” Dr. Kay Perrin told the College of Public Health baccalaureate graduates at the pinning ceremony May 1.  “As of tomorrow, you will be among the 26% of the U.S. population with a college degree,” added Perrin, associate professor and assistant dean for undergraduate studies.

Among all the honors, accolades and distinctions as the college recognized its spring 2015 graduates in the Sam Bell III Auditorium, a trio of atypical grads were especially noteworthy.

“My college experience is definitely different than that of the average student in the COPH, given that I am a ‘baby boomer,’ and considerably older than my fellow students,” said Geraldine “Gerry” Piper.  “My upcoming graduation and receiving my bachelor’s degree in public health has been a 39-year journey in the making!”

That journey began when Piper, now 57, started working in the 1970s as a registered medical assistant in family medicine, Ob/GYN and dermatology.

Her career expanded into research in 2000, when she was hired as a research assistant at the University of Kentucky, working in cognitive brain imaging studies.  Later, she was recruited by the Markey Cancer Center to assist in establishing a statewide network for lung cancer clinical trials.  She also took classes part-time and completed her associate’s degree in 2005.

In 2008, Piper at arrived at USF as a clinical research coordinator for the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center.  Recognizing the opportunity her workplace offered, she started exploring majors that might complement her experience and career goals.

Geraldine “Gerry” Piper

“That’s when I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Kay Perrin,” Piper said.  “She explained that the COPH was in the process of establishing a bachelor’s degree program.  After our discussion, I felt a bachelor’s in public health would be a very good fit for me, and thus started taking some classes again part-time.”

She had barely settled into her new pursuit when life threw her a horrible curve, “the most devastating detour I had ever encountered,” she said.

In 2010, her husband was diagnosed with ALS, also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a fatal and incurable neuromuscular ailment that few survive for two years.

“Though we had faced many trials throughout our 36 years doing life together, this would be an indescribable, overwhelming final blow to face as a family.  When it became obvious that the disease was quickly progressing, and my husband was shrinking away before our eyes, I made the tough decision to quit school and my job to be at home to take care of him.”

A scant nine months later, he was gone.

It was the fall of 2013 when Piper resumed her studies at COPH.  Last Friday, she finally walked across the stage to receive her diploma.  It was a mother-daughter joint celebration, as Nicole AnnLee Piper graduated, too, receiving her master’s degree in rehabilitation/mental health counseling and a certificate in marriage and family therapy.

Besides Perrin, associate professor and assistant dean for undergraduate studies, who Piper said was “very supportive throughout my program,” she also said she “can’t say enough good things about my Public Health academic advisor, Annette Strzelecki.  She was extremely instrumental and helpful assisting me with the scheduling of my classes so that I would be able to complete all my requirements and graduate at the same time as my daughter.”

Piper said six weeks of study abroad program in Spain last summer was a major highlight of her time at COPH.

Geraldine Piper with fellow study abroad students in Seville, Spain.

“What a phenomenal, life-changing experience!” she said.  “It was a great opportunity to learn the language, culture and history of Spain.  I also found it to be a great way to connect with over 150 other college students from USF and other universities, as well.”

As for what her future endeavors hold, Piper is all about public health’s core mission.

“Public Health at the most basic level is about promoting healthy lifestyles across the lifespan, of which I have been a firm believer for a long time.  Currently, my passions lie in health education, as well as establishment and implementation of programs promoting healthy workplaces,” she said.  “Workplace stress is at epidemic proportion these days and shortening the lives of way too many.  I would like very much to be a part of finding better solutions, allowing for a healthier balance in people’s lives.  Life is way too short to not make it a priority!”

**********************

“I love public health because I am able to interact with the public,” said Amanda DeRenzis.  At 19, she is COPH’s youngest graduate and is already working as a research coordinator at Moffitt Cancer Center.

Amanda DeRenzis

“I make every effort to meet my patients face-to-face for all of their follow-ups,” she said.  “This is important because I am able to interact with them about their cancer diagnoses, but also on a personal level.  It is amazing the impact it can have on someone.  I believe this is the most important aspect of public health.”

DeRenzis said her public health inspiration came from her mother, who entered the field from the business end.  Originally a paralegal, DeRenzis’ mother earned a master’s degree in business administration and since then has worked for many years in health policy and management, first as a hospital CFO, and presently as director of support services at the Shared Services Center in Sarasota.

“She taught me that nothing is impossible, and that it takes hard work to become successful,” DeRenzis said.  “Although my dad is not in the health field, he is still an inspiration to me, too.  He has his own financial consultant business and teaches high school algebra.  You can say that I get my mathematics and number skills from my parents.  Both are very hard-working.  Both have always said that education is very important and taught my brother and me to never give up.”

From left, Joseph, Vicki and Amanda DeRenzis after the COPH undergraduate pinning ceremony.

Those number skills led DeRenzis to major in mathematics initially, but public health held a growing appeal for her that was not to be denied.

“I knew I wanted to work in the medical field,” she said, “but I wanted to do it on a more personal level.  I actually had no idea what I wanted to do when I changed my major to public health.  Everyone said changing from mathematics to public health was a huge change and questioned my decision on pursuing a different track other than medical school.  However, I had a feeling that public health was right for me, thus took a chance and made the change.  In the end, it was the best decision I ever made.”

Like Piper, DeRenzis gives COPH in-house inspiration plenty of high marks.

“Dr. Kay Perrin has been my mentor since my first semester as a COPH student,” DeRenzis said.  “She has helped me find my way academically and professionally.  She inspires me to continue to work hard and to never give up.

“My experience as a COPH student has been amazing,” she continued.  “All my professors were attentive and active throughout my courses, which were mostly online.  My advisor, Annette Strzelecki, was always there to answer any of my questions and responded daily.  Overall, the staff and faculty that I have interacted with during my time here were amazing – willing to help, and willing to help provide resources for different opportunities that would help us grow as public health professionals.”

From valedictorian at Sebring High School in 2013 to summa cum laude graduate of South Florida State College in 2014 to Graduate of COPH in 2015 (dean’s list last fall), DeRenzis is a poster child for cranking the vague intangibility of “hard work” into specific, tangible success, especially in light of all she did along the way as a volunteer for Good Shepherd Hospice, Relay for Life, Moffitt Cancer Center and others.

Her efforts earned her a handful of scholarships that she made sure she put to good use, but DeRenzis isn’t finished yet, not by a long shot.  To likely no one’s surprise, she has applied for graduate school at the USF College of Public Health beginning fall 2015, studying for an MPH with specializing in epidemiology and biostatistics.  It looks like the public health ambition and numbers skills have found a way to come together.

And after that?

“I hope to one day obtain my PhD and continue to rise in the field of epidemiology,” she said.

If recent history is any indication, that day is not very far off.

**********************

Thanks to the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Betty Castor Scholarship for Global Initiatives, Jennifer Stenback has been able to tackle her college education without constant financial stress.  The 2013 U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Undergraduate Award winner credits the USF Foundation not only for setting her up for educational success, but for believing she was capable in the first place.

“It is so encouraging to have someone reach out and show you that they believe in you and support your goals,” she said.  “The scholarship I received through Women in Leadership and Philanthropy has empowered me by surrounding me with a network of women who exemplify true success: achieving your goals to help others achieve theirs.”

Jennifer Stenback with world champion swimmer and author Diana Nyad.  Both ladies were featured speakers at the Women in Leadership & Philanthropy 9th Annual Fall Symposium.

Stenback graduated this month from the USF College of Public Health with a bachelor of science in public health.  Originally on track for pre-med education, the Vero Beach native was lured to public health by its community perspective.

“I think the challenges of addressing population-level health disparities are extremely interesting,” said Stenback.  “Public health combines my passion for community service and the medical field in a way which allows me to enact real change in the communities I work in.”

One thing’s for certain:  If her involvement in student life is any indicator of the future, she will accomplish many things for whatever community she works in.  Stenback is a mentor and the newsletter senior staff reporter with the Provost’s Scholars Program, co-president of the Bulls for Moffitt Club, volunteer co-chair of the Honors College Student Council, and the internal communications director of Leaders of the Herd.  She’s also participated in research as a USF public health student with Dr. Dawood Sultan, former faculty member in the Department of Health Policy and Management.

Presently, Stenback works as a volunteer research intern with TRIP, Moffitt’s Tobacco Research and Intervention Program.  She and other volunteers conduct studies on youth perception of electronic cigarettes.

“Public health is really multi-disciplinary, and I feel like I am always discovering new ways public health is practiced and applied,” she said.

Although the ink on her diploma is barely dry, Stenback already has begun planning her professional path.  She hopes to tie in her love of travel and planning for the perfect career, specializing in global health in the area of program development, monitoring and evaluation as a public health program advisor.

“I love the logistics of planning a project and seeing it implemented,” said Stenback.  “My travels to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic helped me to see how I could apply that skill in areas lacking resources.  The challenge of incorporating cultural beliefs and practices into effective interventions is something I am excited to explore in my career.”

Jennifer Stenback volunteering in the Dominican Republic.

Through her time with COPH, Stenback gained much more than an undergraduate education.  She had the opportunity to travel to countries like the Bahamas and England, and work in a variety of different environments.  Now, with a wealth of experience, she is more than ready to take on her graduate studies without financial struggle.

“The support I received at USF has helped place me in a position where I can continue my education at a graduate level,” she said.

Stenback believes those who donate to scholarships are doing much more than writing checks.  To her, they’re funding dreams.  They’re encouraging a student, somewhere, to work hard, to dream big, and to keep trucking on.

“In giving to COPH, you are supporting the next generation of change agents, the next generation of people who make the world a little better by fighting for the conditions in which all people can be healthy,” she said.

From left, USF System President Judy Genshaft, Jennifer Stenback and Provost Ralph Wilcox at the 2015 USF Health Commencement Ceremony on May 1.

**********************

This spring’s graduating class also was collectively notable for a numerical milestone.  The 171 receiving their bachelor’s degrees broke the thousand mark by bringing the total to 1,038 who have earned their four-year degrees since the undergraduate public health major was established in 2011.

New alumni celebrate with family, friends and fellow Bulls at the COPH graduation reception.

Story by David Brothers, College of Public Health.  Jennifer Stenback portion by Shelby Bourgeois, COPH writing intern, who also graduated this spring.

Related stories:
First USF Health Commencement marks milestone for 600 graduates [Multimedia]
Founding dean Peter J. Levin receives President’s Fellow Medallion

The post Atypical graduates highlight spring 2015 pinning ceremony appeared first on College of Public Health News.