Exceptional efforts in problem-solving, having a positive attitude, providing leadership and staying resourceful. These are the attributes of seven current USF Health staff members who earned Quiet Quality Awards and were recognized at an awards ceremony held May 24 in the Marshall Center Ballroom.

USF System President Judy Genshaft, center, with some Quiet Quality award winners. From left: Erin Pierce (USF) and Pamela McLean, Isabella Parizon, and Gail Van Alstine (USF Health).

They were among 78 total USF Quiet Quality Award recipients for FYI 2016/17, representing all areas across the USF System.  The USF Health winners included:

• Agnes Ramirez, program coordinator assistant, Department of Pediatrics
• Sharon Wright, staff assistant, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Gail Van Alstine, executive administrative specialist, Office of Vice President for USF Health
• Paul Laplante, information tech support specialist, USF Health
• Pamela McLean, staff assistant, College of Public Health Dean’s Office
• Isabella Parizon, administrative specialist, Department of Internal Medicine
• Shari Gaesser, administrative specialist, College of Pharmacy Student Affairs

Quiet Quality Awards are for USF staff who excel in their work roles while also demonstrating professional traits that are beyond their basic job duties, such as problem-solving, positive attitude, leadership and resourcefulness. Sponsored by the USF Staff Senate, the awards have been given to successful employees since 1996.

“Your efforts impact our student success, enable us to become a top research institution, and propel us into the national spotlight as a model for higher education,” USF System President Judy Genshaft told the awardees. “You are the professionals who keep USF running smoothly. Thank you for your integrity, your work ethic, your talents and your dedication to our students and to USF.”

– Photo by Eric Younghans, USF Health Communications and Marketing

Kathleen Armstrong PhD, professor of pediatrics at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) received the 2017 Kosove Distinguished Graduate Teaching and Service Award.

The Kosove Award is given by USF’s Kosove Society, a community service organization. The Kosove Award honors and promotes individuals, collective social responsibility, and societal change for the betterment of humanity.

In nominating Dr. Armstrong for the award, Heather Agazzi PhD, an associate professor of pediatric medicine at MCOM, emphasized her commitment to children, families and the community.

“Dr. Armstrong spends personal time in the training and development of graduate students. Second, Dr. Armstrong has created several internship sites with community agencies to provide psychology students with training opportunities to work with vulnerable populations including children with developmental disabilities, children of diverse socio­ economic backgrounds, and minority children. These field experiences have resulted in better care coordination between physicians and behavioral health specialists as well as increased access to behavioral health services for our most at-risk families,” wrote Dr. Agazzi in her nomination letter.

Dr. Armstrong has dedicated her career to training psychiatry residents in evidence-based behavioral interventions for children with disruptive behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, ADAD, and anxiety. She inspires community interaction in the patient care process.

Dr. Armstrong garnered national attention on the Oprah Winfrey show for her work with local policy makers to ensure that children who are victims of trauma and abuse receive care.

Dr. Armstrong’s contributions are reflected through her advocacy and commitment to children with special needs, their families and the community.

Winners for the fourth quarter for 2016 have been named based on their stellar work as noted in patient satisfaction surveys for the USF Physicians Group. The high marks earned them awards that are part of the USFPG’s Press Ganey Employee Recognition Program, an effort to recognize those with top scores in each quarterly report.

The ongoing award program recognizes those who excelled in providing USFPG patients with exceptional care and service. Named each quarter based on that quarter’s survey results, winners are from four categories: provider, nurse practitioner/physician assistant, nurse, and office staff.

Q4-2016 winners are:

Provider: Eduardo Gonzalez, MD, FAAFP, associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, with a score of 99%.

Nurse practitioner/physician assistant: Jennifer Teeters, PA, in the Department of Family Medicine, with a score of 99%

Nurse/MA: Sarah Mister, RN, Cardiology at FCI Sun City, with a score of 99%

Office staff/front desk: 5^th Floor Morsani Center: Ira Camargo, Michoo Etienne, Denise Evenson, Stephanie Graham, Ronda Palmer, Samantha Pickett, Erica Rabeau, Mercy Sanchez, Jo An Vinci, Erica Windham, and Patty Zarate, with a score of 99%

Family Medicine Chair Richard Roetzheim congratulates Dr. Eduardo Gonzalez, who won the provider award with a score of 99%, and Jennifer Teeters, who won the nurse practitioner/physician assistant award with a score of 99%. Photo by Rainia Ruth.

From left, Cathy Rivera, Sarah Mister (nurse winner), and Amy Patterson. Mister had a score of 99%. Photo by Rania Ruth.

Fifth floor of the Morsani Center staff/front desk winners: from left seated, Denise Evenson, Ira Camargo, Erica Rabeau; from left standing, Samantha Pickett, Jo An Vinci, Carmen Guzman (supervisor), Mercy Sanchez, and Erica Windham. Not pictured is Michoo Etienne, Stephanie Graham, Ronda Palmer, and Patty Zarate. The team had a score of 99%. Photo by Freddie Coleman.

Awards include a crystal bull for winning providers, an award that rotates among future winners, similar to the Stanley Cup for the National Hockey League. Winners in the other categories choose from several award options, such as lunch with colleagues, ice cream party, a catered “Breakfast from the Boss,” a cake party, and a patient comment plaque.

Patient surveys are provided through Press Ganey and are designed to encompass the entire patient experience, from the moment they walk in the door until the moment they leave. For USFPG providers, the survey helps them understand what patients expect. Feedback, both complimentary and critical, helps USFPG providers know where they stand, giving them a baseline for implementing improvements. The information collected is used to define and design strategies that improve patient care and build stronger patient safety initiatives, as well as provide benchmarking opportunities with other large academic physician practices.

Jay Wolfson, DrPH, JD, health law and policy expert at USF Health, recently received the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award from his law school alma mater Stetson University.

Dr. Jay Wolfson with Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz.

The Stetson University Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to the Stetson University alumni who, through outstanding achievement in their lives and professions, have brought distinction and special recognition to Stetson University. Dr. Wolfson is currently on the faculty at Stetson University.

Dr. Wolfson serves USF as associate vice president for Health Law, Policy and Safety, and senior associate dean and senior associate dean for Health Policy and Practice at the Morsani College of Medicine. He is also a Distinguished Service Professor of Public Health.

Nishit Patel, MD, FAAD, was recently inducted to as serve president of the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgeons (FSDDS).

At age 31, Dr. Patel is the youngest member to be elected to serve as president of the FSDDS since the society’s inception 75 years ago.  The society was formed in 1930 with six members, and today enjoys a roster of 475 members. Dr. Patel was inducted at the group’s annual conference, held in June in Hollywood, FL.

Dr. Patel will serve for one year as president, and continue to serve for one more year as immediate past president. Paula Baumgardner spokesperson for the society said she sees Dr. Patel as “Bringing the society into the future”.

Dr. Patel is a graduate of the USF Morsani College of Medicine and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.  He is also assistant professor of dermatology, director clinical research unit, and the associate residency program director.

USF’s Neil Fenske, MD, USF Health Dermatologist received the Excellence in Dermatologic Teaching and the Excellence in Psoriasis Treatment awards. The honors were presented to him at the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery (FSDDS) national conference, which recently took place in Hollywood, FL. Winners are nominated and then voted on by a group of their peers.  Dr. Fenske served previously as president for the organization from 1994 to 1995.

Dr. Fenske is the chair and professor of the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM).  Dr. Fenske has been with USF since 1980, he was recruited to initiate a training program for residents in dermatology. The program that began with one resident now trains 12 twelve residents a year, and 400 to 500 applicants vie for those positions. In addition to his contributions at MCOM, Dr. Fenske continues to serve USF Health as the medical director of the USF Health Cosmetic and Laser Center.  Dr. Fenske’s specialties include skin cancer melanoma, psoriasis and cosmetic dermatology.

Sang-Hie Lee, PhD, USF faculty member, researcher, and performer has recently been recognized by the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA), as the recipient of the 2017 PAMA Dawson Award. Dr. Lee who is a pianist is also a professor in music medicine and research.

The Dawson Award is awarded to those who contributed the most in a service capacity for the organization.  The award is named for Bill Dawson, a founding member.

The PAMA organization was founded in 1988 as primarily a group of doctors dedicated to helping performers, namely musicians and dancers.  The organization was initially limited to physicians but now includes all types of health professionals, performers, educators, and administrative personnel.  The PAMA has grown, as 20 percent of their members are now international.

The USF PAMA Chapter is comprised of research and clinical faculty from USF Health, Colleges of the Arts, Education, Engineering, Behavioral and Communications sciences, and Business.  Next year USF PAMA will be hosting the third Annual Southeast Regional Conference 2018 titled Lifecycle of the Performing Artist. The conference will be held at USF School of Music Barness Recital Hall.

Dr. Lee continues to serve as USF-PAMA conference director. The conference goal is to bring medicine, the arts, ethics, and medical humanities together, while conducting research in performing arts medicine

Dr. Lee is an alumna of Ewha Women’s University in Seoul, Korea, where she received a BA in Piano Performance, graduated with honors, and was the recipient of Korean National Merit Scholarship. After receiving her BA, Dr. Lee went on to pursue a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago. She earned her EdD with specialization on Piano Performance and Pedagogy from University of Georgia, and a PhD in Higher Education with concentration on Academic Affairs from University of Michigan where she was a Rackham Merit Fellow.

Abby Pribish, class of 2018 MD candidate at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, is the first MCOM student to earn acceptance into the Alpha Omega Alpha, Gold Humanism and Robert A. Good honor societies.

Abby Pribish, fourth-year medical student at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, is the first MCOM student to be inducted into the three prestigious medical honor societies; Alpha Omega Alpha, Gold Humanism, and MCOM’s Robert A. Good.  She received notice of her acceptance into the honor societies in Spring 2017 and will be inducted in the Spring of 2018.

“Considering how competitive the class of 2018 is and knowing there are students smarter than me, it’s humbling to be part of all three honor societies,” said Pribish, a central New Jersey native. “I wouldn’t be at this point without the support of all my peers, coaches and career advisors. I’m very grateful to all of them for their help throughout the last four years.”

Although he criteria for induction vary among the honor societies, one remains consistent.  All applicants must be in good academic and professional standing and must reflect the highest values in medicine.

Pribish has been an active volunteer for MCOM’s Tampa Bay Street Medicine team, where she serves a co-president.  The team provides basic health care for the homeless population through medical outreach directly on the streets and through student-run clinics.

“This accomplishment truly speaks to Abby’s character as a compassionate and hard-working student,” said Kira Zwygart, MD, MCOM associate dean of student affairs.  “I’ve seen her grow into a very competent and capable soon-to-be doctor and I know that she has done everything she needs to do to be the best doctor she can be and take great care of her patients.”

Pribish’s research interest revolves around addiction medicine and medical conditions in the homeless and underserved communities as well as other groups that don’t really have a voice in the community, she said.  “Working with underserved communities is a passion for me. There is a lot of work to be done,” she said.

Pribish was accepted into the honor societies in Spring 2017 and will be inducted in the Spring of 2018. Pribish said she he hopes to earn a residency in internal medicine when she graduates from MCOM in 2018.

Story and Photo by Fredrick J. Coleman

Abdullah Abou-Samra

Abdullah Abou-Samra recently earned the distinction as the Florida Vascular Society’s first winner of the Mark L. Friedell, MD, Award.  The award recognizes the contributions of medical student presentations for their ongoing research projects, areas of clinical interest and case presentations at the FVS Annual Scientific Sessions

“It’s was a pleasant surprise and exciting considering I was competing with third- and fourth-year medical students,” he said.

Abou-Samra, a second-year medical student from Syria, won the award for his presentation titled “Reduction in Post-Operative Opiates after Opiate-free Anesthesia.”  His study concluded that when physicians use fewer opioids in the operating room, patients will require fewer of them in the future.  Abou-Samra said he has only scratched the surface of this line of research and hopes to uncover more information that supports his conclusion.

After he graduates in 2020, he hopes to become a surgeon and help groups who don’t have access to quality health care, including refugees.

Story and photo by Fredrick J. Coleman

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently appointed USF Health’s J.K. Williams, MD, as program chair for the Annual Clinic Scientific Meeting (ACSM) to take to place in May 2018, in Austin, TX.  Dr. Williams has served on the ACOG planning committee for three consecutive years, and as the assistant to the 2017 program chair. After his tenure as program chair, Dr. Williams will continue to serve for one year as advisor to the incoming chair for 2019. The appointment of program chair is considered to be the highest voluntary academic position for ACOG.

Dr. Williams has been with USF Health since 1982 when he was recruited to direct the Ob/Gyn residency program.  In 1985, ACOG named him outstanding residency program director. Dr. Williams is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology with the Morsani College of Medicine, and director for the Division of Gynecology.

By Ercilia Colon, USF Health Communications

Third-year USF researcher and graduate student Janine DeBlasi was recently awarded the American Physiological Society (APS) 2017 Undergraduate Research Excellence Fellowship. DeBlasi earned the award for her project related to cancer research. According to the APS “Fellows are selected based on academic merit, the quality of the proposed experience, and the availability of appropriate faculty members. Fellows must have at least nine months or more of research experience in a lab to be eligible.” DeBlasi’s research examines the effects of vitamin C as a cancer treatment in which vitamin C produces a pro-oxidative effect. According to DeBlasi “When it comes to cancer, increasing oxidative stress can be therapeutic.” Deblasi has also been recognized by the APS for her work in Experimental Biology and is a recipient of the Barbara Horowitz and John Horowitz Outstanding Undergraduate Abstract Award.

The APS is a nonprofit organization whose goal it is to advance the knowledge of physics with scientific meetings, preeminent research journals, advocacy, international outreach, and education. Deblasi is currently spending the fellowship working with Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology in the Morsani College of Medicine, and a crew member with NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations 22 (NEEMO) expedition.

DeBlasi is majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM). While working toward her bachelors degree. DeBlasi was working as a research assistant for MCOM before starting as Topside Mission Support for NEEMO. DeBlasi has also worked as a tutor for the Jenkins’s Scholar Program, and the USF Holcombe Scholars. DeBlasi has also served as GloBull Ambassador for the USF Education Abroad and is a recipient of the Student Research Award bestowed on her by USF Research and Innovation.

By Ercilia Colon, USF Health Communications

Yohan Perera, fourth-year medical student and executive director of the USF BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic, accepts a $3,000 donation for the clinic the from Rotary Club of Temple Terrace past president Kathleen Armstrong, PhD, and Richard T. Downs, current president. Also pictured are Clinic volunteers and Rotary Club members.

The USF BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic received a $3,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Temple Terrace Sept. 19.

This is the club’s third year supporting the student-run clinic through their annual BrewFest fundraiser, according to Richard Downs, Rotary Club president.

“These are great volunteers doing a great service for the community and we are excited and proud to support them,” Downs said.

Erin Angell, a fourth-year medical student and BRIDGE communications director, said generous donations are how the clinic continues to operate.

“We are very grateful to the Rotoary Club of Temple Terrace for including the BRIDGE Clinic in their BrewFest and for their continued support and contributions throughout the year,” Angell said.

The USF BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic, located on the fifth floor of the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare, is a student directed, free clinic for uninsured patients living near the university. The clinic is open every Tuesday and one Thursday per month from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.  Volunteers see approximately 650 patients per year.

Story and Photo by Fredrick J. Coleman

Winners for the first quarter in 2017 have been named based on their stellar work as noted in patient satisfaction surveys for the USF Physicians Group. The high marks earned them awards that are part of the USFPG’s Press Ganey Employee Recognition Program, an effort to recognize those with top scores in each quarterly report.

The ongoing award program recognizes those who excelled in providing USF Health patients with exceptional care and service. Named each quarter based on that quarter’s survey results, winners are from four categories: provider, nurse practitioner/physician assistant, nurse, and office staff.

Q1-2017 winners are:

Provider: John Carter, MD, professor of internal medicine and chief of the Division of Rheumatology­­­­­­­­­­­­, with a score of 99.5%.

Nurse practitioner/physician assistant: Mary Mitchell, ARNP, Department of Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, with a score of 97.7%

Nurse/MA: Janeesha Acosta, Alexis Al-Jumaily, Ronda Bradley, Angel Carr, Lynne Cayce, Staci Cowles, Ana Cunningham, Christina Davis, Ron Desinor, Jennifer Eustice, Alyssa Fernandez, Debbie Fritz, Holly Hardy, Jacklyn Kalafut, Christina Odu, Rachel Riche, Lisa Weber, Natasha Wheeler, Jackie Williams and Christina Williamson, Dermatology at Morsani Center, with a score of 96%

Office staff/front desk: 3rd Floor Morsani Center: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Jasmine Martinez, Ana Maria Medina, Samantha Picket, Bradly Thompson, Kathy Unger, Jodi Watson and Aaron Weston, with a score of 96.2%

Dr. John Carter receives the Press Ganey Quarter 1 Top Performer.

Mary Mitchell, ARNP, holding her award as Top Performer.

From left on first row, Janeesha Acosta, lisa Weber, theresa Bonini, Ayssa Fernandez, christina Williamson, Ana Cunningham. Second row, Angel Carr, Staci Cowles, Christina Davis, Lynn Cayce, Jackie Williams, Rachel Riche, Alexis Al-Jumaliy, and Debbie Fritz.

From left, seated: Ana Maria Medina, Jodi Watson, Bradly Thompson and Jasmine Martinez. From left, standing up: Aaron Weston, Carmen Guzman, Samantha Picket, Kathy Unger and Philip Cox.

Awards include a crystal bull for winning providers, an award that rotates among future winners. Winners in the other categories choose from several award options, such as lunch with colleagues, ice cream party, a catered “Breakfast from the Boss,” a cake party, and a patient comment plaque.

Patient surveys are provided through Press Ganey and are designed to encompass the entire patient experience, from the moment they walk in the door until the moment they leave. For USFPG providers, the survey helps them understand what patients expect. Feedback, both complimentary and critical, helps USFPG providers know where they stand, giving them a baseline for implementing improvements. The information collected is used to define and design strategies that improve patient care and build stronger patient safety initiatives, as well as provide benchmarking opportunities with other large academic physician practices.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, was named President of the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society (AGOS) at the group’s annual meeting held in September in Chicago.

Dr. Lockwood, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, served as president elect for the group since fall 2016.  He is an obstetrician and is recognized internationally as a health care and research leader who is active in the professional organizations for his specialty, including being an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences, serving on national boards, such as the March of Dimes, and serving as editor-in-chief of Contemporary Ob/Gyn. He is also the recipient of multiple research grant awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the March of Dimes and other foundations.

Dr. Lockwood’s clinical interests include prevention of recurrent pregnancy loss, preterm delivery and maternal thrombosis. He maintains an active laboratory at USF Health dedicated to research in these areas and oversees the USF Health Care, the faculty group practice of the Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Kevin Sneed, PharmD, dean and professor in the USF College of Pharmacy, was recently awarded two of the highest honors of the National Pharmacy Association (NPha).

At the groups annual conference, which took place this year in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Sneed was awarded the Chauncey I. Cooper medal and was also named an NPha Fellow.

The Cooper medal, the highest accolade given by the NPha, was established in 1947 to recognize and promote excellence and uniformity among minority health professionals and is given to those who are at the forefront and are leading the way to improving health care in minority communities, as well as for outstanding achievement, dedicated and distinguished service to the profession of pharmacy. The award is in honor of Dr. Chauncey I. Cooper, who is noted as being the most influential champion for minority pharmacists.

In addition, Dr. Sneed was one of three pharmacists welcomed as an NPha Fellow. The NPhA Fellows Recognition Program recognizes and promotes individuals who have contributed outstanding service to the medically underserved and have at least 10 years of continuous membership service.

The association celebrated its 70th annual meeting this year in partnership with Student National Pharmaceutical Association. The NPha and the NPha Foundation generously awarded over $70,000 in scholarship to pharmacy students, exceeding all other pharmacy organizations in country.

By Ercilia Colon, USF Health Communications

Winners for the second quarter in 2017 have been named based on their stellar work as noted in patient satisfaction surveys for the USF Health Care. The high marks earned them awards that are part of the USF Health Care’s Press Ganey Employee Recognition Program, an effort to recognize those with top scores in each quarterly report.

The ongoing award program recognizes those who excelled in providing USF Health patients with exceptional care and service. Named each quarter based on that quarter’s survey results, winners are from four categories: provider, nurse practitioner/physician assistant, nurse, and office staff.

Q2-2017 winners are:

Provider: Brian Knox, MD, associate professor of pediatrics and associate director of the Healthy Weight Clinic, with a score of 99.1%.

Nurse practitioner/physician assistant: Erika Dare, ARNP, Department of Dermatology, with a score of 98%

Nurse/MA: Michelle Nguyen, RN; Lourdes Artola, LPN; Noemi Alicea-Castrillo, LPN; Linda Fernandez, RMA; Nikita Johnson, EMT; Tracy McCalla, CPCS1; Crystal Morgan, RMA; Yani Pirela-Talbot, RMA; Monica Rivera-Agard, LPN; Ophelia Samuels, RMA; and Marcela Sepulveda, CPCS1 in General Surgery at STC, with a score of 96%

Office staff/front desk: Lakeland Neurosurgery: Haydee Patterson, Sandra Bellamy-Moore, Stephanie Richmond, Fran Beverage and Amanda Hutton, with a score of 97.5%

Provider winner is: Brian Knox, MD

ARNP/PA winner is: Erika Dare, ARNP

Nurse/Assistant winners are, from left: Crystal Morgan, RMA, Tracy Mccalla, CPCS1, Monica Rivera-Agard, LPN, & Yanira Pirela-Talbott, RMA. Not pictured are: Michelle Nguyen, RN; Lourdes Artola, LPN; Noemi Alicea-Castrillo, LPN; Linda Fernandez, RMA; Nikita Johnson, EMT; Ophelia Samuels, RMA; and Marcela Sepulveda, CPCS1.

Front Desk winners are, from left, Haydee Patterson, Sandra Bellamy-Moore, Stephanie Richmond, Fran Beverage and Amanda Hutton.

Awards include a crystal bull for winning providers, an award that rotates among future winners. Winners in the other categories choose from several award options, such as lunch with colleagues, ice cream party, a catered “Breakfast from the Boss,” a cake party, and a patient comment plaque.

Patient surveys are provided through Press Ganey and are designed to encompass the entire patient experience, from the moment they walk in the door until the moment they leave. For USF Health Care providers, the survey helps them understand what patients expect. Feedback, both complimentary and critical, helps USF Health Care providers know where they stand, giving them a baseline for implementing improvements. The information collected is used to define and design strategies that improve patient care and build stronger patient safety initiatives, as well as provide benchmarking opportunities with other large academic physician practices.

USF Health’s infectious disease expert John Sinnott, MD, FACP, was recently presented with the 2017 Dunhuang Award, the Gansu Province government’s highest honor.

Dr. Sinnott, professor and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, received the award at a special ceremony held in October in the capitol city of Ganzu in Northwestern China. Mr. Li Bin, the Vice Governor of Gansu Province, China, presented the award to Dr. Sinnott.

The Dunhuang Award is given to foreign individuals for their outstanding service and remarkable contributions to the economic, scientific, academic development and educational programs in Gansu Province.

Dr. Sinnott was the only American honored this year. As Mr. Li presented him with the award, he said to Dr. Sinnott “The people of Ganzu thank you for your immense contributions to improve their health infrastructure by training our physicians, nurses, and other health professionals.” Mr. Lin credited Dr. Sinnott with improving health care throughout the Gansu province by training 136 physicians and administrators since 2010 at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Sinnott has visited the city of Gansu Province nine times since 2009 and forged a sister city relationship between Tampa and Lanzhou in 2016. Since 2010 the First and Second Hospitals of Lanzhou University have worked with USF Medicine International to train hospital administrators and physicians. The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine has signed a collaborative agreement with the Lanzhou University College of Medicine. Lanzhou University is one of the top universities in Northwestern China boasting 30, 000 students across six campuses.

Two USF College of Pharmacy students earned statewide honors and awards over the past few months.

Jennifer Marsh and Shantel Houston earned top awards from the Florida Pharmacy Foundation for their individual efforts in leadership and academic achievement.

Jennifer Marsh, a fourth-year pharmacy student, received the 2017 Hamilton, Harris, & Hobbs Student Presidential Award for her leadership and achievements as president of the Florida Student Chapter of the American Pharmacists Association. She is also an active member of the USF College of Pharmacy Student Delegates, Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, the Rho Chi Society, and Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Inc.

Marsh worked with the APhA-ASP Executive Committee and Advisors to establish goals for the year, through which they developed the first Chapter Leadership Retreat, improved student attendance at regional and state meetings, promoted advocacy efforts on and off campus, collaborated with local pharmacy owners, and strengthened the Chapter’s relationship with the Florida Pharmacy Association (FPA). Marsh currently sits on the FPA Professional Affairs Council. She is working on a white paper on effective advocacy for distribution to association members. She has a passion for policy and has attended the Florida Pharmacy Legislative Days each year in school in addition to visiting legislative offices in Washington DC.

The Hamilton, Harris, & Hobbs Student Presidential Award established in 2015 by Ed Hamilton, Betty Harris, and Mark Hobbs is based upon APhA involvement, Florida Pharmacy Association involvement, community and professional service, as well as academic achievement. This award is presented once a year at the Florida Pharmacy Association’s Annual Meeting where the recipient is recognized with an award and a $1,500 check.

Shantel Houston received the 2017 James B. and Patsey Powers Scholarship for her academic achievement, extensive community service, leadership in professional organizations, and demonstrated interest in independent pharmacy.

Houston is in her fourth year at the USF College of Pharmacy and currently serves as the Class President for the Class of 2018, is an invited member of the Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society and the Rho Chi Society academic pharmacy honor society, holds leadership positions in the Kappa Epsilon Professional Pharmacy Fraternity, the Hispanic Association of Pharmacists, and the American Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance, and represents the College of Pharmacy as a Student Delegate. She is also a member of the Florida Pharmacy Association, the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists, and the National Community Pharmacists Association.

The scholarship award was established in 1992 in honor of Mr. Powers’ achievements as the Florida Pharmacy Association’s executive vice president. The award recognizes a pharmacy student with a $1000 award who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, made contributions through volunteer work and participated in professional or student organizations.

USF College of Pharmacy faculty member Jaclyn Cole, PharmD, was elected national President Elect for Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society.

Dr. Cole, assistant professor in Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmacy Practice, as well as in the Department of Internal Medicine in the Morsani College of Medicine, will serve the three-year appointment that will progress to President Elect to President, and finally Immediate Past President.

Phi Lambda Sigma is the national pharmacy leadership society. Its mission is, “To support pharmacy leadership commitment by recognizing leaders and fostering leadership development”.  This organization focuses on promoting future leaders within pharmacy, awarding current leaders with membership as recommended by society members, support the growth of leadership skills, and encourage a sustained commitment to leadership.

Basil S. Cherpelis, MD, professor of dermatology, director of USF’s Dermatology Residency Program, and chief of dermatological surgery at USF Health, has been named 2017 Surgeon of the Year by the Florida Society of Dermatologic Surgeons (FSDS).

Dr. Cherpelis was recognized by the society for his exceptional surgical skills, his utmost dedication and devotion of his patients and countless contributions to the FSDS.

Dr. Cherpelis, who specializes in Mohs surgery, has written over 50 textbook chapters and manuscripts in medical literature and is researching etiologic causes and factors in the development of skin cancer.

By Ercilia Colón, USF Health Communications