On August 28, 2007 Orthopedics This Week featured a profile on Dr. Robert Pedowitz, Chair of the Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at USF Health. Orthopedics This Week is published by RRY Publications. This Week is produced 40 times a year, focusing on breaking news in the Global Orthopedics Industry and upcoming technology conferences. This Week also publishes the latest books containing Market Forecasts and Analysis for the Spine Technology and Stem Cell Industries. Below is their profile on Dr. Robert Pedowitz. Click here to view article as it appeared on-line.

Headline: The Picture of Success - Dr. Robert Pedowitz
By: Elizabeth Hofheinz, MEd, MPH
August 28, 2007 / Orthopedics This Week

What patient wouldn’t want to have a physician who once studied altruism? Dr. Robert Pedowitz, now chief of sports medicine and residency director at the University of South Florida, has always had an affinity for delivering aid to those in need. Says Dr. Pedowitz, “There is a family story about how when I was little, I talked about being a doctor for little sores. When asked ‘Why,’ I replied, ‘Because I don’t know how to take care of big sores.”

Born in Long Island, New York, Robert Pedowitz accompanied his family out West at the age of nine. “My father was an engineer who brought us to southern California for a position in aerospace engineering. Through the years, my parents instilled in me an attitude that I could have whatever kind of career I desired. While in college I considered entering the business world. I chose medicine instead because I was fascinated with the sciences and could foresee being intellectually challenged and stimulated my entire life. That was a time when medicine was less complicated. For example, AIDS had not yet appeared, and managed care was nowhere to be seen. These developments are some of the things that tend to make doctors somewhat pessimistic about medicine.”

But Robert Pedowitz knew what he loved and pursued it. “In 1981 I graduated with a B.S. in psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA]. I didn’t want to just do a basic biology premed curriculum and I was enamored of evolutionary psychology and the origins of altruism. I found it fascinating that there was a biological explanation for cooperation within a society, even when we considered a hive of bees. Psychobiology was the beginning of physiological psychology, a field that has blossomed in the last 25 years.”

Also while at UCLA, Dr. Pedowitz would have a chance to try his hand at something more concrete. “When I entered the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego [UCSD], I already had a strong inclination toward orthopedics. During college I had shadowed an orthopedic surgeon and found a real love for the process of treating patients. I am a big guy, 6’ 4’’, enjoy sports, and like taking care of active patients. I could see that orthopedics would allow me to make a profound difference in peoples’ daily lives. What really surprised me during medical school was that when we were required to do a research-based independent study project, I discovered that I really liked it. Academic medicine was definitely in my future.”

Over the next few years, Robert Pedowitz would consider moving a sleeping bag into the lab. “My next career step sent me to the orthopedic residency program at UCSD, an intense, six-year experience. There is typically one year of internship, one year of research, and four years of clinical orthopedic training. One of the most important things in my career development was that during my research year, I was assigned to work with Dr. Bjorn Rydevik, a talented spine surgeon who was on sabbatical from the department of orthopedics at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. We worked on two projects, one concerning spinal nerve root compression, where we looked at the effect of pressure and time on nerve root function, and another on tourniquet compression. At the end of this year, it was obvious we had developed a couple of great research models that were poised for incredible productivity, with real relevance to clinical practice. Fully engaged in the work, I decided to stay in the lab for a second year, and thus converted to a seven-year residency program. Midway through my second year of research, Dr. Rydevik asked me to come to Sweden, do another year of lab research, and develop this into a Ph.D. program. I went to see the chair, Dr. Wayne Akeson, and told him of Bjorn’s proposal. Dr. Akeson viewed it as a great opportunity and enthusiastically supported the entire process. His mentorship has been absolutely critical for my professional development.”

And so it was off to the land of the midnight sun. “For part of the time, my wife and I took our first child and headed for the small university town of Umea, near the Arctic Circle, so I could work with Jan Friden and his colleagues. As I had hoped, the learning experience was greatly enriching. In Gothenburg, Dr. Rydevik taught me the importance of deep knowledge and critical thinking in order to achieve substantial answers. He also stressed the importance of collaboration in research, noting that pulling in expertise from others is a substantial source of knowledge and creativity for any project.”

Continues Dr. Pedowitz, “While not in the lab, my family and I explored the surrounding areas. We were in Europe when the Berlin wall fell, we walked the streets of Moscow and Leningrad, and in general had an exceptionally rewarding experience. None of this would have been possible without the support of Dr. Wayne Akeson, my mentor and friend to this day. I recently published a textbook on sports medicine and I specifically noted his influence upon my professional development. Among other things, he taught me how to create the right academic environment. Better than anyone, he could look at a problem and understand the most important questions to ask and (hopefully) answer. In the ultimate display of dedication, when I defended my thesis in Sweden, Wayne flew over to show his support.”

Says Dr. Pedowitz, “After my year in Sweden, I returned to UCSD and completed my last two years of residency, all the while putting the finishing touches on my Ph.D. thesis. Upon graduation, I stayed at UCSD for one year as an attending physician, then went to Duke University for a sports medicine fellowship. Particularly instructive and fun was taking care of the school’s teams—especially during the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. Having gleaned much, I returned to UCSD and started up an orthopedic sports medicine program. In addition to directing this program for 10 years, I also ran the residency program. I organized the recruitment of residents and managed the structure of education. This was a time of transition in the field, including increased regulatory issues in residency education. My goal, which I believe was fulfilled, was to instill in residents a respect for orthopedic history. In this field we tend to have a cowboy mentality, i.e., ‘We can do better than anyone.’ When you have such an attitude you run the risk of repeating the same mistakes—and patients suffer in the process. We should strive to appreciate what’s already been done and tried. At the same time, we should not assume that what’s been done historically is automatically correct.”

The positions Dr. Pedowitz held at UCSD served as a building block for the ultimate leadership challenge. “Approximately one year ago I was recruited by the University of South Florida [USF] to chair the newly-formed Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine,” says Dr. Pedowitz. “It was an extraordinary opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. USF’s residency training program had closed 15 years ago and was never reinvigorated. To add to that problem, the orthopedic surgery department was fairly disorganized. I was brought on to rebuild the department as well as the orthopedic surgery training program. After a significant amount of work and changes in programmatic structure, we got accreditation one month ago. This has been an exercise in taking some seriously dysfunctional elements and repairing them. Most times when someone accepts a chair position, the best you can hope for is to nudge the ship in a different direction. Here I have had the opportunity to build a new ship.”

Aside from the shipbuilding opportunity, Dr. Pedowitz was drawn by the rare prospect of having state funding for his field of interest. “Two years ago USF received a grant from the state of Florida that provided for the initiation of the Sports Medicine and Athletic Related Trauma [SMART] Institute. Developed as a marquis program in sports medicine, the program is slated to receive several million dollars per year. These funds will be directed at regional outreach and education efforts whereby coaches, parents, and athletes receive a high level of training in sports medicine. Some of these monies will go towards positioning athletic trainers in schools to give student athletes a higher level of care. Another portion of the funds will be put toward the development of an academic orthopedic surgery program. The athletic training and education program, which has been at USF for many years, was last week moved into the department of orthopedics. The first such effort in the country, it is an undergraduate training program housed in the orthopedics department. This is truly exciting because it connects what we’re doing in SMART with the training of the athletic trainers themselves. As a result, the program has now been renamed the Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.”

When given a chance to use the part of his brain that doesn’t involve internal politics, Dr. Pedowitz jumps at the chance. “My research career has come in phases. Originally, I conducted research on nerve and muscle compression physiology. Following that I went through a period of imaging research, during which time I worked with Dr. Don Resnick, a world-renowned radiologist, on a variety of projects. Our most recent effort is a book that will be published in 2008, which is designed to gather orthopedists and radiologists who are experts in magnetic resonance imaging in sports medicine. This unusual collaboration results in chapters where a radiologist writes about what orthopedic surgeons need to know about imaging, with corresponding chapters by orthopedic surgeons regarding what a radiologist needs to know about the clinical care of the patient.”

Continues Dr. Pedowitz, “Also stimulating was my time researching topics related to sports medicine and the shoulder. When I first started out, rotator cuff repair was all done open, but is now frequently done arthroscopically. It was obvious that we had challenges, particularly with the fixation devices for the rotator cuff. I set out to develop an area of research on rotator cuff fixation biomechanics. I worked with Andrew Mahar, M.S., head of the UCSD orthopedic biomechanics lab, and published about 10 papers on this topic. Some of this research has been focused on the strength of sutures. When surgeons work arthroscopically with anchors, we tend to break the suture. So, manufacturers developed stronger sutures so that surgeons wouldn’t break them. Our lab studied the effects of these strong sutures on mechanics, i.e., how the sutures hold the knots. Most surgeons assumed that they would automatically hold better, but some of these sutures are slippery and you could tie something you’d never break by hand. But if the suture is slippery (imagine a Teflon suture), we know it will loosen. In the end, you see, the surgeon still has to tie a good knot. My related work has focused on anchors and bone. Anchors are typically screwed into the soft bone of the humeral head—bone that is especially soft in the elderly. If the surgeon puts an anchor in deep, a natural instinct, the consequences of this are that the anchor can shift in the bone and the suture can cut through the bone. The implication of this work was that we should put the anchor into the hardest bone, which is near the surface, and use strong sutures.”

Dr. Pedowitz has got his patients and his family life all sewn up. “My wife is an attorney who has practiced for 22 years. She is now taking a short break to determine what she wants to do with her career. Our oldest child, Rachel, will be a student at Cal Berkeley next year. As a dad focused on leadership, I am proud to say that not only was she president of her high school student body, but she was elected president of the Council of Presidents for the entire San Diego Unified School District. My son Jason is in high school and spends his free time playing water polo and golf. His dad is a lousy golfer, but I try to keep up. Our family enjoys traveling and we have a wonderful Caribbean cruise planned for the entire extended family: grandparents, parents, and kids. It should be a ton of fun.”

“Passion is an overused word,” says Dr. Pedowitz, “but there’s probably a reason for that. My message is to do what invigorates you and you can’t go wrong.”

Dr. Robert Pedowitz ... eschewing the cowboy mentality and putting forth professionalism.

Reproduced from: Orthopedics This Week

Tampa, FL (August 30, 2007) – It’s that time of the year again. Kids, nationwide, are heading back to school and experts at the USF Health College of Nursing are helping to track human bites in an effort to help train first responders – the school nurse. While it’s true that human bites in the classroom are nothing new, the bites have become a cause for greater concern because of the threat of wound infections and more awareness of transmittable diseases.

The USF Health College of Nursing is serving as a national expert on the subject, having surveyed classroom bites to offer advice and training to first responders.

“School nurses need guidance," said Helen Acree Conlon, Deputy Director of the Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner Program at the USF College of Nursing. Conlon, who holds masters degrees in both nursing and public health, has authored a guide for school nurses and first responders, published in the August 2007 edition of the Journal of School Nursing.

“Teachers need to report this to their school nurse. The bites are very under reported," says Conlon, who’s been in nursing since 1969 and is concerned by the chronic under reporting.

“The real threats from a human bite include wound infection and transmission of hepatitis. Some teachers told me they’ve been bitten multiple times and did not seek care. It's an occupational hazard," she says. “Every bite needs to be reported and looked at by a professional medical provider. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

In her article for the national publication, Conlon asks school nurses to be proactive- actively encouraging teachers to be “up to date” on their immunizations. “The most commonly asked question is, ‘Am I at risk for HIV?’" says Conlon. “Epidemiological data are clear. The transmission rate of HIV from saliva is insignificant. The real threats from a human bite are hepatitis B and C in saliva and wound infections.”

It’s been estimated that one-half of the population will sustain some type of bite in their lifetime. Human bites are the third leading bite treated in hospital emergency departments after dog and cat bites. Approximately 10% - 15% will become infected.

Experts warn the true number of bites is unknown because of significant under reporting. Some states require notification to the local health department, others do not.

“Hillsborough County has 10-thousand teachers in 224 schools. During the five-year period of July 2001to June 2006, there were 208 reported and treated cases involving teachers, classroom aides and other school staff bitten by students," said Conlon of her research findings.

Conlon hopes to create an evidence-based, standard protocol where every classroom bite incident gets reported and wounds are monitored to prevent infection. The protocol would also standardize how the bites are reported, giving the school nurse access to more details on how the bite occurred, whether blood was present in the biter’s mouth, etc. Experts say it’s that level of detail that clarifies the risk to the teacher or individual who’s been bitten.

Conlon’s research plans also include other professionals at higher-risk for human bites – health care providers, paramedics, police officers and even prison workers, she says. Still focused on increased training for school nurses and teachers, Conlon hopes her research will encourage more educators to be immunized for tetanus and hepatitis.

For more on the article published in the Journal of School Nursing or to request an interview with Helen Acree Conlon, contact the USF Health Communications Office.

- Story by Lissette Campos

-About USF Health-

USF Health is dedicated to creating a model of health care based on understanding the full spectrum of health. It includes the University of South Florida’s colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health; the schools of biomedical sciences as well as physical therapy & rehabilitation sciences; and the USF Physicians Group. With $310 million in research funding last year, USF is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of Florida’s top three research universities.

It was the summer that Martin Luther King Junior was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom, the New York City blackout lasted for 25 hours and bell-bottoms were all the rage. It was 1977 and for Willie Mitchell it marked the beginning of his career at the USF College of Medicine. Thirty years later, Willie Mitchell is still here.

In this day and age of e-trading resumes nationwide, frequent relocations, and the average job-stay less than 3 years, Willie is proof that there are still employees who spend their career at one place - by choice. As the Labor Day holiday approaches, we sat down with this “long-timer” for a trip down memory lane. In vintage Willie, he was tickled to be asked; humbled by the fact that he’s one of the most veteran staffers at USF Health.

“I have no desire to go anywhere else! The kids are great and I feel that I am needed. The kids definitely keep me young! Just listening to some of their adventures is awesome”, says Willy, who is also the most veteran staff assistant in the College of Medicine’s Student Affairs Office. He beat out colleague Phyllis Ridgeway in 1993 by a month.

Willie’s work space is a tribute to the legendary Marilyn Monroe. His desk is surrounded by Marilyn photos and memorabilia – most of them gifts from students. “Marilyn is my sweetheart”, he says, “She tells me that if she could do it, anyone can. She had a rough start in life and was able to accomplish a lot in her short life. She always did it with a smile. ” Like the Hollywood icon, Willie has smiled through plenty of hardships. The hometown boy from Ybor City didn’t have it easy growing up. At the age of twelve he was placed in foster care after his mother suffered a stroke and died.

“My math teacher at Booker T. Washington, Miss Anderson, always told me ‘Never let someone tell you that you can’t do something.’ I was determined to do something with my life – something good”, says Willie. “Having this job has given me a sense of completion. I enjoy working here and the people I’ve met along the way are good people.”

Willie first walked the halls of the university as an undergraduate student. He was majoring in pre-med when the reality of life on his own with no financial support forced him to take a job in housekeeping. He started out cleaning the chemistry department on main campus. After two days, he was moved to – what was then- the “brand new” College of Medicine Building. “Phase 2 was just completed and they needed a housekeeping staff to get started”, recalls Willy. ”Back then Bruce B. Downs Blvd. was just two-lanes. There was nothing but grass on either side! I used to take my bicycle out on East Tampa to Morris Bridge Road. It was barren! The whole way, there was no traffic.”

That June in 1977, he remembers the campus was a buzz over the new med school building. It would become Willy’s home-away-from-home for 8 years. He then transferred to COM’s Animal Sciences Lab, known today as Comparative Sciences. “My job was to take care of the animals and make sure they were being treated humanely”, he says. It was the mid 80’s. Willy’s smile broadens as he recalls the fashion trends on campus then. “We were in the disco age of course! Oh geez, it was bell bottoms and plaids. I was wearing normal clothes, as far as I was concerned”, he says with a chuckle. “Afros were in. I was trying to grow one, but I was not good at it – not at all!”

After 8 years and then a full fledged Certified Lab Technician in Animal Husbandry, Willy was on the move again – within COM. In 1993, he joined Student Affairs. “I think this will be my last hop”, he says quickly. The interaction with students, no doubt, is among the main reasons why. “My favorite part of the job is that I can make a positive impact on every person that comes in. There’s something positive in everyone. I enjoy that from them and hopefully can give something back to them.”

Asked what he loves most about working here, he talks about a “sense of family” among faculty and staff. “Over the years we’ve diversified and grown, so it’s not as close knit now”, he notes. But Willy isn’t going anywhere and has no date in mind to retire. “The enrollment is the best thing I see now. The new diversity of cultures among the students coming in, that’s exciting. This is a big melting pot.”

As one would expect, over the years he’s witnessed plenty of physical changes to the campus. Asked what strikes him most, and he unexpectedly lands on a winter day more than 30 years ago. “We have beautiful landscaping right now, but back then the entrance was barren. I remember one morning walking in (as a student), the sprinklers were on and the whole campus was covered in ice. Everything was iced over! I can still picture it.” That was January 19, 1977- the only day in recorded history when snow fell in Florida in spots as far south as Miami.

Why does he stay? Willie believes in the ideal, the vision that goes back to the beginning. “It’s something that we took from the ground – from a marshland- and made it into something that serves the whole Tampa Bay area and beyond. I see it that way”, says Willie, “that the university is something I can always be proud of.”

Today, Willie Mitchell is raising three adopted sons, ages 10, 11 and 14 with the help of one of the "blessings" he's found at USF Health. She’s 86 year old Mozella Jackson. Willie lovingly calls her his “godmother”. The two became fast friends in the College of Nursing years ago and she’s been his pillar of strength ever since. For Willie being a short-timer here just wouldn’t do. He would have missed out on so many treasures along his USF Health way.

Story by Lissette Campos
Photography by Eric Younghans, USF Health Media Center
This profile is part of an ongoing series showcasing the people of USF Health.

Herman Friedman, PhD

Herman Friedman, PhD, distinguished research professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, died August 25. A lifelong scholar, professor, teacher and scientist, he was 75.

An internationally-known immunologist, Dr. Friedman led the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology (now the Department of Molecular Medicine) for 25 years -- from 1978 until he retired as chair in 2003. He remained a faculty member and was named Professor Emeritus in 2006.

“Herman had tremendous knowledge of both medical microbiology and immunology and how these two sciences evolved together,” Thomas Klein, PhD, professor of Molecular Medicine, who shared Dr. Friedman’s avid interest in the interaction between the immune response and infectious microorganisms. “To have such a broad-based understanding of the problems and opportunities in both is a rarity today.”

Dr. Friedman worked diligently to create a research mindset at the USF College of Medicine. During his tenure the department dramatically increased its research funding –attaining a record of more than $2.2 million in federal research grants in the 1980s.

“He built a department that was the leader in attracting National Institutes of Health funds for microbiology and immunology to the College of Medicine, despite chairing the basic science department with the fewest faculty members,” said Steven Specter, PhD, professor of Molecular Medicine and associate dean for Student Affairs at the College of Medicine. “Herman’s emphasis on research was the forerunner of USF Health’s expanding research initiatives that now exceed $100 million and include outstanding research programs in allergy, immunology and infectious diseases, cancer, cardiology and neurosciences.”

Dr. Friedman was perhaps ahead of his time in emphasizing the importance of translating laboratory findings into clinical applications. He once said: “We are trying to answer fascinating intellectual puzzles that have a practical payoff – helping physicians to treat serious diseases.”

While he championed research, Dr. Friedman also fostered educational excellence. More than half of the first 100 PhD degrees granted by the College of Medicine were to students from the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.

“His willingness to teach, lead and encourage all young scientists set him apart as a true mentor in both clinical and academic immunology and microbiology," Dr. Specter said.

Under Dr. Friedman’s guidance, the department’s annual Clinical Virology Symposium grew in stature, helping to bolster USF’s national recognition. The conference continues to draw scientists and physicians from across the world to discuss advances in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by viruses such as AIDS, West Nile, SARs, herpes, hepatitis, influenza and measles.

“He inspired everyone with his enthusiasm for the discovery of new knowledge,” Dr. Klein said. “He would outline an idea and then challenge you to make it better.”

Dr. Friedman was among the first in his field to determine that cancer-causing retroviruses produce progressive and persistent immune deficiencies. In the 1960s he demonstrated that a leukemia virus suppressed the immune response of mice long before they developed the disease. His animal model of immunosuppression induced by the Friend leukemia virus bore a striking similarity to the AIDS models intensively studied today.

Born in Philadelphia on Sept. 22, 1931, Dr. Friedman was the son of Eastern European immigrant parents and reared in a Yiddish-speaking neighborhood in Philadelphia. He did not learn to speak English until kindergarten.

After receiving bachelors and master’s degrees from Temple University, Dr. Friedman completed a PhD degree in medical microbiology and biochemistry from Hahnemann University Medical College. He came to USF in 1978 from Temple University, where he was a faculty member in the microbiology department and directed the clinical microbiology and immunology laboratories at Albert Einstein Medical Center.

Dr. Friedman edited or co-edited more than 75 biomedical books and 800 scientific abstracts and articles. His works included the first five editions of the Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology published by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). He served as a charter member of the NIH’s Basic Science AIDS study section and on the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases Bacteriology and Mycology study sections.

He received numerous national and international awards, including the Becton-Dickinson Award at outstanding clinical microbiologist from the ASM.

Over the last 40 years, Dr. Friedman was the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on more than $25 million worth of grants from the NIH, National Science Foundation, American Cancer Society and others. Up until a few months ago, he was working on an NIH study looking at the effects of cannabinoids on immune responses, and whether marijuana could make individuals more susceptible to the development of infectious disease such as AIDS.

“It’s like losing a family member,” Dr. Specter said. “For more than 30 years, Dr. Friedman has been my mentor, colleague and friend. The success I have achieved in my career was, in no small part, fostered by him.”

Dr. Friedman was a loving husband of 49 years to Ilona; devoted father of Frank, Michelle, Suzy and Andie; cherished uncle, great-uncle and adored Zaide of eight grandchildren. Additional information can be accessed at www.segalfuneralhome.com, or by calling (813) 874-3330. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or Congregation Kol Ami.

-- Story by Anne DeLotto Baier

# # #

USF Professor 'Saw The Best In Everybody'

By JASON GEARY, The Tampa Tribune
Published: August 27, 2007

TAMPA - Herman Friedman was known by relatives, friends and colleagues as a brilliant scientist and loving family man who possessed a nurturing spirit.

The 75-year-old University of South Florida professor died Saturday after living more than 20 years with the effects of multiple sclerosis.
The Philadelphia native moved to Tampa in 1978 to be chairman of the department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at USF's College of Medicine.

Thomas W. Klein, a USF professor of immunology and molecular medicine, described Friedman as a 'dynamic chairman, full of ideas' who helped secure many grants from the National Institutes of Health.

'Over his career, he probably attracted $20 to $30 million in grant funding when he was in Tampa,' Klein said.

Steven Specter, a professor of molecular medicine and associate dean for student affairs, said Friedman's work to obtain such grants was crucial.
'He basically showed USF that we could do this,' Specter said.
Friedman was also a 'brilliant' scientist with a photographic memory who loved to share knowledge and encouraged other scientists to do so, Specter said.

Friedman was the author or editor of more than 70 books and more than 800 scientific abstracts and articles.

'Scholar, teacher and mentor,' Specter said. 'These are all roles he played and did with excellence.'

Friedman wanted his colleagues to be like family and would invite them over for dinner, said Susan Pross, an associate professor.

'He truly cared about knowing the people in the department,' she said.
He stepped down as department chairman in 2003 but stayed with the college as a professor emeritus.

Frank Friedman said his father wouldn't let his failing health prevent him from continuing his work, even when he began having trouble speaking.
He said his mother, Ilona, was his father's inseparable partner, and the two would tackle projects together.

About a month ago, Klein said he saw Herman Freidman diligently working behind his desk, surrounded by stacks of paper.

Although Friedman was physically frail, the mind of his 'friend and mentor' remained strong, Klein said.

'He would still manage to come in,' Klein said.

Friedman said his father remained devoted to his family throughout his life and was always supportive of his four children, who would grow up to become a physician, an English professor, lawyer and clinical psychologist.

'He always saw the best in everybody,' Frank Friedman said.

One-stop shopping concept in healthcare, centers around our patients

Tampa, FL (Aug. 27, 2007) -- USF Health opened the doors this morning to the South Tampa Center for Advanced Healthcare on Davis Islands, changing the way healthcare is delivered in the Tampa Bay area.

“The goal of USF Health is to transform the way that care is delivered to the community,” said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, vice president for USF Health and dean of the College of Medicine. “This new center is the first shot in that revolution.”

The 126,000 square foot, seven-story medical office building is designed for USF Health faculty, staff and students from the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health to work in healthcare teams; bringing services directly to the patient at one location.

For example, a patient who schedules an appointment with our Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology could receive an annual exam, undergo mammography and ultrasound services in our state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging center during that same visit, and in the future, receive all the results on the same day. He or she could end the visit by picking up the prescribed medications at USF’s in-house pharmacy, operated by SweetBay Supermarket.

“There’s no reason a woman should wait almost 10 days for a mammogram result, which is the average in Florida,” Dr. Klasko said. “Test results should be part of her decision-making with her physician, at one time.”

Marlene Brewer-Alvarez leads a crew from the Ob/Gyn Department into their new quarters at the STC.

The South Tampa Center (STC) will replace the majority of existing outpatient clinics currently located at Harborside Medical Tower and 17 Davis, both located on Davis Islands.

With 94 exam rooms and 187 faculty offices, the STC will be “paperless”, with physicians and staff using a sophisticated $15 million electronic medical record system for all patients. The first floor diagnostic imaging center will allow patients to move easily from an exam room to receive an MRI, CT scan, mammography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, bone densitometry, nuclear medicine or basic X-ray.

"By providing a one-stop shopping concept to our patients, we will maximize their time by taking advantage of some of the most advanced technology in the Tampa Bay region” said Rick Green, Chief Operating Officer of the Centers for Advanced Healthcare and Executive Director of the USF Physicians Group. “Our partnership with GE will provide our patients with access to state-of-the-art equipment, which only enhances our commitment to superior care and quality medicine."

The USF Health Departments of Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Otolaryngology, Pediatrics, Surgery and Vascular Surgery will practice in the new building. In addition, USF Health will operate a patient education center, run by faculty and staff in our College of Public Health, offering counselors who will guide patients in finding more information about their healthcare diagnosis.

The seven-story medical office building is designed for USF Health faculty, staff and students to work in healthcare teams.

Funding for the $33 million STC comes from a multi-million dollar bond taken out by the USF Physicians Group, including funding from Tampa General Hospital, state grants and additional community support.

USF Health will open its second advanced healthcare facility, the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare located on the USF campus, in the spring of 2008.

Learn more at USF Health at www.myhealthcare.usf.edu

See more South Tampa Center Opening Day Photos Below:

-About USF Health-

USF Health is dedicated to creating a model of health care based on understanding the full spectrum of health. It includes the University of South Florida’s colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health; the schools of biomedical sciences as well as physical therapy & rehabilitation sciences; and the USF Physicians Group. With $310 million in research funding last year, USF is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of Florida’s top three research universities.

For 16 years, it’s been their safe space…the place that takes care of them when others won’t. Ask anyone on the receiving end of the Florida Family AIDS Network what the program does and they’ll tell you it’s a life-line for families across the Tampa Bay area.

It’s no surprise then that the folks in the USF College of Public Health were elated this summer when competitive funding for the nationally recognized program was continued. Amid decreased research funding at universities nationwide, this July, USF Health’s Dr. Jay Wolfson was awarded the federal grant from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). The $1.29 million dollars annually, for the next five years, represents the 16th year of funding for the Ryan White Title IV, Florida Family AIDS Network (FAN).

“We are humbled by the success of this program and the recognition we have been afforded within the HIV/AIDS community nationally”, said Dr. Wolfson, Distinguished Service Professor in Public Health and Medicine. He’s the principal investigator in the program that affords community-based and culturally competent medical services to families infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The program also provides a broad array of essential social services to the infected and at risk population.

“We started off with, what was then, a new program targeting an ‘uncommon’ audience for HIV/AIDS- infants and children. We designed an untested, community-based, public health model, as opposed to a traditional medical model of intervention”, said Dr. Wolfson.

Among the goals of the USF-based team that includes public health experts and MD’s is to look at the evolution of HIV/AIDS within the family. “We have begun monitoring data about people over 40 who’ve been living with the disease for a number of years”, said Dr. Wolfson, “and those over 40 who’ve newly acquired the disease.” The results will help scientists and doctors improve current medical treatments, as well as quality-of-life for patients already infected with the disease.

“When we started 16 years ago, the incidence of the disease in that group (infants and children) was low and so was the political interest in addressing HIV/AIDS in that population. But we saw the tsunami of the disease coming! As the face of the disease transformed from gay, white males to young women of color, we found ourselves on the cutting edge of prevention and treatment”, said Dr. Wolfson.

The Florida Family AIDS Network is built on a foundation of prevention and community- based health improvement, rather than a more common, institutionally - based intervention. The nationally recognized model was expanded approximately 10 years ago beyond infants and children to also include women, adolescents and other affected relatives in the family, regardless of age. The program serves a five-county area: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee and Sarasota.

A significant number of FAN team members have been part of the program for more than a decade – some from day one of the program. A key group of USF- based team members, in place for many years, has been described as “central” to its success. They include Associate Professor in Pediatrics Dr. Patricia Emmanuel, who is Dr. Wolfson’s clinical partner in the federal grant. Also part of the USF-based team are: Barbara Clark-Alexander, Marylin Merida, Mary Geary, Barbara Szelag and Robin Suggs. “Some of our clients have become our staff. This has been another vital element of programmatic success. We have sought to integrate our prevention and treatment efforts into the fabric of the community and to involve, as much as possible, those most affected by the risks associated with HIV and AIDS”, said Dr. Wolfson.

“HIV and AIDS, particularly among women, infants, children and adolescents, represent a terrible force that’s placing at risk the weakest link in the chain of health and wellness in our communities. We cannot afford to ignore the risks of this disease. They are reflective of the same forces that, in the past, have quite literally decimated populations”, said Dr. Wolfson. “Finding the political will to provide preventive care and interventions to this populations at risk, as well as those already infected, is a measure of our commitment to health communities and good medicine.”

Dr. Wolfson’s clinical partner in the federal grant is Dr. Patricia Emmanuel, Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the USF College of Medicine. Among the program’s proud accomplishments, says Wolfson, was a reduction in the transmission of HIV/AIDS in utero. “From the early years, we pushed for education and testing of high risk pregnant women. We designed interventions to specifically reduce the likelihood of in-utero transmission from the pregnant mother to her fetus. The effort paid off marvelously. The rate of in-utero infections plummeted and very few babies were born with the disease”, said Dr. Wolfson. “Unfortunately, there is evidence of new spikes among newborns, indicating a need for more vigilance, made more difficult by diminished resources.”

Dr. Charles Mahan joined public health leaders reflecting on 10-year mark of Florida’s historic $13-billion tobacco industry settlement

While Florida has scored victories against cigarette makers since 1997, the state still has unfinished business in helping the 3.1 million adult Floridians who are still smoking, said Charles Mahan, MD, dean emeritus of the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida – home of the Lawton & Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies.

“The good news is that more than 70 percent of smokers want to quit, but smoking is an addiction and it takes most people several attempts before they can quit successfully,” said Dr. Mahan, who served as Florida’s State Health Officer from 1988 to 1995. “We must make more resources available to help these smokers who want to break this addiction. This must be the next step in the battle against Big Tobacco.”

Dr. Mahan was among Florida's public health leaders who took up the fight with the tobacco industry more than a decade ago.

They gathered in Tallahassee Aug. 21 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary since the signing of Florida’s historic tobacco industry settlement, which severely curtailed cigarette advertising and sparked a precipitous decline in youth smoking. Dr. Mahan was joined by Rhea Chiles, Florida’s former first lady; Lawton “Bud” Chiles III, the eldest son of the late Gov. Lawton Chiles; former Attorney General Bob Butterworth; and others.

In addition to winning $13 billion in payments from Big Tobacco to taxpayers, the tobacco settlement banned outdoor advertising of cigarettes on billboards and public transit, and created the Florida Tobacco Control Program to fight cigarette use among youth.

“The victory over Big Tobacco created a safer and healthier world for our children,” said Butterworth, now Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. “The changes that followed have been so successful, it’s hard to believe we once had Marlboro Man and Joe Camel billboards plastered along our highways, inside our ballparks and on our bus stops. We had cigarette vending machines in shopping malls and even Joe Camel-style cartoon ads and merchandise that clearly targeted children. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the past decade, and I’m proud to be able to celebrate this tenth anniversary of our victory.”

Within the last 10 years, according to the Florida Department of Health’s Youth Tobacco Survey, the percentage of high school students that smoked in the last month has decreased from 27 percent in 1998 to just 15.5 percent in 2006 – a 44 percent drop. And the number of high school students who smoke frequently – defined as 20 cigarettes in the last month – has dropped to just 4.5 percent. That number is down by two-thirds from 1998, said Rhea Chiles, Florida’s former first lady.

“These are numbers Florida can be proud of, as I know my husband would have been,” Chiles said. “Gov. Crist and the Legislature deserve praise for their diligent work to implement last year’s voter-mandated amendment to increase funding for our state’s anti-tobacco programs to $57 million.”

Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Florida, nearly 29,000 deaths are attributable to smoking each year, and current annual health care costs directly caused by cigarette use total $5.82 billion, with an additional $5.86 billion in lost productivity.

These grim statistics are a reminder that the state must not become complacent, but remain vigilant in its efforts to help people break their deadly addition to tobacco by providing them sincere support, Dr. Mahan said.

"Smoking is an addiction – we need to treat it as such by making smoking cessation a standard covered benefit in our health care system." -- Dr. Charles Mahan, dean emeritus, USF College of Public Health

“Government, business and health care providers must combine forces to ensure CDC-recommended pharmacological treatment and counseling programs are available to all smokers who want to quit as part of standard insurance benefits – and not simply once, but for multiple attempts," Dr. Mahan said.

To aid this effort, doctors must receive more training in medical school and continuing education programs about the proven techniques that dramatically improve smokers’ chances of successfully quitting, Dr. Mahan said. “Too often, doctors tell patients, ‘you know, you really ought to quit smoking,’ without offering treatments and resources that can help them accomplish that difficult goal.”

Kevin Kip, PhD

Tampa, FL (August 20, 2007) -- Researcher and data analyst, Kevin E. Kip, PhD, has been named the new Executive Director of the USF College of Nursing Research Center, a center created to promote the growth of research initiatives in the college. Formerly associate professor of epidemiology and medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Kip starts the position Aug. 21.

Dr. Kip will focus on significantly broadening the research portfolio of the college, including multidisciplinary and multi-institution collaborations, and substantially upgrading research infrastructure and capacity. This will include enhanced administrative support and expertise in data management, project management, and statistical analyses. In addition, Dr. Kip will teach a course for nursing students on the principles of epidemiological research, including web-based courses that can be self-paced and used as self-study.

“My goal is to foster an environment that leads to larger and more diverse research opportunities." -- Kevin Kip, PhD, executive director of the College of Nursing Research Center.

Dr. Kip holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, separate master's degrees in industrial/organizational psychology and epidemiology, and a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Kip previously held a joint appointment with the Cardiovascular Institute and the Department of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, serving as resident epidemiologist and biostatistician and mentoring faculty conducting clinical research.

An expert in the scientific study of factors affecting the health and illness of populations, Dr. Kip brings a plethora of knowledge and experience to the USF College of Nursing. He has served as the principal investigator of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Dynamic Registry of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI), a registry that has enrolled more than 10,000 patients with PCI at clinical centers across North America since 1993. He has also been the principal investigator for several industry-funded studies in interventional cardiology, and a co-investigator on studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) across many disciplines including cardiology, diabetes, oncology, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, psychiatry, and complementary and alternative medicine.

Dr. Kip is a co-author on more than 60 peer-reviewed publications. He recently wrote a chapter on principles of epidemiology for pharmacists. He has served on data and safety monitoring boards and as an invited grant reviewer for the government department in charge of medical research, NIH.

- USF Health -

USF Health is dedicated to creating a model of health care based on understanding the full spectrum of health. It includes the University of South Florida’s colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health; the schools of biomedical sciences as well as physical therapy & rehabilitation sciences; and the USF Physicians Group. With $310 million in research funding last year, USF is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of Florida’s top three research universities.

Throughout the year, USF Health experts in USF's Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine have been tapped by ABCNews.Com to serve as on-line correspondents, writing about a variety of subjects.

The most recent contribution focussed on mononucleosis, better known as the "kissing disease", and was written by Dr. Todd Wills, Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine at USF and Assistant Clinical Director of USF's Signature Interdisciplinary Program in Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Disease.

Earlier this summer, ABCNews.Com featured a story on the west nile virus, written by Dr. Abigail Chandler, then a Fellow in the USF College of Medicine's Division of Infectious Disease & International Medicine. Dr. Chandler graduated at the end of June 2007 and is currently with Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay.

Both articles published on line by ABCNews.Com are below.

ABCNEWS.COM: Don't Kiss and Swell - Managing Mono
'Kissing Disease' Threatens Many College Students Each Fall

By TODD S. WILLS, M.D., USF Division of Infectious Disease & International Medicine
Aug. 8, 2007

In coming weeks, a new batch of freshman will set off for their first year of college. Awaiting them will be the stresses of class work, the anxiety of living away from home -- and the promise of new relationships.

But for a few unlucky students each year, the first semester also brings a cold, followed by fatigue that they just can't seem to shake.

Is it too many all-nighters cramming for exams? Too many parties? Not enough coffee?
For most, the answer is probably one of these. But for a few, the explanation may be mononucleosis.

What Is Mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis, also known as "mono" or the "kissing disease," is an infection often associated with teenagers, but it also occurs in children.

As can probably be guessed from its intimate moniker, locking lips with an infected person is the most notorious way to contract this disease -- a feature that makes it a natural scourge of college campuses.

However, children and young adults can also become infected by sharing food or drinks, or even simply through close contact with someone who is infected. For this reason, mononucleosis often spreads within families.

But what is the culprit behind this illness?
Most often this disease is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which infects white blood cells and causes a sore throat, swollen glands, fever and fatigue in teenagers. Once a person is infected with Epstein-Barr, the virus stays in their white blood cells for life.

Mono is not a rare disease, as 95 percent of people will get it during their lifetimes. By age of 5, about 50 percent of children in the United States have already been infected.

Unfortunately, since Epstein-Barr stays in a person's cells for life, anyone who has been infected in the past can pass the virus to someone else -- even if they have recovered from mono. Because of this, preventing infection is almost impossible.

The Symptoms
In kids, mono is a very mild disease and is usually mistaken for the common cold. A second wave of Epstein-Barr infection strikes young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who did not get the infection when they were younger. This disease pops up frequently on college campuses, where one out of every 200 students gets mono each year.

When teenagers get mono, they get the more serious version of the disease. They may suffer from swollen glands, sore throat, fever and fatigue. Some teens will experience headaches, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Most of these symptoms go away within two or three weeks, but the accompanying fatigue can last for several months.

Though there is no treatment per se for mono, most people recover without any complications. Antibiotics, however, do not help treat mono and may make matters worse; some even cause an itchy skin rash if taken during an Epsein-Barr infection.

When the 'Kissing Disease' Gets Dangerous
Half of young adults who get mono develop an enlarged spleen, which can cause abdominal discomfort. Doctors can determine through a physical exam if your spleen has become enlarged. The spleen should return to normal size in four to six weeks and cause no long-term problems.

However, a patient with mono needs to be very careful if their spleen becomes enlarged. There is a danger of spleen rupture and internal bleeding if the spleen is injured while enlarged.

For this reason, teens diagnosed with mono must avoid contact sports -- or other activities that carry a risk of trauma -- for about six weeks. A ruptured spleen is a life-threatening emergency that usually requires surgery to remove the spleen and stop the bleeding.

Mono can also cause swelling of the tonsils. This is usually not a problem, but if the swelling is severe, it can obstruct airways to the extent that a person cannot breathe. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Sufferers should call 911 or get to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.

People with immune systems weakened by HIV infection or certain medications must also be aware that they have an increased risk for long-term complications from Epstein-Barr infection. In these people, Epstein-Barr can take advantage of the weak immune system to start growing out of control in white blood cells.

Rarely, Epstein-Barr can also cause lymphoma -- a cancer of white blood cells -- in people who have weakened immune systems.

Many studies have sought a link between chronic fatigue syndrome and Epstein-Barr, but no link has yet been established. Chronic fatigue syndrome may be caused by another, potentially unidentified infection.

Dr. Todd Wills is an assistant professor of infectious diseases and international medicine at the University of South Florida, and is the assistant clinical director of the university's signature interdisciplinary program in allergy, immunology and infectious disease.

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ABCNEWS.COM: West Nile Virus - A Summertime Threat
Prevention Is Best Protection Against Risky, Mosquito-Borne Virus

By ABBIGAIL CHANDLER, M.D.
Published July 3, 2007

With summer now in full swing, the kids are out of school and off on camping trips, beach excursions, picnics, bicycle rides and outdoor sporting events.

Most of us are familiar with the summertime dangers of sun exposure and recreational injuries, but few may know the true hazards of mosquito bites.

The vast majority of these bites cause a harmless, annoying itch that resolves in a few days. However, some mosquito bites could infect you with West Nile Virus -- a microorganism that could cause you or your child to develop fever, headache, body aches — or worse.

Do you know how to protect yourself?

What Is West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus is a disease that spreads from the bite of infected mosquitoes to birds and humans. Horses, cats, dogs, rabbits, squirrels, bats and skunks can also be infected, albeit less often.

West Nile Virus was first discovered in 1937 in a feverish woman in Uganda, Africa. Over the decades it has slowly spread across the globe, and it made its U.S. debut in New York City in 1999.

Prior to this time, the infection was unknown in the United States; now, however, it has become common throughout the country, having been reported in all 48 mainland states and the District of Columbia.

Last year the virus was particularly active; although only 4,261 cases were officially reported, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 43,000 West Nile infections occurred in the United States during 2006.

Signs and Symptoms of West Nile
West Nile Virus can cause three different illnesses in humans. The first type, asymptomatic West Nile, occurs in 80 percent of people bitten by an infected mosquito and causes no symptoms at all and resolves on its own.

The second type of illness is called West Nile Fever. About 20 percent of people infected with the virus have this disease, which includes high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and a rash on the abdomen and back. Symptoms start three to15 days after a mosquito bite and may last a few days to a few weeks.

The third and most serious type is called Neuroinvasive West Nile, which can cause encephalitis or meningitis. In this disease, the virus invades the nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Fortunately, less than one percent of people -- about one in 150 -- who come into contact with West Nile will develop this problem. Patients can have high fever, headache, neck stiffness, confusion, tremors, seizures, weakness, changes in their vision, and even coma. These symptoms may last for weeks and may even be permanent.

People over age 50 are at a higher risk for developing Neuroinvasive West Nile, but even young healthy people can become very sick from West Nile Virus.

How Is West Nile Detected?
If a person has symptoms of West Nile virus, their physician will perform blood tests and/or a spinal tap to look for the virus. A spinal tap is done using a very small needle inserted into the lower back to remove fluid from around the spinal cord.

Many other viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis or encephalitis cause similar symptoms to West Nile infection, so these tests are necessary to determine which infection a person has. A CT scan of the brain does not provide much help because it is usually normal, but an MRI of the brain may be useful.

How Is West Nile Treated?
Unfortunately, there are no good medicines to treat West Nile Virus. Most mild symptoms pass on their own, and patients recover completely.

In severe cases, patients may need to be admitted to the hospital to receive "supportive care," which includes treatment such as infusing fluids into a person's veins, supplemental nutrition or even the help of a breathing machine.

Can West Nile Virus Be Prevented?
The good news is that people can take steps to protect themselves against West Nile.

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites. Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk when most mosquitoes feed.

If you do need to be outdoors, wear long sleeves, long pants, shoes and socks, along with insect repellant containing DEET. Adults should wear repellants with up to 30 percent DEET, while the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends 10 percent DEET for children between 2 and 12 years of age.

Never allow children to apply their own repellant, and never apply it to their hands.

Keeping screens on windows and doors in good repair will also keep mosquitoes from gaining access to your home. Stopping mosquitoes from breeding will also help limit your exposure. Mosquito eggs are laid in standing water, so it is very important to empty all areas of standing water -- including flower pots, buckets, barrels, and children's swimming pools. Bird bath water and pet dishes should be changed every few days. Old tires and standing water on pool covers are very common breeding grounds for mosquitoes as well.

Be wary of dead birds. If you see a dead bird, do not touch the bird with your bare hands. Contact your state or local health department. They will give you instructions on how to dispose of the body or they may send someone to test the bird for the virus.

If You Think You Have West Nile Virus
If you have the symptoms described above, call your physician and make him or her aware of you concerns.

If your symptoms are severe or you are having difficulty breathing or walking, or if you have confusion, you should call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department immediately.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/westnile.
Dr. Abbigail Chandler is now an Infectious Disease physician with the Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay.

The following article is reprinted from the Spring/Summer 2007 issue of the USF magazine RESEARCH:

Dengue Fever and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis are just two of
the many serious threats to public health in Florida. While these diseases occasionally raise their heads in the news, most Floridians are apt to take a quick look and listen and then go back to life as usual.

Graduate students in the USF College of Public Health’s Department of Global Health, however, take those threats seriously. And,working with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), they not only keep a sharp eye on these dangerous diseases but are finding new and better ways to identify and track them, thanks to an important collaboration.

“We have a unique research training collaboration with the FDOH,” explains Department of Global Health Chair and Professor Boo H.Kwa, Ph.D. “Our students get practical laboratory research training in disease surveillance by working with Lillian Stark, PhD, who is a senior scientist and virologist with the FDOH. Not only do the students and USF benefit from the collaboration, the citizens of Florida benefit as well.”

USF students are finding new and better ways to track viruses such as Dengue fever,West Nile virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis -- all of which are vectored, or transmitted, by mosquitoes.

Julia Gill, PhD, MPH, a recent graduate who now is the State’s Epidemiology Bureau Chief in Tallahassee, did her PhD dissertation on
methods of Dengue fever surveillance. According to Kwa, Gill changed the understanding of how Dengue is imported into Florida and helped
improve diagnostic methods.

Gill credits the collaboration between USF’s College of Public Health
(COPH) and the FDOH as having been essential to her work.

“The collaborative program between USF and FDOH matches young public health scientists with their interests,” says Gill, whose work in identifying active cases of Dengue fever was boosted by USF’s collaborations with not only FDOH but the Centers for Disease Control(CDC) as well.

Gill’s surveillance research on Dengue fever, a debilitating disease endemic in Central and South America and the Caribbean, helped raise an alarm when she found that more cases were being brought to Florida than previously thought. Earlier surveillance suggested that only one or two cases of Dengue were being imported to Florida annually. With better surveillance techniques designed by Gill, she found that 19 cases were imported to Florida in a given year.

“Dengue and St. Louis virus are in the same family and react to the same antibodies,” explains Gill, who sorted out the differences between the two. “It was also thought that the virus circulated in the human body for about four days, which meant that by the time infected travelers returned to Florida, it was gone.”

Such was not the case, as the surveillance program showed. Four
different serotypes were found in returning travelers in Florida, and
multiple serotypes increased the chance of the hemorrhagic variety that can be quite dangerous.

“Having the FDOH facility on the USF campus meant that we had excellent lab capacity for carrying out this work,” says Gill, who continues to act as a preceptor for USF College of Public Health student interns promoting collaborative projects.

Boo Kwa, PhD

“Transitions like Gill’s, from academics to practice, make big differences,” says Kwa.

“Dr. Gill’s research on dengue and her transition into an outstanding career in Public Health is a brilliant example of how one may bridge academic research to address a potentially serious public health problem,” says Kwa.

Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis, commonly called “EEE,” is found in
North, Central, and South America and infects mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is transmitted via mosquitoes, ticks, and lice. Department of Global Health doctoral student Christy Voakes Ottendorfer, MSPH, carried out research that gave public health officials a tool distinguish between infections caused by EEE from those due to a related virus, Highlands J (HJ). The keys to constructing a better surveillance program for EEE came with her work on the “Sentinel Chicken Arbovirus Surveillance Program” through which public health officials in Florida counties submitted weekly serum samples of chickens thought to be infected with a virus. Which virus—EEE or Highlands J — or some other was the question.

“Highlands J is nonpathogenic and considered a nonrisk for humans,” she explains.“EEE, on the other hand, is pathogenic and serious for humans. By extracting the RNA from the tissue samples and putting the samples through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, we were able to differentiate the genetic bases of the two viruses and tell them apart.”

The study showed that both EEE and HJ viruses circulate in several
counties statewide. Now, local mosquito control agencies use this information to target EEE “hot zones” for enhanced mosquito surveillance and control to prevent outbreaks of this dangerous disease.

Her dissertation project focuses on West Nile virus (WNV) and St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV).

“By extracting the RNA from the tissue samples and putting the samples through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, we were able to differentiate the genetic bases of the two viruses and tell them apart,” she explains.

“This study has isolated these viruses to gain an understanding of WNV and SLEV strains that are currently circulating in Florida. By characterizing these isolates, I hope to rapidly identify human epidemic (virulent) strains from weaker strains of these viruses.”

The next step would be to alert mosquito control and health agencies
that a dangerous strain of the virus has been isolated in the field and to take precautions before it reaches the human population.

According to Lillian Stark, PhD, MPH, MS, of the FDOH, Bureau of
Laboratories, USF students are guided towards applied research projects that produce actual improvements in the way the FDOH works to protect the health of Floridians.

“The collaboration works well for us and the students, who bring an
enthusiasm and zest for discovery that enhances all of our work,” says Stark.

The history of the USF COPH and FDOH collaboration goes back to the 1970s when Stark, who already had a PhD in biology,went to USF to get her master’s degree in public health and, in doing so, found that USF students were “a superb source” to help carry out studies. Since the FDOH moved onto the USF campus in 2001, the collaboration has become closer and easier because students can attend class and quickly getto the FDOH lab to do research.

“Collaborations between FDOH and academia benefit students, who gain a better understanding of practical, real-life public health problems, learn how disease surveillance is conducted, learn laboratory methods, study how outbreaks are identified, and learn the need for timely and effective communication to the authorities,” concludes Kwa. “FDOH benefits from highly motivated, energetic young minds who can contribute by helping to research, organize and analyze the huge amounts of data sets.”

- Story by Randy Fillmore