Tampa, FL (April 7, 2011) —  Annette Phelps, ARNP, MSN, family health services division director for the Florida Department of Health, has been named the Florida Outstanding Woman in Public Health for 2011 by the University of South Florida College of Public Health. The College bestows the award each year to a woman whose career accomplishments and leadership have contributed significantly to the field of public health in Florida. Phelps was honored during an awards ceremony April 6 at the Interdisciplinary Research Building in the USF Research Park. Annette Phelps, […]

Medications lose effectiveness for many with longstanding tremors Tampa, FL — Deep brain stimulation, a surgical procedure to suppress faulty nerve signals, allowed 77 percent of patients to stop the medications used to treat their essential tremors within one year following the surgery, University of South Florida researchers report. “It’s a significant finding demonstrating that patients see a lot of symptom improvement with this treatment option,” said Andrew Resnick, a research assistant in the USF Health Department of Neurology. Resnick will present results of the limited retrospective study April 12, […]

Partnership will create national model for health in retirement The Villages, FL (March 29, 2011) — The University of South Florida and The Villages, in partnership with The Villages Health System, have begun a study of the key components of health in retirement. “Nothing is more important to a senior than his or her health,” said Gary Morse, developer of The Villages. “We’ve been searching for a creative, forward-thinking university partner to work with local health care providers, study our community and bring us innovative ideas that will enhance the […]

Medical School Matching Ceremony Connects Global Community to Students One Envelope Releases Medical Students’ Residency Program Offer and Plans their Future TAMPA, Fla. (March 17, 2011) – Social media channels have transformed emotional Match Day festivities at University of South Florida (USF) College of Medicine into a global event that extends into virtual online worlds via avatar. Each March, graduating medical students at the College gather at a roadhouse bar for a tearful ritual: the public opening of an envelope that tells them where they will spend the next three […]

Sanfilippo Syndrome compromises the barrier, leading to brain damage in mouse model Tampa, Fla. (March 8, 2011) – A study into the effects of Sanfilippo Syndrome type B (MPS III B) has found that the barrier responsible for protecting the brain from the entry of harmful blood-borne substances is structurally and functionally damaged by the devastating disease. University of South Florida researchers identified damage in specific brain structures involved in the pathology of MPS III B, one of four Sanfilippo syndromes, all inherited diseases of metabolism. The study, using a […]

Sarasota, FL (March, 2, 2011) — The Jackson Laboratory announced today that it will partner with the University of South Florida (USF), Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Sarasota County and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to develop genetics-based treatments for heart disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes at a new research facility in Sarasota County. The project, to be known as The Jackson Laboratory–Florida, will be housed in a 120,000-square-foot facility in Sarasota County and will also occupy laboratories and offices within the USF Health complex in Tampa. The Gulf Coast Community […]

A 12 percent increase over last year’s research funding earns the college its highest rank yet Tampa, FL (Feb. 25, 2011) – The University of South Florida College of Nursing received a 28th place ranking in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2010* — the college’s highest spot yet. The latest ranking represents a 12 percent jump in NIH funding – from $1.53 million in 2009 to $1.71 million in 2010. The College of Nursing is working toward achieving a top-25 ranking in NIH research funding. […]

TAMPA, FL (Feb. 22, 2011) – USF Health has hired two nationally-known trauma surgeons to key leadership positions in the USF College of Medicine, posts that will allow them to help shape the future of health care.                Recruiting at this level is a sign that USF’s focus on leading a revolution in healthcare is paying dividends, said Stephen Klasko, MD, MBA, dean of the USF College of Medicine and CEO of USF Health.           “Bringing in physician leaders of their caliber is a direct consequence of our push to […]

Tampa, FL (February 15, 2011) – The University of South Florida College of Nursing announced today that it will add Sarasota Memorial Health Care System as a new Clinical Collaborative partner. This expansion supports the USF Sarasota/Manatee “Blueprint for Health Professions Education at USF Sarasota/Manatee,” a project funded by the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to assess how best to serve the local community’s health professions education needs and lay the groundwork for future academic programming. In summer 2011, a new team of 12 undergraduate nursing students will […]

The USF-led study reports the non-dopaminergic drug lessens “off time” in patients receiving standard dopamine therapy Tampa, FL (Feb. 10, 2011) — Preladenant, a non-dopaminergic medication, reduces off time in patients with Parkinson’s disease receiving standard dopamine therapy, an international study led by the University of South Florida found. Results of the double-blind, randomized clinical trial are reported online today in the journal Lancet Neurology. The findings suggest that preladenant may offer a new supplemental treatment for Parkinson’s disease without some of the complications of levodopa and other standard dopamine […]