For his years of service and devotion to USF and to the entire Tampa Bay region, John Curran, MD, was presented with USF’s Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Curran, who is professor of pediatrics, associate vice president for Faculty and Academic Affairs at USF Health, and senior executive associate dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, is a charter member of the College of Medicine faculty (1972) and the founding neonatologist at Tampa General Hospital.
Dr. Curran was nominated by Patty Emmanuel, MD, professor and chair of the USF Department of Pediatrics and received the award in November.
The USF Distinguished Service Award is one of the university’s highest honors given in recognition of many years of outstanding service to USF. The award is conferred by USF on faculty who have distinguished themselves through services they have provided without personal gain on behalf of the University, and that have contributed significantly to the welfare of their profession, USF or the community.
In her nomination letter for Dr. Curran, Dr. Emmanuel wrote:
“During this exemplary career Dr. Curran expanded his service beyond the university to include local, regional and national service. Indeed, his activities as an advocate for child health care have had a significant and direct impact on the care of children. But his service to the Tampa Bay community has served more than just children, he has always been a staunch advocate for the un- and underinsured of our region. He was instrumental in implementing the Hillsborough County half cents sales tax and the development of a County Health Care Board which provides primary and specialty care to hundreds perhaps thousands of working poor each year. This is probably one of his most enduring legacies.”
Dr. Curran has taken active and leadership roles in countless organizations including the Society of Air Force Flight Surgeons (he is a Member Emeritus), Florida Medical Association, American Medical Association, Florida Society of Neonatal-Perinatologists, Hillsborough County Healthy Start, Inc., American Lung Association of Gulf Coast Florida, President, American Lung Association of Florida, the Tri Agency Council (American Heart Association of Florida, American Lung Association of Florida, and American Cancer Society, Florida Affiliate), March of Dimes, and Florida Department of Health.
Dr. Curran’s leadership has been recognized with the Abraham Jacobi Award of the American Medical Association, a Lifetime Healthcare Hero Award in the Tampa Bay Region, and the March of Dimes Lawton Chiles Perinatal Award, among many other awards.
He is medical director for regional Children’s Medical Services programs for children with special health care needs. He is chair of the District X American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of 60,000 pediatricians representing Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Puerto Rico.
