Irene Davis, PhD, PT, FACSM, FAPTA, FASB, professor in the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, is trying to understand the intricate relationship between lower extremity mechanics and overuse injuries in runners. With a focus on transforming the way runners experience pain and preventing injury, Dr. Davis and her team are researching gait retraining for injury prevention. 

Subject crossing the force plate at a constant velocity to test the three-dimensional components of force being produced on their joints.

At the heart of their research is a force plate used at the center of an elongated runway. This allows individuals to simulate a complete running cycle, starting from acceleration, and crossing the force plate at a consistent velocity. The force plate captures not only vertical forces but also forces in all three dimensions, offering a clearer picture of the intricate nature of the forces exerted when landing. This three-dimensional analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of how alignment and mechanics contribute to the risk of injury.

Reflective markers attached to a subject’s body which supply data with a multi-dimensional perspective on joint movement. Essential for understanding the mechanics involved in running.

To access this data, the research team attaches reflective markers to the subjects’ bodies, which are then tracked by multiple cameras. These complex algorithms decipher the markers’ movements, enabling the researchers to see the angles at the ankle, knee, and hip joints. This approach supplies a multi-dimensional perspective on joint movement, essential for understanding the mechanics involved in running.

The integration of force plate data and marker tracking empowers the team to calculate joint loads and torques, giving a complete picture of the forces experienced by various joints during a runner’s gait cycle. This holistic approach enables Dr. Davis and her team to identify problematic mechanics and design interventions that could alleviate pain and reduce the risk of injury. 

By applying their findings, her team is pioneering an innovative approach to runner rehabilitation. Through a series of sessions involving real-time feedback and targeted practice, the research team has started receiving results. A notable example is a study focused on addressing knee pain, in which participants underwent a tailored gait retraining program. Participants experienced improvements in their alignment and mechanics, easing the persistent pain that they have dealt with for years. 

This groundbreaking research challenges the traditional notion that gait patterns are fixed and unalterable. By bridging the gap between scientific understanding and medical practice, Dr. Davis and her team have proven that gait retraining is not only possible but also effective in alleviating pain and preventing future injuries. The success of their interventions underscores the transformative potential of multidimensional biomechanical analysis in sports medicine. 

The researcher is analyzing data provided by the force plate.

In a field where innovation meets application, Dr. Davis and her team are revolutionizing the way we think about running mechanics and their impact on injuries. This has not only raised awareness but also instilled hope for countless runners who want to run free of pain. Dr. Davis hopes that science and medicine can work hand in hand to reshape runners’ lives.

“We hope our clinic and our research will offer injured runners a solution so they are able to continue to run pain-free,” Dr. Davis said. “We really have pioneered this idea of retraining gait patterns.”  

Story, photos, and video by Ryan Rossy.

The USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (SPTRS) is taking strides to expand its research efforts and contribute significantly to the improvement of patient care and the advancement in the movement sciences, particularly in physical therapy and athletic training. With a vision to make lives better, the school is focused on internal and external collaborations, securing grants, and conducting research that addresses critical questions using scientific methods. 

Guided and supported by the school’s leadership, SPTRS faculty are committed to increasing their research footprint by attracting new faculty members, obtaining additional grants, and generating research with widespread implications. They aim to create a significant impact on patients, their families, and society, said Dave Russ, PT, PhD, associate professor and assistant director of research at SPTRS.

“Our primary goal is to produce research that goes beyond mere accreditation requirements,” Dr. Russ said. “We aspire to explore real questions and apply strong scientific methods to address them.” 

USF Health’s strategic location in the growing Tampa Bay region plays a pivotal role in SPTRS research pursuits. The area’s diverse population mirrors that of the entire United States. This provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with clinical partners, local hospitals, and the community, which enables the school to produce research findings that are generalizable and applicable to the broader U.S. population. 

“Our presence in Tampa Bay allows us to work closely with our clinical partners and the community to tackle diverse research topics,” said Doug Haladay, PT, DPT, PhD, MHS, professor and director of the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences and associate dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “Despite the variations in subject matter, we share one common vision… to make lives better.” 

The research produced by SPTRS faculty benefits patients directly and contributes to the advancement of the physical therapy and athletic training professions. Not only does their research advance the professions, but they are able to bring that research into the classroom for their students to ensure they are being taught contemporary practices and evidence. The school prides itself on its ability to have a collaborative environment, where interdisciplinary partnerships with different departments and colleges strengthen potential research projects and grant applications. The athletic training faculty have a strong partnership with USF Health Sports Medicine and Athletics and are continually working to share research findings and collaborate on best practices to support our USF athletes and teams.

Furthermore, the school is proud of its ability to secure research funding from many sources, ranging from local foundations to nationally funded initiatives, including the prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD). This diversified funding approach enables researchers to explore a wide array of topics and pursue programmatic research that can drive significant improvements in patient outcomes.

Research milestones at USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences: 

• Growth in Peer-Reviewed Publications: Over the last three years, the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences has experienced a substantial 76% increase in peer-reviewed publications.
   
• Engagement in Professional Presentations: The school’s faculty members actively participate in more than 32 professional presentations annually, sharing their research findings with the wider academic and healthcare communities both nationally and internationally.
   

• Surging Research Expenditures: The school has experienced an impressive 33% increase in research expenditures from 2019 to 2023.
   
• Funding from DOD and NIH: Several projects have been awarded funding from esteemed organizations such as the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  

As the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences continues to expand its research endeavors, its focus on producing impactful, evidence-based research continues to contribute to the betterment of society striving for its vision of making lives better.

Story, photos, and video by Ryan Rossy.

Moving an entire clinic can be a very daunting and cumbersome task, especially when you have to get it ready for patients only a few days later.  The staff and faculty of the USF Health Physical Therapy Center managed that process recently when they relocated the clinic to its new home.

Matt Lazinski, PT, DPT, OCS, associate professor and director of the clinic, and his team didn’t miss a beat when it came to patient care.  The team continued to see patients until noon June 16 and began packing the clinic at 1:00 p.m.  By 3:00 p.m., a moving company starting packing all of the therapy tables, and heavy machines.  The first load of machines arrived at their new home by 5:00 p.m. and the clinic team immediately began organizing the space.  Dr. Lazinski and his team worked through the weekend to make sure the clinic was ready to see patients by Monday.

Dr. Lazniski said there are some key upgrades that come with moving to a more modern space:

• A first-floor location means easier access for patients with mobility issues
• Bigger treatment rooms
• More efficient and functional space
• Televisions to assist in patient education
• Co-located with USF Health family medicine providers

“Moving over the weekend was for our patients so we aren’t canceling appointments,” Dr. Lazinski said. “My team has been great.  This has been a long time coming with a lot of starts and stops and they’ve been very patient throughout the process.  I can’t say enough good things about my team.”

The new clinic is located at 3500 E. Fletcher Ave. Suite 100 in the University Professional Center.

Additional photos:

The USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences has launched a new state-of-the-art simulation lab – the Chalsty Rehabilitation Experiential Learning Laboratory – revolutionizing the way students gain practical experience in the field. This innovative facility allows students to familiarize themselves with inpatient settings, providing invaluable hands-on training before they embark on their clinical education or begin their professional practice.

Designed to simulate real-world environments, the simulation lab offers a safe space for students to hone their skills and become acquainted with the intricacies of patient care. By familiarizing themselves with the equipment and procedures commonly encountered in clinical settings, students can build confidence and enhance their overall readiness when transitioning to actual patient care.

Located conveniently within the school building, the simulation lab ensures seamless integration of theory and practice. Students can seamlessly transition from lectures in the adjacent classrooms to the simulation lab, applying the knowledge they have just acquired. This proximity facilitates a comprehensive and efficient learning experience, enriching students’ educational journey and preparing them for future challenges.

“Our clinical partners have expressed their satisfaction with the training provided through our program,” said Melissa Lazinski, PT, DPT, DHSc, assistant professor of the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences and a board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist. “When students arrive at the clinic, they are not starting from scratch but are already familiar with many essential aspects. This allows them to hit the ground running, adapting to diverse inpatient settings more effectively.”

The significance of the Chalsty Rehabilitation Experiential Learning Laboratory extends beyond the convenience it offers to students. It enables learners to navigate the complexities of patient safety, intervention appropriateness, and monitoring. By incorporating realistic patient pathologies into the training scenarios, students develop a deep understanding of the critical factors involved in ensuring the well-being of their future patients.

“The reason we want to make sure that students get to practice their skills here is because, depending on what the pathology is for this patient, the students are going to have to understand and determine the safety of the patient and make sure their interventions are appropriate and safe,” said Bini Thomas, PT, DPT, MSA, EdD, assistant professor of the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences.

While celebrating the accomplishments of the new simulation lab, the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences remains committed to continuous improvement and exploring further advancements. With a passion for innovation, faculty and staff actively seek opportunities to enhance lab utilization, improve the curriculum, and pursue future advancements.

Furthermore, by providing these valuable learning experiences in-house, students gain exceptional opportunities. The advanced technology sets a new standard in physical therapy education, nurturing the growth of skilled and compassionate professionals.

Story, video and photos by Ryan Rossy, USF Health Communications

Graduate programs at USF Health had promising gains in this year’s rankings from U.S. News & World Report (U.S. News), with some programs breaking into the top 50 of their rankings.

In the U.S. News 2024 Best Graduate Schools list released on April 25, USF Health’s physician assistant, nursing and public health programs ranked among the best in the country.

The rankings released April 25 did not include medical schools or law schools; those rankings were released by U.S. News May 11.

Among the notable advancements this year are the two graduate programs from the USF Health College of Nursing, each of which had major gains, and the Physician Assistant Program in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, which made the ranking list for the first time in its young history after receiving its inaugural full accreditation needed to qualify.

“Our nursing school is clearly garnering attention on the national stage as both its master’s and doctoral programs are making incredible gains in the rankings, and proving to be the best in Florida,” said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “And the first-time ranking for our physician assistant program marks a significant milestone. While this USF Health program is still young, its inaugural ranking is among the top third of PA programs across the country. We anticipate further rankings gains as our program continues to develop.”

According to U.S. News, its methodology uses data from expert opinions and statistical indicators when measuring a program’s ranking, examining qualities students and faculty bring to the educational experience and graduates’ achievements linked to their degrees, such as job placement and research impact.

The posted results for USF Health this year include:

• #46 in Medical Schools for Primary Care: The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine improved significantly for U.S. medical schools for primary care, going from #56 last year to #46 this year, and breaking into the top 50 for the first time.
• #50 in Medical Schools for Research: The Morsani College of Medicine continues to rank well among U.S. medical schools for research, ranking at #50 this year.
• #65 in Health Doctoral Programs – Physician Assistant: The Morsani College of Medicine’s Physician Assistant program ranked for the first time, ranked at #65 this year, placing it in the top third of the more than 200 PA programs in the rankings.
• #31 in Nursing for Master’s: The USF Health College of Nursing jumped 11 spots, going from #42 last year to #31 this year, making it the top-ranked public nursing master’s program in Florida.
• #33 in Nursing for DNP: The College of Nursing also continues to improve in its DNP program ranking and skyrocketed into the top 50 for doctoral programs in the country with its 34-spot jump from #67 last year to #33 this year, making it the top-ranked public or private DNP program in Florida.
• #22 in Public Health: The USF Health College of Public Health remains the top-ranked public health program in Florida, with its rank at #22 this year.

U.S. News does not provide new rankings for all graduate programs each year, so the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy maintains its rank of #68, and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences maintains its rank of #49.

More on rankings for other USF graduate programs…

This year’s USF Health Research Day set new records as more participants than ever filled the USF Tampa campus Marshall Student Center on March 3 to showcase the best of their scientific work.

The 33^rd USF Health Research Day included 457 research poster presentations by students, postdocs, residents, faculty, and staff across all health disciplines. Research Day is the largest research-oriented event of its kind at USF and remains the largest celebration of health sciences research collaboration across all four USF Health colleges (medicine, nursing, public health and pharmacy) as well as with colleagues in other USF colleges, including social work and engineering.

From left, Dr. Charles Lockwood, Dr. Kim Orth, Rhea Law, and Dr. Steve Liggett.

Research Day kicked off with the Annual Roy H. Behnke, MD, Distinguished Lectureship featuring speaker Kim Orth, PhD, professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Dr. Orth’s presentation was titled “Black Spot, Black Death, Black Pearl: Tales of Bacterial Effectors” – click here for more about Dr. Orth and her work.

Dr. Kim Orth.

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Tampa General Hospital, the primary teaching hospital for USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, was the presenting sponsor for USF Health Research Day 2023.

Following Dr. Orth’s presentation was the judging of work. Judges reviewed the posters that lined the Marshall Center Ballroom, asking the students for more detail and clarifications about their research projects. Presentations ranged from pilot, preliminary, empirical and case studies to system reviews and reviews of literature or charts.

Following the 13^th Annual Joseph Krzanowski Invited Oral Presenters by select students representing medicine, nursing, public health, and pharmacy, Research Day culminated with an Awards Ceremony in the Oval Theatre announcing the winners in 29 competitive categories – including 18 monetary awards totaling $8,600.

* * *

For the list of Research Day 2023 award winners, click here.

For the list of Research Day judges and sponsors, click here.

More photos

Photos by Freddie Coleman, video by Allison Long, USF Health Communications

Faculty, professional, educators and health care experts came together recently to learn more about how to improve and promote the well-being of performing artists, as part of the annual USF-Performing Arts Medicine Conference, held March 25 to 27 at the Barness Recital Hall in the USF School of Music.

“The USF-PAMC is an interprofessional group, all self-guided, probably the only such organization at the University with the area professionals in the community,” said Dr. Sang-Hie Lee, director of USF-Performing Arts Medicine Collaborative and professor of music, piano, and pedagogy in the USF School of Music.

This year’s event included three interprofessional panels, 10 presentations, five workshops, two masterclasses, a yoga session, and Noraxon demonstration.

One keynote speaker at the conference was Alan Lockwood, MD, FAAN, FANA, Emeritus Professor of Neurology and Nuclear Medicine at the University at Buffalo. In his keynote titled “Health and Performing Arts: Legacy,” Dr. Lockwood gave an overview of the origins of the integration of performing arts into the medical field.

Dr. Alan Lockwood.

“The session about mindfulness is all about getting you away from the biomechanics of how you use your fingers to play the note that you want to be played, to looking deeper inside of your body and your experience, and how what you are doing is affecting the creative aspects of making music,” Dr. Lockwood said.

City-based pianist Madeline Bruser hosted the interprofessional panel “Unleashing Musical Potential Through Mindfulness” providing insight into how mindfulness helps musicians release physical and mental tension to transform their performing and expressive capacities. Bruser has taught musicians from six continents, both in-person and online.

Madeline Bruser.

On Sunday, March 27, a luncheon for attendees, campus and community thought leaders, decision-makers, and stakeholders was held, along with a panel that included USF President Rhea H. Law, as well as multiple deans supportive of the Performing Arts Medicine Collective initiative. Top researchers and contributors from across the country discussed the importance of the well-being of performing artists and shared their experiences with the audience and each other.

“This conference is an opportunity to learn from each other, get the advantage of the experience of other people who are working in this field,” Dr. Lockwood said.

“What we really would like to do here is look at how to build a more sustainable performing arts medicine center here at USF, that has this overlap between the arts and between health, and serves the student population, serves beyond those walls, serves the community,” said Merry Lynn Morris MFA, PhD, assistant director for USF’s Dance Program. “My vision is to see more people mentally and physically healthy as artists. The healthier we can make our training, the healthier we can make our mental and physical approaches to those trainings, to create healthy behaviors in young artists.”

Merry Lynn Morris, Rhea Law, and Sang-Hie Lee.

Story, photos and video by Ryan Rossy, USF Health Communications and Marketing

Back in 2007, four University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) students started a student-run free clinic with a couple of exam rooms at the Hillsborough Health Department and an idea to help the underserved communities surrounding the university.

“We wanted to establish somewhere (that) is more a pillar for the community,” said Waldo Guerrero, MD, one of the co-founders of the BRIDGE Clinic. “What really drove the idea of the clinic was having a more substantiable way to provide care to the underserved folks.”

Fifteen years later, the BRIDGE Clinic encompasses more than 20 exam rooms in The USF Carol and Frank Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare and the volunteer services of USF students from medicine, pharmacy, public health, social work and physical therapy. The experience not only helps the students care for their neighbors but also assists their health care education.

“It was a great opportunity for me to be able to give back to the community while also getting a lot of hands-on experience,” said Marissa Maldonado, a fourth-year MCOM medical student.

The clinic has grown in response to rising demand for medical services among the uninsured and underserved in the community. The US Census Bureau reports that 14.9 percent of people 65 and under lack health insurance, and the Florida Department of Health says that 15.7 percent of employed people in Hillsborough County do not have insurance.

“The proudest moments are every Tuesday night after clinic is done, “said Eduardo Gonzalez, MD, co-medical director of the BRIDGE clinic. “Patients were seen and provided wonderful care that they otherwise they would not have been able to obtain.”

Donations are welcome to maintain and grow the clinic.

“Whatever gift is given, it will be used,” Dr. Gonzalez said. “It will be used 100 percent in the caring of patients.”

Graduate programs at USF Health had significant gains in this year’s rankings from U.S. News & World Report (U.S. News), strong improvements that highlight the advances USF Health continues to experience on the national stage.

In the U.S. News 2023 Best Graduate Schools list released March 29, the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and the College of Public Health all had programs that moved up in rank.

• #46 in Medical Schools for Research: The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine remains in the top 50 for U.S. medical schools for research, moving up two spots from last year, from #48 to #46.
• #56 in Medical Schools for Primary Care: The Morsani College of Medicine also improved for U.S. medical schools for primary care, going from #69 to #56.
• #42 in Nursing—Master’s: The USF Health College of Nursing jumped an incredible 14 spots, going from #56 last year to #42 this year, making it the top-ranked public nursing master’s program in Florida.
• #16 in Public Health: The USF Health College of Public Health remains in the top 20 and rose four spots this year to rank #16 up from #20 last year, making it the top-ranked public health program in Florida, public or private universities.

U.S. News does not provide new rankings for all graduate programs each year, so the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy maintains its rank of #68, and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences maintains its rank of #49.

“Programs across USF Health continue to rise in national rankings, providing a spotlight on our commitment to building high-quality graduate curricula filled with outstanding graduate student experiences,” said Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “These new rankings demonstrate the incredible work of our faculty in elevating our programs through world-class health education, ground-breaking research and excellent clinical care.”

According to U.S. News, its methodology uses data from expert opinions and statistical indicators when measuring a program’s ranking, examining qualities students and faculty bring to the educational experience and graduates’ achievements linked to their degrees, such as job placement and research impact.

More on ranks for USF graduate programs…

Dear Faculty, Staff, Residents and Students:

In the past few weeks much has been made of the SARS-CoV-2 South African (B.1.1.529) variant. Cable news and social media have exaggerated potential risks causing global stock markets to swoon and prompting much anxiety.  However, in my opinion, the greatest threat of this variant is not illness but its potential to take our focus away from the real public health challenge – the current Delta variant which continues its relentless onslaught fueled by unfounded, irrational vaccine hesitancy and lethal misinformation. The B.1.1.529 variant was first detected in South Africa where it has quickly become the dominant strain of the virus. It has now been identified in about 45 countries and 20 states.  It contains over 50 mutations compared with the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. These mutations include sequences found in endemic coronaviruses causing many common colds. And although B.1.1.529 appears more transmissible than the now dominant Delta variant, it seems to have lower virulence. In fact, to date all cases have been mild to moderate and there have been no fatalities. While that may change, particularly as older, obese, and medically complicated and unvaccinated patients become infected, it is welcome news.

I have been predicting for some time that the COVID-19 pandemic would end with a “whimper and not a bang” as the virus gradually mutates into a form consistent with the coronaviruses that cause a quarter of common colds (see my March 2021 Tampa Bay Times Editorial). From an evolutionary perspective, the most “successful” virus is one that was easily transmissible, generates mild symptoms and does not kill its host.  This is why there are many, many more common colds than deadly Ebola, MERS or SARS-CoV-1 infections.  In fact, one only has to look at the incredible efficiency of the common cold to appreciate that this phenotype is the logical endpoint of mutation-driven viral natural selection.

So while much data needs to be collected to confirm this hypothesis, in the interim, the single most effective tool we have to ensure the public’s health, a vibrant economy and our collective sanity is multi-dose COVID-19 vaccination. So if you haven’t been vaccinated – do it now, and, if you qualify, get your booster shot.  In other words, do what USF Health has done so well over the past two years – follow the science, use common sense and keep calm and carry on.

Sincerely,

Charly

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM
Senior Vice President, USF Health
Dean, Morsani College of Medicine