Study identifies gaps in clinical genetic counseling services for women undergoing BRCA genetic testing

Tampa, FL (Oct. 1, 2015) – A University of South Florida-led research collaboration with Aetna, the American Cancer Society and the national non-profit Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) today published results from a national study identifying factors and outcomes associated with the use of genetic counseling and testing services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in the community setting. The work is reported today in the Journal of the American Medical Association – Oncology and indicates a significant opportunity to increase genetic counseling in community care.

The investigative team for the ABOUT Study (American BRCA Outcomes and Utilization of Testing Study), led by principal investigator Rebecca Sutphen, MD, professor of genetics at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, analyzed data from a consecutive series of women whose health care providers requested BRCA testing through the national health insurer, Aetna,  over a one-year period.

Rebecca Sutphen, MD, professor of genetics at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, was principal investigator of the study conducted with Aetna, the American Cancer Society and the national non-profit Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE).

The guidelines of multiple medical professional societies and health authorities indicate that genetic counseling should precede a decision to undergo BRCA testing.  Despite this guidance, only 36.8 percent of the 3,874 female participants in this study reported receiving genetic counseling from a genetics clinician before BRCA genetic testing.  Importantly, those who received this service demonstrated greater knowledge about BRCA, including risk factors and treatment options. They also expressed greater understanding of and satisfaction with the information they received prior to testing.  The proportion of women receiving the service varied significantly based on the specialty of the provider ordering the test, with the lowest rates among Obstetrician/Gynecologists (12.3 percent).

“The ABOUT Study offers a rare opportunity to study the self-reported experiences of women undergoing testing in the community setting where most people receive their care.  Although we found that most women did not receive genetic counseling by a genetics professional, this is a gap in services that can be addressed,” Sutphen said.

Genetic counseling to support BRCA testing is a preventive service that is covered with no out-of-pocket costs for most women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

“Comprehensive genetic counseling about BRCA mutation testing is important for individuals to understand their cancer risk. The information obtained from genetic counseling empowers individuals as well as current and future generations of their families to make informed decisions about screening, risk reduction, and treatment options,” said Joanne Armstrong, MD, senior medical director and head of Women’s Health for Aetna.

The ABOUT Study was supported by funding from the Aetna Foundation, as well as in-kind support from the American Cancer Society, FORCE and Aetna.

Article Citation:
Armstrong J, Toscano M, Kotchko N, Friedman S, Schwartz MD, Virgo KS, Lynch K, Andrews JE, Aguado Loi CX, Bauer JE, Casares C, Bourquardez Clark E, Kondoff MR, Molina AD, Abdollahian M, Walker G, Sutphen R:  Utilization and Outcomes of BRCA Genetic Testing and Counseling in a National Commercially Insured Population: The ABOUT Study.  JAMA Oncology, Oct. 1, 2015. 

About USF Health
USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a Top 50 research university in total research expenditures among both public and private institutions nationwide, according to the National Science Foundation.  For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 46.7 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers’ compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com and learn about how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world. @AetnaNews

 Media contacts:
Anne DeLotto Baier, USF Health Communications, abaier@health.usf.edu or 813-974-3303
Kathy (Betty) Skipper, AETNA Corporate Communications, SkipperB@aetna.com or 404-702-3442

PCORnet will focus on questions and outcomes that matters most to patients and their caregivers to help shape the future of hereditary cancer research

Tampa, FL (Aug. 12, 2015) – A team led by the University of South Florida (USF Health) Morsani College of Medicine and the leading national hereditary breast and ovarian cancer advocacy organization, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) received a $1.45-million funding award for a three-year project from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to continue to advance and expand the ABOUT Network as part of the second phase of PCORnet: the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network.

The ABOUT Network (American BRCA Outcomes and Utilization of Testing Patient-Powered Research Network) focuses on hereditary cancer and is one of 34 health data networks recently approved for a total of $142.5 million from PCORI to support PCORnet.  PCORnet is a large, collaborative research initiative designed to link researchers, patient communities, clinicians, and health systems in productive research partnerships to leverage the power of large volumes of health data maintained by the partner networks. PCORnet will enable the nation to conduct clinical research more quickly and less expensively than is now possible and will ensure that research focuses on the questions and outcomes that matter most to patients and those who care for them.

The team is led by co-principal investigators Rebecca Sutphen, MD, professor of genetics at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, and Dr. Sue Friedman, founder and executive director of FORCE.  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Genomics and Genetic Disorders Section and advocacy organizations Black Women’s Health Imperative, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Sharsheret and Young Survival Coalition are also partners in the next phase of the network.

 USF’s Dr. Rebecca Sutphen, and FORCE’s Dr. Sue Friedman

“Our USF and FORCE teams bring highly complementary expertise in research and advocacy to this effort, and we anticipate that together we will play an important role in shaping the future of hereditary cancer research to improve health for the high-risk community,” said USF’s Dr. Sutphen. “We were honored to be selected as an inaugural member in Phase I of the PCORnet National Clinical Research Network and are excited to continue this important work in Phase II.”

“FORCE’s continued involvement in this collaboration will further advance our mission to improve the lives of people and families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer,” said FORCE’s Dr. Friedman. “Our participation in PCORnet will provide members of our community with an unprecedented opportunity to establish goals, identify unmet needs, and shape the priorities for comparative effective research.”

“We’re pleased that the ABOUT Network has been approved for this funding support to continue our productive mutual efforts to build what we intend to be a premier national resource for conducting high-quality, patient-centered clinical research,” said PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, MD, MPH. “I greatly appreciate the contributions of all the PCORnet partners during Phase I, which readied PCORnet for a robust start on an exciting second phase of expansion and the launch of several research studies.”

The funding award to the ABOUT Network has been approved by PCORI’s Board pending completion of a business and programmatic review by PCORI staff and negotiation of a formal award contract. PCORI is an independent, non-profit organization authorized by Congress in 2010 to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information they need to make better-informed health care decisions. PCORI is committed to continuously seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work. More information is available at www.pcori.org.

About USF Health
USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a Top 50 research university in total research expenditures among both public and private institutions nationwide, according to the National Science Foundation. For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu

About FORCE
No one should have to face hereditary breast and ovarian cancer alone.  For more than 15 years, FORCE has been the voice of the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer community. FORCE provides support, education and programs to help those facing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer know their healthcare options and make informed decisions. The organization is the de facto leader in guiding critical research and policy issues that impact the hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer community.  For more information about FORCE and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, please visit www.facingourrisk.org

About PCORI
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent, non-profit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed health care decisions. PCORI is committed to continuously seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work. More information is available atwww.pcori.org.

Media contacts:
Anne DeLotto Baier, USF Health Communications, (813) 974-3303, or abaier@health.usf.edu
Karen Kramer, Vice President Marketing, FORCE, (866) 288-7475 x707, or karenk@facingourrisk.org

University of South Florida-led study helps refine personalized approach to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

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Tampa, FL (March 6, 2014) – A method called molecular subtyping can help doctors better determine which of their breast cancer patients are at high risk of getting breast cancer again, a new study led by the University of South Florida reports.  This sophisticated genetic profiling of an individual’s specific tumor offers an additional resource to help identify patients who would most benefit from chemotherapy and those who would not.

The findings by researchers from USF and other institutions were presented in a scientific poster at the Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held March 6-9 in Miami Beach, Fla.

“The most important takeaway for our colleagues in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is the potential value of molecular subtyping to personalize and improve each woman’s treatment,” said principal investigator Charles E. Cox, MD, McCann Foundation Endowed Professor of Breast Surgery, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Charles Cox led the study looking at sophisticated genetic profiling tests that may help guide breast cancer treatment decisions. The findings were reported in a scientific poster presented at the Miami Breast Cancer Conference 2014.

Molecular subtyping is a way of classifying breast cancer tumors into one of four genetically-distinct categories, or subtypes: Luminal A, Luminal B, Basal (a subset of triple negative), and HER2-type.  Each subtype responds differently to different kinds of treatments, and some subtypes indicate a higher risk of disease recurrence.

“Our data showed that a substantial number of breast cancer patients — classified as low risk by one particular genomic test — turn out to be at high risk of recurrence once we determined their subtype,” Dr. Cox said. “These are mostly Luminal B patients, and their physicians might not fully understand their patient’s situation unless they do subtyping.”

The USF study examined why different genomic tests for breast cancer sometimes provide contradictory information about risk of recurrence. The key findings involved the 70-gene MammaPrint® test; the 21-gene Oncotype DX® test, which is an earlier commercially available test; and Mammostrat®, a gene profiling test performed on slides of the breast tumor by a pathologist. The tests have generally been assumed to provide equivalent information about recurrence risk, but that is proving not to be the case.

Researchers examined tumor samples from a total of 148 patients. The greatest discordance (lack of agreement) about risk of disease recurrence occurred in a group of 51 patients.  Of those 51, all were stratified by MammaPrint as high risk of recurrence, while Oncotype classified 18 of them (35 percent) as low risk.

BluePrint®, an 80-gene test to identify a tumor’s molecular subtype, was also used for those stratified by MammaPrint. This process revealed that the 51 patients were Luminal B, a molecular subtype with a high risk of recurrence.

Steve Shivers, PhD, a research scientist in the USF Health Department of Surgery, was a study co-author.

Patients with a high risk of recurrence are normally counseled to receive chemotherapy following surgery to prevent the cancer from returning.  In contrast, women whose subtype has a low risk of recurrence (Luminal A) will not benefit from the addition of chemotherapy. They may thus be able to safely avoid chemotherapy and its potentially damaging side effects.  At the same time, they can be prescribed treatments such as hormonal therapy known to benefit those with their subtype.

The additional information provided by genomic tests and molecular subtyping may help reduce overall treatment costs for breast cancer, by targeting chemotherapy only for those women who will benefit from it,  Dr. Cox said  “Personalized treatment guided by these tests may also extend the time that patients are free of their cancer.”

Registered nurse George Ann Vincent, a Tampa, Fla. resident and a patient of Dr. Cox, was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer last year. The 70-gene test determined that her tumor had a high risk of recurrence, so she was prescribed chemotherapy.

“I’m certainly grateful that I’m getting the treatments that are right for me,” Vincent said. “Chemotherapy is no picnic, but it can save lives. The genomic tests I took made me confident I was being sent in absolutely the right direction.”

Dr. Cox clarified that discordance does not necessarily show that some genomic test results were wrong.

“These tests use different genes and were validated on different types of populations,” he said. “But if physicians use molecular subtyping as we did in this study, they will have valuable, additional information to guide the appropriate treatment for each patient.”

Using molecular subtyping in combination with traditional biomarkers, like tumor grade and hormone receptor status, for determining the biological nature of a woman’s cancer is a recommended guideline for breast cancer treatment in both the United States and Europe, Dr. Cox said.

Other poster co-authors included researchers from Florida Hospital Tampa; Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, Fla.; and Agendia NV, a molecular diagnostics firm.

-USF Health-

USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a global research university ranked 50^th in the nation by the National Science Foundation for both federal and total research expenditures among all U.S. universities.

Media contact:
Anne DeLotto Baier, USF Health Communications
abaier@health.usf.edu or (813) 974-3303

USF Health’s Dr. Rebecca Sutphen will lead the national, collaborative research expected to help personalize and improve cancer care

TAMPA, Fla. and HARTFORD, Conn. (May 9, 2013) – The University of South Florida (USF) and Aetna (NYSE: AET) are launching a ground-breaking study that will examine the influence genetic testing may have on clinical treatment decisions among breast cancer patients and their doctors. Understanding the connection between genetic risk factors, treatment options and results can guide policies and services that can help patients and doctors make more informed, personalized decisions that lead to better health.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded funding to USF for the five-year American BRCA Outcomes Among the Recently Diagnosed (ABOARD) study. The study will follow 5,000 Aetna members from across the country who have been newly diagnosed with breast cancer and who are undergoing genetic testing.

Certified genetic counselors can help assess specific cancer risks in families, recommend appropriate genetic tests, and interpret genetic test results. They can also recommend appropriate personalized options for cancer screening, early detection and prevention. Individuals and their doctors can use this information to optimize care. Current research suggests that only a small percentage of breast cancer patients who have an inherited cancer risk actually receive genetic counseling and testing services. Even fewer receive this information at the time of diagnosis when it might be most useful for making surgical and other treatment decisions. 

USF Health’s Dr. Rebecca Sutphen will lead the national collaborative study.

“Research shows that many women who develop breast cancer have inherited a strong predisposition to cancer. However, many of these women are not aware of their genetic susceptibility. They also do not know that they are at high risk to develop another breast cancer or ovarian cancer in the future and that other blood relatives are at increased risk for cancer,” said Rebecca Sutphen, M.D., professor of genetics at the Epidemiology Center, USF Department of Pediatrics.

“This unique academic-industry collaboration will create a new level of research into the impact of genetic information on American cancer patients and their families. Few topics have greater potential for positive public health impact. We appreciate Aetna’s leadership and collaboration to make this important research possible.”

Dr. Sutphen, an American Board of Medical Genetics-certified clinical and molecular geneticist and expert in inherited cancer risk, will lead the national study. The multidisciplinary team will include:

• Dr. Sutphen’s research team at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, including co-investigators Kristian Lynch, Ph.D., James Andrews, Ph.D. and Claudia Aguado Loi, Ph.D.
• An Aetna team led by Joanne Armstrong, M.D., M.P.H., national medical director for women’s health and lead for genomic medicine
• An advocacy team led by Sue Friedman of the national non-profit advocacy and awareness organization Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
• Marc Schwartz, Ph.D., director of cancer control, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University

The project will use patient-reported outcomes as well as medical claims data.  Using information from a variety of clinical settings rather than only academic centers will provide a more “real-world” view of current care. USF and Aetna have developed an extensive research and security infrastructure to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of participant data.

“The research will provide critical information that can help ensure the benefits of advanced genetic testing and genomics can be used to guide safe, effective personalized health care. As more sophisticated tests are developed, we have a responsibility to help patients and doctors understand how to act on the information to improve patients’ health,” Dr. Armstrong says.

The new study builds on an existing research partnership between this multidisciplinary team and researchers from the American Cancer Society. The groups have been working together for the past two years, with support from the Aetna Foundation, to better understand the experiences of individuals who have had genetic tests to determine their inherited risk of cancer. The study also looked at differences in treatment, information and health outcomes among minority patients. Results are expected to be published later this year.

About USF Health
USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a global research university ranked 50^th in the nation by the National Science Foundation for both federal and total research expenditures among all U.S. universities. For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 44 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers’ compensation administrative services and health information technology services. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com. 

About FORCE
No one should have to face hereditary breast and ovarian cancer alone. For more than 13 years, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) has been the voice of the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer community. FORCE provides support, education and awareness to help those facing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer know their healthcare options and make informed decisions. The organization is the de facto leader in guiding critical research and policy issues that impact the hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer community. For more information about FORCE and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, please visit www.facingourrisk.org.

The alliance brings the latest medical advancements to local communities

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TAMPA, Fla. (March 12, 2012) — Florida Hospital and USF Health have formed a strategic alliance, combining Adventist Health System’s innovative approach to patient-centered care with the University of South Florida’s leading research, to deliver cutting-edge medical therapies in hospital and outpatient settings. Through this unique public/private partnership, Florida Hospital is making an investment of approximately $14 million in four key specialty areas to bring enhanced patient care, state-of-the-art technology and expanded services to Tampa Bay.

“Our partnership with USF Health will bring their leading-edge research right to the doorsteps of residents in communities where we have hospitals in Tampa Bay,” said Mike Schultz, President and CEO of the Florida Region for Adventist Health System, the parent company of Florida Hospital. “Patients in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties will no longer have to travel for personalized and state-of-the-art medicine in the specialties where we have affiliations with USF Health.”

In September 2011, the Florida Hospital announced that it was developing strategic health care partnerships, including one with USF Health. Today, both organizations announced how the partnership is translating medical research advancements into cutting-edge patient treatment in the following specialty areas: cardiology at Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute, breast health at Florida Hospital Tampa, neuroscience at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, and surgical oncology, melanoma and breast cancer at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs.

Dr. Stephen Klasko, CEO of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine

“Through these critical specialties, we’re going to transform how patients experience health care at Florida
Hospital in our area,” said Dr. Stephen K. Klasko, CEO of USF Health and dean of USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “Patients will have greater access to our world-class physicians and the new scientific discoveries at USF Health. As important, USF Health will also work with Florida Hospital and its patients to create personalized, coordinated care in cardiology, breast health and other targeted specialties.”

Cardiology

Cardiovascular patients at Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute will benefit from research collaboration and USF Health’s exploration in genomic screening for personalized health care. Genomic screening uses an individual’s genetic profile to customize the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease to each patient.

“No other providers in Tampa Bay will be able to replicate the level of how we begin to tailor procedures to individual patients to maintain their heart health,” Dr. Klasko said.

“Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute will now combine its personalized health care delivery and clinical research with USF Health’s leading academic medicine and research,” said John Harding, President and CEO of Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division. “This innovative partnership will give health care consumers a broader range of treatment options for cardiovascular disease.”

John Harding, President & CEO, Florida Hospital Tampa Bay, is interviewed by local media at partnership announcement.

Breast Health

Women across Tampa Bay have been experiencing the benefit of a comprehensive diagnostics center exclusively dedicated to breast care at Florida Hospital Tampa. Recently, USF Health partnered with an existing breast program composed of Florida Hospital Tampa, Community Medical Imaging and Tampa Bay Breast Care Specialists to build an even more comprehensive breast health and cancer program. This collaboration brings together private practices, academic medicine and a hospital to form a renowned team of expert radiologists, radiation oncologists and breast surgeons. Based at Florida Hospital Tampa, this multidisciplinary approach to breast care provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic services, cancer treatments and research protocols to patients, while offering a higher level of coordinated care. One of the major patient benefits is reducing the time from screening to diagnosis to treatment. Providing rapid diagnosis — often within the same day — increases early detection, which is a critical factor in successful outcomes for breast cancer patients.

Mike Schultz, CEO of the Florida Region, Adventist Health System

Neuroscience

The new Neuroscience Institute at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills will have a team of USF Health neurosurgeons on-site who are trained in the treatment of brain, spine and acute stroke procedures. Time is an important factor with most medical issues, but especially with stroke and neurological conditions. The new 24/7 dedicated stroke team includes academic neurosurgeons from USF, neuro-interventional radiologists, board certified neurologists, emergency physicians and certified registered nurses to coordinate care from triage to diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Patients will have access to the latest evidencebased treatments from USF, including brain surgery, spine surgery and minimally invasive treatment of aneurysms. Having all of these services offered in one location means patients will no longer need to travel outside Pasco County, saving precious time, which is a critical factor for neurological procedures.

Dr. Brad Bjornstad, chief medical officer of Florida Hospital Tampa, sports his USF Bulls tie.

Surgical Oncology, Melanoma and Breast Cancer

To round off the partnership, patients in Pinellas and west Pasco counties will benefit from enhanced medical expertise at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital. USF Health physicians will now be available for patients – a plastics and reconstructive surgeon trained in the most advanced technologies and treatments for breast cancer and other oncological disorders, and an internationally known surgical oncologist specializing in the treatment of malignant melanoma, complicated skin cancers and breast cancer. The partnership creates a comprehensive and coordinated approach to cancer care that gives patients the option to receive state-of-the-art treatment without leaving their community.

“These four affiliations are the foundation for Florida Hospital and USF Health’s plans to establish a higher standard of coordinated care throughout the market,” said John Harding. “This announcement is just the beginning of our vision to elevate health care in Tampa Bay.”

For more information, please visit www.HigherDegree.org.

About Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division

The Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division is a not-for-profit 1,003-bed hospital system composed of Florida Hospital Tampa, Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute, Florida Hospital Carrollwood, Florida Hospital at Connerton Long Term Acute Care, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (opens 2012) and Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital. Part of the Adventist Health System, Florida Hospital is a leading health network consisting of 22 hospitals throughout the state. For more information, visit www.ElevatingHealthCare.org.

About USF Health

USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a global research university ranked 34th in federal research expenditures for public universities. For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu.

Photos by Eric Younghans, and video by Amy Mariani, USF Health Communications

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Media contacts:
Will Darnell, Media Relations, Florida Hospital Tampa, (813) 400-8743 or wdarnall.ahss.org
Susanna Martinez Tarokh, USF Health Communications, (813) 974-2776 or smartin1@health.usf.edu