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.”

Cardiologists could and should take more action in guiding their patients to interventions aimed at delaying, and even preventing, diabetes, USF Health faculty proposed last month in a review published  in the American Journal of Cardiology.

“We propose cardiologists can play a key role in preventing diabetes and aligning practice patterns with guideline recommendations among endocrinology, cardiology, and primary care stakeholders,” wrote Nicholas W. Carris, PharmD, assistant professor in the USF Health College of Pharmacy.

The review article, which summarizes previously published studies on the topic, presents cohesively for the first time the specific factors contributing to an apparent lack of action by clinicians, and suggests an approach that might better encourage cardiologists to proactively engage their patients who have prediabetes.

“The prediabetes timeframe is an opportunity to act and significantly reduce the likelihood of someone progressing to diabetes,” Dr. Carris said. “It’s an opportune time to help patients at considerable cardiometabolic risk and to have a significant impact on the current diabetes epidemic.”

“Eighty-four million patients in the United States have prediabetes and at least 70 percent will develop diabetes unless they receive an intervention,” he said. “Most of these patients have or are at risk for cardiovascular disease, with recent reports describing significantly increased microvascular and macrovascular risks among patients with prediabetes.”

Central to what Dr. Carris and authors suggest is for cardiologists to actively engage their patients with prediabetes and implement evidence-based methods of diabetes prevention.

“For several key reasons, we believe cardiologists have a responsibility and opportunity to improve the health of their patients with prediabetes by making it a very high priority to prevent progression to diabetes,” Dr. Carris said. “First, we must recognize that multiple cardiovascular medications may increase risk for new-onset diabetes. Second, avoiding or delaying diabetes’ onset can improve quality of life and decrease health-system cost. And third, because heart disease and stroke are the most common causes of death in people with diabetes, we expect that preventing diabetes will improve long term health.”

The authors go on to note how strong an influence cardiologists could have on shifting the diabetes epidemic.

“Cardiologists are increasingly being asked to weigh in on diabetes management as select agents demonstrate cardiovascular benefit… as the mortality risk of patients with a history of myocardial infarction and diabetes is almost double that of patients with a history of myocardial infarction who are free of diabetes, there is even more potential benefit in delaying/avoiding diabetes in patients with cardiovascular disease.”

Current methods of intervention show an impact in reversing prediabetes or slowing progression to diabetes, Dr. Carris said.

“Cardiologists are centrally positioned to help patients adopt a healthier lifestyle and prescribe therapeutic and preventive medications when appropriate,” he said. “Studies have shown that intensive lifestyle intervention, metformin, and other medications reduce the progression to diabetes.

“The bottom line is, it cannot be ignored that avoiding diabetes is an important outcome – at the very least from a humanistic perspective – and cardiologists are pivotal to helping patients avoid diabetes.”

It’s an exciting time at USF Health. Colleges across health disciplines celebrated the new fall semester, welcoming more than 1,600 new students to different programs.

In this blog post, we break down the numbers from each USF Health college, school and program including Morsani College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy and School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences.

USF College of Nursing

The USF College of Nursing welcomed 678 students this fall, an impressive increase in undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college enrolled 395 students in the graduate programs — including 225 new students in the master’s programs, 50 students in the CRNA program, 112 students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice, eight students in the PhD program and 30 students in the pain management certificate.

The college has also enrolled 253 students in the undergraduate program, with 150 students in the RN-BS program, 82 students in the upper division sequence and 21 in the veteran to bachelor’s program (VCARE).

USF College of Nursing’s RN-BS students for Fall 2017.

USF College of Pharmacy

USF College of Pharmacy enrolled 126 students in the college’s PharmD and Masters of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology programs.

This fall, the college welcomed its seventh group of 101 students to one of the top PharmD programs in the country. The college’s masters of pharmaceutical nanotechnology enrolled 25 new students.

The new group of PharmD students, class of 2021. 

Morsani College of Medicine

Morsani College of Medicine welcomed 174 students to its prestigious MD program. Forty-eight of those students are in the SELECT program, which recruits and develops students with the intellectual perspective, empathy, creativity and passion to change patient care, the health of communities and the medical profession.

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine celebrates the new Class of 2021 at the Tampa Museum of Art.

Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs

The MCOM’s Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral programs enrolled 280 students this fall.

Of the 17 matriculates in the medical science PhD program, five come from underrepresented ethnic groups in the life sciences. The average GPA is 3.49.

The program also welcomed 263 students to its various master’s degrees and concentrations, including:

• 150 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences
• 29 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Health Sciences concentration (100% online)
• 15 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Aging & Neuroscience concentration
• 26 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Anatomy concentration:
• 10 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Women’s Health concentration
• 7 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine concentration
• 4 in the Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• 2 in the Master of Science in Biotechnology
• 20 in the Master of Science in Advanced Athletic Training

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences

The USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences welcomed 52 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students to its class of 2020 this fall.

USF College of Public Health

USF College of Public Health welcomed 295 students to their undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college enrolled a record number of 31 new students into its DPH program this fall.

The college also brought in 171 students in the master’s in public health program, 14 students in the MSPH program, nine students in the master’s in health administration, 58 students in the BS program and 12 in the PhD program.

New USF COPH students attend fall 2017 orientation.

Stay tuned, more to come…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 84 million Americans have prediabetes. Unless something is done, 70 percent will eventually be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

That’s why researchers at the University of South Florida in Tampa are calling for more patients to be prescribed metformin, an effective and inexpensive medication that controls blood sugar. It’s currently used by 0.7 percent of patients with prediabetes.

“The data are clear. Metformin is underused and that represents a missed opportunity in addressing the diabetes epidemic, and as we reaffirmed, to reduce healthcare cost,” said Nick Carris, PharmD, an assistant professor at the USF College of Pharmacy.

Nick Carris, PharmD

Dr. Carris is lead author on a study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association that finds using metformin to treat patients with prediabetes would save approximately $20 per patient each year, resulting in $820 million saved annually in health care costs.

After updating data from the 2012 Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group’s analysis, Dr. Carris concludes metformin should be recommended to patients with prediabetes, as its affordability continues to offset the increased cost of monitoring patients who take it.

“The next step is figuring out systematic ways of starting metformin safely, in right the patients, and without increasing other healthcare costs.”

While lifestyle intervention is the preferred method to prevent diabetes, many patients do not commit to or have the necessary resources to achieve a healthy balance of diet and exercise.

Therefore, Dr. Carris estimates 41 million patients with prediabetes under 60 should be prescribed metformin, contributing to a potential 20 percent decline in Americans diagnosed with diabetes.

It was an exciting day at USF Health as hundreds gathered to celebrate the grand opening of a new USF Health Fitness Center on April 3 at the USF Health WELL. The new fitness center is a satellite facility of the USF Campus Recreation Center.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, USF Health leaders introduced the state-of-the art fitness center to USF Health faculty, staff and students.

“USF Health is all about health and wellness,” said Joe Ford, assistant vice president for USF Health Shared Student Services. “This new fitness center is a testament to our commitment to that mission and the health and well-being of our faculty, staff and students.”

From left: Edmund Funai, MD, chief operating officer for USF Health and vice president for strategic development for the USF System; Joanne Strobbe, MsEd, senior associate vice president for administration, finance and technology, chief financial officer for USF Health, and vice dean for administration, finance and technology for USF Health Morsani College of Medicine; Donna Petersen, ScD, senior associate vice president of USF Health, dean of the USF College of Public Health and interim dean of the College of Nursing, and Joe Ford, assistant vice president for USF Health Shared Student Services, pictured with Rocky the Bull before the ribbon-cutting. 

The 12,000 square-foot fitness facility is a full-service center providing high-tech cardiovascular and strength equipment, web-enabled treadmills, locker rooms with showers, and a fitness studio dedicated to Zumba, aerobics, yoga and meditation classes. The treadmills have full-functioning screens to check email, browse the web and even listen to lectures. The Well Fitness Center is open 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“I am excited to see such a high-quality fitness center on our side of campus,” said Mayah Knight, undergraduate student at the USF College of Nursing. “As USF Health students, we spend so much time studying, in the classroom or in clinical settings, so it’s nice to have a space dedicated to our wellness where we can go work out and decompress.”

USF leaders and students cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the USF Health Fitness Center.

The fitness center is available to all USF Health students, faculty and staff. Students can use the fitness center for free. USF Health employees, excluding other personal services (OPS) employees, will receive a $240 taxable benefit from USF Health to pay for the annual membership. To be eligible, employees must OPT-IN to the benefit and agree to the terms and additional tax deductions. For more information, click here.

“We’re thankful to USF Health for opening such a beautiful recreation center,” said Kathleen Flach, academic director for the physician assistant program at USF Health. “It’s convenient, it’s new, and it gives us the chance to get out of our offices, take a break and exercise.”

Dominique Richardson, fitness coordinator at the USF Campus Recreation demonstrates workout equipment to students and staff.

“This center is so convenient for me as it’s right across from my office,” said Chad Whistle, director of student affairs at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “I can easily work out at the fitness center, get lunch or a smoothie across the hall at the Rising Roll, and go back to work — all in one hour.”

Rocky the Bull tests the new treadmill at the USF Health Fitness Center.

USF Health will work closely with the main campus recreation team to manage the day-to-day operations of the fitness center.

“We’re happy to work with USF Health and bring fitness opportunities to health students, faculty and staff,” said Eric Hunter, director of the USF Campus Recreation. “It was harder for USF Health community to go to the main campus recreation center and get their exercise, so this will fulfill that need.”

USF Health promotes health and wellness, and the new fitness center reflects that mission. Ford said that USF Health couldn’t have done this alone.

“It took a village to make this happen,” Ford said. “Everyone from USF and USF Health leadership, USF Campus Recreation and USF Student Government played a role. We’re also grateful to Williamson Dacar Associates for designing a beautiful space — bringing our vision to life.

Story by Vjollca Hysenlika
Photos by Frederick Coleman 

The USF College of Pharmacy continued with firsts as the young school was officially accepted as a chapter of the international Rho Chi Honor Society, and 43 of the School’s students and faculty were inducted as the charter members.

The inaugural members of the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Rho Chi.

Classmates, colleagues and family gathered April 27 to celebrate the landmark moment. The newly formed group, the Epsilon Kappa Chapter, is the 119^th chapter for the national honor society. Since its inception in 1922, the Rho Chi Society has inducted more than 100,000 members into its fellowship. The society’s name is from the Greek letters Rho and Chi that, when juxtaposed a certain way, they form the prescription sign (Rx).

Rho Chi Society is the international academic honor society for pharmaceutical sciences. Induction into membership is reserved to those who distinguish themselves by their academic and professional achievements, said Bradley A. Boucher, PharmD, FCCP, FCCM, Rho Chi Society National President, who officiated the event.

“We are gathered here to install the 119^th chapter into the Rho Chi family,” Dr. Boucher said. “Let me tell how special this evening is for you all. For the students being inducted tonight, you are the charter members – THE charter members – of the University of South Florida College of Pharmacy chapter of the Rho Chi Society. That is very special and I applaud all of your efforts to be here this evening. Your membership confers distinction, but keep this well in mind: no distinction, no honor, no privilege comes to anyone is without added responsibility.”

Dr. Bradley Boucher, presiding national officer and Rho Chi Society National President.

Dr. Boucher went on to share the Society’s mission and vision and what is expected of its chapters and members, saying “the Rho Chi Honor Society encourages and recognizes excellence in intellectual achievement and fosters scholarship among its members, encourages high standards of conduct and character and advocates critical inquiry in all aspects of pharmacy, seeks to achieve universal recognition of its members as lifelong intellectual leaders in pharmacy.”

And for emphasis, he repeated “lifelong intellectual leaders.”

Kevin B. Sneed, PharmD, senior vice presidents for USF Health and founding dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, was among the 10 faculty members who were inducted. He offered this at the closing of the induction ceremony.

Dr. Kevin Sneed was one of 10 faculty inducted into Rho Chi.

“Of all the many firsts for our college, this is one of the most prestigious that our college will ever experience,” Dr. Sneed said. “Congratulations to all of you. By being a part of Rho Chi and being a part of our USF College of Pharmacy, I have every expectation that all of you will go out and be the leaders who change pharmacy moving forward. By being a member of Rho Chi, you’ve been conferred not only a distinction, but a responsibility to take the lead in causing that transformation.”

“We will have a robust opportunity and chapter here at USF College of Pharmacy.”

Dr. Sarah Steinhardt, who was the faculty advisor for the founding executive board, emceed the induction event.

The following students were inducted:

Class of 2015

Luisa Alvarado
Sam Aminov
Frank Fernandez
Morgen Jaeger
Mark LaBossiere
Patrick McKeon II
Alexis Ngo
Tiffany Partney
Rossina Valarezo
Dalia Zall

Class of 2016

Richard Arnold
Jessie Blalock
Lauren Briggs
Ashley Chess
Steven Cindric
Ivonne DelValle
Dianet Gambe
Shauna Hair
Diana Jules
Jose Leon-Burgos
Sullivan Lynch
Thayra Molinary
Benny Yau

Class of 2017

Gabriella Agemy
Sara Anderson
Shannon Blizzard
Ramiek Campbell
Emmanuela Celestin
William Chan
Alex del Cueto
Scott Desmond
Elizabeth D’Esposito
John Donnelly
Sidorela Gllava
Anthony Howell
Erin Kennedy
Andrew Kowalski
Hannah McGrew
Angelia Papa
James Powers
Jonathan Santizo
Andrew Schwartz
Micah Smith
Samantha Tobitt-Carter
Sarah Zoldos

Class of 2018

Kristiann Baluta
Jennifer Caldwell
Nicole Doyle
Cameron Durlacher
Shantel Houston
Saneeya Islam
Bionqua Lynch
Shannon Wright

Faculty inductees included:

John Clark, PharmD, MS
Rachel Franks, PharmD, CDE, BCACP
William Kelly, PharmD
Shyam Mohapatra, PhD, MBA
Radha Patel, PharmD, BCACP
Yashwant Pathak, PhD, MS, MBA
Erini Serag-Bolos, PharmD
Kevin Sneed, PharmD
Katlynd Sunjic, PharmD
Sheeba Varghese Gupta, PhD, MPharm

Construction is underway for the new WELL Student Center, a one-stop student services location for all USF Health students. While student fees have covered 75 percent of construction costs, urgent philanthropic support is needed to complete the current phase of construction in 2016.

The WELL (Wellness, Engagement, Leadership and Learning) Student Center fosters an interprofessional, collaborative learning environment for students in medicine, nursing, public health, pharmacy, physical therapy and the biomedical sciences.

Artist’s rendering of the WELL Student Center exterior.

The new student center will be located in the heart of the USF Health section of the main University of South Florida campus at the site of a former medical clinic. The renovated building will feature an expansive dining facility, a fitness center, a performing arts and aerobics studio, a meditation room, a lactation room for nursing mothers, multipurpose and study space, and a convenience store.

“The WELL is a great investment for USF Health students because it provides a private, quiet, central location to study, work on group projects together, or meet other students on a similar track,” said Chereka Singh, president of USF’s Undergraduate Public Health Student Association.

“Immediately as a student at USF Health I realized the need for interprofessional teams to maximize patient care.  The WELL Student Center offers aspiring health professionals an environment like nowhere else to communicate and develop together,” said USF College of Pharmacy student Matt Schneller,

For more information or make a gift, visit the WELL Student Center website today.

Rendering of the WELL’s dining facility.

Article by Davina Gould, USF Health Development

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXLC70bR570

Know who you are, never compromise your ethics, embrace change, and respect your team.

These were a few of several insights Rhea Law shared with the incoming class to the USF College of Pharmacy at this year’s White Coat ceremony, where freshman students were presented with their first white coat as they embark on their path to becoming pharmacists. The event was held Sept. 11 in the Ballroom of the Marshal Student Center.

Rhea Law addresses the Class of 2019.

As keynote speaker, Ms. Law faced the 96 students in a room filled with family and friends and pulled from her own lessons learned from a full career in law and in championing USF and many of its programs.

“Have that North Star to follow, a focus,” she urged. “Maintain strong ethical standards as you protect your reputation. Embrace change, because without change there would be no new opportunities. Respect your team because there is a direct correlation between team work and patient safety. And always respect the impact you have on those you’re serving.”

As a strong supporter for launching the USF pharmacy program, Ms. Law shared with everyone the joy she sees in watching this young program grow.

“It’s a pleasure to see the results,” she said. “When the Board of Governors originally approved the pharmacy degree, we focused on something that would be innovative and take pharmacy to the next level. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing in this program.”

In applauding Dr. Sneed for his unwavering drive to get the pharmacy program going, Ms. Law said “He never lost focus and he never lost heart.”

Emceeing the event was Melissa Ruble, PharmD, assistant professor of pharmacotherapeutics and clinical research in the USF College of Pharmacy, who reminded the students of the qualities a white coat symbolizes.

Dr. Melissa Ruble emceed the event.

“Receipt of your first white coat is a very personal and special occasion,” Dr. Ruble said. “Although the white coat in and of itself does not contain any magical powers, one cannot help but feel different when cloaked. The coat provides a sense of confidence and immediate awareness of the associated professional obligations, responsibility and accountability.”

Each first-year student received a coat donated through funds raised by faculty, staff, parents, community members and other friends of the college. The additional monies raised above the cost of the coats will help support pharmacy student scholarships.

.

Ed Funai, MD, chief operating officer for USF Health, urged the Pharmacy Class of 2019 to always keep patients in mind.

Dr. Ed Funai.

“The white coat ceremony is one of the most pivotal events in your career,” Dr. Funai said. “It symbolizes the trust patients put in us. And patients need to be at the center of all that you do. You all now, more than ever, play an integral role in delivering safe, effective, cost-effective and interdisciplinary care to your patients.”

The students were also welcomed into their new profession by leading representatives of all four USF Health Colleges:  Dr. Bryan Bognar, vice dean of educational affairs for the Morsani College of Medicine; Dr. William Quillen, director of the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; Dr. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, dean of the College of Nursing; and Rita DeBate, associate dean of academic and student affairs for the College of Public Health.

Then, for those of the 96 freshmen who might be new to campus, USF System President Judy Genshaft provided a quick lesson for making the “Bulls” sign with their hands and yelling “Go Bulls.” For the entire group, she urged “Every time you give a prescription out, say Go Bulls!”

USF System President Judy Genshaft.

College of Pharmacy Dean Kevin B. Sneed, PharmD, welcomed everyone and shared the news that the young school, which graduated its first class in May this year, received full accreditation “July 8, 2015, at 11:58 a.m.,” Dr. Sneed stated, adding with a laugh, “But who’s counting?”

Dr. Kevin Sneed.

“Our stated mission is to revolutionize health through empowerment and innovation,” Dr. Sneed said. “Our focus on population health, personalized medicine, and informatics will establish a new standard for the profession of pharmacy. We also believe very strongly that healthcare is rapidly evolving into a patient-centered care model, one that will require healthcare teams to work together to achieve the best possible health outcomes for entire communities, all the way to single individuals. USF Health, with our College of Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, and our School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, and our soon to be Physician’s Assistant program, is one of the best positioned schools in the country to achieve true interprofessional education, creating the best trained workforce for the future. This stampede into the future, in true USF Bulls fashion, for the pharmacy Class of 2019 begins today.”

In sharing highlights of the college’s young history, Dr. Sneed included the early-on efforts by Ms. Law, who was chair of the USF Board of Trustees at the time and advocated for the program to be approved. In recognition of those efforts, Dr. Sneed presented Ms. Law with the College’s highest award, the Dean’s Award – the Bowl of Hygia – a symbol of the pharmacy profession for centuries with its foundation in Greek mythology.

Dr. Sneed then recognized third-year pharmacy student John Pasciak for being named a Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation, which provides scholarship to military veterans.

Then each student was helped by College of Pharmacy faculty as they put on their own white, which included their name embroidered on the front and a note from its donor in the pocket.

Brandon Welch dons his first white coat.

Pharmacy students take the Oath of Professionalism.

Led by Angela M. Hill, PharmD, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research and associate dean of Clinical Affairs for the USF College of Pharmacy, the Class of 2019 stood together and, in unison, took the Oath of Professionalism. Together, they pledged their commitment to integrity, ethical behavior and honor that are hallmarks of the pharmacy profession.

College of Pharmacy Class of 2019

USF College of Pharmacy Class of 2019

Of the 96 students, here is the statistical breakdown similar to what was provided last year:

– 96 students (57 percent women, 43 percent men)

– 52 percent represent students from ethnically and racially diverse backgrounds

– 36 percent are first-generation college students

Jessica Acosta

Jazmin Garcia

Katherine O’Malley

Marissa Aloyo

Sheida Ghominejad

Julie Orellana

Zinab Antar

Louis Go

Timothy Padawer

Emma Applebaum

Doris Grimaldi

Pariya Paliehvash

Sharon Baby

Kyle Guerrero

Joel Perez

Melissa Bailey

Wesley Hamlin

Lisa Phan

Robert Belz, Jr.

Mohammad Hasan

Tu Phan

Nikesh Bhika

Tien Hoang

Joseph Plourde

David Bohunicky

Megan Holbrook

Luis Alonso Polanco

Andres Brito

Mindy Huynh

Brittany Rollins

Ashley Brown

Sarah Youssef Jacob

Chelsea Russell

Roland Cadet

Stanley Jean-Charles

Jordan Sachmann

Chelsea Campbell

Jake Johnson

Isis Sanders

Jessica Cashwell

Tyler King

Ruben Santana

Ron Cheung

Charles Kohler

Brandon Schafer

Min Choi

Dionne Lawrie

Derek Schulz

Brianna Choyce

Hang Le

Erin Selfridge

Kasey Coffin

Anissa Lewis

Kajri Shah

Paige Cooke

Corey Lewis

Vasthie St. Juste

Hanna Coumans

Javier Martiney

Alyese Stapf

Amber Cox

Jennifer Marvin

Fredric Starling

Maria Datcu

Cory McNerney

Molly Swango

Snehal Desai

Stephanie Metcalf

Vanessa Tomm

Nicole Dixon

Nicholas Micciche

Linda Tran

Nosayawe Edokpayi

Adriana Molodecki

Lekendra Upshur

Jose Espinoza

Kevin Moore

Kristal Urena

Susan Carolyn Faiz

April Nguyen

Amar Vala

Bryan Figler

Thien Nguyen

Colin Van Ostran

Elise Fishel

Tien Nguyen

Brandon Welch

Brandon Fraga

Daniel Ninh

Mitchell West

Christopher Fung-On

Jenna Nixon

Nada Yassein

Jean Gaibort

Matthew Noble

Jacqueline Zembron

John Pasciak, a student at the USF College of Pharmacy, has been named a 2015-16 Tillman Scholar.  Pasciak, a third-year student in the college’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, was awarded the scholarship from the Pat Tillman Foundation, along with Mary Lynn Conroy, an MBA student at USF.

A two-time Bronze Star recipient, Pasciak served his military career in the U.S. Army infantry in Iraq and Afghanistan after enlisting in the wake of 9/11. As a USF Health student, Pasciak will receive a scholarship for the next two academic years, helping him to earn a Doctor in Pharmacy with specialization in pharmacogenomics, a field focusing on tailoring medications and dosages to an individual’s genetic makeup. Upon his anticipated graduation in 2017, he hopes to practice at a Veterans Affairs hospital where he can leverage his military experience while assisting the veterans he admires as a trusted part of their medical team.

John Pasciak

“We are very proud to welcome Mary and John as our newest Tillman Scholars on the USF campus,” said Lawrence Braue, director of the university’s Office of Veterans Services. “Their admirable military careers, dedicated academic pursuits, and pure passion to continue to serve their country in impactful civilian careers are just some of the reasons they were selected for this distinguished award.”

“The university also thanks the Pat Tillman Foundation for our continued partnership. It is a true honor to be affiliated with an organization that values America’s deserving veterans and their education.”

USF is one of 18 Tillman Scholar University Partners in the country and was selected based on its innovative, veteran-specific support services and culture. There have been 14 Tillman Scholars named at USF since the Pat Tillman Foundation began funding scholarships in 2004.

The scholarships honor Pat Tillman, an all-star NFL player who put his career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve in the Army after the attacks of 9/11, He was killed in action in April 2004.

He never saw it coming. Busy with all of the details for graduating the charter class from the USF College of Pharmacy, Kevin B. Sneed, PharmD, walked into an office in Carrollwood, thinking he was meeting with a donor of the College.

But once there, he saw a room full of familiar faces – community members, friends and family, and even his 93-year-old grandmother from Orlando, all of them cheering and applauding the founding dean of the USF College of Pharmacy.

The ruse was necessary in order to surprise Dr. Sneed with the news that the charter class had established a scholarship in his name. It was important to the Class of 2015, as the founding class, to honor the founding Dean in a meaningful way and the entire Class was in on it – there was 100% giving participation from the students of the Class of 2015.

Called the Dean Kevin B. Sneed Inaugural Class Pharmacy Scholarship, the fund aims to offer scholarships to full-time graduate students pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy in the College of Pharmacy.

The ‘ambush’ offered Dr. Sneed a bit of turnabout – he is known to surprise incoming freshman pharmacy students with their acceptance letters in person.

You can help support the Dean Kevin B. Sneed Inaugural Class Pharmacy Scholarship.

Donations are payable to the USF Foundation, Inc.

Please include in the memo line: Dean Kevin B. Sneed Inaugural Class Pharmacy Scholarship. Mail checks to: USF Health Development & Alumni Relations, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 70, Tampa, FL 33612-9986

Or donate online by clicking here: Click on USF Health College of Pharmacy, then choose Fund #240021 The Dean Kevin B. Sneed Inaugural Class Pharmacy Scholarship

The University of South Florida Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization soliciting tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of the University of South Florida. The Foundation is registered to solicit charitable contributions with the appropriate governing authorities in all states requiring registration. The organization is located at 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC 100, Tampa, FL 33620. Financial and other information about the University of South Florida Foundation’s purpose, programs and activities can be obtained by contacting Office of Donor Relations, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC 100, Tampa, FL 33620 or by calling (813) 974-0887.

State Non-profit Disclosures