Steven Specter, PhD, with his wife Randie and Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

After 39 years of dedicated service to the University of South Florida’s medical college, Steven Specter, PhD, will retire May 31, leaving an enduring legacy of improving the quality of life for students.

“It’s been a wonderful feeling to be part of the change that’s happened over the last 39 years.  We’ve really transitioned from being an institution that focuses on training physicians and nurses to an institution with an interdisciplinary breadth of educational opportunities,” said Dr. Specter, associate dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. ­

The Philadelphia native started as an assistant professor in the Medical Microbiology and Immunology department, now known as the Department of Molecular Medicine, in March 1979.  From there he worked his way through the academic ranks earning titles as associate professor, then professor.

In 1997, he served as chair of the College of Medicine Curriculum Committee.  During that time, he approached John Curran, MD, then the college’s executive associate dean for academic affairs, with the idea of establishing an office to oversee all aspects of implementing the medical curriculum.

Dr. Specter was among the staff, faculty and alumni inducted into the charter class of the Robert A. Good Honor Society.

Dr. Curran appointed Drs. Specter and Paul Wallach, MD, as directors of the Office of Curriculum and Medical Education, and later appointed Dr. Specter as associate dean of the office.

“Steve has been a figure in my life from the time I was student in 1980 until I resigned as the vice dean of the Office of Educational Affairs in 2007,” said Dr. Wallach, now executive associate dean of educational affairs and institutional improvement at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

“The years we worked together were incredibly formative, and I can attribute where I am today to those years of working with Steve.”

In 2001, Dr. Specter was named associate dean of the Office of Student Affairs, responsible for advancing the academic and personal growth and development of future physicians as they prepare for careers in medicine. Dr. Specter held this position until 2014, when he was promoted to his current position of associate dean of MCOM Development and Alumni Relations. He also retains an appointment as professor of molecular medicine.

Dr. Specter and Michael Kongnuyuy, MD, MCOM Class of 2017, a recipient of the Steven Specter Award. The award is presented to a fourth-year medical student for excellence in research.

“While serving as the associate dean for student affairs, Dr. Specter welcomed all.  He embraces and celebrates diversity, both in his approach to student life and in the staff he nurtures,” said Chad Whistle, director of the MCOM Office of Student Affairs. “He honored the rich tradition of the profession of medicine while instilling the great importance of humanism in the students he served.”

Dr. Specter will always be known as a great student advocate, both for his uncanny ability to connect with students and for his passion and drive to reduce student debt.

He started an endowed scholarship for a USF medical student that he predicts will become a full-tuition scholarship within two years.

Dr. Specter with the Morsani College of Medicine Office of Educational Affairs deans and staff.

Dr. Specter also worked with the USF Health Development Office to increase the number of scholarships available per class. Before he joined the medical college’s Development and Alumni Relations Office, two student scholarships were allotted for each class.  That number is now 43. Additionally, he pushed the college to award more financial aid. What started as $450,000 in financial aid and scholarships awarded each year has grown into nearly $5 million per year.

Dr. Specter with Zhi Ming (Thomas) Zheng, MD, PhD, and his wife Pei-Jun in 1994. Dr. Zheng worked with Dr. Specter as a graduate student and is now a senior scientist at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Zheng’s son, Yin, graduated from MCOM in 2015.

“We all know the critical difference Steve has made and will continue to make in building an esprit de corps among our medicine alumni,” said Jo-Ann Alessandrini, USF Health associate vice president for development and alumni relations. “His tireless efforts have built a solid foundation on which the MCOM Class Scholarship Campaigns will grow and flourish for generations of students.” ­

Dr. Specter and his wife Randie at his retirement reception.

Dr. Specter stays just as busy away from the college. He’s proud of the work he continues to do with the American Society of Microbiology (ASM). Beginning in 1984, he organized the first ASM Clinical Virology Symposium, an international gathering that attracted 140 physicians and scientists to Clearwater Beach to learn from experts the latest information on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of viral infections. Recognized as one of the premier virology conferences in the world, the annual symposium remains stronger than ever drawing more than 1,100 participants.

Dr. Specter’s influence spans the globe.  He worked with the ASM and Centers for Disease Control as the primary investigator for a federally-funded program that establishes microbiology laboratories, mostly in Africa, to help fight infectious diseases, specifically HIV and AIDS.  The project that started with $100,000 annual funding and has grown to $10 million per year in funding and now reaches more than 22 countries.

Dr. Specter (center right) and his wife Randie with Gregory Nicolosi, PhD, and his wife Carolyn.

With retirement on the horizon, Dr. Specter doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.  He looks forward to spending more time with his family, particularly his grandchildren in California. He plans to continue his role as co-chair of the Clinical Virology Symposium as well as his membership on several boards within the Tampa Jewish community.

Dr. Specter’s retirement reception is Wednesday May 23, 4 to 6 p.m. at Traditions’s Hall, Gibson Alumni Center.

What other MCOM leaders say about Dr. Specter:

“It’s really hard to replace someone like Dr. Specter.  Steve has really been one of the quiet heroes of the college.  I look at his time as the dean of the Office of Student Affairs, and the hundreds of students he’s advised, and can’t help but appreciate all of the work he did visibly and behind the scenes. Steve has been a steady, wise, and constant presence for the college.  He has done some very remarkable things for the college and its students never sought the spotlight for what he did.  He is truly a champion for student success in the college.

Bryan Bognar, MD, MPH, Vice Dean, Office of Educational Affairs , Morsani College of Medicine

 “Dr. Specter has without a doubt shaped MCOM in ways that we can’t completely appreciate.  The way these physicians view their lives, take care of their patients and approach their careers has been shaped by the conversations he had with them. I think medical educators dream of impacting their students in the way Dr. Spector has, and I am quite certain that few do.”

Deborah DeWaay, MD, FACP, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education, Morsani College of Medicine

 “Dr. Steven Specter has been a devoted advocate for the College of Medicine and the University.  Loyalty and support of the University have been distinguishing features of his career as well.   Clearly a team member and virtually founding member of the College of Medicine who has been one of its pillars of support for many years and most likely for years to come.”

John Curran, MD, Former Associate Vice President, USF Health

 “Steve has demonstrated his dedication to USF all the years he has been here.  His dedication to medical students in every way you can think of is what helps him separate him from others.  It has been a privilege to have worked with him, but even more just to know him”

Martin Silbiger, MD, Former Dean, Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Phillip J. Marty, Professor Emeritus of the USF College of Public Health

Dozens of colleagues and leaders gathered July 20 to celebrate the outstanding 27-year career of Phillip J. Marty, PhD, a consummate professional dedicated to the advancement of USF and USF Health.

Dr. Marty, professor of public health, internal medicine and psychiatry, held several administrative positions in the College of Public Health, Morsani College of Medicine and USF Health throughout his tenure at the University of South Florida, including 14 years as associate vice president for USF Health Research. Before retiring on Aug. 6, he led the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology as interim chair for five years.

Colleagues and leaders gathered to celebrate Dr. Marty’s 27 years of service at USF.

Edmund Funai, MD, chief operating officer at USF Health and senior vice president of strategic development for USF, congratulated Dr. Marty on a well-deserved retirement.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude for all you have done over the past two plus decades to carry forward our missions of teaching, research, patient care and service,” Dr. Funai said. “You treated our university like home, and treat your colleagues and students as if they are family.”

Dr. John Curran (right), who retired earlier this summer following 45 years at USF, congratulates Dr. Marty on his exemplary career and retirement.

Dr. Marty arrived at the USF College of Public Health in 1990 from the University of Arkansas College of Education, where he worked in the health sciences program at the Little Rock campus.  During his time in Arkansas, Dr. Marty’s collaborative research work on the use of smokeless tobacco was cited by the U.S. Congress and contributed to the passage of the Congressional Smokeless Tobacco Act of 1986.

Among his many accomplishments at USF:

• Often stepped up to fill vital interim roles during searches for a new dean or chair. Dr. Marty served as interim dean of the College of Public Health before Dr. Charles Mahan arrived as dean in 1995, helping to advance the early distance learning program, the executive MPH program, and development of the public health practice program for working professionals.  He was also interim director of the Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, and interim chair of several COPH departments: Environmental and Occupational Health, Health Policy and Management, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Most recently, he served as interim chair for Pathology and Cell Biology in the Morsani College of Medicine.

• Successfully championed, transitioned and expanded Research Day from the corridors of USF Health to the Marshall Student Center –– drawing record numbers of promising research presentations not only from USF Health, but also from across USF.

Dr. Marty gets a hug from one of many who stopped by to wish him well.

• Instrumental in helping rebuild USF Health’s research infrastructure.
• Helped secure state funding for cardiovascular and personalized medicine.
• His advocacy work in the Florida Legislature resulted in laws passed to protect young people and adults from starting smoking, reduce smoking rates and warn people of the dangers of smoking. In 1993, the College of Public Health recognized his advancement of better tobacco control policies with the college’s Exceptional Community Service Award.

USF Health Associate Vice President Dr. Jay Wolfson was among those who shared stories about working with Dr. Marty, who held administrative positions in the USF College of Public Health, USF Health and the Morsani College of Medicine.

In retirement Dr. Marty, a Professor Emeritus at the College of Public Health, hopes to return to some international public health work, especially in Zambia, Africa, where his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren live.  He will also have more travel with his wife Marianne, volunteer, fish and “putter on small projects” at their Tampa home and cabin in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains.

Asked if he had any advice to leave current students, Dr. Marty encouraged them to consider unexpected opportunities to shift directions in their careers, even if it involves some risk.

Dr. Stephen Liggett, associate vice president for research at USF Health,  presented Dr. Marty with a plaque recognizing his 15 years of dedication in leading USF Health Research Day.

“In my own case, I had no expectation of being a professor earlier in my youth.  I never expected to be a selected for the various administrative roles I have had over the years.  However, I kept an open mind and saw these opportunities as challenges and areas for professional and personal growth,” Dr. Marty said.

“As a result, I have had tremendous experiences and worked with and met wonderful people throughout my career… I couldn’t have asked for a more rewarding 38 years in higher education, and 27 of these at the College of Public Health, USF Health and USF.”

Dr. Marty enjoys a laugh with colleagues.

Dr. Marty with his family

You can’t have a retirement party without a cake!

Dr. Marty with some of the staff who assisted him at USF Health over the years — from left, Cheryl Lesko, Jo Ann Moore, Linda Lalli, Charmaine Disimile and Carolyn Mercurio Dove.

-Photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Communication and Marketing

Karen M. Burdash, MBA, is retiring this month after 28 years of providing financial management expertise to the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM), its departments and its practice plan, the USF Physicians Group.

Working across the three missions of USF Health – education, research and clinical care – Burdash spent a career advising deans, chairs and directors on best practices for managing budgets, offering strategic planning for both tough economic times and times of careful growth, and acting as the go-to person for a range of special projects for USF Health leadership.

In looking back over a career of staying immersed in budgets and spreadsheets, she is quick to use a classic accounting joke: “There’s nothing humorous about finance.”

Burdash, who is associate dean for finance for MCOM, joined USF in 1989 when she was hired as practice administrator for the Department of Anesthesiology. Since then, she has managed the finances, offered financial analysis, forensics, self-audits, and process improvements to nearly every area across the medical school and practice plan. More recently, she focused her time on faculty and program performance, process improvement, and faculty outreach, using metric-driven evaluation processes.

She also served as a resource to the MCOM executive leadership team, including Harry van Loveren MD, professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair in MCOM, vice-dean of Clinical Affairs for USFPG, and CEO of the Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute.

“Karen Burdash has always been one of my ‘heroes’ in the USF Administration,” Dr. van Loveren said. “Some people give you all the information you ask for but Karen always gave me all the information I truly needed when I wasn’t smart enough to ask for it. She was the one I could sit down with and ask ‘Karen, what’s really going on here?’ and she would calmly tell me the truth, the whole truth, and the history behind the truth. I will miss her wise counsel but I refuse to relinquish her friendship.”

That feeling of support and good counsel is shared by Jerome Yankowitz, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for MCOM.

“There are certainly few with Karen Burdash’s experience,” Dr. Yankowitz said. “She has been a staple at USF Health for 28 years and I have had the honor and pleasure to know her for the last 6 of those. She is the person I would often go to, to get the final and true word. She was the source of endless and accurate data. Her integrity is unquestionable. Given the peculiarities of available data at USF, she was a master at ferreting out the kernels of truth and thus it will be a challenge for others to be more able at what she did. Karen truly gave of herself to this institution and deserves a great, happy and long retirement.”

Paula Knaus, associate dean of Faculty Affairs for the College of Public Health, also appreciated working with Burdash.

“I worked closely with Karen for the 10 years that I served as the associate vice president for Faculty Affairs and can say without hesitation that Karen is one of the brightest individuals I have had the pleasure to work with at USF,” Knaus said. “Karen is a consummate professional with a strong work ethic and impeccable moral standards and will be sorely missed at USF Health. Congratulations to Karen for an outstanding career. It is now time for Nick (husband) and her wonderful family – and, of course, her prized sheepdogs!”

Reflecting on her time and service at USF Health, Burdash is quick to offer some primary lessons she has learned: identify knowledgeable people to be your mentors and listen closely to their words of advice, and if you’re not committed to your job go find another one.

“Be open minded, tenacious, committed and flexible,” she added.

She was quick to acknowledge three individuals who were instrumental in contributing to her success at USF Health.  Joann Strobbe, her “boss” for many years, friend, and anchor.

“No matter what the assignment across Health, Joann gave me strength, encouragement, and my home department,” Burdash said.

Also, Stewart Slayton and Ted Ascherfeld, her employees for many years.

“They were not just a key part of my team, they were MY go-to experts, my rocks, colleagues, and ultimately, friends,” she said. “As you can tell, a 28 year career relied on team work and developed strong friendships.”

In her retirement, she will spend more time on her other hobbies, like sailing, fishing (she’s teaching her granddaughters, ages 6 and 8), stained glass, gardening, traveling, and flying – she is a licensed pilot.

“Years ago, I used to do a lot of photography, so I hope to also pick that back up,” she said.

And, of course, she will spend more time training and showing her Old English Sheepdogs, Beau and Gracie. Burdash has trained many who have earned champion titles at dog shows winning a Best in Show and a Best in Specialty Show with her Grand Champion Eric.

Friends and colleagues from across USF Health gathered July 10 to wish Burdash off to a good retirement.

Over 21 years at USF’s medical school, H. James Brownlee, MD, distinguished himself through his pursuit of excellence and passion for teaching and patient care.  He officially retires on Aug. 31.

At a  reception Aug. 14 attended by colleagues from USF Health and family members, Dr. Brownlee  was recognized for his years of dedicated service to the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the Tampa Bay community and the profession of medicine.

Dr. H. James Brownlee, with wife Barbara, was recognized for his leadership and excellence in teaching and patient care by Dr. Charles Lockwood, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Brownlee joined USF in 1994 as chair of the Department of Family Medicine, coming from Bayfront Medical Center (now Bayfront Health St Petersburg) where he directed the family practice residency program. Beginning in 2012 he served as full-time medical director of the Monsour Executive Wellness Center, helping to advance the program.

The many students, residents and faculty who benefitted from Dr. Brownlee’s compassionate leadership, wisdom and encouragement will carry on his legacy, said Charles Lockwood, MD, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

“For more than two decades trainees and colleagues have turned to him as a trusted mentor who would challenge them to always do their best,” Dr. Lockwood said. “And many, including some here today, have gone on to assume leadership positions as deans, residency directors and chairs in family medicine.”

Dr. Brownlee understood “long before it was in vogue,” the importance of interprofessional training and practice, Dr. Lockwood said.  Nurses, physician’s assistants and even a future pharmacy dean were a valued part of the academic mix he created.

Dr. Richard Roetzheim (far right), professor and interim chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, shares how Dr. Brownlee has served as a long-time mentor.

Richard Roetzheim, MD, professor and interim chair of the USF Health Department of Family Medicine, was among those who paid tribute to his long-time mentor.

“Dr. Brownlee was the family physician I aspired to be,” said Dr. Roetzheim, who started as a family medicine intern at Bayfront in 1985 when Dr. Brownlee was residency associate director.  “He was generous with his time, he had a caring and calming presence with patients, and his patients absolutely loved him.”

Kevin Sneed, PharmD, founding dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, was recruited to USF by Dr. Brownlee to initiate clinical pharmacy services in the Department of Family Medicine clinics. They shared a keen interest in the management of patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome and in diabetes prevention research.

Dr. Kevin Sneed, dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, says Dr. Brownlee inspired him to always do his best and played a key role in helping him become USF’s first pharmacy dean.

“I don’t know who wrote the script for Marcus Welby, MD, but it was patterned after Dr. Brownlee,” Dr. Sneed said. “I would not be here today, and the College of Pharmacy would not be here today, without Dr. Brownlee.”

Dr. Sneed last year presented his college’s Dean’s Award to Dr. Brownlee in recognition of his advocacy and support of the profession of pharmacy.   Dr. Brownlee has also been selected by medical students as the recipient of top teaching awards – the Leonard Tow Humanism Award and the Osler Award for Best Faculty Role Model.

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