USF Health is currently offering COVID-19 (including third shot and boosters) vaccines

Patients, employees and individuals in the community who are age 6 months or older are eligible to receive the vaccine. For the convenience of our patients, USF Health offers COVID, Flu and RSV testing along with various vaccines at the Established Patient Acute Care Clinic.

All services are by appointment only.  

Testing (All services are by appointment only.
COVID, Flu and RSV Testing
Monday through Friday at 8AM
Schedule by calling 813-821-8038, option 6 or via MyChart.

Vaccines (Services are by appointment and walk-ins are welcome.)
Vaccines (COVID Monovalent, COVID Bivalent, Flu vaccines, and Monkeypox)
Monday through Friday 8:30AM – 12:00PM  and 1:00PM- 4:00PM
Schedule by calling (813) 821-8038 option 2, and then option 2 or via MyChart

If you have login or other MyChart portal issues, please email mycharthelp@usf.edu for assistance.

Established Patient Acute Care Clinic Hours and Location:

USF Health Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare (1st floor)
13330 USF Laurel Drive
Tampa, FL 33612

Vaccine Information 

• The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people age 6 months or older.
• Pfizer bivalent vaccine: Patients aged 5 years and older are eligible to receive the updated (bivalent) booster 2 months after their last primary dose or their last monovalent booster dose. Patients aged 6m to 4 years old are also eligible for the updated (bivalent) vaccine as the third dose of their primary series (not a booster) at least 8 weeks after the second dose. After the third dose; there is no recommendation for an updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech booster for this age group at this time.
• All individuals under age 18 receiving a vaccine must be accompanied by a guardian and complete the COVID-19 vaccine screening and consent form.

Please click on USF Health Care for updates on the vaccine clinic hours during the holiday season.

For more information, visit Florida Dept. of Health Covid-19 Response.

Click here to visit the USF Health COVID-19 Information page for a complete list of resources.

USF Health Making Life Better

Back to School

Scheduling your back-to-school checkup in a timely manner ensures that your child will be ready to kick off the new school year with confidence and good health.  Time to schedule a well child exam.

No Two Children Are Alike

Every child is unique and develops at their own pace. Some children grow at different rates, prefer different foods, or require more or less sleep. The annual wellness exam is time to evaluate your child’s progress to make sure they are getting everything they need physically, emotionally and mentally.

“The well child checkup is an ideal time to review your child’s entire health and development with their pediatrician,” said USF Health Pediatrician Dr. Meredith Plant. “We like to review their growth, nutrition, school achievements and difficulties, general behavior, and mental health. It’s a great time to discuss methods for success in the upcoming year.”

The Annual Physical Includes:

• Examination of prescription renewals or adjustments. As children age from toddlers to teens, their needs will change as well as their medications.
• Hearing and vision will be tested.
• Healthy weight and height will be assessed.
• Behavioral health is examined.
• Immunization shots or vaccinations are updated or scheduled at this time. For more information regarding vaccines, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

“The school year comes with many learning opportunities, but also many infections. You should be reviewing your child’s immunizations at each visit, but especially during their checkups,” said Dr. Plant. “It’s a time to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our children healthy so they can stay in school and get a great education.”

Every Age Group Hits Different Milestones

The annual back-to-school physical is an essential routine to ensure your child is achieving healthy milestones and maintaining good health.

It’s also a time to discuss unhealthy behavioral changes that may seem worrisome, such as:

• Behavioral concerns at home or at school
• Developmental issues
• Eating habits
• Emotional and mental health
• Exercise habits
• Learning difficulties
• Safety prevention issues such as bike helmets or seat belts
• Safety issues with driving or car riding, peer groups and substance abuse
• Sleeping habits

College Bound kids Need Check Ups Too

If your child is college bound this may be his or her last trip to the pediatrician, as they will have to graduate to a family doctor or internist.

This last physical with their pediatrician is an ideal time to have an open dialogue on what to expect in college, and how best to approach good health practices to help send your teen out into the world armed with the knowledge of self-care. Topics may include sex, alcohol and drugs, nutrition and even hand washing practices.

“It’s a bittersweet visit for us; we have been a part of the person’s life usually for many years helping with nutrition, school guidance, safety, and achieving healthy relationships,” said Plant. “It’s a visit where we encourage them to go after their dreams but also discuss the many safety issues that come along with such a big transition.”

Even though your child is of college age they may still need more vaccinations or have their vaccinations updated.

Colleges and Universities have vaccination requirements for attendance and some are required for the dormitories including:

• Hepatitis B
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY)
• Polio(IPV)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)

Student Athletes

If your child is a student athlete, or is planning on participating in the school’s sports program, a sports physical may be in order to clear your child of any health conditions or concerns that may affect your child’s safety or ability to participate.

Most schools require a sports physical for a child to take part in any sport.

To book an appointment call (813) 821-8700 or to find a location see our USF Health Pediatrics locations page. 

Make your appointment soon since offices get busy during the back-to-school rush!

USF Health Making Life Better

Written by Ercilia Colón

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and one person dies from melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – every hour. Yet when caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable.

USF Health Dermatologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat common and rare skin disorders in patients of all ages. By connecting with our experts, you can rest assured that, if you develop anything suspicious, it is diagnosed and treated as early as possible, maximizing opportunities to cure and keep your skin as healthy as possible.

No appointment needed. Screenings are on a first-come-first-served basis.

Details
Monday, May 1 / 5-7p.m.
Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare
13330 USF Laurel Drive, 6th floor
Tampa, FL  33612

Slip, Slap, Slop – Sun Safety Tips

USF Health expert Dr. Sharon Albers recommends using the slip, slap, slop method to maximize sun protection in the summer and all year long.

Slip on sun protective clothing and sunglasses. Tightly woven clothing blocks the sun’s rays and reflects heat helping you feel cool. Wear sunglasses with UV protection to protect both eyes and eyelids from damaging ultraviolet rays.

Slap on a wide brim hat to protect face, scalp, ears and neck.

Slop on sunscreen/block. Apply a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher, 20-30 minutes before going outside. Reapply at least every 2 hours, even on cloudy days. If swimming or sweating apply it more often. There is no such thing as a “waterproof” sunscreen, look for water resistant.

Click here to visit USF Health Dermatology and learn more

USF Health Making Life Better

Patients are invited to the grand opening of the USF Health Laryngectomy Clinic, an epicenter for all USF Health laryngectomy care provided by speech-language pathologists and physicians.

Date: February 20, 2023
Time: 1- 3PM
Location: USF Health South Tampa Center for Advanced Healthcare
ENT Clinic, 2nd Floor
2 Tampa General Circle
Tampa, FL 33606

Come meet our clinical educators and providers who will be on-site to provide current education and demonstrations of various laryngectomy products.
Demonstration stations will include:
• Electrolarynx
• Tracheoesophageal Prosthesis + FreeHands Tracheoesophageal speech
• LaryTube and LaryButton
• Heat Moisture Exchanger (HME)
• Adhesive baseplate

All of our attendees will enjoy an opportunity to:
• Sample products
• Engage with fellow peers who have underwent a laryngectomy.
• Sign up for speech therapy consults for tracheoesophageal prosthesis puncture candidacy and electrolarynx training.
• Opportunity to join the Head and Neck Cancer Support Group

We look forward to seeing you!

USF Health Making Life Better 

Miles for Migraine will host its 5th annual 2-mile Walk, 5K Run and Relax Tampa Event on Saturday January 21st, on the USF Health Tampa Campus. All funds raised will benefit the USF Health Headache Center to support local migraine research and fellowship training programs.

We are focused on raising awareness that migraine is not “just a headache”.
Migraine is a serious neurological disease that can have debilitating effects on those that have it, as well as their family and friends. More people have migraine in the U.S. than asthma and diabetes combined, yet it is severely underfunded. Help us change that!

How to Register
To sign up and learn more click on TPA.MilesForMigraine.Org

Event Information
Date: January 21, 2023
Location: 12101 USF Beard Drive, Tampa, FL
Event Schedule:
8:00 AM EST – Check In / Packet Pick Up
8:30 AM EST – Pre Event Awards and Speakers
9:00 AM EST – Walk/Run Starts
9:40 AM EST – Post Event Awards for 5K Runners

How to Contact Us 
For further inquiries on how to get involved, donate, and clinical trials contact us by clicking on Miles for Migraine.

USF Health Making Life Better

Nov. 14th we celebrate World Diabetes Day, recognized around the globe to bring awareness to diabetes.

Click here to view Dr. Henry Rodriguez video and learn more about how the USF Diabetes and Endocrinology Center is making a difference for those living with diabetes.

Get to know the USF Diabetes and Endocrinology Center

In collaboration with Tampa General Hospital, our Diabetes and Endocrinology specialists have been ranked #1 in Florida and #28 in the United States by US News & World Report Best Hospital Rankings.

We are this region’s epicenter for diabetes and endocrinology treatment, research, and education – offering a multidisciplinary team of providers who are specially trained to diagnose, treat, and engage with patients and their families to manage complex diabetes and endocrine disorders.

The USF Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, as part of USF Health and Tampa General Hospital, is this region’s only academic medical center, provides a level of expertise that is unmatched in the Tampa Bay area. Our clinical team includes three pediatric and three adult board-certified endocrinologists, two adult endocrine nurse practitioners, a clinical social worker, and two registered dietitians as well as three diabetes educators specializing in diabetes technology training; working with a clinical support team to meet the needs of our patients. In addition to our multidisciplinary diabetes program, our providers care for a full spectrum of hormone-related conditions including bone and calcium, thyroid, growth, adrenal, pubertal, menopausal, and transgender concerns that may lead to, short stature, early or late puberty, atypical sexual development. pituitary disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome and infertility, and adrenal disorders

In addition, our center is recognized worldwide as a premier research center for diabetes. Our commitment to research is evidenced by our recognition as global leader in diabetes research.

Our Center is funded by the National Institutes of Health as one of 20 Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Clinical Centers worldwide. We collaborate with academic and industry partners to advance therapies and technologies to better enable patients to manage their disease and to ultimately prevent and cure diabetes and related endocrine disorders.

Artificial intelligence may soon help doctors diagnose and treat diseases, including cancer and depression, based on the sound of a patient’s voice, as 12 leading research institutions launch a landmark National Institutes of Health-funded academic project that may establish voice as a biomarker used in clinical care.

Learn more about this landmark academic project from USF Health expert and co-principal investigator Dr. Yael Bensoussan.

USF Health is the lead institution in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine on National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s newly launched Bridge2AI initiative to create an artificial intelligence platform for using voice to diagnose disease.

Click here to view article.

Summer is synonymous with spending long, sun-drenched days playing or working outside. But that summertime fun can quickly turn into a dangerous health emergency if you aren’t prepared.

“Exertional heat stroke usually starts with some sort of collapse,” said Rebecca Lopez, PhD, ATC, associate professor and program director of the post-professional athletic training programs in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine’s School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. “That is a main sign that something is wrong.”

To learn more from our expert Dr. Rebecca Lopez on what to do in the event of heat stroke and how to prevent heat stroke:

Click here to view video

Click here to view article.

USF Health Making Life Better

Self-love is asking yourself what you need – everyday – and then making sure you receive it.”
– Unknown

What is a well woman?

The well woman is well informed and in control of her own health, beginning with an annual well woman exam.

The well woman exam is a valuable resource for a woman of any age to empower herself and make good choices in regards to her own health.

“The well woman exam is an opportunity to improve current wellness and prevent future illness,” said Dr. Jessica Brumley of USF Health Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Timing is of the Essence

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “Seventy percent of mothers with children under 18 participate in the labor force, with over 75 percent employed full-time.”

This translates into less time for women to take care of themselves. Women and especially moms are notorious for putting themselves last.

Prioritizing your wellness is preventative medicine, a way of getting out in front of something before it has the opportunity to become a real health risk.

Practicing self-love by taking care of your health needs, and getting educated about your body puts you on the path to a healthy future.

“We can’t take care of others unless we take care of ourselves first. It is crucial that women take time to care for their health. For mothers, this is especially important since this also sets the example for the entire family,” said Dr. Brumley.

A Successful Exam

Establishing a rapport with your doctor, nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner is essential to having an open and honest discussion about any existing health concerns. Sharing your lifestyle and family history is vital to determining what types of assessments or treatments may be necessary.

Our bodies change throughout our lifetime, issues concerning everything from pelvic health to body image are ripe for a conversation with your health care provider. Knowledge is power, your exam is a great time to educate yourself about your body.

Good pelvic health translates into a healthy sex life. The wellness exam is the perfect opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns about your sexual health, and be tested for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

“We want women to feel empowered to care for themselves in the best way possible and encourage them to continue that process,” said Dr. Brumley.

The Well Woman Exam includes:

• Discussing lifestyle, age, medical history and sexual history to determine the course of the exam.
• Pap tests or pap smears are recommended starting at the age of 21. A Pap is a test to check for any signs of cervical cancer.
• If you are sexually active, no matter at what age it is important to have an STI (sexually transmitted infection) screening.
• Conversations about painful and heavy bleeding during your period
• Birth Control
• Menopause
• General wellness and referrals to meet other medical needs
• Mental health screening
• Breast Health screening

Visit us at USF Health Obstetrics and Gynecology or call for an appointment, 813 821-8019.

Written by Ercilia Colón

USF Health Making Life Better

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. –Maya Angelou

For people living with cystic fibrosis (CF), no breath is taken for granted. From the onset of CF, treatment is necessary to survive.

With a timely diagnosis and early intervention, cystic fibrosis patients are enjoying longer and fuller lives.

“The average life expectancy of people living with CF is increasing each year and they now have the opportunity to finish school, begin careers and start families,” said Dr. Marisa Couluris, Pediatric Pulmonologist at USF Health.

How Does Cystic Fibrosis Take One’s Breath Away?

CF robs a person of the ability to breath freely, and impacts other parts of the body. This disorder is life threatening because it generates a dense sticky mucus that accumulates in the lungs and inhibits the ability to breathe normally.

The pancreas and digestive system are also effected by CF. If the ducts that navigate the digestive enzymes become clogged with mucus that is thick and sticky, the body is then unable to process food, depriving itself of nutrients.

Cystic Fibrosis in the U.S.

CF is a genetic disorder, and is life threatening. In the United States alone there are approximately 30,000 Americans living with CF and 1,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Although it is not widespread, CF is still the most prevalent lung disease found in children and young adults.

Thanks to the advocacy of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, every newborn nationwide is now tested for CF. With early detection and treatment CF survivors have a longer life expectancy and a better quality of life.

USF Health is now an affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and is dedicated to serving the CF community, children and adults alike. Specialized care, management and research are provided to help each patient reach their full potential and live their best life.

“This is a very exciting time for cystic fibrosis research as we not only have studies focusing on symptom relief but also treating the underlying cause of CF,” Dr. Couluris said.

Can I lead an Optimistic and Full Life with Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive disease, so the sooner it is diagnosed and treated the better the outcome.

Not too long ago a child born with CF did not live to see high school. It is now possible for a person living with CF to look toward to the future. Early intervention is key.

Keeping the lungs free from infection can be challenging, sticking to a strict nutritional routine is of the essence to maintaining strength and warding off lung infections.

Treatments for CF range from:

• Antibiotics
• Inhaled medications
• Performing airway clearance techniques (to loosen and get rid of mucus in the lungs)
• Exercise for increased respiratory and muscle endurance, and increased ability to expectorate
• Practicing cleanliness – avid hand washing and staying vigilant regarding germs on shared surfaces

A lung transplant may become necessary for those who develop acute lung disease. At USF Health we take the multidisciplinary approach and partner with Tampa General Hospital and the Lung Transplant team.

“There have been over 500 lung transplants performed at TGH and people with CF are living longer after lung transplant thanks to research,” Dr. Couluris said.

USF Health Pediatric Pulmonology is now one of the 120 accredited cystic fibrosis care centers across the U.S. USF Health has cared for children with CF for more than 20 years. We are a multidisciplinary center of providers, nurses, social workers, dieticians, and respiratory therapists all specializing in caring for children with cystic fibrosis

To book an appointment at USF Health Pediatric Pulmonology call (813) 821-8029.

Written by Ercilia Colón

USF Health Making Life Better