CARE Tampa Bay inspires nursing students

Since it first opened its doors, CARE Tampa Bay has been transforming the lives of patients with chronic health conditions. The clinic has also been making a huge impact on USF Nursing students and healthcare professionals across Tampa Bay.

Nursing students, who volunteer at the clinic, learn about kindness, compassion and collaboration. They learn about interprofessional education.

“They see true teamwork in action where physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and integrative medicine practitioners working together to improve patients’ quality of life,” said Cindy Tofthagen, PhD, CARE Tampa Bay Director and assistant professor at USF Nursing. “For many students, CARE Tampa Bay is their first exposure to a truly patient-centered model of care.”

Undergraduate student, Emma Jagasia, is grateful to learn to work together with other healthcare professions to better serve patients. “I’m thankful to Dr. Tofthagen and the rest of the CARE Tampa Bay team for allowing me to a part of such selfless work – and make a difference in the community.”

CARE Tampa Bay, created under the leadership of Dr. Tofthagen, is a free clinic that helps provide education and support to people suffering with heart disease, cancer and neuropathy.

“The clinic is a true partnership between USF Nursing and the Tampa Bay community,” Dr. Tofthagen said. “Our volunteers not only include faculty from USF Nursing, Morsani College of Medicine, College of Public Health and College of Pharmacy, but also healthcare professionals from Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa General Hospital, Bay Care, and other USF partners within the community.”

Since it officially opened in 2015, CARE Tampa Bay healthcare volunteers have provided services for hundreds of patients locally, regionally and nationally. They’ve also remotely seen patients around the country using Skype.

The free clinic is located on 217 S. Matanzas Ave., Tampa FL 33609, and it’s open on Saturdays by appointment only.

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