News & Events

- Daniel Eckstein, who will be completing his residency in Family Medicine at Bayfront Medical Center
- Krystle Hunt, who will be completing her residency in Emergency Medicine at Shands Hospital
- Pryianka Kamath, who will be completing her residency in OBGYN at the University of Texas SW Medical School
- Lauren Mullinax, who will be completing her residency in Pediatrics at Miami Children's Hospital
- Tanvi Patel, who will be completing her residency in Internal Medicine at Shands Hospital
- Lisa Sander, who will be completing her residency in Emergency Medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital
Congratulations and good luck in your residency programs!
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Jonathan Kass and student leader Jaymin Patel taught a 7th grade science class while student leader Cristina Garcia and Vignesh Doraiswamy taught a 6th grade science class. “It was pretty shocking to see how much these students already knew about infectious diseases”, said Kass. “These are some really bright students.”
The two classes learned about infectious disease and how to prevent the spread of infection through proper hand washing.
An International Mixer was held on Monday, October 17th. USF medical students participating in the International Medicine Scholarly Concentration got to mix and mingle with 20 doctors and hospital administrators from Gansu, China; a medical student from SWU completing a 2-week observership in Cardiology through the Stephen Klasko Clinical Observership Program; faculty from Srinakharinwirot Univeristy (SWU) in Bangkok, Thailand; and USF College of Medicine faculty. The mixer was an orientation for 1st year medical students accepted into the International Medicine Scholarly Concentration. The evening was a great way for students to learn about medical schooling and health care practices in China and Thailand from both the student and physician perspective.


1st and 2nd year medical students with faculty from Thailand
USF medical students, faculty from Thailand, and doctors from China together.
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Three delegates from one of our partnering institutions, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) in Bangkok, Thailand, visited USF to tour our facilities and strengthen our collaboration. The guests were Dr. Wuttichai Thanapongsathorn, the new Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Chatsri Dechapunya, Deputy Dean of International Affairs, and Dr. Thassanawut Dhearapanya, Assistant Dean of Academic/International Affairs. During their visit, the delegates met with President Judy Genshaft and Dean Stephen Klasko (Dean of the College of Medicine and SR VP of USF Health) to discuss ways in which USF and SWU can further their collaborative efforts.
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| Delegates touring the Simulation Center with Dr. John Armstrong |
They also gained insight into USF’s medical education programs through discussions with: Dr. John Armstrong, Medical Director of the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS); Dr. Deborah Sutherland, Associate Vice President of Continuing Professional Development and Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education for USF’s College of Medicine; Dr. Paul Sanberg, Executive Director of the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, SR Associate Vice President of the Office of Research and Innovation, and Vice-chairman of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair; and Dr. Bob Brooks, Associate Vice President of Health Care Leadership at USF and Professor with the Division of Infectious Disease & International Medicine.
The delegates also toured the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for Advanced Health Care, the USF Health Simulation Center, the Center for Advanced Clinical Learning and Simulation, and Tampa General Hospital.![]() |
| Delegates from Gansu, China with Drs. John Sinnott and Lynette Menezes |
- TGH Infection Prevention
- TGH ER and Trauma
- TGH Safety & Security
- TGH ICUs
- TGH LIFT Center
- TGH Women's Center
- Hillsborough County Health Department
- Team Education & Multidisciplinary Simulation Center
- Carol & Frank Morsani Center
- Moffitt Cancer Center
- USF Center of Excellence for Aging & Brain Repair
- USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute
Senior management from Tampa General Hospital and Senior Leadership and faculty from USF Health made the program a great success. The delegates exclaimed that this is one of the best training programs they have participated in and shared the various ways they will apply what they have learned to improve their hospitals. A report of their goals will be published in the near future.
This is the 2nd year USF Medicine International has hosted a group of doctors from Gansu, China for the Hospital Administrator Training Program. The training was first held in Jaunary 2010, when 18 hospital VPs from 10 hospitals were trained. This year a total of 20 doctors from 12 hospitals were trained. To date, a total of 38 doctors and hospital VPs from 22 different hospitals throughout Gansu, Province have been trained.
Dr. Jayesh Kosambiya and Dr. Mahesh Solu from Surat, India visited USF to tour various health centers and medical departments and gain more knowledge on how to improve medical practice in their communities.
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Learning how to conduct a procedure on the simulation machine |
Drs. Solu and Kosambiya tour the Simulation Lab |
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At Dinner with Drs. John Sinnott, Hemant Shah, and Eknath Naik. |
With. Drs. Sally Alrabaa, Beata Casanas, and Charurut Somboonwit at the Hillsborough County Health Department |
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Dr. Sinnott (left) and Dr. Wuttichai (right) signed an agreement over dinner |
Dr. John Sinnott and Dr. Lynette Menezes traveled to Thailand and China with the intent to solicit participation in the Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine's online parasitology image library and investigate joint research projects.
While in Bangkok, Thailand, Dr. Sinnott met with the Bangkok Hospital Director and other key administrators. He also met with Dr. Wuttichai, the new Dean of SWU. They had several discussions regarding medical student exchanges and faculty visiting professorships. Dr. Wuttichai invited Dr. Sinnott and USF Dean Klasko to be visiting professors November 10-11 at their international summit.
Dr. Sinnott and Dr. Menezes visited Tianjin Huanhu Hospital and the Tianjin Infectious Disease Hospital. Dr. Ji Yong of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital was a wonderful host and an agreement was reached for a faculty training program that will bring their junior faculty to USF for mentoring beginning in November. They also met with the Vice Mayor of Tianjin, the Vice Chairman of Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Tian Hui Guang, as well as the Deputy Director General of the Tianjin Bureau of Public Health, Dr. Ge Le. A follow up visit to Tianjin University is being planned.
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Dr. John Sinnott signs an agreement with Liang Zong Yu, Director of Tianjin Medical Exchanges. Back row, left to right: Drs. Ji Yong, Jinhuan Wang, Gao Hui, Tian Hui Guang, Lynette Menezes, Shen Chang Hong, Lu Wei, and Ge Le |
During their trip Dr. Sinnott and Dr. Menezes traveled to Peking Union Medical College in Beijin, China, the oldest medical school in China and one of the state's leading institutions. Here they met with representatives including Dr. Wang Huanling. They discussed an international trial on the management of syphilis and HIV co-infected patients with single dose therapy and agreed to be part of a global trial. They also toured the wards and discussed the possibility of a future affiliation that would involve exchange students.
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Dr. Mario Stevenson (left), with Dr. John Sinnott (right) |
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Dr. John Sinnott (left), associate dean of USF Medicine International, and Dr. Morgan present a gift on behalf of USF Health to Dr. Shen of the Tianjin Public Health Bureau. |
Delegates at the Signing Ceremony at the USF Byrd Alzheimer's Institute with Drs. Maria Crummett, Lynette Menezes, and John Sinnott. |
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The goal of this study was to understand the prevalence of neonatal conjunctivitis and examine the pattern of neonatal conjunctivitis in patients receiving health care in Malawi. We aimed to provide possible changes and improvements for the treatment of newborns suffering from neonatal conjunctivitis through tailoring treatment by improving lab procedures to better identify the causative microorganism. We would like to implement the findings of this study into practice in hopes of preventing neonatal conjunctivitis in future neonates in Malawi.
I am so fortunate to have been part of the scholarly concentration of international medicine since my first year of medical school, as it allowed me to conduct research in Blantyre, Malawi on neonatal conjunctivitis. Dr. Menezes worked tirelessly to help me set up this project in collaboration with Dr. Drucker, Dr. Ren Chen, Dr. Msukwa, and Dr. Nkume. This was truly an enriching experience as I was able to spend my summer working on a retrospective chart review collecting data in the field of ophthalmology. I have acquired invaluable skills, not only in the field of research, but also as a medical student watching and learning clinical medicine being practiced in a unique setting.
Ren Chen, MD, MPH - HSC Office of Research, Mitchell Drucker, MD - Dept Of Ophthalmology, and Lynette Menezes, PhD - Division of Infectious Disease & International Medicine assisted Roshni with her project.
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My summer research project through the scholarly concentrations program was an enriching learning opportunity because I saw how scientific concepts taught in our curriculum were currently being applied to the buzzing world of HPV research. I had the chance to preview principles of evidence based medicine, pathology, immunology and infectious diseases before I even began my second year of medical school.
I feel lucky to have been able to work with esteemed research investigators on the HPV in Men study, especially at an institution as distinguished as Moffitt Cancer Center. It was really enlightening to have that perspective and insight as an MS-II. The whole experience definitely integrated seamlessly to enhance what was being taught in the classroom lectures. I am really glad I did it!
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USF first year medical students in the International Medicine Scholarly Concentration, APAMSA students, and USF students who volunteered at our Closing Reception for the 14 medical students from South Korea and Thailand |
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USF International Medicine Scholarly Concentration students and APAMSA students welcoming students from Yeungnam University, South Korea. |
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Dr. John Sinnott observing a student from SWU in Thailand practice examining a student from Yuengnam University, South Korea for Battle's sign. |
Dr. Carlos Callegari discussing patient care with Korean and Thai students. |
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Dr. Daxa Patel treating a tribal woman with complicated pregnancy at their Dharampur clinic. |
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Reps from College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and USF Health Leadership meet with partners in Gansu, China. |
As a follow-up to the recent Gansu hospital administrator training at USF, the USF team
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Dr. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, Dean of USF's College of Nursing, speaks with the VP of Nursing for Lanzhou Hospital in China. |
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From Left to Right: Dr. Joshi, Chief of Microbiology, GMC; Dr. Menezes; Minister, Dr. Gavit; |
Further discussion resulted in the need for an Infectious Disease Institute as well as incorporation of ID units and isolation rooms in J J Hospital, Mumbai city’s largest public and teaching hospital. Minister Gavit reiterated that medical graduates from the city’s colleges are not able to recognize infectious diseases early and treat appropriately. Offering both a diploma and degree in Infectious Disease would arm doctors with better skills and knowledge related to ID, thus reducing morbidity and mortality due to infectious disease.
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Below: Dr. Gavit welcomes Dr. Menezes with flowers |
In addition to the tropical infectious diseases that plague the state of Maharashtra, Minister Gavit was keen on focusing on HIV, TB, influenza, hepatitis and sepsis.
Other distinguished participants at the meeting included Mr. Milind Mhaiskar, Secretary of Medical Education and Research, Dr. Tayade, Director of DMER, Dr. Lahani, Dean of Grant Medical College (GMC) and Dr. Ameeta Joshi, Chief of Microbiology, GMC.
The meeting concluded with Dr. Joshi and Dean Lahani taking the responsibility to work collaboratively with Dr. Menezes and USF ID faculty in preparing a proposal for managing infectious diseases in J J Hospital and developing an ID training program.
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Older News & Events:
- 2008 Year in Review: Evolution of Partnership with Thailand:
- December 2008: USF signs exchange agreement with Srinkharinwirot University in Thailand, President Genshaft, Dean Klasko and Dr. Sinnott receive Global Leadership Awards from HRH Princess Mahachakra Sirindhorn at the 2009 International Medical Summit More...
- January 2008: Delegates from Srinakharinwirot University visit USF Health More...
- Leading Initiatives in the Middle East: August 24, 2008: USF Health's leadership met Ashraf El-Ghamrawy, CEO and Managing Director of the Egyptian Saudi Finance Bank, Cairo, Egypt and Dr. Ashley Ansara, CEO, Regency Holding, Florida, and other Egyptian dignitaries. More...
- Dr. Linda Whiteford appointed Associate VP for Global Strategies and International Affairs More...
- USF students blog their travels in Thailand.
- Agreement Signed with Capital Medical University, China More...
- Cardiovascular Regeneration Using Bone Marrow Stem Cells: USF Center of Excellence for Aging & Brain Repair, led by Dr. Paul Sanberg, is collaborating with Dr. Enio Buffolo, Chair, Cardiovascular Department and Dr. Nelson Hossne, cardiovascular surgeon, Federal University of Sao Paulo, researching cardiovascular regeneration using bone marrow stem cells.
- Delegates from Srinakharinwirot University in Thailand visit USF Health More...
- Yeungnam University participates in first Clinical Observership at USF Health More...
- Annual Update on HIV/AIDS, India, 2007
- International Health Service Collaborative's trip to the Dominican Republic, 2007
- International Health Service Collaborative's trip to the Dominican Republic, 2006































