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Office of Ethics, Leadership, and Professionalism

Mission Statement

The Office of Ethics, Leadership, and Professionalism (OELP) is dedicated to fostering a culture of ethical behavior and professionalism within the medical college. By providing innovative education and support, the OELP equips faculty, staff, and students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to excel in their careers and meet the evolving challenges of interprofessional collaboration and patient care with integrity, empathy, and competence.

Vision Statement

The OELP envisions an environment where professionalism is woven into the fabric of medical education and practice, ensuring that every graduate exemplifies the highest standards of integrity, resilience, respect, and accountability.

SAVE THE DATE - 3rd Annual Leadership Education in Medicine Summit

Save the date for the 3rd Annual Leadership Education in Medicine Summit, hosted by the Morsani College of Medicine's Office of Ethics, Leadership, and Professionalism. 

12pm - Thursday February 5th & Friday February 6th, 2026

The event will be in-person at the Morsani College of Medicine in downtown Tampa. More information coming soon.

The Foibles of Federally Funded Research: Legal Foundations, Ethical Considerations, and Case Studies

Date/Time:

  • January 30th 10am-Noon 

Speaker:

  • Robert Charrow, Retired General Counsel, U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

This course explores the legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks governing federally funded and regulated research, with a focus on research misconduct, human subjects protection, and financial conflicts of interest. Through historical case studies, legal analysis, and policy review, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and risks associated with conducting ethical research. The course is designed for researchers, faculty, compliance officers, and institutional leaders involved in research oversight.

Participants will:

  • Examine landmark cases of research misconduct and their consequences.
  • Explore the legal definitions and implications of fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
  • Discuss the challenges of reproducibility and publication bias in scientific research.
  • Understanding the Common Rule and the FDA analog
  • Learn best practices for informed consent and IRB review.
  • Review financial conflict of interest policies and disclosure requirements.

Register Here  

Areas of Focus

  • Members:

  • Members:

  • Members:

  • Members:

    • Amy B Smith, PhD 
    • Kira Zwygart, MD 
    • Shirley Smith, MA

    To reach our team email MCOM-OELPCoaching@usf.edu. 

     

    Mission

    To empower health professional learners and faculty to become ethical, empathetic, and effective leaders through transformative coaching. By fostering self-awareness, interpersonal growth, and a reflective mindset, our program supports individuals in navigating challenges and achieving sustainable personal and professional development.

    Vision

    To cultivate a culture of ethical leadership and continuous growth within the Morsani College of Medicine, where coaching inspires individuals to lead with integrity, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute meaningfully to the future of healthcare.

    Coaching with AWE!

    AWE – Awareness, Wellness, Empowerment

    • A – Awareness: Encouraging self-reflection and insight.
    • W – Wellness: Supporting emotional, professional, and personal well-being.
    • E – Empowerment: Fostering autonomy, accountability, and sustainable growth.

    What does a coach do?

    A coach supports an individual in achieving specific personal or professional goals by facilitating growth and development of interpersonal/leadership skills. Coaches provide guidance and ask targeted questions to help individuals discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and develop new skills, rather than offering direct advice. This process empowers individuals to develop greater autonomy, accountability, and long-term sustainable change. 

    How is this different from a mentoring relationship?

    A mentor is typically someone who has more experience in the field of interest and can provide career guidance and steps to achieve progress on one’s career path. Coaching, on the other hand, emphasizes a collaborative process of helping individuals identify and achieve their goals 

    How is this different from an advising relationship? 

    Advising focuses on providing expert guidance and information based on established knowledge and procedures, often related to specific fields or requirements (e.g., academic advising). Coaching, on the other hand, emphasizes a collaborative process of helping individuals identify and achieve their goals.

    If you are seeking advising services as a medical student, please access these sites for advising options:

    Academic Support CenterM.A.P.S.

    Interested in receiving coaching?

    Please complete this survey

    Coming Soon! Coach Training Program

    Interested in receiving training to become a coach for USF MCOM faculty and students?

    • Coaches in this program will participate in a 2-day in-person foundational training, with additional quarterly virtual modules to hone their coaching competency.
    • Once coaches have received the foundational training, they will be expected to coach 1-2 people on a monthly basis, every 6 months. The commitment is a minimum of one year.