USF Health Morsani College of Medicine – Department of Emergency Medicine

The Social Emergency Medicine Fellowship at the University of South Florida offers advanced training at the intersection of emergency care and the social determinants of health. Fellows develop the clinical, research, and leadership skills to address complex social factors that impact patient outcomes—both in the ED and the broader community.

Program Overview

Our fellowship prepares emergency physicians to become leaders in social emergency medicine through a unique combination of:

• Clinical practice in high-volume urban and community emergency departments.
• Immersion in social medicine programs including harm reduction, substance use treatment pathways, violence prevention, and community health partnerships.
• Structured mentorship from faculty with expertise in global health, addiction medicine, medical anthropology, health equity, health systems innovation, and health implementation science.
• Academic training with opportunities for an advanced degree in medical anthropology.

Training Sites & Community Partnerships

Fellows train across a diverse network of clinical and community settings:

• Tampa General Hospital (Level I Trauma Center)
• USF Health-affiliated community hospitals and clinics
• The Coordinated Regional Harm Reduction Continuum (CRHRC)
• Mobile outreach clinics, syringe services programs, and community-based organizations

Curriculum

The fellowship curriculum integrates:

• Social Medicine & Health Equity – Screening for and addressing social determinants of health in emergency care.
• Addiction Medicine – Evidence-based treatment of substance use disorders, harm reduction strategies, and linkage to ongoing care.
• Community Engagement & Advocacy – Building partnerships to improve population health and advance equitable emergency care.
• Research & Scholarship – Designing and leading projects in health equity, public health interventions, and social medicine education.
• Leadership & Program Development – Skills to implement and sustain hospital- and community-based social medicine initiatives.

Eligibility

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited emergency medicine residency and be board-eligible or board-certified in emergency medicine.

Duration & Start Date

• Length: 2 years 
• Start: July 1 annually

1. Download and complete the SM Fellowship Application.
2. Submit your completed application with all of the supplemental items as one single PDF document to SM Fellowship Application Box by October 1, 2025.

Application Deadline: October 1, 2025

Dr. Enola Okonkwo
enolaokonkwo@usf.edu

Dr. Heather Henderson
heather42@usf.edu