News & Events

Professor Andreas Charalambous, Executive Dean of the University of Nicosia Medical School, Cyprus recently visited USF Health's, Morsani College of Medicine to explore a potential collaboration between the two medical schools. At the Morsani College of Medicine, Professor Charalambous met with senior vice president of USF Health and dean Dr. Charles Lockwood, vice dean of educational affairs Dr. Bryan Bognar, chairman of Internal Medicine Dr. John Sinnott and assistant vice president for international Dr. Lynette Menezes. The discussions centered around student and faculty exchange, telemedicine as well as research collaborations in the areas of high-risk obstetrics and neurosciences. Professor Charalambous also toured USF Health's state-of-the-art facilities; the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), Morsani Center for Advanced Health care and the Alzheimer's Byrd Institute and met with Dr. David Morgan, director of the Byrd institute to discuss research partnerships on alzheimer's and other dementia-related disorders. Next steps include a formal signing of an agreement of collaboration between the two institutions in the fall, followed by faculty grand rounds and medical student exchange

15 USF Medical Students who participated in the International Medicine Scholarly Concentration graduated from the USF Morsani College of Medicine. It was an honorable ceremony and we wish these students the best of luck in their future. 

Two senior nurses from Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Thailand and two medical students from Burapha University, Thailand are here in Tampa to participate Observership training program. We have had collaboration with Burapha University since 2013.

International Medicine Scholarly concentration students had the opportunity to present their research posters on USF Health Research Day, 2015. Their posters consisted of research findings that were based on the concentration they are currently studying. Dr. Menezes and Ms. Courtney Johns-Rejano also participated in the event and got a chance to review the students’ posters as well.

Norberto Mancera (MS4) and Andrea Little (MS3) successfully represented USF Morsani College of Medicine and the International Medicine Scholarly Concentration Program at the 2015 AMSA National Convention in Washington, D.C. They were awarded first place in the poster competition of over 100 participants. Their project explored community development through the 1Apple Market project, with particular emphasis on improving food access to under-served and immigrant populations.

Each year, Dr. John Sinnott, Chair of Internal Medicine, provides a presentation to USF International Medicine Scholarly Concentration students about how to prepare for international travel and what to expect during their travel. The presentation also provided immunizations needed, what to pack, how to keep track of your belongings, and other helpful tips. This year, the talk was open to all medical students who plan to do international travel in this spring and summer.

We invited a group of medical students from Yeungman University, South Korea to participate the observership programs. Just like every January since 2008, these students stayed for two weeks and observed in their preferred specialties. They also got a chance to tour some of our facilities including CAMLS. At the end of their observerships, we had a debriefing where they described their stay, what they like and disliked, and added input as to how we can improve our program.

USF had the honor of hosting hospital administrators from the Gansu province of China as they took part in USF Medicine International’s fifth LEAD Gansu Hospital Administrator Training Program. Over the years, this program has provided a tremendous opportunity for our university to strengthen ties with the Gansu health department while encouraging us to learn from each other. Our international guests had multiple seminars covering the latest advances in theory and application in healthcare including health care reform, patient safety, managed care, health information systems, and strategic planning presented by some of our best and most experienced VPs. Each day brought with it a taste of our diverse and eclectic cuisine, from Thai, Greek, and American dishes to more familiar Chinese favorites. The doctors also received training in their own specialties as well as a chance to observe and learn the standards and practice of care here at USF and Tampa General Hospital in order to better enhance their leadership and development. The Gansu delegates toured Tampa General Hospital, the CAMLS center, the Morsani Center, the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, the Hillsborough County Health Department, and Lakeland Regional Medical Center to see our health systems in action. After the seminars and tours, each visiting administrator gave a final presentation encompassing what they had learned and how they intended to apply this knowledge to their own hospitals. Throughout their stay, the Gansu delegates got a chance to experience various local Florida attractions, from visiting Clearwater beach to staying in Orlando for a weekend, and the end of the training program was capped by a fun night out on the Yacht Starship Dinner Cruise.

Dr. Lynette Menezes and Dr. John Sinnott signed a collaborative agreement with The First People’s Hospital of Kunshan in Kunshan, China. They also visited several partner institutions throughout central and Northeast China.

USF Medicine International wishes to congratulate all the medical graduates from USF. This year six students from the International Medicine Scholarly Concentration graduated:

Congratulations and good luck in your residency programs!

On Thursday, Dec. 8th USF Health announced a generous gift from Carol and Frank Morsani, long time supporters of the University and the College of Medicine. The Morsanis have graciously gifted $37 million to USF Health over the years (including their newest gift of $20 million). In their recognition, President Genshaft and the Board of Trustees have renamed our college to the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Click here for more information on this historic event.

On Nov. 7th the Division of Infectious Disease & International Medicine participated in the Great American Teach-in for the 3rd year in a row. Great American Teach-in is an annual event where diverse professionals visit schools to teach students of all ages about their careers. This year, we had four of the 2nd year medical students from our International Medicine Scholarly Concentration teach about infectious diseases to students at Williams Middle Magnet School, an International Baccalaureate school with a focus on international studies and intercultural understanding.

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.

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.

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.

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.

From October 10th - 28th, USF Medicine International hosted its 2nd delegation of doctors from Gansu, China who participated in the Hospital Administrators Training Program. The 3-week program consisted of 27 lectures on management, operations and administration, finance, organizational development, employee relations, and research. The doctors also toured various departments at Tampa General Hospital and numberous health centers at the University of South Florida. Tours included:

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.