As Director of the Southeast Consortium for Occupational Risk and Engagement (SCORE), I am proud to lead an initiative that brings together the University of South Florida's nationally recognized occupational safety and health programs under a unified vision. SCORE was created to integrate the strengths of the Sunshine Education and Research Center (ERC), the USF OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTIEC), and the USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program to advance worker safety, health, and well-being throughout Florida and the Southeastern United States.

The challenges facing today's workforce require collaboration across research, education, training, and public health practice. Through SCORE, we have established a coordinated framework that connects academic scholarship with real-world workplace needs. Our mission is to generate impactful research, prepare the next generation of occupational safety and health professionals, provide authoritative workforce training, and deliver practical consultation services that help employers create safer and healthier work environments.

SCORE is built upon four interconnected pillars: Research, Education, Public Health Practice, and Workforce Development. By leveraging the expertise and resources of our three constituent programs, we are able to address emerging occupational risks, strengthen the workforce, and foster meaningful engagement with employers, workers, communities, industry leaders, and public sector partners. This integrated approach allows us to move knowledge from the classroom and research laboratory directly into workplaces where it can make a measurable difference in the lives of workers and their families.

As we continue to grow, SCORE remains committed to serving as a trusted regional resource for occupational safety and health. We look forward to expanding partnerships, supporting innovation, and advancing evidence-based solutions that protect workers, strengthen organizations, and contribute to healthier communities across the Southeast. Together, we can build safer workplaces and a stronger occupational health and safety workforce for generations to come.

Luis F. Pieretti, PhD, CIH, CSP
Director, Southeast Consortium for Occupational Risk and Engagement (SCORE)

lpierett@usf.edu
(813) 396-0349