USF Health International 5 Year Report

5 Year ReportUSF HEALTH INTERNATIONAL
2015-2020
Making Life Better-Globally

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction from Dr. Menezes 5
USF Health Global Presence 6
Faculty-led Study Abroad 10
Student Global Research & Conferences 12
Student Global Clinical Experiences 14
International Field Experience 15
Faculty Global Research & Grants 16
Global Disaster Response 18
Global Capacity Building 19
USF Health Student Service Learning Experience 20
Global Program Development 22
USF Medicine International Training Programs 24
Medicine Signature Programs 26
J-Scholars & Exchange Students at USF Health 28
Peace Corps Partnership 29
USF Health Panama Program 30
Awards 31

A MEDSrS.ALGyEneFttReOMMenezes

Our story unfolds two decades ago when faculty from the
colleges of public health and medicine began a historic effort in
training health care providers and public health professionals
to tackle the HIV epidemic in India. In this spirit of “making
life better” globally, USF Health International was formally
established in 2006. Since then, we have drawn from the vast
interdisciplinary expertise across the four health colleges to
collectively address global health problems through innovative
research, education and training. Our programs have grown
robustly traversing 40 countries. In this five-year report, we
celebrate the extraordinary efforts of our students, faculty,
and staff and our deeply committed global partners working
together to make a difference in our global communities.

I am delighted to announce that USF Health’s global footprint now spans the expanse of more
than 95 universities, institutions and hospitals across six continents. Over 1,350 public health,
medicine, nursing, pharmacy and physical therapy students have gained hands-on clinical skills,
real-world, global research experience and practical knowledge to address critical global
health issues. In addition, more than 1,600 USF Health faculty, medical residents and fellows
trained USF Health and international students, delivered much needed medical care and
health education in impoverished settings, implemented cutting-edge research, shared
valuable expertise at international conferences and led global humanitarian response efforts
abroad. Conversely, our colleges have trained more than 1,053 international undergraduate
and graduate public health students, physicians, nurses, and hospital administrators at USF
Health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the very essence of how we live, work, play and study.
Yet, during these unprecedented times, there is much to learn from our past as we seek to build
a new and better future. As we embark on a new decade, global health is more important than
ever. Bringing our collective wisdom and experience to accelerate both research and newer
technologies in global health delivery will be essential to mitigate the emerging challenges
faced by our global communities. Clearly, graduating global citizens and leaders in the health
disciplines remains critical and we stand firmly committed to our global mission. I warmly
applaud the influential work of our students, faculty, and staff and I’m truly honored and
excited to share their remarkable stories and passion in this report.

Lynette Menezes, PhD
Assistant Vice President, USF Health International

5

UGSFloHbaElAPLTreHsence
USF Health International remains committed to its mission of mobilizing the diverse
interdisciplinary expertise at USF Health to collectively address global health challenges
through innovation, research, education and training. We have created opportunities for
USF Health students to become global citizens, strengthening their professional skills while
working with partners to address global health challenges.

6

USF President, Dr. Steven Currall with Vice Chancellor, Dr. Vinod Bhat from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India, 2019

97 / 40Medicine, Nursing, and PharmacyUSF Health GlobalCountries
Partnerships
17 Student Exchange Agreements

7

OUR GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

651
Europe
178 Students
473 Faculty

1,483 195 178
North America Africa
867 Students South America 56 Students
578 Faculty 72 Students 122 Faculty
38 Residents 123 Faculty

1,357 1,632
USF Health USF Health

Students Faculty

8

Total USF Health Student,
Faculty and Resident Global

3,029 Academic Experiences

446
Asia
167 Students
277 Faculty
2 Residents

76

Oceania
17 Students
59 Faculty

40 91 9

USF Health USF Health Clinical
Residents Experiences Abroad

FASCtuUdLyTYAbLrEoDad

COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

201 Students participated
in Faculty led programs in:

PANAMA

JAPAN

CANADA

USF students visit elementary school in Gifu, Japan, 2019

“ The study abroad program in “
Cuba allowed me to witness
firsthand why universal health
care should be given priority to
advance health in the U.S.

-Fabianna Echevarría, COPH
Undergraduate Student, Spring 2017

10 USF Undergraduate students visit Latin American
School of Medicine in Cuba, 2018

College of Nursing Students with children in St. Croix, 2016

“ The study abroad program “ COLLEGE OF NURSING
with the College of Nursing
to Scotland was one of 190 Students participated
the more rewarding and in Faculty led programs
spectacular adventures of
my life. The educational Students learned first-hand about international
experience of seeing another health care while delivering nursing education and
country’s healthcare system services to residents in underserved communities.
was enlightening and
revealed ways to improve
our own system. I was lucky
to be able share this trip with
amazing people and create
lifelong memories.

-Jordan Taylor, CON Student,

Summer 2019

PANAMA ST. CROIX

SCOTLAND CANADA
11
Nursing students practice CPR skills, University of Stirling,
Scotland, 2019

SRTeUsDeaErNchT &GLCOonBfAerLences

College of Public Health Students at the Posyandu, Research in Indonesia, 2019

188 USF Health Student 88 Student Global
Research Experiences Conference Participants

“ Catching the sunset in Masaka after a long “
day of surgeries at Kitovu Hospital. We are
learning a lot from the incredible doctors,
nurses and nuns that live and work on site…
It’s been rewarding to witness the resilience
of the women who’ve traveled from around
the country to get to this facility and to work
with our inspiring mentor Dr. Kristie Greene.

-Lauren Holt, MCOM MD Student MS2, Summer 2019

12

“ We spent eight weeks in Panama City, Panama conducting “
assessments of primary care health facilities in Zika affected “
areas near the city. The goal was to formulate an understanding of
the effect of Zika virus on post-abortion care and contraception“
programs in Panama and report our findings directly to the World
Health Organization. It was an incredible experience, and we
led interviews with both patients and healthcare providers over
the course of the summer. We learned not only how to conduct
qualitative research but also how the Panamanian healthcare
system operates and some of the shortcomings of the system
compared to other healthcare systems.

-Brennan Ninesling, MCOM MD Student MS2, Summer 2018

“ As a fully online student who does not get to interact
with students or faculty on a day-to-day basis, a

program centered on community participation in public

health really appealed to me. I was also interested

because, although my concentration is epidemiology,

my professional background is in health education and

community health. The course gave me an opportunity to

merge by current interests with my experience.

-Ashleigh Berke, COPH MPH Student, Summer 2019

“ Traveling to France was my first experience
abroad for a conference. I found an excellent

opportunity to present my idea in front of a vast

audience and gained new knowledge from others’

work. This experience has been helpful to my

academic goals and future career.

-Payal Ghosh, TCOP Graduate Student, Spring 2019

13

SCTUliDniEcNalTEGxpLOerBieAnLces

“I had a fantastic time during my OB/GYN rotation in Colombia. I spent two “
weeks rotating through labor/delivery and triage, and I wish I could have “
stayed longer. I had some incredible clinical experiences, including helping
in multiple c-sections and deliveries, performing cervical exam checks,
and triaging patients. It was great to see how similar and different the
medical system in Colombia was from ours at USF. My favorite part was
working with the other medical students--I learned so much from them
and they loved showing me around Barranquilla. Overall, the international
clinical rotation in Barranquilla, Colombia, was one of my favorite clinical
rotations of medical school, and I highly recommend it to other students.
Indira Ranaweera, MCOM MD Student MS4, Spring 2020

“ I signed up for the College of Nursing Medical Ministry International
Mission Trip in Dominican Republic because it was a good opportunity
to see how health care is practiced outside the U.S. and to gain clinical
hours at the same time. I saw about 20 patients a day, mostly doing Pap
smears, screenings, and some health education. One unexpected positive
outcome I learned that I had to strengthen my interviewing skills to draw
personal information out of patients, instead of relying on results from
the limited diagnostic tests. Overall, it was a great experience, but it was
a big culture shock. It was definitely a humbling experience.
I had an amazing time even in the rough conditions.
Akia Davis, CON Student, Summer 2019

14 Marissa Rickloff Interviews Patient, Nicara

INFTieElRdNEAxTpIeOrNieAncLe
College of Public Health graduate students pursuing an MPH or MSPH
degrees have the opportunity to engage in International Field Experiences

(IFE), typically 4-8 weeks of field research practicums with public health
organizations in developing countries.

118 College of Public Health
Students Completed IFE

41 Countries including, Uganda,
Panama, Ecuador, Ghana, Cambodia
and Indonesia

Thanks to my IFE, I’ve been “

agua, 2019 “able to use the skills I’ve gained
throughout my MPH education
and translate them into global
public health practice and
engage with local community
stakeholders, use cultural
competency, and create a project
proposal to create effective
change. -Jessica Garcia, COPH MPH
Student, IFE in Panama, Summer 2019

15

FARCesUeLaTrYchG&LOGBrAanLts

Liwang Cui, PhD, Professor, Morsani College
of Medicine, and team conduct NIH-funded
Malaria research near the Greater Mekong
Subregion in Southeast Asia.

Jeffrey Krischer, PhD, Distinguished Professor,
Morsani College of Medicine, is the #1 NIH-
funded principal investigator in the world, leading
a global network of over 250 university medical
centers worldwide, investigating the causes
and outcomes of type-1 diabetes and other rare
diseases.

Thomas Unnasch, PhD, Distinguished Professor,
College of Public Health, leads NIH-funded
research on vector-borne pathogens and human
filarial infections. Dr. Unnasch's lab is designated
as a World Health Organization Collaborating
Center for Onchocerciasis research and
eradication in Africa and Latin America.

Benjamin Jacob, PhD, Research Assistant
Professor, College of Public Health, focusing on
malaria elimination in Africa and Asia and the
eradication of river blindness in Uganda.

16

RESEARCH GRANTS

John Adams, PhD, Distinguished University Professor, College of Public
Health
• Chemogenomic profiling of plasmodium falciparum drug responses

and resistance (PI). NIH/R01

Liwang Cui, PhD, Professor, Morsani College of Medicine
• Southeast Asia malaria research center (PI). NIH/U19
• Molecular mechanisms of artemisinin resistance (PI). NIH/R01

Benjamin Jacob, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, College of Public

Health

• Targeted mosquito control through spectral fingerprints.” (PI).

Joy McCain Fdn.



Jeffrey Krischer, PhD, Distinguished University Professor, Morsani

College of Medicine

• Data coordinating center for type 1 diabetes TrialNet (PI). NIH/U01

• Data coordinating center for type 1 diabetes TrialNet (PI). NIH/UC4

• Follow-up on subjects and immunological assessments in the

environmental determinants of diabetes in the young study (PI). NIH/

UC4

Robert Novak, PhD, Professor, College of Public Health
• Slash and clear in riverine tributary villages in Cameroon (PI). USAID
• Using drones to combat malaria in Mekong River subregion in

Cambodia (PI). The Gates Fdn.

Monica Uddin, PhD, Professor, and Derek Wildman, PhD, Professor,
College of Public Health
• Transgenerational epigenomics of trauma and PTSD in Rwanda

(Co-PI). NIH/U01

Thomas Unnasch, PhD, Distinguished University Professor, College of

Public Health
• Community-directed vector control to enhance mass drug
administration for onchocerciasis elimination in Africa (PI). NIH/R01
• Development of a tool kit for human filarial transfection (PI).
NIH/R21

17

GLROeBsApoLnsDeISASTER

Dr. Elimarys Perez-Colon

HURRICANE DORIAN BAHAMAS RELIEF Dr. Asa Oxner, MD and s
A Group Dis
Pounds of medical supplies Water Qua

1,300 AND
Boxes of non-medical
45 supplies were shipped
to the Bahamas

Morsani College of Medicine physicians, Seetha Lakshmi, MD, Andrew Myers,
MD, Asa Oxner, MD and Elimarys Perez-Colon, MD, helped provide medical care

to Hurricane Dorian evacuees in the Bahamas.

HURRICANE MARIA PUERTO RICO RELIEF

1,500 Pounds of supplies sent to
Puerto Rico

Asa Oxner, MD and Elimarys Perez-Colon, MD, Morsani College of Medicine,
provide clinical aid to patients in devastated rural areas of Puerto Rico. They
also assisted in sorting and delivering medications donated by USF Health,

18 Tampa General Hospital and other provider partners.

GLOBAL CBAuPiAldCiInTgY

n with child survivor in Bahamas, 2019

Asa Oxner, MD, Andrew Myers, MD, and Minal Ahson, MD, Morsani College of Medicine, led a 5-day training
program on hospital-acquired infections at Entebbe General Hospital, Uganda.

student sort medicine, Bahamas, 2019 Six University of Ghana global health researchers were mentored
scussion, Puerto Rico, 2017 by faculty from the Colleges of Public Health and Taneja College
ality Check, Puerto Rico, 2017 of Pharmacy as part of the Carnegie Corporation funded, “Next

Generation of Academics in Africa” training initiative.

2019

Dr. Frances Baaba da-Costa Vroom from Dr. Ofozua Klozie Adi-Dako from the
the University of Ghana School of Public University of Ghana School of Pharmacy was
Health was mentored by Dr. Stephanie mentored by Dr. Yashwant Pathak from USF

Marhefka Day from USF College of Taneja College of Pharmacy
Public Health
Dr. Nana Ama Mireku-Gyimah from the
Dr. Justice Moses Kwaku Aheto University of Ghana School of Pharmacy was
from the University of Ghana School of
mentored by Dr. Shyam Mohapatra who
Public Health was mentored by holds a double appointment at USF’s Taneja
Dr. Getachew A. Dagne from USF
College of Pharmacy and USF’s Morsani
College of Public Health College of Medicine

2018 2017

Dr. Sylvia Esther Gayan from the Dr. Alangea Deda Ogum from the
University of Ghana Department of University of Ghana School of Public

Sociology was mentored by Health was mentored by
Dr. Stephanie Marhefka Day from USF Dr. Heewon Gray from USF College of

College of Public Health Public Health

19

USSFerHviEcAe LLTeHarSnTinUgDEExNpTeriences

PROJECT WORLD HEALTH

Both the Project World Health (PWH) and the Latino Medical Student

Association (LMSA) student organizations lead medical service and health

education in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. Their unique collaboration delivers

medical services and supplies to the rural community twice annually. Teams of

1,500USF medical students, residents, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists treat over
patients during each trip.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES COLLABORATIVE

International Health Services Collaborative (IHSC) is comprised of students from
all four USF Health Colleges and the School of Physical Therapy. During their

global service experiences in Panama, Jamaica and Mexico, students have gained
practical experience working in an interdisciplinary capacity in

low-resource clinical settings, providing lifesaving medical services and public
health education to underserved populations.

20

542 USF Health students participated in student-led and
faculty-led service learning group programs

in Panama, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Mexico, Haiti, and Bolivia.

HAITI MEDICAL MISSION

Dr. Javier Cuevas, Professor, Morsani College of Medicine, leads a team of
volunteer USF Health faculty, community health care providers, medical
students and residents to Dilaire, Haiti. The team offers medical care to over

2,200 patients annually, donating needed medical supplies while
conducting public health research. A smaller team provides
follow-up care in the fall.

USF HEALTH NICARAGUA “

“ USF Health Nicaragua is a coalition of USF Health students and
faculty that has supported Manna Project International to provide
sustainable healthcare and education to the people of Cedro Galan,
a semi-rural community on the outskirts of Managua, Nicaragua.
Students and faculty traveled several times annually to provide clinical
services and health education.
-Michelle Lyman, MD/MPH Student, Spring 2019

21

GLDOeBvAelLopPmReOnGt RAM

USF Health International is dedicated to continuously cultivating and developing
dynamic global partnerships that provide mutually beneficial opportunities for
education, research and capacity building.

22

Tampa Mayor, Bob Buckhorn, signs a Sister Cities
agreement with the city of Lanzhou, China, a

collaboration led by Dr. John Sinnott and Linman Li of
USF Medicine International, 2016

Dean Donna Petersen signs USF Health collaborative
agreement with Gifu University, Japan, 2016

Dr. Lockwood and USF Health Panama leadership USF Health International faculty and staff develop
renew collaborative agreement with City of Knowledge global nursing programs with
Foundation, Panama, 2016
Universidad del Norte, Colombia, 2019

23

USF MEDICINE

INTTraERinNinAgTIPOrNogAraL ms

USF Medicine International offers a wide range of training programs for

international medical students, graduates, and physicians from across the

globe. These programs are designed to provide innovative medical education

and enhance clinical skills utilizing a train-the-trainer approach so that

participants will become accomplished clinicians, leaders, and educators

improving healthcare in their respective countries.

1,267 Clinical Observership
Training Months
684 TotalTInrateinreneastionLaEAl D
Hospital Administrator Trainin
15.4%

LEAD
Hospital Administrator

Training Program
105 (15.4%)

Clinical Subspecialty Clinical Subspecialty Clini
Observerships Training Program 18
125 (18.3%)
454 (66.4%)

rships

24

Observer Jaskaran Batra from India with USF medical students, 2020

25

MSEigDnIaCtIuNrEe Programs

Gansu LEAD Program, 2019

LEADERSHIP ENHANCEMENT AND
DEVELOPMENT (LEAD)

The Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) program is an interactive
leadership and management training program which is customized for hospitals,
governments, and universities globally to build the capacity of their healthcare leaders.

LEAD Program, Thailand, 2017 Gansu LEAD Program, China, 2018

26

CLINICAL OBSERVERSHIP PROGRAM

The Clinical Observership Observer Shreya Vakharia, 2019
program provides highly
motivated medical students
and graduates from around
the globe cutting-edge
medical education and an
opportunity to complete
1-3-month clinical
observership rotations
in various specialties guided
by USF faculty at Tampa
General Hospital.

Observer Oluyemisi Amoda from Nigeria, 2018

SUBSPECIALTY CLINICAL
OBSERVERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

The Subspecialty Clinical
Observership Training program
provides specialized training for
practicing international medical
doctors. These 4 to 6-month training
programs provide advanced clinical
skills and medical knowledge in
specific specialties utilizing a train-
the-trainer approach. Participants
return to their country and train their
peers thus improving patient care.

Subspecialty trainees from Guigang City People’s Hospital, China, 2016

Subspecialty trainee Quinhua Wang, Subspecialty trainee Hongzhou Wang, 27
China, 2019 China, 2019

at USF HealthJ-1 SCHOLARS & EXCHANGE STUDENTS
191 J-1 International Scholars trained

at USF Health

Morsani College of Medicine hosted:/ // Medical exchange student from Gifu
University, Japan, 2019
131 13Exchange Students
from
Countries

Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany,
India, Italy, Japan, Panama, South Korea, Thailand

College of Nursing hosted: Medical exchange students from The University of
Freiburg, Germany, 2017
45 Exchange Students
from University of Stirling,
United Kingdom

Taneja College of Pharmacy hosted:

2 Exchange Students
from University of Navarra, Spain

28 Nursing exchange students from
University of Stirling, United Kingdom, 2018

Returning Peace Corps volunteer, Logan
Marx, joins USF Nursing Peace Corps
Coverdell Fellowship program, 2018

5 PEPAaCrEtnCerOshRiPpS

USF HEALTH Beginning in 2017, USF Health expanded its collaboration with Peace
PEACE CORPS Corps to include the Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows Program for both
COVERDELL
the MPH and MSPH programs in the College of Public Health and
FELLOWS the Accelerated BSN degree program in the College of Nursing. This
prestigious program awards financial assistance to selected returned

Peace Corps volunteers, while their dynamic global experience
enriches dialogue in the classroom.

13 13COPH Peace Corps Master’s Countries
International students in
The prestigious Peace Corps Master’s International Program provides
graduate students the opportunity to complete two years of Peace
Corps service as part of their MPH or MSPH degree.

29

30

UPSaFnHaEmAaLTPHrogram

Dr. Arlene Calvo conducts Established in 2006, the USF Health Panama
public health field research with program, located at the City of Knowledge in
the Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous Panama, has focused on expanding education,
community in Panama, 2016 research, training and professional development
opportunities for students, faculty and professionals
USF College of Education from institutions around the region, while also
faculty provides STEM training promoting education and building sustainable
for Panama teachers, 2018
capacity in Panama.
USF COPH International
Health Education Study Abroad Through formal collaborations and strong
students, 2017 partnerships with leading academic and research

organizations in Panama, USF Health Panama
is proud to have facilitated over 1,400 student
educational experiences, $1.5 million in research
and grant projects in Panama and trained over 2,200

Panamanian professionals since inception.

USF Health Panama
Accomplishments 2006-2019

1,447 896 112
Total Student USF Health USF Health
Participants Student Participants Faculty Visits

45 $1.5M 2,200+
USF Health Residents/ Research & Training Panamanian
Fellow Programs Health Professionals
Grant Funding
Trained
Facilitated

USF President Judy Genshaft 31
and USF Health Panama
leadership and staff participate
in the Global Tampa Bay Trade
Mission in Panama City, 2019

Awards

USF WORLD GLOBAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

2019 Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Donna J. Petersen, Dean, College of Public Health

2018 Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. John T. Sinnott, Chairman, Department of Internal Medicine

32 Dr. John Sinnott receives the prestigious Gansu Provence Dunhuang
Award, the province’s highest honor for achievement by a foreigner in

the capital city of Lanzhou, China, 2017.

USF HEALTH FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENT
GLOBAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS

2015 –2016

Linman Li, USF Medicine International, Individual Staff Award
USF Health Panama Office, Group Program Award

Dr. Lynette Menezes, Morsani College of Medicine, Administrator Honorable Mention
Dr. Tiffany Chenneville, Morsani College of Medicine, Administrator Faculty Honorable Mention

2016 –2017

Jesse Casanova, College of Public Health, Individual Staff Award

2017 –2018

Dr. John Sinnott, Morsani College of Medicine, Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Asa Oxner, Morsani College of Medicine, Individual Faculty Award

Dr. Andrew Myers, Morsani College of Medicine, Individual Faculty Award
Deidre Orriola, College of Public Health, Individual Faculty Award

Dr. Casar Borlongan, Morsani College of Medicine, Individual Faculty Award
Cristienn Joudaane, USF Health International, Individual Staff Award

2018 –2019

Dr. Donna Petersen, College of Public Health, Lifetime Acheivement Award
Dr. Constance Visovsky, College of Nursing, Individual Faculty Award

Dr. Eduardo Gonzales, Morsani College of Medicine, Individual Faculty Award
Dr. Thomas Unnasch, College of Public Health, Individual Faculty Award

FULBRIGHT FACULTY AWARDS

USF is consistently one of the nation’s top
producers of Fulbright scholars and ranked No. 1
for 2016 - 2017 and 2018 - 2019. We are proud

of our USF Health faculty who have become
prestigious Fulbright Scholars.

Dr. Constance Visovsky Dr. Dianne Morrison-Beedy Dr. Yashwant Pathak
Professor Dean Associate Dean

College of Nursing College of Nursing Taneja College of Pharmacy
Panama 2018- 2019 Scotland 2016- 2017 Indonesia 2016- 2017

33