WHITE COAT CEREMONY

One-hundred twenty students, representing the first full class admitted at the College of Medicine, will be recognized with the ceremonial awarding of white coats on Aug. 17. The White Coat ceremony for first-year students starts at 6 p.m. at Ruby Diamond Auditorium on the Florida State University campus. 

The ceremony and oath of commitment to patient care, compassion and professionalism remind the members of the Class of 2011 of the dedication necessary to complete a medical education and underscore the responsibilities inherent in the practice of medicine.  More information

HOMECOMING RUN CHANGES

The FSUCares Homecoming 5k run traditionally has been held early Saturday morning before Florida State’s homecoming football game. In October, the 2007 Homecoming 5k will be moving to Sunday afternoon to officially mark the start of homecoming week at FSU.

The run, on Oct. 21, is scheduled to end near Doak Campbell Stadium and be followed by a homecoming pep rally and bonfire, at which time College of Medicine students will be holding their annual health fair and second-annual silent auction.

The move is expected to create more interest, draw more runners and bring more attention to FSUCares, a major student-driven outreach program at the College of Medicine.

Information about race sponsorship opportunities is available by contacting student coordinator Nicole Courtois (Class of 2010) at nac06c@med.fsu.edu or on the FSUCares web site.

“I think that having the race on a Sunday afternoon will greatly increase participation not only among Tallahassee community members but also FSU undergraduate students and College of Medicine students,’’ Courtois said. “All the money raised will help FSUCares sponsor College of Medicine students who wish to participate in various missions.’’

RESIDENCY PROGRAM UPDATE

The FSU College of Medicine residency programs at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola held graduation ceremonies in June. Five physicians graduated from the pediatrics residency program and three graduated from the obstetrics/gynecology program. The graduation also marked the promotion of 2006 College of Medicine graduates Dr. Paul Payne and Dr. Chris Sundstrom to second-year status in the obstetrics/gynecology program and the introduction of Dr. Victor Hullstrand (Class of ’06) as one of three new first-year residents.

DEEB RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR

The American Diabetes Association awarded its Banting Medal for Service to Dr. Larry Deeb, pediatrics clerkship faculty member with the College of Medicine. Deeb currently is the ADA’s president for medicine and science. He received the award, named for Frederick G. Banting, who co-discovered insulin, at the ADA’s 67th Scientific Sessions and National Leadership Council Meeting. The award recognizes meritorious service on behalf of the association and Americans with diabetes.

Dr. Les Beitsch

BEITSCH CITED BY PEER GROUP 

Dr. Les Beitsch, professor and director of the Center on Medicine and Public Health at the College of Medicine, has been named recipient of the 2007 ASTHO Alumnus Award. The award, presented by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers, is considered a prestigious honor reflecting nationally significant contributions to the field. 

ASTHO represents secretaries/commissioners of health across the United States. Beitsch served as Commissioner of Health in Oklahoma prior to joining the College of Medicine.

MEDICINE IN THE COMMUNITY 

Third-year students at the College of Medicine complete community medicine rotations each December as part of an educational endeavor to connect with basic health care needs of average people. At the Orlando regional campus, the rotation led to something larger when current fourth-year medical student Jessica Fowler volunteered with Project Homeless Connect.

As part of her community medicine rotation during the third year, Fowler worked at a table at the project in downtown Orlando. When the city decided to put on four more events in various corners of Orlando, Fowler recommended students at the Orlando campus become involved.

As a result, a group of students joined Dr. Doug Meuser, family medicine clerkship director for the Orlando campus, checking blood pressure and blood sugar levels along with providing wound care for some of Orlando’s homeless. Individuals in need of follow-up care were given an appointment at a local clinic for the medically underserved.

Several Orlando students volunteered at another Project Homeless Connect event in July. The first event in December helped approximately 600 homeless men, women and children with services ranging from finding housing to getting a driver’s license or flu shot.

Nir Menachemi

MENACHEMI PROMOTED

Nir Menachemi, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the Center on Patient Safety, has been promoted to associate professor in the department of family medicine and rural health. Menachemi conducts research and teaches in the areas of patient safety and health care quality. He also teaches biostatistics and epidemiology to first- and second-year medical students.

LASTING IMPRESSION 

Dr. Temple Robinson, medical director of Bond Community Health Center and course preceptor in clinical medicine for FSU College of Medicine students, has been named one of two master clinicians by the International Society of Hypertension in Blacks. The award is given to medical professionals who make a deep and lasting impression on peers and members of the community, and who help overcome health disparities that affect minorities. 

GERIATRIC FELLOW 

Dr. Rosemary Laird, geriatric clerkship faculty member with the Orlando regional campus, is one of 10 fellows selected to participate in the prestigious Practice Change Fellows Program supported by Atlantic Philanthropies. 

The program is aimed at building leadership capacity among nurses, physicians, and social workers who have operational responsibility for geriatric care. Through the two-year program, fellows receive $90,000 and the support of local and national mentors to further develop their leadership skills and to complete a project implementing a new geriatric service line or aging program.

The Practice Change Fellows program is creating a network of specialists dedicated to influencing health care delivery and improving the health of older adults.

OBITUARY

Dr. Patrice Callahan, an alumnus of the Program in Medical Sciences at FSU and a supporter of the College of Medicine, passed away in June at the age of 41 while working in her Sarasota medical office.

Callahan was one of three physicians in a family of four children. She earned a degree in biochemistry at FSU before entering PIMS at FSU and subsequently completing her medical degree at the University of Florida College of Medicine.