Dr. Patricia Emmanuel is a distinguished member of the Tampa Bay medical community, whose extensive career in pediatrics, infectious disease, and public health embodies the very qualities that this award seeks to honor. Dr. Emmanuel serves as the Lewis A. Barness Endowed Chair and Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the USF Morsani College of Medicine.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community service, social justice, and the mentorship of young people. Her work has significantly impacted the Tampa Bay community, particularly in her leadership roles in addressing pediatric HIV, her efforts in public health, and her dedication to mentoring the next generation of medical professionals. One specific example of Dr. Emmanuel’s altruism is her leadership in the establishment and development of the Ybor Youth Clinic, a community-based collaborative clinic that provides sexual health services to at-risk youth. This clinic not only offers critical medical services but also serves as a safe and supportive environment for young people who often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. Dr. Emmanuel’s vision and dedication have made this clinic a vital resource in the community, improving health outcomes for countless individuals.

In addition to her clinical and academic achievements, Dr. Emmanuel has been an active volunteer and board member for various community organizations, including the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County, where she currently serves as President. Her volunteer efforts extend beyond her professional obligations, demonstrating her deep commitment to improving the lives of others.

Her contributions to the Tampa Bay community, her dedication to mentoring, and her unwavering commitment to social justice are a testament to the values that Dr. Reddy exemplified.

Dr. Cromer served as the HCMA’s 117th President in 2020, during the peak of the COVID pandemic. Although his year brought about many unpredicted challenges serving as our first “virtual” President, he accomplished much in making sure the HCMA remained relevant for its members. He became an expert in moderating COVID Townhalls, webinars, and all types of virtual meetings.   

Dr. Cromer was also instrumental in the Association’s sale and move of the HCMA office, a decision that secured a healthy financial future for our HCMA.       

After his Presidency ended, he turned right around and began his HCMA leadership again by serving as Vice President & President-Elect. In 2023, he was installed as HCMA’s 120th President. This time, it wasn’t in the HCMA conference room with three other “masked” HCMA leaders!

At the helm of the HCMA once again, Dr. Cromer led the HCMA delegation at FMA Annual conferences, helped collaborate membership endeavors with physicians in surrounding counties, and participated in the successful launch of HCMA’s valued physician wellness program.

Dr. Cromer is extremely passionate about legislative advocacy and has worked hard to strengthen the HCMA’s political involvement.  He continues to meet with our local legislators and leads an HCMA contingency as they travel to Tallahassee each year during the Legislative Session.  

As a “seasoned physician” who enjoys mentoring young physicians and medical students, his support is apparent as he shares stories and educates them about the importance of the HCMA and organized medicine.

We thank Dr. Cromer for his fortitude and dedication to the HCMA. 

During Membership Dinner on May 7^th, 2024, USF senior medical student, Emily Heideman, received the Inaugural Dr. Robert Yelverton, Sr. Memorial Scholarship.

Emily is a fourth-year medical student who will be entering an Obstetrics & Gynecology residency program in July. Her academic performance qualified her for membership in the USF of the national medical honor society.

Robert "Bo" Yelverton, Jr. presented her with the scholarship.

Congratulations, Emily!

During the HCMA Membership Dinner on February 13^th, 2024, USF medical student, Pranit Singh, received the HCMA Foundation medical student scholarship.

Mr. Singh's own research project focuses on virtual reality to help educate healthcare providers worldwide on brachytherapy for prostate cancer and has a broad range of experience and exploration of public health and organized medicine, along with an immense desire to succeed in his efforts.

Dr. Bruce Shephard, Foundation President, presented him with the scholarship.

Congratulations, Pranit!

During the HCMA Membership Dinner on February 13^th, 2024, USF medical student, Jenna Marek, received HCMA/Rivero, Gordimer and Co. medical student scholarship.

Cardiac surgery is where Ms. Marek discovered a career teeming with passion, creativity,  and the capacity for immensely rewarding advancement and interpersonal connection. Looking ahead, Ms. Marek aspires to address health inequities in global surgery, provide pro-bono cardiac surgical care in under-resourced communities, and contribute to the training and advancement of local surgeons internationally.

Stephen Douglas, CPA, presented her with the scholarship.

Congratulations, Jenna!

During the HCMA Membership Dinner on September 19, 2023, Dr. Joel Silverfield was awarded the HCMA Outstanding Physician Award. Dr. Silverfield is a internal medicine physician and rheumatologist with Baycare Medical Group in Tampa, who also published an article on his award ceremony and accomplishments in his professional career.

Dr. Silverfield obtained his medical degree from Emory University and completed his followship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  He is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, Florida Society of Rheumatology, and the Florida Medical Association. 

He first became involved by serving as the Chairman of HCMA’s Public Service Committee in 1987. 35 years later, he was installed as the 118th President of the HCMA.  

He represents that rare physician leader who managed to establish two separate but parallel paths to serve the House of Medicine - one as a young, eager physician early in his career, then later as a seasoned physician after many years of medical experience.

His outstanding leadership shined before, during, and after his HCMA presidency. He led the Association with enthusiasm and was instrumental in the many decisions made during a time of uncertainty and pandemic challenges. He believes in the importance of not losing one’s focus, in honesty and obligation, and in making rational decisions that are in the best interest of the Association’s members and the physicians in our communities. 

He continues his involvement at the local level, as well as the state level by serving as an HCMA Delegate to the FMA.  He was also elected this year to serve on the HCMA Board of Trustees, another four-year commitment after his tenure ended.  The HCMA was and is very fortunate to have a leader with such diligence and dedication to medicine.  

His professionalism, demeanor, sagacity, and wit speak for themselves. 

Congratulations, Dr. Silverfield!

During the HCMA Membership Dinner on September 19, 2023, Dr. Haywood Brown was awarded the Frederick A. Reddy M.D. Memorial Award. The Frederick A. Reddy M.D. Memorial Award was established in 2006 in honor of Dr. Reddy who exemplified the belief of giving back to society. His dedication to medicine, community service, social justice, and the youth of Tampa Bay was recognized and admired by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. 

After serving as the F. Bayard Carter Professor and Chairman at Duke University Medical Center for many years, Dr. Haywood Brown joined USF and the Morsani College of Medicine in 2018.  He serves as vice president for institutional equity at USF and associate dean for diversity for the Morsani College of Medicine.  Dr. Brown has served in numerous local and national leadership positions including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, serving as President in 2017.  He is past president of the American Gynecological Obstetrical Society and past Obstetrics and Gynecology Section Chair for the National Medical Association.  Dr. Brown’s leadership also includes the NIH DC Initiative on Infant Mortality and the HSRA Perinatal and Patient Safety Collaboration.

A significant portion of his career’s work has addressed health inequities by focusing on infant mortality and perinatal maternal safety and mortality, particularly among traditionally underserved populations. Similarly, throughout his career, he has served as mentor and advisor to countless students across the education continuum from children and teens to medical students, residents, and fellows.

Dr. Brown’s influence on those underrepresented in the medical field and the socioeconomically disadvantaged is significant.  He continues to work with several pathway programs specifically targeting these groups with hopes of increasing the applicant pool - not only to medical school but all health professions schools.  As an accomplished clinician, administrator, and educator whose contributions span over three decades, Dr. Haywood Brown has impacted countless lives. 

Congratulations, Dr. Brown!

Students, staff, and faculty gathered at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) to celebrate the class of 2023 medical students and educators at the 2023 USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Student and Faculty Awards Ceremony.  The awards ceremony is a culmination of four years of medical school recognizing the scholarly achievements and commitment to excellence in and out of the hospital.

“These past four years the faculty and staff have watched as you learned the skills to become a great clinician,” said Kira Zwygart, MD, MCOM associate dean for student affairs.  “Later this week will be the last momentous occasion for you as a medical student.  But for now, let’s celebrate the experiences we have shared together.”

The class of 2023 will come to the end of their medical school journey at their commencement ceremony May 11.

Read the full article here

Who said engineering and neuroscience aren’t good bedfellows?

Two University of South Florida professors are proof that disparate disciplines can work together for a common cause – gaining a better understanding of a common health emergency.

Ashwin Parthasarathy, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, and Maxim Mokin, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, are collaborating on a device that could help prevent strokes in patients during surgery.

Read the full article here

John Sinnott, MD, will step down July 1 from his role as chair of the Department of Internal Medicine in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Sinnott will continue service as the James Cullison Professor of Medicine.  Harry Van Loveren, MD, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, will serve as the interim chair as a national search for a new chair of Internal Medicine takes place.

Dr. Sinnott leaves behind a legacy as a renowned physician and dynamic teacher and mentor.  During his 10-year run as chair of USF Health’s largest department, he has ushered in a culture that has helped the department achieve unprecedented growth and achievement.  Three internal medicine divisions are nationally ranked among the top 50 for Tampa General Hospital by U.S. News and World Report.  The department has accumulated $46.4 million in NIH funding, placing them 35th nationally by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.

Read the full article here