Thu Feb 18
Black and indigenous women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy and birthing complications than whites, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And these racial disparities were the subject of a virtual discussion Feb. 8 in recognition of Black History Month. The event was hosted by the OB-GYN student interest…
Thu Feb 11
During segregation, when most white doctors wouldn’t treat African Americans, residents of Orlando’s historically black neighborhood relied on care from Dr. William Monroe Wells, a black physician who become a healthcare and economic icon for the Parramore community in the early 1900’s. Dr. Wells’ impact as a healer and community leader was the subject…
Thu Feb 4
Nader Tabsh credits Lady Gaga with helping him accept his homosexuality as a Muslim teenager growing up in the United Arab Emirates. Her song, Born This Way, brought comfort to a young man who had often prayed to Allah to “take this thing away from me.” Tabsh, a first-year medical student, shared his story Jan. 26…
Mon Feb 1
“Think globally. Act locally.” These are the words infectious disease expert Dr. Lilian Abbo said guided her pandemic response efforts at Miami’s Jackson Health System – the largest county health system in Florida. “The reality in Florida will be very different than the reality in Colombia, or in Africa or in Europe,” Dr. Abbo said.…
Mon Jan 11
Matthew Naedel made a commitment to saving lives while watching his grandmother suffer from the cardiovascular diseases that took her life. Today, he is another step closer to realizing this dream as he matched into a vascular surgery residency at University of California Davis Hospital while being stationed at the Travis Air Force Base. The…
Mon Jan 11
We are all concerned about the status of COVID-19 in Central Florida, especially as we prepare to start spring classes on Monday. As physicians and faculty, we want to share information about the virus and UCF’s plan. We have been living with COVID since March, and the university’s robust contact tracing program has shown no…
Tue Jan 5
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make an enormous impact on the world in just about every area of life, it has also underscored the importance of global health awareness and the challenges faced across populations. These issues and more will be explored at the College of Medicine’s 2021 Global Health Conference entitled, “Global Health Conference X:…
Thu Dec 17
In this last COVID-19 health tip before the holidays, we’re addressing gratitude — an approach to life that helps improve your mental outlook, especially during challenging times. Medical research also shows that grateful, thankful people are better in protecting their physical health and in dealing with healthcare challenges. For advice on how to practice gratitude,…
Thu Dec 10
Despite the challenges brought on by COVID-19, UCF medical students continue to make their mark with medical research, presenting their discoveries at a national conference and winning top awards for their presentations. Third-year medical student Spencer Lessans and MD/PhD candidate Michael Rohr were accepted to present recently at the American College of Gastroenterology 2020 National Scientific…
Thu Dec 10
While COVID-19 has greatly impacted this year’s holiday season, many of us will still be making – and unfortunately overindulging in — holiday foods. This pandemic is stressful, which also causes many of us to overeat. So this week, we turn to College of Medicine faculty member Dr. Magdalena Pasarica, an M.D./Ph.D. who specializes in…
Tue Dec 8
“You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” This popular saying is the idea behind the Human Library Project recently launched at the College of Medicine to challenge societal stigmas and stereotypes. The Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library has partnered with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to introduce the project, which features…
Mon Dec 7
Fourteen UCF faculty physicians were named the community’s best doctors in Orlando Magazine’s yearly recognition – the most ever in medical school history. The honorees include physicians in various specialties who practice at UCF Health, the College of Medicine clinical practice. The magazine featured two lists this year – a “Top Doctors List” compiled by Consumers’ CHECKBOOK,…
Mon Dec 7
Ruben Mercado Santos realized he was “different” in high school. When his friends were getting their driver’s licenses and registering to vote, he couldn’t. After living in South Florida since he was 5, the Honduras native began to realize what it meant to be an undocumented immigrant in the United States. “There are times where…
Wed Dec 2
This is usually the season for parties, and with COVID-19 infections on the rise, more of us may be considering hosting virtual events. For advice on hosting a great – and we hope stress-free – online event, we turn to two faculty members from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Jeannie Hahm and Michelle Holm,…
Thu Nov 19
Ayoung Southern hickory tree, nestled among the landscape at the College of Medicine’s Lake Nona campus, honors a founding faculty member who retired this year after helping to create a nationally recognized pathology curriculum and inspiring colleagues and students with his caring spirit. The medical school unveiled “Muji’s Tree” in recognition of the 10-year service…
Thu Nov 19
As COVID-19 cases spike, health officials are discovering that many people currently testing positive were infected while they were with people they know –not in work or classroom situations, but in casual social gatherings. That’s not surprising. We let down our guards when we’re home or out having fun. While it’s become natural – and…
Tue Nov 17
UCF Health recently welcomed another rheumatologist to the practice who, in addition to caring for patients, will join our three existing rheumatology faculty to train tomorrow’s specialists. Dr. Hina Tareen joins the UCF College of Medicine physician practice after completing her rheumatology fellowship and internal medicine residency at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston,…
Mon Nov 16
What protective factors reduce the likelihood lesbian and bisexual women will consider killing themselves? That’s the focus of a $2 million national study led by researches at the UCF College of Medicine’s new Population Health Sciences Department. Lindsay Taliaferro, an expert in suicide and self-harm, and Eric Schrimshaw, an expert in LGBTQ+ health disparities and…
Thu Nov 12
Philosophy Assistant Professor Luciana Garbayo has received the UCF College of Medicine Innovative Teaching Award. The award recognizes a faculty member demonstrating continued and effective use of innovative teaching methods in the clinical curriculum. Garbayo, who is jointly appointed in the Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts & Humanities and in the Department…
Thu Nov 12
You’re sick with coughing, sneezing and a fever. Do you have a cold, the flu or COVID-19? All three are contagious respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. The only way to tell for certain that you have COVID-19 is through a diagnostic test, but here are some guidelines on symptoms of a cold, the flu and…