Lewis S. Nelson, MD, MBA Dean and Chief of Health Affairs
As I reflect on this exceptional year for the Schmidt College of Medicine, our achievements continually demonstrate what happens when a community commits to excellence across our three foundational pillars: delivering outstanding medical education and training, conducting meaningful research, and providing exceptional patient care.
The numbers tell a compelling story of impact and excellence. Every graduating medical student secured a residency position, with more than one-third choosing to serve Florida communities and address our state’s critical physician shortage. Our research enterprise reached $28 million in active funding, generating 282 scholarly works including 121 peer-reviewed publications that appeared in premier journals like JAMA and the American Journal of Medicine. The impact of this research reached global audiences through coverage in major media outlets including the New York Times, FOX News, and U.S. News & World Report. Through Florida Atlantic Medical Group, we integrated education and patient care by delivering more than 8,100 patient visits while coordinating nearly 5,000 specialty referrals and training the next generation of physicians.
Yet behind these metrics lies something more profound: a community united by shared purpose. When medical student Ugoma Onubogu earned the prestigious American Medical Association (AMA) Physicians of Tomorrow Award, she exemplified the caliber of future physicians we are training. When our residents won national competitions and our faculty secured transformational research grants, they reinforced our growing reputation for excellence. When we welcomed 48 medical students graduating from schools nationwide into our Graduate Medical Education programs, they chose us because of the quality of training and mentorship our community provides.
In my first year leading this exceptional institution, I have witnessed the collaborative spirit and momentum that define our community. Together, we will build on this foundation to train the next generation of physicians, advance medical knowledge through groundbreaking research, and deliver care that transforms lives in our community and beyond.
Community: 2,500+ service hours | 22 nonprofit partnerships
Media
and Public Engagement
Research Coverage: 100+ media outlets | 3 studies with national reach
New York Times, FOX News, U.S. News & World Report
Growth and Excellence
Faculty: 16 new hires | Strategic leadership appointments
Philanthropy: $8.2M raised | 171 donors | Major transformational gifts
The Schmidt College of Medicine achieved remarkable success across all mission areas during AY2024-2025, demonstrating sustained excellence in education, research, clinical care, and community engagement.
Educational Excellence
Our commitment to training exceptional physicians produced outstanding outcomes, with all graduating medical students securing residency placements and over one-third of them choosing to practice in Florida. We continue attracting top talent, evidenced by incoming students with highly competitive academic credentials. Graduate programs expanded with preliminary approval for a new PhD in Health Science Innovation and Technology, positioning us for enhanced research training capacity.
Research Innovation
Strategic investments in research infrastructure included recruiting three new research-intensive PhD faculty and a biostatistician to support our expanding portfolio. This growth enables faculty and trainees to advance discoveries across neurodegenerative diseases, addiction medicine, and precision health, translating findings into high-impact publications and patent applications that address critical health challenges.
Clinical Impact
Enhanced clinical partnerships expanded access to care across Palm Beach and Broward counties through integrated training programs. The innovative skilled nursing facility service at John Knox Village exemplifies this approach, providing post-acute care to patients while offering medical students and residents hands-on geriatric training. These partnerships create bidirectional benefits: patients receive high-quality care while students and residents gain essential clinical experience in various healthcare settings.
Community Engagement
Students contributed over 2,500 service hours through 22 nonprofit partnerships, developing reflective practice, professionalism, and clinical skills through the Service-Learning Project. Faculty extended community impact through sustained mentorship of student community-based research, clinical outreach initiatives, and strategic partnership development with healthcare organizations across South Florida, connecting academic excellence with tangible community benefit.
Philanthropic Growth: Record fundraising of $8.2 million reflects growing external confidence in our mission, with 171 donors—including 28 first-time supporters—investing in our future through major gifts supporting student scholarships, integrative health programming, and research infrastructure.
Faculty Excellence: Strategic recruitment of 16 new faculty, strengthened leadership across education, research, and clinical domains. National recognition of faculty achievements reinforced our reputation as a destination for outstanding physician-scientists and educators.
UNDERGRADUATE
Student Affairs and Academic Excellence
Our Office of Student Affairs expanded career advising initiatives this year, launching Career Corner Tuesdays with Student Affairs Deans and Longitudinal Career Advisors and implementing open office hours for more frequent faculty mentorship. Enhanced programming, including the curriculum vitae workshop series and Exploring Specialty Series, provided students with practical tools for residency applications. Wellness programming continued to support student well-being throughout their medical education journey.
The Class of 2028 represents one of our academically accomplished cohorts, with an average MCAT score of 516 and GPA of 3.81. Eight students earned their bachelor’s or master’s degrees from Florida Atlantic University, reinforcing our commitment to supporting homegrown talent and FAU’s academic pipeline.
Student achievements across all classes were exceptional this year:
Ugoma Onubogu: 2025 AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Award
Talia Fradkin: Distinction in Research for solute carrier proteins and SARS-CoV-2 virus work
Syed Sarwar:
AOA Carolyn L. Kuckein Summer Research Fellowship for “TremorMath” iPhone app
Community engagement and wellness initiatives flourished throughout the year. The Knoop Family Winter Games brought students together for teamwork and friendly competition, featuring the beloved College of Medicine Pie Showdown that celebrated camaraderie and school spirit. Members of the Gold Humanism Honor Society organized a successful gala in support of the Mind, Music, Movement Foundation, showcasing student leadership in community service and philanthropy.
Alumni connections strengthened with the Class of 2015’s historic 10-year reunion in May, featuring a “Full Circle: Alumni Guiding Tomorrow’s Physicians” panel where distinguished graduates shared insights with current students. This milestone event demonstrated the lasting bonds within our medical school community.
Recognition programs expanded with new graduation awards honoring excellence in geriatrics education. The Dr. Joseph and Lynn Ouslander Award for Academic Excellence in Geriatrics and Gerontology was presented to Arthur Pavlovsky, MD. The Helen and Marcy Ouslander Award for Geriatrics was presented to Amy Paskiewicz, MD, recognizing outstanding scholarship and compassionate care for older adults.
Summer research experiences provided students with prestigious opportunities, including Samantha Sipe conducting colorectal surgery research at Cleveland Clinic Florida and Silvia Zervos participating in neurosurgical research at NYU Langone Hospital, demonstrating our students’ ability to secure competitive research positions at leading medical institutions.
AMA PHYSICIANS OF TOMORROW AWARD
Admissions Excellence and Access
Our Admissions Office managed over 4,000 applications for 80 available seats, achieving a 5.2% acceptance rate and a 2.80:1 yield ratio through enhanced outreach programming. The signature “A Glimpse of Excellence” second-look event contributed significantly to our successful recruitment efforts, while our expanded presence at national admissions fairs strengthened our visibility across key markets.
Our successful recruitment during this cycle resulted in the Class of 2029, now enrolled as first-year students, representing various undergraduate institutions from across Florida and the nation. With 16 students earning their undergraduate degree from Florida Atlantic University —over 20% of the class—alongside strong representation from other Florida universities, this class demonstrates the strength of our institutional pipeline while attracting top talent from leading programs nationwide.
Pipeline initiatives continued to demonstrate impact through our BS/MD program and Florida Atlantic University High School partnerships, which identify and develop exceptional students early in their academic careers. The monthly “Admissions Chat with the Director” series connected prospective applicants directly with admissions leadership, strengthening our reputation for personalized, mission-driven recruitment.
Service Learning and Community Engagement
Students contributed over 2,500 community engagement hours through partnerships with 22 non-profit organizations, including the Milagro Center, Twin Palms Center for the Disabled, Kids Cancer Foundation, PROPEL, Quantum House, Threshold Choir, Fuller Center, and American Association of Caregiving Youth. These structured learning experiences combine community service with academic preparation, reflection, and civic engagement, enabling students to understand the social determinants of healthcare while developing professional skills.
4,000+ Applications
80 Seats
5.2% Acceptance Rate
Class of 2029
Class of 2029: 515 MCAT | 3.85 GPA 11 States Represented
Pipeline Success: 16 Florida Atlantic graduates continuing their journey 16
Through these initiatives, students organized health fairs, created educational materials, provided mentorship to youth, and addressed community-identified needs. The program helps students understand the social, economic, and cultural factors that affect healthcare delivery, while fostering humanism, professionalism, and an ethic of service that will guide their future practice.
Faculty Mentorship and Community Partnerships
Faculty across the college enhance service-learning experiences through sustained investment in communitybased research mentorship and partnership development. Faculty guide students in community-based research projects addressing chronic disease management, behavioral health, and preventive care delivery through collaborations with organizations including the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, Caridad Clinic, and other nonprofit partners. These efforts have produced student-led conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications, strengthening the integration of education, research, and service.
Faculty also invest significant time building and sustaining strategic community-academic partnerships across South Florida. This work supports collaborative grant proposals with healthcare and nonprofit partners, advancing initiatives that improve population health outcomes and expand access to quality care.
Curriculum Innovation and Technology
Educational technology advances this year included expanded interactive teaching tools, enhanced note taking capabilities through our One-to-One iPad program, and ongoing training in artificial intelligence integration for faculty and students. We continued expanding clinical rotation opportunities across Palm Beach and Broward counties, adding new rotations in Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Transplant Nephrology, and Vascular Surgery.
Match Day Excellence
The Class of 2025 achieved a 100% residency placement rate, with 36% remaining in Florida and 25% entering primary care specialties, including internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics.
Northwestern University – McGaw Medical Center, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Duke University Medical Center, Tufts Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine
Exemplary graduates included:
Elisha Myers: Fulbright Scholar and founder of the Florida Atlantic University Student-Initiated Free Clinic serving local communities
Miguel Antonio Castro: Mentored over 500 middle and high school students in healthcare careers
Rohit Merugu: Completing his “triple Owl” journey with undergraduate, medical school, and residency training at Florida Atlantic University
Ivan Grela: Woods Scholarship recipient and former high school biology teacher
Highlights from Match Day 2025
MATCHED IN PRIMARY CARE
Rohit Merugu, MD “Triple Owl”
GRADUATE
Our GME programs achieved 100% fill rates in the NRMP Main Match for all categorical residency positions. The ACGME approved an increase in complement for Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program, and two fellows inaugurated the Emergency Medical Services Fellowship program in July 2025. All established programs achieved Continued Accreditation status. The Pulmonary Critical Care and Emergency Medical Services Fellowships successfully completed their Initial Accreditation site visits.
ATTRACTING TOP NATIONAL TALENT
48 INCOMING RESIDENTS
Medical students from schools nationwide who matched into our programs:
• Internal Medicine: 24 residents
• Surgery: 12 residents
• Emergency Medicine: 6 residents
• Psychiatry: 3 residents
• Neurology: 3 residents
Medical Schools Nationwide
Florida Atlantic University Programs Recruitment Processes
Program Innovation and Excellence
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Joint patient safety conferences across specialties (IM-EM, EM-GS, EM-Neurology)
Emergency Medicine: Rural medicine experiences at Mariners and Fishermen’s hospitals in the Keys
Internal Medicine: Innovative skilled nursing facility service at John Knox Village for geriatric care training
National Recognition and Achievements
Resident Competition Success
Shani Schwartz (PGY-2, Internal Medicine): Top Rapid-Fire Case Report Award, American College of Chest Physicians Conference
Daniel Bonthius (PGY-1, Emergency Medicine): National Young Investigator Award, North American Spine Society
Emergency Medicine Team: First place, Sono Masters competition (AAEM); Second place, inaugural AAEM Games
“Operating Owls” Surgery Team: First place, “So You Think You Can Operate” competition, American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress
Faculty Recognition
Lawrence Lottenberg, MD: William B. Long
Meritorious Achievement Award for Excellence in Chest Wall Injury Management
Emergency Medicine Faculty (led by Richard Shih, MD): $1 million research grant secured
48 Top Students Match into Florida Atlantic University
Training Excellence
47% Stay in Florida Community Impact
Fill rate across all programs
100 % of graduates remain in Florida 47%
Medical students from schools nationwide chose Florida Atlantic for residency training
Fellowship Success and Graduate Outcomes
Internal Medicine: 7 fellows placed Gastroenterology (2), Infectious Diseases, Pulmonary Critical Care, combined Geriatrics/HematologyOncology, Sports Medicine, Geriatric Medicine
Neurology: 2 of 3 graduates secured fellowships
Behavioral Neurology and Movement Disorders, Vascular Neurology
Psychiatry: 3 of 4 graduates advanced to fellowships
Geriatric Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, Addictions Medicine
Emergency Medicine: Simulation fellowship placement; one graduate joined Schmidt College of Medicine faculty, demonstrating the training-to-leadership pipeline
Professional Recognition and Honors
3 residents inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
6 residents awarded Gold Humanism Honor Society honors
Graduate Outcomes
47% of graduates remain in Florida
29% practice in Palm Beach County
Denis Babici, MD, Talwinder Nagi, MD, and Justin Dourado, MD, inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Master of Science in Biomedical Science
Our MS Biomedical Science program achieved exceptional outcomes, with a 100% two-year graduation rate and a 100% one-year retention rate, significantly outperforming the university average of 66%. With 70 enrolled students, 398 total enrollments in biomedical science courses, and 29 degrees awarded this year, the program continues growing while maintaining academic excellence.
51%
Alumni accepted into MD/DO programs
100 %
Two-year graduation rate
One-year retention rates
Graduate success stories demonstrate the effectiveness of the program, with 51% of alums accepted into MD/ DO programs, 8% advancing to dental school, 8% pursuing PhD programs, 3% entering physician assistant programs, 4% in pharmacy programs, 5% in education, and 16% securing industry research positions. Recent graduates secured acceptances at prestigious institutions, including the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Appalachian College of Pharmacy, Lincoln Memorial College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Florida Atlantic University’s own medical school.
The program awarded Summer Research Assistantships ($5,000 each) to three thesis students and Graduate Dean Fellowships ($2,500 each), supporting their research endeavors as students. All 10 thesis students presented at the Graduate Research Day, showcasing work spanning cancer biology, neurodegenerative diseases, and immunology. Notable thesis projects included studies on Alzheimer’s disease PET imaging, cancer drug resistance mechanisms, and research on cardiac dysfunction.
PhD in Integrative Biology Biomedical Science (IBBS) Our doctoral program consistently produces high-quality research and achieves successful career outcomes. Twelve students have graduated from the program, with alums securing prestigious positions including faculty appointments at Palm Beach Atlantic University, research fellowships, and industry leadership roles.
Student publications demonstrate research excellence, with work appearing in high-impact journals, including the Journal of Neuroinflammation, Journal of Neuroscience, and Nature, addressing critical topics such as Huntington’s disease, malaria research, neuroscience applications, and cancer therapeutics.
Recent PhD Graduate Placements:
Brittany Stinson: Assistant Professor, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Sulochan Malla: Research Fellow, Bennet Alzheimer’s Lab
Joshua Disatham: Bioinformatics Scientist, Labcorp Drug Development
Nirthieca Suthakaran: Microbiology Professor, Palm Beach State College
Class of 2022
Joshua Disatham, PhD, advances precision medicine as a Bioinformatics Scientist at LabCorp
New MD/MS Program
The College approved a new MD/MS dual degree program in 2025, enabling medical students to earn Master of Science in Biomedical Science concurrent with their MD degree. Students complete a capstone research experience that serves as the foundation for their master’s thesis, integrating advanced research training with clinical education.
Program Innovation and Development
2004 Biomedical Science Program approved
2010 College of Medicine IBBS PhD track approved
2023 Genomics & Predictive Health Certificate Program approved
2025 New MD/MS Program approved
2025 New PhD Pre-proposal approved in Health Science Innovation and Technology
New Degree Programs
PhD in Health Science Innovation and Technology (preliminary approval, genomics and precision medicine focus)
MD/MS dual degree program approved, integrating research training with clinical education
Joint AI for Healthcare Certificate (collaboration with College of Engineering)
Curriculum Expansion
New courses: “Multi-omics in Health and Disease” and “Integrating Genomics into Predictive Health”
Genomics and Predictive Health Certificate: 27 graduates
Enhanced Support Systems
Graduate Faculty Advising Academy
Distinguished Lecturer Seminar Series Enhanced alumni tracking systems
Strategic Partnerships
Affiliate faculty status with Scripps
FAU-MPFI MD/PhD dual degree program with Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
RESEARCH
Portfolio Overview and Funding Success
Our research enterprise has demonstrated remarkable growth, with 44 active awards totaling $28,050,278 in funding, including 23 federal awards (20 from the NIH). New funding secured this year totaled $3,536,209, comprising $3,094,294 from NIH sources, representing approximately a 35% increase in NIH funding from 2024 to 2025, and demonstrating our growing competitive success in federal research programs.
Publications & Scholarly Impact
Faculty and trainees achieved exceptional scholarly productivity with 282 total scholarly outputs this year, including 121 peer-reviewed publications, 64 poster presentations, and 67 conference presentations. This impressive output spans all levels of our academic community, demonstrating the breadth and depth of our research capabilities across basic science, clinical, and translational research domains.
Publications: 121
Presentations: 67 Posters: 64 Other: 30
ACTIVE FUNDING
Federal: $14.8M (53%)
Foundation: $12.6M (45%)
State: $700K (2%)
NEW THIS YEAR: $3.5M
NIH: $3.1M (88%)
Other: $441K (12%)
Major Funding Successes
Marc Kantorow, PhD
NIH R01, $1,906,250 from the National Eye Institute, advancing novel cell replacement therapies for degenerative diseases
Massimo Caputi, PhD, and Waseem Asghar, PhD (College of Engineering)
NIH R33 collaboration, $656,450 (part of a $1.3 million total award), advancing breakthrough HIV self-test technology
Andrea Cippitelli, PhD
NIH R21, $419,375, investigating astrocyte GPR37L1 receptor signaling in pain protection and chronic migraine
High-Impact Journals:
JAMA (IF: 55.0)
American Journal of Medicine (IF: 12.3)
Trauma, Violence & Abuse (IF: 10.3)
Journal of Neuroinflammation (IF: 10.1)
Faculty published in prestigious high-impact journals, including JAMA (impact factor 55.0), American Journal of Medicine (12.3), Trauma, Violence & Abuse (10.3), and Journal of Neuroinflammation (10.1), demonstrating the quality and influence of our research at national and international levels.
The diversity of output types - from peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals to conference presentations and patent applications - demonstrates our comprehensive approach to knowledge dissemination while training the next generation of physician-scientists and biomedical researchers.
Faculty Research Excellence Research Awards and Recognition
Andrea Cippitelli, PhD: Researcher of the Year Award (Assistant Professor level)
Charles Hennekens, MD: 33,700+ citations, top 5% of Doximity research community
Lea Sacca, PhD: Outstanding Research Mentor of the Year Award (second consecutive year)
Maria Mejia, MD: National Hispanic Medical Association 2025 Unsung Hero Awardn He ro Award
Patent Innovation
Nine patent applications resulted in issued patents covering novel treatments for cancer, malaria, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain imaging methods. Notable patents by faculty include “G-CSF gene therapy for treating neurological diseases” (Jang-Yen Wu, PhD) and “Cancer Treatment Regimen Using Anti-Parasitic Compounds and Gut Microbiome Modulating Agents” (Ceylan Isgor, PhD, and Vijaya Iragavarapu-Charyulu, PhD).
Research Capacity Expansion The college expanded research capacity with new faculty Eric Parise, PhD,
Student Research Achievements
Student research productivity significantly contributed to our total of 282 scholarly outputs across all academic levels.
UNDERGRADUATE: Researcher of the Year + 3 OURI Symposium Awards. GRADUATE: 23 Graduate Research Day presentations + International program selection. MEDICAL: Regional/national presentations + Published research.
Award-Winning Student Research
Undergraduate Excellence
Gabriella Maxey: Undergraduate Researcher of the Year (mentor: Ning Quan, PhD)
Three students: People’s Choice Awards at OURI Symposium for cardiovascular and endothelial research (mentor: Claudia Rodrigues, PhD)
Graduate Student Impact
Twenty-three graduate students presented at Graduate Research Day, spanning cancer biology, neurodegenerative diseases, and immunology. Notable achievements included:
Kayleigh Biegler: Accepted to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s competitive international Chromatin, Epigenetics & Gene Expression program
Three students from Dr. Oleinikov’s lab: Presented at March Malaria Madness Meeting
Medical Student Research Excellence
Alexandra Matarazzo (M2): Finalist, Palm Beach County Medical Society poster competition for published work on alcohol mortality trends
Sofia Valencia Osorio (M3): Clinical research poster winner for subarachnoid space imaging
Jack Yang (M3): Clinical research poster winner for adolescent marijuana use research
Students also presented at the University of Florida Dental Symposium and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery Research Symposium, demonstrating sustained research productivity across career stages.
Research Events and Collaboration
The College hosted the second annual Amyloid-Related Diseases Summit (May 15-16, 2025) and the International Symposium on Brain Function/Dysfunction and Intervention (December 16, 2024), establishing its position as a convening leader in specialized research areas. The Genomics Shared Facility, under the leadership of Massimo Caputi, PhD, and Sean Paz, PhD, expands our research infrastructure capabilities.
Our clinical programs translate educational excellence and research innovation into measurable improvements in patient care and community health outcomes. Through expanding clinical partnerships and innovative care models, we are addressing critical healthcare needs while providing exceptional training environments for our students and residents.
Primary Care Excellence and Community Access
Florida Atlantic Medical Group – Primary Care demonstrated significant community impact with 8,147 patient visits this year, reflecting our commitment to accessible, high-quality care. Our faculty providers facilitated over 4,817 referrals to specialty services through established partnerships with neighboring health organizations, ensuring coordinated and comprehensive care for patients across the region.
8,147
PATIENT VISITS
4,817
Innovative initiatives included implementing artificial intelligence tools to enhance workflow efficiency, marking a significant step in modernizing care delivery and streamlining operations. Our providers maintain active leadership roles in the healthcare community, participating in key initiatives such as the Florida Academic Healthcare Patient Safety Organization and contributing to industry dialogue at venues like the Direct Primary Care Conference.
COORDINATED CARE ACROSS THE REGION
Regional Impact
PTSD Treatment Center
(Marcus Institute of Integrative Health)
Fall Prevention Programs
Visit Florida Atlantic Medical Group
8,147 Patient Visits
Florida Atlantic Medical Group
Community Wellness Programs
Healthcare Workforce Development BROWARD COUNTY
4,817 Specialty Referrals
Clinical Training Sites
Emergency Medicine Partnerships
Transformative Integrative Health Services
The Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Florida Atlantic University, supported by a transformational $6 million grant from The Marcus Foundation, expanded holistic, patient-centered care through innovative treatment modalities. This year’s breakthrough achievement involved introducing precision image-guided injections, including ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion blocks, showing significant effectiveness in treating PTSD, particularly among veterans.
Community partnerships enhanced access to these innovative treatments, with non-profit organizations such as For the Love of a Veteran actively funding procedures to expand availability. The Institute is positioning itself as a nationally recognized center of excellence for PTSD treatment and cognitive health optimization, elevating its role in integrative mental health care.
Specialized Care and Training Innovation
Key clinical education initiatives include the new skilled nursing facility service at John Knox Village, providing unique geriatric care training while serving post-hospital patients. This innovative model integrates clinical service delivery with hands-on educational experiences for medical students and residents in the principles of geriatric care.
Our Emergency Medicine programs advanced community health initiatives and educational outreach:
Community
Programs
Richard Shih, MD: ED champion for Delray Medical Center’s Geriatric ED certification application
Fall Prevention: Physician speaker at three educational programs at local senior centers
Infrastructure Advocacy
Successfully advocated for new ultrasound equipment at Bethesda and Delray Medical Centers
These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to population health improvement while providing real-world learning opportunities for trainees.
Community Wellness and Prevention
The Marcus Institute of Integrative Health demonstrated strong community engagement through consistently sold-out wellness programming:
These well-regarded initiatives extend our impact beyond clinical care into prevention and wellness optimization.
& PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Faculty research garnered significant media coverage this year, showcasing the College’s growing impact on public health discourse.
High-Impact Research Coverage
Three major studies achieved an exceptional level of media reach. Research on alcohol-related mortality trends received coverage in over 100 media outlets worldwide, including the New York Times, FOX News, U.S. News & World Report, and Medical Economics. A study on childhood mental health disorders and caregiver impacts garnered coverage in nearly 100 global outlets. At the same time, research on skin cancer risk factors appeared in 15+ outlets, including national television and specialized medical publications.
Additional Research Coverage
Faculty research generated substantial media attention across diverse platforms:
National news: U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, NBC Miami
Medical trade publications: Medical Economics, HealthDay, Medscape
Specialized platforms: McKnight’s Senior Living, Neuroscience News, Medical Xpress
Coverage topics included teen marijuana use trends, nursing home care quality, fall-related injuries in older adults, and breakthrough discoveries in HIV testing technology and neuroscience.
Significant funding achievements also received media attention, including the $1.3 million NIH grant for HIV self-test technology and the $6 million Marcus Foundation grant, featured in South Florida Business Journal and Philanthropy News Digest.
Public Health Influence
This extensive media coverage demonstrates the faculty’s ability to translate complex research into accessible public health messaging, positioning Schmidt College as a trusted voice in national health conversations and contributing to informed public discourse on critical health issues affecting local and national communities.
MEDIA OUTLETS
Top-Tier Coverage:
New York Times
FOX News
U.S. News & World Report
NATIONAL REACH
Across Medical & Public Media
Strategic Faculty Recruitment
Faculty recruitment focused on strategic positions supporting our educational and research missions, with 16 new hires joining the College during AY2024-2025.
16 STRATEGIC NEW
FACULTY
APPOINTMENTS
Major Leadership Appointments:
Lewis Nelson, MD Dean and Chief of Health Affairs
Jennifer Caceres, MD Vice Dean for Medical Education
Lisa Clayton, DO Associate Dean for GME and DIO
Key Appointments by Area
Educational Leadership
Vibhor Agrawal, PhD: Research Director for Medical Education and Associate Professor
Nabil Abazaid, MD: Assistant Program Director, Emergency Medicine
Constance Katsafanas, DO: Neurology Program Director
James Parkkonen, MD: UME Educator and Academic Hospitalist
Andrew Quinlan, MD; Luke Alessi, MD; Danielle Sherlock, MD
Research Faculty
Biomedical Science: Eric Parise, PhD
Lyonna Parise, PhD
These strategic hires reflect our continued growth and commitment to excellence in medical education, research, and patient care.
Leadership Transitions and Strategic Appointments
Strategic leadership transitions during AY2024-2025 marked significant milestones:
Dean and Senior Leadership
Lewis S. Nelson, MD, MBA: Appointed Dean and Chief of Health Affairs
Jennifer Caceres, MD: Appointed Vice Dean for Medical Education
Lisa Clayton, DO: Appointed Associate Dean for GME and Designated Institutional Official
Department Leadership
Charles Hennekens, MD: Assumed Interim Chair, Population Health
Corinne Lasmezas, PhD: Director, David and Lynn Nicholson Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, recognized for advancing neuroscience research at Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute
The College strengthened clinical education partnerships through events like the Amyloid Summit, which combined clinical, research, and educational components, expanding its educational footprint.
Educational Leadership Ceremony Recognition
The College celebrated faculty excellence in education at two annual events. The Medical Education Retreat recognized faculty for teaching and administrative contributions across diverse educational roles. The Faculty Recognition Ceremony honored affiliate faculty who guide and mentor students in foundational and advanced clinical skills.
National and Regional Recognition
Premier National and Regional Awards
Joseph Ouslander, MD: Peter Lamy Award in Geriatric Pharmacology, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
Jennifer Caceres, MD: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), SGSA Sabalis Award for Exemplary Service
Maria Mejia, MD: National Hispanic Medical Association 2025 Unsung/Hidden Hero Award Institutional Excellence Recognition
Professional Leadership and Impact
Michelle Keba Knecht: Chair-elect, Consortium of Southern Biomedical Libraries
Charles Hennekens, MD: 33,700+ citations, top 5% Doximity research community
Michael Dobbs, MD, MHCM: Community Outreach in Stroke Prevention Recognition, Smiley’s Voice Foundation
Mahyar Nouri-Shirazi, PhD: Bruce Rendina Professional Hero Award, Palm Beach County Medical Society
Institutional Excellence
Florida Atlantic University Recognition
Andrea Cippitelli, PhD: Researcher of the Year Award
Mahyar Nouri-Shirazi, PhD: Florida Atlantic University Distinguished Mentor of the Year Award
Schmidt College of Medicine Awards
George Luck, MD: Michael L. Friedland Educational Leadership Award
Lea Sacca, PhD: COM Outstanding Research Mentor of the Year Award (second consecutive year)
Teaching Excellence
Ingrid Jones-Ince, MD: Outstanding Clinical Teacher (Internal Medicine)
Michael La Sala, DO: Outstanding Clinical Teacher (Psychiatry)
Miguel Lopez-Viego, MD: Outstanding Clinical Teacher (Surgery)
Emergency Medicine Team: Outstanding Clinical Teaching in Selectives
Faculty Development and Support
Professional Development Initiatives
Covidence training: 52 participants across 5 sessions
Faculty development workshops: AI integration and evidence synthesis research
Graduate Faculty Advising Academy: Structured career guidance for graduate students
CME programs continue expanding in their second year of accreditation. Regular Lunch and Learn events cover topics including Enhancing Small Group Learning, Mentoring Students on Research Projects, Promoting Adult Learning, and AI for Medical Educators. A Clinical Preceptor Development Workshop, hosted with the College of Nursing, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration. CME credit is now offered for Emergency Medicine Grand Rounds.
Infrastructure Development
New clinical rotations and training sites expanded the educational footprint while improving patient care access, demonstrating the integration of faculty development with institutional growth.
& PHILANTHROPY
$6M
$800K
$195K
Marcus Foundation (Integrative Health)
FairfaxWood Scholarship Foundation (Student Scholarships – 20 students annually)
$100K Constance Scott
$30K Carol E. Friedland
$25K Stewart Foundation
$20K Lynn and Joseph Ouslander, MD
$20K Lisa Knoop
Community Support
Major Gift Impact
Philanthropic support reached $8,205,812 this year, led by transformational gifts that demonstrate growing confidence in our mission.
Major Gifts
171 Donors (28 New, 20 Alumni)
White Coats-4-Care Campaign
Marcus Foundation: $6 million enabling continued growth and enhanced programming at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health
FairfaxWood Scholarship Foundation: $800,000 supporting 20 medical students annually
Constance Scott: $100,000 planned gift creating ongoing scholarship opportunities
Stewart Foundation: $25,000 enabling Healthcare Careers Opportunity Pathway (HCOP) program expansion
Student
Support and Recognition
Scholarship and Program Support
Joseph and Lynn Ouslander, MD: $20,000 for Commencement Awards recognizing geriatrics excellence
Lisa Knoop: $20,000 for SJK Lighten Up wellness program
Howard Guggenheim: New White Coat Society donor
The initiative achieved $225,000 in total support, including Constance Scott’s $100,000 planned gift commitment. The multi-month campaign culminated in a celebration event recognizing donors and their impact on student success, directly enhancing student experiences and reducing financial barriers to medical education.
Donor Engagement Excellence
Stewardship efforts included the successful “Lunch with the Dean” series hosted by Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC, Maurice D. Plough Jr., and Patricia Anastasio, MD. These gatherings strengthened the College’s philanthropic community, welcoming new advocates while showcasing achievements and highlighting future opportunities.
With 171 total donors, including 28 new supporters and 20 alumni contributors, our donor base continues to expand. Enhanced stewardship practices and personalized engagement strategies position us for sustained philanthropic growth.
Give from the heart!
Education Excellence
Class of 2025 achieved 100% residency placement rate with 36% remaining in Florida; Class of 2029 enrolled with strong academic credentials (515 MCAT, 3.85 GPA); Graduate programs maintained 100% retention and graduation rates exceeding university averages.
GME Achievement
Attracted 48 medical students from schools nationwide; residents and fellows earned national competition awards; successfully launched Emergency Medical Services Fellowship.
Graduate Program Innovation
MS Biomedical Science program reached 70 enrolled students, with 51% of alumni accepted into MD/DO programs; 29 degrees awarded with outstanding career outcomes; PhD graduates secured prestigious academic and industry positions; achieved preliminary approval for new PhD in Health Science Innovation and Technology.
Research Growth
$28 million active research portfolio with 44 awards spanning federal, state, and foundation sources; 282 scholarly outputs including 121 peer-reviewed publications; nine patent applications and issued patents covering innovative treatments; publications in high-impact journals including JAMA.
Clinical Innovation
Delivered thousands of patient visits through Florida Atlantic Medical Group; established skilled nursing facility service; expanded clinical rotation opportunities.
Media Impact
Research featured in 100+ media outlets including New York Times, FOX News, and U.S. News & World Report; three major studies achieved exceptional national reach; positioned college as trusted voice in public health discourse.
Student Success
Ugoma Onubogu earned AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Award; students presented research at national conferences; 2,500+ community service hours through 22 nonprofit partnerships.
Faculty Recognition
16 new strategic faculty hires including Dean Lewis S. Nelson, MD; Educational Leadership Ceremony honored outstanding teachers including Michael L. Friedland Award recipient George Luck, MD; earned national awards across teaching, research, and service.
Philanthropic Impact
$8.2 million raised including a transformational $6M Marcus Foundation and $800K FairfaxWood Scholarship Foundation gifts; 171 donors including 28 new supporters and 20 alumni; strengthened community connections through stewardship.
