May18,2023
DearColleagues,
Atthecloseoftheacademiccalendaryear,itiswithgreatpleasurethatIinviteyoutojoinmeinreflecting onourcollectiveaccomplishmentsoverthepastyearatFAU'sSchmidtCollegeofMedicine(COM).Ifeel trulygratefulfortheimmenseprogresswehavemadetogether.Embracingtheroleofanagentofchangeat theCollegeofMedicine,Iwasmotivatedbyanessentialquestion:Howcanweenhancehealthcare deliveryinSouthFloridawhileprovidingvaluableeducationalexperiencesforourlearners,fostering researchinacademicmedicine,andimprovingaccessandqualityofcareforourpatients?Thisquestionhas guidedourunifiedeffortsindevelopingandaligningthestrategicplansofCOM,ourGraduateMedical Education(GME)consortium,andFAUHealthNetwork.Whilechangeischallenging,itremainsessential forprogressandgrowth.
Oursuccesswouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthevitalcontributionsfromeachofyou. Fromour dedicatedfacultyandstafftoourtalentedstudents,residents,andfellows,wehaveembracedtheguiding principleofbeing"OftheCommunity,FortheCommunity."Together,wehavemadesignificantprogress towardsabrighterfuture.Iamtrulythankfulforthisopportunitytosharewithyousomeofouroutstanding achievementsasateamandtodiscussourplansfortheroadahead.Withthisinmind,letustakeamoment toacknowledgeoursharedaccomplishments,aswepersistentlyworktowardsfosteringpositive transformationsforthefutureofFAUSchmidtCollegeofMedicine.
Thankstothehardworkofourteam,we'veachievedmajormilestonestosecurethe resourcesweneedfor thefuture!Thesemilestonesinclude:
1. Wemadehistorybyreceivinganadditional$5Minrecurringfundsfromthestatelegislature resultinginnearly20%growthinannualfunding.Weengagedwithover300community stakeholders,activelyparticipatinginlegislativeandbusinessinitiatives.Wearesothankfultothe contributionsofFAU’slegislativeteam-RyanBritton,CamilaMychalczuk,andBethanyAlex.
2. Ourteam'sdedicationandfundraisingskillswereevidentwhenwesecureda$28milliondonationto fundthe"DoctorsWithoutDebt"programlastyear,reachingatotalofover$42Minphilanthropic contributions(DavidGreen/AmyMauser)todate,withmoreinformationonarecentcontribution comingsoon.Iwouldliketoextendmyheartfeltgratitudetoourincredibledonors,includingDick Schmidt,BarbSchmidt,AnnandJohnWood,JayneKlein,andtheWhiteCoats-4-Caresupporters. Yourgenerosityhasbeencriticaltooursuccess,andweareimmenselygratefulforyour commitmenttoCOM.
3. Itakeprideintheteamworkthatcontributedtosecuringthenecessaryspacesfortheexpansionof ourmedicalschoolclasssizeasweforeseefurthergrowthinourcollegeforlectures,smallgroups andsimulation.Furthermore,ourinvestmentinstate-of-the-artinfrastructuresuchasMRIfacilities, largeanimalfacilities,andanelectrophysiologicalsuiteenablesustoaccesscutting-edgetechnology topropelourresearchforward.
4. Ourunited,intentionaleffortshavealsoearnedusaplaceontheUSNewsandWorldReports rankingforthefirsttimeever,atnumber106outof172.Our first ranking inUSNewsandWorld Reportswastruly aresultofourcombinedteamefforts.FAU’sOfficeofInstitutionalEffectiveness andAnalysis(IEA)incollaborationwithDr.JanetRobishawandherteamevaluatedthedata. Recognizingthatimprovingourpeerreputationwascrucial,numerousstaffmembers-including
thosefromtheOfficeofStudentAffairsandAdmissionsunderDr.JenniferCaceres'leadershipand theDean'sofficestaffledbyRebeccaNapier-diligentlyworkedtopromotetheexceptionalwork beingdoneatFAU.TheremarkableincreaseinpeerrecognitionfromDeans,Dean'sOffices,and InternalMedicineChairsisatestamenttoeveryone'sunwaveringcommitment.Iwouldliketo expressmyheartfeltappreciationtothosewhocontributedinvariousways,suchasnetworking duringmeetings(Dr.JenniferCaceresandherteam),circulatingwrittenannouncements(Fatima Georges/NancyGraciaandallleadership/chairs),creatingtheDean'sBook(AnneFennimore,Irina Weiner,andnumerousothers),andspreadingthewordviasocialmedia(OleseaSvet,IrinaWeiner andmanyothers).AspecialnoteofgratitudegoestoMichaelTurtzforhisdedicationthatkeptusall organized.Myappreciationgoesouttoeachindividualinvolvedinthiscollaborativeeffort.Your hardworkhasnotgoneunnoticed!
5. WehaveimplementedanewPromotionandTenureprocessalongwithelectronicAORsand evaluations(Dr.JoannaDrowos,JayMorris,CatieGouchenour,Stephanie Gabrielsen,Sara Greene).Additionally,weintroducedourMeritandPerformance-BasedIncentiveprogram(Rebecca Napier).Iwouldliketoexpressmyheartfeltappreciationforeveryone'scontributionsinthese achievements.WeconsistentlycommunicatetheseinitiativesduringoureightannualTownHalls andFacultymeetingsaswellasinourmonthlyCOMnewslettertokeepeveryoneinformedand engaged.
6. Whenitcomestomediaattention,weabsolutely nailedit!Withourfirstcommercial(OleseaSvet) airingonESPN+,wemadeapowerfulimpact.Notstoppingthere,ourScrippsTVsegment(Gisele Galoustian),captivated22millionviewersacross55nationalTVstations.Withatotalof8,080 mediahitslocally,nationally,andinternationally,COMgainedwidespreadrecognition,resultingin anestimatedadvalueofapproximately$69million.Notably,thestudyconductedbyDr.Sarah WoodandDr.CharlesHennekensgarneredsignificantmediaattentionwithnearly300hitsglobally, reachinganestimatedaudienceof190millionandanadvalueof$1.7million.Andlet'snotforget theextraordinarymedia coveragegeneratedbytheFloridaAtlanticMen'sBasketballteam’ssuccess inthe2023NCAATournament,equivalenttoastaggering$1.91billion.
Inlightofourunwaveringpursuitofacademicexcellence,Iamimmenselyproudtoacknowledgethe collectiveeffortsofourdedicatedteams.Ourstrongworkin undergraduatemedicaleducation isbest shownthroughourexceptionalgroupofmatriculatedmedicalstudents,chosenfromover5,000applicants withimpressivemedianGPAof3.7-3.8andamedianMCATof513.TheClassof2022exhibiteda remarkable93%satisfactionrateintheirAAMC GraduationQuestionnaire,significantlysurpassingthe nationalaverage.
1. Wehavebeenapprovedtomatriculate80studentsthisFall,2023!Ourdiligentteamisalsoworking tirelesslytosubmitanLCMEapplicationforaclasssizeexpansionto104forAY2024-2025, reflectingasignificant62.5%increaseintrainedmedicalstudents.Ideeplyappreciatethehardwork ofourteams,whohavenotonlysecuredmorespaceforfirstandsecond-yeardidacticsandthe simulationcenterbutarealsoactivelyexpandingclinicalrotationsforM3andM4,shadowing experiences,andresearchopportunities.
2. Dr.JenniferCaceresandherteamhavecollaboratedwithFAUCollegeofSciencePre-Health ProfessionsOffice(Dr.EvonneRezler)andhavesuccessfullyestablishednewpathwayprograms, creatingaclearrouteforaspiringstudentsfrombothundergraduateprograms(Soar-in-4)andhigh schooltomedicalschool. Additionally,thisteamhashostedmonthlywebinarseries,"SoYouWant toBeaDoctor",providinginvaluableinsightstostudentsbothlocallyandregionally.
3. Weareexcitedtohighlightthe recent promotions ofkeyfacultyonourundergraduatemedical educationleadershipteamwhoservecrucialrolesinthesuccessofourUMEexpansion.
Dr.SuzanneBertollo:promotedtoAssociateDeanforMedicalEducation.
Dr.MarkDiCorcia:promotedtoAssociateDeanforEducationalAffairsand Admissions.
Dr.MichelleLizotte-Waniewski:promotedtoAssistantDeanforPreclinicalCurriculum.
Dr.JenniferFoster:promotedtoAssistantDeanforClinicalCurriculum.
Iextendmyheartfeltgratitudetoallthosewhoplayedapartintheseremarkableachievements.Fromthe dedicatedadmissionsteamtotheexceptionalfacultyandstaffinmedicaleducationandstudentaffairs,and ouresteemedleadership,eachandeveryoneofyouhascontributedtooursuccess.
InGraduateMedicalEducation,wearegratefulforthecollectiveeffortsofDr.CurtisWhitehairandhis team,ourprogramdirectors,chairs,andhospitalpartnersinupdatingourstrategicplan.Inatestamenttothe hardworkandcollaborationofallinvolved,weproudlyreportthatanimpressive41%ofourgraduating residentsandfellowshavechosentopursuetheircareersinFloridapost-graduation.Furthermore,28%have optedtoremaininPalmBeachCounty,and9%havefoundemploymentatanFAUClinicalTrainingSite. Oursuccessisadirectresultofthededicationand teamworkdemonstratedbyeveryoneinvolvedinthe process.Thisyear:
1. Theconsortiumagreementhasbeenrevisedwithourlong-standingBaptistandTenetpartners,as wellastheinclusionoftheWestPalmBeachVA.Thisnewagreementnotonlystrengthensour operationalfundingbutalsofostersgreatercommunityinvolvement.Weareparticularlyexcited aboutthecollaborationwiththeHealthCareDistrictofPalmBeachCounty,whichwillserveasthe hostforourpsychiatryresidentsstartingJuly2023.
2. Notably,wehavebeenapprovedforanewACGMEfellowship–ournewfirsttrainingexperience inthreeyears!Lookingahead,weareworkingtointroducetwomorefellowshipsandexploring possibilitiesfornewresidencyprogramswithintheconsortium.
3. WehaverecruitednewAPDsandclinicalfacultywhichcontinuallystrengthensourresolveto maintaineducationalexcellenceinourGMEprograms.
OurMSinBiomedicalScience,PhDinIntegrativeBiology-BiomedicalScience (IBBS),PhDin NeuroscienceandPost-Baccalaureateprogramscontinuetoexcel.Together,theseprogramseducateover 100graduatestudentsand~20post-baccstudents,reflectingthevitalroleoftheCOMinshapingtheir educationaljourney.Wehavecarefullyconsideredwaystoenhancethealignmentoftheseprogramswith eachotherandwithmedicalandundergraduateeducation.Tothatend:
1. IamtrulygratefulforthesupportfromtheOfficeofCommunityEngagement,whichhasplayeda crucialroleindevelopingpathwayprogramsforhighschoolstudents,ensuringaseamlesstransition intoundergraduatestudiesinscience.IwouldliketoextendmygratitudetoAliciaRootes,Dr.Peter Averkiou,JonathanKolkana,andNancyGracia,andallthefacultyandstaffwhohavecontributed toourcollaborationswithover35elementary,juniorhigh,andhighschools,offeringvaluable service-learningopportunitiesandcommunityengagementinitiatives.
2. IampleasedtoannouncethatDrs.MarcKantorow,MarioJacomino,andJenniferCacereshave workedtogethertorolloutnewadvisingprogramsforourgraduateandpost-baccstudentstobest helpthemreachtheirgoals.Toensurestreamlinededucationalexperiences, Dr.MarcKantorow will nowoverseeboththegraduateandpost-baccprogramswithDr.Jacominocontinuingtoserveinhis integralrole.
Asweendeavortoachieveexcellenceinacademicmedicine,theestablishmentofathriving research enterpriseisparamount.WearesincerelygratefulfortheoutstandingcontributionsofDr.JanetRobishaw, Dr.ScottAlter,aswellastheentireteamandfaculty,whohaveworkedtirelesslytomakethese opportunitiespossible.Notably:
1. Ourcurrentresearchportfoliohasreachedanunprecedentedmilestone,with71activeawards amountingtoanimpressive$31millioninfunding.Thisreflectsaremarkable31%increaseintotal researchexpendituresoverthepastfiveyears.
2. Wehavepartneredwith MaxPlanckFloridaInstituteforNeuroscience(MPFI)tolaunchan MD/PhDprogramwhichwewillrecruittothisyear.Together,wewillshapethefutureof neuroscienceandfosteranewgenerationofbrilliantminds.
3. WehavegainedaccesstopowerfulresearchdatabasesandclinicaldatafromInsightec,OneFlorida, TriNetX,andCaridadCenterthroughAimAhead.WiththeaidofDr.LeaSacca,wehavegarnered datafromtheHealthCareDistrictandDepartmentofHealthbothinPalmBeachCounty.These collaborativeeffortsrelationshipswithpartnersandnumerousinstitutionsacrosstheUSamplifyour researchpotentialandelevatepatientcaredelivery.
4. TheResearchParkatFloridaAtlanticUniversity,ledbyAndrewDuffell,hasrevitalizedtheir strategicplan,andwearedelightedtoseeitsstrongalignmentwithCOM'sstrategicplan.
5. Wehaveestablishedastrongfoundationforlearnerparticipationby nearly doubling the involvementofmedicalstudentsinCOMresearchprojects.Abigthankstoallthefacultymembers whomentorandguidetheselearners,aswellasDrs.Robishaw,Alter,andWojcikiewiczfortheir exceptionalleadership.
6. Wearethrilledtosharethatanimpressive50%ofthestudentsinthePhDinNeuroscienceprogramledbyDr.RandyBlakelyandhousedatStiles-NicholsonBrainInstitute,havechosenCOMfaculty astheirmentors.AswecontinuejointcollaborationswithM3FandPalmHealthFoundation,our combinedeffortsdriveimpactfuladvancementsinbrainhealthresearch.
7. Lookingahead,Iamexcitedtoshareourplansfor theHealthScienceInnovationandTechnology PhDProgram,whichwillprovidetailoredresearchopportunitiesacrossdiversehealthcare disciplines(Drs.MarcKantorow,BridgetSmith,LisaBrennan,andmanymore).
Fromaclinicalperspective,wehaverenewedexcitementsurroundingFAUMedicineandMarcusInstitute ofIntegratedHealth.ThishasbeenmadepossibleunderthecollectiveleadershipofRebeccaNapier,Dr. BransonCollins,RonyPauleus,faculty,andstaff.Throughtheirdedication,wehavesignificantlyincreased ourofferingsandvolume,andforthefirsttimeinourpractice'shistory,wearenowbudgetneutral!To maintainthisprogress,wehaveimplementeddashboardsandmethodstomonitorproductivityand outcomes(CollinCoble).Ourteamisnowdevelopingnewprograms centeredonwellnessforolderadults withinthecommunity(SaraGreen).IwouldliketoexpressmysinceregratitudetoDr.LeonardBerkowitz
andLisLord-Ducheminfortheirunwaveringcommitmenttokeepingtheclinicthrivingthroughtheyears. Youinspireusall!
Toexpandouroutreachinacademicmedicine,wehavemadesignificantstridesinseveralareas:
1. Launching FAU Health Network & Engaging Stakeholders: Wearedeeplygratefulforthe invaluablecontributionsofallstakeholderswhohaveactivelyshapedthedevelopmentofFAU HealthNetwork.Throughtheirparticipationinfoursignificantsessionswithregionalpartnersand FAUBoardofTrusteemembers,aswellassixinternalvisioningsessionsandtwolegislative meetings,engagingwithatotalof300stakeholders,wehavefosteredacollaborativeenvironment thatensureswell-roundedconsiderationofallaspects.Tofacilitatecomprehensiveplanning, subcommitteeswereestablishedinEducation,CommunityPartnerships,Research,andLegislation. ThiscollectiveefforthasledtotheformationofnewallianceswithBrowardHealth,HealthCare DistrictofPalmBeachCounty,CaridadCenter,FloridaDepartmentofHealth,andtheWestPalm BeachVA.Bystrengtheningourimpactinhealthcareandaligningwithourmissiontoservethe community,FAUHealthNetworkispoisedtotransformthefutureofhealthcaredelivery.
2. Faculty Appointments: WearedelightedtoannouncetheappointmentofDr.LarryLottenbergas ChairofSurgeryandtheupcomingarrivalofourendowedChair,Dr.MichaelDobbs,whowill serveasChairofClinicalNeurosciencesstartinginJuly.WearegratefultoDr.MicheleRetrouvey andDr.CharlesH.Hennekensfortheirinvaluable contributionsasInterimChairs.
3. Faculty Recruitments:Ourcollaborativeeffortshaveledtothesuccessful recruitmentand onboardingofexceptionalfacultymembers(JenniferMunro,CatieGouchenour,Stephanie Gabrielsen,SaraGreene)withproficiencyindiverseareas,includingpharmacology,anatomy, radiology,andlongitudinalclinicalexperience,furtherstrengtheningourteam.
AsIbringthislettertoaclose,Icannothelpbutfeeladeepsenseofgratitudeandappreciationforthe collectiveeffortsthathavepropelledtheCollegeofMedicinetonewheights.Together,wehaveembraced changeandunitedunderasharedvision,expandingoureducationalprograms,increasingourphilanthropic efforts,andmakingapositiveimpactonourcommunity.Iextendmydeepestgratitudetoeachandevery oneofyou,fromouresteemedfacultyandstaffto ourpassionatelearnersandcommunitypartners.Your uniqueperspectives,skills,andideashaveenrichedourendeavorsandplayedavitalroleinoursuccess.As welookahead,Iamfilledwithoptimismandexcitementforthefuture.Guidedbyourcorevaluesanda deepsenseofpurpose,wewillnavigatethepathofprogresstogether.
Challengesmayarise,butIhavefullconfidenceinourabilitytoovercomethemasateam.Drawing strengthfromourcollectivewisdomanddetermination,wewillcontinuetoshapeabrightfutureforOUR Collegeandthehealthcareweprovide.Thankyouforyourunwaveringsupportandforbeingpartof this exceptionalteam.Together,wehaveaccomplishedgreatthings,and Iamhonoredtostandalongsideeach andeveryoneofyou.Letusrememberthewords:"Ifyouwanttogofast,goalone;ifyouwanttogofar, gotogether."
Withgratitude,
JulieG.PilitsisMD,PhD,MBA