2023 Letter From Dean Julie Pilitsis, MD, PhD, MBA

777 Glades Road, BC-71, Boca Raton, FL 33431 561.297.4828, www.fau.edu/medicine

May 18, 2023 Dear Colleagues, At the close of the academic calendar year, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to join me in reflecting on our collective accomplishments over the past year at FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine (COM). I feel truly grateful for the immense progress we have made together. Embracing the role of an agent of change at the College of Medicine, I was motivated by an essential question: How can we enhance health care delivery in South Florida while providing valuable educational experiences for our learners, fostering research in academic medicine, and improving access and quality of care for our patients? This question has guided our unified efforts in developing and aligning the strategic plans of COM, our Graduate Medical Education (GME) consortium, and FAU Health Network. While change is challenging, it remains essential for progress and growth.

Our success would not have been possible without the vital contributions from each of you. From our dedicated faculty and staff to our talented students, residents, and fellows, we have embraced the guiding principle of being "Of the Community, For the Community." Together, we have made significant progress towards a brighter future. I am truly thankful for this opportunity to share with you some of our outstanding achievements as a team and to discuss our plans for the road ahead. With this in mind, let us take a moment to acknowledge our shared accomplishments, as we persistently work towards fostering positive transformations for the future of FAU Schmidt College of Medicine.

Thanks to the hard work of our team, we've achieved major milestones to secure the resources we need for the future! These milestones include: 1. We made history by receiving an additional $5M in recurring funds from the state legislature resulting in nearly 20% growth in annual funding. We engaged with over 300 community stakeholders, actively participating in legislative and business initiatives. We are so thankful to the contributions of FAU’s legislative team - Ryan Britton, Camila Mychalczuk, and Bethany Alex.

2. Our team's dedication and fundraising skills were evident when we secured a $28 million donation to fund the "Doctors Without Debt" program last year, reaching a total of over $42M in philanthropic contributions (David Green/Amy Mauser) to date, with more information on a recent contribution coming soon. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our incredible donors, including Dick Schmidt, Barb Schmidt, Ann and John Wood, Jayne Klein, and the White Coats-4-Care supporters.

Your generosity has been critical to our success, and we are immensely grateful for your commitment to COM. 3. I take pride in the teamwork that contributed to securing the necessary spaces for the expansion of our medical school class size as we foresee further growth in our college for lectures, small groups and simulation. Furthermore, our investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure such as MRI facilities, large animal facilities, and an electrophysiological suite enables us to access cutting-edge technology to propel our research forward.

4. Our united, intentional efforts have also earned us a place on the US News and World Reports ranking for the first time ever, at number 106 out of 172. Our first ranking in US News and World Reports was truly a result of our combined team efforts. FAU’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Analysis (IEA) in collaboration with Dr. Janet Robishaw and her team evaluated the data.

Recognizing that improving our peer reputation was crucial, numerous staff members - including An Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Institution

those from the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions under Dr. Jennifer Caceres' leadership and the Dean's office staff led by Rebecca Napier - diligently worked to promote the exceptional work being done at FAU. The remarkable increase in peer recognition from Deans, Dean's Offices, and Internal Medicine Chairs is a testament to everyone's unwavering commitment. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to those who contributed in various ways, such as networking during meetings (Dr. Jennifer Caceres and her team), circulating written announcements (Fatima Georges/Nancy Gracia and all leadership/chairs), creating the Dean's Book (Anne Fennimore, Irina Weiner, and numerous others), and spreading the word via social media (Olesea Svet, Irina Weiner and many others). A special note of gratitude goes to Michael Turtz for his dedication that kept us all organized. My appreciation goes out to each individual involved in this collaborative effort. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed!

5. We have implemented a new Promotion and Tenure process along with electronic AORs and evaluations (Dr. Joanna Drowos, Jay Morris, Catie Gouchenour, Stephanie Gabrielsen, Sara Greene). Additionally, we introduced our Merit and Performance-Based Incentive program (Rebecca Napier). I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for everyone's contributions in these achievements. We consistently communicate these initiatives during our eight annual Town Halls and Faculty meetings as well as in our monthly COM newsletter to keep everyone informed and engaged.

6. When it comes to media attention, we absolutely nailed it! With our first commercial (Olesea Svet) airing on ESPN+, we made a powerful impact. Not stopping there, our Scripps TV segment (Gisele Galoustian), captivated 22 million viewers across 55 national TV stations. With a total of 8,080 media hits locally, nationally, and internationally, COM gained widespread recognition, resulting in an estimated ad value of approximately $69 million. Notably, the study conducted by Dr. Sarah Wood and Dr. Charles Hennekens garnered significant media attention with nearly 300 hits globally, reaching an estimated audience of 190 million and an ad value of $1.7 million. And let's not forget the extraordinary media coverage generated by the Florida Atlantic Men's Basketball team’s success in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, equivalent to a staggering $1.91 billion.

In light of our unwavering pursuit of academic excellence, I am immensely proud to acknowledge the collective efforts of our dedicated teams. Our strong work in undergraduate medical education is best shown through our exceptional group of matriculated medical students, chosen from over 5,000 applicants with impressive median GPA of 3.7-3.8 and a median MCAT of 513. The Class of 2022 exhibited a remarkable 93% satisfaction rate in their AAMC Graduation Questionnaire, significantly surpassing the national average.

1. We have been approved to matriculate 80 students this Fall, 2023! Our diligent team is also working tirelessly to submit an LCME application for a class size expansion to 104 for AY 2024-2025, reflecting a significant 62.5% increase in trained medical students. I deeply appreciate the hard work of our teams, who have not only secured more space for first and second-year didactics and the simulation center but are also actively expanding clinical rotations for M3 and M4, shadowing experiences, and research opportunities.

2. Dr. Jennifer Caceres and her team have collaborated with FAU College of Science Pre-Health Professions Office (Dr. Evonne Rezler) and have successfully established new pathway programs, creating a clear route for aspiring students from both undergraduate programs (Soar-in-4) and high school to medical school. Additionally, this team has hosted monthly webinar series, "So You Want to Be a Doctor", providing invaluable insights to students both locally and regionally.

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3. We are excited to highlight the recent promotions of key faculty on our undergraduate medical education leadership team who serve crucial roles in the success of our UME expansion.  Dr. Suzanne Bertollo: promoted to Associate Dean for Medical Education.  Dr. Mark Di Corcia: promoted to Associate Dean for Educational Affairs and Admissions.  Dr. Michelle Lizotte-Waniewski: promoted to Assistant Dean for Preclinical Curriculum.  Dr. Jennifer Foster: promoted to Assistant Dean for Clinical Curriculum.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who played a part in these remarkable achievements. From the dedicated admissions team to the exceptional faculty and staff in medical education and student affairs, and our esteemed leadership, each and every one of you has contributed to our success.

In Graduate Medical Education, we are grateful for the collective efforts of Dr. Curtis Whitehair and his team, our program directors, chairs, and hospital partners in updating our strategic plan. In a testament to the hard work and collaboration of all involved, we proudly report that an impressive 41% of our graduating residents and fellows have chosen to pursue their careers in Florida post-graduation. Furthermore, 28% have opted to remain in Palm Beach County, and 9% have found employment at an FAU Clinical Training Site.

Our success is a direct result of the dedication and teamwork demonstrated by everyone involved in the process. This year: 1. The consortium agreement has been revised with our long-standing Baptist and Tenet partners, as well as the inclusion of the West Palm Beach VA. This new agreement not only strengthens our operational funding but also fosters greater community involvement. We are particularly excited about the collaboration with the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, which will serve as the host for our psychiatry residents starting July 2023.

2. Notably, we have been approved for a new ACGME fellowship – our new first training experience in three years! Looking ahead, we are working to introduce two more fellowships and exploring possibilities for new residency programs within the consortium.

3. We have recruited new APDs and clinical faculty which continually strengthens our resolve to maintain educational excellence in our GME programs.

Our MS in Biomedical Science, PhD in Integrative Biology-Biomedical Science (IBBS), PhD in Neuroscience and Post-Baccalaureate programs continue to excel. Together, these programs educate over 100 graduate students and ~20 post-bacc students, reflecting the vital role of the COM in shaping their educational journey. We have carefully considered ways to enhance the alignment of these programs with each other and with medical and undergraduate education. To that end: 1. I am truly grateful for the support from the Office of Community Engagement, which has played a crucial role in developing pathway programs for high school students, ensuring a seamless transition into undergraduate studies in science. I would like to extend my gratitude to Alicia Rootes, Dr. Peter Averkiou, Jonathan Kolkana, and Nancy Gracia, and all the faculty and staff who have contributed to our collaborations with over 35 elementary, junior high, and high schools, offering valuable service-learning opportunities and community engagement initiatives.

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2. I am pleased to announce that Drs. Marc Kantorow, Mario Jacomino, and Jennifer Caceres have worked together to roll out new advising programs for our graduate and post-bacc students to best help them reach their goals. To ensure streamlined educational experiences, Dr. Marc Kantorow will now oversee both the graduate and post-bacc programs with Dr. Jacomino continuing to serve in his integral role.

As we endeavor to achieve excellence in academic medicine, the establishment of a thriving research enterprise is paramount. We are sincerely grateful for the outstanding contributions of Dr. Janet Robishaw, Dr. Scott Alter, as well as the entire team and faculty, who have worked tirelessly to make these opportunities possible. Notably: 1. Our current research portfolio has reached an unprecedented milestone, with 71 active awards amounting to an impressive $31 million in funding. This reflects a remarkable 31% increase in total research expenditures over the past five years.

2. We have partnered with Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) to launch an MD/PhD program which we will recruit to this year. Together, we will shape the future of neuroscience and foster a new generation of brilliant minds.

3. We have gained access to powerful research databases and clinical data from Insightec, OneFlorida, TriNetX, and Caridad Center through Aim Ahead. With the aid of Dr. Lea Sacca, we have garnered data from the Health Care District and Department of Health both in Palm Beach County. These collaborative efforts relationships with partners and numerous institutions across the US amplify our research potential and elevate patient care delivery.

4. The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, led by Andrew Duffell, has revitalized their strategic plan, and we are delighted to see its strong alignment with COM's strategic plan.

5. We have established a strong foundation for learner participation by nearly doubling the involvement of medical students in COM research projects. A big thanks to all the faculty members who mentor and guide these learners, as well as Drs. Robishaw, Alter, and Wojcikiewicz for their exceptional leadership.

6. We are thrilled to share that an impressive 50% of the students in the PhD in Neuroscience programled by Dr. Randy Blakely and housed at Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, have chosen COM faculty as their mentors. As we continue joint collaborations with M3F and Palm Health Foundation, our combined efforts drive impactful advancements in brain health research.

7. Looking ahead, I am excited to share our plans for the Health Science Innovation and Technology PhD Program, which will provide tailored research opportunities across diverse healthcare disciplines (Drs. Marc Kantorow, Bridget Smith, Lisa Brennan, and many more).

From a clinical perspective, we have renewed excitement surrounding FAU Medicine and Marcus Institute of Integrated Health. This has been made possible under the collective leadership of Rebecca Napier, Dr. Branson Collins, Rony Pauleus, faculty, and staff. Through their dedication, we have significantly increased our offerings and volume, and for the first time in our practice's history, we are now budget neutral! To maintain this progress, we have implemented dashboards and methods to monitor productivity and outcomes (Collin Coble). Our team is now developing new programs centered on wellness for older adults within the community (Sara Green). I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Leonard Berkowitz

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and Lis Lord-Duchemin for their unwavering commitment to keeping the clinic thriving through the years.

You inspire us all!

To expand our outreach in academic medicine, we have made significant strides in several areas: 1. Launching FAU Health Network & Engaging Stakeholders: We are deeply grateful for the invaluable contributions of all stakeholders who have actively shaped the development of FAU Health Network. Through their participation in four significant sessions with regional partners and FAU Board of Trustee members, as well as six internal visioning sessions and two legislative meetings, engaging with a total of 300 stakeholders, we have fostered a collaborative environment that ensures well-rounded consideration of all aspects. To facilitate comprehensive planning, subcommittees were established in Education, Community Partnerships, Research, and Legislation.

This collective effort has led to the formation of new alliances with Broward Health, Health Care District of Palm Beach County, Caridad Center, Florida Department of Health, and the West Palm Beach VA. By strengthening our impact in healthcare and aligning with our mission to serve the community, FAU Health Network is poised to transform the future of healthcare delivery.

2. Faculty Appointments: We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Larry Lottenberg as Chair of Surgery and the upcoming arrival of our endowed Chair, Dr. Michael Dobbs, who will serve as Chair of Clinical Neurosciences starting in July. We are grateful to Dr. Michele Retrouvey and Dr. Charles H. Hennekens for their invaluable contributions as Interim Chairs.

3. Faculty Recruitments: Our collaborative efforts have led to the successful recruitment and onboarding of exceptional faculty members (Jennifer Munro, Catie Gouchenour, Stephanie Gabrielsen, Sara Greene) with proficiency in diverse areas, including pharmacology, anatomy, radiology, and longitudinal clinical experience, further strengthening our team.

As I bring this letter to a close, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the collective efforts that have propelled the College of Medicine to new heights. Together, we have embraced change and united under a shared vision, expanding our educational programs, increasing our philanthropic efforts, and making a positive impact on our community. I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you, from our esteemed faculty and staff to our passionate learners and community partners. Your unique perspectives, skills, and ideas have enriched our endeavors and played a vital role in our success. As we look ahead, I am filled with optimism and excitement for the future. Guided by our core values and a deep sense of purpose, we will navigate the path of progress together.

Challenges may arise, but I have full confidence in our ability to overcome them as a team. Drawing strength from our collective wisdom and determination, we will continue to shape a bright future for OUR College and the healthcare we provide. Thank you for your unwavering support and for being part of this exceptional team. Together, we have accomplished great things, and I am honored to stand alongside each and every one of you. Let us remember the words: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."

With gratitude, Julie G. Pilitsis MD, PhD, MBA An Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Institution