Investigator Spotlight
Joseph Savona, MD, and Nicole Cameron, MD
Practice: Joseph F. Savona, MD, PA Oviedo, FL
Drs. Joseph Savona and Nicole Cameron, both FSU College of Medicine clerkship faculty, have taken a lead role in FSU College of Medicine’s new focus on conducting research in community healthcare settings. They were among the first physicians to join the Clinical Research Network in the Orlando area, and they have enrolled patients into both pilot studies of the CRN, a study capturing baseline and injury data on concussions in athletes aged 9 to 18, and a study exploring risky health behaviors among adolescents. They were the first site to enroll a concussion patient for a baseline screen, and then reassess the patient post-incident, utilizing the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (SCAT2). Both physicians and their staff also participated in a focus group to evaluate the GAPS, the Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services, and to provide insight on the implementation of an adolescent health risk assessment using health information technology in community practices. Both of these studies are part of Health IMPACTS for Florida, a collaborative research effort between FSU and the University of Florida, with the mission of facilitating community-based clinical research and improving health throughout the state of Florida.
Dr. Savona has actively been practicing pediatrics in Central Florida since 1980. Within his practice, he stresses the importance of taking enough time with young patients to address any and all issues they may have regarding their health. The participation of this practice in the Health IMPACTS studies has provided an additional avenue for these providers to provide optimal personalized care that can positively impact their patients’ health now and in the future.
Dr. Savona was recruited to the Orlando regional campus faculty in 2010. He completed his medical education and residency in Columbus, Ohio, at The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, respectively.
Dr. Cameron received her medical degree from New Jersey Medical School, and completed her residency in Orlando, at Arnold Palmer Medical Center. She became a clerkship faculty member with FSU College of Medicine in 2011.
