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What is BSSM?
The Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine centers on research, scholarship, teaching, training, clinical care and service that emphasizes behavioral, physical, social, and lifestyle factors in health and health outcomes. With our community partners, our work prioritizes impacts on lifespan health from childhood to aging and aims to develop and deploy effective solutions to improve health for all.
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Highlighting Postdoc Research Day
We were honored to have Vice President for Research, Stacey Patterson, and Dean Littles join us in celebrating our Postdoc Research Day. It was an exciting opportunity to showcase the incredible research being conducted across our department.
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Dementia Caregiving and Family Estate Planning: Strategies to Prepare Effectively for the Future
The workshop offers practical information about developing a well-rounded estate plan to arrange and protect your family assets. Key topics of the workshop include the importance of estate planning, basics in creating a last will and testament and a living will, pros and cons of trusts, and instructions for using advance directives.
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Importance of Safety and Mental Health in the Workplace
The Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet on Safety, Health and Sustainability hosted its 2025 Corporate Leadership Workshop on Safety & Mental Health in the Workplace. The workshop featured expert-led discussions by mental health care integration expert Heather Flynn and safety leader Mark Morgan, emphasizing the role leadership plays in fostering safer and healthier workplaces.
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Navigating Florida’s Health Care Landscape
BSSM was honored to host Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, for her insightful lecture to our medical students on “Navigating Florida's Health Care Landscape: Challenges, Innovations, and Strategic Opportunities.” Her data-driven presentation examined workforce development, payer models, behavioral health, innovative care solutions, recent legislative changes, and key hospital investments. Attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of these critical issues, as well as valuable strategic insights into the future of Florida's evolving health care system.
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Call to Action to Address Maternal Mental Health
The Center for Behavioral Health Integration recently spoke at the “Maternal Mortality Call to Action” webinar hosted by the Florida Hospital Association. Hear from Dr. Cole Greves, MD, reviewing maternal mortality rates, BSSM Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., highlighting efforts from Florida BH Impact to improve maternal and pediatric access to care and treatment, Lori Shea detailing how Lakeland Regional Health supports maternal patients, and Andrew Reeve from Babyscripts on their mobile solution for reducing maternal mortality.
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ADvancing interRAI: Using Better Data, Better
BSSM faculty members Jeffrey Harman, Ph.D., Samantha Goldfarb, Dr.PH., M.P.H., Katelyn Graves, Ph.D. and Jon Mills, Ph.D., M.B.A. introduce ADvancing interRAI. This new initiative is building shared infrastructure that supports state efforts to improve how they assess people and provide them Home and Community Based Services using the interRAI Home Care system, to assign resources and use data for policy and program improvement.
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Community Rounds on Highlighting Rare Diseases
BSSM resumes its Community Rounds series with “Highlighting Pediatric Rare Diseases and Community Impacts” on April 3, from 12pm - 1pm EST. The virtual panel of participants includes Pradeep Bhide, Director of the Florida State University Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases, Michele Holbrook, 2023 National Ambassador for the Children's Tumor Foundation, and Yang Hou, Assistant Professor in FSU College of Medicine Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine.
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
Bailey & Stover on Evaluating Education Programs to Safeguard Nutrition Security
These programs play a vital role in improving diet quality and reducing chronic disease among low-income populations. However, inconsistent evaluation methods across states…
Flynn and Naar Join Global Leaders at 2025 Motivational Interviewing Summit
The MI Summit was a high-impact with interactive roundtables, panel discussions, and collaborative exploration around the next frontiers of MI practice and research.
FSU Neuromodulation Awarded $3M DoD Grant to Revolutionize PTSD Treatment
The study explores whether intensive TMS, administered five times daily over five days, can offer long-lasting relief for PTSD. All participants will receive active TMS…
Naar and Spring Shape National Training Effort as ORBIT Institute Enters Third Year
This NIH-funded program is designed to enhance researchers’ ability to develop and test behavioral interventions that improve health outcomes, using the ORBIT model as a…
Impact of Secondhand Vape Exposure on Adolescents' Willingness to Try E-Cigarettes
This study reveals that adolescents exposed to secondhand aerosol (SHA) from e-cigarettes are significantly more likely to consider trying vaping products, even if they’ve…
Ennis and Classen Awarded NIDA-Funded Study to Explore Impact of Medical Marijuana and Opioid Use on Driving in Older Adults
This is currently the only study on medical marijuana and aging in the U.S. using an open-road driving performance task. As medical marijuana use in this demographic has more…
Ennis Appointed to CAN Community of Health Board of Directors
She will serve on the Quality Care Committee, where her expertise in behavioral science, public health, and research translation will help advance CAN’s mission of patient-…
Nagpal and Sheffler Awarded Grant for Gut-Brain Axis Research in Older Adults
By leveraging advanced multi-omics methods (genomics, transcriptomics, etc.), the team aims to uncover new insights into the biological pathways connecting the gut and brain,…
Celebrating Flynn Lab Student Jasmine Max for Leadership and Service Awards
BSSM proudly recognizes Jasmine Max, a student in Heather Flynn’s lab, for receiving two distinguished awards this year. Each award reflects her meaningful contributions to…
Naar Awarded Digital Health LaunchPad Funding for AI-Driven Mental Health Project
This one-year pilot project will explore how large language models can be used to enhance both privacy and data quality in mental health records. Naar will provide progress…
Rust Provides Reliable Information about Measles Outbreaks
Professor George Rust, M.D., offers expert insights on measles outbreaks, emphasizing the serious risks of measles and the critical importance of maintaining high community…
Bailey & Stanwood Join the Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine Forum
Professor Regan Bailey, Ph.D., nominated Associate Professor Gregg Stanwood, Ph.D., for the esteemed 2025 Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine (…
Bailey Study Compares Accuracy of Dietary Supplement Assessment Tools
A new study highlights key differences in how dietary supplement (DS) intake is measured using a 24-hour recall and a food frequency questionnaire (two common tools used in…
Dementia Caregiving and Family Estate Planning: Strategies to Prepare Effectively for the Future
The workshop offers practical information about developing a well-rounded estate plan to arrange and protect your family assets. Key topics of the workshop include the…
Highlighting Postdoc Research Day
We were honored to have Vice President for Research, Stacey Patterson, and Dean Littles join us in celebrating our Postdoc Research Day. It was an exciting opportunity to…
Rosado Receives the FSU 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes and celebrates a faculty or staff member who enhances cultural awareness and fosters a deeper understanding of the contributions of the Hispanic…
Flynn Emphasizes Targeted Solutions to Addressing Homelessness in Tallahassee
In a recent article from WFSU, Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., addresses the effects of trauma and mental health on the lives of unhoused people accessing Kearney…
Mouratidis Elected to Serve as President of the Florida Health Sciences Library Association
The FHSLA works to foster the development of medical libraries in Florida in accordance with professional standards, to inspire and educate medical library personnel, and to…
Luchetti and Sutin Meta-Analysis of Loneliness and Cognition in Older Adults
A study led by faculty members Martina Luchetti, Ph.D., and Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., has shed new light on the global relationship between loneliness and cognitive decline. This…
Rust Emphasizes Vaccination’s Role in Combating Measles Resurgence
Professor George Rust, M.D., director of the FSU-College of Medicine Center for Medicine and Public Health Policy and Practice, appeared on WCTV recently to discuss 2025…
Bobo Appointed Section Editor for Pharmacoepidemiology in JCAP
William Bobo, M.D., MPH, has been appointed Section Editor for Pharmacoepidemiology in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology (JCAP). JCAP is a leading…
Blackburn Chapter on Strengthening Public Health-Academia Partnerships
This book provides valuable insights into creating and sustaining partnerships between public health agencies and academic institutions, offering practical examples,…
CTBS Study Evaluates Tailored Motivational Interviewing to Improve HIV Care for Youth
The Center for Translational Behavioral Science attended the HIV Implementation Science Symposium, where Director Sylvie Naar, Ph.D., presented on “Tailored Motivational…
Hou Lab Publications Explore ADHD, and Internalizing & Externalizing Symptoms in Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Yang Hou, Ph.D., and her lab team have co-authored two new publications that explore ADHD, Internalizing, and Externalizing symptoms in individuals with neurofibromatosis type…
Flynn & Naar Co-author Chapter on Motivational Interviewing in the Treatment of Depresssion
Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., and CTBScience Director Sylvie Naar, Ph.D., co-authored “Chapter 6: Motivational Interviewing in the Treatment of Depression” in the…
Importance of Safety and Mental Health in the Workplace
The Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet on Safety, Health and Sustainability hosted its 2025 Corporate Leadership Workshop on Safety & Mental Health in the Workplace. The…
Sutin Quoted in NY Times, Cited by Surgeon General
Research by Professor Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., has recently garnered attention in major media outlets. Sutin’s study on “Changes in Personality Before and During Cognitive…
Rust Highlights Safety Amid Georgia's Bird Flu Outbreak
Georgia has confirmed its first case of bird flu in a commercial poultry flock in Elberton, raising concerns about public safety and the state's $30 billion poultry industry.…
Youth E-Cigarette Screening: Advice, Impact, & Perception
2023 Bridge Graduate John Acosta-Peñaloza partnered with faculty mentors, Karen Geletko, MPH, and Jon Mills, Ph.D., on his Bridge research project titled “Demographic…
Examining Interventions for Pediatric Adverse Childhood Experiences at Immokalee
Immokalee Regional Director Javier Rosado, Ph.D., and Clerkship Faculty Alicia Fernandez-Garcia, M.D., have co-authored an article published in the Journal of Pediatric Health…
Power of Music in Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia: Gateway to Connection and Well-Being
This workshop offered practical information on engaging the power of music to improve the well-being of loved ones with dementia and family caregivers. The first two…
FSU COM Names Hou as 2024 Outstanding Junior Faculty Researcher
At this year’s All Faculty Meeting, The FSU College of Medicine announced Yang Hou as the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Junior Faculty Researcher Award. Yang Hou, an…
A trifecta: clinical practice, research and teaching attract top professor to FSU
It’s competitive — recruiting top-notch educators, clinicians and researchers to a university, particularly those whose field of expertise is in high demand. The stars aligned…
Rust Awarded 2024 Faculty Advisor of the Year Award
George Rust, M.D., has been recognized with the Faculty Advisor of the Year Award by the Medical Student Council for his exceptional leadership and mentorship with FSUCares.…
Marks Honored with 2024-2025 William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award
We are proud to announce that Associate Professor Laura Reid Marks, Ph.D., has been selected as the recipient of a 2024-2025 William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award. This…
Goldfarb Awarded Research Fellowship Funded by NIDA
Assistant Professor Samantha Goldfarb, DPH, has been awarded a research fellowship funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to attend the MIT Substance Use…
Hou Presents at Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Conference
Yang Hou, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of the Development, Equity, and Resilience (DEaR) Lab, was honored to take part in the “Cognition and Behavior in Neurofibromatosis…
Naar Team Receives R21/33 Award for Precision HIV Prevention Program
Congratulations to CTBS Director Sylvie Naar, Ph.D., Associate Professor Zhe He, Ph.D., Department Vice Chair Nicole Ennis, Ph.D., and CTBS Assistant Director Sara Green, MSW…
Epstein’s Strategies and Tips for Troubleshooting Library Resource Access
Susan Epstein, Head of Library Access Systems, co-presented a webinar titled “Strategies and Tips for Resolving Access Issues with Vendors.” This engaging session offered…
Rosado, Mesidor, and Wang Link Adverse Childhood Experiences to Mental Health
Immokalee Regional Director Javier Rosado, Ph.D., Associate Professor Jean Kesnold Mesidor, Ph.D., and Data Manager Yuxia (O ha) Wang, MPH co-authored a new article published…
Published in Nature: Luchetti Links Loneliness to Higher Risk of Dementia
Assistant Professor Martina Luchetti, Ph.D., and Professor Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., co-authored an article published by Nature Mental Health titled “A Meta-analysis of…
ACTS2 Promotes Dementia Awareness at FSU Health Expo
The ACTS2 Caregiver Project recently attended the FSU Health Expo held at the Tallahassee Senior Center. This event provided seniors with the opportunity to explore FSU’s…
Porter elected as Member-At-Large for AAMC
Cheryl Porter, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Associate Professor, was recently elected as Member-At-Large for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC…
Neuromodulation Student Awarded 2024 Young Investigator Travel Award
Austin Spitz, MS, a medical student working with Kozel, won a 2024 Young Investigator Travel Award from the National Network of Depression Centers Conference for his work on a…
Sheffler Highlights Impact of Dietary Changes on Dementia Risk
Assistant Professor Julia Sheffler, Ph.D., recently presented groundbreaking research at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, demonstrating the significant…
Welcoming Laura Marks to BSSM!
We are excited to welcome Laura Reid Marks, Ph.D., Ed.S., MAE, to the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine! Earning her Ed.S. & MAE from the University of…
Diagnostic, Treatment and Support Services for Older Floridians with Memory Problems: What to Know and Ask
Workshop presenters, Justice Lewis and Stephanie Malally, social workers and clinic coordinators, will describe the procedures typically included in memory assessment and…
Sutin named Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America
GSA is the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging. Achieving fellow status is a prestigious recognition by peers for outstanding…
Welcoming William Bobo to BSSM!
Earning his M.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an M.P.H. from Vanderbilt University, Bobo held key positions as professor and chair, Department of Psychiatry…
Drury Discusses Transdiagnostic Treatment in Rural Primary Care
Assistant Professor Mike Drury, Psy.D., co-authored a journal article titled “The Promise of Transdiagnostic Treatment in Rural Primary Care: The Unified Protocol,” which…
Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A Global Reach
Department Chair, and President of the International Society for Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Heather Flynn, Ph.D., co-authored a chapter in a new textbook titled “…
Taylor, Thompson, and Drury Address Mental Health in Medical Training
Office of Student Counseling Services members published an eye-opening article in the Florida Psychologist titled “The Wellness Prescription: How Psychologists Can Support…
Nair-Collins Discusses the Unchanged Dilemma of Brain Death Misdiagnosis
Associate Professor Michael Nair-Collins, Ph.D., authored a new article discussing bioethics titled “The Uniform Determinations of Death Act is Not Changing. Will Physicians…
Geletko Team Examines Differing Cessation Treatment Based on Clinical Condition
BSSM researchers authored a journal article titled “Healthcare visits by smokers: Does cessation treatment differ based on clinical condition?” The study finds that providers…
Flynn featured on WCTV News regarding Mental Healthcare Stigma & Provider Scarcity
Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., was interviewed by WCTV News regarding the challenges rural North Florida counties face in accessing mental healthcare. Eight counties…
Sutin and Luchetti Co-Author Perception of Social Interactions in Adulthood
Professor Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor Martina Luchetti, Ph.D., co-authored a brand-new journal article titled “Are social interactions perceived as more…
Effective Communication and Creative Problem Solving for Family Caregivers of Loved Ones with Dementia in Assisted Living Facilities
Professor Robert Glueckauf, Ph.D., and Tomeka Norton-Brown from the ACTS2 Caregiver Project recently held a workshop titled, “Effective Communication and Creative Problem…
Hou Receives 2024 FSU SEED Award
Assistant Professor Yang Hou, Ph.D., was given the 2024 FSU SEED Award for her research on “Psychosocial and Lifestyle Predictors of Neurobehavioral Function of Adolescents…
Flynn Links Antenatal Anxiety as Postpartum SI Predictor
Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., co-authored a journal article titled “Antenatal Anxiety Symptoms Outperform Antenatal Depression Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation as a…
Sheffler Co-Authors Enhancing Brain Function via Mediterranean Diet
Assistant Professor Julia Sheffler co-authored a newly published journal article titled “A modified Mediterranean-style diet enhances brain function via specific gut-…
Nair-Collins Debates the Bioethical Issues of Organ Donation
Associate Professor Michael Nair-Collins, Ph.D., participated in a debate with Tracie Mahaffey, Ph.D., from the FSU Department of Philosophy on the topic “Organ & Tissue…
Kozel Tackles Mental Health Challenges at Collab Collision
Professor and Mina Jo Powell Endowed Chair in Neurological Sciences, Andrew Kozel, M.D., gave a talk on mental and behavioral health at the FSU Office of Research’s…
Hou at Community Rounds on Pediatric Rare Diseases
Assistant Professor Yang Hou, Ph.D., recently delivered an informational lecture on rare diseases at BSSM's quarterly Community Rounds series with a panel on “Highlighting…
Sheffler and Pickett Discuss Sleep Quality & Multimorbidity
Assistant Professor Julia Sheffler, Ph.D., and Associate Professor Scott Pickett, Ph.D., recently co-authored a journal article titled “Sleep Quality as a Critical Pathway…
Challenges Sleeping While Caring for a Loved One with Dementia?
Professor Robert Glueckauf, Ph.D., & Tomeka Norton from the ACTS2 Caregiver Project recently held a workshop titled, "Managing Sleep Difficulties in Caring for a Loved One…
Flynn Confronting Maternal Mental Health
BSSM Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., and Co-Chair of the Florida Maternal Mental Health Collaborative (FL-MMHC), alongside Alex Carlisle, Ph.D., and CEO of The National…
Nair-Collins urges adhering to legal definition of death in brain death diagnosis
Associate Professor Michael Nair-Collins, Ph.D., argues that the evaluation for brain death should require assessment for loss of hormonal secretion from the pituitary…
Epstein’s Collaboration Enhances Cognitive Information Processing
Susan Epstein's collaborative endeavor seeks to enhance the integration of Cognitive Information Processing theory, research, and practice.
Gabriel discusses the Crisis of American Pharmacy during 1918-1942
Associate Professor Joseph Gabriel, Ph.D., talked on how the increased sale of proprietary medicines led to a professional crisis among pharmacists related to their loss of…
Florida Trend: Dr. Angelina Sutin - Detecting Dementia
FSU Professor Sutin is part of a team of researchers who have identified a potential low-cost method for predicting if a person is at risk of developing dementia
As one of two academic research departments in the College of Medicine, BSSM’s goal is to be a leader in the creation of new knowledge emphasizing multidisciplinary, applied research, partnered with community members, health care providers and patients.
BSSM has an interdisciplinary faculty representing fields of psychology (clinical, developmental, personality, social), public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, bioethics, health services and health policy, and medical history. Faculty research interests are all centered on work aimed to impact communities. BSSM includes four centers: the Center for Medicine and Public Health Policy and Practice (CMPHPP), The Center for Behavioral Health Integration (CBHI), Center for Translational Behavioral Science (CTBS), and the Florida Blue Center for Rural Research and Policy. Members of BSSM conduct cutting-edge research and scholarship, much of which is driven by the Mission of the FSU College of Medicine.
Areas of research focus include social and behavioral aspects of chronic disease prevention and maintenance with a particular focus on HIV, psychological and medical aspects of healthy aging, mental health, substance use and addiction, health care service optimization and policy, and bioethical and historical conceptual foundations of science and medicine. BSSM draws on a wide variety of research methodologies, including intervention development and implementation science, policy and program evaluation, comparative effectiveness research, clinical trials, epidemiology and prevention science. BSSM also has a major focus on health care workforce development and clinical skill-building.
