In case you missed them, here are some recent news items about the College of Medicine.
- Throughout the last couple months, Zucai Suo, eminent professor & Dorian and John Blackmon Chair in Biomedical Science, has been quoted in articles about the COVID-19 vaccination plan, viability of the vaccine, side effects and potential impacts of new variants.
ABC7 WJLA: Mutations 'have clinical consequences': J&J vaccine less effective against COVID variant
WTXL: Local experts say UK COVID-19 variant is more contagious than original virus
Verywell Health: How will the COVID-19 vaccine be distributed
FSU News: FSU professor discusses viability of COVID-19 vaccines
Suo was also a featured guest on a podcast discussing the UK's Pfizer-Astrazeneca vaccination plan and uncertainties among the general public.
IN FOCUS 1 : UK's Pfizer-Astrazeneca vaccination plan and uncertainties (audio)
- Associate Professor Christie Alexander was a guest on the Florida Medical Association's "Medicine, Curated" podcast. Alexander, an FMA Board member, discussed educating the next generation of family medicine physicians and the community.
FMA: Educating the next generation of family medicine physicians and the community (audio)
Alexander has also been serving as a medical expert for WCTV, answering viewers’ COVID-19 questions throughout the pandemic. Click here to see past segments.
WCTV: ‘The spread is the main thing’: Local doctor weighs in on COVID variant found in area (video)
WCTV: Dr. Christie Alexander answers your COVID-19 questions (Jan. 29) (video)
- FSU employees and students 65 and over began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday, Jan. 13. “This is a true example of what can come together through collaborative partnerships,” said James Zedaker, director of the PA program who is also leading the university’s testing and vaccination programs.
FSU News: FSU administers first round of vaccines to 65-plus population
Tallahassee Democrat: COVID vaccine: Shots begin for those 65 and older at Florida State University
- As of early January, the U.S. saw more than 356,000 deaths across an 11-month span of the pandemic—by far the highest total for any country worldwide. Fifteen medical experts including the College of Medicine's Daniel Van Durme, chief medical officer of the FSU COVID-19 Program, spoke to the media about what to expect next.
The National Interest: U.S. coronavirus deaths: 15 medical experts predict what 2021 will bring
Van Durme was also featured in an earlier interview with WTXL discussing the need for more COVID-19 testing.
WTXL: More COVID-19 test sites open in Leon County (video)
- Patients with multidrug-resistant HIV currently make up a smaller but still challenging part of the population living with HIV. Jonathan Appelbaum, professor and the chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences at the College of Medicine, commented on new medications designed to treat multi-drug resistant HIV.
Infectious Disease Special Edition: Better options available for multidrug-resistant HIV
The FDA has approved an injectable drug, Cabenuva, for the treatment of HIV in adults, giving patients the ability to opt for monthly shots rather than daily pills. Appelbaum recently commented on the potential use of the drug for HIV prevention.
Verywell Health: FDA approves first injectable drug for HIV treatment
- A research team at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare joined a national study to see if blood thinners can help prevent life-threatening blood clots from forming in COVID-positive patients not sick enough to be hospitalized. Claudia Kroker-Bode, director of the Florida State University Internal Medicine Residency Program at TMH, commented on the trial.
WTXL: TMH researchers join study to prevent life-threatening blood clots in COVID positive patients (video)
- The Autism Institute’s online Autism Navigator tool has been helping families throughout the pandemic as COVID-19 restrictions have increased the need for services for people with autism.
WTXL: FSU’s online autism tools help families through pandemic
- A December article from the Tampa Bay Times discussed the confusion surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine - including who is eligible to receive one, and where the vaccine can be distributed. Professor Les Beitsch commented on the vaccine rollout.
Tampa Bay Times: So far, few coronavirus vaccines — or answers — for Florida seniors
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital held a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its internal medicine clinic in Newtown, which houses an FSU College of Medicine internal medicine residency program.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Vaccination clinic held in Newtown as Sarasota develops new appointment system
- In January 2020, a fatal hit-and-run in Tallahassee left 26-year-old Jeremiah Bruce in critical condition. In a recent interview with WCTV, Bruce’s family spoke of the difficulty they faced in deciding whether or not to take Bruce off life support. Niharika Suchak, associate professor in the Department of Geriatrics, spoke with WCTV about the challenge physicians face with patients on life support.
WCTV: Family of hit and run victim and local doctors give perspective on life support
- Karen Geletko, research faculty member in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, was featured in WalletHub's article about the cost of smoking by state. She spoke about effective strategies to quit, the regulation of e-cigarettes, and how state and local authorities can encourage people to quit smoking.
WalletHub: The real cost of smoking by state
- In late 2020, Florida State University employees claimed a total of 14 Florida TaxWatch Productivity Awards, the most by any institution in the State University System. The College of Medicine's database administrator, Andres Castaneda, won the award for increased efficiency related to the college's student applications.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health & Human Services released their 2020-2025 dietary guidelines in December. Ahead of the release, Joan Meek, dean of the Orlando Regional Campus, discussed dietary recommendations for children from birth to 24 months, and for women who are pregnant or lactating.
Pediatric News: Report may inform first dietary guidelines for Americans from birth to 24 months
- In a Psychology Today article, Assistant Professor Martina Luchetti, who studied loneliness and perceived support during stay-at-home orders, commented on the human need for connection amid COVID-19.
Psychology Today: The need for spiritual first aid during COVID-19
- Ahead of the holidays, the College of Medicine’s ACTS 2 Project – shorthand for African-American Alzheimer’s Caregiver Training and Support Project 2 – offered advice for dementia caregivers dealing with holiday stress and COVID-19.
Tallahassee Democrat: Keep it simple, safe when caring for loved ones with dementia during holidays
- In mid-December, infectious disease expert and former Orlando Regional Campus Dean Michael Muszynski commented on the anticipated safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines prior to their distribution.
Bay News 9: Coronavirus vaccine in Florida: Your questions answered
Spectrum News 13: New COVID-19 variant could alter pandemic’s course