CONTACT: Ron Hartung
(850) 645-9205; ronald.hartung@med.fsu.edu

Jan. 22, 2015

FUTURE PHYSICIANS OF RURAL AND UNDERSERVED FLORIDIANS TO RECEIVE CPR CERTIFICATION

More than 150 eighth- through 10th-graders from rural and medically underserved areas across Florida who participate in the Florida State University College of Medicine’s SSTRIDE program will be trained and certified in CPR on Friday, and for some it will be their first time on a college campus.

SSTRIDE (Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence) began in 1994 in Leon County to encourage students underrepresented in the medical field, often minorities, to take interest through classes and after-school activities. It has grown to include Gadsden, Madison and Okaloosa counties. In the past year, SSTRIDE expanded to five new schools and Orange County. This is the first year all five counties will be represented at the training, and students will wear scrubs with their county’s new official SSTRIDE logo.

SSTRIDE operates on the basis of studies showing that physicians return to practice in areas similar to their hometown. More than half of SSTRIDE participants choose a science, math or health major upon entering college. Over 60 percent attend medical school, and more than half choose a primary care residency, increasing their likelihood of hometown practice.

Scheduled to participate along with the students are Thesla Berne-Anderson, director of outreach and advising at the College of Medicine; Tracey Alexander, assistant director of outreach and advising; Roosevelt Rogers, Leon SSTRIDE coordinator; Darel Robinson, Gadsden SSTRIDE coordinator; Selena Phillips, Madison SSTRIDE coordinator; Kathryn Thompson, Orange SSTRIDE coordinator; Penny Eubanks, Okaloosa rural SSTRIDE coordinator; and Barry Hartin, Southeastern School of Health Sciences CPR trainer, and his team. The training will take place:

FRIDAY, JAN. 23

10 A.M.

FSU OGLESBY UNION, ROOMS 312–315

75 N. WOODWARD AVE.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.

Directions: From downtown Tallahassee, travel west on Tennessee Street and turn left on Woodward Avenue. The Oglesby Union is on the left. Parking is available in the parking garage on the right.

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