A Florida State University College of Medicine program is the recipient of the 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

The program - Undergraduate Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence (USSTRIDE) - is an extension of the College of Medicine’s pipeline outreach program (SSTRIDE), which identifies middle school and high school students with an aptitude for science and math and the potential to become a successful medical student and provides support services to steer them on their chosen path. It launched in 1993 to support Florida State’s Program In Medical Sciences, the forerunner to the College of Medicine.

“Our pipeline programs, including USSTRIDE, in place for over 20 years, contribute greatly to our success today,” said College of Medicine Dean John P. Fogarty. “It’s very nice to receive national recognition and we would hope that others might see this success story and seek to emulate it.”

The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication and mentorship for underrepresented students,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

USSTRIDE students can volunteer in rural, minority or underserved communities, participate in leadership development activities and have access to tutoring and group studies geared to enhance their academic portfolios. 

Nearly 10 percent of FSU College of Medicine alumni participated in USSTRIDE, which has helped the university develop one of the nation’s most diverse medical schools.

There are a multitude of success stories from the 146 doctors who came through the program, including two of the newest inductees into the FSU Medical Alumni Hall of Fame — Jimmy Moss and Tanya Anim.

Moss’ childhood included periods of homelessness and working in a tire factory at 13, but he was introduced to USSTRIDE by Thesla Berne-Anderson, director of college and pre-college outreach at the College of Medicine.

“I utilized all the resources this organization extended to me to matriculate into FSU [College of Medicine] in 2006, two years after my transformative meeting with Ms. Anderson,” Moss said. “I went on to become a mentor and academic advisor in SSTRIDE; assisting countless students in their efforts to follow in my footsteps toward becoming a physician.”

After graduating from medical school with honors, Moss completed residencies in internal medicine and anesthesiology with the Mayo Clinic then moved to Massachusetts General Hospital, the teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, for a fellowship in critical care. He is now a practicing intensivist, caring for critically ill patients.

“From homeless to Harvard, all because of USSTRIDE,” Moss said. “I am forever grateful for this organization, and I am truly excited and honored to be affiliated with its legacy.”

Rashad Sullivan joined USSTRIDE as an undergraduate at Florida A&M University, met his future wife in the program and she, too, went on to become a physician. Now, Rashad Sullivan is completing a fellowship with the Florida Orthopedic Institute in Tampa and Natalie Sullivan is a radiation oncologist with GenesisCare in Sarasota. Together, they continue to contribute to both the SSTRIDE and USSTRIDE programs through mentorship and support as physicians.

“If it weren’t for the USSTRIDE program we would not be where we are today, in our careers and in our marriage,” Rashad Sullivan said. “SSTRIDE and Ms. Anderson introduced us to each other and provided the foundation with which we were able to build our lives together as husband and wife as well as our careers in medicine.”

Click here to view the article on College of Medicine Website

 IMS academic advisors will not be taking appointments during the week of Monday, August 23 – Thursday, August 26. Please consult the IMS Announcement’s Module on the IMS Homepage for the latest information on Drop/Add procedures. For assistance please read the below. We will be responding to email as time allows.

1. You can find more information about our program here. You may email IMSadvising@med.fsu.edu for general information.

2. You will need to be on track with our mapping milestones to be approved for a major change.

a. To view the Clinical Professions academic map click here.

b. To view the Community Patient Care academic map click here.

c. To view the Health Management, Policy, & Information academic map click here.

3. Submit our IMS Experiential Seminar Placement Form. Please click here for more information.

4. After your IMS Experiential Seminar Placement Form has been reviewed by our office, you will be notified by email regarding your next steps. Note that this can take several business days, and we cannot guarantee that you will be approved for a major change prior to the end of drop/add. We appreciate your patience in advance.

• The Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) Degree Program will host virtual drop-in Zoom advising during Drop/Add from 9:00am to 3:00pm daily. Remember that the last day of drop/add for Fall 2021 is Thursday, August 26! Our academic advisors will not hold scheduled appointments during the drop/add period from August 23- August 26. Please consult the IMS Announcement’s Module on the IMS Homepage for the latest information on Drop/Add procedures. We will be responding to email as time allows.

• You can view more information about your holds in Student Central:

1. Under “holds” click on details.
2. Click on the actual hold link.
3. Follow the instructions given to you about your hold and how to remove it.

1. Off Track Mapping Hold
   1. If you would like to stay in your current major, there will be a plan of action form you must sign before the hold can be removed.
      1. Attend our virtual drop-in hours via ZOOM to speak with one of our advisors.
      2. You will sign the academic plan of action form to have Off Track Mapping hold removed.
   2. If you do not wish to stay in your current major:
      1. Contact the department of the major you wish to change into to see if you qualify for a major change.
      2. If you are unable to change your major now, you will need to complete our Major Change Out Contract. Click here for major change out contract.
      3. Indicate when you will change your major, which major you will change into, what requirements you must satisfy, and why you are changing your major. You will have to sign the major change contract before the hold can be temporarily removed.
      4. Email your signed major change out contract to IMSadvising@med.fsu.edu

2. Must Change Major Hold:
   1. You must change your major.
   2. Look at the FSU Academic Program Guide for a possible new major.
      1. Contact the department of the major you wish to change into to see if you qualify for a major change.
      2. If you are unable to change your major now, you will need to complete our Major Change Out Contract. Click here for major change out contract.
      3. Indicate when you will change your major, which major you will change into, what requirements you must satisfy, and why you are changing your major. You will have to sign the major change contract before the hold can be temporarily removed.
      4. Email your signed major change out contract to IMSadvising@med.fsu.edu

3. EL Hours Hold:
   1. If you would like to stay in your current major, there will be an EL plan of action form you must sign before the hold can be removed.
      1. Attend our virtual drop-in hours via ZOOM to speak with our Community Coordinator.
      2. You will sign the EL plan of action form to have your EL hours hold removed.
   2. If you do not wish to stay in your current major:
      1. Contact the department of the major you wish to change into to see if you qualify for a major change.
      2. If you are unable to change your major now, you will need to complete our Major Change Out Contract. Click here for major change out contract.
      3. Indicate when you will change your major, which major you will change into, what requirements you must satisfy, and why you are changing your major. You will have to sign the major change contract before the hold can be temporarily removed.
      4. Email your signed major change out contract to IMSadvising@med.fsu.edu

4. IMS Academic Advising Hold:
   1. Attend our virtual drop-in hours via ZOOM to discuss your Fall schedule ONLY.
   2. Your hold will be temporarily removed to allow you to adjust your Fall 2021 schedule, but will come back on September 1^st.
   3. You must schedule an advising appointment with your IMS Academic Advisor to have the hold removed before spring registration opens up. To make an advising appointment: please click here.

5. All other Holds:
   1. Attend our virtual drop-in hours via ZOOM to discuss your hold or email IMSadvising@med.fsu.edu for assistance. You will need to sign a contract before your hold can be removed.

• The Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) Degree Program will host virtual drop-in advising during Drop/Add via Zoom from 9:00am to 3:00pm daily. Remember that the last day of drop/add for Fall 2021 is Thursday, August 26! Our academic advisors will not hold scheduled appointments during the drop/add period from August 23- August 26. Please consult the IMS Announcement’s Module on the IMS Homepage for the latest information on Drop/Add procedures. We will be responding to email as time allows.

Chemistry:

 • ADD a Course (lecture or lab): Attend first day of class and instructor will provide information on how to be added to the course if seats become available.

• NOTE: Check Student Central when drop/add opens on August 21 - all available seats will be shown. To see more information regarding the drop/add schedule please click here.

Biology:

• ADD a Course (lecture or lab): Attend first day of class and instructor will provide information on how to be added to the course if seats become available.

• NOTE: Check Student Central when drop/add opens on August 21 - all available seats will be shown. To see more information regarding the drop/add schedule please click here.

English and Math:

• Any student wishing to drop a Freshman Writing course (ENC 1101, ENC 2135) or a Mathematics course (MAC 1105, MAC 1140, MAC 1114, MAC 2311, MAC 2312 or MAC 2313), will need to contact the Division of Undergraduate Studies. The system will allow you to swap these courses for similar courses but will not allow you to drop them from your schedule. If you wish to drop one of these courses during the drop/add period or during the semester, please contact the Division of Undergraduate Studies at (850) 644-2451 or undergradstudies@fsu.edu.

Upper Division Elective Courses

• Any upper division student having trouble adding an upper division elective course from the IMS approved science or non-science lists posted on our Resources Webpage should email our office at IMSadvising@med.fsu.edu.

AP/IB/AICE Scores:

If you took tests to receive AP/IB/AICE credit during high school, you must send those scores directly to FSU.  Scores are not automatically sent from your high school.  If you do not see your scores posted to your student account and you have already sent them, you will need to reach out to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office can be reached by phone at 850-644-6200 or email at Registrar@fsu.edu.

Departmental Prerequisite Checks:

Many higher-level science and math courses at FSU require prerequisite coursework.  Departments such as Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics are currently running prerequisite checks for their courses to ensure that all students enrolled have the correct prerequisite coursework completed. If you have taken a course over the summer as a transient student, or have received AP credit for a course that should cover a prerequisite, but you still receive communication that you will be dropped to due non-prerequisites, you will need to reach out to that department directly and provide proof that you have completed the necessary prerequisite course(s). You will need to show them an unofficial transcript or AP/IB score report with the grade to see if they can work with you to remain in your course.

Summer 2021 Transient Students:

If you were a transient student over the summer at another institution you need to request to have your final transcript sent to FSU for processing. You can request official transcripts from the Registrar’s office at the school you attended this summer. Some offices have this form online, and some require you to fill out the form in person; you will need to check with them to find out which you need to do.  You need to request that a final, official transcript is sent to FSU to the Office of Admissions. Once the FSU Office of Admissions staff receives the final transcript, they will post your final grades to your student account here at FSU.

Be sure you request a final transcript to ensure it has your final official grade.  The transcript must come directly from the other institution in order for FSU to accept it.