FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT: Rachelle Kuramoto
rkuramoto@dragonarmy.com; 404-452-0912

Oct. 12, 2020

The Gift Supports Funding for Future-Focused Neuroscience and Neurodegenerative Disease Research

Tallahassee, Fla. - Florida State College of Medicine today announced that it has received a $30,000.00 grant from The Karen Toffler Charitable Trust (KTCT). KTCT provided the funding through its Toffler Scholar Program, which partners with universities and research organizations working to advance high-impact, early-stage medical research.

The Toffler Scholar Program exists to help young researchers at a pivotal point in their careers by creating a financial and network support bridge to a phase where large research grants are more available. The funding will help support FSU College of Medicine researchers working in the areas of neurodegeneration, neurodegenerative diseases, or autoimmune disorders.

Together, researchers at Florida State College of Medicine and KTCT are doing their part to help solve some of the world’s most intractable problems. The human toll of neurological conditions is tremendous. With dementia alone, these medical breakthroughs could reduce the 10 million new global cases annually, slowing the cost to society that is rapidly growing into the trillions. It is part of the commitment by the charitable organization to carry on the powerful legacy of our founders, Alvin and Heidi Toffler by seeing and investing in the work that has the potential for profound impact on the future of humanity.

“I am very pleased and delighted that the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust has provided a generous gift to establish the Toffler Scholar Program at the FSU College of Medicine,” said Dr. John P. Fogarty, Dean of Florida State University College of Medicine. “This gift, matched by our college, will provide critical funding for new and emerging investigators in neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease to support their programs and their research. We appreciate the support and confidence in our university and research programs.”

“It’s our responsibility and our privilege to welcome these visionary partners into the enduring commitment set by the Tofflers,” said Rebecca Bartoli, executive director of the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust. “Without these brilliant scientists, we couldn’t move the Toffler’s vision forward, and without us, these researchers might not advance as quickly. It’s a true partnership creating a better future through science.”

About The Karen Toffler Charitable Trust

THE KAREN TOFFLER CHARITABLE TRUST (TOFFLERTRUST.ORG) IS A NONPROFIT FOUNDATION FOCUSED ON EARLY-STAGE RESEARCH THAT ADVANCES THE MEDICAL FIELD IN PROFOUND, HIGH-IMPACT WAYS. TAPPING INTO THE LEGACY OF FOUNDERS AND BEST-SELLING AUTHORS ALVIN AND HEIDI TOFFLER, WE EXIST TO BE A CATALYST FOR FUTURE-FOCUSED BREAKTHROUGHS. OUR TOFFLER SCHOLAR PROGRAM HELPS UNIVERSITY MEDICAL RESEARCHERS GAIN ACCESS TO SUPPORT AND A NETWORK FOR OFTEN UNDERFUNDED INNOVATIONS. WE ARE A NEW KIND OF FOUNDATION THAT IS FOSTERING NEW WAYS OF THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO HUMANITY’S MOST DIFFICULT PROBLEMS.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT: Doug Carlson, FSU College of Medicine
(850) 694-3735; doug.carlson@med.fsu.edu

Oct. 21, 2020

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State University College of Medicine has received the 2020 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

The award recognizes U.S. medical, dental, pharmacy, osteopathic, nursing, veterinary, allied health and other health schools and centers demonstrating an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. The College of Medicine, one of 46 health-professions programs honored, is receiving the award for a fourth consecutive time.

“This medical school was created with a goal of helping to meet health-care needs in communities that have traditionally struggled to provide adequate access to care.” College of Medicine Dean John P. Fogarty said.

“As we are celebrating our 20^th anniversary, this award affirms that we are true to our mission and we are succeeding in producing the physicians Florida – as well as the rest of the U.S. – needs most. That includes our record of producing numerous alumni who now practice in rural parts of the state, especially in Northwest Florida.”

The College of Medicine has developed several pipeline programs successful at bringing more students into medical school from communities underrepresented in the physician workforce. Two of those programs, in particular, have helped to produce physicians now caring for patients in communities that traditionally struggled to recruit new doctors.

SSTRIDE (Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence) identifies students as early as the eighth grade who have an aptitude for science and math and the potential to be developed into a successful medical school applicant. The Bridge Program gives applicants from underserved backgrounds, both inner-city and rural, the opportunity to prepare for medical school through a one-year master’s program.

 “Our pipeline programs enhance the applicant pool with qualified candidates who have a significant interest in serving patients where health-care needs are the greatest,” said Thesla Berne-Anderson, director of college and pre-college outreach at the College of Medicine..

“The outreach programs play an important role in how the College of Medicine meets its mission.”

HEED Award institutions were selected based on “recruitment and retention of students and employees – and best practices for both; continued leadership support for diversity; and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion.”

The College of Medicine is one of only three medical schools (along with UCLA and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) ranked among the top programs nationally for enrollment of both black and Hispanic students. Nearly 100 alumni physicians are practicing in the Florida Panhandle, from Perry to Pensacola, caring for a significant number of patients from rural areas.

The FSU College of Medicine and other HEED recipients will be featured in the December issue of Insight Into Diversity.

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