Fifteen College of Medicine employees were recognized recently for 190 collective years of sustained service to Florida State University.

The Sustained Service Awards ceremony was conducted by the Division of Academic Affairs and presided over by FSU Provost and Executive Vice President Jim Clark.

Ann DelRossi, program manager in the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) program, was honored for 30 years of service. Two employees – Jean-Louise Caldwell, clinical coordinator in the Office of Medical Education at the Sarasota Regional Campus, and Elaine Geissinger, campus administrator at the Tallahassee Regional Campus – were honored for 20 years of service.

The following 12 employees were honored for 10 years of service:

Rebecca Carter, Tobacco Program manager in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine’s Area Health Education Center; Nicolette Castagna, community engagement lead for the Geriatrics’ Workforce Enhancement Program in the Department of Geriatrics; Meredith Dozier, program coordinator in the Department of Clinical Sciences; Inez Hudlow, clinical education coordinator in the School of Physician Assistant Practice; Konnie Kruczek, campus administrator at the Sarasota Regional Campus; Yong Liu, professional research assistant in the Department of Biomedical Sciences; Derrick Myrick, disbursement manager for the Florida Medical Practice Plan (FMPP); Linda Netherton, senior administrative specialist for the Bridge to Clinical Medicine and Honors Medical Scholars programs; Aisha Qureshi, accounting specialist in FMPP; LaQuanta Rosier, chief financial officer in FMPP; Gwendolyn “Wendy’ Rounds, office administrator in the Department of Behavioral Science and Social Medicine; and Sabrina Smith, program director for medical student research in the Division of Research and Graduate programs.

Photo at top right: College of Medicine Dean Alma Littles, M.D., (left) and Ann DelRossi pose with DelRossi's 30 Years of Sustained Service Award.

Photo at bottom: College of Medicine honorees in attendance on stage at the ceremony.

Nicole Bentze, D.O., dean of the Sarasota Regional Campus, received double honors this academic year. 

In March of this year, she was among those honored with the 2025 Exceptional Mentor Award at the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) 110th Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the Women in Healthcare World Congress, in Boston.

In December 2024, Bentze was named Regional Outstanding Faculty Educator at the annual All Faculty Meeting. This award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding teaching as evidenced by any or all of the following: consistent dedication to the six principles of the curriculum; commitment to continuous quality improvement in a course he/she teaches; consistent efforts to incorporate education innovation; consistent dedication to identifying and meeting the educational demands of students; consistent enthusiasm for teaching; and willingness to work collaboratively with other course directors/faculty in delivering the curriculum to students.

Specifically noted were her efforts to incorporate wellness into the daily life of medical and PA students; her inclusive teaching style that brings M.D. and PA students together; and her mentoring to help others grow in their roles and positions at the campus. 

She currently serves as co-director for the D3 curriculum, and she hosted the inaugural FSU collaboration with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) Regional Conference Dec. 5-7, 2024.