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What is BSSM?
Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine centers on research, scholarship, teaching, training, clinical care and service that emphasized social, behavioral and population-based factors in medicine, health and health outcomes. Our work prioritizes impacts on community health, especially for historically underserved populations and aims to develop and deploy effective solutions to improve health.
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Navigating Florida’s Health Care Landscape
BSSM was honored to host Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, for her insightful lecture to our medical students on “Navigating Florida's Health Care Landscape: Challenges, Innovations, and Strategic Opportunities.” Her data-driven presentation examined workforce development, payer models, behavioral health, innovative care solutions, recent legislative changes, and key hospital investments. Attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of these critical issues, as well as valuable strategic insights into the future of Florida's evolving health care system.
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Tobacco & Vaping: What Communities Need to Know
The Area Health Education Center (AHEC) presented a two-part Special Edition Virtual Learning Series for Community Leaders on “Tobacco & Vaping: What Communities Need to Know.” In Part One, Susan LaJoie, APRN, DrPH, FNP-C, discusses the history of misleading tobacco advertising and marketing towards younger members of the population, and Rebecca Carter, LCSW, CTTS, spotlights tobacco as a racial justice issue. In Part Two, Allison Wiman, R.N., BSN, M.P.H. discusses support and resources Big Bend AHEC provides to our community.
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2024 Recipient of the Melissa L. Knabe Community Impact Award Revealed
Last year we created the Melissa L. Knabe Community Impact Award to honor the memory of our wonderful colleague. The Award honors individuals that are making significant contributions to their community through time, actions, talents, dedication, and resources. These individuals serve as role models for compassion and service and strive to make their communities better places to live and work.
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Call to Action to Address Maternal Mental Health
The Center for Behavioral Health Integration recently spoke at the “Maternal Mortality Call to Action” webinar hosted by the Florida Hospital Association. Hear from Dr. Cole Greves, MD, reviewing maternal mortality rates, BSSM Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., highlighting efforts from Florida BH Impact to improve maternal and pediatric access to care and treatment, Lori Shea detailing how Lakeland Regional Health supports maternal patients, and Andrew Reeve from Babyscripts on their mobile solution for reducing maternal mortality.
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5th annual “Be Kind to Your Mind” Mental Health Fair
During Mental Health Awareness Week, BSSM attended the 5th Annual Be Kind to Your Mind Mental Health and Wellness Fair, offering resources to turn awareness into action. This event is hosted by the Mental Health Council of the Big Bend, of which BSSM Chair Dr. Heather Flynn is a member. Members from the FSU Neuromodulation Lab and NCRT-CE hosted booths to share insight with attendees on how their research and community outreach efforts can help individuals facing mental health challenges.
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ADvancing interRAI: Using Better Data, Better
BSSM faculty members Jeffrey Harman, Ph.D., Samantha Goldfarb, Dr.PH., M.P.H., Katelyn Graves, Ph.D. and Jon Mills, Ph.D., M.B.A. introduce ADvancing interRAI. This new initiative is building shared infrastructure that supports state efforts to improve how they assess people and provide them Home and Community Based Services using the interRAI Home Care system, to assign resources and use data for policy and program improvement.
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How Much Experience Do You Need To Be Helpful?
Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., and speakers Joel Porter & Stephen Rollnick recently hosted a Motivational Interviewing & Beyond workshop titled “How Much Experience Do You Need To Be Helpful?” In this episode, the hosts are joined by Terri Moyers, Chris Wagner, and Denise Ernst, to explore how skillful do you need to be at motivational interviewing to be helpful.
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Community Rounds on Highlighting Rare Diseases
BSSM resumes its Community Rounds series with “Highlighting Pediatric Rare Diseases and Community Impacts” on April 3, from 12pm - 1pm EST. The virtual panel of participants includes Pradeep Bhide, Director of the Florida State University Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases, Michele Holbrook, 2023 National Ambassador for the Children's Tumor Foundation, and Yang Hou, Assistant Professor in FSU College of Medicine Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine.
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
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Hou Presents at Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Conference
Yang Hou, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of the Development, Equity, and Resilience (DEaR) Lab, was honored to take part in the “Cognition and Behavior in Neurofibromatosis…
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Naar Team Receives R21/33 Award for Precision HIV Prevention Program
Congratulations to CTBS Director Sylvie Naar, Ph.D., Associate Professor Zhe He, Ph.D., Department Vice Chair Nicole Ennis, Ph.D., and CTBS Assistant Director Sara Green, MSW…
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Epstein’s Strategies and Tips for Troubleshooting Library Resource Access
Susan Epstein, Head of Library Access Systems, co-presented a webinar titled “Strategies and Tips for Resolving Access Issues with Vendors.” This engaging session offered…
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Rosado, Mesidor, and Wang Link Adverse Childhood Experiences to Mental Health
Immokalee Regional Director Javier Rosado, Ph.D., Associate Professor Jean Kesnold Mesidor, Ph.D., and Data Manager Yuxia (O ha) Wang, MPH co-authored a new article published…
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Published in Nature: Luchetti Links Loneliness to Higher Risk of Dementia
Assistant Professor Martina Luchetti, Ph.D., and Professor Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., co-authored an article published by Nature Mental Health titled “A Meta-analysis of…
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Naar, Pooler-Burgess, and Flynn publish paper related to Transforming Health Equity
Professor Sylvie Naar, Ph.D., Research Faculty Meredith Pooler-Burgess, DrPH, and Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D. received financial grant support from the National…
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Center for Medicine & Public Health Policy & Practice Spotlights Infant Mortality Disparities
The Center for Medicine & Public Health Policy & Practice recently published an article in HealthAffairs titled “State Variations In Progress Toward Eliminating…
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YACHT Team on Enhancing HIV Testing and PrEP Referrals
Members of the Young Adult Centered HealthForce Training (YACHT) team have authored a manuscript titled “Young Adult Centered HealthForce Training to Increase HIV Testing and…
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ACTS2 Promotes Dementia Awareness at FSU Health Expo
The ACTS2 Caregiver Project recently attended the FSU Health Expo held at the Tallahassee Senior Center. This event provided seniors with the opportunity to explore FSU’s…
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Porter elected as Member-At-Large for AAMC
Cheryl Porter, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Associate Professor, was recently elected as Member-At-Large for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC…
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Neuromodulation Student Awarded 2024 Young Investigator Travel Award
Austin Spitz, MS, a medical student working with Dr. Kozel, won a 2024 Young Investigator Travel Award from the National Network of Depression Centers Conference for his work…
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Sheffler Highlights Impact of Dietary Changes on Dementia Risk
Assistant Professor Julia Sheffler, Ph.D., recently presented groundbreaking research at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, demonstrating the significant…
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Welcoming Dr. Marks to BSSM!
We are excited to welcome Dr. Laura Reid Marks, Ph.D., Ed.S., MAE, to the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine! Earning her Ed.S. & MAE from the…
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MacDonell Receives R34 Grant on HIV Prevention
We are happy to share that an R34 grant by Associate Professor Karen MacDonell, Ph.D., titled “Optimizing mobile interventions to overcome stigma and promote HIV prevention…
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Diagnostic, Treatment and Support Services for Older Floridians with Memory Problems: What to Know and Ask
Workshop presenters, Justice Lewis and Stephanie Malally, social workers and clinic coordinators, will describe the procedures typically included in memory assessment and…
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Sutin named Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America
GSA is the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging. Achieving fellow status is a prestigious recognition by peers for outstanding…
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Welcoming Dr. Bobo to BSSM!
Earning his M.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an M.P.H. from Vanderbilt University, Dr. Bobo held key positions as professor and chair, Department of…
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Drury Discusses Transdiagnostic Treatment in Rural Primary Care
Assistant Professor Mike Drury, Psy.D., co-authored a journal article titled “The Promise of Transdiagnostic Treatment in Rural Primary Care: The Unified Protocol,” which…
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Naar and Marks at the International Congress of Psychology
Sylvie Naar, Ph.D., and Laura Reid Marks, Ph.D., attended the International Congress of Psychology in Prague, Czech Republic. At this event, Naar shared findings from a study…
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Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A Global Reach
Department Chair, and President of the International Society for Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Heather Flynn, Ph.D., co-authored a chapter in a new textbook titled “…
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Balan Receives Supplement Award from The National Institute on Drug Abuse
Professor Ivan Balan, Ph.D., was given the Supplement Award from The National Institute on Drug Abuse for his currently active R34 grant titled “Integration of Electronic SBI(…
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Taylor, Thompson, and Drury Address Mental Health in Medical Training
Office of Student Counseling Services members published an eye-opening article in the Florida Psychologist titled “The Wellness Prescription: How Psychologists Can Support…
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Nair-Collins Discusses the Unchanged Dilemma of Brain Death Misdiagnosis
Associate Professor Michael Nair-Collins, Ph.D., authored a new article discussing bioethics titled “The Uniform Determinations of Death Act is Not Changing. Will Physicians…
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Gerend Team Examines Sociodemographic Predictors of Weight Discrimination
BSSM Professors delve into the complex interplay between weight discrimination and health outcomes in a journal article titled “Sociodemographic predictors of perceived weight…
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Geletko Team Examines Differing Cessation Treatment Based on Clinical Condition
BSSM researchers authored a journal article titled “Healthcare visits by smokers: Does cessation treatment differ based on clinical condition?” The study finds that providers…
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Dr. Flynn featured on WCTV News regarding Mental Healthcare Stigma & Provider Scarcity
Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., was interviewed by WCTV News regarding the challenges rural North Florida counties face in accessing mental healthcare. Eight counties…
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Sutin and Luchetti Co-Author Perception of Social Interactions in Adulthood
Professor Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor Martina Luchetti, Ph.D., co-authored a brand-new journal article titled “Are social interactions perceived as more…
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Effective Communication and Creative Problem Solving for Family Caregivers of Loved Ones with Dementia in Assisted Living Facilities
Professor Robert Glueckauf, Ph.D., and Tomeka Norton-Brown from the ACTS2 Caregiver Project recently held a workshop titled, “Effective Communication and Creative Problem…
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Hou Receives 2024 FSU SEED Award
Assistant Professor Yang Hou, Ph.D., was given the 2024 FSU SEED Award for her research on “Psychosocial and Lifestyle Predictors of Neurobehavioral Function of Adolescents…
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Flynn Links Antenatal Anxiety as Postpartum SI Predictor
Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., co-authored a journal article titled “Antenatal Anxiety Symptoms Outperform Antenatal Depression Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation as a…
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Sheffler Co-Authors Enhancing Brain Function via Mediterranean Diet
Assistant Professor Julia Sheffler co-authored a newly published journal article titled “A modified Mediterranean-style diet enhances brain function via specific gut-…
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Wong and Millender Partner with Panamanian Global Health Institute
Professor Frankie Wong and Associate Professor Eugenia Millender joined forces with a Panamanian research institute to address global health. Wong expressed his excitement for…
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Nair-Collins Debates the Bioethical Issues of Organ Donation
Associate Professor Michael Nair-Collins, Ph.D., participated in a debate with Tracie Mahaffey, Ph.D., from the FSU Department of Philosophy on the topic “Organ & Tissue…
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Ennis on Coming Together to Shape HIV Research
Nicole Ennis, Vice Chair of BSSM, Ph.D., had a recent appearance in a reel from CAN Community Health discussing the importance of HIV research at this year’s Florida HIV CPR…
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Green's Team on Regulatory Issues in HIV Electronic Health Records
In this paper, the team led by Sara Green, MSW, discussed electronic health records as a cost-effective approach to providing necessary foundations for clinical trial research…
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Kozel Tackles Mental Health Challenges at Collab Collision
Professor and Mina Jo Powell Endowed Chair in Neurological Sciences, Dr. Andrew Kozel, M.D., gave a talk on mental and behavioral health at the FSU Office of Research’s…
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Hou at Community Rounds on Pediatric Rare Diseases
Assistant Professor Yang Hou, Ph.D., recently delivered an informational lecture on rare diseases at BSSM's quarterly Community Rounds series with a panel on “Highlighting…
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Sheffler and Pickett Discuss Sleep Quality & Multimorbidity
Assistant Professor Julia Sheffler, Ph.D., and Associate Professor Scott Pickett, Ph.D., recently co-authored a journal article titled “Sleep Quality as a Critical Pathway…
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Challenges Sleeping While Caring for a Loved One with Dementia?
Professor Robert Glueckauf, Ph.D., & Tomeka Norton from the ACTS2 Caregiver Project recently held a workshop titled, "Managing Sleep Difficulties in Caring for a Loved One…
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Flynn Confronting Maternal Mental Health
BSSM Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., and Co-Chair of the Florida Maternal Mental Health Collaborative (FL-MMHC), alongside Alex Carlisle, Ph.D., and CEO of The National…
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Deichen Hansen on Perinatal Mental Health at Grand Rounds Lecture
Megan Deichen Hansen, Ph.D., presented a Grand Rounds lecture at the Harvard Medical School discussing “Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs: An Innovative Tool for Perinatal…
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MacDonnel Thai Collaboration Seeks to Innovate HIV Prevention
Associate Professor Karen MacDonell, along with scholars Bo Wang, and Nittaya Phanuphak are co-leading multiple NIH-funded projects focused on HIV prevention in vulnerable…
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Nair-Collins urges adhering to legal definition of death in brain death diagnosis
Associate Professor Michael Nair-Collins, Ph.D., argues that the evaluation for brain death should require assessment for loss of hormonal secretion from the pituitary gland…
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Epstein’s Collaboration Enhances Cognitive Information Processing
Susan Epstein's collaborative endeavor seeks to enhance the integration of Cognitive Information Processing theory, research, and practice.
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Gabriel discusses the Crisis of American Pharmacy during 1918-1942
Associate Professor Joseph Gabriel, Ph.D., talked on how the increased sale of proprietary medicines led to a professional crisis among pharmacists related to their loss of…
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Florida Trend: Dr. Angelina Sutin - Detecting Dementia
FSU Professor Sutin is part of a team of researchers who have identified a potential low-cost method for predicting if a person is at risk of developing dementia
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MacDonell to join HIBI study section
Dr. Karen MacDonell has been invited to serve a 3-year term as a standing member of the HIV/AIDS Intra- and Inter-personal Determinants and Behavioral Interventions (HIBI)…
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Rust weighs in on monkeypox case
”The average person should understand that right now at this moment they are at very low risk,” Dr. George Rust with FSU Medicine said.
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Naar receives grant to improve CTR services
Dr. Sylvie Naar, director of the Florida State University Center for Translational Behavioral Science, has received a grant from the NIH to promote evidence-based diagnose and…
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Dr. Amandla Haynes to be Recognized as an Angel Honoree at the 2022 Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition Angel Awards
We would like to congratulate her, Ms. Miaisha Mitchell, and the Leon County Emergency Medical Services on the honor, and thank them for their services to our community!
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Hyde and Rust honored with 2022 Leadership Awards
Drs. Yolany Hyde and George Rust each received a 2022 Leadership Award at the recent Student Organizations and Involvement Awards Ceremony.
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Hyde elected president of the Southwest Council of Latin American Studies
Dr. Yolany M. Hyde will serve of the Southwest Council of Latin American Studies (SCOLAS) for 2022 - 2024.
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$6.5 Million HIV study awarded to the Center for Translational Behavioral Science
A five-year grant, awarded by NIH’s National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, will fund research designed to reduce the spread of HIV among young adults.
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Sutin co-investigator on a $2.25 million NIH grant
Professor Angela Sutin, Ph.D. is part of a multidisciplinary collaboration on a recently awarded $2.25 million NIH grant. The Principal Investigator is Assistant Professor of…
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The Apalachee Center, FSU partner on Mood and Anxiety Center of Excellence
The FSU Behavioral Health at Apalachee Center clinic is the first of its kind in the state and helps provide mental health services to anyone in the community.
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Center for Translational Behavioral Science Director to lead NIH Grant on Racial Inequities in health care
FSU College of Medicine Distinguished Endowed Professor Sylvie Naar is principal investigator for the five-year grant, along with Assistant Vice President for Research and…
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Dr. Flynn selected as Chair for the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine
Heather Flynn, Ph.D. Professor for the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine has been selected as Chair effective September 1, 2021.
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Dementia Caregiving and COVID-19: Moving Forward
Free Facebook Live Workshop, Thursday August 26, 2021 at 7PM Est.
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BSSM Launches Community Rounds
Dr. Heather Flynn, Interim Chair of the Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine (BSSM) department at the FSU College of Medicine announced the inaugural Community Rounds event…
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Gabriel named to editorial board
Joseph Gabriel, Ph.D., was recently appointed to the editorial board of the Bulletin of the History of Medicine beginning in January, 2022. It is a leading journal in its…
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Dr. Flynn elected president of ISIPT
Dr. Heather Flynn, professor and interim chair of the the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine is president-elect for the International Society of…
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Event: Adult day services for Floridians with dementia and their family caregivers: What to know and ask
Hear a panel discussion on this topic during a free Facebook Live event, Thursday, April 8th from 7-8:15 PM/EST.
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Heather Flynn, PhD named Interim Chair of department
With the new year, the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine (BSSM) welcomes Dr. Heather Flynn, PhD in her new role as Interim Chair.
As one of two academic research departments in the College of Medicine, BSSM’s goal is to be a leader in the creation of new knowledge emphasizing multidisciplinary, applied research, partnered with community members, health care providers and patients.
BSSM has an interdisciplinary faculty representing fields of psychology (clinical, developmental, personality, social), public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, bioethics, health services and health policy, and medical history. Faculty research interests are all centered on work aimed to impact communities, especially underserved populations. BSSM includes three centers: the Center for Translational Behavioral Science (CTBS)
, The Center for Behavioral Health Integration (CBHI)
, and the Center for Medicine and Public Health Policy and Practice (CMPHPP)
. Members of BSSM conduct cutting-edge research and scholarship, much of which is driven by the Mission of the FSU College of Medicine
.
Areas of research focus include social and behavioral aspects of chronic disease prevention and maintenance with a particular focus on HIV, psychological and medical aspects of healthy aging, mental health, substance use and addiction, health care service optimization and policy, and bioethical and historical conceptual foundations of science and medicine. BSSM draws on a wide variety of research methodologies, including intervention development and implementation science, policy and program evaluation, comparative effectiveness research, clinical trials, epidemiology and prevention science. BSSM also has a major focus on health care workforce development and clinical skill-building.
Highlighting Pediatric Rare Diseases and Community Impacts
Hear from Fran Hokkanen, Michele Holbrook, Yang Hou, and Pradeep Bhide to learn about pediatric rare diseases, experiences with rare diseases, and the new FSU Institute of Pediatric Rare Diseases .
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