USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

09/11/2026

09/10/2026

When Andrew Maroun was just 10 years old, he made a life-sized red and blue clay model of a heart. It was emblematic of the interest in medicine and cardiology he held at an early age. More than a decade later, he keeps that same model heart in his freezer as a reminder of his lifelong goal.

As an early-admission student at USF and a National Merit Scholarship recipient, the Lutz, Fla., native spent what would have been his senior year at Steinbrenner High School beginning his undergraduate studies at USF. He earned a place in the USF 7-year B.S./M.D. Accelerated Program, a partnership between the Judy Genshaft Honors College and Morsani College of Medicine for first-time-in-college students to receive admission into the medical school.

That program gave him an early look at the medical school, and during his final year as an undergraduate, he took a course that introduced him to the medical school’s leadership and faculty.

“I had a very positive experience with everyone I had a chance to talk to,” Maroun said, recalling those interactions. “It got me even more excited to go to medical school here.”

Maroun also earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from USF, a subject that he says helps to examine the ethical questions he will encounter as a physician. It also gives him a deeper appreciation for the symbolism of the white coat he now dons. He hopes can live up to the same standards and philosophies set by Hippocrates.

“It’s an honor participating in a tradition and taking an oath that dates back more than 2,000 years,” Maroun said. “I believe there is good and evil in the universe. Being good involves serving others, and that’s a mission worthy of sacrifice. I hope that through helping others, I can make a real difference.”

Full story: https://bit.ly/3SvWSQX
USF Health-University of South Florida

09/09/2026

By the time Katryna Adamski was in third grade, the Tarpon Springs, Fla., native was interested in a healthcare career, inspired by her mother, a nurse practitioner. Watching her mother care for patients in need helped her begin to picture herself doing the same.

Adamski’s experience of the provider-patient relationship became personal when her brother Joel was diagnosed with pediatric cancer while she was in middle school. As he was treated at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, she was struck by the kindness and consideration of his doctors, something she said brought “moments of joy” to an otherwise difficult situation.

“The doctors were always finding the silver lining and keeping positive energy and good morale for our family,” Adamski said.

While earning her undergraduate degree in Nutrition Sciences at the University of Florida, she regularly volunteered with the organization that supported her family during her brother’s diagnosis and treatment: Child Life, a UF Health organization established to help children and families cope with the stress and anxiety of hospitalization. She spent time with children who were hospitalized for long periods of time by playing with them, talking to them, doing whatever she could to help bring a sense of normalcy.

Many of Adamski’s family and friends were at the ceremony to watch her don her first white coat, a humbling reminder, to her, of how big her support system is. She’s considering specializing in critical care to be able to help patients and families through some of their most difficult moments, just like the doctors did for her brother and father.

“It’s an honor to get my first white coat. Life has taught me that even under the worst circumstances, physicians can still bring optimism, compassion and hope to the bedside even if the long-term outcome isn’t good,” Adamski said. “The most important lesson for me is that caring for the person is just as important as treating the disease.” Full story: https://bit.ly/3SvWSQX
USF Health-University of South Florida

09/07/2026

ICYMI: Our received their first white coats in front of friends and family. The road to this moment was different for every student. Now, they'll move forward together. Read more about White Coat Ceremony: https://bit.ly/3SvWSQX

09/05/2026

Today, the reached their first milestone—receiving their first white coats. Congratulations to our newest ! Thank you Joe and Dolly Madachy, Carol and Frank Morsani, Tampa General Hospital President and CEO John Couris and University of South Florida President Moez Limayem for celebrating with us this afternoon.

09/04/2026

Tune in at 4 p.m. via USF Health-University of South Florida YouTube live as our newest class of first-year receive their first white coats! Watch here: https://bit.ly/3UYcYDz

09/03/2026

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine has been ranked the No. 1 medical school in the country for the second consecutive year in the 2026 Medical School Excellence Index. USF was the only institution to receive a perfect score of 100.

08/28/2026

ICYMI: Our newest physician assistant students received their first white coats. Full story on the Commitment to the Profession Ceremony! Full story: https://bit.ly/4i0QJq7
USF Health-University of South Florida

08/27/2026

A milestone and commitment to patients worth celebrating. Welcome to USF Health-University of South Florida to the Morsani College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program .

08/26/2026