Bulls Notebook: Dr. Black to urge age-friendly policies statewide

The USF Sarasota-Manatee professor of aging studies is the principal investigator of Age-Friendly Sarasota, which works to promote active, engaged and healthy living for people of all ages.

Recently, she was asked to serve on a statewide advisory committee to create the nation’s first age-friendly public health system. The effort is an initiative of the John A. Hartford Foundation, Trust for America’s Health, and the Florida Department of Health.

The group will begin meeting in August to lay the groundwork to promote age-friendly practices to county health departments across Florida.

“This truly is a paradigm change in promoting active living across the lifespan,” said Black, who also noted that the work aligns with the intent of the World Health Organization.

Black kicked off her involvement last week at the Florida Public Health Association’s annual meeting in Orlando where she spoke to county health officials from across the state.

“Age-Friendly,” she says, “provides a unifying structure for multiple sectors to join forces toward a common goal for all in an aging society, and that is something that everyone can agree on.”

USFSM, UF sponsor ‘Biomed: Research to Reality’

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, the University of Florida and several economic development organizations will present a special program on Aug. 8 that explores best practices for bringing advanced research to the marketplace.

Medical and technology professionals, researchers and university faculty, business owners, entrepreneurs and others will benefit from “Biomed: Research to Reality.” Two identical presentations will take place at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, 7650 Legacy Blvd., the first a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then an evening reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Dr. Christopher Passaglia, a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering at the University of South Florida, and Dr. Christine E. Schmidt, chair of the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida, are the featured presenters.

Dr. Karen Holbrook, regional chancellor at USF Sarasota-Manatee, and members of the USFSM senior leadership team will be on hand to engage with organizations, business owners and members of the public about potential partnerships.

“We are excited to be collaborating with our colleagues at USF in Tampa and the University of Florida to bring this special presentation to our community. “Our featured speakers both have experience taking an idea from concept to prototype to the commercial marketplace. They will be sharing practical advice, pitfalls to avoid, and hopefully inspire others to great success in their work.”

Dr. Passaglia will discuss his research path to conceive, design and fabricate a unique device for the study and treatment of glaucoma and other pressure-dependent medical disorders. The professor will also highlight the innovative research of his biomedical colleagues at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Schmidt will discuss her biomedical medicine and research findings at the University of Florida. She’ll also outline the business side of creating, launching and funding a biomed product in today’s marketplace.

The cost of each is $25. Both are scheduled for Aug. 8. To register for the luncheon, which includes a plated lunch, visit lwrba.org/event-2937202/Registration.

For the reception, which comes with a cash bar, visit lwrba.org/event-2937369/Registration.

USFSM career fair to ‘turn the tables’

USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Career Services Office is proposing a unique way to match students and employers – a “reverse career fair.”

Unlike regular career fairs, “reverse” fairs put students in control by having them conduct interviews with potential employers. The technique provides insight into jobs and internships students wouldn’t otherwise get at regular job fairs, says Ben Heins, coordinator of internships and service learning at USFSM.

“If a student is seeking a full-time job or an internship in late 2018 or any time in 2019, they need to apply for this unique opportunity,” he said. “The odds of securing that next big break through this event couldn’t be higher.”

Heins learned about the idea at an educational conference. He’s working with Student Engagement, Student Government and E-Learning to launch the fair on Nov. 8 at the campus’ Selby Auditorium.

The event is dubbed “The Tables Have Turned: USFSM’s Inaugural Reverse Career Fair.” Students must apply by Sept. 7 to participate. Twenty participants will be selected to attend four training sessions in October to prepare them to interview the prospective employers.

“We will invite employers based on the student-finalists’ interests and, before the event, provide those employers with briefings on the backgrounds of each student to build excitement,” Heins said.

Students can learn more by sending their resumes to Heins at heins@sar.usf.edu or by visiting www.usfsm.edu/tables.

Brunch on the Bay tickets, sponsorships available

Tickets and sponsorships for Brunch on the Bay are now available, and this year’s event is shaping up to be extra special as it marks 25 years of local support.

Since 1994, Brunch on the Bay attendees have given graciously to fund scholarships for USF Sarasota-Manatee students while also savoring the finest brunch fare from local restaurants and caterers.

This year, as Brunch celebrates its Silver Anniversary, many special features are planned and the guest list is quickly growing, so don’t delay in securing your tickets and table sponsorships.

The event is set for Sunday, Nov. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

“More than 1,700 local students have received scholarship support from Brunch on the Bay, and we’re thrilled to continue this significant tradition — with a few twists for 2018!” Vice Chancellor for Advancement Lee Williams said. “We’re featuring a Brunch on the Bay Honorary Committee, in addition to the Organizing Committee, and the Honorary Committee co-chairs will be announced soon.”

“Brunch is presented by Mary Kenealy Events of Sarasota, and working with Mary and her talented team has simply been exceptional,” Williams said. “We have a few special guests arranged for the annual gathering; so it’s sure to be memorable. USFSM’s Brunch on the Bay is a fantastic way to spend a Sunday, enjoy wonderful culinary delights and support area students with scholarships.”

Since its start, Brunch has distinguished itself as USF Sarasota-Manatee’s premier fundraising event, adding more than $1.3 million to the university endowment and generating more than $1 million in scholarships, including those to First Generation students, the first in their families to attend college.

“It’s one of the very best events in this community and it’s been around longer than most other events,” said Bob Turner, a USFSM alum and former publisher of the Bradenton Herald. “It’s extremely important to support this event to support the students who need a leg up to further their careers and help our businesses with a workforce that’s ready to go.”

Turner and USFSM graduate Lauren Henry are co-chairs of this year’s Brunch on the Bay Organizing Committee.

“I see so much potential in what this university has to offer in terms of partnering with businesses and leaders in our community,” said Henry, a 2016 graduate. “And so Brunch on the Bay is a culmination of that, where the university and community come together and support the cause of higher education.”

For more about Brunch of the Bay, including tickets and table sponsorships, visit usfsm.edu/brunch or call Pam Gleason at (941) 359-4603.

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