With the University of Central Florida College of Medicine completing its first year and with plans for a Valencia campus, as well as a UCF new dental school in the planning stages, many of the initial large-scale education components of the Medical City are coming together nicely.

The UCF College of Medicine was established in 2006 by the Florida Board of Governors, the Florida Legislature and the Governor of Florida in order to increase opportunities for medical education in Florida, address the physician shortage and enhance the overall economy. According to the school’s website, www.med.ucf.edu, the College of Medicine is a forward-looking medical school with a culture based on partnership and collaboration and is an integral part of the growing medical city in Lake Nona.

In August 2010, the M.D. program enrolled its second class of 60 students, and for the second year in a row, the college received more applications than any other public medical school in Florida.

The UCF Medical school is also doing its part in building up the economy, even surpassing projected numbers. In 2006, the Milken Institute conducted a study to determine a 10-year economic-activity projection based on the addition of the school. In only two years of running, the school has reached 80 percent of that projection already.

A 2008 economic impact study says that by 2017 up to 30,000 new jobs could be added. UCF is also addressing the physician shortage around the country right now by producing up to 120 medical graduates a year.

Down the road, Valencia College broke ground on the first building of its new Lake Nona Campus on June 22. The Valencia campus will open opportunities for students to study biomedical and life sciences and to earn their associate degrees.

Dr. Mike Bosley, assistant provost at Valencia College Lake Nona, says the three-story, 83,000 square-foot building will open in August 2012. It will have 18 classrooms, six science labs, a library, a bookstore, small café and administrative offices. It cost roughly $21.7 million and is the first of four buildings proposed for the campus. All four buildings will eventually accommodate about 5,000 students and 250,000 square feet.

There is also hope for a UCF dental school in the area. Zenaida Gonzalez Kotala, senior communications coordinator for UCF News & Information, says UCF’s proposed College of Dental Medicine will be an economic driver for Central Florida, will strengthen the UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona and will bring an increased focus to the emerging medical city.

The idea of a new dental school in the area is undergoing a lot of criticism though, which stems from state reports that say there are plenty of dentists in Florida, just not in the areas with the greatest need.

Kotala says the Florida Board of Governors is currently considering whether it is wise to invest in creating these costly dental schools when the schools won’t necessarily address the big picture problem. UCF responds to this debate by not seeking any state funds for the dental college. “We have a $10 million donation, will secure loans and are creating a funding model that requires no state funds,” she says. “The school will use tuition and fees as well as clinic income to be self-sufficient.”

The College of Dental Medicine is expected to create at least 110 local jobs as well as an initial economic impact of $73 million.

If the Board of Governors approves the building of a dental school, Kotala says the plan is to construct one building next to the UCF College of Medicine and have the school’s first 60 students start classes in 2014.

Article by Nikki Stephens

Report card week can be a stressful time for students, but it can be just as distressing for parents if their kids aren’t doing so well in school. When students fall behind or struggle with a particular subject, most parents seek out supplemental help, usually in the form of a tutor.

More parents and students are turning to this option and, in turn, the private tutoring industry has seen a big boom in business during the past few years. In 2005, a report by NPR stated that the tutoring industry was worth $4 billion, but a recent report by Global Industry Analysts Inc. projects that the industry will be worth more than $100 billion by 2017.

So what’s fueling the rise of this multibillion-dollar industry?

“I think part of that is that class size has gotten larger and there are more online classes,” says Rick Washick, founder and tutor at East Orlando Tutors.

Jessica Hunt, a tutor and scholar with the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute at the University of Central Florida, also notes that a larger class size may lead to a child needing more one-on-one time. She also says that children in families that move a lot may need some help in catching up on what they’ve missed in school.

“Especially in Orange County, families are very transient. When that happens, it creates some sort of gaps in knowledge for the kids. They may miss something in the curriculum,” she says.

According to Hunt, who has tutored many students that have identified learning disabilities in mathematics, those students turned to tutoring because they weren’t receiving enough help in the classroom. “It’s not because the teachers aren’t teaching, but because they can’t effectively pinpoint what’s not there,” she says.

Finding a tutor who can pinpoint the source of the problem is one of the things Hunt says parents should look for when searching for a tutor. “The biggest thing that I would say is to find someone who is knowledgeable, of course, passionate about what they do and who has the ability to get to the meat of what’s going on [with the child],” she adds.

Both Hunt and Washick stress the importance of finding someone your child is comfortable with and who meshes with their learning style. They also say that knowledge is key in finding the right person, and encourage parents to ask the prospective tutor about his or her credentials and education.

“You need to feel comfortable that the particular individual has the skill set to teach that subject matter,” says Washick. “Ask some questions initially about what subject matter they’re tutoring in and how well they know it.”

For some students and parents, it may be difficult to figure out where to start looking for a tutor. Washick says that simply typing the word “tutor” and your location into a search engine is a good place to start.

But both Washick and Hunt warn against choosing tutors who have ads on Craigslist or on other websites that you may be unfamiliar with or that don’t seem credible to you. They also encourage parents and students to meet with the prospective tutor in a public place, at least for the first meeting.

“You want to identify them through a reputable source,” says Hunt. “I would not recommend going online and searching for ’such and such.’”

Instead, look for a tutoring company or business. Washick recommends Tutors Teach or WyzAnt, which Washick himself has a contract with.

“It’s expensive, but you have the benefit of knowing the tutor has already been screened,” says Washick.

Article by Marisa Ramiccio

For your child, backpacks are more than a fashion statement - they’re a necessity, carrying everything from schoolbooks to personal items and electronics. But, just as with anything, there are certain “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to buying and wearing a backpack. Insight recently sat down with Dr. Jodi Jakiel, owner of Active Living Health Center on Chickasaw Trail to find out more.

1. In regards to backpack safety for kids, what’s the general rule of thumb?

I say two things - keep it light and keep it tight. Backpacks should be less than 20 percent of a child’s weight, meaning if your child weighs 60 pounds, their backpack should not weigh more than 12 pounds. Kids want to look cool, but cool and safe don’t mix here. Children need to utilize both straps of the bag, ensuring it’s pulled snug so that the back pack is flush against the back.

Carrying the backpack over one shoulder causes the body to lean to one side initially creating muscular imbalances. These imbalances can predispose that child to injury, subluxation or future spinal problems, such as scoliosis.

2. What should parents know when buying a backpack?

There are a few things to remember here. First, is that roller bags are preferably, but not always practical for your child. As I mentioned above, the bag should be less than 20 percent of the child’s total weight. If your child must carry more than they should, a roller bag is the way to go.

3. What are signs of initial strain on the child?

Posture is the first thing parents should check. Look at your child’s posture when he or she is wearing the backpack. If the shoulders uneven, the head forward, and/or the child is bending at the hip, these are all signs that the pack is too heavy or unevenly distributed. If your child’s posture changes with the backpack on, then it’s too heavy. Most problems do not result in pain until later down the road. What should be a major concern is the impact of postural issues on the spine and spine development with long term improper usage.

4. What is the best spot for a backpack to rest on a student’s back?

The best spot for a backpack to rest is in the center of the back with the weight distributed evenly. It should not dip below the student’s lower back or hips. A good tip is to place the heaviest items closest to the body, so the muscles don’t have to work as hard to hold the weight.

5. Would you encourage parents to ask their child if they’re having back or neck pain?

Absolutely, but why wait until your child is in pain? Parents have an easy solution to preventing problems simply by having their children’s spine and their backpacks checked. If your child complains of pain, discomfort, dumbness or tingling, get them checked by a spinal expert immediately. Always be sure to consult your doctor before returning to use.

If you would like to learn more about proper backpack safety procedures, visit the Active Living Health Center’s website at www.ActiveLivingHealth.com or stop by their office at 6441 S. Chickasaw trail, Orlando, FL 32829 for a free backpack safety evaluation.

Article by Corey Gehrold

The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will consider on May 26 a proposal to establish a College of Dental Medicine at the UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona.

The college will fill a need to provide students with a local dental program, and it is expected to create at least 110 local jobs as well as an initial economic impact of $73 million. The dental college also will benefit Central Florida’s community by attracting research that could improve oral and overall health care.

“The College of Dental Medicine will mean opportunities for our local students to obtain a dental education that they must now leave our area to achieve,” said UCF President John C. Hitt. “The college will create opportunities to help more people in need of dental care who cannot afford it. And it will provide Central Florida with new jobs and an economic boost in challenging times.”

A private donor who wishes to remain anonymous is providing a $10 million donation to jump start the project. The university will secure a loan of approximately $40 million to cover the necessary startup costs. The college does not intend to seek state money for the project.

The college will be housed in a facility to be built adjacent to the College of Medicine in the heart of Lake Nona’s “medical city.”

There are only two accredited dental schools with enrolled students in Florida – one in Gainesville and one in Fort Lauderdale. And they receive many more applications than they can accept.

The initial economic impact of $73 million comes from construction and equipment costs. Once fully operational, UCF’s new college is expected to generate approximately $69 million in annual economic impact. This estimate does not include anticipated research dollars that will flow to the new school.

“This is a unique opportunity for us,” said Dr. Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs at UCF and dean of the College of Medicine. “There is a link between oral health and overall health. In fact, recent studies indicate that oral disease is often present in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We expect to be conducting research in these areas,which will benefit our students and the community’s overall health.”

Central Florida needs dentists who will treat underserved communities. The UCF program will include service-learning projects that will reach out to rural and inner-city communities. Providing service to those who can least afford dental care will be a strong component in the curriculum, German said.

German, in her role as the vice president for medical affairs, will oversee the creation of the new dental college. Students in the medical and dental colleges will collaborate to enrich their educational experiences and to best use unique facilities, such as the College of Medicine’s anatomy lab.

Many UCF students have long wanted a local dental school.

“I wish I had this opportunity now,” said Tamra Culp, a Sarasota resident who graduated this month with a Molecular Biology and Microbiology degree and is applying to dental colleges this summer. “UCF would have been my first choice. I love UCF, and I prefer to stay close to home. Florida is where I want to practice.”

UCF’s Board of Trustees will consider the proposal at its May 26 meeting. If approved, the proposal will move on to the Florida Board of Governors for its endorsement. Then the college will seek national accreditation from the American Dental Association. UCF expects to open the college in 2014.

“The dream of a comprehensive world-class health and life science cluster at the medical city will be one step closer to reality with the addition of the UCF College of Dental Medicine,” said Rasesh Thakkar, senior managing director of the Tavistock Group, which owns Lake Nona.  “This makes perfect sense for our community and the medical city should continue to grow.”

The proposed college will enhance the health sciences cluster at Lake Nona, which is already home to the UCF College of Medicine, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute. The Nemours Children’s Hospital, Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a University of Florida Research and Academic Center also are under construction.

Article courtesy of the University of Central Florida News & Information Office.

Most people can handle keeping themselves safe, relatively speaking anyway. Others take on the safety of their spouse, children and maybe a pet or two. Still, others take on the safety of about 56,000 people just down the road. That is the feat of the University of Central Florida Public Safety and Police Department.

Through their extensive initiatives, the UCF Police Department allows for the campus to be a secure environment for its students. Sergeant Troy Williamson, community relations supervisor for the UCF Police Department, has been on the force at the school for 27 years. He says that one of the most important things they do is provide education to students about safety. “We want to educate as much as possible,” Williamson says. “We want to do all that we can to get these students from orientation to graduation.”

The various programs offered cover everything from protecting personal property to staying safe during spring break. One of the more popular classes offered - Self defense Awareness, Familiarization, and Exchange - is a class intended to teach women how to prevent being attacked. One of the instructors of the two-hour class, Officer Jeannette Emert, says the class is for beginners looking for an introduction to self defense. “The hope is that it encourages them to go on to bigger and better programs,” Emert says.

UCF also offers its students with a Safe Escort Patrol Service (SEPS), which runs Sunday through Thursday from 7p.m. to 1a.m. Students, faculty and staff members can utilize this service to get a free and safe ride across the main campus after dark. This past March there were over 700 UCF Knights who took advantage of the SEPS service.

One of the most important things the UCF Police Department does to ensure safety is the UCFALERT. This multi-media communication system arrives in the hands of students and faculty through the form of text messages or emails and provides accurate updates about emergency situations impacting the university - whether it be extreme weather or bomb threats.

A majority of crimes that occur on campus are property burglaries, but the police department is prepared for large scale disasters as well if need be. In preparation of the possibility of a school shooting, members of the UCF Police Department go to the shooting range at least twice a year for a whole day to practice firing. “It’s important to send a message to students that they are safe on this campus,” Williamson says.

The UCF Police Department has grown considerably, even over just the last several years. They moved to their new and improved headquarters this past October, which even still has left plenty of room to grow. Officers on the force has also increased as the campus population has continued to grow over the years.

Thanks their relationship with other Sheriff’s Offices, the UCF Police Department has a constant stream of information. “It’s important that we be in communication with other Sherriff’s offices in the area because a student is a student 24 hours a day,” Williamson says. “Without this Police Department being here, Orange County would have their hands full,” Williamson says. “We take care of our area and we know how to do it better than anyone else. It’s UCF and we know our students, our campus and our community.”

Article by Katelyn Schmidt