This fall, USF鈥檚 (COPH) celebrates a new class of graduates who are stepping forward with knowledge, compassion and a commitment to strengthening the health of communities everywhere. In total, 731 students are earning their degrees this semester, marking an important milestone in their journeys as future health leaders.
Graduates this spring bring with them a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Most of them, 667 students, call Florida home, while 64 hail from out of state.
Among this graduating class are ten doctoral students, earning their鈥痮谤 , who are joined by 107 master鈥檚 students, earning degrees in鈥,鈥 补苍诲鈥攅ach ready to take on roles across a wide range of health-focused fields.
The graduation celebration concluded with a declaration and commitment to public health by all graduates in the room led by the newest doctoral graduates. (Photo by Liz Bannon)
Graduate-level students and their supporters gathered at the college for a hybrid ceremony filled with laughter, reflection and heartfelt messages, with a warm welcome from .
Then, recipient, , professor and interim chair of the , shared a message by starting with a music video , released in 2024.
"Although this is a series of poetic verses, in many ways it is emblematic of public health today because the work that you're stepping into is not at all easy," Salemi began.
"You will face problems that won't resolve easily," he continued. "You will face people and systems that are resistant to change and inequities that have been here long before we have. So, at times it will feel like you are 'fighting the unfightable foe'."
"But you are ready," he said. "You have the tools, the training and the skills of critical thinking to make a difference right now. You're not beginning a quest today, you are continuing a journey that you have already started."
"So many of those song lyrics are written for public health. You do choose to right the wrong, you do continue to try when your arms are weary and you do continue to reach for what may feel like an unreachable star. But public health is about progress and showing up again and again to make things better than they were before. Even when the impact is not immediate, even when it isn't visible, because it matters."
Salemi wrapped up his message by referring back to the lyrics. "As you leave here today, 'follow that star no matter how far' and 'fight for what is right without any question or pause'."
"I know you are stepping willingly into those hard spaces for causes that are bigger than yourselves, because that is exactly what this proffession requires and exactly what this world needs right now."
A reception welcomed guests after the program, providing time for connection, congratulations and plenty of photos.
Graduates, faculty and guests gathered with Dr. Vermund for a picture during the reception following the ceremony. (Photo by Liz Bannon)
The largest group, 614鈥, represent the next generation of health professionals, stepping boldly into a world that needs their energy, curiosity and commitment.
Undergraduates from left to right: Jerin Joji, Jordan Litman, Yashvi Purohit and middle with academic adivsor Kristal Furnaro. (Photo courtesy of Elissa Santos)
Their ceremony was held at the Yuengling Center to honor the hard work and resilience of this spring鈥檚 graduates.
Nisa Pierre took a moment for a photo with academic advisor Kristal Furnaro. (Photo courtesy of Elissa Santos)
As these鈥 step into their next chapters, they join a powerful network of Bulls working across the globe to advance health and improve lives. The COPH is proud to welcome them into its growing family of public health professionals.
Here are some of the stories from the class of 2026:
Zamira Ortiz, BSPH with a concentration in biological health sciences (Photo courtesy of Ortiz)
Originally introduced to public health through her aunt who works as a physician鈥檚 assistant (PA) at Moffit Cancer Center, Zamira Ortiz said she became more interested in understanding how health outcomes are influenced by social, environmental and behavioral factors.
鈥淚 chose the COPH because of the diverse opportunities for hands-on learning and its
connection to the local community,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he program鈥檚 reputation and resources
made it a great fit for my academic and career goals.鈥
Throughout her time as a student, Ortiz balanced a demanding academic schedule while
working up to 40 hours a week and faced significant personal and health challenges.
鈥淔or the past seven years, I have struggled with gastrointestinal issues that affected my daily life, my energy and at times even my ability to attend class,鈥 she said. 鈥淎fter years of uncertainty, I finally received a clear diagnosis and had my gallbladder removed. Moving through that process, with multiple appointments, tests and surgery, gave me firsthand insight into how vulnerable and anxious patients can feel and how much compassionate, clear communication from providers matters.鈥
Ortiz also managed instability at home during her freshman year due to domestic violence and shifting family responsibilities, but she said it was discipline, time management and perseverance that got her to the finish line.
鈥淭here were moments when it would have been easier to step away from my education, but instead I chose to stay enrolled, seek support and continue working toward my degree,鈥 she said.
After graduation, Ortiz plans to pursue a career as a PA, with the goal of working in pediatrics.
鈥淚 want to be the kind of PA who makes children and their families feel safe, heard and understood, especially when they are facing the kinds of medical and personal hardships that I have known myself,鈥 Ortiz said. 鈥淢y journey is proof to future students that it is possible to endure serious health issues, family trauma and heavy work responsibilities, and still continue education by transforming those challenges into motivation to care for patients with empathy and strength.鈥
Kelvin Asare, BSPH with minors in biology and infection control (Photo courtesy of LinkedIn)
As a first-generation immigrant from Ghana, Kelvin Asare grew up hearing many stories about the struggles his family members faced with endemic illness and always wanted to understand the science behind it.
鈥淭his interest combined with my research experiences in 鈥 lab and other projects drove me to pursue an infectious disease research internship at Emory University last summer and add on a here at the COPH.鈥
Asare presented his proteasome research at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference last spring and is currently researching oxidative stress and sickle cell.
鈥淚鈥痑m currently assisting a graduate student in studying how parasites grow under oxidized versus normal conditions. The goal is to identify changes at the parasite level that might explain the better clinical outcomes seen in individuals with the sickle cell trait, potentially identifying pathways for new therapeutics.鈥
During his time as a student, Asare also served as student director for the BRIDGE Public Health Team, a student-run free clinic that partners closely with the Florida Department of Health and is led by students. The interdisciplinary clinic brings students together from public health, social work, pharmacy and other fields.
鈥淎fter I graduate in May, I plan to apply to medical school (combined MD/MPH programs preferably) with the goal of becoming an infectious disease physician,鈥 Asare said. 鈥淚'm drawn to this specialty because I'm fascinated by the science of infectious diseases, and it is a specialty where public health is of extreme and direct importance.鈥
Kennedy Miller, BSPH (Photo courtesy of Miller)
Throughout her undergraduate years, Kennedy Miller gained hands on experience in animal care, wildlife rehabilitation and public facing education through roles at ZooTampa, The Florida Aquarium and several veterinary and shelter organizations. It was through her early interest in infectious disease and animal health that she was introduced to public health.
鈥淎s I learned more about zoonotic disease, environmental exposures and population level health challenges, I realized that public health was the foundation that tied all my interests together,鈥 Miller said. 鈥淚t offered the perfect bridge between science, community impact and veterinary medicine.鈥
Miller pointed to the academic rigor and flexibility the COPH offered that allowed
her to explore her diverse interests.
鈥淭he professors genuinely care and are tremendously supportive, the coursework is
meaningful and I always felt like what I was learning connected to real world issues,鈥
she said.
Being an off-campus student also meant she had to put in extra effort to stay connected and involved in things like clubs, group projects and social opportunities.
鈥淭here were times when it felt like a lot, but learning how to manage my time, communicate clearly and stay organized ended up being some of the most valuable skills I gained and that I hope will help me in my future education and career.鈥
Miller said she is most proud of how she has grown as a scientific thinker. 鈥淲hether I was writing research summaries, analyzing qualitative studies or applying epidemiological reasoning, I learned how to produce original, high quality academic work that I am confident in,鈥 she said.
She said it wasn鈥檛 easy, but it showed her what she is capable of.
鈥淟ooking back, I feel well prepared for the next step in my education and confident in the foundation that COPH gave me,鈥 Miller said.
Brooke Martinez, MPH in epidemiology with a graduate certificate in applied biostatistics (Photo courtesy of Martinez)
For Brooke Martinez, her interest in public health began through her own personal health journey.
鈥淚n 2022, I was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and through that experience I realized how underrecognized the disorder is within research and the broader medical community,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 chose the COPH because of a rheumatologist at Tampa General Hospital, which partners with USF Health, who led me down the path of understanding hypermobility after years of misdiagnosis. I wanted to learn from the same institution that helped the first physician truly listen to me and take my symptoms seriously.鈥
Since then, Martinez said she has become a proud Bull.
鈥淒uring my time as a student, I have grown not only academically but personally, learning to accept my condition while discovering my passion for science and public health.鈥
For her applied practice experience, Martinez chose to travel to Gifu University in Gifu, Japan.
鈥淚 am currently completing a three-month placement in Japan under the mentorship of two physicians at Gifu鈥檚 Health Administration Center,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hrough this experience, we have already produced a manuscript examining steatotic liver disease and mental health among Japanese university students, which is currently under review for edits prior to submission to an international journal.鈥
She said she is particularly proud of this opportunity having served as the primary investigator, as the experience helped her unlock strengths and capabilities she did not know she possessed.
鈥淚 am incredibly grateful for my time at the COPH,鈥 Martinez said. 鈥淚 am optimistic about the future and the opportunities ahead thanks to the education, mentorship and growth that this experience at the COPH has provided me.鈥
Cecilia Delsanti, MSPH in genetic counseling (Photo courtesy of Delsant)
Cecilia Delsanti was introduced to genetic counseling through two undergraduates classes in psychology and genetics that she absolutely loved.
After that, she was drawn to the COPH because the genetic counseling program was uniquely housed under its umbrella.
鈥淚 knew that dynamic would give me a broader understanding of how larger public health factors impact patient outcomes,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 was also excited by how much clinical experience the program offers, with diverse rotations that helped me build confidence and grow as a future genetic counselor.鈥
After graduation, she plans to work as the first prenatal genetic counselor in Sarasota,
Fla. at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
鈥淚鈥檓 especially excited about this role because there are currently very few prenatal
genetic counselors in Florida and Sarasota has not had one at all,鈥 she added. 鈥淭his
position will allow me to help expand access to prenatal genetics services and empower
patients with the information and support they need throughout pregnancy.鈥
After one year of experience, Delsanti said she plans to become a clinical supervisor
for the USF Genetic Counseling Program.
鈥淢y training at the COPH has helped me think beyond individual patient care and better
understand how health care systems, access to services and health equity shape patient
outcomes,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e gained diverse clinical experience across multiple rotations
and learned from exceptional genetic counselors. The program strongly emphasized patient-centered
care, including tailoring communication, supporting shared decision-making and helping
patients make choices that align with their values. As I step into this new role,
I鈥檓 grateful to have mentors who will continue to support and guide me through the
challenges and opportunities ahead.鈥