The state of Florida has awarded USF Health $10 million to establish the Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services. Based at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) in downtown Tampa, the center helps strengthen USF鈥檚 presence in the growing Tampa Medical and Research District.
The FLCEMS brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers to advance the field of emergency medical services through pioneering research, high-quality education and innovation working with community partners.
Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Florida Department of Health, the four-year grant will be used to build out the EMS center 鈥� refining EMS methodologies by leading advancements in prehospital emergency care, improving and modernizing EMS educational curriculum and developing robust strategies for effective disaster preparedness.
As a leading policy and workforce study institute, the FLCEMS will guide communities, agencies and elected officials in setting policy and programs that best meet the needs of Floridians and will analyze and determine EMS workforce needs.
(left to right) Drs. Wilson, Moeller and Jameson
鈥淭he Florida Center for EMS will leverage USF鈥檚 cross-discipline expertise to develop innovative solutions that support recruitment and retention, education, resiliency and effectiveness of EMTs and paramedics across the state,鈥� said Dr. Jason Wilson, professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. 鈥淭his partnership between the Florida Department of Health and the state鈥檚 leading academic medical center, which is USF Health and Tampa General Hospital, will greatly impact public safety agencies across Florida as they develop and implement novel approaches to safeguard and improve the health of their communities and put the care of Floridians first.鈥�
鈥淎s the Florida Center for EMS launches, we are committed to advancing the quality and sustainability of EMS services statewide. Our work will focus on strengthening the EMS workforce, supporting policy development and ensuring that first responders have the resources they need to serve their communities effectively,鈥� said Dr. Bruce Moeller, executive director of the Florida Center for EMS.
鈥淯SF has a track record of stepping up to address workforce challenges impacting the entire state by hosting other centers,鈥� said Dr. Angus Jameson, state EMS medical director and associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine in the Morsani College of Medicine. 鈥淭he collaborative cross-discipline approach at USF will allow leaders in emergency and prehospital medicine, public health, education and business to come together at the Florida Center for EMS to find solutions that work for our first responders and the residents and visitors they serve.鈥�