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Elimarys Perez-Colon, MD, associate professor of Internal Medicine with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, was recently named a USF Health Culture Champion in recognition of her extraordinary commitment to global health, mentorship and service.

In April, Dr. Perez-Colon led a medical mission trip to Medellin, Colombia, as part of the International Health Service Collaborative (IHSC), a USF Health student organization dedicated to promoting sustainable health in communities around the world.

Under Dr. Perez-Colon鈥檚 leadership, a multidisciplinary team of 21 students and six faculty members from all four USF Health colleges partnered with colleagues from Universidad CES to deliver vital health services to local communities in need.

鈥淲e provided community-specific education and care, including internal medicine, pediatrics and OB-GYN services tailored to what鈥檚 accessible in Colombia,鈥� said Dr. Perez-Colon. 鈥淧harmacists, public health students, medical students and nursing students from USF Health all worked together alongside colleagues from Universidad CES to serve patients.鈥�

Thanks to this collaborative mission, over 280 patients received clinical consultations in specialties such as internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, dermatology and optometry. In addition, more than 450 individuals benefited from pharmacy services, glucose testing, health education workshops and other community outreach initiatives.

Beyond the care provided, the mission also furnished USF Health students with an immersive global health experience, where they engaged with patients and faculty from a different culture while promoting sustainable health care.

鈥淭his work is both a vital service to underserved communities and an invaluable learning experience for our students,鈥� Dr. Perez-Colon said. 鈥淲orking in resource-limited settings helps learners sharpen their clinical skills and deepens their understanding of how social conditions can impact health. These lessons will be carried with them throughout their careers.鈥�

For her exceptional contributions to global health and student development, Dr. Perez-Colon was recognized with a Culture Coin by Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, dean of the Morsani College of Medicine and executive vice president of USF Health.

鈥淲e are incredibly proud of Dr. Perez-Colon鈥檚 leadership,鈥� Dr. Lockwood said. 鈥淗er commitment to global outreach and interprofessional collaboration represents the very best of USF Health鈥檚 mission to improve lives locally and globally.鈥�

Mark G. Moseley, MD, MHA, president of USF Tampa General Physicians and professor and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, echoed the same sentiment.

鈥淗er leadership in bringing together students and faculty across multiple health disciplines, both here at USF and internationally, is exactly the kind of innovative, compassionate care we strive to model,鈥� Dr. Moseley said.