First Lady gives shout-out to USF medical school

TAMPA – The University of South Florida got a shout-out from the White House Wednesday, when First Lady Michelle Obama singled out the school as she announced a new Joining Forces Initiative. Mrs. Obama praised USF's plans to work with the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration "to create a first-of-its-kind Center for Veterans Reintegration, which will mean a single, cohesive, research, treatment and education facility for veterans and families." Dr. Stephen Klasko, dean of the USF Morsani College of Medicine, said the praise was especially "cool" considering the First Lady's audience of about 80 medical school deans, including Harvard's. "It's good for Tampa Bay," Klasko said. "People are comfortable saying USF is among the best." The Joining Forces Initiative is expected to involve 130 medical schools and research facilities working to combat issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.