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Once a Bull, always a Bull: CFS Working Bulls
share their stories
At USF, “Working Bulls” are faculty and staff who are also university students or alumni. From longtime employees like Rick Weinberg, PhD, a 1983 graduate approaching 50 years of service, to those currently pursuing degrees, their journeys highlight the lasting connections between education and career. Eight Working Bulls share their experiences and reflect on what makes USF meaningful to them.
| | T. Freeman Gerhardt II, PhD, presented “Peers, Paramedicine, and the Case for a Connected Response to the Overdose Crisis” at the Florida EMS Advisory Council meeting in Tampa on Sept. 23. As part of the Mobile Integrated Health and Community Paramedicine Workshop, Gerhardt highlighted findings from Tampa Bay and statewide evaluations demonstrating how integrating peer specialists with EMS and law enforcement outreach can improve connections to care, increase treatment completion and reduce nonfatal overdose calls. He also discussed challenges in recruiting, supervising and retaining peer specialists, emphasizing the importance of effective supervision. | | |
Gerontologists urge stronger disaster planning as complex emergencies threaten aging populations
Science Magazine
"That is the central message of a new editorial anchoring the October 2026 special issue of the Journal of Applied Gerontology, a peer-reviewed publication of the Southern Gerontological Society. In the opening piece, titled "Complex Emergencies and the Effects on Older Populations," author and special issue guest editor Lindsay Peterson, PhD, of the University of South Florida School of Aging Studies..."
From Research to Action Summit Turns Workforce Findings Into a Collective Call
FCBHW.org
"On Sept. 10, Khary Rigg, PhD, took the stage before behavioral health providers, researchers, educators, students, policymakers and community leaders from across Florida and shared the story that inspired his research."
Remember the ‘caregiving kills’ study? Reality is more nuanced
SciencesNews
"'We don’t really know,' says gerontologist and clinical psychologist William Haley of the University of South Florida in Tampa. 'There’s a lot of mysteries here.'"
Inside Sensory Saturdays at MOSI
WMOR-TV
"We've partnered with CARD-USF, that's the Center for Autism-Related Disabilities, and they train our staff. So our staff is knowledgeable and it's something that we like to offer because it's part of our mission."
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Freed, C., Miltenberger, R., & Reyes, C. (2026). Autism and the Performing Arts: Evaluating Behavioral Skills Training to Teach Dance to Children with ASD. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-026-10094-4
Perry, B. L., Qu, T., Peng, S., Roth, A. R. (2026). Associations between social network characteristics and daily social experiences in later life: Evidence from ecological momentary assessment. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, gbag196. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbag196
Rigg, K. K., Proctor, S. L., Faber, K. B., Steed, L. C., & Curran, L. (2026). Perceived Readiness and Clinical Confidence in Providing Substance Use Disorder Care Among Behavioral Health Providers. Substance Use: Research and Treatment, 20, 29768357261491551. https://doi.org/10.1177/29768357261491551
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Title: Food Insecurity and the Social Ecological Mode Implications for Cancer, Abdominal Obesity, and Disordered Eating
Student: Mina Davari
Program: Behavioral and Community Sciences
Date: Monday, Oct. 19, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: MHC 2531 or Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 213 074 922 653 923 Passcode: pG3Eb6Qu)
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Title: Health Effects in Family Caregiving: When Cancer Survivors Become Caregivers
Student: Natalia Babenko
Program: Aging Studies
Date: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: MHC 1200 (Atrium) or Microsoft Teams
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Kathleen Moore, PhD with co-investigators Freeman Gerhardt, PhD, and Melissa Carlson (Department of Behavioral Health Science and Practice)
Evaluation of TGH-BHH Mobile Behavioral Health Unit
Sponsor: Tampa General Hospital (Prime agency is Hillsborough County BOCC - Opioid Settlement Funds)
September 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027
Award Amount: $291,522
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) received funding to implement a mobile behavioral health unit (MBHU) to deliver integrated services for individuals with substance use and mental health needs across Hillsborough County. This integrated treatment approach combines mobile care, telehealth services and community partnerships to provide accessible, patient-centered care. The Department of Behavioral Health Science & Practice will provide technical assistance and evaluation services throughout the project, which will unfold in three interrelated phases:
- Exploration: Conduct a needs assessment to identify key components for the MBHU and how to deploy it effectively. The needs assessment will use a mixed-methods approach, including semi-structured interviews and secondary analysis of TGH electronic medical records to identify gaps in service.
- Implementation: Provide technical assistance to support effective implementation and service delivery (e.g., monitor implementation fidelity and support quality improvement activities).
- Sustainability: Conduct a mixed-methods outcome evaluation covering programmatic outcomes, lessons learned, recommendations and a sustainability plan.
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Suit-A-Bull Clothing Drive
Now-Oct. 23 | Drop off in the Dean’s Office MHC 1110
Gently used suits, blazers, dress shirts, ties, belts, shoes and more. CBCS is also collecting donations before and after the CBCS Faculty and Staff Assembly on Oct. 23!
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Books Behind Bars Book Drive
Now-Oct. 23 | Drop off in the Dean’s Office MHC 1110
Paperbacks, small or medium hardcovers and magazines. No textbooks, legal books, K-8 books, or DVDs. CBCS is also collecting donations before and after the CBCS Faculty and Staff Assembly on Oct. 23!
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Charit-A-Bull Food Drive
Now-Oct. 31 | Drop off in the Dean’s Office MHC 1110
Canned protein, peanut butter, cereal, rice, pasta, soup, snacks, hygiene items and other non-perishable items. CBCS is also collecting donations before and after the CBCS Faculty and Staff Assembly on Oct. 23!
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Benefits Fair
Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Learn more about important plan changes and the many benefits available to USF employees. Vendors will also be on hand with information about their products and services. This year, the Tampa campus will host a single benefits fair for both campuses. Learn more. Open enrollment begins Monday, Oct. 12, at 8 a.m. and ends Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.
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The Reset - A Wellness Experience
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 2-3 p.m. | MHC 2113 | Register here
Step away from the screens, meetings, emails and to-do lists for an hour designed to give you an actual break. The Reset is a wellness experience including a quick writing exercise, simple seated and standing stretches, breathing and a few minutes of meditation. No workout clothes or yoga mats needed. Just show up as you are and take an hour for yourself.
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Heart of a Bull with CBCS's Be Well Walking Group
Saturday, Nov. 14 | Raymond James Stadium | Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m. and Walk begins at 8:45 a.m. | Join here
Join USF’s Heart of A Bull campaign and our CBCS walking group, Be Well, as we come together to support the American Heart Association Heart Walk and take steps toward healthier hearts and stronger communities. Whether you’re an avid walker or just looking for a fun way to support a great cause, we’d love to have you join the CBCS team. Bring your walking shoes, invite a friend and help us make every step count!
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Heart of a Bull with Criminology Heart Patrol
Saturday, Nov. 14 | Raymond James Stadium | Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m. and Walk begins at 8:45 a.m. | Join here
Join the Criminology Heart Patrol and Lee Bercaw at the Tampa Bay Heart Walk! The Department of Criminology is coming together to support a great cause, and we’d love for you to join us. Let’s walk together, support heart health and show up for our community!
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Participants needed for dementia care research studies
Contact: Nicole Lampe, PhD | Email: CBCS-Dementia-BHW@usf.edu | Text: (813) 485-5520
The Department of Behavioral Health Science and Practice is seeking participants for two research opportunities aimed at strengthening dementia-capable behavioral health services and workforce training across Florida. Eligible participants will complete a 15-minute online survey followed by a 90-minute Zoom focus group and will receive a $40 Amazon e-gift card for focus group participation. Interested in participating? Learn more and find details for both studies here and here.
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Adding News, Events, and Publications to the CBCS Website and Newsletter
If you have news/events or recent/upcoming publications you would like posted on the CBCS website and/or in the Communique newsletter, send the details and any attachments to CBCS Marketing (CBCSMarketing@usf.edu). Please send all newsletter submissions no later than Thursday for inclusion in the following week's newsletter.
Be sure to include all pertinent information (title, date, times, location, event description, and contact information) in editable digital text format. Articles included in the CBCS Communiqué may be disseminated to USF Media outlets and/or beyond.
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