Our History
A chance encounter between two undergraduate students in August 2004 would ultimately lead them to form an organization with the ambitious goal of making the USF Tampa campus a safer place. After advertising the new organization, there was a resounding positive response. Relationships were formed with USF Administration, Student Health Services, College of Public Health, and a local ambulance company, to develop a First Responder training program under the license of the Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI).
For the past two decades, UEMSA has trained and certified over 1,000 First Responders – or the new classification – Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) to provide life saving care in medical and traumatic emergencies.
In 2013, UEMSA leadership met with Student Health Services to discuss a partnership in the management of all Automated External Defibrillators (AED) on the USF Tampa campus. The Campus AED Management Program (CAMP) was developed with the goal of locating and maintaining all AEDs as well as training designated USF personal in CPR and the use of the AEDs.
In early 2015, UEMSA and Student Health Services collaborated to develop a clinical volunteer program for our EMR graduates. The program allows persons with an EMR certification or higher to volunteer on campus in the Student Health Clinic. Volunteers gain direct patient care and clinical hours that they can use towards their degree program requirements.
On February 14th 2020, UEMSA, in collaboration with Student Health Services and Student Government, launched the Medical Response Unit (MRU) which would become responsible for providing free Basic Life Support medical care and transport for everyone on the Tampa campus. This free service is staffed by nationally and state certified EMRs, EMTs, and Paramedics.
UEMSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Our Goals
UEMSA is designed for students who aspire for a career in healthcare, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), medicine, or just looking for a unique leadership opportunity. Our goals are to provide the education necessary for seeking those careers through educational lectures, EMR and CPR certification, and practical experience in emergency medicine. We also hope to foster new interest in the field of emergency medicine.
Our Mission
Our mission is to raise the bar of safety on the USF Tampa campus and in the community with educational opportunities and a campus–based volunteer rescue EMS system.
Leadership
Fall 2024 – Summer 2025
Matteo Formichetti
Director of Outreach
Rebecca Nguyen
Secretary
Ria Kalaria
Treasurer
Sonya Patel
Director of Public Relations
Stephen Poff, MD
Founding Member
Faculty Advisor Emeritus
MRU Medical Director Emeritus
Education and Training
Aileen Cannon, MD
MRU Medical Director
Health Support Staff
Student Health & Wellness
Noorul Ain Adil
Director
Campus AED Management Program
CAMP
Giovanna Pecin
Director
Technical Operations
UEMSA & MRU