in Medical Sciences, a feeder program for the University of Florida College of Medicine. PIMS students spent their first year of medical school at FSU, then transferred to UF’ s main campus in Gainesville for the final three years.
PIMS Director Myra Hurt, Ph. D., had started her career as a high school science teacher in Arkansas. She would eventually build the coalition that persuaded the Florida Legislature and then-Gov. Jeb Bush to create the FSU College of Medicine in 2000, but in’ 93, Hurt’ s focus was on expanding the pool of qualified PIMS applicants, particularly those from underserved areas.
“ Myra hired me as outreach coordinator, and she was convinced that early intervention was the key to preparing students to be qualified medical school applicants,” Berne-Anderson said.“ We had both been classroom teachers and knew that college readiness skills were a factor, that many students lacked proficiency in math and science. But lack of support was also a factor, lack of mentoring and not having role models, resources and consistent support – the very gaps I once faced personally.”
With Hurt’ s support, Berne-Anderson created SSTRIDE, building on her relationships with local principals established during her teaching days, conducting research and crediting what she calls“ divine inspiration.”
SSTRIDE is an outreach program that starts in junior high school and continues through high school. It was designed to offer holistic support, academic mentoring, and leadership development for students from rural, first-generation and underserved backgrounds. With partnerships across Florida school districts, hospitals and communities, the program grew to include both in-school and after-school components.
Currently, the pre-college component is open to students from designated middle and high schools in Collier, Gadsden, Okaloosa and Sarasota counties. In the past, there have been programs in schools in Leon, Madison, Orange and Walton counties.
“ Myra had a knack for spotting talent and potential,” said Helen Livingston, Ed. D., who joined the team as PIMS’ director of admissions in 1996 and worked closely with both Hurt and Berne-Anderson.“ She saw Thesla had the drive and the passion to create a pathway for students to achieve their dreams. Thesla has the same knack for spotting potential in students and nurturing it.”
At Livingston’ s suggestion, Berne-Anderson created a college-level component – USSTRIDE or undergraduate
SSTRIDE – to continue the mentoring for pre-medical students at FAMU and FSU, including preparation for the MCAT exam required as part of medical school application. It also provided an opportunity to earn certification as a medical assistant. USSTRIDE students also mentor students in the pre-college component in neighboring Gadsden County.
In addition, SSTRIDE Connect continues the support as high school participants transition to college life. After their first year at FSU or FAMU, students may apply to be a part of USSTRIDE. The program is also open to pre-med students who didn’ t participate prior to college, as long as they meet the criteria and maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA.
More than 4,000 students throughout Florida have been served by one of the SSTRIDE outreach programs, including the weeklong residential Summer Institute to introduce high school students committed to a career in a medical field to a variety of clinical settings. Students can choose to attend one of three sessions held in June and July.
Despite all the anecdotal success, Berne-Anderson knew that to truly validate SSTRIDE’ s outcomes and give the model academic credibility, that success needed to be backed by research. She earned a doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Higher Education and Leadership Change at St. Edwards University. Her dissertation, a mixed methods study, explored the“ why” and the“ how” behind SSTRIDE’ s success.
“ What was found reinforced everything we believed: that mentorship, early intervention, social engagement, and community truly shape the academic trajectories of students who are passionate about helping others,” she said.
Angela Guzman, M. D., met Anderson as a pre-med freshman at FSU. Now practicing obstetrics and gynecology in Central Florida, she matriculated through the Bridge to Clinical Medicine post-baccalaureate program and graduated from the College of Medicine in 2014. Guzman said it’ s hard to summarize Anderson’ s influence on her life, calling her“ the embodiment of hope.”
“ Through her guidance, encouragement and unwavering belief in me, she helped me see potential in myself that I often could not see on my own. More importantly, she gave this gift to many students,” she said.
“ Dr. Anderson transformed a dream into more than just a program— she built a movement that has changed countless lives. Her impact is vast and profound, shaping not only
Continued on next page