After nearly three decades at the USF College of Public Health (COPH), Dr. Skai Schwartz, associate professor, will retire this August. Schwartz, known for her expertise in both classical statistics and epidemiologic methods, has significantly contributed to the field through her research, teaching and mentorship.
Drs. Skai Schwartz and Donna Petersen (Photo by Anna Mayor)
Schwartz grew up in Mount Kisco, a small town in Westchester County, N.Y. where she has fond memories getting free pretzel sticks at the local drug store, fire truck rides once or twice a year and chasing fireflies in the summer.
After completing her bachelor of science degrees in biology, math and computer science from Wilkes College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., she went on to earn a master’s in biostatistics from the University of California - Berkeley and later a doctorate in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina (UNC) - Chapel Hill.
After graduating with her master’s degree, she began working at the Perry Point VA Medical Center in Maryland, where she was hired as a statistical programmer. She then joined Merck, where she served as a statistician for 12 years, performing statistical analyses for more than 100 clinical trial protocols across various areas, including hypertension, heart disease, pain and neurologic disorders.
Then in 1992, Schwartz received an unexpected acceptance into the Department of Epidemiology at UNC – a moment that led to the beginning of her academic career.
"I had no recollection of applying for epidemiology and had applied to nothing that year. I called a friend, crying, because I knew I was going. Classes were starting in two months, and I had to rent out my house and find a place to live in Chapel Hill."
Merck granted her a two-year leave of absence, during which she completed her doctorate. When she requested a third year to finalize her studies, Merck declined, leading her to resign and pursue her passion for epidemiology. She then joined the COPH faculty, where she found her true calling in teaching.
“In 1995, I sent out my CV’s looking for a position, I included a cover letter saying that I could teach epidemiologic methods,” she said. “It just so happened that Dr. Paul Leaverton, chair of the COPH’s Department of Epidemiology was, at that exact moment in time, desperately looking for someone to teach methods courses.”
At the COPH, Schwartz has used her extensive statistical knowledge to support a wide array of research initiatives, including evaluating sleep disorders in production workers. She has taught the Clinical Trials and Research Methods course at both intermediate and advanced levels, as well as co-teaching pharmacoepidemiology. She is also known for her undergraduate course, “Sex, Beer and Chocolate,” which has played a pivotal role in enhancing the undergraduate public health program.
“Over the years, I have taught epidemiology methods to many students who have far surpassed me to become highly successful methodologists. Several are full professors at prestigious universities. Four current USF faculty in the epidemiology concentration were students in my methods classes,” she said. “I never used a textbook but only taught what I knew, from four months as a VA statistical programmer, 12 active years at Merck, a graduate assistant position in the collaborative coordinating center at UNC and mostly from my previous professors at UNC, who also did not use textbooks. So, I am pleased to have left this legacy of knowledge that will continue to be passed down.”
Dr. Skai Schwartz speaking with a student about her poster presentation at USF Health Research Day. (Photo by Anna Mayor)
In addition to teaching, Schwartz has published extensively in the field of psychosomatics, focusing on insomnia and depression. In recent years, she has collaborated with colleagues at the Tampa James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital on research exploring obstructive sleep apnea.
Two of her proudest contributions include answering critical questions in medicine: how to best use an ultrasound to predict the need for carotid surgery and which patients undergoing sleep studies should be prescribed a BiPAP, a type of device that helps with breathing.
"I am proud of these two publications more than any others because they both answered questions that physicians truly wanted to know at that time to better treat their patients," she said.
"Dr. Schwartz is, by far, the longest-serving faculty member in the epidemiology concentration,” said Dr. Jason Salemi, professor and concentration lead for the PhD epidemiology program. “The dedication and knowledge she brought to each class were evident and the respect and affection her students and colleagues have for her were palpable during our 'Last Class, Best Class' event. Her contributions have been immense and deeply appreciated.”
Another COPH colleague, Jane Lundh added, “It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Schwartz. Her analytical and creative thinking skills can be a bit non-conventional, but she has always been thoughtful and kind. A good memory I recall is when she dressed up, for one of the Halloween parties, as Mary Poppins - she nailed it. Her humor and her numerous travel logs were always entertaining. I wish her all the best in her retirement.”
As she approaches her official retirement date on Aug. 15, Schwartz has already begun contemplating her next chapter. She plans to travel extensively, preparing detailed itineraries for each journey. Closer to home, she is considering becoming a Tampa concierge.
"This work involves eating in many, many restaurants, actually going to a disco or two, knowing the shops – specifically in Hyde Park and Ybor, taking any tours offered in Tampa. Rationally, I think it might work if I do the work to prepare," she said.
Schwartz concludes her long and distinguished career at COPH with a deep connection to Tampa.
“Everyone has one place they belong, a place that is perfect for them. Most never find it. Tampa is my place,” she said. “When I came to Tampa for my USF interview, Paul Leaverton picked me up. As I looked out the car window, in the pouring rain and bumper to bumper traffic on I-275, I said, ‘I’m home.’”