Paula Anderson-Worts, DO, is a board-certified family physician and assistant professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. During her undergraduate training at the University of Miami, she majored in biology and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1988. Some of the awards she received during her undergraduate training include the Golden Drum Scholarship and Who's Who Among College and Universities. In 1994, Dr. Anderson-Worts obtained her doctor of osteopathy degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU/COM). During her medical school training, she received the Chancellor's Scholarship and the NSU/COM Chapter of Student National Medical Association (SNNM) Leadership Award.
Dr. Anderson-Worts, who completed her internship and residency in family medicine at Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Florida, received her master of public health degree at Nova Southeastern University and also received the Chancellor's Award in Public Health. As a medical educator and physician she has exemplified how an individual can combine the demands of educating and training medical students, while also providing patient care and performing community service.
Dr. Anderson-Worts is a prolific contributor to community service, with a focus on young people from disadvantaged minority backgrounds. These efforts have included providing information to high school and college students concerning opportunities available to them as future physicians or professionals in other health care fields. She has also made presentations on prevention and ethnocultural medicine to such groups as the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the national organization of minority students, as well as several church youth groups. Especially noteworthy have been her efforts to develop relationships with community agencies responsible for providing education to young people. These efforts have been focused on increasing the number of minorities in the health field, which in turn have motivated Dr. Anderson-Worts to establish a group called P.R.I.M.E. (Partners Resolving Issues in Minority Education). In January 2000, Dr. Anderson-Worts participated in a medical mission to serve the impoverished people in Guatemala. In June 2000, she coordinated a mission to Haiti. Similarly, she organized three medical mission trips to Jamaica. Her efforts to provide missions to other parts of the world continue as she plans her next humanitarian journey to the Caribbean, in June 2003.
Dr. Anderson-Worts is an individual committed to public health and community service. She is a founding member of a nonprofit organization called Women of H.O.P.E (Health Occupations Promoting Education) that was created to educate and empower people in the minority communities to take an active role in their own health. In recognition for her accomplishments, dedication, and commitment, she was nominated for the Ernest A Lynton Award for Professional Service and Academic Outreach.
