Oct. 10, 2018 – Two decades ago, Randy Mahoney was a student at the UF School of Physician Assistant Studies, building his clinical and research skill set from the instruction of his professor, Nina Multak, Ph.D., MPAS, PA-C. Fast forward to Oct. 9, 2018, and Mahoney, MPAS, PA-C ’01, is posing for photos next to Multak, his face beaming with pride. He’s congratulating her for being named the recipient of the Randolph B. Mahoney directorship of the UF School of PA Studies, the first endowed directorship of a PA training program in the nation.

Multak, associate dean and director of the UF School of PA Studies, was one of eight UF Health faculty members honored at the seventh annual Celebrating Distinction ceremony, which recognized those named to endowed professorships or chairs. Multak said the directorship, and the direct support of Mahoney, stokes her mission to move the UF School of PA Studies forward along its path toward preeminence.

“Randy Mahoney has a high bar for excellence, and his support is very meaningful to me. It’s quite an honor to hold the first of this kind of directorship,” she said. “This is an honor that reflects the university’s commitment to raising the bar, and it acknowledges an appreciation for scholarly and professional work.”

Mahoney said Multak brings an unparalleled level of leadership and research acumen to the UF School of PA Studies.

“Dr. Multak fosters research. She has a background in both personal research and in teaching research. She has credibility from students, faculty, administration and university leadership,” he said. “She embodies every quality, and she checks off 100 percent of the boxes required to be the director. I couldn’t imagine a better person for this position.”

The 2018 Celebrating Distinction ceremony, held in the DeWeese Auditorium McKnight Brain Institute of UF, drew 60 colleagues, friends and family members in congratulating the appointed faculty members. David R. Nelson, M.D., interim senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health, said the honors bestowed are among the highest that a university awards its faculty, as they are reserved for scholars of national and international acclaim.

“UF Health is very proud of our faculty and very thankful for our visionary donors who create tremendous opportunities for our faculty,” he said. “Often it takes a donor’s gift to propel forward the career path of a faculty member, allowing them to take their research from the lab to the clinic, for example.”

Joseph A. Tyndall, M.D., M.P.H., interim dean of the UF College of Medicine and chair of the UF department of emergency medicine, noted the importance of the strong bonds among donors and faculty members that these endowed professorships and chairs create.

“It’s very special for me to be a part of this impact and connection our donors are making with our faculty,” he said.