Dec. 12, 2023 — If you’re looking to dive headfirst into the outstanding research and new initiatives at the UF College of Medicine, you’ll need to look no further than the latest issue of the college’s award-winning magazine.

The fall 2023 issue of Florida Physician magazine, the flagship publication of the College of Medicine, recently received a Platinum Award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. Platinum is the highest-level recognition granted as part of the annual MarCom Awards, and the magazine won in the Publications – Educational Institution category.

“This year’s Florida Physician magazine was truly exceptional, from its beautiful design and artwork to engaging writing and storytelling,” said Colleen Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., dean of the College of Medicine. “This deserved recognition reflects not only the excellence of this publication, but the overall outstanding work of the entire College of Medicine communications team, whether in the newsletter, State of the College or the countless other projects they oversee.”

Teeing off the 44-page issue is a five-story cover series, “State of mind,” which details the ways experts at the college are making waves in neuromedicine and neuroscience, from the use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to vocational outreach and programs aimed at mentoring early-career neuroscientists.

The edition includes four other feature stories that cover a wide range of topics, focusing on first-generation college graduates who are shaping the next generation of clinicians and researchers, how the college’s new Quality and Patient Safety initiative will set the national standard for patient care best practices, ways in which faculty, students and alumni incorporate art and creativity into their lives and UF Health’s new role as a member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Medical Network. The magazine’s closing pages delve into the college’s many exciting leadership, philanthropy and alumni developments.

Cody Hawley, Ph.D., director of communications for the College of Medicine and the magazine’s editor-in-chief, said his team members spent more than six months planning and producing the issue in collaboration with other writers and creative staff at the college and UF Health. More than 17,000 copies of the issue have been sent to alumni, donors and friends of the college.

“This was truly a collaborative effort among members of the college communications team, UF Health Creative Services, the McKnight Brain Institute and many others,” he said. “We are very proud of what we created, and it is gratifying to see the months of hard work recognized.”

Michael McAleer, the college’s graphic designer, created four unique illustrations for the neuromedicine series, including the magazine cover, which features a diver swimming into a head-shaped cavern meant to evoke a Florida spring. A flashlight in the diver’s hand illuminates the outline of a brain.

“We have already received an overwhelming response from this issue and have numerous requests from stakeholders across the university for even more copies,” Hawley said. “We are thrilled by the response and think it’s a great opportunity for alumni, donors, faculty and friends to read about the tremendous work occurring across the college.”