Community celebrates inaugural UF College of Medicine Week
Additional rescheduled events will celebrate college community later in the fall
A collage of more than 5,000 images of faculty and staff at the College of Medicine forms the George T. Harrell, M.D., Medical Education Building.
Collage by Michael McAleer
Oct. 2, 2024 — With countless achievements reached by University of Florida College of Medicine faculty, staff, learners, and trainees over the past year, the community recently came together to reflect on landmark successes and look toward the future.
The inaugural UF College of Medicine Week, held in late September, highlighted the successes that make the college an exceptional place to learn, conduct research, and practice medicine.
“We have a unique position as the College of Medicine where we are in this social contract that says to the public, ‘We will give you clinical care you need and provide for you the doctors of your future,” said Interim Dean Jennifer Hunt, M.D., M.Ed., during the State of the College address Sept. 24. “It’s part of the fabric of what we do for the state of Florida. We are delivering the care that is saving lives. I want to thank all the people of the college for their great work. The successes we celebrate today are because of you.”
Originally planned from September 23-27, a hurricane that made landfall across the state late in the week resulted in some changes to the celebration schedule. However, community members rallied to show that “in all kinds of weather, we’ll all stick together.” Additional events for students and trainees will be rescheduled throughout the fall semester.
Read more about the week’s events below, as well as updates on rescheduled celebrations:
Postdocs took time to chill with ice cream social
Organized in coordination with Postdoc Appreciation Week, the Postdoc Ice Cream Social Sept. 20 welcomed more than 250 trainees who enjoyed a break from the Florida heat in the ARB Courtyard with sweet treats from local food truck BZ Gelati.
Postdocs at the College of Medicine take a break from their day to receive a sweet treat.
Photos by Danielle Ivanov
Interim Dean Jennifer Hunt, M.D., M.Ed., gives the State of the College address to kick off the inaugural UF College of Medicine Week.
Photo by Betsy Brzezinski
Successes recognized, opportunities identified during State of the College address
To officially kick off College of Medicine Week, Hunt presented the annual State of the College address Sept. 24 at the George T. Harrell, M.D., Medical Education Building. During this event, attended live by more than 60 members of the college including leadership, faculty, and staff, and livestreamed by almost 270 remote audience members, the interim dean showcased the College of Medicine’s achievements over the past year and charted the path forward.
Highlights from the year included:
- $409M in research funding during FY23
- A 100% match rate for UF medical students in 2024
- 11 adult and pediatric clinical specialties ranked in the top 50 nationally
- A $5M scholarship fund established to support students from the Jacksonville area
In addition to about 60 live attendees, the 2024 State of the College address was viewed via live stream by more than 250 College of Medicine affiliates.
Photos by Betsy Brzezinski
Faculty commemorated for promotion and tenure achievements
Over the past year, 75 college faculty members received promotions, 11 were awarded tenure, and 18 were awarded emeritus status. In an evening celebrating these individuals for their contributions to medical education and research, leadership and peers gathered Sept. 25 at the Harrell Medical Education Building to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of this remarkable group.
Faculty members celebrate recent promotions and achieving tenure during a celebration with Interim Dean Jennifer Hunt, M.D., M.Ed., Aaron Saguil, M.D., and Mark Segal, M.D., Ph.D.
Photos by Nate Guidry
Outstanding staff celebrated
Exceptional staff members make the College of Medicine a special place. To celebrate their hard work, the college organized six staff appreciation celebrations in various locations, from the Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute and UF Health Professional Park to 1329 and the Student Health Care Center. In total, the events were attended by hundreds of staff members across the college.
A raffle throughout the week gave staff members a chance to win prizes, such as a pair of tickets to the Oct. 19 Gators football game against the University of Kentucky Wildcats and a Nespresso machine.
Upcoming events
Event details will be shared via email, social media, and on the College of Medicine Week webpage once finalized.
Orange and Brew
Faculty members and Interim Dean Hunt will serve complimentary cold brew and iced teas from the Opus Nitro Cold Brew Truck to students, postdocs, residents, and fellows.
1329 Staff Appreciation Event
Staff who work at the 1329 Building will be treated to a meal, to thank them for their hard work and dedication to driving the college’s missions forward.
Housestaff Gym Preview
Trainees at UF Health Shands Hospital will soon have a dedicated space for focusing on wellness while on campus. At a sneak peek of the new gym, residents and fellows will get a first look at the equipment available to them.
