Feb. 28, 2025 — Whether you’re a nervous new student or a visiting guest, chances are Rhonda Douglas will greet you with a smile — and maybe a bowl of candy, too.

For nearly two decades, Douglas has served as an administrative support assistant and the first person you see when you walk into the University of Florida School of Physician Assistant Studies. Offering students, educators and community members alike more than just administrative support and a friendly welcome, she is the very foundation of the program, bringing warmth, wisdom and a knack for knowing when someone needs a friend. Through her dedicated efforts, Douglas has helped generations of future health care providers feel at home at the UF College of Medicine.

“This is my home,” she said. “Most of us, we’re here for eight hours a day. We become family.”

Since being recruited to the PA School by former director Wayne D. Bottom, MPH, PA-C, Douglas has helped over 1,000 UF PA students through admissions, orientation, registration, rotations, graduation and credentialing. She also assists with PA School events, managing calendars, billing, maintaining office equipment and dozens of other administrative tasks that keep the school’s gears well-oiled and operating.

“It’s a dynamic position, but what truly keeps me motivated is the opportunity to be part of students’ journeys,” Douglas said. “My greatest hope is that I will be remembered for the impact I’ve had for the students who’ve come through the program. I genuinely love being a safe space for them, especially when the pressures of exams or the next big steps feel overwhelming.

“I do what I do because, as a parent, I understand how important it is to feel emotionally supported and ready for the next chapter in life. I’ve developed strong bonds with many of our students, both from our PA and med programs, and it fills my heart to watch them graduate and find success.”

Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Douglas met her ex-husband while studying at Benedict College. They were married for 17 years and traveled the world as a military family, including being stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany, for almost five years.

When she came back to the U.S., Douglas launched her career as an administrator with Alliance Realty before joining the claims department at Nationwide Insurance. In the mid-1990s, her career brought her to UF, where she first served as secretary for the Student Health Care Center, then worked in judicial affairs and the UF Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life before landing at the PA School.

She’s seen a lot in the past 19 years with the College of Medicine, not least of which is helping lay the groundwork for the UF PA program’s rise to the No. 1 PA school in Florida and top 15 in the nation, per the U.S. News & World Report 2023 Best Physician Assistant Programs rankings.

Most impactful, though, are the lasting relationships she has built with current students and alumni. Over the years, many graduates have kept in touch with Douglas, often expressing their thanks for her unwavering love and support through small notes of gratitude and regular updates on their lives and careers. 

“I think I have a unique ability to recognize when someone just needs a friend, or hug or even a smile,” Douglas said. “It gives me a sense of joy to provide that and reach out, to just be there. People notice and they appreciate a kind word and a kind gesture or smile.”

Outside of the College of Medicine, Douglas enjoys spending time with her family, including her daughters, Hillary and Constance, her granddaughter, Nemah, and her mother, Dolores. Affectionately nicknamed “Grand RiRi,” Douglas and Nemah go on quarterly grandmother-granddaughter dates, a beloved routine they established to bond and share quality time together.

“My family means everything to me, and I feel incredibly blessed to watch them grow and thrive,” she said. “I’m fortunate to have a large, loving one that keeps me busy and full of memories.”

Douglas also has a secret love for crime shows and once considered a career in criminology inspired by her favorite series, “Law & Order” and her lifelong interest in forensic science and passion for serving the community. In her free time, she can be found volunteering to help families at Chestnut Funeral Home in Gainesville, serving as a Christian church administrator or soaking in the serenity and immersive nature at one of Florida’s beautiful beaches.