College of Medicine celebrates veterans with lunch event
Veterans also received a special college military challenge coin
Nov. 10, 2025 — The same values that make someone an effective doctor, scientist, leader or colleague — courage, duty, respect, honor and integrity — are also present among those who selflessly choose to serve their country.
Ahead of Veterans Day, the University of Florida College of Medicine hosted a special lunch to honor faculty, staff, trainees and students for their military service. More than a dozen members of the college community attended, where they shared stories of their experiences with one another.
“This is an opportunity for us to celebrate you and your commitment to our country,” said interim Dean Jennifer Hunt, M.D., M.Ed.
Peter Pelletier, M.D., medical director of transfusion services at the UF Health Shands Hospital blood bank and a clinical professor in the departments of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine and Anesthesiology, credits his 20-year career in the Air Force with his ability to continually improve processes at the blood bank for patients.
During deployments in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, Pelletier performed countless transfusions to treat his fellow Airmen. At one point during his service, he held the record for the most units of blood — 250 — successfully transfused in a 24-hour period.
“Nothing prepares you for handling a high volume of transfusions like those situations,” Pelletier said.
Hooper is pinned during a promotion ceremony at West Point by loved ones.
First-year medical student Jonathan Hooper, an Army 2nd Lieutenant who graduated from the United States Military Academy, commonly known as West Point, said he remembered asking his father during junior high what he hoped he would aspire to, and he answered that he hoped his son would “contribute to society.”
“I did not know exactly what this meant at the time, and I wanted more. When no further explanation followed, I committed to figuring it out myself,” Hooper said. “Through experience and reflection, I have come to realize that a contributing member of society is selfless in providing genuine care to improve their community. Genuine care is inherent in the medical field and the service I decided to join. Ultimately, this is what has inspired me to pursue a career not only in medicine but also in the service.”
Aaron Saguil, M.D. ’99, chair of the Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, a retired Army colonel and medical corps officer, thanked attendees at the event.
“You could have done any number of things when you left the military,” he said. “It was clear that you care about people when you answered the call to serve, and you’re still serving today.”
Veterans affiliated with the college also received a UF College of Medicine military challenge coin, adorned on one side with the year and the college’s motto, “Learn, Care, lead” and on the other side with a caduceus topped with a flying eagle on a background of stars and stripes. The coins commemorate and connect members of the college community who have served.
If you are a faculty, staff, student or trainee who served in the military and did not receive your College of Medicine challenge coin, please contact med-comms@ufl.edu.
