“It becomes obvious, just absolutely obvious, when you see the folks with disease that this isn’t just a disease of dopamine; it isn’t just a disease of the brain. We see it in the gut. We see it in the skin. We see it in multiple organs. So, it is super important that we ask the why: Why does it start? Why does it progress? Why does it spread?”

 — Michael S. Okun, M.D., director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health and a professor in the Department of Neurology, discussing the importance of understanding Parkinson’s disease with Sanjay Gupta of CNN, Dec. 9

“No one has done real rigorous research on whether these insects pose much of a threat to humans, but we just know that people are getting infected. We’ve got to investigate this more, because it’s such a silent killer.”

 — Norman Beatty, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, discussing a CDC report recommending Chagas disease be labeled endemic to the U.S. with National Geographic, Sept. 16

“If this can double what we’re achieving currently, or even incrementally — 5%, 10% — that means a lot to those patients, especially if this can be leveraged across different cancers for different patients.”

— Elias Sayour, M.D., Ph.D., the Stop Children’s Cancer/Bonnie R. Freeman Professor for Pediatric Oncology Research in the Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery and the Department of Pediatrics, discussing study findings showing the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine can boost immunotherapy effectiveness for lung cancer and melanoma patients with Fox News Digital, Oct. 23

“[The results are] very exciting because this device could improve access to breast cancer screening and significantly reduce health care costs. If all holds true, it would be a game-changer.”

— Coy Heldermon, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Medicine, discussing his team’s development of a device that shows promise in detecting breast cancer through saliva with U.S. News & World Report, Aug. 4

“DBS used to be seen as a last resort, but we now know it provides the most sustained benefit when offered in the moderate stages of Parkinson’s disease, when motor complications are the main source of disability. We know this therapy is effective and safe. The challenge now is making sure it reaches more people at the right stage of disease, when it can have the greatest and most lasting impact.”

— Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora, M.D., a professor of neurology and the program director and division chief of movement disorders at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, discussing the long-term benefits of deep brain stimulation for people with Parkinson’s disease, with U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 7 

“Because ADHD symptoms can shift with age, stress, environment and other life circumstances, treatment needs to be flexible. For some, simple adjustments like classroom seating changes, better sleep or reduced stress may be enough. For others, medication, behavior therapy or a combination of these interventions may be necessary. The key is a personalized approach that adapts as patients’ needs evolve over time.”

— Carol Mathews, M.D., a professor and the Donald R Dizney Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, and a colleague discussing the importance of personalized treatment among fears about ADHD being overdiagnosed and overtreated with Fast Company, Oct. 21

“Is it because the drugs themselves prevent cancer, or did they help the patient be healthier, reduce inflammation and have a less sedentary life? It would be important to tease that out. If the drugs are directly both improving weight reduction and cancer reduction, then we need to double down.”

— Thomas George, M.D., a professor in the Department of Medicine and interim director of the UF Health Cancer Institute, discussing a study that found GLP-1s were associated with lower risk of some obesity-related cancers with AAMC News, Dec. 2

“For academic medical centers … sharing the joy in medicine can be a powerful tool for fostering a sense of purpose and connection. By prioritizing ways to share the joy health care professionals experience, these institutions not only improve the well-being of their staff but inspire future generations of physicians, nurses, researchers and students to find fulfillment in their work.”

— Susmita Pati, M.D., M.P.H., a professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics in Jacksonville, discussing seven tips for enhancing culture and connection at academic medical centers with Becker’s Hospital Review, Sept. 17

“Sixty years after UF scientists mixed the first batch on the sidelines, Gatorade has quietly fueled more than half a billion dollars of lifesaving, world-changing research. That’s a model of innovation Florida should celebrate. And replicate.”

— Christian Jobin, Ph.D., a distinguished professor in the Department of Medicine, discussing how Gatorade’s royalty stream has been reinvested, with more than $500 million at UF seeding discoveries across disciplines, with the Tampa Bay Times, Oct. 

“We’re actively deploying AI tools that give us efficiencies in workflows. One category is AI that improves efficiency in patient care, decanting algorithmic work from people to computer systems. The other category of AI is newer tools that apply software trained with thousands of imaging studies to interpret new studies, either independently or as a first-pass screening for serious findings.”

— Evelyn Y. Anthony, M.D., FACR, chair of the Department of Radiology, discussing how UF is applying artificial intelligence to assist with diagnosing and treating breast cancer, with Florida Trend

“Diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are conditions that affect the way the body uses food for energy. Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes, is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting children and teens and has no known cure.”

— Brittany Bruggeman, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, and a colleague discussing the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options of Type 1 diabetes with the Miami Herald, Nov. 10