View in browser
 
 
UF | College of Medicine - University of Florida
 
Engage, Innovate, Excel | 2026
Project SEARCH comes to College of Medicine, UF Health
Ten adults seated in rolling chairs and long wooden desks observing a projector presentation from a man standing in the center of a white room.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Arguably the most common question asked to young children and teens, this inquiry is often met with excitement, grand plans and hope for the future. Some dream of saving lives, exploring space or teaching young minds. Others look to careers in trade, management or business. But some individuals, especially people with disabilities, are often overlooked.

Beginning in August with the 2023-24 school year, the University of Florida College of Medicine and UF Health will welcome the first cohort of Alachua County Public Schools students to Project SEARCH, a program for neurodivergent high school students to intern at the hospital and build the skills they need to succeed in a competitive workforce.

The program will join hundreds of others around the state, country and world ultimately helping individuals with developmental disabilities gain job experience, independence and employment.

Learn more »
 
Department spotlight: Biochemistry and molecular biology provides road map for research in molecular life sciences
18 department faculty members stand on the steps outside of the Academic Research Building for a group photo.

With three main pillars of focus, support from UF and UF Health leadership and a new chair in place, the department of biochemistry and molecular biology is poised to grow its interdisciplinary research endeavors, train the next generation of scientists and build upon its culture of collaboration and innovation.

“We strive to conduct world-class science, publish in top-tier journals, increase the grant portfolio to a top federally funded department and attract trainees who want access to leading-edge research facilities to collaborate and complement each other," said department chair Matthew S. Gentry, Ph.D. “We want to do that in a way where we challenge each other while still being supportive, having an inclusive environment where we all bring our ideas to the table.”

Learn more »
 
UF Health and East Gainesville leaders collaborate to help caregivers better understand community needs
A group of over 25 people affiliated with UF Health in front of a historic two story brick building in Gainesville, Florida.

After graduating from medical school and passing qualifying exams, physicians enter residency, where they begin caring for patients in their chosen specialty under the supervision of more senior providers who serve as instructors and role models. For these trainees, part of their continued education and clinical practice includes building an understanding of the communities where they live and work.

At the University of Florida College of Medicine and UF Health, a new opportunity is being introduced for residents and other health care team members to immerse themselves in the Gainesville community and gain a greater understanding of and connection to their patients.

The community immersion experience, led by Lakesha M. Butler, Pharm.D., the chief diversity officer for UF Health, and Julia Close, M.D., the associate dean of graduate medical education at the College of Medicine, was piloted in February and is poised to roll out as an option for new residents during orientation in July.

Learn more »
 
RESEARCH NEWS
Two mutations team up to cloak a deadly brain cancer from the immune system, study suggests
 
A new study of the aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma suggests that two specific cancer cell mutations may work together to help hide tumors from the immune system, offering a possible way to predict whether the tumors would respond to an emerging class of immunotherapy drugs.
 
Learn more »
 
COLLEGE ROUNDUP
UF Health Shands Hospital celebrates Earth Day
graphic illustration of people holding and watering plants with a large Earth globe sitting in a flower pot
 
Join colleagues in the North Tower Atrium April 21 to celebrate Earth Day at UF Health Shands! Learn about our sustainability efforts and successes. There will be opportunities to win prizes.
 
View details »
 
AI HiPerGator bootcamp
AI Hipergator bootcamp
 
Join the AI HiPerGator Bootcamp on high performance computing resources April 24 in the Health Science Computer lab. Email yingz@ufl.edu for more information.
 
Send email »
 
View strategic plan initiatives dashboard
 
Track progress of initiatives under the strategic plan’s seven pillars.
 
View the dashboard »
 
WELLNESS
» Grab co-workers and join the Movin' and Groovin' Walking Challenge to compete against other employees while virtually stepping through some of the most famous music cities in the U.S.
 
RESOURCES
» Doctor Gator News
» UF Health News
» Florida Physician Magazine
» UF Health Inspiring Innovation
» UF Health MedEd Cast (podcast)
» Continuing Medical Education
 
GOOD NEWS
ENT Group Shot
 
UF ENT grows regional expertise in head and neck microvascular reconstruction

With over 33,000 clinical visits, 3,200 surgeries performed and a 100% board pass rate for residents each year, faculty, staff and trainees in the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery are dedicated to the highest-quality care, education and research.

The division of head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstructive surgery is one branch of the department where this excellence has diligently grown and positively impacted the region for years.

Learn more »
Two University of Florida College of Medicine student inductees to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society smile and hug while holding their new member certificates and green and yellow cords.
 
Welcoming new AOA Honor Medical Society members

The University of Florida College of Medicine’s Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Beta Chapter celebrated its new members during an annual banquet the evening of March 16. Election to the prestigious national organization is reserved for a select few students, residents and faculty who have excelled academically and in teaching, service, character and patient care.

See a list of all 46 faculty, resident and student inductees below.

Meet the inductees »
Cory Pollard and Joe Rush stand together in suits outside the Harrell Medical Education Building
 
Alumnus and Rush scholarship recipient practices with passion for preventive care

College of Medicine alumnus Cory Pollard, M.D. '16, was one of the first recipients of the Rush Family Scholarship. Founded by UF alumnus Joe Rush, M.D., the scholarship is awarded to fourth-year medical students with a passion for practicing family medicine or rural health care. 

“There’s an urgent need to support the education of doctors and nurses with a passion for providing primary care to rural and other underserved communities,” Rush said. 

Learn more »
 
UF | College of Medicine - University of Florida
Location Dean's Office | Medical Science Building
Phone (352) 273-7500
Phone COMDean-Koch@ufl.edu
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Youtube
Location med.ufl.edu
 
Unsubscribe