It’s a wonderful time to be part of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. As we work to improve health care, we look forward to the road of opportunity ahead.

Strategic funding awards from UF President Ben Sasse will help us build healthier communities in Northeast Florida with the creation of the Center for Convening Transformative Care and the establishment of a Precision Autism Center of Excellence at UF Health Jacksonville. Over three years, the College of Medicine – Jacksonville will receive $1.1 million for the Center for Transformative Care. In addition to that, $500,000 will go toward the Precision Autism Center of Excellence. Thank you to Kelly Gray-Eurom, MD, and David Ledbetter, PhD, who were instrumental in securing this funding to improve the physical wealth of our communities.

As our community grows, so do we. UF Health North’s second bed tower will give faculty, residents and fellows the opportunity to serve more patients and deliver exceptional care. Opening this year, the new patient tower offers a designated acute rehabilitation unit, an expanded emergency department and three new operating rooms, in addition to more radiology services. The new tower will also feature concierge service for requesting patients.

The UF Department of Ophthalmology – Jacksonville has begun Phase I of a new gene therapy trial that will evaluate the safety of a new treatment to improve care of individuals who suffer from retinitis pigmentosa. Led by Sandeep Grover, MD, a professor and the associate chair of the department of ophthalmology, our campus is one of six centers in the country conducting this type of research. This three-phase trial is a testament to the leading-edge research we conduct in Jacksonville and our commitment to discovery that directly impacts our patients.

We are fortunate to have residents, fellows and medical students at the College of Medicine – Jacksonville who are committed to changing the face of medicine with high-quality care, compassionate care.

In this issue, you will read about Morgan Andreoni and Renette Zavala, MD. Andreoni is in her third year of medical school and went the extra mile to organize book donations to the Arts in Medicine office to create more options for patients who like to read.

Dr. Zavala is a PRG-5 chief resident in the department of surgery, who has shown exemplary leadership skills and technique in surgery and is on her way to beginning a trauma critical care fellowship after graduation.

It was bittersweet to wish our beloved David Vukich, MD, FACEP, farewell in January as he enters retirement. Dr. Vukich made an incredible mark on the UF Health enterprise and especially UF Health Jacksonville and the College of Medicine – Jacksonville. We are grateful for his service and unwavering commitment to patient care.

Lastly, I would like to thank each of you for a successful 6th annual Gator Nation Giving Day! With your help, we exceeded our goal of 225 gifts and raised $18,222 in donations. Together, UF Health Jacksonville and the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville had eight funds that received your support. All gifts fuel our mission to heal, to comfort, to educate and to discover. Many of the initiatives, improvements and programs on our campus are a direct result of your selfless generosity.

It is my true pleasure as dean to serve you as we seize new opportunities together.

Linda Edwards, MD, FACP

Dean, UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville