Distinctions

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Ashley Condell, an office assistant in the department of environmental and global health, was named the College of Public Health and Health Professions’ 2014 Employee of the Year. Condell, who joined the department as a fiscal assistant in 2012, took on new duties last summer when the department experienced personnel transitions and was short-staffed for several months. “During this time Ashley rose to the occasion,” a nominator wrote. “She took on new responsibilities, going above and beyond what many others would do, and worked extra hours to keep the department running smoothly. She stepped up to the plate with integrity, showing her dedication to the department and college and always doing so with a tremendous positive attitude.”

IMPROVING HEALTH CARE TOGETHER

In March, UF Health held its first UF CLARION Competition. CLARION is a national case competition dedicated to improving health care through interdisciplinary collaboration. The first-place winning team went on to compete in the national competition in April.

First place:

Thomas Leach – PHHP/M.H.A.

Scott Robinson – PHHP/M.H.A.

Danielle Scheer – PHHP/M.P.H.

Nathan Pham – Pharmacy (Jacksonville campus)

College of Pharmacy

Rhonda Cooper-DeHoff, Pharm.D., M.S., an associate professor in the department of pharmacotherapy and translational research, has received the American College of Cardiology’s 2015 Distinguished Associate Award. It was the first time this award has been given to a pharmacist. Cooper-DeHoff also holds a position in the division of cardiovascular medicine in the College of Medicine. The award recognizes Cooper-DeHoff’s years of cardiovascular research, interdisciplinary work and her significant leadership in the American College of Cardiology.

College of Medicine

William Friedman, M.D., chair of the department of neurosurgery and a professor of neurosurgery, was recently reappointed by Gov. Rick Scott to serve on the Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research Scientific Advisory Council. The Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research is a coordinated effort among the state’s universities, health are institutions and biomedical industry to discover brain tumor cures and new treatments. Friedman was reappointed for a term beginning March 20, 2015, and ending Aug.13, 2018.

Sonal S. Tuli, M.D., M.Ed., has been appointed chair of the department of ophthalmology. Tuli will oversee a department that comprises 14 clinical faculty members, 14 research faculty members, 15 residents, six graduate students, three postdoctoral researchers and a support and administrative staff of approximately 100.

College of Public Health and Health Professions

Razan Alfakir, M.D., Au.D., a Ph.D. student in the department of speech, language, and hearing sciences, received the University of Florida International Center’s Alec Courtelis Award recognizing academic achievement and contributions to the department, college and community. A native of Syria, Alfakir’s research is focused on evaluation and treatment of persons with hearing loss.

Linda B. Cottler, Ph.D., M.P.H., chair of the department of epidemiology at the colleges of Public Health and Health Professions and Medicine, and PHHP’s associate dean for research and planning, received the National Center for Responsible Gaming’s 2014 Scientific Achievement Award. She was recognized for her contributions to gambling disorder and responsible gaming research at the 15th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction.