UF College of Public Health and Health Professions

10/20/2026

How do we improve reading proficiency statewide? One faculty member is empowered to do that with a generous $136,000 gift from The Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, USA, Inc., Ocala.

Laurie Gauger, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, directs the UF Reading Program, which provides diagnosis and remediation services for anyone with an oral or written language disorder. The new funding will allow Gauger to hire a postdoctoral researcher who will provide direct intervention through local after-school programs for children who are struggling to read. https://phhp.ufl.edu/2026/10/14/with-new-gift-from-scottish-rite-uf-reading-program-hopes-to-expand-reach/

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

Feeling grateful for our incredible faculty. 🧑‍🏫

Is there a PHHP professor who made a difference in your academic career? Shout them out in the comments!

10/16/2026

Linda Petrossian turned her experience as a parent into a career, guiding families through autism support and care. The Master of Public Health student works at the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, UF Gainesville and the UF Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment. Her goal is to make the path to diagnosis clearer and more accessible, especially for Spanish-speaking families. "I never want to be the person who's not calling them back." https://phhp.ufl.edu/2026/10/05/with-an-m-p-h-linda-petrossian-aims-to-turn-experience-into-action/

10/14/2026

San Antonio Gators, we're coming to you! 🤠 🐊

During the American Public Health Association's annual conference, the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions is hosting an Alumni and Friends Reception on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Casa Rio on the Riverwalk. Bring your pals and meet fellow Gators over Tex-Mex and drinks, on us.

RSVP today: https://phhp.ufl.edu/events/14/apha-2026-alumni-friends-reception/1793748600/

10/13/2026

From recovery to everyday strength, physical therapists have it covered. For National PT Month, our UF Department of Physical Therapy students and faculty are showing off their favorite exercises. What's yours? 💪

10/12/2026

In all kinds of weather, our alumni stick together. 🫂 🐊

A big thank you to everyone who came out to our annual Alumni and Friends Reunion Tailgate and Outstanding Alumni Awards Ceremony. Let's do it again next year!

10/08/2026

These seven alumni are paving outstanding legacies. Congratulations to the winners of the Outstanding Alumni Awards who will be recognized at a ceremony held October 10 before the PHHP Alumni Reunion Tailgate:

Ajani (AJ) Dunn, FACHE, (BHPT ’99, M.H.A. ’02), Alumnus of the Year
Megan E. Johnson, Ed.D., (M.H.A. ’20), Community Impact
Lynn M. Maher, CCC-SLP, (Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders ’95), Community Impact
Makyba Charles-Ayinde (Ph.D. in public health – environmental health ’16), Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Thought Leadership
Samuel F. Sears, (M.S. ’92, Ph.D. in clinical and health psychology ’95), Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Thought Leadership
Teresa Leibforth Dufeny, Ph.D., OTR/L, (B.H.S. ’97), Professional Achievement and Career Service
Thomas Murry (Ph.D. in speech pathology ’69), Professional Achievement and Career Service

Read more about this year's honorees: https://phhp.ufl.edu/2026/10/08/phhp-outstanding-alumni-2026/

10/07/2026

Behind every comeback is a great physical therapist.

Happy National Physical Therapy Month to the UF Department of Physical Therapy students, faculty and alumni who keep Gators (and everyone else) moving forward!

10/05/2026