F o r - COLLEGE of HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE | 2019-2020 - advancing how we LIVE, WORK, and PLAY - College of Health and ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
C O L L E G E o f H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 –2 0 2 0
tor
for the
gaood
g i ng h o w
advanc, and PL AY
WO R K
w e LI V E ,
M A G A Z I N E | 2 0 19 – 2 0 2 0 CONTENTS
PUBLISHER
DEAN MICHAEL REID
4 Dean’s Letter
ABOUT THIS ISSUE
EDITOR
MICHAEL SPEAR
DESIGNER
6 Gator Good
HHP MAKING A DIFFERENCE
JEREMEY CLARK
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
KYLE CHAMBERS
10 Faculty Research
10.......... WEIGHT LOSS
ERIKA E. NELSON 12.......... CHRONIC PAIN
JACKY SCOTT 14.......... TRAVEL SAFETY
PRINTING
ALTA SYSTEMS, INC. 16 Heroes of Medicine
HHP STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
GAINESVILLE, FL
Performance Magazine is also
available online at: HHP.UFL.EDU 20 Alumni Profiles
20..........CHRISTIAN TAYLOR
Send letters for the editor to: 22..........SALLY DARLIN
Performance Magazine
P.O. Box 118200
Gainesville, FL 32611-8200 24 Wasdin Town Hall
Or visit us online at... EVENT RECAP
hhp.ufl.edu/communications
26 Student Spotlight
A QUICK LOOK AT HHP STUDENTS
COVER: Devon Nash (right),
an athletic training graduate 28 Tailgates
PHOTOS FROM THE 2019 SEASON
student, works with Lowel Brito,
a junior majoring in dance,
during a dance wellness clinic —
a collaboration between HHP’s
30 By The Numbers
Athletic Training Program and the
School of Theatre and Dance in
the College of the Arts.
INSIDE COVER: Local elementary
school students visit the Florida
Gym for National Biomechanics
Day, held annually in April. In
conjunction with the Wertheim
College of Engineering, UF
students and faculty rotate
the budding scientists through
stations focused on fluid
mechanics, computer modeling
and balance.
2 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 3
from the dean
For nearly 75 years, our college has been grounded in a commitment
to serve the greater good. While our college’s name has changed over
the years, our roots have stayed the same. HHP provides nationally and
internationally recognized education and research programs. HHP focuses on
helping people protect, maintain and improve their health, fitness and quality of
life. We are committed to winning the battle against addiction, improving life for
those suffering from neurological, cardiovascular and muscular diseases, and
spanning cultural divides through tourism and sport. HHP remains dedicated to
advancing the way that we live, work, and play.
Our departments are made up of faculty who support an increasing on-campus
and online student enrollment. We now count a total of 78 faculty among our
ranks. We have grown to nine disciplines housed in four departments with
Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management and Sport Management becoming
independent departments this year. Above all, we rely on the support and
“
dedication of our more than 20,000 alumni to maintain this momentum.
In this issue of Performance, we focus on the greater good — sharing stories
In this issue of Performance, we about path-breaking research, amazing students, outstanding faculty and
focus on the greater good — sharing alumni. Whether you’re a retired PE teacher or a new alumna entering a medical
stories about path-breaking research, residency, we hope you enjoy and feel proud of your alma mater and the path
amazing students, outstanding we’re on together to enrich our society.
faculty and alumni.
Michael Reid
Dean
4 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 5
gator good HHP MAKING A DIFFERENCE
COLLEGE OF HHP New Online Programs Launch an agreement to subsidize in-state for accurate diagnosis because of
ALUMNI, FACULTY, The newly formed Department tuition fees for WTA members who shared and overlapping motor and
STAFF AND STUDENTS… of Tourism, Hospitality and Event enroll in online master’s degrees from non-motor symptoms. The new results
MOVING THE WORLD Management (THEM) recently launched HHP and the College of Journalism demonstrate the effectiveness of
the Master of Science in Tourism and Communications. The WTA joins an automated method to provide a
FORWARD. and Recreation Management with a a list of other leading differential diagnosis of the various
specialization in hospitality business organizations, such forms of Parkinson’s.
management online. In addition, as The Walt Disney
the Master of Science in Applied Company, who Celebrating International
Physiology and Kinesiology online offer UF tuition Educators and Scholars
program launched in the spring. All four benefits. HHP and UF celebrated
departments in HHP now have online its global presence during
master’s degree offerings in addition HHP Gators “International Educators
to their residential master’s programs, Give Joining Week.” Yong Jae Ko, Ph.D.,
increasing the reach and depth of The forces with SPM professor, received a
Gator Nation. Next fall, THEM begins an the College of senior faculty award. Joon
online bachelor’s degree in tourism. Journalism & Sung Lee, Ph.D., SPM assistant
Communications, professor, received a junior faculty
New Doctor of Athletic Training HHP co-hosted its fifth award. Additionally, Jessica Pascoe,
New APK faculty. Left to right: Shahab Vahdat, Ph.D., Assistant Professor; Benjamin Gordon, Ph.D., (DAT) program now enrolling annual UF Campaign for Charities HEB senior, received the Diane Fisher
Lecturer; Ashley Smuder, Ph.D., Assistant Professor; and Julia Choi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor The program, housed in the Paper Airplane Contest judged by Award, and Hui Jean Kok, APK doctoral
Department of Applied Physiology and “Head Ball Coach” Steve Spurrier, student, received the Research Abroad
Kinesiology, is the first fully residential (pictured right) BSPE ’81. The annual Doctoral Student Award.
New faculty and staff join HHP • Annamarie Sisson, Lecturer THEM; DAT in the U.S. The program develops giving campaign raises money for
This year, HHP welcomed 24 new faculty Prior to HHP: Kansas State University outstanding clinical professionals charitable organizations serving Congratulations to Scott Powers,
and staff to HHP. In total, HHP brought on 10 • Ashley Smuder, Ph.D., Assistant Professor who have the expertise to positively Alachua County. Awards provided Ph.D., for receiving the 2019 American
new faculty: five in applied physiology and APK; Prior to HHP: University of South promote and advance the athletic by generous alumni and community College of Sports Medicine Honor
kinesiology (APK), two in health education Carolina training profession. members were given for airplanes Award. This award recognizes
and behavior (HEB), and two in tourism, • Shahab Vahdat, Ph.D., Assistant Professor deemed most creative and those individuals who have made outstanding
hospitality and event management (THEM). APK; Prior to HHP: Stanford University Congratulations to thrown the farthest. The contributions to sports medicine and
Chuck Fessler winners for the most creative the exercise sciences. Recognized
NEW FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS: It’s Great to Be a Florida Gator! This Jr., (pictured right) plane, co-designed by HHP nationally and internationally as a leader
fall, UF became #7 in U.S. News & World BSPE ’68, MPH ’69 students Alfeil Felipe and in the physiology and biochemistry
• Julia Choi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor APK; Report public university rankings. For the and EDS ’71, for Emily Wong, celebrated the of exercise, Dr. Powers has published
Prior to HHP: University of Massachusetts third consecutive year, UF appears in the top- his induction into legacy of Mr. Two Bits, aka more than 270 research articles, books
Amherst 10 rankings of national public universities. the Florida High George Edmondson Jr., who and book chapters, and his work has
• Anna Gardner, Ph.D., Lecturer APK; UF’s quest to become a top-10 public School Athletics passed away this summer. been cited roughly 30,000 times.
Prior to HHP: UF College of Medicine research institution officially began in 2013 Hall of Fame! He was
• Benjamin Gordon, Ph.D., Lecturer APK; with the state’s support to achieve top status. actively involved in In an international study at 17 Chris J. Hass, Ph.D., associate
Prior to HHP: Radford University (VA) Since then, UF has hired additional faculty the intramural sports MRI centers in the U.S., Austria provost for Academic and Faculty
• Ronald Gromoll, Visiting Lecturer THEM; to lower class size and improve the student- program and officiated for and Germany, a research team led Affairs and professor in the
Prior to HHP: Numerous positions in tourism faculty ratio. This summer, UF reported that high school and college sports for by David Vaillancourt, Ph.D., Department of Applied Physiology and
and hospitality alumni and friends gave a record $526 nearly half a century – more than 8,000 APK chair and professor, used a Kinesiology, was appointed a fellow of
• Ashlee Hoffman-Ossiboff, Ph.D., Lecturer million to help move the university forward contests in baseball, softball, football, non-invasive MRI method with 1,002 the American Society of Biomechanics.
HEB; Prior to HHP: Santa Fe College (FL) in teaching, discovery and service — the first basketball and flag football. patients to develop an automated He is one of two fellows nominated
• Mildred Maldonado Molina, Ph.D., Professor time UF has raised more than $500 million in system to accurately diagnose for the 2019 cohort and is recognized
and Chair HEB; Prior to HHP: UF College of a single year. HHP Scores an Ace! This fall, the Parkinson’s disease and related but for his professional achievement,
Medicine WTA (Women’s Tennis Association), different neurodegenerative disorders. leadership and service as a top member
the principal organizing body for Parkinson’s disease and related of the ASB.
women’s professional tennis, signed disorders can present a challenge
6 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 7
COLLEGE of HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE
HHP MAKING A DIFFERENCE
We Are Family —Continuing a that generate extramural funding for Celebrating outstanding students
tradition that started in 2006, HHP the college, and more importantly, and the donors who support them,
celebrated its 13th annual potluck-style support advances in research that lead the annual HHP Scholarship
Thanksgiving luncheon and food drive. to significant discoveries in human Convocation recognized more than
The event, organized by Tracey Phillips, wellness. Award recipients included 100 scholarship recipients. Many thanks
director of finance, and Allison Jobe Meredith Berry, Ph.D., and Danielle to our outstanding students and donors
Novak, accounting specialist, brought Jake-Schoffman, Ph.D., for their study for their scholarship and support. This
in 1,118 food donations to the UF Field on the use of aerobic exercise to combat was the second year in a row the college
& Fork Food Pantry. Faculty, staff and the opioid epidemic; Elisabeth Barton, has been able to provide more than 100
students enjoyed a smorgasbord of Ph.D., and Whitney Stoppel, Ph.D., for awards to deserving students.
food, played games and awarded prizes their research on re-engineered growth
to the best desserts. factor forms; Leonardo Ferreira, Ph.D., Congratulations to Holly Moses,
for his research into the treatment Ph.D., lecturer and internship
Welcome to the of skeletal muscle dysfunction coordinator in health education and
Grand Guard and exercise intolerance in heart behavior, who was a winner at the UF
Myra Combs failure; and Terence Ryan, Ph.D., Career Influencer Awards hosted by the
Kohler and for his study of the mechanisms Career Connections Center. HHP was
Robert Krause of muscle dysfunction in chronic also represented by Doug DeMichele,
(pictured right) kidney disease. The Mowery Ed.D., master lecturer, internship and
t y o u r
n
returned to Awards for Innovative Research undergraduate coordinator in sport
campus following allow scientists to take risks in new management and Craig Schmitt,
ce m e
F
their graduation in areas that lead to new discoveries. Ph.D., director of engaged learning and
1969! Each fall, UF and outreach in tourism, hospitality and
cy a t U
a
HHP celebrates the 50th Alumni Author — Jim Mackie, BSPE event management, both of whom
anniversary of graduates by inducting
them into the UF Grand Guard.
’74, recently wrote and published,
“Just Another Smelly Foot – The
earned nominations.
This fall, the Florida le g c k ju s t steps
ed bri
History of Athletic Training and
Neo Gebru, a Ph.D. student in Gatoraid at the University of Gym turned 70.
so n a liz um
n St a di
e r i ffi
with a pom Ben Hill Gr rtyard.
health behavior, chaired the third Florida.” The book, available The facility has
annual Diversity Graduate Research on Amazon, features a served as the home
Symposium with the goal of showcasing history of athletic training for our college,
away fr orida Gym cou
l
in t h e F
the outstanding quality and diversity of and sports medicine at originally the
graduate-level research at UF. The UF UF, including Dr. Robert College of Physical
Black Graduate Student Organization Cade’s memoirs related to Education, Health
and HHP co-sponsored the campus- the invention of Gatoraid. and Athletics, since it
wide event which included poster Proceeds from the book was built in 1949.
presentations and speakers. support Gator Athletics alumni.
New Mowery Awards Support Congratulations to Nicolas Applyrs Prices start at $100 — your purchase
Innovative Research Jr., HSE ’05, of Miramar, FL for earning HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?
Thanks to the generosity of Art the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine HHP is always looking for good
helps pave the way for future Gators to
Mowery, BSESS ’91 DMD ’96, and Kim degree from PCOM (Philadelphia news to share about our alumni, benefit from the amazing education
Mowery, BSESS ’96 DMD ’01, four College of Osteopathic Medicine) faculty, staff and students in
interdisciplinary research projects were Georgia. He will continue his training future editions and on social
and state-of-the-art research
awarded funding. The inaugural gift in an internship rotation at Larkin media. Submit your news at happening at HHP.
enabled faculty to collect critical pilot Community Hospital Palm Springs in hhp.ufl.edu/communications
data for competitive research proposals Hialeah, FL.
Contact Danielle Alicea Brown for more info: (352) 294-1624 | dalicea@ufl.edu
8 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 9
FACULTY RESEARCH
F or many Americans, obesity is a life-long struggle. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than
one-third of all Americans suffer from obesity, and another one-third are overweight. To fight this crisis, the
American Heart Association and the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommend that adults with
obesity join behavioral weight-loss treatments.
Unfortunately, even with these recommendations, said. In addition to giving participants the opportunity
adult obesity rates continue to rise in the United States. to enroll once the assessment was completed, patients
Although they are widely available, any sort of weight- were even offered free access to popular weight loss
loss intervention is being tried by only 10 percent of treatments like WW (Weight Watchers) and Jenny Craig
Americans. But researchers at the College of Health & for four months.
Human Performance have experimented with a tool
that could help break down treatment barriers and Key components of the tool included food, exercise
steer individuals toward a healthy weight. and program suggestions to encourage participants to
enroll with one of the offered treatments. According
With a novel approach to weight-loss interventions, Megan McVay, Ph.D., assistant professor in the to McVay, certain barriers to weight loss can prevent
Department of Health Education and Behavior, individuals from normally seeking out weight-loss
HHP researchers hope to shift the balance in the developed a web-based intervention that can programs. Not knowing how to cook, a lack of money
fight against the obesity crisis. encourage adults to seek out weight-loss treatments. or even food cravings can discourage patients from
initiating treatments.
Prior to arriving at UF, Dr. McVay worked at a chronic
pain clinic. She noticed that patients who suffer from “Participants found our tool to be a source of
obesity often did not try to lose weight because they motivation,” McVay said. “By personalizing the
were not aware of the tools that were available. intervention, we allowed them to work through these
pros and cons to reach their own decision on if they
“In their minds, the cons outweigh the pros, and should enroll.”
this can lead to completely avoiding treatments,”
McVay said. “We wanted to be able to make people Patients rated the tool as easy to use and informative,
aware of the options available to them and clear any McVay said. Not only did the majority of participants
misconceptions towards weight loss.” who used the intervention continue to complete a
follow-up assessment, but it also convinced patients to
McVay and her team created “Your Wellness seek out their program options. According to McVay,
TIPPIN
Prescription,” a mobilization tool for helping patients weight-loss treatment was initiated by nearly two-thirds
break down common barriers to seeking out of participants who used the mobilization tool. If used
weight-loss treatments. Administered in a pilot in addition to regular visits to a health care provider,
G THE
study, the tool asked patients questions about the intervention shows huge potential as a new,
their experience with several weight-loss cost-effective way to approach weight loss.
topics and tailored feedback to encourage
SCAL
patients to start treatment themselves. “Our aim was to help others see the value
in programs they could select to reach their
In the pilot study, McVay and her team weight loss goals,” McVay said. “People often
E
gave a brief web-based assessment. don’t understand the benefits of weight-loss
After responding to a series of interactive tools. With this approach, we may soon see an
modules, patients received a increase in both treatment initiation and
personalized weight-loss plan and weight loss from patients themselves.”
information on how available
by K treatments could suit their needs. Like most research projects, McVay
yle C and her team’s research into weight-
h amb
ers The program emphasized loss interventions is just beginning.
that there are many choices Continued investigation could lead
of weight-loss interventions to a revolution in how physicians
available to patients, McVay address the obesity crisis nationwide.
10 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 11
FACULTY RESEARCH
getting a better picture of chronic movement pain
“If you can visualize it, we can make could learn more about the pain that aggravate their chronic pain in an In the team’s lab trials, patients
it better.” This is what associate their patients feel. effort to visualize whether the brain participate in a virtual reality reaching
professor of applied physiology gave any indication of what they were test while the spinal stimulus
and kinesiology Stephen Coombes, “As of now, there isn’t really a way to feeling. is applied, making movements
Ph.D., hopes that his research into verify if something hurts,” Coombes associated with back pain at the same
movement pain will eventually be able said. “The only way to know if The team also uses a heating device time. Coombes believes that the spinal
to accomplish. someone feels pain is to ask them to simulate another source of pain, in stimulus may result in a similar ‘pain-
directly.” coordination with or separate from a silencing’ effect.
According to Dr. Coombes, pain participant’s movements. According
typically develops as a way to protect Doctors currently take this approach to Coombes, this allows the lab to According to Coombes, previous
the body from injury. Most pain when dealing with patients, he said. attempt to see if the same effect can clinical trials that used this stimulation
goes away after an injury heals, but But Coombes and his team are be replicated in the absence of chronic showed potential to ease chronic back
chronic pain develops when the body’s working in their lab to determine how pain. pain, but it remains unclear why this
response to an injury lasts much changes in the brain could help health treatment is effective.
longer than it should. care providers visualize pain during Each person feels pain differently,
movement. even when exposed to the same “We’re not sure why it works at the
Chronic pain plagues over 100 million stimuli, but researchers still have moment,” said Coombes. “But the
Americans, nearly half of the nation’s The lab is attempting to use brain difficulty determining why this is the interactions of this treatment’s signals
population. This pain is often very biomarkers as a way to visualize case, Coombes said. Using biomarkers with the brain may help us explain
difficult to treat and can lead to chronic pain. According to Coombes, could provide a needed breakthrough. where this pain comes from in the first
depression and other negative mental measuring the brain’s responses place.”
health outcomes. during movement-triggered chronic “If we can have a biological
pain could provide a biological representation of pain, we can change Coombes and his team believe that
“Normally, pain tells us to do indicator, evidence that a patient’s the parameters,“ Coombes said. further research could speed the
protective actions for our bodies, like pain exists. “This could help us understand why a development of treatment options
temporarily resting,” Coombes said. patient rates their pain the way that that could not only help patients
“With chronic pain, our body is telling
us to do something that may not be
logical, like not getting out of bed for
weeks or months.”
“ We know this pain is real, we just
don’t have evidence of it from
a biological basis,” Coombes
said. “Either the pain is coming from
somewhere else, or we don’t have the
they do.”
The lab is also testing interventions
like spinal cord stimulation that could
help with specific types of pain.
express what they are feeling, but also
ease their pain.
“You can’t move without a brain,”
Coombes said. “If we can find a way
Coombes became interested in pain right ‘camera’ to capture it.” Spinal cord stimulation uses a device to put the brain and how we move
research during his undergraduate implanted in the body to send low- together, we might be able to shine a
studies and was always interested in The ‘camera’ that Coombes speaks level electrical signals to nerve cells. light on this phenomenon.”
how various factors contribute to pain of may be the MRI and EEG used to This technique blocks pain signals
when we move. During the course of scan participants’ brains as part of from reaching the brain, preventing
his career, he became curious if there the team’s research. These individuals the body from feeling pain, according
was a way that health care providers are told to make movements that to one hypothesis.
MORE THAN A FEELING
by Kyle Chambers
12 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 13
FACULTY RESEARCH
E ach year, ocean cruises transport roughly 20 million passengers, providing tourists with sun, fun and a boatload
of great food. However, unexpected accidents or illnesses can rock the boat, putting a premature end to
vacation getaways. Annually, thousands of passengers come down with illnesses or have accidents happen
while on board. At the University of Florida, researchers at HHP are learning how some passengers have used
available knowledge to help prevent themselves from getting sick or hurt.
protective behaviors against
norovirus, especially in scenarios
were surveyed. A total of 2,113
food travelers who vacationed
According to Pennington-Gray, even
knowing someone close to you who
where the cruise line communicated outside the United States were given experienced these symptoms can
the instructions clearly. Despite their questions which evaluated their have an influence. Having a close
Lori Pennington-Gray, Ph.D., traveling behaviors used to protect an online panel of 240 American high levels of risk perception, these concerns about food safety. friend or colleague who has fallen
professor in the Department of individuals abroad from “risk.” frequent travelers, respondents individuals were also the most likely ill can predict whether someone
Tourism, Hospitality and Event were given web-based surveys and to take a cruise. Her team found that individuals sought out “risk-averse” behaviors.
Management, worked with a team of “When people go abroad, they asked for the likelihood that they who had already been exposed to
researchers to discover if travelers may have heightened concerns for would adopt protective behaviors. According to Pennington-Gray, this food illness situations were more The team’s research into cruise ship
take preventative actions can it specific risks. These heightened group was the most likely to seek likely to behave cautiously when crisis communication revealed that
reduce their likelihood of “risk.” concerns typically come from Participants were asked about their information which would help to they traveled. Surprisingly, these travelers are generally concerned
increased media exposure or knowledge of the virus and then keep themselves safe. Although “passengers” did not choose to skip with their own safety but don’t
According to Dr. Pennington- feedback received from sources randomly assigned to one of four this relationship may appear to be out on cruises. always take the necessary steps
Gray, “risk” includes food-borne such as family, friends, social media experimental groups. Once assigned, common knowledge, these risk to be protected against potential
illnesses or norovirus, and any other influencers or other sources,” said they were exposed to different management strategies are not Instead, they often engaged in “risk- threats. However, researchers hope
unexpected accidents which can Pennington-Gray. “We wanted scenarios of norovirus infections on frequently used among tourists. averse” behavior such as increasing that increasing available information
impact the travel experience. “It’s to examine if certain attributes cruise ships in order to determine attention to their food choices, will motivate passengers to take
often things we are not expecting increased their likelihood to avoid the different levels of risk associated “Between 12 to 34 percent of the avoiding particularly “risky” foods or matters into their own hands.
and typically do not plan for,” she these situations.” with each. population use these protective requesting well prepared meats.
said. behaviors such as washing hands “The main takeaway from this
In a risk perception study, the Each group received a crisis regularly and using sanitizer,” “Risk-averse” behavior is when we research is that we can take
In two separate experiments, team constructed a model which statement to simulate how a cruise Pennington-Gray said. “That’s far choose to take steps to protect responsibility for our own safety,”
Pennington-Gray and her team determined the likelihood that line would attempt to manage the lower than the average person might ourselves before and during travel, Pennington-Gray said. “There are
of researchers tested cruise line travelers would adopt recommended situation. “Passengers” who had expect, and it really shows where Pennington-Gray said. This includes a number of messages which are
customers’ responses to crisis protective behaviors to help prevent greater levels of risk perception ground needs to be gained.” reading about food safety before not tourism specific which have
communication messages and norovirus infections. Based on were more likely to engage in cruising, avoiding fresh fruit on deck been developed for the general
In her team’s second study, a and drinking water from a non-tap population. Being aware of these
ON AN EVEN KEEL
selection of people who had source. messages may help us keep our
experience with foodborne illness peace of mind during our vacation.”
by KYLE CHAMBERS studying the impact of risk perception and crisis communication on travel behavior
TIPS FOR AVOIDING RISK ON A CRUISE
Avoid fresh fruits, particularly those which are not peeled
Be aware of travel safety alerts prior to departure
Don’t order undercooked meats
Drink water from a non-tap source
Use hand sanitizer generously + wash hands regularly
14 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H
H E&AH
LTUHM &
A NH U
PEMRAFNO R
PME RAFNOCREM|A2N0C1E9 –| 220021 0
9 15
heroes of
STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
medicine
by KYLE CHAMBERS
As a cancer survivor and a witness to the struggles of others
his age, HHP student Francisco Marchi was moved to tell
the stories of young, palliative-care patients — to honor and
highlight what matters most to them and their loved ones. His
nonprofit foundation creates short films where the patient
can be at the center of their own heroic tale.
Francisco Marchi was just 19-years- After entering remission, Marchi setting: his mirror image in age who
old when he was diagnosed with traveled to Boston where he began was battling a similarly aggressive
diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in studying the very same disease that blood cancer. He was introduced to
2015. After a long and grueling had left him bedridden for over a Megan Kardatzke while studying
treatment period facing the most year. He became a research fellow the same disease that she was
common type of non-Hodgkin’s at Harvard Medical School, fulfilling diagnosed with.
lymphoma, the senior APK major his lifelong goal to become a
emerged victorious in his battle medical researcher before finishing “I still remember her like it was
with blood cancer. his undergraduate studies. But yesterday,” Marchi said. “There was
his desire to work in a lab began certain energy about her, she could
“That whole process was what to fade after having another close captivate an entire room.”
sparked my curiosity,” Marchi said. encounter with cancer, this time
“I knew immediately that I wanted from a much different perspective. A talented model, frequent gamer
to get into medical research; and aspiring anesthesiologist,
I wanted to learn more about what In 2018, Marchi observed his most Kardatzke battled acute myeloid
made me sick.” memorable patient in a clinical leukemia (AML) at just 22-years-old.
16 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 17
heroes of medicine | STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
Named for the tremendous courage Marchi runs HOM alone, performing more about their experience, even plans to launch the College of
and resilience displayed by its all camera work and patient before you get behind the camera.” Journalism and Communications’
participants, HOM is an effort made interviews himself. The project first doctoral program in science
entirely for pediatric patients, not partners with volunteers from UF’s This past summer, Marchi secured communication next fall. His long-
the public. Most patients are eager Streetlight program to identify 501(c)(3) status for Heroes of term goal is to pursue HOM full-time
to participate once they learn about patients who would be willing to Medicine, making the project its own after finding a steady source of
the opportunity, he said. share their stories. official nonprofit foundation. Today, donations for the foundation.
HOM operates as a third-party entity
“The entire experience is for them. Unlike other hospital video projects, within Shands Hospital, meeting But the exercise science senior
Speaking from experience, once Marchi does not film patients as guidelines for ethical filming set by hopes that as his foundation
you’re in a hospital ward, you often a stranger. Instead, he builds a the hospital under HIPAA. expands, it will be able to help
feel alone, forgotten,” Marchi said. relationship with his interview others learn and grow from featured
“You get to feel like a movie star for subjects before asking if they would At UF following a successful transfer experiences.
a few hours, it’s a distraction that be willing to be on camera. from Santa Fe College, Marchi plans
feels really meaningful.” to balance HOM with his classwork “I hope that they reflect – reflect on
“I love being able to learn more and aims to release a new video the strength and sacrifice shown by
Marchi’s videos are entirely patient about patients and finding out what every month. these amazing people,” Marchi said.
directed. Patients request that makes them ‘them,’” Marchi said. “These videos are a look not only
Francisco Marchi interviewing a patient — he has since
posted five patient videos on heroesofmedicine.org. Marchi record a variety of subjects “Really connecting and starting a Keeping in line with his love for into the human condition, but a look
including family time, laughter and friendship helps you understand direct patient interaction, Marchi into the soul of a hero.”
The Jacksonville native was nearing project meant to her, I realized that sometimes a personal interview
the end of her battle with AML what something as simple as a video discussing their experience with the
when Marchi had the idea to do the could do.” disease that put them in the hospital. Marchi smiles with his cancer care team.
unthinkable, he picked up a camera. He was first diagnosed with diffuse large
B-cell lymphoma in 2015.
Her smile. Her laugh. Her unique According to Marchi, he chooses to
“After going through the motions energy and spirit. These were all interview teens and kids because of
with research, I knew it wasn’t memorialized on film for her close their shared connection. He enjoys
for me. I wanted to be involved in family to enjoy. While Kardatzke filming ‘those who didn’t have a life
something that would take me closer did lose her battle with cancer, yet’ because they remind him of
to patients,” Marchi said. “That’s Marchi said that her inspiring story the resilience and bravery he saw
when I knew that telling their stories motivated him to expand his project from fellow patients during his own
on camera, making sure that they into something more. treatment.
would never be forgotten; that would
be the best thing that I could do.” “I still think about her everyday,” Once their video is completed,
said Marchi “After shooting her patients are given the option to
Marchi had no prior experience video, I knew that this is where I have their video remain private for
with photography, but he followed needed to be.” family only or release it to the public.
instructional YouTube videos to learn Marchi said the sense of meaning
how to shoot photos, edit video and Kardatzke’s video story marked and fulfillment provided by the
capture Kardatzke’s experience the birth of Marchi’s personal videos motivates many patients to
with AML treatment. Following the filmmaking project and foundation, share their film with the public.
insistence of Kardatzke’s mother Heroes of Medicine (HOM).
and Kardatzke herself, Marchi Since 2019, Marchi has recorded “This environment being a sad one
captured her final days. 10 patient videos, four from is a misconception, it’s a meaningful
Massachusetts General Hospital one,” said Marchi. “When patients
“When I first saw her near the end and six from UF Health Shands. watch their video after being
of her life, I told myself that maybe Five of his patient videos, in filmed, they’re not seeing
filming her wasn’t the way to go addition to four contemporary their disease, they’re seeing
based on her appearance, even if medical topic discussions with
themselves as an actor in their
she was willing to tell her story,” said health care physicians, can be
Marchi. “But after I talked with her found on the foundation’s website own personal movie. It’s a
mom and saw how much that this (heroesofmedicine.org). powerful transformation.”
18 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 19takingthe
taking
taking the leap
leap
ALUMNI PROFILE
CHRISTIAN TAYLOR TALKS ABOUT THE TRIPLE JUMP AND BEING A PROUD GATOR
by Erika E. Nelson
Known worldwide as a clutch performer in the men’s triple jump, Christian Taylor, two-time Olympic
gold medalist and four-time World Champion, will soon add a Bachelor of Science degree in the online
sport management program to his long list of accomplishments.
T aylor originally started out in the on-campus sport
management program, but as his professional
career took off, he found it difficult to continue. “The
tough, and I will never make the assumption that the
spot is mine. I have to go out there and fight for it. If I
am able to make the team, my focus will be on setting
online program was the only way I could get my degree. the world record, setting the Olympic record, and
This avenue enabled me to reach my lifelong dream. bringing home the gold medal. I genuinely believe I am
With all of the traveling I do to compete, I used to capable of completing the task, but only time will tell.”
have to factor in the time difference when completing
assignments, taking a test or meeting with groups to When Taylor isn’t competing, he is reaching
work on projects,” said Taylor. out to kids via the Classroom Champions
program, which is co-founded by another
“I think completing this [sport management] degree is HHP Gator great, Steve Mesler (Bobsled
one of the proudest moments in my life and will be a Olympic gold medal winner). The mentorship
large contributing factor to the success of my career program connects athletes with thousands
moving forward,” reflected Taylor. of underserved kids across the U.S. and
Canada. Taylor remarked, “It has been
Taylor grew up with a passion for all sports and the greatest thing I’ve done since
eventually found his niche in track and field. “There is becoming a professional athlete.
definitely an athletic spirit in my family. My dad was a It’s just an added bonus that I get
tennis player, my sister was a track and field athlete to impact and inspire the next
at the University of Kentucky, and my cousin played generation as a Gator.”
football at Arizona State,” said Taylor.
Taylor is currently in Vienna,
Recruited back in 2008 by the UF Track and Field team, Austria, where he is
Taylor quickly established himself as one of the nation’s completing his internship
best triple jumpers. When asked what drew him to UF with Maschkan and Kux
Taylor answered, “I believe Gainesville is a unique city, Sports Consulting. He
it has a special energy that brings you in and makes thanks Dr. Doug DeMichele
you feel like family. I also came to school at a very and his academic advisor,
exciting time—the basketball and football team had Paul Higgerson, for
both won national titles, and the city was buzzing with their flexibility and
excitement.” understanding as “I think completing this [sport management] degree
he works toward is one of the proudest moments in my life and will
With his trademark focus, Taylor had his eyes set on graduation. He is be a large contributing factor to the success of my
Doha 2019 in the fall where he won his fourth World immensely grateful to his athletic
career moving forward.”
Championship. He hopes to go on to compete in the advisor, Tim Adyt, who helped to keep him
Tokyo Summer Olympics. “God willing, I will make the on track through the years and distance.
team for the 2020 Olympics. The U.S. team is extremely
20 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 21ALUMNI PROFILE
UNEXPECTED TRAGEDY AND A LIFE-CHANGING ADVENTURE
REAFFIRM HHP ALUM’S “ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.”
by Jacky Scott
S ometimes life throws you
curve balls, and Sally Darlin
(BSESS ’88, BHSPT ’90) wasn’t
ready for the one that was thrown
her way. In 2018, Darlin’s husband
scattered with giant rocks that
reminded Darlin of trails back in
North Carolina that she and her
family hiked. They even caught a
glimpse of the Dudh Kosi, or the
Darlin was able to sponsor a
13-year-old girl from a remote
village to support her through
school, as Nepal has a problem
of human trafficking, and getting
unexpectedly passed away — after Milk River, which had a milky blue- these young girls in school is
28 years together, Darlin’s partner green color. one way to decrease the risk of
was gone. exploitation.
“We didn’t plan to hike to the
A fellow physical therapist and mountain, but we did hike 45 miles “It is amazing to see what the
friend, Luann Tammany, PT, asked in five days on the same trail that owner of the boarding school and
Darlin to join her on a trip to everyone must take if hiking Mount the sponsors are doing to have a
Kathmandu, Nepal, to trek a portion Everest,” She explained. “When positive impact on the lives of so
of the Mount Everest trail and to you spend five to six days walking many young girls and boys,” Darlin
meet a young girl that Tammany and hiking through nature in such said. She and Tammany were able
sponsors in a boarding school. beautiful scenery, you can’t help but to visit three additional boarding
feel inspired, healed and one with schools, bringing backpacks and
“She thought it would be a healing the universe.” school supplies to the children.
trip for me,” Darlin explained. “I said,
‘Sure!’ I really had no hesitation Toward the end of their hiking trip, “It would be neat for my son and
about going.” their group took a helicopter ride daughter to see the orphanages and
that landed close to base camp, boarding schools and get a further
Darlin met up with Tammany and which sits at 17,600 feet. They flew appreciation for all that so many
their Sherpa guide and arranged over glaciers and rivers of ice and of us take for granted,” Darlin said.
a helicopter flight to start the hike were able to see the 12-mile long “We live our lives with an ‘attitude
in the Everest region. “We were Khumbu Glacier. of gratitude’ and this trip further
handed a card with some safety instilled the belief that this is the
tips, and the helicopter took off Darlin’s Everest adventure was way we should live our lives.”
while I was still putting on my topped off with a trip to Chautara,
seatbelt!” Darlin exclaimed. “The Nepal, to visit orphanages and Back in the U.S., she started the
feeling of flying over a mountain boarding schools where she and Darlin Family Scholarship fund to
top to then see down the other Tammany were greeted by about 75 support HHP students who also
side of the mountain as you fly locals. They were led through the have an interest in pursuing aWasdin Town Hall and ESPN’s The Undefeated Address Race, Sports and the Media
T
his fall, HHP co-hosted the Wasdin Speaker Series focused on “Sport, Social Justice and
the Media.” The town hall featured 17 prominent athletes and speakers — ranging from
PHOTOS: Christopher Lee Fatt
three-time Olympian Michelle Carter to New York Times best-selling author Nathan
Whitaker — to discuss how black athletes establish and use their influence through their
relationship with the media.
“Imagine if Muhammed Ali back in the day had a Twitter account — that would be amazing,”
said Etan Thomas, retired NBA player. Thomas went on to say that there’s so much power in
the athlete’s voice. He encourages younger athletes to find their voice to make change.
AL JUSTICE + TH E M EDIA
SPORT, SOCI ” ker (left), New
Yo rk Ti m es
thor, moderat
best-selling au d ABA and NBA
(center), retire
Nathan Whita sation with Artis Gilmore tired NCA A basketball coac’s.
es
h,
Tw itter ac count — th at would be amazing. a conver m W as di n, re d ea rl y 19 70
had a er, and To te 1960’s an
ed Ali back in the day basketball playge basketball during the la
“Imagine if Muhamm about co lle
NB A player
ETAN THOMAS, retired
The town hall was sponsored by UF alumni
Susie and Tom Wasdin and was co-hosted with
The Undefeated, ESPN’s platform for exploring
the intersection of race, sports and culture. The
College of Journalism and Communications and
the Levin College of Law were also co-hosts of the
event.
The audience included UF students, as well as local
middle and high school athletes, students
and coaches.
A special edition of The Undefeated’s digital roundtable
was recorded during the event. The roundtables and other
event segments can be watched at hhp.ufl.edu/townhall.
Jason Reid (second from left), senior above Cameron Hall (left), UF College of Public Health & Health
NFL writer, moderates a roundtable Professions freshman and member of the Florida Gators soccer
discussion with Etan Thomas, retired NBA team, and Grant Holloway, UF College of Liberal Arts and
player, Cameron Wolfe, ESPN.com NFL Sciences junior and member of the Florida Gators track and field
Nation Reporter for the Miami Dolphins, team, respond to a question during the roundtable discussion.
and Michelle Carter, three-time Olympian
and World Champion Gold Medalist in
24 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 women’s shot put. H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 25student spotlight HHP STUDENTS CHANGE THE FUTURE
“HHP has provided me with the “HHP has given me the tools and “Through the help of the awesome “The professors [at HHP] are
knowledge to succeed in my field resources to proceed into the advisors, teachers, and students genuinely passionate in their
and the professional experience future with confidence and endless within this college, I am constantly subjects and equally so in
opportunities that will give me the opportunities to gain relevant bettering myself and getting closer helping students learn
ability to thrive wherever I end up.” experience within my field.” to my dreams!” and succeed.”
Robert Everett Shawna Gray Alexia McCants Brian Tran
BS Sport Management and Business, 2020 BS Tourism, Event and BS Health Education and Behavior, 2021 BS Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, 2020
Recreation Management, 2020
Where are you from? Brooksville, FL Where were you born? Born in Washington D.C., raised in Where are you from? Tampa, FL
Where are you from? Crawfordville, FL. Upper Marlboro, Maryland
What’s your favorite campus or Gainesville spot? What is your favorite Gator tradition? My favorite Gator
My favorite spot has to be the skyboxes in the stadium. What’s your favorite pastime? Listening to music, What is your favorite thing about UF? How passionate tradition is Krishna. The $5 lunch for all you can eat and even
watching TV, or performing with my improv troupe, Theatre every person on this campus is for succeeding and being all take a Tupperware of it home is a deal that just can’t be beat.
What’s your favorite pastime? Playing sports for sure. Strike Force. they can be. It motivates me every day to push harder!
What’s your favorite campus or Gainesville spot? My favorite
If you could visit any era in time, when would you What’s your favorite campus or Gainesville spot? What advice would you give your freshman self? Don’t be study area is the Health Science Library. My favorite restaurant
choose? I’d honestly probably stay here because I don’t I used to love sitting at the Racquet Club Dining Center next scared to step out of your comfort zone. I really had to push is La Tienda. Lucky’s is the best grocery store in Florida.
know what I’d do without AC and other basic necessities to the Student Rec gym to people watch while studying myself to explore new opportunities and meet new people.
and listening to the music. Now I feel the Reitz Union game However, the switch didn’t flip on until my sophomore year. What advice would you give your freshman self? I would
What advice would you give your freshman self? Enjoy room has become my new go-to study spot. Had I done this earlier, who knows where I would be! encourage him to explore UF more. You are entering a new
every moment you have in college because it goes by environment and a new section of your life — take this
way quicker than you could ever imagine. What advice would you give your freshman self? Know When did you first become a Gator? I first became a Gator chance to figure out things that you enjoy. Whether it’s trying
that everything will work out. Yes you will stress and yes when I was walking through the Plaza of the Americas on out different student organizations, joining a sports team,
In the future, I plan to... Do great things in whichever you will feel the weight of the world, but that is part of my first ever UF tour. In that moment, I felt like I had found researching, etc., there is always something to take away.
field I end up. Whether it’s sport management or growing up. Embrace the struggles and grow from them. my home away from home, which to me is one of the most Even if you don’t like it, at least you can check that off your list
business, I know that because of my experiences in HHP, I important aspects of college. instead of regretting what you didn’t try.
will be prepared to step on the job and make a difference. In the future, I plan to... travel and gain experience anyway
I can. Experience does not only come from the classroom In the future, I plan to… become a physical therapist In the future, I plan to… pursue a career in medicine and
or internships. It comes from interactions and putting practicing in Texas! have the opportunity to have a job that allows me to help
yourself out there. others and put a smile on their face.
26 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 272019 P TA I L G AT ES
THANKS to our HHP tailgate sponsors
QUARTERBACK
Mary & Chip Lane • Bennett Stephens – Wells Fargo Advisors
Florida Advanced Spine and Trauma Centers – FastMD
H H TOUCHDOWN
The ABS Company • Bill & Janis Bunting
Maury & Jane Edmonds • Chris Gargani – Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence & Barbara Jaffe • Linda & Billy McGrane
Morgan & Nancy Pigg
TACKLE
David Herrick, BSPE ’74 • Jack & Joy Masson
Judge (Ret.) Frank A. Orlando • Dr. Erce & Sonja Phillips
Ron & Julia Pinnell • Madison Dental – Dr. Clint Rogers
Touching Hearts at Home • Ed & Dyann Trezza
Tom & Susie Wasdin • Clinton C. Wynn, LAT, ATC
HHP.UFL.EDU/TAILGATES
28 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 2975
CELEBRATING
HHP by the numbers
years
HHP students are...
61%
Women
87%
Florida
40% Residents
Racially/
Ethnically
4% Ph.D. Diverse
75 in 75
11% Master’s
85% Undergrad Help us reach 75 planned gifts
by our 75th anniversary in 2021
34%
Percentage of HHP students
who applied and were accepted 51 75
HHP has seen a 23% to medical schools 2019 2021
increase in degrees
awarded over the past
five years
Help us celebrate the College of Health & Human Performance’s
75th anniversary in 2021 by making a planned gift that will
100+
number of merit-based
strengthen our college and influence generations to come. Our
21K+
scholarships HHP students received
because of our generous donors goal is to reach 75 planned gifts by the time of our college’s 75th
ALUMNI anniversary in 2021 — WE’RE OVER HALFWAY THERE!
WORLDWIDE
The influence your estate gift can create is vast. From supporting
scholarships, to enabling the college to recruit top faculty, to
providing state of the art equipment, your planned gift benefits
1 in 5
students, faculty and the programs unique to HHP.
$8,000,000+ When you make a planned gift, you become a member of the
number of HHP
students enrolled in in sponsored awards UF Legacy Society. Membership is one way UF is able to thank you
one of the college’s put toward ground- during your lifetime.
online degree breaking research
programs in HHP last year.
HHP’s 2019-20 Teacher of
the Year is DR. SUZANNE LESLEY THURSTON
SNEED-MURPHY Learn how to begin lthurston@ufl.edu | (352) 294-1650
your UF legacy now...
giftplanning.uff.ufl.edu
30 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 H E A LT H & H U M A N P E R F O R M A N C E | 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 31P.O. Box 118200
Gainesville, FL 32611-8200
THANK YOU!
It’s because of your
support that we
can celebrate this
success. As the
flagship university in
the nation’s number UF now ranked #7 nationally
one state for higher
education, the among public universities
University of Florida’s — U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT 2020
momentum is on an
unstoppable trajectory.You can also read
