Cheers to the New Year

On Jan. 7, the UF Health Cancer Center held its annual “Cheers to the New Year” party to celebrate our myriad accomplishments in 2019 and to acknowledge key employees whose outstanding efforts were essential to our success last year.

In the last year, the UF Health Cancer Center has made numerous advancements in its leadership, research programs and partnerships while expanding faculty recruitment and collaborative research in addition to our basic and clinical research spaces.

The party included food, drinks and live music. Director Jonathan Licht, M.D., gave a short speech and presented awards to 12 exemplary Cancer Center members whose hard work and dedication exemplifies the center’s mission: to prevent, detect, treat and ultimately cure cancer.

UFHCC Basic Science Research Staff Member of the Year Award
The UFHCC Basic Science Research Staff Member of the Year award recognizes a research staff member in cancer-relevant basic research, recognized by their peers, who has made extraordinary contributions that enhance the success of the science conducted within the Center.

Josee Gauthier, Scientific Lab Manager

UFHCC Clinical Research Staffer of the Year Award
The UFHCC Clinical Research Staff Member of the Year award recognizes a research staff member in cancer-relevant clinical research, recognized by their peers, who has made extraordinary contributions that enhance the success of the science conducted within the Center.

Anna Kukulka, Clinical Research Office Training and Education Coordinator

UFHCC Population Sciences Research Staff Member of the Year Award
The UFHCC Population Sciences Research Staff Member of the Year award recognizes a research staff member in cancer-relevant population sciences research, recognized by their peers, who has made extraordinary contributions that enhance the success of the science conducted within the Center.

Hee Deok Cho, Data Management Analyst II for the College of Medicine’s Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics

UFHCC Community Outreach Award
The UFHCC Community Outreach Award is an individual (faculty, staff, or community member) that has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to working with community members with evidence of significant impact within our catchment area. This could be through active engagement of events or programs aimed at improving health behaviors targeted at preventing cancer and/or providing resources for those diagnosed with cancer, their family members, or other caregivers.

Sue Colson, R.N., Chair of Community Advisory Board

UFHCC High Enroller Award
Top enrolling provider to an interventional clinical trial.

Ramzi Salloum, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics (non-clinical)
Robert Amdur, M.D., Professor and Residency Program Director for the College of Medicine’s Department of Radiation Oncology (clinical)

UFHCC High Writer Award
PI of the highest enrolling interventional IIT clinical trial.

Nancy P. Mendenhall, M.D., FASTRO, Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at College of Medicine – Jacksonville

UFHCC Top Influencer of the Year
The UFHCC Top Influencer of the Year Award is to recognize any faculty, staff, or trainee who significantly contributes to the national reputation of the UFHCC through recognition in publications, social media or other press.

Merry Jennifer Markham, M.D., FACP, Associate Director for Medical Affairs at the Cancer Center and Interim Chief of the Division of Hematology & Oncology

UFHCC Administrative Staffer of the Year
The UFHCC Administration Staff Member of the Year award recognizes an exceptional UFHCC administration staff member, recognized by their peers, who demonstrates a commitment to the mission of the UFHCC with a level of performance that exceeds the values and guiding principles of our Center.

UFHCC NCI Team

UFHCC Nurse of the Year
The UFHCC Nurse of the Year award is given to an extraordinary oncology nurse recognized by her or his peers who supports the mission of the UFHCC by going above and beyond to deliver compassionate, high-quality care in addressing the burden of a cancer diagnosis to patients, family members or other caregivers.

Margaret Gulig, R.N., Clinical Nurse Educator in the Division of Hematology & Oncolog, Department of Pediatrics

UFHCC Advanced Practice Provider of the Year
The UFHCC Advanced Practice Provider of the Year award honors an oncology-focused ARNP or PA-C recognized by her or his peers that demonstrates high standards in the practice of clinical care, supports the mission of the UFHCC, and exemplifies a commitment to improving the health and well-being of cancer patients.

Jeff Huynh, PA-C, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine

UFHCC Physician of the Year
The UFHCC Physician of the Year award is given to the oncology physician who consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine, supports the mission of the UFHCC and is looked upon as a role model by her or his peers.

William Slayton, M.D., Associate Professor and Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital

UFHCC Golden Gator Award
Recognition of distinguished performance made to the Cancer Center.

The Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication: Kellie Roberts, Stephanie Webster, Lisa Athearn, Emily Butler, Amy Jung, Amy Martinelli and Jade Williams