At UF Health, we’re surrounded by some of the brightest physicians whose dedication to medical advances and to providing quality patient care is shown on a daily basis. From appointments with patients, providing inpatient care and conducting surgeries to unveiling groundbreaking research, our physicians are impacting the lives of patients from around the world.

On Friday, March 30, join us in celebrating Doctors’ Day, a national observance to honor physicians for their contributions. Please join us in wearing red that day and take time to thank our physician colleagues.

UF COLLEGE OF MEDICINE SENIOR
ASSOCIATE DEAN
UF HEALTH PHYSICIANS CEO

Can you give an example of how our physicians go above and beyond to provide great patient care and service?

We all see and hear examples each day illustrating how our physicians, nurses and staff make a significant difference in the lives of our patients and provide excellent clinical care and hospitality. One story I heard recently illustrates our great care and service. A patient traveled from another city in Florida for a complex cardiac valve procedure that had to be delayed while the patient’s medical condition was optimized. Family from out of state had flown in to be present for support. With no fewer than five separate services needing to be coordinated to safely accomplish the procedure, the patient was looking at a delay of weeks before the procedure could be rescheduled. Knowing the disruption and anxiety this delay would create, physicians and staff from all five services worked to rearrange their schedules and the case was successfully completed two days after it was originally scheduled. It’s teamwork and cooperation like this that reflects the best of our patient-first environment and makes us proud to be part of UF Health.

How are our physicians moving medicine forward?

Physicians at UF Health choose faculty positions because of a commitment to do more. Whether it is researching different approaches to treating a disease, spending time and energy training the next generation of health care providers or innovating new care protocols that will lead to better health outcomes, the faculty at UF Health strive to push care forward so that tomorrow’s care is better than today’s. Being in that type of environment stimulates the best in all of us and makes UF Health the special place it is.

UF HEALTH SHANDS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
UF COLLEGE OF MEDICINE ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY DIVISION CHIEF
EUGENE L. JEWETT PROFESSOR OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

What sets apart UF Health physicians?

Doctors at UF Health believe and practice true interdisciplinary care. They understand the value of working side by side with others, who, like they, are at the top of their respective fields. Each member of the team knows that they are integral to the successful care of our patients. This strong sense of personal responsibility, combined with a team-based approach to care, sets apart our UF Health physicians from their peers.

What inspires our physicians to keep improving the patient experience?

Our physicians recognize that the patient experience is an integral part of successful care. They understand that patients who are engaged and invested in their treatment plan simply do better. UF Health doctors understand that a hospital or clinic can be an intimidating and sometimes scary place, and we strive to make our patients’ journey as pleasant and efficient as possible.

UF HEALTH SHANDS ASSOCIATE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
UF COLLEGE OF MEDICINE GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE CHIEF

What qualities make a good leader?

I believe a good leader:

• Recognizes the value of building relationships, not just within their personal unit, but across multiple departments
• Leads their colleagues — it’s critical that we understand each other’s individual qualities, values and motivations for career development. I believe that effectiveness as a leader is directly related to the ability to make personal connections with others.
• Maintains a lifelong curiosity, has a willingness to be taught by others and seeks professional development.
• Seeks consensus, but is decisive.
• Takes responsibility for mistakes and regularly shares credit for group success.
• Advocates for those they lead.

What makes UF Health such a dynamic place to practice medicine?

I think the presence of a health science center in a unified location — on the same campus as the main university — allows for incredible opportunity. It aids in academic and clinical collaboration with professionals from disciplines that intersect and allow us to rapidly adapt to scientific advancements and national imperatives. The medical center has grown tremendously over the past 20 years and continues to become more sophisticated, adept and nationally respected. It’s very hard to fall behind here in terms of knowledge and skills.

We have broad capabilities in all areas of medicine. As a general internist, it’s one of the most challenging environments I can imagine to coordinate the care of adults with chronic illnesses who often are in need of highly subspecialized services. The presence of so many highly respected teaching programs is also a key factor. The students from the health colleges constantly challenge the faculty to stay abreast of the latest developments, and they bring great enthusiasm and caring to the bedside.

UF HEALTH SHANDS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL INPATIENT MEDICAL DIRECTOR
UF COLLEGE OF MEDICINE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS

What core values drive our physicians to be their best?

Most physicians come to the conclusion that they want to be a doctor at a pretty young age, often driven by the need to or interest in caring for others. We all want to help our patients and that comes in different forms depending on subspecialty. In order to really take great care of our patients, we must value hard work and lifelong learning and be committed to excellence. Personally, my core values have really been a guide for me, both personally and professionally. Honesty and accountability are at the foundation of how I care for my patients, educate my students and how I interact with my colleagues. Other skills that are critical to caring for patients are teamwork and being an excellent communicator.

Can you give an example of a patient positively impacting your career as a physician?

There are too many to count. I don’t remember having a single patient interaction that hasn’t left a mark on me as a pediatrician. I am fortunate because as a pediatrician, my patients are often filled with exciting stories and funny laughs. One patient that is close to my heart is a teenager who was hospitalized for a long time waiting for a heart. We spent time together nearly every day she was in the hospital. It was spring and I was taking a few days off, and she told me that she thought she would get her heart when I was away. I assured her that she could call me at any time and we could talk. As luck would have it, the day we were returning from our vacation, my phone rang and she was on the other end telling me she had just learned she was getting a heart. That conversation has left a mark on my heart for a long time. I am still in touch with this patient and I believe she impacted me far more than I impacted her.

Visit giving.UFHealth.org/doctorsday to watch UF Health patients share what makes their doctors special.