The UF MD-PhD Community
The UF MD-PhD program is designed to foster a close-knit supportive community of physician-scientists.
The nature and quality of MD-PhD students’ interactions with fellow students and mentors are vital to the socialization of students in the community of scholars and in developing confidence and expertise to be successful scientists and clinicians. Having a large group of MD-PhD students who know each other and spend time together helps greatly.
To aid in the retention of trainees, their academic performance and research progress will be followed closely by the MD-PhD Directorate via regular review of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) with mentors, monitoring of academic performance and participation in professional and career development activities, and annual personal interviews. Close monitoring will allow early intervention if the need arises, which may take advantage of services offered by the UF HSC Graduate Medical Education Office and/or Counseling and Student Health Services available at the college and university level.
Scholar Participation in Program Operations
From their first year until their last year, our scholars play an integral role in the shaping of the program’s future.
MD-PhD Scholar Council
One or two scholars will participate on the Directorate/OBRCD meetings as representatives of the UF MD-PhD Scholar Council. These will usually be the Chair and Co-chair of the Scholar Council. These positions should turnover annually or biannually. The Scholar Council will designate specific student classes to participate in or be responsible for planning and implementation of specific programs.
MD-PhD Scholars are regularly involved in curriculum/course development.
Wellness events are designed by a committee of scholars from the UF MD-PhD Scholar Council to promote camaraderie, peer support, and long-lasting relationships between scholars.
MD-PhD Wellness Committee
The Wellness Committee is a subcommittee of the MD-PhD Scholar Council. Under the leadership of the Wellness Chair–with financial support from the Program Directorate–these scholars foster camaraderie between students within our program.
Graduate Student Lounge
The lounge, located on the ground floor of the Communicore Building next to the OBRCD, provides graduate students from all six of UF’s health science colleges with a comfortable space to interact and take a break from their busy schedules. Graduate students helped design the space, which features natural light and includes three Apple TVs, two refrigerators, and two microwaves.
Life in Gainesville for Our Scholars
Location
Gainesville is centrally located in Florida with easy access to a variety of experiences found in Orlando, Saint Augustine and Jacksonville. The University of Florida, one of the biggest universities in the country, has made Gainesville much more cosmopolitan with access culture and life typically only found in much bigger cities.
Despite this atmosphere, it still retains its small town feel. Beyond college sports, the city boasts vibrant art galleries, cultural centers, diverse dining, shopping, and abundant outdoor recreation.
Must-visit attractions include the Florida Museum of Natural History, Harn Museum of Art, and Kanapaha Botanical Gardens.
Annual events like the Downtown Festival & Art Show and Hoggetowne Medieval Faire draw visitors year-round.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, and water activities at Newnans Lake State Forest, Sweetwater Wetlands Park, and nearby springs like Ginnie Springs and Ichetucknee Springs. Shopping and dining options abound at Butler Plaza and Celebration Pointe.
Climate
Mean annual temperature – 71° F
Average rainfall – 54.65 inches; growing season 255 days.
Annual days < 32° F = 2
Average high temp in July ° F = 91.3°
Average low temp in January ° F = 43.9°
Annual days with mostly sun = 242
Annual snowfall (inches) = 0
Education
In addition to the University of Florida, the oldest and the largest university in the State, Gainesville is also the home of the Santa Fe College which serves over 22,000 students in its college-level and extensive community education programs. The students in Alachua County’s public school system, which includes eighteen elementary schools, seven middle schools and six high schools, rank in the top 25 percent of the nation in comprehensive test scores. There are also nine private schools and four special schools in Alachua County. High school students can take vocational courses through Santa Fe Community College.
Transportation
Three major highways serve Gainesville: Interstate 75, U.S. 301 and U.S. 441. Multiple air carriers have regularly scheduled service to and from Gainesville Regional Airport, which is the principal commercial airport for a nine-county area. Interviewees also traveling to other training programs within Florida frequently find flying into Tampa, Orlando, or Jacksonville (all within a 2 hour drive) and travel to Gainesville via rental car as an alternative to flying in and out of Gainesville.
For more information about Gainesville and surrounding communities, check out Visit Florida!
