UF Health

As health care providers, we prioritize educating our patients about health risks—but sometimes, common risks, like those linked to alcohol, can be overlooked. Did you know alcohol is classified as a carcinogen? Research shows even light drinking increases the risk of cancers like mouth, throat, liver, breast, and colon. Despite this, more than 50 percent of Americans are unaware of alcohol’s connection to cancer. At UF Health, including the Florida Recovery Center, we are committed to fostering health and wellness for all, including offering resources for anyone seeking support to build healthier habits. 💡 This New Year, let’s reflect on how knowledge of these risks can help us lead by example and inspire healthier choices in ourselves and our patients. 📖 Read more about alcohol’s health risks and prevention in our latest article:

UF Health closed 2024 with significant milestones in care, research, and recognition. Here’s how the year unfolded: 📈 Top 2024 highlights - UF Health launched the Mobile Cancer Screening Connector to expand care in rural areas. - Teams opened new facilities at the World Equestrian Center, UF Health Urgent Care Center – Eastside, and Ocala Neighborhood Hospital. - Leaders broke ground on the new Florida Recovery Center campus. 🔬 Driving innovation - Researchers advanced Parkinson’s drug development and mRNA cancer vaccines. - Teams secured $11.8 million to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 🏥 Recognition and excellence - UF Health Shands Hospital received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group. - UF Health partnered with Team USA as a National Medical Center. 👶 Improving pediatric care - UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital started renovating pediatric care areas to improve patient experiences. 📖 Learn more about these milestones: https://ufhealth.org/news

On behalf of UF Health, President and System CEO Stephen Motew, M.D., shares his heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and staff at UF Health for all that they do throughout the year to provide quality, compassionate care to our patients and their families. A joyful holiday season and a New Year filled with peace, strength, and happiness to the communities we serve and all of you!

Brain inflammation may cause muscle fatigue in cases of long COVID, Alzheimer's, or E. coli infections, new research shows. University of Florida McKnight Brain Institute researcher Dr. Diego Rincon-Limas and Washington University in St. Louis biologist Dr. Aaron N. Johnson explain in The Conversation U.S. https://lnkd.in/ecgNrMwD

Did you know that 8 lives can be saved by just one organ donor and 75 lives are helped by one tissue donor? There are 5,000 people awaiting transplants in Florida and 103,000+ in the U.S. This holiday season, consider giving the Gift of Life by becoming an organ and tissue donor. Visit https://lnkd.in/eaaBV3fC for more information and to sign up today.

What happens when a horse, a scientist, an engineer and a physiologist walk into a doctor’s office? 🐎💡 They gallop into groundbreaking research at University of Florida Health. A $5.4 million The National Institutes of Health-funded study, led by Samantha Brooks, Ph.D., and Adam Biedrzycki, BVSc, Ph.D., from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyle Allen, Ph.D., from the UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, and Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, MSPH, Ph.D., from the UF College of Dentistry, is exploring how horses experience pain. The goal is to improve osteoarthritis treatments for both humans and animals. This interdisciplinary collaboration highlights UF Health’s dedication to advancing research for better care. ➡️ Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gny_QXRy

Dr. Emily Cicali, a clinical associate professor at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, appeared on WCJB TV20 News to discuss the MyRx program created by UF Health pharmacists in 2022. This program allows patients to have virtual consultations and pharmacogenomic testing so they can make the best choice about their medication. Watch Dr. Cicali discuss the benefits of this program at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gCAzVa9y

Connor Griffiths is a first-year medical student at the University of Florida. He launched a research study to collect data on foot measurements of adults with Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome tend to have wider and shorter feet. This study was inspired by his older brother Michael, who has Down syndrome and often has issues with shoes that don’t accommodate his feet. Griffiths hopes that the results of his study will help his brother and others stay active and do what they love. https://lnkd.in/egswiqz7

UF Health Shands has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization that assesses and reports on quality and safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. UF Health North in Jacksonville also earned an “A,” improving from its previous “B” grade. This rating recognizes UF Health’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. https://lnkd.in/e2wWgDhK

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to pause and express gratitude for our many blessings. We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated staff, who work tirelessly to care for our communities, with a special appreciation for those working today.   Today and every day, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our communities for placing their trust in us to care for their loved ones.   UF Health wishes you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. UF Health UF Health Jacksonville UF Health Central Florida