UF College of Medicine

University of Florida College of Medicine faculty and students recently attended the annual AAMC Southern Group on Educational Affairs meeting in New Orleans, presenting their research, leading workshops and connecting with peers from across the country to help shape the future of medical education. Thank you to all who joined!

In celebration of our 75th anniversary, we are aiming to establish 75 new scholarships by 2031 — ensuring University of Florida College of Medicine M.D., PA and Ph.D. students have the support they need to focus on what matters most. Be part of something transformative and help our students write their next chapter: https://med.ufl.edu/alumni-affairs/development/scholarships/.

“These past two years will be something I will never forget,” said Nicole Lim, MPAS ’26, one of today’s graduates and the University of Florida School of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2026 Mary Dailey Award recipient. “Despite the challenges that came with didactic and clinical year, PA school was filled with memories with the most driven, compassionate and intelligent colleagues. I also cherish the patient experiences I had the privilege of being part of as they were fundamental in shaping both my personal and clinical growth.”

Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Lim is a University of Miami alumna and a former physical therapist aide and dialysis technician. She served as the Equal Access Clinic Network liaison for her PA school class and was recently inducted into the Pi Alpha Honor Society.

“These past two years will be something I will never forget,” she said. “Really though, we are just getting started. There is so much more to come from this class, and I can’t wait to see what each of us accomplishes in the future.”

Congratulations to Lim and the Class of 2026!

“I am so excited about graduation and what the future holds,” said Landon Taylor, MPAS ’26, president of the University of Florida School of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2026 and one of today’s graduates. “To celebrate, I'm going to Disney World with my family and friends! It will be a great time. I’m also looking forward to starting my job in orthopaedic surgery here at UF Health!”

Originally from Washington and the Pacific Northwest, Taylor was inspired to join the PA field by his childhood family medicine provider. As he got older and started working in healthcare, he knew it was the right career for him. But PA school didn’t just prepare him for the job. It also brought him together with a close-knit family of students, now alumni, who supported each other in and out of the classroom.

“There are so many incredible memories from PA school,” he said. “I have made some of my closest friends here. A few memories that stand out are celebrating my 27th birthday at Texas Roadhouse with my best friends and the incredible support my classmates provided when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. They held a fundraiser for her without me knowing and surprised me with a huge check to give to her.”

“This moment feels surreal. For so long, graduation felt so far away. Now that it’s here, I feel incredibly grateful, excited and proud to be celebrating this milestone,” said Gabrielle Pérez, MPAS ’26, a Colombian and Venezuelan American from Jacksonville, Florida, who graduated today alongside her peers in the Class of 2026. “Although I always knew I wanted to work in medicine, I didn’t discover the PA profession until my undergraduate junior year. Because the PA role doesn’t exist in many Hispanic countries, I had never met a PA or known anyone in the field. As a future bilingual provider, I’m passionate about improving access to healthcare and serving Spanish-speaking communities.”

During her time at the University of Florida School of Physician Assistant Studies, Pérez served as a class support officer and a member of the Professional Standards and Promotions Committee. She also assisted with admissions and orientation for the PA Class of 2027, all while being a U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration National Health Service Corps scholar, which helped cover her PA education and living expenses. As part of the corps, she will complete two years of primary care service in a community facing a shortage of healthcare providers.

“Being a National Health Service Corps scholar has been a huge blessing,” she said. “It has allowed me to graduate with significantly less student debt while pursuing my passion for primary care and serving underserved communities. After graduation, I will be completing my service commitment at Palms Medical Group in Starke, Florida, where I look forward to caring for patients in a rural community.”

Congratulations to Pérez and the Class of 2026!

We can’t wait to cheer on the Class of 2026 graduates this weekend! Join the in-person ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts or watch the livestream online at https://news.drgator.ufl.edu/2026/05/06/watch-2026-pa-commencement-live/.

After decades of decline, rates of colon cancer are on the rise in adults ages 20-49 years old, with the American Cancer Society reporting a 3% increase between 2013-22. And of all cancer types for adults under 50, colorectal cancer causes the most deaths.

The good news is, it’s preventable, and University of Florida College of Medicine students and physicians recently received a two-year $9,000 Medical Student Service Leadership Project Grant from the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society to create a comprehensive colorectal cancer screening program through the free, student-run Equal Access Clinic Network.

“Increasing access to colorectal cancer screening can help identify disease earlier, improve outcomes and reduce barriers to preventive care for patients who may otherwise go unscreened,” said Taylor Thomson, a medical student who serves as director of physician recruitment at the Equal Access Clinic Network. “This program also provides medical students with valuable early exposure to community-based preventive care, helping them develop skills in patient outreach, interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing healthcare disparities in underserved populations.”

Learn more at https://news.drgator.ufl.edu/2026/06/03/colorectal-screening-program/.