Office of Community Relations
UF Government and Community Relations

Monday, February 1, 2021
Across the University of Florida, our 16 colleges, numerous institutes, and health care facilities embrace our shared mission of outreach and service to improve and enrich our community, nation, and the world. UF in the Community spotlights the impact of UF in our region.

Although UF has students and employees throughout the state, North Central Florida is home to much of our faculty and staff and to our 50,000+ students. Like all area residents, we want a vibrant, safe, healthy, and equitable place in which to live and thrive. Here are some of the ways in which we are enhancing our shared community.​
UF Health researchers find that two-drug combo shows dramatic results for COVID-19 patients
Combining an anti-inflammatory drug with an antiviral drug reduces recovery time and accelerates improvement for COVID-19 patients, a national study co-authored by UF Health researchers has found.

Patients treated with a combination of the anti-inflammatory drug baricitinib and the antiviral drug remdesivir while they were receiving high-flow oxygen or noninvasive ventilation had a recovery time of 10 days, compared with 18 days for patients in a remdesivir-only control group.
UF Center for Smell and Taste participates in study to evaluate smell tests as a potential tool to identify COVID-19
A team of University of Florida neuroscientists will analyze two different smell tests under a new National Institutes of Health grant aimed at developing inexpensive, at-home tests to help identify new cases of COVID-19 and provide a warning sign of a community outbreak in time to thwart it.
UF College of Nursing opens new simulation and learning lab to teach leading-edge patient care skills
University of Florida College of Nursing students and faculty can now hone their skills using the latest technology in patient safety and learning assessment following an extensive overhaul of teaching space at the college to build a leading-edge simulation and learning center.

Senior leaders at UF Health noted that the renovated facility is coming online at a critical yet opportune moment for health care services throughout the nation and the world.
Recent deaths of UF students on University Ave lead to increased enforcement, analysis and calls for change
The Gainesville Police Department will implement a traffic safety program after two UF students were killed by car crashes on West University Avenue less than two months apart.

Police will conduct high visibility traffic enforcement along roadways adjacent to UF through Gator STEP. The increased presence of patrol officers will be found along West University Avenue, Southwest Archer Road, Southwest 34th Street, Southwest 13th Street and other city roadways. The focus will be on crosswalks, pedestrians, speeding and scooter safety violations. GPD and University Police will work together to enforce traffic laws in these areas.
U.S. News & World Report ranks UF's undergraduate and graduate online programs as among the best in the country
U.S. News & World Report ranked several University of Florida online programs as among the top in the country, continuing the university’s overall rise on the national stage. In September, UF was ranked as No. 6 among public universities.

U.S. News has ranked UF Online among the nation’s top five best online bachelor’s programs for the third year in a row, rising to No. 3 from No. 4. Additionally, UF reclaimed its title as No. 1 in the nation for those seeking an online master’s degree in education.
Linda and Ken McGurn establish $2 million fellowship program for media integrity and the fight against disinformation
The University of Florida today announced a $2 million commitment from UF alumni Linda and Ken McGurn to establish the McGurn Fellowship Program for Media Integrity and the Fight Against Disinformation.

The gift will fund fellowships at the UF College of Journalism and Communications, the Levin College of Law and the Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology, a multidisciplinary initiative launched in 2019 to understand the dynamics that have undermined the trustworthiness of content and information disseminated via technology. 
UF IFAA Extension presents Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Crash Course: The Water’s Journey
The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office will host an Environmental and Community Horticulture program for February 2021. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Crash Course: The Water’s Journey – February 3, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This is a Zoom webinar
 
This program is being offered by Dr. Taylor Clem, Environmental and Community Horticulture Agent. The 2021 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Crash series will be quarterly programs focusing on the different principles of the Florida-Friendly Landscape program and their role in protecting Florida’s water, through the lens of a droplet's journey through the watershed.
 
There is no registration fee, but participants must register online. This webinar is limited to 100 participants. For more information about this program, call 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Office website for additional programs offered by the Extension Office.
COVID-19 Resources:
  • UF Health COVID-19 Site
  • UF Health Screen, Test and Protect Dashboard
  • UF Updates on COVID-19
Community Resources:
  • Florida Department of Health: COVID-19 data and surveillance dashboard
  • Alachua County
  • Alachua County Health Department
  • City of Gainesville
  • Santa Fe College
  • City of Alachua
  • Greater Gainesville Chamber
  • United Way of North Central Florida
Stay Well.
Susan Crowley
Assistant Vice President, Community Relations