Graduates return to The Swamp for Alumni Weekend 2015

Nearly 250 alumni traveled to Gainesville Oct. 2-4 for Alumni Weekend 2015.

By Styliana Resvanis

Pictured from left to right: Jim Sink; Karly Sink, MD '05; Damon Welch, MD '05; and Christina Welch, MD '05. Mindy C. Miller

Nearly 250 alumni traveled to Gainesville Oct. 2-4 for Alumni Weekend, enjoying events that included a student panel, breakfast with the deans, tours of the George T. Harrell, MD, Medical Education Building and a reunion dinner for physicians and PAs celebrating milestone reunion years.

“It’s wonderful to see the changes happening, and it’s exciting to see the vibrant atmosphere of the college,” said James Montelaro, MD ’90, an otolaryngologist from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

At the reunion dinner, UF College of Medicine Dean Michael L. Good, MD, announced the latest Wall of Fame selection: UF professor emeritus and hematology researcher Craig Kitchens, MD ’70, who was chosen for his dedication to medicine, patient care and education.

Good also presented Sonja Rasmussen, MD ‘90, with the Dean’s Award for Leadership. Rasmussen, who holds several positions within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hosted a notable alumnus lecture on Ebola, pandemic influenza and other global health issues.

A speed-networking session was held in the Harrell Medical Education Building’s learning studio, where doctors-in-training and practicing physicians discussed specialties and swapped stories about life at the UF College of Medicine. Nostalgia and excitement swirled around the tailgate party Saturday afternoon, as alumni reminisced and students gathered on couches to soak up advice.

Alumni celebrating reunion banded together to support their alma mater as well, with five classes raising enough money to name rooms in the Harrell Medical Education Building. Collectively, more than $2.7 million was raised for various UF College of Medicine funds through reunion giving in 2015.

“It is gratifying to witness how the generosity of our graduates is changing the way we educate and train future Gator physicians and physician assistants,” Good said. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all you have done to help move the UF College of Medicine forward.”

Donna Parker, MD '90; Katheryn Sarantos, MD '90; Jennifer Thielhelm, MD '90 Gator chomping

For more photos from Alumni Weekend 2015 or information about Alumni Weekend 2016 (Oct. 14-15), please visit drgator.ufl.edu/aw.

About the Author

Styliana Resvanis

Associate Director, Communications

As associate director of communications for the UF College of Medicine, she assists the director in managing a multi-channel, comprehensive communications program to enhance the college’s reputation, increase visibility and engage key audiences. She leads the efforts and objectives of the college’s editorial, storytelling and digital communications strategy, leveraging traditional and modern approaches to raise awareness around the initiatives, achievements and aspirations of the college. She joined the UF College of Medicine communications team as a communications specialist, where she oversaw the college’s social media accounts, managed several of the college’s websites and contributes to various publications. Before joining the UF College of Medicine and UF Health staff in 2013, she worked at the UF Foundation communications office, where she wrote for the university’s alumni publications and website and managed a regional pilot microsite. She has also contributed to multiple magazines as a freelance writer and copy editor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UF.

View Full Profile