Charting the future

New dean positions college on path to distinction

By: Karen Dooley
On a sunny January morning, Dr. Colleen Koch was in the midst of a busy first week on the job as the University of Florida College of Medicine dean.
Colleen Koch, wearing a Gator face covering, talks with a student in the simulation center. UF College of Medicine Dean Colleen G. Koch, MD, MS, MBA, talks with medical student Michelot Michel in the UF Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation. Photo by Louis Brems
“After my first visit to Gainesville, I was so impressed by what I saw that I immediately went to my dean and said, ‘They have everything you could want, right there.’”
Colleen G. Koch, MD, MS, MBA
banner collage
Dean Koch and four students pose for a photo. Dean Colleen G. Koch, MD, MS, MBA, hosted a lunch at Hotel Eleo in May for four medical students who participated in the college’s strategic planning process and provided input through a learners retreat. From left are medical student Katie O’Byrne; medical student Rania Saboungi; Koch; medical student Krystal Glasford; and MD-PhD student Matthew Sebastian.
“Her demonstrated excellence in academic health and laser focus on integrating research and education into the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care convinced me and the search committee that she was the right person for the job.”
David R. Nelson, MD
Senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health
7 pillars The College of Medicine’s strategic planning process is a community-driven approach, heavily informed by input from people across the college. It is narrowed down to seven priorities, or pillars, displayed here.
“We are going to the front lines and asking, ‘What do we need to do to get to where we want to go?’”
Colleen Koch, MD
Dean Koch UF College of Medicine Dean Colleen G. Koch, MD, MS, MBA. Photo by Louis Brems