UCF Health Sciences

Tamara Hollis is using her Health Sciences degree to pursue medicine and serve her community. As co-founder and President of Health Link Society, she launched “Taste of Wellness” and mentors peers—turning her passion for healthcare into action at UCF and beyond. 💛

Freddy's path to med school shows the power of advising, mentorship, and community. A pivotal conversation at @UCF helped him find the right academic track, mentors kept him on course, and service shaped his purpose. Now, he’s ready to pay it forward as a future physician.

Is childhood obesity missing a simple solution? With a new $453K NIH grant, @ucf_HS Associate Professor Keith Brazendale is studying whether free summer camp could help kids stay healthier. ucf.edu/news/could-thi…

Timothy Horanic is a standout scholar and servant leader—peer tutor, SI leader and teaching assistant. His passion for cardiology drives his honors research on diet and heart health, earning him a spot as a UCF 5ML finalist. He is a 2026 CHPS Founders’ Day awardee.

Born from the space race. Built to reach for the stars. Still daring to go farther. Welcome to Space Week at #SpaceU.

💪 Join us for our second speaker in the Research Seminar Series with a presentation from Professor Eduardo De Souza from The University of Tampa on Friday, October 17th at 12:00 p.m.! Find the link to join virtually here👇 events.ucf.edu/event/3909076/…

Health Sciences major Luis Torres Portillo moved from Caracas, Venezuela to the U.S. at 15. A UCF Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow, he studies Huntington disease and founded a sports nonprofit for kids. He aims to improve quality of life through health care and service.

Did you know it only takes 11 minutes a day to live a healthier lifestyle? 👟 Assistant Professor A'Naja Newsome met with WGEM to discuss how we can decrease health risks like cardiovascular disease, cancer and even early death. wgem.com/2025/08/03/sup…

Congrats to Kamalie Thomas, Emily Carter, Ariana Valentin & Ashley Malvita who completed UCF’s Summer Mentoring Research Fellow Program last week! Their research topics ranged from evaluating nutrition and physical activity to examining youth cancer advocacy programs. 👏

Health Sciences major Gabriela Facio's passion for medicine & people led her to UCF. After working with children at CECO, she's driven to become a pediatrician advocating for accessibility & empathy. VP of Students Care & TA, she mentors peers & leads with compassion.

Congratulations to Jillian Weathington for being a finalist for the American Society for Nutrition’s Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition! We're thrilled to celebrate this accomplishment for Jillian & her mentor, Assistant Professor Shante Jeune. Congrats! 🙌

Three of our CHPS alumni were recognized as part of the 2025 Class of 30 Under 30, including Brianna Laurenceau ’18 from @ucf_hs! Brianna works as the Volunteer Resource Manager at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, where she develops initiatives to empower local youth.⭐

The new dean of the College of Health Professions and Sciences, Matthew Theriot, will tell you what he’s most proud of professionally is not so much what he’s done, but how he’s collaborated with others to translate ideas into action. healthprofessions.ucf.edu/news/building-…

“The internship experience pushed me to my path and made me the person I am today,” says Jason Gagnier, who turned his health sciences internship into a job, an X-ray tech license and acceptance into med school.

At UCF, Priscilla Torres-Theobald found her path in Health Sciences. Now Executive Director of Harmony Healthcare Orlando, she says, “You don’t have to be a physician to impact health.” Her advice to grads: “Be patient and research your future employers.”

👩🏽‍🎓👨‍⚕️ Here’s to everything you’ve accomplished and everything that’s still ahead — and to the lives you'll change from here on out! The future of healthcare looks brighter because you are in it! Congratulations #Classof2025! The world is lucky to have you. #UCFGrad

Meet Reeta Rabadi from @ucf_hs. 🎓 Rabadi is graduating with a bachelor's degree in health sciences and plans to continue her education at the University of Florida's College of Dentistry in August. Congratulations, Reeta. 🖤🌠 #Classof2025

Meet Samantha Migliore from @ucf_hs. 🎓 Migliore is graduating with a bachelor's degree in health sciences and plans to start the @ucf_dpt program after crossing the graduation stage. Congratulations, Samantha. 🖤🌠 #Classof2025

Sending out huge congratulations to Keith Brazendale on his promotion to Assoc Prof with tenure, Katia Ferdowsi on her promotion to Assoc Lecturer, Martha Garcia-Stout on her promotion to Assoc Lecturer and Humberto Lopez-Castillo on his promotion to Assoc Prof with tenure.

Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier community. 💪Make your gift today at the link below. 💛chps.ucf.edu/give