Amanda Balkhi, doctorate in clinical psychology ’16, co-authored a children’s book, “One, Two, What Do I Do? A Children’s Guide to Talking Back to OCD’s Intrusive Thoughts.” It is one of the first resources geared toward young children with OCD that showcases a diverse cast and highlights evidence-based skills.

Ashley Armbruster Brooks, master’s in occupational therapy ’12, was awarded the 2023 American Society of Hand Therapy Emerging Therapist of the Year award. She also co-authored the chapter on rehabilitation and orthoses for adult hand fractures in the recently published “Pediatric and Adult Hand Fractures: A Clinical Guide to Management.”

Taylor Beckwith, master’s in public health ’23, is the associate director of grassroots advocacy at the California Primary Care Association. She received the Elizabeth K. Cooke Advocacy MVP Award from the Health Center Advocacy Network at the National Association of Community Health Centers.

Christine Carmichael, Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders ’08, has served Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, since 2008. A full professor with tenure, she was appointed director of the Woolfolk School of Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2023 and doctoral program director in 2024.

Jason Cirolia, bachelor’s in health science ’08, was appointed by Florida governor Ron DeSantis to the Board of Physical Therapy Practice. He is the manager of clinical quality and compliance for AdventHealth Central Florida and is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He currently serves in the Army Reserve.

Shawna Ehlers, who completed her doctoral internship with the department of clinical and health psychology in 2002, was elected president of the Society for Health Psychology. She is a psychologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Ashley Emans, master’s in health administration ’11, is the business manager of radiology at UF Health Jacksonville. She was chosen as the 2024 president-elect of the North Florida Association for Healthcare Quality.

Pamela Fuller, doctorate in clinical psychology ’94, recently published “Disconnecting to Survive: Understanding and Recovering from Trauma-Based Dissociation.” The book is a guide for individuals in trauma recovery who experience dissociation, as well as the professionals who serve them.

Frank Gainer, M.H.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, master’s in occupational therapy ’84, retired from his role as vice president of meetings & events at the American Occupational Therapy Association. He served for 24 years in the U.S. Army as an occupational therapist, retiring in 2003 as a lieutenant colonel. Before joining AOTA in 2001, he served as the director of rehabilitation services for a large health care system in Washington, D.C. He is an adjunct clinical assistant professor at Howard University and a longtime surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

Melanie Howell, master’s in occupational therapy ’03, earned the distinction of certified hand therapist.

Rebecca Jansson, bachelor’s in health science ’93 and master’s in rehabilitation counseling ’95, celebrated her 25th year at Mainstay at Seattle Central College. Mainstay connects job seekers with disabilities to inclusive employers throughout the greater Puget Sound area. As the director since 2019, she promotes supported employment through lifelong learning, fundraising and community building.

Adam Lewin, doctorate in clinical psychology ’07, was elected president of the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. He is a professor and division chief of pediatric neuropsychiatry at the University of South Florida.

Deirdre Love, master’s ’19 and doctorate ’23 in public health, joined Trinity Consultants SafeBridge Regulatory & Life Sciences Group as an associate toxicologist.

Rob Marlowe, master’s in health and hospital administration ’78, retired as the mayor of the city of New Port Richey in April 2023 after nine years of service. He was elected to the board of trustees of the Morton Plant Northbay Hopital and serves as the chairman of the board of the Suncoast Health Council.

Jane Martin, master’s in health science ’94, works several PRN occupational therapy positions with Spartanburg Regional Medical System, Providence Health and GroupHab Outpatient. She provides neuromuscular massage therapy to older adult patients.

Matthew Medley, master’s in health administration ’12, was recognized with a 40 under 40 award from SC Biz News. He is the chief operations officer at the Medical University of South Carolina Midland Division.

Christine Myers, bachelor’s ’95 and master’s ’00 in occupational therapy, was appointed to the American Occupational Therapy Association Commission on Continuing Competence and Professional Development. She is a clinical professor and director of the UF Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

Teddy Clautice Parkinson, bachelor’s in physical therapy ’61, was among the eight graduates in UF’s first physical therapy class. Parkinson worked at Stanford University Hospital for 20 years until she became an NDTA coordinator in adult hemiplegia and traveled the world teaching courses in hospitals. She is married with two children and five grandchildren, and lives in the Columbia Gorge.

Ilana Sacks, bachelor’s in health science ’23, is a student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

Alejandra Salemi, master’s in public health ’20, is a doctoral student in population health sciences at Duke University. She received a master’s degree in theological studies from Harvard University and is a John R. Lewis Fellow with the Faith and Politics Institute.

Kelly Simpson, bachelor’s in health science ’04 and master’s in occupational therapy ’05, is the clinical manager of occupational therapy for AdventHealth. She provides oversight to more than 1,000 rehabilitation employees at 16 hospital campuses, working to maximize evidence-based practice and maintain occupation-based interventions for acute care stays.

Brian Tisher, master’s in health administration ’94, was appointed the first UF Master of Health Administration executive in residence. This role is designed to enrich the academic experience for students, fostering their growth under the guidance of a seasoned professional in health care administration.

Ayessa Toler, master’s in health administration ’03, was promoted to the rank of captain with the United States Navy. She is the commander of the USMC 2nd Medical Battalion in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Paris Wiechecki Vergara, bachelor’s in health science ’21, is a second-year Master of Public Health student and Injury & Violence Prevention Fellow at the University of North Carolina, where she is conducting research on trauma-informed care and violence prevention.

Madison Workman, bachelor’s in health science ’13 and master’s in health administration ’15, was named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2024 list of 42 health care leaders under 40. He is the chief operating officer of Broward Health North in Deerfield Beach.

Kathy Xie, bachelor’s in public health ’20, is pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Duke University. She received her master’s degree in clinical and therapeutic neuroscience from the University of Oxford.