Beth A. Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H.

In this issue of Impact we celebrate creativity and recognize that all we do at the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions — research, inquiry, teaching, service and clinical care — requires creativity for excellence and innovation. Now, some may think that creativity is more associated with art than science, but in this issue, we show that to do our best work we must be creative, adaptable and curious.

Our educators are continually finding new ways to engage our students and promote learning and insight. We have moved well beyond the overhead transparencies I used early in my teaching career. Today, we spend time and considerable effort brainstorming ways to use all the tools we have at our disposal such as online learning platforms, virtual labs, multimedia content, digital collaboration tools and interactive learning games. As instructors, we guide students through engaging with material, working through it and applying it so they not only retain knowledge but also transform it into something uniquely their own. We celebrate excellence in teaching because that is how we as educators achieve immortality. When we open our students’ eyes to new ways of seeing and doing things, we change the world. Isn’t that our goal?

Likewise, with science, creativity is essential to everything we do. I personally don’t find anything more satisfying than working through an idea, alone or with a group, and getting from the starting point of “I wonder if we can figure this out” to “What if we …” or “Could we try …” The process of turning over an idea in our heads, talking through it, having someone think of an analogy from their particular expertise, and together, ending up somewhere new is, to me, the most satisfying outcome possible.

Excellence in our clinical mission equally relies on creativity. Understanding our patients’ needs and evaluating whether our current tools are sufficient or if new approaches are needed to support well-being across the lifespan, from prevention to helping patients maintain function, requires considerable creativity.

At this year’s PHHP Days, we introduced pillar talks showcasing presentations by eight faculty members who described how they are working across multiple college mission areas in ways that are new, innovative, inspiring, world-changing and creative. You can learn more about their groundbreaking efforts in this issue.

Throughout this issue you’ll see several articles celebrating members of our college who are fueled by curiosity and not afraid to take risks, ask difficult questions and consider problems from a host of different perspectives. I hope as you read these stories and learn about the range of disciplines and educational, clinical and scientific approaches we use that you too will find yourself thinking: “I wonder,” “What if?” or “Could it be?” That is the essence of what we do. We see, we stretch, we engage, we progress. I am delighted you are able to join us on this journey.