The University of Florida dedicated the College of Public Health and Health Professions historical marker at a ceremony Friday, Oct. 14. The marker recognizes the accomplishments of the college’s founding dean Darrel Mase and the college’s distinction as the first of its kind located within an academic health center.
“Dean Mase dreamed big, set ambitious goals and challenged educators to see health education in new ways. I think he would be very impressed with the college today,” said Joseph Glover, Ph.D., UF provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, in his remarks at the ceremony.
The historical marker program highlights significant achievements in UF’s history. The program is coordinated by UF’s History Advisory Council and sponsored by the UF Alumni Association.
The marker text:
Health Professions Pioneer
When the College of Health Related Services opened in 1958, it was the first college of health professions located in an academic health center. Led by Dean Darrel Mase, the college joined the emerging professions of occupational therapy, physical therapy and medical technology in one academic organization. Mase believed that if students of different disciplines learned alongside each other, the health care team would function better and patient care could be improved. In 1966 the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare cited the UF college as a model for the nation. By 1973, 70 similar colleges had been established. The college further broadened its health education programs in 2003 when it added public health and was renamed the College of Public Health and Health Professions.