By Erin Jester
Alumni and friends of the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions pulled through once again on Gator Nation Giving Day, the university’s annual 24-hour fundraising drive.
A total of 115 donors raised $97,347 on Feb. 19, supporting scholarships, student professional development and travel assistance funds, and the college’s areas of greatest need.
Overall, more than 14,000 donors, representing all 50 U.S. states and 19 countries, raised $11.2 million for UF.
Each year, PHHP encourages giving to “challenge gifts,” donor-matched funds that directly benefit students in their work to become tomorrow’s health care professionals.
Twenty-three donors raised $8,890 for the Rolf M. and Anne T. Kuhns Endowed Scholarship in Physical Therapy — more than double last year’s total of $3,507. Rolf and Anne Kuhns, longtime PHHP supporters and UF alumni, match every dollar of the scholarship’s donor challenge 5 to 1 up to $2,500.
The challenge supports scholarships for Doctor of Physical Therapy students demonstrating clinical excellence, like Erica Stahl, a third-year D.P.T. student, who recently completed a clinical rotation in a Level 1 Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Stahl said the rotation pushed her out of her comfort zone, teaching her about acute care physical therapy as well as how to listen to and comfort patients and family members in their most vulnerable moments.
“Seeing patients at their absolute lowest point did a work in my heart, and because of this experience, I now have a deeper respect and understanding for those going through hard things,” she said. “This clinical experience grew me in ways that I desperately needed to become the physical therapist I want to be, and I will forever be grateful to the Kuhns for blessing me with the means to do so.”
The Gainer OT Challenge also exceeded its goal, with 22 donors contributing $6,161.
Frank Gainer (M.H.S. ’84) established the Kay F. Walker Scholarship in Occupational Therapy in 2012 to fund scholarships supporting Doctor of Occupational Therapy students. Walker was a faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy for 32 years, chairing the department for 16.
Gainer is matching donations to the scholarship dollar for dollar up to $5,000.
Scholarship recipient and third-year O.T.D. student Michael Phan chose occupational therapy to reconcile his dueling desires to work in health care and be a teacher.
“I felt like the profession of occupational therapy combines those two aspects nicely and provides a rewarding, challenging, balanced career,” Phan said.
In the future, Phan hopes to work as a pediatric occupational therapist, helping set up children for success in school, at home and in social settings.
“I am extremely grateful to be a recipient of the Kay Walker Occupational Therapy Scholarship,” he said. “This scholarship has meant so much to me, as it has helped me fund the educational and clinical experiences that are essential in developing my skills to give back to the community as a clinical scholar.”