The University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions’ PHHP Days is an annual celebration of research from the undergraduate to postdoctoral level, featuring oral and poster presentations from more than 200 students. Within the two-day event, the Pillar Talks series serves as a platform for faculty to share their research, insights, discoveries and innovations across the college’s mission areas of education, research, service and clinical work. These brief, TED Talk-style talks are an opportunity for every member of the college to come together, learn from each other and showcase the remarkable scholarship advancing public health and health science.
Ahead of PHHP Days 2026, taking place April 15 and 16, speakers will share sneak peeks of their talks and what they hope listeners will learn.
Laurie Gauger, Ph.D., is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and director of the UF Reading Disabilities Program
Lindsey King, Ph.D., M.P.H., is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy and director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences program
What is your primary focus in PHHP?
Dr. Laurie Gauger is an instructor in undergraduate and graduate courses with language development and disorders. She also directs the UF Reading Disabilities program where she provides clinical supervision to speech-language pathology graduate students working with individuals with readings disorders.
Dr. Lindsey King is an instructor in graduate public health courses within the social and behavioral sciences concentration. She is also the director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences program and the Ph.D. in public health program (SBS concentration).
What is the theme of your pillar talk?
The value of reciprocal peer reviews for teaching across departments. We previously completed peer reviews for each other and found the experience valuable. Originally, instructional designer Truly Hardemon connected us. It was suggested that we would be a good pair to do this talk together because of our shared interest in promoting a community of teaching excellence.
Why do you want to share this topic?
Every faculty member has to complete peer reviews, and we’d like to put a positive spin on it and talk to faculty about their value. We will also include some takeaways for students and others in attendance.
What do you hope the audience takes away from your talk?
Peer reviews can support your work by providing a richer work environment and introducing you to colleagues outside of your department and discipline. Peer reviews allow you to make connections with others; you may not think you have anything in common, but you might be surprised.
What about your talk or the focus of your work applies to other departments in PHHP?
Peer reviews take advantage of the fact that our college is both health professions and public health and they can create a sense of community and break silos across departments.