UF presents the 2024 Win Phillips Town Gown Relations Awards
The University of Florida presented three different Win Phillips Town Gown Relations Awards Friday to recognize a partnership initiative between the university and the community, a Gainesville community member, and a UF faculty member. The honor recognized their respective achievements: creating a new practice to serve East Gainesville’s health care needs, helping families with children undergoing critical care at UF Health, and using transportation expertise to address community challenges.
“The University of Florida values the importance of strong ‘town gown relations,’” said Mark Kaplan, vice president for government and community relations. “We know that a university thrives even more when there is a strong partnership with its community, and vice versa.”
David Nelson, senior vice president for health affairs, presented the award for the partnership initiative to the UF Health Urgent Care Center – Eastside for developing an alliance between UF Health, the city of Gainesville, and Alachua County, to provide health care in an area that’s historically been underserved.
“The UF Health Urgent Care Center – Eastside isn’t just a building; it’s a commitment to the people of east Gainesville, created with them, for them,” Nelson said. “It meets immediate needs today while laying the groundwork for a healthier, more empowered tomorrow, reflecting the values at the heart of the Win Phillips Town Gown Relations Award.”
The award was accepted by the CEO of UF Health Physicians Marvin Dewar, President and System CEO of UF Health Stephen Motew, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward, and Alachua County Commission Chair Charles “Chuck” Chestnut.
The award for a Gainesville community member was given to former CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida Sherry Houston for fostering a community between UF, UF Health, and the community to support families of children being treated at UF Health.
Bobbie Robinson, chair of the board for the Ronald McDonald House, presented Houston her award and said, “Sherry’s visionary leadership spearheaded a $3.4 million capital campaign to transform the vacant former Hope Lodge into a 50-room haven for families with children undergoing critical care at UF Health. This expansion increased capacity by 40%, accommodating hundreds more families annually while creating a space that provides privacy, comfort, and vital support during challenging times.”
UF Interim Vice President for Business Affairs Brandi Renton presented the award for faculty and staff to Director of the UF Transportation Institute Lily Elefteriadou for effectively using her research and expertise to make tangible improvements to the city’s transportation measures.
Elefteriadou’s efforts include the I-STREET Living Lab, which was created in partnership with the City of Gainesville, and the Florida Department of Transportation and has been instrumental in developing, testing, and deploying cutting-edge transportation technologies. She also created one of the nation’s first autonomous shuttle systems to operate on city streets as part of a transit system.
“Elefteriadou has lent her expertise to campus transportation improvements, working with UF leadership and the city on projects such as bus routing and conducting surveys to inform future transportation decisions,” Renton said. “Her work directly impacts the daily lives of students, faculty, staff, and the community at large.”
Honoring Win Phillips
For over 35 years, Win Phillips dedicated his life to strengthening the relationships that continue to shape our community today. His visionary leadership in economic development, UF Innovate, and the Innovation District has left an indelible mark on Gainesville. Phillips was known for transforming UF research into real-world success and spurring economic growth in ways that impact us all. His legacy will forever be intertwined with the bridge he built between UF and the wider Gainesville community. This year’s award is the first since his passing.