AUG. ‘26 DEAN’S UPDATE
BCH Executive Leadership Retreat The BCH Executive Leadership Team reviewed the progress of the College’s Strategic Priorities and Goals.
A GROWING FORCE IN GRADUATE EDUCATION Since fall 2023, Brooks College of Health (BCH) enrollment has surged, deepening the college's role in UNF graduate education.
27%
43%
ENROLLMENT GROWTH SINCE FALL 2023
SHARE OF UNF GRADUATE CREDIT HOURS
BCH enrollment is up 27%, rising from 3,025 to 3,842 students.
BCH students generate nearly 43% of all graduate credit hours at UNF, reflecting the college's growing role in graduate education.
3,025
3,842
LINKING INDUSTRY TO NURSING EDUCATION (LINE) FUNDING
$300,000 BCH leaders, in collaboration with the Development Office, have been working with local healthcare organizations to secure LINE funding from the state. Two organizations have already committed a combined $300,000.
In addition, we are actively engaging with several other organizations to pursue future LINE funding opportunities.
SCHOOL OF NURSING LEADERSHIP CHANGE After one year as interim director, Dr. Deb Harrison retired and began a new chapter focused on enjoying time with her family. During her time as interim director, Harrison made significant contributions to the School of Nursing, fostering teamwork, respect and shared governance among faculty and staff — values she emphasized as essential to student success. One of her proudest achievements was reestablishing the School’s Nursing Advisory Board after a several-year hiatus. The Board now connects nursing leaders throughout the Jacksonville community and has launched two active initiatives: an Excellence in Nursing Awards program and input into MedNexus’ Human-Centered Badge course.
DR. DEB HARRISON
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lindsay Wolf as the new director of the University of North Florida School of Nursing. She brings valuable administrative experience and academic expertise to this important role. DR. LINDSAY WOLF
New Faculty and Staff Welcome Please join us in welcoming our new BCH faculty and staff! We are excited to have them join our College and look forward to the expertise, energy and perspectives they will bring to our community.
Advising
Nursing
Ryan Patrick Yael Lingo Hannah King
Sintya Barreiro-Hawkins Taylor Bellfield Sadie Durham Nikki Fox Mila Insuasty Kelly Slade Brandy Sessoms Lindsay Wolf
Clinical & Applied Movement Sciences Cristal Benitez Megan Campbell Melinda Lewis Jeff Wight Counseling Center
Nutrition & Dietetics
Gilbert Figueroa Jenna Giordano Allison Green Brooke Llerena Marissa Durnan Bonnie Preissler Sara Susen
Samantha Bolton
Dean’s Office
Public Health
Amarah Byakweli
Jessie Roush
Health Administration
Student Health Services
Tom Bailey LeeAnn Mengel Kim Radcliffe
Bryn Onoshko-DeWaters Alicia Mailly Shakiyah Outten Reena Tupas
Physical Therapy Julie Braun Jacqueline Osborne Caroline Scott Tim Shreve
Brooks College of Health welcomes five new strategic priority team leaders who will guide the college’s work in student success, research and innovation, community partnerships and service, development, and culture as part of BCH’s strategic plan.
MEET OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITY TEAM LEADERS
Julie Baker-Townsend
Sericea Stallings-Smith
Raine Osborne
Student Success
Research and Innovation
Community Partnerships and Service
VIEW OUR STRATEGIC PLAN Jamie Marchio
Kassie Terrell
Development
BCH Culture
Planning for the International Healthcare Symposium Planning is underway for the International Health Symposium. We look forward to bringing together faculty, students, healthcare professionals and community partners to highlight global health perspectives, foster collaboration and create opportunities for learning and engagement.
Keynote Speakers
Rear Admiral Paul Jung, M.D. Deputy Surgeon General
Dr. Willie Underwood President American Medical Association
Dr. Brad Goettl Chief Nursing Officer American Nurses Enterprise
Brian Pieninck President and CEO GuideWell and Florida Blue
Dr. Angela Falconetti Interim President University of North Florida
EARN ACHE & CPE CREDITS
Early Bird Registration Ends 9/15 healthcaresymposium.unf.edu
BRINGING HEALTHCARE’S FUTURE INTO THE CLASSROOM
WHERE THE CLASSROOM MEETS THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSION Brooks College of Health welcomed Gita Deo, M.P.H., senior advisor and chief of staff at the CMS Innovation Center, or CMMI, to campus Aug. 26. Deo met with Dean Mei Zhao and Dr. Rob Haley before joining students in HSA6114: Health Organization and Delivery. She shared how CMMI drives payment and delivery innovation across Medicare and Medicaid and outlined the center's commitment to responsible AI in federal health policy, giving Master of Health Administration students a firsthand look at the policy decisions shaping their future field.
Guest Leader
GITA DEO Senior Advisor & Chief of Staff CMS Innovation Center
MHA STUDENT PERSPECTIVE One thing I'll take into my career is the understanding that AI in healthcare isn't just a technology challenge it is also a regulatory and policy challenge, and we need leaders who understand both.
BCH Faculty and Staff Complete IGNITE Leadership Program BCH invested in the development of its future and current leaders through the IGNITE Healthcare Leadership Program, with 25 faculty and staff participating. The program equipped participants with greater selfawareness and practical skills in communication, influence, negotiation, empowerment and leading change. By expanding leadership capacity across the College, IGNITE participants are better prepared to strengthen teams, build collaborative relationships and help lead BCH through the evolving higher education landscape.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Engaging With Students and Academic Units The BCH Deans maintained a strong presence across the College by attending nearly all graduate program orientations and all Department and School faculty retreats. At graduate orientations, the Deans welcomed students, highlighted the College’s commitment to graduate education and student success, and strengthened connections with students and faculty. At annual retreats, the Deans recognized each unit’s progress toward BCH’s Strategic Goals and identified areas where additional support was needed. To further support continued growth and student success, the Dean’s Office also reallocated an additional $5,000 to each academic unit this year.
Engagement with Individual and Community Donors BCH leadership met with several individual and community supporters to discuss opportunities for donor engagement and explore ways they can contribute to the College’s mission and continued success.
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
Faculty and Staff Participation in “Feathering the Nest” BCH faculty and staff actively participated in UNF’s “Feathering the Nest” initiative, which is designed to strengthen our campus culture of belonging. Their engagement reflects a shared commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where every member of the UNF community feels valued and supported. Through this initiative, BCH continues to contribute to the University’s culture and advance its mission of inclusivity and student success.
Thank you for all that you do to make BCH a vibrant and thriving community. We look forward to an exciting and productive fall 2026 semester together! Please let us know if you have any questions. Warm regards, – BCH Deans