The college honored Professor Emeritus M. Dee Williams with the Alumna of the Year award. Williams was a nurse leader and administrator of the UF College of Nursing for more than 35 years. She served as the executive associate dean and associate dean for clinical affairs until her retirement in 2014. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1972, her master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing in 1973, and her Ph.D. in higher education administration, all from the University of Florida. In 2001, Williams was instrumental in bringing Archer Family Health Care to the small, rural town of Archer, just outside of Gainesville.

The nurse-managed health center partnered with this local rural community to expand access to high-quality care for the underserved. Williams acquired more than $5 million in extramural funds in support of Archer Family Health Care and College of Nursing education programs. Now a nationally recognized model, the Archer practice has grown from a 1,200-square-foot house to a 5,000-square-foot modular building dedicated in 2007.