Dear Gator Nurses,

As we eagerly look forward to another year of Gator activities, I continue to be awed by the new milestones and accomplishments of many of our beloved College of Nursing alumni. In February, I attended the Rita Kobb Nursing and Health Informatics National Symposium, where I enjoyed reconnecting with fellow Alumni Council members Ashley-Marie Bodor (BSN 2014), Rodney Clements (BSN 1996), BarBee Geiger (BSN 1974), Rebecca Jones (BSN 1974), Pat Sassner (MSN 1997), June Tickle (PhD 2016) and one of our newest members, Chris Scherier (BSN 2008, MSN 2013, DNP 2018). As you have learned in this issue, the Kobb Symposium is held every two years to explore nursing and health informatics topics. This series was created in honor of Rita Kobb (BSN 1981, MN 1996), a nursing informatics expert, UF nursing alumna and a longtime member of our Alumni Council. The speakers were exceptional, and I came away inspired to challenge our colleagues to use the power of informatics throughout the various health care settings where we are each engaged.

Also this spring, the College of Nursing participated in UF’s inaugural Stand Up and Holler: Gator Nation Giving Day on Feb. 26. This 24-hour fundraising event was organized to help ensure that UF’s education remains among the strongest in the nation, and it was wildly successful! Thanks to the efforts of all who participated, the College of Nursing ranked No. 1 in the number of gifts received among the academic health center colleges and No. 11 for the entire university! We received 308 gifts totaling $225,931. Our efforts raised money for the Alumni Council student book awards, the college’s Innovation and Learning Laboratory, the Dean’s Excellence Fund and various scholarships. Professors Emeriti Jo Snider and Jodi Irving pledged an additional $500 to the Alumni Council fund for student book awards based on the high participation from Alumni Council members. A big thank you to Alumni Council member Ann-Lynn Denker, who committed $100,000 in support of Gator Nursing scholarships. I am proud and thankful for all of the wonderful Gator Nurses who took the time to thank the College of Nursing by contributing financially to help educate Gator Nursing students to become future health care leaders.

Soon the summer rains will pour down upon Florida, but that means fall is just around the bend! We all know what that means …. It’s time for Florida football, led by our winning coach Dan Mullen! I encourage all of you to begin making plans to attend the College of Nursing reunion on Sept. 21 in Gainesville, when we will watch our Gators take on the Tennessee Volunteers. This is a great event for every Gator Nursing family to enjoy the food, fellowship, silent auction and fun. Please join us as we honor the 2019 Alumni Council Book Award scholarship recipients and reconnect with former colleagues. It’s truly a great time, and I look forward to attending every year!

Stay healthy and please know how important you are to the UF College of Nursing. My sincere thanks for your commitment to care, lead and inspire every day!

Go Gator Nurses!  Hope to see many of you in September.

Peggy Rodebush, BS, RN, MSN (1985)