Although the College of Nursing’s fall events were canceled due to COVID-19, the annual Donor Recognition Event awardees were still recognized for their loyal support of the college. This year’s recipients of the Care, Lead and Inspire Awards are individuals and foundations that have generously contributed to UF Health Archer Family Health Care, or AFHC, the college’s nurse-led primary care practice that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

The recipient of the Care Award is an anonymous friend of the college and, therefore, will not be recognized by name. However, this individual’s support has spanned decades and benefited numerous areas throughout the college. Nearly every year, this individual has contributed a generous gift to the college, most often to support AFHC.

As individuals and trustees of the Thomas H. Maren Foundation, Peter and Eileen Maren have supported AFHC’s Health Care For All Fund. Since 2007, the Marens and the foundation have given nearly $500,000 to the practice. In addition, the foundation has donated $700,000 to the College of Nursing to establish the Thomas H. Maren Scholarship for Doctoral Nursing Students.

The impact on the College of Nursing through the Thomas M. and Irene B. Kirbo Charitable Foundation has been transformational. As one of the college’s longest supporters, the foundation has donated more than $4 million to establish an endowed professorship, an endowed chair, a scholarship, a leadership conference and various funds throughout the years. Most recently, the Kirbo Foundation gave a $1 million lead gift to renovate the college’s new Innovation and Learning Lab. The foundation has also supported AFHC, especially during the practice’s early years.