Summer 2024 | In Memoriam
The College of Nursing mourns the passing of these Gator Nurse alumni.

Sheryl “Sheri” L. Curtis (BSN 1981, MSN 2001), 65, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away Aug. 11, 2024. Sheri worked as a travel nurse across the western U.S. and as a dedicated pediatric nurse. After obtaining her MSN, she nurtured and guided young nursing students, later returning to Shands Hospital, where she spent the remainder of her career as a clinical leader. Sheri’s compassion, understanding, and unwavering dedication to her patients and students made her a beloved figure in the UF medical community. Outside of her full-time work, Sheri generously volunteered at the Newberry Clinic for underprivileged families and Camp Boggy Creek, a camp for children with serious illnesses.
Danny Brooks (MSN 2008), 61, of Ocala, Florida, passed away Sept. 22, 2024. Danny became a registered nurse in 1992, before completing his Master of Science in Nursing degree. As a nurse practitioner, he pursued a specialty certification in emergency medicine. Throughout his career, he touched the lives of many patients and colleagues with his dedication, knowledge, and compassion.
Addie “Laura” Campbell (BSN 1967), 79, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away Sept. 1, 2024. Laura earned multiple nursing degrees and worked in various roles including as a nurse instructor, supervisor, and private practice provider. She specialized in treating children and adolescents with mental health issues and provided consultation services at several hospitals and residential programs. She was also passionate about her work at Camp Breathe Easy, a summer camp for children with asthma.
Larry P. Hurst Jr. (BSN 1998), 50, of Starke, Florida, passed away Aug. 17, 2024. His career in the nursing field included serving as a flight nurse for Trauma One in Jacksonville, as well as supervisor and nurse manager for Putnam Community Medical Center. He also worked as a Paramedic with Bradford EMS and was working as a traveling nurse. Hurst served his country in the U.S. Army.
Robert “Bob” W. Bush (BSN 1986), 65, of Penfield, New York, passed away Aug. 2, 2024. Bob was a traveling registered nurse, worked in intensive care and burn units, served as an independent consultant with the Veterans Health Administration, and recently worked at University Otolaryngology.
Jean B. W. M. Dotson (BSN 1971), 97, of Cockeysville, Maryland, passed away July 29, 2024. Throughout her career as a nurse and later in retirement from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Jean continued to mentor, help, encourage, and pray with those struggling with their mental health, physical health, or spiritual issues.
Josephine “Jo Lee” L. Sawyer (BSN 1962), 85, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away July 13, 2024. Jo Lee served as a nurse at Lakeland General, Planned Parenthood, and the Polk County Health Department. After retirement, she also volunteered with Good Shepherd Hospice at Lakeland Hospice House.
Dr. Gloria Weber Calhoun (BSN 1960), 86, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away June 22, 2024. While earning her master’s degree at Vanderbilt University, she created the Nursing Administration Graduate program and served as its director. During her career, Gloria consulted for Eastman Kodak, HCA Parthenon Pavilion, and the YWCA. She worked as a therapist in private practice in Huntsville, Alabama for 10 years, served as chief nurse at the Dede Wallace Mental Health Center in Nashville, and associate director of nursing education at Motlow State Community College in Tullahoma, Tennessee. She was an instructor at the Bellevue School of Nursing in New York, and a labor and delivery ICU nurse in Gainesville, Florida. Her clinical and grant funding research were numerous. While at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, she received the distinguished Sara K. Archer Award.