See how UCF academics and leaders intersect and collaborate with the community and others in making the world a better place.
Mon Apr 27
On April 29, a COVID-19 drive-through testing site will open in Lake Nona through a partnership between the UCF College of Medicine, Aventus Health and Tavistock. The testing is by appointment only for people across the community. Patients must have a test order from a physician. Testing is covered by insurance. Those without insurance can…
Fri Apr 24
Hospital emergency rooms are chaotic in normal times. Try being an Emergency Medicine resident during a pandemic. As the nation’s healthcare system deals with COVID-19, UCF-HCA Healthcare physicians in residency training find themselves on the front lines of a novel virus and new ways of learning and caring for patients. Emergency Medicine residents have had…
Wed Apr 22
A community is only as strong as its most vulnerable population. That’s the premise behind a team of biomedical sciences students who are working to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among the homeless in downtown Orlando by supporting handwashing. Ranya Awad and Tori Lynn are part of the Hearts for the Homeless UCF Chapter, which…
Wed Apr 22
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. It is an annual event celebrated around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protection. According to the Earth Day Network, more than one billion individuals are mobilized for action each year. This year, people will not fill parks, visit zoos, and participate in tree planting ceremonies.…
Wed Apr 22
Florida schools will continue distance learning through the remainder of the school year. The Center for Distributed Learning has offered resources to teachers to help them with remote instruction. When Central Florida K-12 schools announced they would transition to remote instruction due to the coronavirus pandemic, UCF Center for Distributed Learning executive director Kelvin Thompson ’99MA ’05EdD suspected teachers were going to need a little extra…
Wed Apr 22
It’s 6:45 a.m. Tuesday. I’m standing in the predawn darkness outside Publix in a line of people dressed in casual infectious-disease attire: shorts, sandals, masks and plastic gloves. A woman approaches and asks, “Is this the line for old people?” Yes it is. Yes we are. We are old whether we admit it or not.…
Tue Apr 21
We all play an important role in making our campus community a better place every day. We’ve proven that no matter what comes our way, Knights support one another. The reality is some of our colleagues need our help, and Human Resources has made it easy to help them with the Knights Care Leave Share program.…
Mon Apr 20
UCF Health, the College of Medicine physician practice, is extending its telehealth services, adding more specialties to the platform and offering care via computer or phone to new and established patients. The expansion comes as healthcare providers nationwide respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders from local and state governments.…
Mon Apr 20
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are spending significantly more time at home, which means more time with those who live with us. In addition, most people are experiencing increased stress due to various issues, including financial concerns, worries about health, changes in work schedules and less time with friends. The…
Fri Apr 17
The stressors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic make self-care more important than ever. Here are some tips shared by our health experts at the College of Health Professions and Sciences on ways to cope with stress while still practicing social distancing.
Fri Apr 17
Stars of HOPE Program Manager Kelly Burns is urging others to share their stars with a message of support to healthcare providers and first responders, including grocery store clerks, delivery drivers and sanitation workers. The UCF College of Medicine is promoting a new way of thanking healthcare providers and other first responders on the front…
Fri Apr 17
In addition to its contribution to the arts and society, music has been shown to make you smarter and boost your immune system. As the semester nears its end — coupled with the stress of the coronavirus pandemic — UCF has turned to four faculty members from the music department for suggestions on the best music…
Thu Apr 16
Former UCF Football stars Shaquill ’16 and Shaquem Griffin ’16 — both currently on the roster of the Seattle Seahawks — will serve as commencement speakers at UCF’s Spring 2020 virtual commencement ceremonies on May 2. The Spring 2020 virtual commencement ceremonies mark the 50th anniversary of the first commencement held at UCF, when NASA astronaut John Young addressed…
Thu Apr 16
Nearly a year ago, Megan Fish ’15 adopted a nomadic lifestyle while she worked for film production company, Square Zero Films. She bought a green 2004 Ford Econoline-350 with 140,000 miles on the odometer, outfitted it with all the necessities of a home and started splitting her time between van-living and couch surfing, bent on chasing the endless summer and meaningful…
Wed Apr 15
Crisis has become the overriding trait of the year 2020. After rumors of war, an impeachment trial, huge wildfires and devastating earthquakes, we now live in the new world of COVID-19. No one shakes hands anymore, wearing a mask and gloves to the bank is normal, and the lucky ones get to work and learn…
Wed Apr 15
Job searching under normal circumstances can be stressful enough. Add in a global pandemic, and it can seem impossible. It’s true that many companies are cancelling or delaying vacant positions and reducing staff, but there are some industries who are increasing their recruiting efforts in order to fill critical positions. Now is a good time…
Wed Apr 15
This week marks the start of Alexander N. Cartwright’s tenure as UCF’s sixth president. Cartwright joins the university after a 25-year career in higher education, most recently as chancellor and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Missouri. His educational journey in the United States began at age 17. After moving…
Mon Apr 13
Commencement is a time to celebrate students and honor the time, energy and effort they’ve committed to earn a degree. Since we won’t be able to do that in person this spring, we’re asking for your help to make this year’s celebration as memorable as possible. Thanks to an idea from Harper Cheyenne, a student…
Mon Apr 13
For most people, spending the entire day at home has become the new norm, making it difficult for some to combat the urge to spend free time sleeping, binge-watching and lounging around between school and work assignments. “This is a good chance to make being active a priority and establish a consistent routine to reduce sedentary behavior.”…
