History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 67

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GatorWell Health
Promotion Services
Since its inception in 1972, GatorWell Health Promotion Services (formerly the
Health Education Department) has undergone significant growth in size and
scope; an administrative move from the Student Health Care Center to the
Division of Student Affairs; and a relocation from the Infirmary to the Counseling
and Wellness Center. During the past 42 years, the full-time staff has grown from
one to 11. In January 2016, the office will move to the Reitz Union. Despite these
administrative and location changes, the department’s mission has remained
the same: To educate, encourage, and empower UF students to make informed
choices about their health and to create a culture of health at UF.
Maggie Tucker, RN, MS, served as the first Health Educator on the UF campus,
hired by Dr. Wilbur Coggins in 1972. Tucker joined the American College Health
Association and formed the Student Health Advisory Council through the UF
Student Health Service (now the Student Health Care Center). The Council was
later renamed the Student Health Outreach Team (SHOT). Tucker reviewed
other campus health education programs and then formally established the UF
Health Education program which included working extensively with Student
Government and conducting programs on campus four nights a week. Upon the
Student Health Service being Joint Commission accredited, Tucker was tasked
with the responsibility of coordinating the Quality Improvement Program. In
addition to this task, Tucker continued to plan and implement Health Education
programs and hired Jane Wood to assist. In the early 1980s, Sharon Knight
was hired to coordinate supervision of the Health Education Department, and
Tucker’s full-time responsibilities then shifted to coordinating the American
Heart Association CPR Training Center.
According to the 1982 - 1983 Annual Report, the Health Education Department
was located under the UF Student Health Service with the focus of facilitating
student attainment of optimal health and fostering the professional
development of students pursuing careers in health education. Specifically,
the Health Education Department goals included disseminating health-related
information to UF students in a way that would encourage students to make

Depa rtment histor ies : Gatorwell health promotion services