TEACHERS WHO INSPIRE
Since 1969, each graduating class presents the Hippocratic Award to a faculty member annually.
Established by the UF College of Medicine class of 1969, the Hippocratic Award is presented annually by each graduating class to a faculty member who represents the ideal role model and embodies professionalism, humanism and teaching prowess. The word “Hippocratic” refers to the Greek father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, who was known for his teaching and contributions to medicine.
Award recipients were initially recognized on a plaque in front of UF Health Shands Hospital near a sycamore tree given to the College of Medicine by the Greek minister of agriculture in 1969. This tree, known as the Hippocratic tree, was a cutting from a tree under which Hippocrates taught medicine on the Greek island of Kos, according to legend.
Several years ago, the College of Medicine permanently moved the award ceremony to Wilmot Gardens and transplanted a cutting from the original tree. Today, the gardens include the sapling from the Hippocratic tree and a new display for the plaques, with a plaque for each new recipient added annually.
Faculty spotlight
2024 hippocratic award winner
Shelley Collins, M.D.
During a ceremony held April 25, students from the class of 2024 selected Shelley Collins, M.D., as the 2024 Hippocratic Award recipient. Collins is the senior associate dean for undergraduate medical education and a professor of pediatrics.
Hippocratic Award winners
| Year | Recipient | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Shelley Collins | Pediatrics |
| 2024 | Shelley Collins | Pediatrics |
| 2023 | Shelley Collins | Pediatrics |
| 2022 | Ryan Nall* | Internal Medicine |
| 2021 | Ana Turner* | Psychiatry |
| 2020 | Ashleigh Wright* | Internal Medicine |
| 2019 | Christopher Giordano | Anesthesiology |
| 2018 | Ryan Nall* | Internal Medicine |
| 2017 | Maureen Novak | Pediatrics |
| 2016 | Richard Christensen | Psychiatry |
*Denotes a UF College of Medicine graduate