Hippocratic Award

Hippocratic Award plaque depicting a tree and a list of award winners

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

2023 hippocratic award winner

Shelley Collins, M.D.

During a ceremony held April 27, students from the class of 2023 selected Shelley Collins, M.D., as the 2023 Hippocratic Award recipient. Collins is the associate dean for student affairs and a professor of pediatrics.

Shelley Collins embraces a student after receiving the Hippocratic Award.

Hippocratic Award winners

Year Recipient Specialty
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
2015 Robert Hollander Medicine
2014 Robert Hatch Community Health & Family Medicine

*Denotes a UF College of Medicine graduate