The University of Florida presented three Win Phillips Town Gown Relations Awards on Friday, honoring a Gainesville community member, a UF faculty member and a partnership between UF and the community.
“The University of Florida values the importance of strong ‘town gown relations,’” Mark Kaplan, vice president for government and community relations, said in a press release. “We know that a university thrives even more when there is a strong partnership with its community, and vice versa.”
The community member award was given to Sherry Houston, former CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida, for fostering relationships between UF, UF Health, and the community to support families of children being treated at UF Health.
Houston spearheaded a $3.4 million capital campaign to transform the former Hope Lodge into a 50-room haven for families whose children are undergoing critical care at UF Health, increasing capacity by 40%, according to a press release.
The faculty and staff award went to Lily Elefteriadou, director of the UF Transportation Institute, recognizing her effective use of research and expertise to improve the city’s transportation measures.
Elefteriadou helped create the I-STREET Living Lab in partnership with the city of Gainesville and the Florida Department of Transportation. She also created one of the nation’s first autonomous shuttle systems to operate on city streets as part of a transit system.
“Her work directly impacts the daily lives of students, faculty, staff, and the community at large,” UF Interim Vice President for Business Affairs Brandi Renton said.
The partnership initiative award went to the UF Health Urgent Care Center – Eastside for developing an alliance between UF Health, the city of Gainesville, and Alachua County to provide health care in a historically underserved area.
“The UF Health Urgent Care Center – Eastside isn’t just a building; it’s a commitment to the people of east Gainesville, created with them, for them,” said David Nelson, senior vice president for health affairs, who presented the award. “It meets immediate needs today while laying the groundwork for a healthier, more empowered tomorrow, reflecting the values at the heart of the Win Phillips Town Gown Relations Award.”
The award was accepted by CEO of UF Health Physicians Marvin Dewar, Stephen Motew, president and system CEO of UF Health, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward, and Alachua County Commission Chair Charles “Chuck” Chestnut.
The awards are named for Win Phillips, a longtime leader at UF who died in February 2024. The Town and Gown Relations Award was created in 2022 to honor Phillips’ leadership in economic development, UF Innovate and the Innovation District.