S P R I N G 2018 | 27
3 Multak leads UF School of Physician Assistant Studies
College News
2 Upchurch named chair of the UF department of surgery
Gilbert R. Upchurch Jr., MD, was appointed
chair of the department of surgery at
the UF College of Medicine following a
national search. He began his new role
Nov. 1.
Upchurch, who also serves as UF’s
Edward R. Woodward professor of
surgery, has an international reputation
as an acclaimed clinician, researcher and
educator in the study and treatment
of aortic and vascular disease. He is an
exemplary teacher, having received
many teaching awards over the course of
his career.
“We are especially impressed with Dr.
Upchurch’s keen ability to listen, to
quickly assess complex situations, and to
articulate a path forward that is consistent
with the mission and goals of UF Health,”
said Michael L. Good, MD, dean of the UF
College of Medicine.
Prior to joining UF, Upchurch served as the
chief of vascular and endovascular surgery
in the department of surgery and the
medical director of the Heart and Vascular
Center at the University of Virginia Medical
Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was
also the William H. Muller Jr. professor
of surgery as well as a professor in the
department of molecular physiology and
biological physics.
Impressed by the breadth of expertise
within the department and its combined
strengths in clinical care, research and
education, Upchurch said he seeks to
build on what others have accomplished
in making the department of surgery one
of the very best in the country.
“I have joined one of the best
departments of surgery in the United
States,” Upchurch said. “UF has an amazing
balance of outstanding clinical care,
world-class research and top-notch
educational programs.”
Upchurch earned his medical degree at
the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill and went on to receive his surgery,
vascular surgery and endovascular
training at Brigham and Women's
Hospital, Whitaker Cardiovascular
Institute at Boston University and the
Cleveland Clinic.
PHOTO BY MINDY C. MILLER
Nina Multak, PhD, MPAS, PA-C, began
work Jan. 2 as the associate dean and
director of the University of Florida
School of Physician Assistant Studies.
Multak has spent more than 20 years
focusing on PA education, serving as
associate clinical professor, director of
primary care practicums and clinical
coordinator within the physician assistant
department at Drexel University in
Philadelphia. No stranger to Gainesville,
Multak spent several years teaching at
the UF School of PA Studies, involved in
health care simulation.
An experienced health care provider,
educator and scholar, Multak’s research
topics have ranged from the use of
simulation in PA education programs
to the ability of technology to reduce
health literacy issues to the enhancement
of interprofessional education. Her
clinical experience includes obstetrics
and gynecology, ophthalmology and
cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.
She has received numerous awards
throughout her career, edited a textbook,
contributed multiple book chapters and
delivered countless presentations at
the national and international level. She
currently serves as the technology and
education feature editor for the Journal of
Physician Assistant Education.
In returning to UF, Multak takes over
for Ralph Rice, DHSc, PA-C, who retired
in January.
Multak holds the endowed Randolph
B. Mahoney Directoriship, which is the
first of its kind in the country and was
made possible through a generous gift
from Randolph B. Mahoney, MPAS, PA-C,
a 2001 graduate and former faculty
member of the UF School of PA Studies.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NINA MULTAK