In April, the Office of the Vice President for Research selected Phyllis Hendry, MD, FAAP, FACEP, as a recipient of the University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship Award. This professorship spans three years and was created to support faculty with a distinguished record of research and scholarship. Funding associated with the award will support research efforts from 2026 to 2029.
Hendry, a tenured professor and associate chair of research in the department of emergency medicine, has served the university in many capacities throughout her career. Her research portfolio has secured millions in funding. Along with her team, Hendry founded the Pain Assessment and Management Initiative, or PAMI, that improves pain outcomes for patients through non-opioid and multidisciplinary approaches. As a pediatric emergency physician, she also launched the Pediatric Emergency Care Safety Initiative and the Florida PEDReady program, both focused on enhancing the skillsets of medical professionals to identify and properly treat high-risk pediatric patients who present in emergent situations. As medical director of the Florida Emergency Medical Services for Children State Partnership Program, a statewide initiative focused on improving emergency care systems for pediatric patients, she ensures children have access to high-quality care.
This professorship helps Hendry continue doing the necessary work to improve the quality of life for adult and pediatric patients.
“I am very honored to have received this professorship award to support my ongoing research,” Hendry said. “My research focuses on pediatric readiness of EMS agencies and emergency departments in Florida and on integrative pain management and education of children and adults. My work would not be possible without the support of my department chair, my fellow research faculty and co-investigators, and the emergency medicine research staff. I look forward to using the award financial support to continue the innovative work of the Pain Assessment and Management Initiative and the Florida EMSC programs.
Visit, PAMI or FLEMSC to learn more about these initiatives.