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College of Medicine – Jacksonville University of Florida
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Education Overview

Doctors and Clinicians of Tomorrow (DCoT)

UF Health Science Center Jacksonville

Significance

UF Health College of Medicine – Jacksonville, in partnership with Paxon School for Advanced Studies, introduced the Doctors and Clinicians of Tomorrow program in January 2023. This program aims to introduce high school students to various medical professionals to help combat the healthcare workforce shortages in Florida.

Based on current estimates, Florida will need an additional 17,924 doctors and 59,000 nurses by 2035. Additionally, the field of allied health is expanding rapidly highlighting the urgent need for more workforce training. There is also a great demand for pharmacists given their increased importance in vaccination programs and chronic disease management. These shortages are predicted to become dire as more demand for clinical services grows in line with the increases in Florida populations.

To address the healthcare workforce shortage in Florida, pathway programs prepare students to enter professional schools in the health sciences. The goals of the Doctors and Clinicians of Tomorrow (DCoT) program at UF Health Science Center Jacksonville (UFHSC-J):

  • Inspire students to pursue a clinical career in a health care profession.
  • Increase student confidence to pursue a clinical career.
  • Increase student admission rates to professional medical, nursing, pharmacy, or allied health professions schools.

DCoT Program Featured on DCPS Newsroom

Next generation of doctors being fostered through UF Health and Paxon partnership

The DCoT program from the students’ perspective

2025 – 2026

Session 1: Sports Medicine

September 24, 2025

The program began the 2025–2026 academic year with great enthusiasm and engagement. Building on the success of previous years, it continues to offer valuable opportunities for students to explore various medical specialties and gain hands-on exposure to clinical settings.

Based on overwhelmingly positive feedback and survey results from last year, it’s clear that DCoT has become a meaningful and inspiring experience for students interested in pursuing careers in medicine. Due to high demand, the program expanded its capacity this year, welcoming a total of 29 students—the largest cohort to date.

The first session of the year, held in September, brought together returning students for an interactive lecture led by Tony Marra, Head Athletic Trainer at University of Florida Health, who provided an in-depth look into the Integumentary, Muscular, and Skeletal Systems.

Session 2: Gastroenterology

October 29, 2025

In October, the program welcomed its new members with an exciting session focused on Gastroenterology (GI). The session was led by Dr. Lauren Stemboroski, Program Director for the Gastroenterology Fellowship and Associate Clerkship Director, who delivered an engaging presentation about the GI specialty and shared her personal journey in medicine.

With the assistance of Dr. Reshmi Mathew, a third-year resident, the group toured the GI department, explored state-of-the-art equipment, and gained firsthand experience observing the tools and procedures used in patient care.

Students seated around a table during a teaching session.
Students participating in a teaching session in a conference room.
Students observing medical equipment during a hands-on learning experience.
UF Health team members posing with students as a group during educational program.

Session 3: Surgery

November 12, 2025

The November session focused on surgery, with Dr. Puri sharing his personal journey and explaining the differences between various surgical specialties, the training surgeons undergo, and how research is connected to surgical practice. Following the lecture, the group toured the surgery department with Dr. Yap and had the opportunity to practice on a surgical robot simulator. They then visited the simulation lab, where students gained hands-on experience with hand knots, suturing, and an endoscopic surgery simulator, further enhancing their understanding of surgical skills and techniques.

UF Health team members and students together on a staircase during surgical education session.
Students observing a demonstration of medical equipment during a surgical education session.
UF Health team member demonstrating suturing techniques to students during a simulation lab session.
UF Health team member guiding a student through a hands-on suturing activity during a surgical training session.
Student using a surgical simulator during a hands-on training session.
Students practicing suturing techniques in a simulation lab during a surgical education session.
Students practicing suturing techniques in a simulation lab during a surgical education session.

2024 – 2025

Session 1: EMS – TraumaOne

September 25, 2024

time session room
11:45 pm – 12:45 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro: Talk with mentors LRC – ASH room
12:45 pm – 1:15 pm Brief talk on how to start a career in EMS and the career opportunities within the field ––
1:15 pm – 1:30 pm Transition to TraumaOne ––
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm TraumaOne Ground Unit and Helicopter ––
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm Transition back to LRC LRC
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Q&A – Parent Pickup LRC
Students exploring the interior of a medical helicopter during a hands-on educational session.
Students gathered around a medical helicopter while a team member provides a demonstration.
Students gathered around a medical helicopter while a team member provides a demonstration.
Students listening to a TraumaOne team member speak during a helicopter tour.
Students gathered around a medical helicopter during an educational tour.
UF Health team members and students posing together in front of a medical helicopter during a training session.

Session 2: Radiology

October 30, 2024

Doctor’s and Clinicians of Tomorrow – Radiology

time session room
11:45 pm – 12:45 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro: Talk with mentors LRC – Birch, Cherry Rooms
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Brief talk on how to start a career in Radiology imaging ––
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Tour Radiology ––
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Q&A – Parent Pickup LRC
Students attending a lecture on medical imaging in a classroom setting.
Students watching a presentation on medical imaging during an educational session.
Students watching a presentation on medical imaging during an educational session.
Students viewing a slide presentation about early medical imaging during a lecture.
Students viewing medical imaging examples displayed on a presentation screen during a lecture.
Students attending a medical imaging lecture led by a presenter in a classroom.
Students and UF Health team members posing together after a medical imaging educational session.

Session 3: Anesthesia

November 27, 2024

Students and UF Health team members posing together in a conference room.

Doctor’s and Clinicians of Tomorrow – Anesthesia

time session room
11:45 pm – 12:45 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro: Talk with mentors LRC – Birch-Cherry rooms
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm Transition to conference room within the anesthesia department on the 2nd floor ––
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Intro and splitting into groups of 8, one group of 9 ––
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Station 1: Q&A with anesthesia providers (1:30pm – 2:00pm likely in Alumni auditorium) ––
Station 2: IV placement (2:00pm – 2:30pm small ANES conference room) ––
–– Station 3: Intubation/Airway (2:30pm – 3:00pm small ANES conference room) ––
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Q&A – Parent Pickup LRC
Students seated around a table having a discussion.
Students participating in a hands-on clinical skills activity at a table.
UF Health team member demonstrating airway management using a training mannequin during a clinical session.
UF Health team member explaining medical tools to students during a clinical skills training session.
Student practicing IV insertion on a training arm during a hands-on clinical skills session.
Students practicing IV insertion on a training arm during a hands-on clinical skills session.
Student practicing IV insertion on a training arm during a hands-on clinical skills session.
Students practicing IV insertion on a training arm during a hands-on clinical skills session.
Student practicing IV insertion on a training arm during a hands-on clinical skills session.
Student practicing airway support using a bag valve mask during a training session.
UF Health team member assisting a student during a hands-on clinical skills activity.

Session 4: Psychiatry Day

January 29, 2025

Table Caption

Time session room
11:45 pm – 12:45 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro LRC – ASH room
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm Transition to conference room within the anesthesia department on the 2nd floor ––
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Intro and Q&A ––
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Station 1: Mindfulness (1:30pm-2:15pm) ––
–– Station 2: Get Psyched Jeopardy (2:15pm – 3:00pm) ––
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm Discuss and Wrap-up LRC
Students attending a lecture in a classroom setting with a presentation displayed on a screen.
Students attending a lecture in a classroom setting with a presentation displayed on a screen.
Students attending a lecture in a classroom setting with a presentation displayed on a screen.
Students attending a lecture in a classroom setting with a presentation displayed on a screen.
Students attending a lecture in a classroom setting with a presentation displayed on a screen.
Students and UF Health team members posing together after a classroom educational session.

Session 5: Advanced Practitioners Day

March 26, 2025

Doctor’s and Clinicians of Tomorrow – Advanced Practitioners

time session room
11:45 pm – 12:45 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro: Talk with mentors LRC – Birch-Cherry rooms
12:45 pm – 1:30 pm Shannon McDonough: Intro to APRN and Q&A: ––
–– 1. What is your scope in patient care? ––
–– 2. Your pathway into the specialty, including training duration and requirements ––
–– 3. The types of cases you handle and the nature of your practice ––
–– 4. Your typical work hours and lifestyle in the field ––
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Christine Joseph: Intro to PA and Q&A: ––
1. What is your scope in patient care? ––
2. Your pathway into the specialty, including training duration and requirements ––
3. The types of cases you handle and the nature of your practice ––
–– 4. Your typical work hours and lifestyle in the field ––
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm Transition to SIM Lab ––
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm Station practicing sutures SIM Lab
Students attending a lecture in a classroom setting during an educational session.
Students attending a lecture in a classroom setting during an educational session with slides displayed.
UF Health team member guiding a student through a suturing technique during a hands-on training session.
UF Health team member guiding a student through a suturing technique during a hands-on training session.
Students practicing suturing techniques on training models during a hands-on session.
Students practicing suturing techniques on training models during a hands-on session.
Student practicing suturing techniques on training models during a hands-on session.

Session 6: Collaboration with UF Health Sciences Center – Gainesville

March 27, 2025

In cohort with Youth Education for Advancing in Health (YEAH) program – UF Health Jacksonville, students engaged in hands-on learning experiences in the Anatomy Lab and College of Dentistry, gaining insights into anatomical sciences and dental medicine.

Students participating in a hands-on activity at a table during an educational session.
Students participating in a hands-on activity at a table during an educational session.
Students gathered outdoors speaking with a UF Health team member during an educational tour.
Students and UF Health team members posing together outdoors.
Students posing together outdoors as a group.
Student smiling while participating in a hands-on activity at a table during a training session.

Session 7: Celebrating the Graduates

January 30, 2025

The future of medicine is bright! UF COMJ celebrated the graduating seniors of the 2024-2025 Doctors and Clinicians of Tomorrow class during their final session on April 30. They even received a special visit from Linda Edwards, MD, FACP, and Frank Genuardi, MD, MPH, who joined the celebration to mark the special occasion. Congratulations!

UF Health students and team members posing together during a graduation celebration event.
2 UF Health team members standing together during a graduation celebration event.
UF Health team members standing near a 'Congrats Grad' display during a celebration.
UF Health students posing together behind a decorated table during a graduation celebration event.
Students cutting a cake together during a graduation celebration event.

2023-2024

Session 1: Rehabilitation Services

October 25, 2023

Doctor’s and Clinicians of Tomorrow – Rehabilitation Focused Day UF Health Rehabilitation – Emerson 4549 Emerson St., Building 2, Suite 300 (904) 427-8900

time session room
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro Emerson Rehab – Conference room
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Rehabilitation Professions and Pathways Emerson Rehab – Conference room
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm Bio Break Emerson Rehab – Conference room
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Tour and Rehab Acitivities Emerson Rehab Gyms
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Wrap up, Final Q&A Emerson Rehab – Conference room
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Parent Pickup Emerson Rehab
Students gathered around a table during a group discussion and training session.
Students listening to instructor's lecture in a rehabilitation facility.
Instructor demonstrating equipment use to students in a rehabilitation facility.
Instructor demonstrating equipment use to students in a rehabilitation facility.
Students participating in a hands-on rehabilitation training exercise with instructor guidance.
Students participating in a hands-on rehabilitation training exercise with instructor guidance.
Students participating in a hands-on rehabilitation training exercise with instructor guidance.
Instructor demonstrating equipment use to students in a rehabilitation facility.
Students participating in a hands-on rehabilitation training exercise with instructor guidance.
Students participating in a hands-on rehabilitation training exercise with instructor guidance.
Students participating in a hands-on rehabilitation training exercise with instructor guidance.
Instructor discussing equipment use to a group of students in a rehabilitation facility.
Students participating in a hands-on rehabilitation training exercise with instructor guidance.
Students participating in a hands-on rehabilitation training exercise with instructor guidance.
Students seated together watching an instructor with a slideshow.
Students seated together watching an instructor with a slideshow.

Session 2: Ultrasound

November 29, 2023

Doctor’s and Clinicians of Tomorrow – Ultrasound Day

time session room
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro LRC – Birch/Cherry
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm FAST Lecture LRC
1:30 pm – 1:45 pm Transition to Sim Center SIM Lab
1:45 pm – 3:15 pm Hands on Ultrasound Practice SIM Lab
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Transition back to LRC ––
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Parent Pickup LRC
Student performing a patient monitoring procedure during a hands-on clinical training session.
Instructor demonstrating diagnostic equipment to students during a patient care training exercise.
Instructor demonstrating diagnostic equipment to students during a patient care training exercise.
Student participating in a hands-on patient care training activity with instructor guidance.
Student participating in a hands-on patient care training activity with instructor guidance.
Instructor leading a discussion on diagnostic procedures with students in a clinical setting.
Students practicing patient monitoring techniques during a hands-on training session.
Students practicing patient monitoring techniques during a hands-on training session.
Student performing a diagnostic procedure with instructor support during clinical training.
Student performing an ultrasound scan during a hands-on clinical training session.
Students observing an ultrasound procedure during a diagnostic imaging training exercise.
Students observing an ultrasound procedure during a diagnostic imaging training exercise.
Student using ultrasound equipment with instructor guidance during a hands-on training exercise.
Instructor guiding students through ultrasound equipment setup during a training exercise.
Students performing an ultrasound scan during a hands-on diagnostic imaging activity.
Group of students posing together following a clinical training session.
Instructor presenting trauma assessment concepts during a classroom training session.
Instructor presenting ultrasound imaging concepts to students during a clinical lecture.
Students and instructors posing together during a clinical training session.
Students listening to an instructor during a guided tour of a clinical training space.
Students gathered in a clinical environment during an instructional session.

Session 3: Visit to Health Colleges at UF Gainesville

January 24, 2024

Session 3: Visit to Health Colleges at UF Gainesville
Group of students and UF Health team members posing for a picture outdoors.
Speaker presenting to students during a University of Florida healthcare program session.
Students participating in a hands-on laboratory activity using protective equipment.
Group of students posing outdoors during a healthcare program event.
Students touring a facility during an educational program visit.
Students posing together during a group outing for a healthcare program.
Students participating in a small-group hands-on learning activity.
Students attending a classroom lecture during a healthcare training session.
Students practicing patient care techniques using simulation equipment during training.
Students practicing patient care techniques using simulation equipment during training.

Session 4: Cardiology/Visit to Cath lab

February 28, 2024

Doctor’s and Clinicians of Tomorrow Cardiology/Visit to Cath Lab versus Anesthesia

time session room
11:30 pm – 1:30 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro LRC – Birch/Cherry
1:30 pm – 1:45 pm Q&A with Dr. Rabalais LRC – Birch/Cherry
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm Transition to Cath Lab and divide into 3 groups ––
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm Observe Cath Lab, Echo Lab, Stress Lab Cath Lab
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm Transition back to ASH room ––
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Fast Lecture: Dr. Julien Feghaly LRC
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Parent Pickup LRC
Instructor speaking to students during a healthcare training session.
Students attending a lecture at UF Health Science Center Jacksonville.
Students attending a lecture at UF Health Science Center Jacksonville.
Students listening to a lecture during a healthcare training program.
Clinician presenting to students during a clinical training session.
Clinician presenting to students during a clinical training session.
Students wearing protective equipment during a clinical environment tour.
Students wearing protective equipment during a clinical environment tour.
Students wearing protective equipment during a clinical environment tour.

Session 5: Nursing

March 13, 2024

Doctor’s and Clinicians of Tomorrow – Nursing Focused Day

time session room
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro LRC – Birch/Cherry
1:00 pm – 1:50 pm CCU/CVICU Tour Clinical Center 5th Floor
1:50 pm – 2:00 pm Transition to POB Shuttle
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Skill Stations: POB 4th Floor
Intraosseous ––
–– EKG rhythms and mock code ––
–– Splint application ––
–– Crutch walking ––
Wound care ––
3:30 pm – 3:40 pm Transition back to LRC Shuttle
3:40 pm – 4:00 pm Parent Pickup LRC

Note: No pictures because students were with patients throughout the session.

April 24, 2024

Doctor’s and Clinicians of Tomorrow – Stop the Bleeding

time session room
11:45 pm – 12:45 pm Arrival/Lunch/Intro: Talk with mentors LRC – ASH room
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm Transition to SIM Lab ––
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Students will learn the life-saving skills to recognize and stop life-threatening bleeding SIM Lab
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm Talk with mentor SIM Lab
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Transition back to LRC LRC
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Parent Pickup LRC
Instructor demonstrating bleeding control techniques during a Stop the Bleed training session.
Students practicing wound packing techniques on a simulation model during training.
Students applying pressure to a simulated wound during a hands-on emergency response exercise.
Students practicing bleeding control techniques using a simulation model.
Students applying dressings to a simulated injury during a hands-on training session.
Student applying a tourniquet during a Stop the Bleed training exercise.
Students securing a tourniquet during an emergency response training activity.
Students securing a tourniquet during an emergency response training activity.
Students practicing tourniquet application on a partner during training.
Students practicing tourniquet application on a partner during training.
Students practicing tourniquet application on a partner during training.
Students practicing tourniquet application on a partner during training.
Students participating in an interactive emergency response learning activity.
Students participating in an interactive emergency response learning activity.
Group of students posing together during a healthcare training program.
Instructor presenting Stop the Bleed concepts during a classroom session.

2023 in a Glance

2023 Full Report