UF Health Jacksonville has been singled out for its focus on providing outstanding care during the COVID-19 pandemic, receiving an inaugural “Community Impact Award” from the Jacksonville Business Journal.

The journal chose UF Health Jacksonville and other organizations because they have “stepped up to help the community,” saying the ingenuity, thoughtfulness and sense of community service demonstrated during the pandemic have stood out as a bright spot for those receiving honors.

UF Health, assisted by the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville, specifically focused on testing in underserved parts of our community. Led by Ann-Marie Knight, vice president of community engagement and chief diversity officer, the hospital provided thousands of free COVID-19 tests to residents who could not take part in other testing offered throughout the city, whether due to health conditions, transportation or other obstacles.

“We realized that some people in our community did not have the opportunity to participate in COVID-19 testing being offered by other organizations, such as the city of Jacksonville at TIAA Bank Field,” said Leon L. Haley Jr., M.D., MHSA, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “We feel it’s part of our mission to make sure those community members are well-cared for, and we thank the Jacksonville Business Journal for recognizing those efforts.”

In all, UF Health, in collaboration with other community organizations and the state, were able to test nearly 2,000 people across 14 locations in communities with the greatest health disparities in the city.