UF Health Shands is recognized as one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals and Best Children’s Hospitals, with five adult specialties and four pediatric specialties ranking in the top 50.
UF and UF Health are committed to advancing artificial intelligence across industries, creating an academic hub to advance AI in the health sciences to put technology to work for patients.
“As we look to the future, our vision for UF Health is ambitious. We envision a health care landscape where every individual has access to world-class medical care, regardless of their location or circumstance,” Nelson said.

“It’s worth noting that this isn’t about growing bigger for its own sake,” he added. “It’s about growing better, and growing bolder. And it’s about how growth fuels our ability to reinvest in our mission, nurturing the stellar programs we already have … and all of our health care providers who are powering our ability to advance discovery and clinical care, and train the next generation.”

UF Health is committed to offering hope and healing, said Carlton DeVooght, CEO of UF Health St. Johns.

“Now is our time. It’s a time to celebrate not just the construction of a building, but the birth of a new era in health care for our community. With UF Health Durbin Park, we’re poised to become pioneers of innovation, compassion, and excellence in health care delivery. This won’t just be a hospital; it will be a cornerstone of our community — a place where patients will find comfort, families will find solace, and caregivers will find purpose. Our commitment to serving our community drives us forward with unwavering dedication and determination.”

The university seeks to ensure every member of the community has access to the resources they need to live their healthiest lives, Hosseini said.

“We do this with a deep sense of compassion and empathy,” he said. “Behind every diagnosis, every treatment, and every recovery, there is a human being — a mother, a father, a sister, or a friend. People matter. We treat each patient with the dignity, respect, and personalized care they deserve. People deserve to be supported, valued, and heard every step of the way. This is our commitment.”


About UF Health
UF Health is a world-class academic health center that combines leading-edge research at campuses around Florida with outstanding clinical care at a network of hospitals throughout the state. The flagship is UF Health Shands Hospital, part of Florida’s preeminent health system, with nine adult and pediatric specialties ranked among the nation’s elite top 50 programs in the 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Best Children’s Hospitals surveys.

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