About Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is committed to supporting student development and success. This office handles all matters pertaining to students, and it is where most student-related events are planned, such as Orientation, Match Day, White Coat Ceremony, and Graduation. It also provides a range of services and resources to UFCOM students, including registration, financial advising, career advising and learning assistance.
Other responsibilities:
- Prepares the MSPE
- Supports the senior students through the residency application and match
- Liaises between the Disability Resource Center (DRC) and UFCOM clerkship directors.
- Student registration
- Provides enrollment verification, letters of good standing, MD degree certification for graduation and licensure applications
- Coordinates the Visiting Student Learning Opportunity program (VSLO) and the International Medical Student Education program
mEET THE OSA dEANS
Associate Dean of Student Affairs – Shelley Collins, M.D.
Shelley W. Collins, MD, attended the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine for medical school and stayed at Jackson Memorial Hospital to complete her pediatric residency and chief residency. After working in private practice in Maryland and as a pediatric hospitalist at Children’s National Medical Center at George Washington University, Dr. Collins returned to Florida and joined the University of Florida faculty in 2006. She worked in the critical care division as well as the congenital heart center before being appointed chief of pediatric hospital medicine in 2009. She served in that role until 2013 when she was appointed as the UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital inpatient medical director. Dr. Collins was also appointed as the Associate Chief Medical Officer of UF Health in 2016.Helping to support the university’s mission to train and teach residents and medical students, Dr. Collins is very involved in the education of students at every level. She has an active role in several courses, clerkships and committees revolving around medical education. She is active in residency education at the patient bedside. Dr. Collins is the Senior Associate Dean of Educational Affairs for the College of Medicine.
Interim Assistant Dean of Student Affairs – Meredith C. Thompson, M.D. FACEP
Dr. Thompson attended the University of Florida for her undergraduate degree (Go Gators!) and completed her medical training and residency education in Emergency Medicine at the University of Virginia. She serves as Director of Undergraduate Medical Education, Clerkship Director, and residency core faculty member for the Department of Emergency Medicine.
Interim Assistant Dean of Student Affairs – Diane Howell, M.D.
Dr. Howell attended the University of Florida during her undergraduate and medical studies. After completing her chief residency, pediatrics residency and serving on faculty at UNC Chapel Hill in North Carolina, she joined the University of Florida’s pediatrics department. Dr. Howell serves as the director for the Introduction to Clinical Practice course. She loves serving in her community, church and spending time with her family.