Office of Student Affairs (OSA)
OSA is committed to supporting student development and success.
This office handles all matters pertaining to students, provides a range of services and resources to UFCOM students.
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 Deans
Associate 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.
assistant Dean of Student Affairs
Meredith Thompson, M.D.
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.
ASSISTANT DEAN OF STUDENT COUNSELING
Beverly Vidaurreta Dede, Ph.D., M.A.
Dr. Dede attended the University of California, Irvine for her undergraduate degree in Psychology, and she proceeded to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale to attain her master’s and doctoral degrees in Counseling Psychology. After completing internship training at the University of Florida Counseling Center, she served on the counseling center senior staff at UF and the California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Dede is the founding director for student counseling at the University of Florida College of Medicine where she supports graduate, medical, and physician assistant students. In 2013, she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and awarded the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award.
Senior Associate Dean of Educational Affairs
Shelley Collins. M.D.
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.
Meet the Staff
Learn more about the staff who are here to help and coordinate student support services!