The College of Health and Human Performance
In name alone, the College of Health and Human Performance suggests that its mission is broad but its disciplines are inclusive. HHP seeks to make a lasting positive impact in the world by solving the puzzles that plague our community today. This variety of puzzles includes the tourism industry’s reaction to extreme weather, substance abuse and prevention, and other health issues, such as the obesity epidemic, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke prevention. HHP researchers, teachers, students and partners take both a classroom and community approach to reach out to the community and impact almost every aspect of the human condition.

Florida Center for Health Promotion
The Florida Center for Health Promotion strives to be a leader in knowledge development and dissemination related to health promotion and disease prevention programs. the Florida Center for Health Promotion provides research and development activities for drug and alcohol education, HIV/AIDS education, nutrition education, physical activity, smoking prevention and cessation, and stress management. In addition to professional development and training opportunities, FCHP faculty also conduct research to develop health promotion strategies for racial, ethnic and cultural groups of all ages.

Center for Exercise Science
Researchers in the Center for Exercise Science are studying many health-related issues that affect the entire community. CES scientists participate in studies that improve the world’s understanding of topics such as development of rehabilitation techniques for regaining motor control after stroke, maintaining optimal health and delaying age-related declines in physiological function. CES includes a variety of laboratories including, Applied Neuromechanics Lab, Biomechanics Lab, Cardiorespiratory Exercise Lab, Cardiovascular Research Lab, Clinical Research Lab, Exercise Physiology Lab, Integrative Live Cell Imaging and Photometry Lab, Integrative Muscle Biochemistry Lab, Molecular Physiology Lab, Performance Psychology Lab and Sports Medicine Lab.

Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute
The Center for Tourism, Research and Development was created in 1992 by the tourism faculty to serve tourism destinations and industries through research in Florida. Since its establishment, the Center has been committed to excellence in research and has evolved to become a major center for tourism research in Florida and beyond. The Center is a vital source of strategic information for industry and public policy makers, by providing trustworthy, cost effective research conforming to the highest ethical standards.

Exercise Therapy and Adapted Physical Activity
The Exercise Therapy and Adapted Physical Activity program includes community events not only assisted by HHP students but often coordinated by them. Some of the events of the past year included volunteering at the following:

• • Sidney Lanier comes to UF Living Well Center for our Fitness/Sports Research Program
• • Adapted Physical Activity Challenges Program (APAC): Adapted Miracles – a new University Student Organization that works with children/families from the community with disabilities at UF sites and community sites!
• • Top Kickers Soccer! For children with disabilities
• • Wheelchair Basketball - First timers all the way to some of the world’s best players come to practice and learn from Dug, coach of National Division I Champion Dallas Mavericks Team.
• • AL’s PLACE (Elder Care) Recreational Therapy and more!
• • Terwilliger Elementary School Pre-K, Head Start, Children with disabilities - Assisting with motor development skill learning (climbing, sliding, swinging, walking, galloping, etc…)

The students also participated in community events such as:

• • Hand Camp
• • Wheelchair Basketball Exhibition
• • Five Points of Life Marathon
• • Special Olympics
• • March of Dimes: March for Babies
• • Gator Sport Ability Games.
• • YMCA Healthy Kids Day
• • Boggy Creek Camp

Athletic Training Clinical Sites
ATEP is an integral component of the UF and Gainesville communities. Not only does the program provide qualified and skilled athletic trainers to area high school and collegiate athletics programs, but they also are involved in many local community events, such as marathons and cycling races and local charitable events. During these events students and faculty from ATEP serve as volunteers to help with first aid and trauma for all competitors and spectators. Students also participate in the adapted aquatics classes for local middle school children with disabilities. Clinical sites include: University Athletic Association, Inc (Football, Swimming & Diving, Volleyball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Lacrosse, Baseball, Gymnastics, Cross Country/Track & Field), Buchholz High School, Eastside High School, Gainesville High School, Oak Hall School, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School, Santa Fe High School, Newberry High School and Santa Fe College.

March of Dimes
March of Dimes is one of the College of Health and Human Performance’s favorite ways to reach out to the community. After reaching its goal and raising more than $5,000 for the March of Dimes in 2007, HHP set its 2008 goal at $6,000. The faculty, staff, student groups, local businesses and other members of the community raised $11,441 for the charity.

Healthy Gators
Healthy Gators is a coalition of students, faculty and staff from over 40 University of Florida departments and organizations working together to create a healthier campus. UF First Lady Chris Machen is the chair of Healthy Gators and works with HHP professor Jill Varnes, who serves as vice-chair. Healthy Gators seeks to promote a campus environment supportive of the development and maintenance of a healthy body, mind and spirit for all members of the University of Florida community.

Oak Hammock
Oak Hammock at the University of Florida is a one-of-a-kind university-based retirement community. Its focus is only lifelong learning, fitness and health. The College of Health and Human Performance works with other UF colleges to make Oak Hammock “A Truly Unique Life-Fulfilling Community.” HHP works to pay attention to the many details that go into creating this unique environment from installing the right equipment to calibrating the ideal temperature for the swimming pools in the Fitness Center.

HHP Ambassadors
The HHP Ambassadors are a select group of students in the College of Health and Human Performance who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in academics and student leadership. These students represent the college at a variety of events, including alumni reunions, football tailgate parties at HHP and UF Family Weekend. HHP Ambassadors also serve as hosts at the Dean’s House and other official college events, as well as provide tours of HHP to incoming students. They now organize workshops for students, sponsor community service projects, organize the Internship Fair, mentor first-year students and give tours of HHP to potential students and alumni.