Nuss is first Jacksonville recipient of UF President’s Medallion

Robert C. Nuss, M.D., a tireless advocate for the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, is again at the forefront of a first for the campus.

Nuss is the first person from the Jacksonville campus to receive the President's Medallion, the highest honor for a UF employee. Nuss retired in February after 40 years on the Jacksonville campus, the last 10 as dean and associate vice president of health affairs for UF.

Nuss’ focus has always been on the Jacksonville campus, and he is proud any time someone from the campus earns a top recognition from UF.

"It’s not about me, it’s about the campus," Nuss said. "It’s important that the faculty and the work that they do on this campus are recognized."

Nuss, the first person to hold the title of "dean" on the Jacksonville campus, was presented the medallion by David S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., UF’s senior vice president of health affairs, at the June meeting of the Shands Jacksonville board of directors.

Guzick, who came to UF in 2009, said Nuss was an extremely effective spokesman for the importance of UF’s medical school and its faculty in Jacksonville, and was an excellent manager of the faculty practice.

"Working in partnership with Shands Jacksonville, and applying both his clinical skills as a gynecologic oncologist and his leadership skills as a navy admiral, Dr. Nuss helped navigate through troubled waters over the different phases of the medical center in Jacksonville," Guzick said. "He was successful in leading the institution to create a standard of excellence that reflected his vision."

The 2 1/2-inch medal is given for outstanding service or contribution to the university. Only a few are awarded each year and must be approved by UF President Bernie Machen. Since 2010, only 13 medals have been awarded.

Under Nuss’ watch, the college expanded its primary care business, establishing more than two dozen clinics and countless other specialty offices across north Florida. Nuss made research a priority and that commitment has continued to expand, bringing in close to $20 million for projects last year. The campus has more full-time faculty than any other regional medical school in the country and now offers more than 30 different residencies and fellowships.

Nuss also retired from the Naval Reserve in 1993 as a two-star admiral, the highest rank a reservist can reach.