Julia Close, M.D., M.B.A., has accepted a position as executive vice president and chief education officer for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), where she will advance medical education and professional development at one of the country’s premier medical societies. As a result, she will be stepping down from her UF roles as designated institutional official and senior associate dean for graduate medical education in August.

Close has been with the College of Medicine since 1997, attending UF for her medical degree, residency, and fellowship, before joining the oncology and hematology faculty. Since taking on her roles in graduate medical education in 2019, her tenure has been characterized by increased institutional support and responsiveness for our residents and housestaff. She has been a trusted mentor and colleague for program directors, an advocate for residents and fellows, and a very important institutional leader.
Martina Murphy, M.D., has been appointed senior associate dean for graduate medical education and designated institutional official for a one-year term, beginning July 15.

Murphy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, having been active in national medical education initiatives related to mentorship, career and professional development, and novel curriculum development. She has an extensive publication record in educational scholarship and is a member of the ASCO and a graduate of the ASCO Educational Scholars Program, and she serves as the vice chair for mentorship in ASCO’s Medical Education Community of Practice. She is also a graduate of the American Society of Hematology Medical Educators Institute, where she previously served as a faculty mentor.
At the College of Medicine, Murphy serves as an associate professor of medicine in the division of hematology and oncology, program director for the hematology/oncology fellowship program, and assistant director for clinical education at the UF Health Cancer Center. She is a quadruple Gator, having completed her medical degree, internship, residency, and fellowship at the University of Florida.
She has won numerous awards for her dedication to education, including the College of Medicine Exemplary Teacher Award and the Gold Humanism Society Leonard Tow Award. This past year, she became the first educator to be named both the Phase 1 Teacher of the Year and, as director, have her program recognized as the UF Graduate Medical Education Program of the Year.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Murphy on her new role and thanking Dr. Close for her years of service, as well as wishing her the best in her position with ASCO!
Excellence in Education
Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program recognized as UF GME Program of the Year
Martina Murphy, M.D., became the first educator to be named Phase 1 Teacher of the Year and, as director, have her program recognized as the UF Graduate Medical Education Program of the Year.
