To acknowledge and honor the outstanding work of those involved in cancer care, the UF Health Cancer Center hosts an annual event in January called Cheers to the New Year.

Cheers is opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments of the last year — and most importantly, to acknowledge those key employees whose outstanding efforts were essential to those successes.
Awards
Each December, we call for nominations for your worthy UF and UF Health Shands colleagues who are striving to advance the Cancer Center mission.
All of our award categories, provide plenty of options to recognize demonstrated excellence in clinical care, cancer research (clinical, basic and population-science based) and education.
Awards & Descriptions for Cheers to the New Year Event
- UFHCC Administration Staff Member of the Year
- The UFHCC Administration Staff Member of the Year award recognizes an exceptional UFHCC administration staff member, recognized by their peers, who demonstrates a commitment to the mission of the UFHCC with a level of performance that exceeds the values and guiding principles of our Center.
- UFHCC Advanced Practice Provider of the Year
- The UFHCC Advanced Practice Provider of the Year award honors an oncology-focused ARNP or PA-C recognized by her or his peers that demonstrates high standards in the practice of clinical care, supports the mission of the UFHCC, and exemplifies a commitment to improving the health and well-being of cancer patients.
- UFHCC Basic Science Research Staff Member of the Year
- The UFHCC Basic Science Research Staff Member of the Year award recognizes a research staff member in cancer-relevant basic research, recognized by their peers, who has made extraordinary contributions that enhance the success of the science conducted within the Center.
- UFHCC Clinical Research Staff Member of the Year
- The UFHCC Clinical Research Staff Member of the Year award recognizes a research staff member in cancer-relevant clinical research, recognized by their peers, who has made extraordinary contributions that enhance the success of the science conducted within the Center.
- UFHCC Community Outreach Award
- The UFHCC Community Outreach Award is an individual (faculty, staff, or community member) that has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to working with community members with evidence of significant impact within our catchment area. This could be through active engagement of events or programs aimed at improving health behaviors targeted at preventing cancer and/or providing resources for those diagnosed with cancer, their family members, or other caregivers.
- UFHCC Golden Gator Award
- The UFHCC Golden Gator Award recognizes those who have demonstrated consistency in distinguished performance made to or on behalf of the Cancer Center.
- UFHCC High Enroller Award
- The UFHCC High Enroller Award recognizes the UFHCC member who is the top enrolling provider to a cancer-relevant interventional clinical trial.
- UFHCC Nurse of the Year
- The UFHCC Nurse of the Year award is given to an extraordinary oncology nurse recognized by her or his peers who supports the mission of the UFHCC by going above and beyond to deliver compassionate, high-quality care in addressing the burden of a cancer diagnosis to patients, family members, or other caregivers.
- UFHCC Physician of the Year
- The UFHCC Physician of the Year award is given to the oncology physician who consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine, supports the mission of the UFHCC and is looked upon as a role model by her or his peers.
- UFHCC Population Sciences Research Staff Member of the Year
- The UFHCC Population Sciences Research Staff Member of the Year award recognizes a research staff member in cancer-relevant population sciences research, recognized by their peers, who has made extraordinary contributions that enhance the success of the science conducted within the Center.
- UFHCC Principal Investigator Award
- The UFHCC Principal Investigator Award recognizes the UFHCC member who serves as the Principal Investigator of the highest enrolling cancer-relevant interventional investigator-initiated clinical trial.
- UFHCC Rising Star of the Year Award
- The UFHCC Rising Star of the Year Award recognizes an early-stage investigator whose early accomplishments distinguish them as possible future leaders in the cancer center. The candidate(s) should be an individual whose performance demonstrates innovation, professionalism and leadership qualities.
- UFHCC Top Influencer of the Year
- The UFHCC Top Influencer of the Year Award recognizes any faculty, staff, or trainee who significantly contributes to the national reputation of the UFHCC through recognition in publications, social media or other press.