Ethan’s Race Against the Clock
After a devastating hurricane season in 2018, Michelle Byron and her family were looking forward to being back in their home in Panama City just in time for…
Alisha Katz, APR
Marketing Manager
Alisha Katz joined the UF Health Communications team in 2015 and serves as the marketing manager for UF Health Surgical Services, UF Health Shands Transplant Center, UF Health Advanced Lung Program and the UF Health Congenital Heart Center. Prior to serving in this role, Alisha worked as a marketing coordinator for the UF Health Florida Recovery Center, psychiatry, pathology, ophthalmology, urology, UF Health ShandsCair, emergency medicine/trauma, otolaryngology and radiology. She also served on the media on-call team for news inquiries after-hours.
Originally from Miami, Alisha holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida's College of Journalism & Communications with a minor in communication studies. After graduating magna cum laude from the university, Alisha served as the communications & research manager for the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce & the Council for Economic Outreach. Following her tenure at the Chamber, Alisha became the Director of Cinema & Development at the Hippodrome Theatre, Gainesville’s only professional regional theatre and art-house cinema.
Alisha is an active member of the Junior League of Gainesville, the Ronald McDonald House of North Central Florida and the Florida Public Relations Association.
Stories by Alisha
From Cancer Patient to Survivor: Judy’s Journey
In the mid-1990s, Judith “Judy” Hogan felt a lump on the back of her neck. Judy’s dermatologist at the time diagnosed her with basal cell carcinoma, a common…
Back on the saddle
In the face of adversity, Lisa Alexander got back on the horse — literally. Lisa has made horses an integral part of her life since her 30s. Once a competitor…
What is Migraine Surgery?
In the U.S. alone, 38 million people are affected by migraines and 1 billion people are affected worldwide. Many suffer from recurring migraines despite all of…
Coming Clean
Kimberly Willoughby never felt good enough. Too short. Too overweight. She believed that everyone else deserved a good life, but not her. It’s taken her many…
Beyond the Field
Growing up in the South, Jacob Jones, 30, was raised on football. Jacob always committed himself physically and emotionally to the game that would lead to team…
Nayla’s New Lungs
For as long as she can remember, Nayla Rivera and her father, Chris, have trekked from one medical appointment to another, mostly in South Florida. When she…
Artificial heart gives a baby girl a second chance at life
This story is a follow-up to “How an artificial heart brought a bubbly baby’s smile back” that was published in January 2018. For more than half of her life,…
UF alum tackles cancer in the heart of the Gator Nation
Travis Rockey, 67, and Gail, his wife of 43 years, spend their days in retirement serving others. "We believe that service to others is a critical part of…
Lungs for Lexi
Not many teenagers can say they placed first in equestrians at the Special Olympics. Few teenagers can say they had a double-lung transplant, too. Alexia…
Teen’s battle to stay alive for transplant inspires family, friends, strangers
Andy Herrera Reyes mustered his strength and sat up in bed on Monday morning. That alone would not be considered a big moment in the life of a typical…
Something remarkable: A teen celebrates Thanksgiving with his new lungs
At any other time, Matias Cozzi, might have enjoyed Thanksgiving like any 17-year-old. Perhaps he’d overindulge in turkey and pie during an uneventful holiday…
