UF researcher appointed to endowed professorship

University of Florida College of Health Professions faculty member R. Paul Duncan has been appointed to the newly created Louis C. and Jane Gapenski professorship for health services administration.

The Gapenskis recent contribution of $100,000 to the department was matched with $50,000 from the state to establish the college’s first named endowed professorship. Gapenski, considered a leading expert in the field of health-care finance, joined the UF faculty in 1988. He is the author of several best-selling textbooks on health-care finance and has received Teacher of the Year awards on 12 separate occasions.

Duncan, a professor in the department of health services administration, has been a member of the UF faculty since 1979. A nationally prominent health services researcher, Duncan is the principal investigator on a study of the Florida Medicaid program and is responsible for major surveys of health insurance coverage in Florida, Indiana and Kansas. Over the past decade, he has had substantial involvement in funded research projects that have brought more than $10 million to UF.

“Jane and I are delighted that Paul will be the first chairholder,” Louis Gapenski said. “His accomplishments in the fields of health services research and administration set a very high standard indeed for future recipients.”

Despite the commitment of time to research endeavors, Duncan also is an accomplished teacher. On multiple occasions he has been named Teacher of the Year by graduate students in the department of health services administration.

“The Gapenski professorship is highly deserved recognition for Paul Duncan’s contributions to the University of Florida,” said Robert G. Frank dean of the College of Health Professions. “It is especially satisfying to see Paul as the first recipient of a professorship endowed by his colleague. The Gapenski professorship is testimony to not only Paul Duncan’s successes but also Lou and Jane Gapenski’s commitment to the university.”