Patient Programs
UF Health Shands Hospital offers many unique programs its various communities - adult patients, children, their families and visitors. These programs provide support for the stresses of hospitalization as well as general health and well-being.
Arts in Medicine
University of Florida physicians, nurses and Gainesville community artists collaborate on the Arts in Medicine program, which emphasizes a philosophy of care that centers on the belief that art is an integral component to healing. Arts in Medicine has developed a two-part model that includes:
- Artists-in-residence working in the clinical setting using dance, music, drama, creative writing and the visual arts to enhance the patient experience.
- Artists-in-residence incorporating the creative arts to transform the physical hospital setting.
Child Life Program
The Child Life Program was established to help children and families cope with the stress and anxiety of hospitalization. Child Life Specialists at UF Health Shands Children's Hospital are certified professionals who understand child development and provide interventions in an environment that will support normal growth and development.
ElderCare of Alachua County
ElderCare provides services to seniors such as delivering meals to homebound seniors, providing daycare for Alzheimer's patients and providing transportation.
Healthy Advantage
UF Health Shands Healthy Advantage is a free membership program for adults designed to support their healthy lifestyle. The program helps keep members current on the latest advances in medicine.
Integrative Medicine
The UF Health Integrative Medicine Program aims to treat the whole person – mind, body and spirit. The team, which includes a holistic nurse, massage therapists, and yoga, martial arts, guided imagery and mindfulness practitioners, are dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal health and well-being in all aspects of life.
PALS Program
The PALS (Partners in Adolescent Lifestyle Support) program, overseen by professionals at UF Health Shands Psychiatric Hospital, provides peer support and therapeutic intervention to troubled students and enhances leadership skills for teen leaders.
Shands at Work
The Shands at Work program offers local companies reliable health information, education and preventive screenings at the work site or other convenient locations.
Speakers Resource Program
The Speakers Resource Program is a free community education service that provides community organizations, schools, businesses and civic clubs with educational programs presented by Shands professionals.
Streetlight Program
UF Health Shands Children's Hospital has been bringing hope into the lives of adolescents for years. Streetlight, a ground-breaking pilot program, meets their unique psychosocial needs by customizing the rooms of patients, facilitating relationships with peers, profiling and preserving their non-medical identity, keeping them connected to pop culture and promoting self-advocacy and independence.
Women's Advantage
Women's Advantage is a free membership program for women designed to enhance the health and lifestyle of women at every age.