Welcome Applicants to the Class of 2030!
The Admissions Welcoming Committee (AWC) is dedicated to providing the same warm and inviting atmosphere to prospective students, alumni, and visitors as we do our friends here in the Gator nation. Through collaborative efforts and teamwork, the AWC aims to enrich the community of the University of Florida College of Medicine by supporting and enhancing the establishment of student connections. AWC welcomes leadership emanating from the full range of backgrounds, interests, experiences, and ideas of its members, which is essential for showcasing the aspects of the University of Florida College of Medicine that allow this community to flourish. With this in mind, AWC provides a platform for students to share their medical school experience, as well as what it means to be a Gator Doc, to all those who may find themselves in the Swamp.
As your big day approaches, we along with the rest of the committee would like to welcome you wholeheartedly. Congratulations on all you have accomplished thus far, now please allow us to show and share with you our UFCOM family.
~Noelle, Miriam, Elie, Kasey, and Ciara
Noelle Dorvault
Hello, prospective Gator Docs! I am Noelle Dorvault, a first-year medical student originally from Pensacola, Florida. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences and a minor in patient advocacy. As an undergraduate, I spent my time researching non-ketotic hyperglycinemia, a rare pediatric inborn error of metabolism, through the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Disease, leading service endeavors to rural America through the Institute for Social Concerns, and singing as a soprano with the University of Notre Dame Folk Choir. Now at UFCOM, I have loved getting involved with our student-run Equal Access Clinics, the Mobile Food Pharmacy, and our chapter of the Hippocratic Society. The many opportunities to shadow such a wide array of specialties at Shands have also astounded me, and, though I am currently undecided on a specialty, have been crucial to pointing me in the right direction. In addition to the academic excellence and well-established research backing UFCOM is known for, I elected to join the class of 2029 because of the clear emphasis on embracing the dignity of all people, our faculty’s reflective approach to understanding the unique role of the physician, and our focus on mentorship and a collaborative environment. As part of the Admissions Welcoming Committee, I am thrilled to serve as one of your first guides to medical school. Email me with any and all questions you may have, and know I am here for each of you throughout this incredible journey! Congratulations!
Undergrad: University of Notre Dame
Miriam Girgis
Hello, everyone! My name is Miriam Girgis, and I am a first-year medical student from Ormond Beach, FL. For my undergraduate experience, I attended the University of Florida where I studied Basic Biological and Medical Sciences as part of the Medical Honors Program. I also was involved in research focused on tumor-microvascular interactions through the Department of Biomedical Engineering, where I had the opportunity to foster my passion for oncology. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, painting, exploring new coffee shops, going to the beach, watching sunsets, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family.
One of the aspects that drew me to UFCOM was its commitment to valuing the journey of each student just as much as their final destination. The genuine sense of community and support I received from current students and faculty was truly unmatched, and I feel beyond grateful that UFCOM has brought my dreams to life while helping me grow as both a medical student and a future physician. I’m so excited to serve as part of the Admissions Welcoming Committee, and I hope that each tour reflects the values and community that make UFCOM such a special place. I am looking forward to meeting you, and please feel free to reach out anytime if you have questions! Congratulations, and Go Gators!
Undergrad: University of Florida
Elie Haddad
Hi prospective Gator Docs! My name is Elie Haddad, and I am a first-year medical student at UF COM. I grew up in Jacksonville, FL and graduated from the University of Florida in 2025 with a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry. During my undergraduate career, I worked at our local health department, volunteered at the Equal Access Clinic (UF COM’s free student run clinic), and conducted research on the associations between substance use and cognitive performance in people living with HIV. My current career interests include community and family health, public health, and HIV medicine. In my free time, I love teaching martial arts, running, playing with my golden doodle, and going to local coffee shops with friends!
From the moment I left my interview day, I knew 100% that UF COM was where I was meant to be. In addition to the endless clinical opportunities at our fingertips through the UF Health Shands network, what stood out to me was how genuine, welcoming, and supportive the students and faculty were throughout the whole application process. The sense of community was something unique about UF COM that I knew I needed to have throughout my medical training. I am so grateful to be a part of UF COM’s Class of 2029 and cannot wait to share my experiences with you and show you how amazing our institution is! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions and congratulations on making it this far in the process. Go Gators!!
Undergrad: University of Florida
Kasey Permenter
Hi everyone! My name is Kasey Permenter and I am in the UF COM Class of 2029! I grew up in Ocala, Florida and I went to the University of Florida for undergrad. I graduated in 2024 with a degree in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology and a minor in economics. During undergrad, I was involved as a patient care coordinator for uninsured patients at Helping Hands Clinic here in Gainesville. I also worked as an exercise physiologist intern in cardiac rehab during my senior spring. During my gap year, I did research in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit here at Shands Hospital, worked in undergraduate UF admissions, and worked at a golf club. I am a huge football fan and love the gators and the buccaneers. I love to stay active with my friends by playing pickleball, volleyball, kickball, and golf! Specialty-wise, I am interested in anesthesiology, but I am exploring other options!
From the interview day, I knew that UF COM was the best place for me to become a competent and compassionate physician. Through UF COM, I have already made lifelong friends and built a genuine support system with the faculty. The gator nation is truly unlike any other and I am proud to call myself a gator for life. I am so excited to help the next class of gator docs thrive at UF COM! Congratulations!
Undergrad: University of Florida
Ciara Saccente
My name is Ciara Saccente and I’m a first-year medical student at UFCOM. I grew up in Deltona, FL, and moved to Gainesville in 2022 to study Biology at UF. After graduating, I spent my gap semester traveling and becoming a certified mat Pilates instructor!
I’m currently interested in pediatrics, anesthesia, critical care, surgery, and emergency medicine. Outside of medicine, I love being near the water, cooking new recipes, staying active with Pilates and weightlifting, and reading romance or suspense novels over an iced matcha latte. I’m also a big true crime and horror fan – Halloween is my favorite time of year!
UFCOM has always been my dream program for its strong research opportunities and on-site Level I trauma center. While I knew it would be an excellent program academically, I couldn’t have anticipated the genuine sense of community and support I first felt on interview day and continue to experience as a student. Whether you’re curious about Swamp Social, life at UFCOM, or Gainesville itself, I’d love to connect. Go Gators!
Undergrad: University of Florida
Interview Day Agenda – Example (pdf)
Explore our program & COMmunity:
- Welcome to the UF College of Medicine & UF Health – (Video)
- Tour the Harrell Medical Education Building – (Video)
- Get a closer look at the Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation – (Video)
- Student perspective on UF COM – (Video)
- 2 Year Curriculum Schedule Overview
- Discovery Pathways – Medical Student Research Program
- And visit the EAC website
- Caring for the invisible and the forgotten – by Richard C. Christensen, M.D.
- Check out UFCOM student committees
- 2025 Match Results
- UF’s Academic Health Center
- More about UF Jacksonville, clinical opportunities, curriculum, student resources, etc.
- Success, professionalism, and the medical student – by Richard B. Gunderman, M.D., Ph.D.
Get acquainted with Gainesville
- Discover Gainesville – (Video)
- Directions – Getting-to-Gainesville
- Unusual Attractions in Gainesville
- Planning a visit? Feel free to stop by our office: Directions to UF COM Admissions HMEB 142
Financial Aid
- Financial Aid Fact Sheet (2024 – 2025) – updated Nov 2024!
