Associate dean of students
and instruction retires
Dr. Paul Gibbs
Dr. Paul Gibbs, a virologist who served for almost two years as the college’s associate dean for students and instruction, has retired after 32 years of service at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. A retirement reception was held in his honor on March 30, in conjunction with an Open House for the college’s new Education Center.
Several longtime colleagues and friends attended the event, including Dr. Tom Holt, Florida’s state veterinarian, of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry, and former members of the Veterinary Auxiliary, which made a gift to support the new Education Center. Among those former Auxiliary members were Gibbs’ wife, Christine Gibbs, Pat Neilson, and Joan Drost.
Gibbs presented an overview of his life and work while at UF, and several people acknowledged his important role in the profession and within the specialty of virology and infectious diseases.
Dr. Paul Gibbs receives award from Dr. Tom Holt.
Holt presented Gibbs with a plaque in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution in support of Florida’s animal and public health.
“While Dr. Gibbs’ contributions through his teaching and research are well known, he has also played an important role through his consultation with state and federal animal health officials in the areas of disease prevention, surveillance and control,” Holt said. “In recent years, he led efforts to plan and implement test response exercises in Florida for simulated introductions of Rift Valley Fever and Screwworm, the first such exercises ever to be done in the United States.”
Holt also noted that Gibbs had been at the forefront of monitoring new disease emergence and assessing disease risks associated with the increased interaction of domestic animals, wildlife and people.
“Perhaps his greatest legacy will be the many students he inspired to pursue careers in areas of preventive veterinary medicine, epidemiology and global one-health initiatives,” Holt said.
For more photos from Gibbs’ retirement reception, visit William Castleman’s photo gallery:
http://www.wlcastleman.com/ufvetmed/gibbs_033012/index.htm
