Future Physician-Scientist Drives Impact Through Health Education & Community Care 

2025

by Alisha Katz, APR, MAMC

From the classroom to the clinic, Fapianey Alexandre (BSHEB ’25) is turning knowledge into action, paving the way for healthier communities.

Fapianey Alexandre (BSHEB ’25) is a powerhouse. When she isn’t studying for her classes in the UF College of Health & Human Performance’s Department of Health Education & Behavior and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ Department of Linguistics, the aspiring physician-scientist spends her days as a research assistant for the UF Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, researching dietary interventions for age-related cognitive decline, and applying to post-baccalaureate research programs. She also puts her studies in the classroom into action by volunteering with the UF Equal Access Clinic Network (EACN), a network of free, student-run healthcare clinics, as a fundraising co-director and pre-medical student.

“I use the skills from my classes in the Department of Health Education & Behavior during every shift,” Alexandre said. “Our role is to work on health outcomes and quality improvement, so we see the patients before they come into the clinic to schedule their appointments and check up on them afterward.

Alexandre works closely with a medical student and an attending physician to help determine the root of the issue and devise a care plan that includes patient education. Often, patients are seen for chronic conditions that may not be well-managed, like Type 2 diabetes, cardiac disorders and hypertension.

“One of the biggest things we are taught in health education classes is how to assess the patient’s level of understanding, or health literacy, and communicate with them in a way that is appropriate for that level,” Alexandre said. “The conversation that I have with them as they come into the clinic and sit down is when I can figure out how best to educate them about their health. Dr. Kristina Garcia-Guettler’s class on foundations of health education is something we talk about almost every single week: going forward with a plan in a way that makes sense for that individual patient.”

Alexandre joined EACN in 2022, around the same time when she discovered the Department of Health Education & Behavior. She appreciates that the department offers several classes on communicating with patients, a critical skill she uses while volunteering at EACN. Faculty and staff at the college and within the department who have had a profound impact on Alexandre as a person and student include Joslyn Ahlgren, Ph.D., Erica Alexander, Chelsea Chappell, Ph.D., Delores James, Ph.D., and Ashlee Ossiboff, M.A., M.S., Ph.D., MCHES.     

“A big reason I chose the college is because they have classes that speak to interpersonal skills and that’s prioritized in the college,” Alexandre said. “What makes everything successful in a patient appointment is determined by how well we listen to them. For example, sometimes patients will say things off-handedly that they may not believe are important but actually have the answer to what’s going on with them.”

As the Dr. Owen J. Holyoak Endowed Scholarship recipient, a scholarship supporting students from within the college, Alexandre recognizes the importance of giving back her time to those when life gets tough.

“The Dr. Owen J. Holyoak Endowed Scholarship came into my life at a fortuitous time,” she said. “It was a bright moment. Later on, I met his family at his Celebration of Life – Dr. Holyoak has an incredible legacy.”

As for what’s next, Alexandre has her sights set on two gap years in a post-baccalaureate research program between graduating with her bachelor’s degree and pursuing a combined M.D./Ph.D. program. During her time in college, Alexandre has developed an interest in orthopedics from her time spent working on orthopedic trauma call. Still, oncology, neurology and immunology aren’t out of the question.

For now, Alexandre will continue volunteering with EACN to help create a healthier community.    

“It’s time-consuming but worthwhile,” Alexandre said. “We all leave feeling fulfilled.”

Read more content from UF HHP’s Performance Magazine.