As Chief Quality Officer, Michele Lossius, M.D., F.A.A. P., provides strategic oversight for quality and patient-centered improvement at University of Florida Shands Hospital. While Division Chief for Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Dr. Lossius was involved with projects that led to national initiatives addressing the care of patients with bronchiolitis by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
My dad was in the Army, so we moved quite a bit. As a military family, we lived in six different states across the country. I was enrolled in three different high schools, but our final stop was MacDill Air Force Base. When I decided to attend University of Florida as an undergraduate, I realized those four years were the longest I had ever lived in one place.
Gainesville quickly became home. I joined a faith-based community at the collegiate level and developed close friendships that remain over 20 years later. After graduation, I knew I wanted to attend medical school and do my residency here. Job opportunities continued to develop, and I have spent my entire career at UF. It is a wonderful place to practice medicine and rewarding both clinically and administratively.
As someone who works in global health, I think health care in Greater Gainesville is very strong. People come from all over for the care we deliver. I am grateful to live and work in a community that has access to this level of health care.
By establishing roots here, I have been able to become an “aunt” to the children of my many college friends, who have also stayed in the area. Even those that have moved away have now returned. It has been rewarding to establish a home here and be part of their lives.
I appreciate that range of speakers, concerts and events that exists in a college town. It is nice to have access to various forms of eclectic entertainment. There is such an intimate feel to the downtown area. I enjoy visiting local restaurants and boutiques and getting to know the individual owners. This is an open and welcoming community that is easy to make home.