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Distinguished Health Administration Alumni Achievement Award

The Distinguished Health Administration Alumni Achievement Award is given to a graduate of the UNF health Administration program. To be nominated for this award, a UNF graduate must have made significant contributions to his or her profession, community and/or society, and have consistently maintained the pursuit of excellence as a representative and graduate of UNF.

Award Selection Criteria

  • Must be a graduate of the Health Administration program with a Master’s Degree from the University of North Florida.
  • Must have attained the highest level of professional accomplishments.
  • Voluntary service on a local, state, national or international level is evident.
  • Special honors or recognition may strengthen the nomination.
  • Candidate will be chosen by the Faculty and the Health Administration Alumni Board

Previous Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Dr. Paryani receiving the alumni award

2017: Shyam Paryani, MD, MHA, Class of 2002

Dr. Paryani is a Radiation Oncologist who helped found the Florida Radiation Oncology Group. He has been active at UNF since Graduation serving on the UNF Foundation Board, UNF Brooks College of Health Dean’s Council, the Health Administration Alumni Board and as an Instructor since 2011. He is a Founding member of the Health Administration Department. He is also the founding Chair of the Health Administration Advisory Board. In 2007, he was awarded the UNF Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, which is the highest honor given to a graduate of the university.

Hugh Tappan receiving alumni award

2018-Hugh Tappan, MHA, MBA, Class of 1993

Hugh Tappan was appointed CEO of Hughston Sports Medicine Hospital only five years after graduation from UNF. He was subsequently appointed COO of Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. He was subsequently the CEO Wesley Medical Center in Kansas, where he led the acquisition of Galichia Heart Hospital by leading a Transition Board to consolidate the acquisition.

In 2015, he was promoted to lead HCA Healthcare’s South Atlantic Division, which includes 12 hospitals and more than 200 sites of care in six markets across South Carolina, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida.

Hugh has been integrally involved with the program at UNF providing support and mentoring since his graduation. In 2017, he helped initiate the Organizing Committee to support the new Health Administration Committee. He is a Founder member of the Health Administration Department. He was also a Founding member of the Health Administration Alumni Board in 2018 and was appointed as the National Chair of the Health Administration Alumni Board.

Gary Karsner receiving alumni award

2019-Gary Karsner, MHA, CPA, Class of 2002

Gary Karnser is a Certified Public Accountant. He joined HCA in 1995 as a Division Chief Financial Officer and has held progressively responsible positions in healthcare finance and administration in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. He was CEO of Ocala Regional Medical Center in 2005 and retired in 2007. He has been serving as an Adjunct Professor at UNF since his retirement. He is a Founder member of the Health Administration Department. He was also a Founding member of the Health Administration Alumni Board in 2018 and was appointed as the Emeritus Chair of the Health Administration Alumni Board.