GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dr. Jill Varnes, professor in the Department of Health Education and Behavior in the College of Health and Human Performance, was one of four UF faculty members to receive the 2009 Distinguished Faculty Award by Florida Blue Key. This award was presented at Homecoming 2009's Education Celebration on Oct. 7 in the Keene Faculty Center in Dauer Hall.

“As a faculty member who recognizes the contributions of Florida Blue Key to leadership development in our students, this was a very special honor and quite a surprise,” Varnes said.

Varnes works as the director of the Florida Center for Health Promotion. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in physical education from the University of Florida and her Ed.D. in health and physical education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Varnes teaches courses on health promotion in the workplace, obesity, emotional health, elementary school health and health promotion in gerontology. In addition, she has served as an interim dean, director of accreditation and new degree programs in the UF Office or Academic Affairs and an assistant dean in the College of Health and Human Performance. She has been published in prestigious journals and is the author of numerous chapters and books.

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