Welcome to HOBI
Letter from Dr. Shenkman

Our innovative approaches bring together biomedical informatics, implementation science and clinical research to address complex health issues.

Elizabeth Shenkman, PhD
Elizabeth Shenkman, PhD

Welcome! I appreciate your interest in the Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics within the University of Florida’s College of Medicine. Often referred to by our acronym, HOBI, we are a dynamic department that excels in connecting incredibly talented people with unparalleled resources.

I hope that you will spend some time learning more about HOBI and our research, which uses advanced methods and strategies to explore health promotion, disease prevention and health care delivery across the lifespan.

Our innovative approaches bring together biomedical informatics, implementation science and clinical research to address complex health issues.  HOBI faculty also are members of the Institute for Child Health Policy, which conducts research focused on health promotion, disease prevention and health care delivery for children and youth.

Our rapidly growing department comprises nearly 200 faculty members, staff, and graduate students. The strength of our research contributes significantly to the university’s annual research expenditures of more than $1 billion, and our total annual research budget is close to $30 million .

In our research we focus on patient-centered outcomes. We truly listen to what patients say to us about topics and health outcomes that are important to them and incorporate these recommendations into our research.

Another highlight of our department is the quality of mentorship and collaboration available to students. Each student researcher connects with a highly experienced faculty member, and many students become integral members of highly innovative research teams. The value of these personal relationships is very high indeed.     

Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology

Our new location in the heart of the university speaks to our department’s accomplishments and our momentum in the age of artificial intelligence. At the end of 2023, our department moved into the top floor of the newest and largest building on campus: the Malachowsky Hall for Data Science and Information Technology. This high-tech space is transforming and elevating our work with multiple collaboration spaces and meeting rooms to facilitate collaboration

The future of HOBI looks bright indeed, and my colleagues and I welcome you to explore the potential of health research and education. Welcome to our department!

Elizabeth Shenkman, PhD

Chair, Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics

Director, Institute for Child Health Policy

Co-Director, Clinical and Translational Science Institute