The USF College of Public Health’s (COPH) Ellen Kent, USF Health Service Corps and Sunshine Education and Resource Center coordinator, will retire on Aug. 15 after a 33-year career dedicated to public health education, volunteerism and community service.
Kent, who began her career at the COPH in 1991 as a part-time research assistant, quickly became a cornerstone of the college's outreach and service initiatives. One of her major accomplishments was founding the USF Health Service Corps in 2004. The interprofessional program encourages students from various health disciplines to volunteer together in the community. Over the past two decades, this program has inspired countless students to experience the joy and importance of giving back.
Ellen Kent with the USF Health Service Corps at the 2017 student orientation expo. (Photo by Caitlin Keough)
A native of the Boston area, Kent's commitment to service began early. At 16, she volunteered as a candy striper at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she helped transport children for diagnostic tests and developed a photography program for cystic fibrosis patients. Her passion for health led her to Emory University, where she earned a bachelor of arts in psychology in 1979 and a master of public health in 1983.
Throughout her career, Kent has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2021 Outstanding Community Service Volunteer Award by the City of Tampa’s Mayor's Alliance for Persons with Disabilities and the USF Outstanding Staff Award in 2014. She was also inducted into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health in 2016.
Dr. Donna Petersen congratulating Ellen Kent for earning a COPH Outstanding Staff Award in 2014. (Photo courtesy of USF COPH)
Reflecting on her time at USF COPH, Kent expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities she had to collaborate with faculty and staff on various research and outreach projects.
"I am especially grateful to those who encouraged and trusted me to initiate the USF Health Service Corps," she said. "It has been a joy to see our students learn just how much fun it is to give back and make life better for our community."
Dr. Jennifer Marshall and Ellen Kent at a COPH student orientation tabling event. (Photo courtesy of USF COPH)
As she transitions into retirement, Kent plans to continue her lifelong commitment to volunteerism. She looks forward to spending more time with her husband, grandchildren and engaging in hobbies such as gardening, photography, reading and nature walks.
Kent leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication that will continue to inspire the next generation of public health professionals. In honor of her contributions, she has requested that any gifts in her honor be dedicated to the USF COPH’s Activist Lab.
View all the well wishes from the COPH community below
"On behalf of the USF COPH Activist Lab, I am so pleased to send you a video we put together thanking you for all you have done for us over the years. As I say in the video, you have been the Activist Lab’s greatest champion and supporter. I want to thank all the students who participated in the video and especially Hannah Harburg, who pulled all the clips together to create this product. We truly wish you the best Ellen and hope you have the best “PART 2” of your life!!! Never forget all the lives you have touched over the years and the wonderful opportunities you provided students, staff, and faculty!! Enjoy time with your family!"—Dr. Karen Liller and the COPH Activist Lab
“Ellen!!! If anyone deserves to rest, it’s you! You have been the rock on ANY volunteer effort and a guiding light to any who could follow in your footsteps. Thank you for your dedication and support.” —Heather Cormier Walders, COPH alumna
“Ellen ! We love you! Congrats on your retirement!” —Rachel O'Reggio, COPH alumna
“Congrats on your retirement! You have done so much for the USF Public Health community, and I will never forget our time together! Much love, Mandy.” —Mandy Barry, COPH alumna
“Congrats Ellen!!! Thank you for your many years of dedication to students and faculty of the COPH!!!” —Brian Kirk, COPH alumnus
“Congrats Ellen!” —Dr. Vinita Sharma Reina, COPH alumna
“The legend is retiring!!!” —Kristin Steffen-Zonsius, COPH alumna
“Congratulations Ellen! Happy retirement! Hope that you are able to enjoy all of the nature photos that your refrigerator can hold!” —Dr. Kambria Haire, COPH alumna
“Congrats Ellen! So much to be proud of. Jaime Lindsay Verberne look who's retiring!” —Kate Kennedy, COPH alumna
“COPH Legend! Congrats to Ellen!!” —Katie Turner, COPH alumna
“Congrats on your retirement. Wishing you the best in the next season of life.” —Dr. Ayesha Johnson, COPH alumna
“Congratulations, Ellen! Job well done.” — Dr. Kay Perrin, COPH alumna and retired faculty
“Best wishes on your retirement!” —Katy Freund, COPH alumna
“Wishing you all the best! Thank you for everything you've done over the years!” — Dr. Charlotte Noble, COPH alumna
“Congratulations Mrs. Kent!” — Dr. Abraham Antonio Salinas-Miranda, COPH alumnus and faculty
“Congratulations!” — Christina Andrea Imohokpomoh, COPH alumna
“Congratulations, Ellen! Enjoy every minute of your retirement!” —Dr. Lianne Marie, COPH alumna
“Wow. I wish you all the best Ellen. I loved working with you.” —Bobbi Rose, COPH alumna and former colleague
“Ellen has always been so helpful. Congrats on your retirement!” —Lisa Nugent, COPH alumna
“Congratulations on your retirement, Ellen.” — Dr. Shaista Habibullah, COPH alumna
“Congrats, Ellen! Well deserved!!!” — Maralis Mercado Emerson, COPH alumna
“Congratulations!!” — Dr. Erica Hesch Anstey, COPH alumna
“Congratulations, Ellen, and thank you for everything you did for me and others at COPH!” — Dr. Lindsey King, COPH alumna
“Ellen, congratulations on your retirement! I remember when we had offices next to each other when I was teaching. I also remember doing service activities with you, and how sweet you were with my son. Thank you for all you have done for COPH!” —Dr. Cara de la Cruz, COPH alumna
"Congratulations, Ellen! Thank you for your support when I was a student and for all you've contributed to our USF COPH community! Happy Retirement!” —Candace Webb, COPH alumna
“Thank you, Ellen, for your unwavering enthusiasm, excellence, and service to the college of public health, to USF and to the community. We will miss your love, your light, and beautiful smile here on campus!” — Dr. Jennifer Marshall, COPH alumna and faculty
“Congratulations on your retirement, Ellen. I wish you wonderful memories and fun in this new chapter!” —Candace D. Sibley, COPH alumna
“Ellen, congratulations! I’m so grateful for how much I learned from you about Public Health service. I always enjoyed participating in health fairs with you and your daughter!” — Dr. Tara Trudnak Fowler, COPH alumna
“Yay!!! Congrats Ellen!!!!” — Dr. Leila Martini, COPH alumna
“I always enjoyed working with her during volunteering event. She has been great advisor for APHA events. A very supportive person, we learned a lot from her. Congratulations, on your retirement!” — Ameeta Patil, COPH alumna
“Ellen has been part of our USF AHEC family in many ways since before I came. She demonstrated her passion in public health and her support for students academic success. She will be missed but we know how much she deserves this retirement! Blessing to her for the next chapter of her life with family and friends! We love you!” — Maureen Weir Guthke, COPH alumna and colleague
“Wow!! Congrats Ellen!! What an amazing run at COPH.” — Sonal Pathak, COPH alumna
“When my sister and I attended USF we worked very closely with Ellen on multiple service projects/events. USF and the surrounding community have been so lucky to benefit from your passion and leadership. I admired how you were always the hardest working and most energetic person in the room, and I truly enjoyed working with you! Thank you for all the opportunities you provided for me in my time at the COPH, it helped set me up for success and get me to where I am today. Enjoy retirement!" — Sarah Callahan, COPH alumna
“As a nursing student I was able to learn so much from participating in teach ins. Thank you for your encouragement to get involved. Congratulations on your retirement!" — Rachel Callahan, USF Nursing alumna
“Congratulations Ellen on your much needed retirement and welcome to the club! You will surely be missed. You are so great at what you do. I miss our friendly chats about our kid/s. Enjoy. The best is yet to come for you!” — Alma Hurd, former colleague