Jeff Phillips, RN, is the nursing supervisor at the University of Florida Student Health Care Center (SHCC), overseeing about 52 staff members. With four years on staff, Phillips plays a central role in clinic operations, and no two days are the same. His responsibilities include supervising clinic workflow, reviewing policies, managing schedules, hiring and interviewing, and occasionally working in the clinics himself. He also contributes to the SHCC’s broader mission. Each year, the SHCC nursing team supports the triage of patients and nurse visits for nearly 37,000 patient appointments.
In this high-volume environment, patterns start to emerge. A concerning one kept surfacing.
“We would get a number of different phone calls, MyChart messages, things like that, from students saying, ‘Hey, I have a sharps container,’” Phillips said. “‘What do I do with it?’”
Previously, only students who were active patients at the health center could use the small-scale sharps disposal program. Everyone else was directed to the Alachua County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center, a 20-minute drive from campus. For students relying on public transportation, bicycles and scooters to get around, this wasn’t a viable solution.
“When you talk about the majority of students on campus, to my knowledge, they don’t really have a good means of transportation,” Phillips said. “Even getting a bus out there is pretty hard to do.”
Compounding the issues, local pharmacies, police stations and fire departments don’t accept sharps containers of any kind. There was nowhere else to send students, but the questions kept coming. Some students even walked into the health center carrying full containers. Parents at the Preview event inquired about safe disposal options. Call after call, question after question, the answer remained the same.
Phillips decided it was time for change.
“We wanted to find a way to make everything more convenient for our students,” Phillips said. “We did our research, got in touch with our representative from Environmental Health and Safety at UF and got to work.”
With a deep sense of responsibility for student well-being, Phillips led the effort to create a compliant, on-site disposal program at the SHCC.
After presenting his plan to the SHCC leadership team, implementation moved quickly. Supplies were secured, disposal workflows were developed and training sessions were scheduled
In January 2025, the Sharps Disposal Program officially launched. Students who use sharps for medical purposes finally had a safe, convenient and accessible way to dispose of their containers.
Although Phillips spearheaded the initiative, he’s quick to note that this wasn’t a solo project. Nearly every department across the center worked together to bring the initiative to life and further promote the SHCC’s mission.
The program’s impact extends far beyond the walls of the clinic. Improperly discarded sharps can pose serious health and safety risks, including puncture wounds and exposure to bloodborne illnesses like hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Waste handlers, campus staff and even passersby could be affected. In some cases, improper disposal can also result in significant fines. This program is a direct reflection of SHCC’s commitment to actionable listening. Identifying a student need, validating the concern and following through with a solution.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback,” Phillips said. “We still have people calling in asking what to do, and when we say, ‘Bring them here. We’ll take care of it for you,’ you can feel their immediate relief. They’re very grateful for that.”
In recognition of his work to establish and sustain the Sharps Disposal Program, Phillips was a recipient of a 2025 Champions for Change award, an honor that came as a surprise.
Presented by the Office of Sustainability and Healthy Gators, the Champions for Change Awards recognize and celebrate individuals who have made innovative, lasting impacts in sustainability or health and wellness within the UF community.
“To find out that I, and the program, was nominated came as a complete shock,” he said. “That everything was recognized for what it is, and for the impact it could have … I was very grateful that somebody saw the potential. In the program, and in myself.”
Like all SHCC staff, Phillips brings a sense of purpose to his work, which is essential given the population they serve. With most patients ranging from 18 to 23 years old, many are experiencing their first taste of independence in managing their health. For many students, walking into the SHCC is the first time they enter a medical facility without a trusted adult accompanying them. When caring for this particular group, our providers and staff understand that empathy is key.
“When you have individuals who want to learn and grow, you help them out,” Phillips said. “Showing them how to take care of themselves, because mom and dad aren’t here anymore, is a special privilege. It’s very gratifying.”
Phillips is more than his title. He is a leader, advocate and passionate caregiver. His work continues to shape a safer and more accessible health care experience for UF students. Staff like Phillips are what make the Student Health Care Center a facility of distinction and excellence.