Skip to main content Skip to main menu
UF Health University of Florida
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Department of Medicine in the College of Medicine
Request an Appointment: (352) 273-8740

Adult Cystic Fibrosis program University of Florida

For additional information concerning Coronavirus (COVID-19) contact your Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center (ACFC) or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at (800-344-4823) or view their website below.

CFF.org

Overview of our Center

The Adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Center at the University of Florida provides personalized care and support to patients and families affected by cystic fibrosis. Our center takes a multidisciplinary team approach, bringing together specialists from a wide variety of backgrounds and expert experience to ensure that we address the many unique needs of our patients. Our team includes:

Physicians

Care Team

Program Coordinator

Jennifer Wanda Nichols, RN

.

Respiratory Therapist

Tracy Tanner, CPT

Tracy Tanner headshot

Dietician

Jennifer Hillan, MSH

.

Social Worker /Mental Health Coordinator

Emily Lugardo, MSW

Emily Lugardo headshot

Pulmonary Triage Nurse

Jacqueline Ann Pfalzgraf, RN

No photo

Click here to learn how to best contact your CF care team.

Contact Us:

.
NACFC 2018
.
CF Conference 2018
.
CF Conference 2018
.
CF Conference 2018
.
CF Conference 2018
.
Streetlight – CF Studies 2022
.
Team Picture – CF Strides 2022

Events & Upcoming Opportunities

UF Adult CF Connection Newsletters

Adult CF Roundtable Newsletters
Published by the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Association, Inc.

Subscribe at https://www.cfroundtable.com/ to receive the free CF Roundtable newsletter and our blogs. The newsletter comes out once every season and the blogs are a weekly roundup of scientific breakthroughs and personal CF experiences. Log in using the link above to get started!

UF Center Education Zoom Webinars

  • Episode 173: Rites of Passage
    • May 7th, 2025 – Andrew interviews folks whose lives intersect with Cystic Fibrosis for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, featuring 1 mom with CF (13:15), 1 mom of kids with CF (24:35), and one Dr. on the UF Health Adult CF Team (36:45).

Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC)

Now Recruiting: Join Our PFAC!
Are you passionate about improving care at your Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic?
Become a member of our Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC) and help shape the future of CF care!
Who:
People with CF, their families, and care team members working together to elevate care, address concerns, and enhance the overall experience.
What:
PFAC members share insights about receiving care, identify opportunities for improvement, test new ideas, and help create resources that benefit the entire CF community.
Where:
Meetings are held virtually via Zoom.
When:
First Thursday of every month at 5:30 PM EDT
Meetings last just 30 minutes – no long-term commitment required!
Interested?
Chat with us during your next clinic visit
Send a message via MyChart
Email: cystic.fibrosis@medicine.ufl.edu
Call: (352) 273-8738

CFF Center Registry Report

UF – ACFC Research

Health Care Transition Resources; Moving From Pediatric to Adult Care

  • Health Care Transition Trifold: Learn what to expect as you begin to discuss moving from pediatric care to adult cystic fibrosis care.
  • Streetlight: Streetlight is an adolescent and young adult support program here at UF Health for people aged 13-25 living with cancer, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, and other chronic and life-limiting illnesses. Medicine can do a lot, but there are some issues that medicine does not cover. The way we see it, sometimes a friend can be the most powerful source of support. The Streetlight team is made up of 60+ college-aged volunteers that focus on building friendships through peer companionship. Dealing with a serious medical condition is a difficult journey, but you don’t need to go it alone.
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Transitions: People with CF are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. As an adult with CF, you may reach key milestones you might not have considered. Planning for these life events requires careful thought as you make decisions that may impact your life.
  • Employ Florida / Florida Abilities Work: The “Abilities Work” Help Desk is here to assist employers and job seekers with disabilities in navigating the disability support system as seamlessly as possible.
  • GED Centers at Santa Fe State College: Some young adults need to find an alternative to a public high school diploma. For many reasons, a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) may be a more practical solution. Santa Fe offers one of the best adult-education programs in the country.
  • CareerSource: CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board. Their partners include the Department of Economic Opportunity; 24 local workforce development boards and 100 career centers throughout Florida; and the Department of Education Divisions of Blind Services, Career & Adult Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation. Together, they help connect businesses with the talented workforce and training needed to succeed and grow.
  • Vocational Rehabilitation | Florida Department of Education: VR is a federal-state program that helps people who have disabilities get or keep a job. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers. The division offers access to services to attain desired job skills. Services help VR customers understand the best career options based on interests and skills.
  • Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF): The CILNCF provides five core services: advocacy, information & referral, independent living skills, peer support, and transition. They also have a durable medical equipment closet, employment services, and sign language interpreting services.

Resources for Living with Cystic Fibrosis

Basic Needs

If you need help accessing food, clothing, hygiene items, or other basic needs resources, the following organizations may be able to help.

  • Gainesville Community Ministry: For over 40 years, Gainesville Community Ministry (GCM) has provided emergency help and hope to families and individuals who are in crisis and lack the basic necessities of life.

Community & Support

  • The Mighty: Real People. Real Stories. Stories of adults and children with special healthcare needs that can inspire and help improve the lives of others.

Financial Support

  • Help Hope Live: Formerly the National Transplant Assistance Fund, Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit. The mission is to support community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical and related expenses due to cell and organ transplants or catastrophic injuries and illnesses.
  • The Filotimo Foundation: The Filotimo Foundation empowers adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) by providing essential resources and support. They aim to enhance patient’s physical and emotional well-being, enabling them to navigate the challenges of adulthood and lead fulfilling lives.

Health Insurance & Government Benefits

Housing

If you need help finding affordable housing, the following organizations may be able to help.

  • Alachua County Housing Authority: (352) 372-2549
  • Gainesville Housing: (352) 381-3707

Nutrition Resources

  • Food Assistance and SUNCAP: The SUNCAP Program is a special Food Assistance Program for individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You may be eligible to receive food assistance benefits through the SUNCAP Program without any additional application, paperwork, or interviews. If you already receive food assistance benefits in the regular Food Assistance Program, you may be automatically put in the SUNCAP Program when you become SSI eligible. If your food assistance benefits will go down because of SUNCAP, you may choose to continue receiving your food assistance benefits under the regular Food Assistance Program.

Medical Care

If you need help finding affordable dental or medical care, the following organizations are useful resources. If there is a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.

  • Alachua County Health Department: For affordable health care services, free screenings, immunizations and all other local government health services, the Alachua County Health Department is an excellent resource.
  • ACORN Clinic: The Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs, Inc. (ACORN) Clinic is a nationally recognized program that provides low-cost medical, dental, and social services care to residents of North Central Florida.

Mental Health Care

  • Alachua County Crisis Center: The Crisis Line is a 24-hour telephone crisis intervention and counseling service offered by trained volunteers under the supervision of the Crisis Center Staff. Phone counselors are always available to listen to problems and participate in solutions.
  • Alachua County Crisis Counseling: The Center offers short-term counseling services for individuals in crisis. These services are staffed by graduate level practicum and intern students, adjunct counselors, and the clinical staff of the center. Appointments and walk-in counseling services are available Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Meridian Behavioral Health Services: Meridian’s mission is to promote the health, recovery, and well-being of those affected by mental illness and substance use disorders through prevention, coordinated treatment, and supportive services.

Legal Services

Legal services can be difficult to access at an affordable rate. The following resources may be able to assist low-income households with legal care.

  • Three Rivers Legal Services: Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. is a non-profit law firm with law offices in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Lake City, Florida, dedicated to the provision of quality legal assistance to the poor, abused, disabled and elderly, and to empowerment through preventive legal education. TRLS provides free civil legal assistance to low-income families in seventeen counties.

Palliative & Hospice Care

  • UF Palliative Care: Palliative care is different from Hospice care. It is appropriate at any age, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and at any stage of a serious illness. It can be used in conjunction with curative treatment such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
  • UF Integrative Medicine: Integrative Medicine uses techniques associated with complementary and alternative medications such as herbal medication, mind and body connection with therapies such as acupuncture, massage, yoga and meditation.
  • UF Arts in Medicine: UF Health Shands Art in Medicine provides opportunities for patients enjoy art, music, life journaling or to use art to express their illness and connect them to their families and health care providers to improve quality of life.
  • UF Health Hospice Care: Hospice is appropriate when a person is diagnosed with a terminal condition, and their life expectancy is less than 6 months. Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient’s loved ones as well. Hospice services are provided by an interdisciplinary team of specially trained clinical staff and volunteers. The team includes a doctor, nurse, social worker, certified nurse’s aide and volunteers. A hospice chaplain is also available upon request as well as other forms of care such as pet therapy, massage therapy, and music therapy.
  • Five Wishes: Five Wishes has become a popular living will. It is written in everyday language and helps start and structure important conversations about care in times of serious illness. Aging with Dignity is a national non-profit organization with a mission to affirm and safeguard the human dignity of individuals as they age and to promote better care for those near the end of life. The life and work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta served as the inspirational foundation of Aging with Dignity.
  • UF Health Shands Hospital Advanced Directives: You have the right to make decisions about your own medical treatment. These decisions become more difficult if, due to illness or a change in mental condition, you are unable to tell your doctor and loved ones what kind of health-care treatments you want. That is why it is important for you to make your wishes known in advance. A living will, health care surrogate and durable power of attorney are the legal documents that allow you to give direction to medical personnel, family and friends concerning your future care when you cannot speak for yourself. You do not need a lawyer to complete Advance Directives.