Find a Business
Featured >
Dr. Nicholas J. Cassisi
Dr. Cassisi is an avid fan of all athletic programs at UF. About 10 years ago, he helped facilitate a program where student athletes visit children at Shands Hospital. “It is neat to see a 6-foot-10 athlete relate to little tots, and it has a tremendous affect on both the students and the children. Even more impressive is that many of the student athletes continue to visit the children on their own time,” Dr. Cassisi said.
“It would be difficult to put into words what Dr. Cassisi has meant to the University Athletic Association. He has provided outstanding leadership and service in his time on the UAA Board and as our NCAA Faculty Representative. He is a mentor, confidant and friend to me, our coaches and our student athletes,” UF Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said. “He provides advice and is a shoulder to lean on and always has the best interest of the University of Florida at heart. He has touched countless lives in his time with the UAA and has done so without any personal grandstanding or ego.”
As a longtime supporter of the performing arts, Dr. Cassisi serves on the University of Florida Performing Arts board, where he has been active for many years. “Nick is an excellent member of the board of directors, an active supporter of our program and member of our audience,” Performing Arts Director Michael Blachly said. “He is tremendous in that he gives of himself so generously.”
Dr. Cassisi serves on the board of directors of both the Andrew J. Semesco Foundation, Inc. and the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation. Formed several years ago, the Andrew J. Semesco Foundation’s goal is to fund, promote and conduct research to prevent and cure oral, head and neck cancers.
Dr. Cassisi’s involvement with the Foundation came about after his young patient, Andrew Semesco, died in 1991 as a result of oral cancer of the tongue. Andrew was in his third year of college when he developed cancer, and he died at the age of 21. “A group of Andy’s friends formed the foundation in his memory. I admire their commitment to this cause,” Dr. Cassisi said.
“We consider Dr. Cassisi vital to the things we are doing in terms of funding and the type of research needed for the foundation,” said Board Member Ryan Anderson, of Ocala. “He is a sincere and genuine person, and he has been very generous in taking time to speak at our meetings. We rely heavily on his advice.”
Dr. Cassisi and his wife, Elayne, were the first husband and wife team accepted into the University of Miami School of Medicine, where they both graduated in 1965. After he completed a fellowship and further training at Washington University, the couple moved to Gainesville in 1972 where he joined Shands. Dr. Elayne Cassisi, who had a private practice in the field of child psychiatry for many years, volunteers with the non-profit organization, Corner Drug Store Inc. They are both generous in the time they devote to the community, and they enjoy spending time with their three children and eight grandchildren.