- College of Medicine Communique Faculty News
UCF medical librarian Shalu Gillum has been selected as one of five librarians across the nation for the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries/National Library of Medicine’s Leadership Fellows Program 2024/25. The competitive fellowship prepares future academic health sciences library directors through in-person and virtual learning, mentorship, events and collaborations.
“My first emotion was just surprised, and then I was very grateful for the experience that I know that I’m going to be able to participate in,” said Gillum, who leads public services at the UCF College of Medicine’s Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library. “I think it’s going to make me better in my current role, a stronger leader and head of my department. I’m looking forward to learning everything I can.”
At the UCF College of Medicine, Gillum teaches medical students in lecture-based, small group or one-on-one settings about medical education and research publications and learning tools. She also conducts systematic reviews of medical literature for faculty and students and oversees library events.
She began her career journey as a real estate attorney but became inspired by her 3-year work-study at Nova Southeastern University’s Health Science Library to pursue library and information science. While earning her master’s degree at the University of South Florida, she shadowed a medical librarian at COM, which inspired her to apply to the UCF College of Medicine, which had just opened its doors. She has been with the medical school for 14 years.
Gillum applied for the fellowship with encouragement from Health Sciences Library Director Dr. Nadine Dexter, who graduated from the same program in 2007.
“Since 2010, Shalu Gillum has exemplified excellence as a medical librarian at the Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library. Her leadership in public services has empowered students, faculty and researchers alike. Always welcoming with a warm smile, Shalu has built a stellar team dedicated to innovative information practices, teaching and research. Her unwavering commitment to serving the medical community has made her an invaluable asset to the library and beyond,” Dr. Dexter said.
Gillum hopes the fellowship will allow her to bring new perspectives and innovations to the medical school’s library and help her become a mentor as others have been to her. Her advice to others is to practice kindness. “I think it is really important to be mindful and make sure everyone’s voice is heard,” she said. “You can lead from wherever you are. We can all be leaders in our own sphere of influence that we have, no matter how big or small it may be.”
Post Tags
- Association of Academic Health Sciences Health Science Libraries Leadership Fellows Program National Library of Medicine