UF Health Proton Therapy Institute

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One morning, a delivery driver noticed something unusual on the institute’s parking lot—a mysterious box wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Curious but cautious, he left it be and drove off. Later that day, another delivery driver saw the same package and decided to open it out of curiosity. Inside was a note: ‘Dear Friend, welcome to UF Health! Please enjoy your free lunchbox.’ Below was a thermos filled with coffee and a sandwich wrapped neatly in plastic. The legend spread quickly among staff: someone was leaving anonymous snacks for everyone.

2. A curious neighbor was watering their garden one afternoon when they spotted an odd sight across the street—an employee from UF Health Proton Therapy Institute seemed to be talking to themselves while walking briskly toward the building. Curious, the neighbor decided to investigate and followed at a distance. Turned out, the employee was just rehearsing a speech for an upcoming charity event. As they entered the institute’s lobby, everyone burst into laughter—they were practicing lines from a comedy sketch instead of delivering serious medical briefings. The neighbor chuckled and went back home, realizing that even in a hospital, people can still find ways to lighten up the day.

3. One day, a regular patient asked the receptionist, ‘Do you think those proton beams could power my electric toothbrush?’ The receptionist smiled and replied, ‘Well, if they could, it would be the greenest dental care in town!’ Just then, a delivery driver walked in and joked, ‘Maybe I should ask for an extra charge—my car runs on protons too!’ Everyone laughed, realizing that sometimes humor is just what patients need during their treatments.

4. Have you heard about the strange sightings near UF Health Proton Therapy Institute? One night, a delivery driver wondered aloud, 'I thought protons were supposed to be invisible?' Suddenly, an elderly gentleman appeared from behind a tree and calmly replied, ‘Protons may be tiny, but they sure make a lot of noise when they party!’ The delivery driver shook his head with a smile, realizing that some things are best left unexplained in Gainesville.