Tobacco Cessation program

Georgia Nichols, BS, CTTS, serves as the Education and Training Specialist for the UF Area Health Education Center. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Florida State University. Growing up in a rural area, she has seen firsthand the importance of helping underserved populations. As a facilitator, she wants her clients to feel empowered as they make the important decision to take control of their health. She knows that, most often, the hardest things to accomplish in life are the things most worth doing. When working days are over, she enjoys spending time on her family’s farm with her four siblings and nephews. She also finds joy in gardening with her eleven-year-old Yorkie named Ruby Lee. A couple of her favorite flowers to plant are Zinnias and Pansies.

Ashlee Richards, BS, TTS, CHES serves as the Health Educator for the UF Area Health Education Center. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Education from the University of Florida in 2021. She brings diverse experience in health promotion, wellness coordination, and public health outreach. Ashlee previously served as a health educator with the Florida Department of Health, where she gained hands-on experience in curriculum facilitation and public health messaging tailored to community needs. Ashlee is passionate about empowering individuals to improve their health through education, positive behavior change, and supportive group environments. She enjoys attending concerts, practicing yoga, and exploring new ways to live a balanced, active life in her free time.

Gillian Eagle, RN, TTS, serves as the Health Educator for the UF Area Health Education Center. She was born in Yorkshire, UK. She received her Registered Nurse training at Sheffield University. She then became a certified midwife at Nottingham University. She has many years of nursing experience in both Little Rock, Arkansas, and Florida. Gillian has been a Tobacco Treatment Specialist for several years. Gillian is also a devoted soccer fan! 

Lauren Cox, MPH, CPH, CHES®, CTTS, enjoys her role as Education and Training Specialist for the opportunities it offers to interact with tobacco cessation clients from enrollment through follow-up. She also relishes the opportunities to educate health professionals and health professional students on the importance and best practices of tobacco cessation. She is a double Gator from the University of Florida, with a Master of Public Health concentrating in Social and Behavioral Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She has four beloved cats, Luna, Phoebe, Gray, and Bandit.

Vicki Piazza, BBA, TTS, serves as the Assistant Director of Education and Training Programs for the Area Health Education Centers. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University. She is deeply committed to supporting individuals on their tobacco-free journey. She supports the oversight and coordination of the University of Florida Program Office’s five AHEC Centers, which serve a 37‑county region in North Central Florida. Her work reflects a broader passion for helping others achieve their health and wellness goals.