Marisol Builla
Marisol Alvarez Builla is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and public health professional dedicated to advancing safety, prevention, and education within healthcare environments. Based in Gainesville, Florida, she serves as the Occupational Medicine Program Coordinator at the University of Florida, where she leads initiatives in needlestick prevention, bloodborne pathogen safety, and serves on the university’s Emergency, Safety, and Infection Control (ESIC) Committee. Marisol is currently developing a new needle stick procedure aimed at improving safety standards for healthcare professionals—a project that highlights her commitment to innovation and evidence-based practice.
Before stepping into her current role, Marisol gained extensive experience in healthcare education and program management. She previously served as a Program Director at Southeastern College, where she oversaw curriculum design and academic operations, and later as a Clinical Research Coordinator within the UF College of Medicine’s Department of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine. Her diverse experience bridges clinical, academic, and administrative spheres, allowing her to contribute meaningfully to both research and applied public health practice.
Marisol holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Health Education and Behavior from the University of Florida, where she graduated with distinction and served in multiple leadership roles, including President of UF’s School Health Interdisciplinary Program and Executive Board Member of Eta Sigma Gamma National Honor Society. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Public Health at Samford University with a concentration in Health Management and Policy. Driven by her passion for community wellness and preventive medicine, Marisol continues to advocate for safer healthcare practices and equitable access to quality health education.
• Health Educational Specialist-NCHEC
• University of Florida - College of Health & Human Performance- B.S.
• University of Florida - College of Health & Human Performance- M.S.
• Cum Laude
• UF SHIP
• Eta Sigma Gamma- National Honor Society
• Alpha Epsilon Lambda National Honor Society
• Tau Sigma National Honor Society
• National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to determination and grit, along with a lifelong commitment to learning and growth.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is: “Just do it,” guidance that has been reinforced by my mentors, Joseph McCain and John Guerra.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to build strong networks for mentorship, lead with your values, and always approach your work with compassion and integrity.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are faith, integrity, and compassion.