Houck named Bzoch Scholarship Award Winner

The annual Kenneth R. Bzoch Student Scholarship Award is given to exceptional students who have dedicated themselves to the field of craniofacial care. For this year’s recipient, Chris Houck, the area hits close to home.

Houck, a graduate student in the University of Florida College of Health Professions’ department of clinical and health psychology, was recognized with the award for the time and energy he has given to the UF Craniofacial Center’s programs. As a child, Houck, who has a repaired cleft lip and palate, attended the center’s camp, which provides therapy and recreation to children with craniofacial conditions.

Houck went on to become a camp counselor and assist in the craniofacial clinics. In fact, Houck worked closely with Steve Boggs, an associate professor of clinical and health psychology and the center’s pediatric psychologist, and provided therapy to patients at the camp.

“We are so impressed with the time that Chris has given to the center and the camp,” said Bill Williams, director of the Craniofacial Center and a College of Dentistry professor of oral biology. “As a camper and counselor, Chris has been a wonderful role model.”

The scholarship award is given annually in honor of Bzoch, who was recruited by the UF Health Science Center to develop a program in communicative disorders within the UF College of Health Professions, a program he chaired for 35 years. In addition to founding the UF Craniofacial Center, Bzoch developed a cleft palate- craniofacial program that has gained national and international recognition.

The UF Craniofacial Center is a collaborative program of the colleges of Dentistry, Health Professions and Medicine. It is dedicated to the treatment of individuals with congenital and acquired malformations of the head and face.