Dean named at UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville after death of Dr. Leon Haley Jr.
File photo - The University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville is the largest of the three UF colleges -- Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy -- on the approximately 110-acre UF Health Jacksonville campus.
Linda R. Edwards will serve as dean of the UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville for a one-year term, and the university will launch a national search to replace Dr. Leon L. Haley Jr. , according to a UF Health news release.
Haley, who was dean of the UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville and chief executive officer of UF Health Jacksonville, died in a watercraft accident July 24 in Palm Beach County .
Edwards is the first woman to head UF College Medicine-Jacksonville since the college expanded into Northeast Florida in 1985. Edwards has been at UF Health Jacksonville since 1981.
“This has been an extremely difficult and challenging time,” said David R. Nelson, senior vice president for health affairs at the University of Florida and president of UF Health. “The loss of Dr. Haley has deeply impacted all of us. But in knowing Dr. Haley and his commitment to the future of UF Health, we are taking steps to ensure his vision of excellence continues in the work we do moving forward.”
News Service of Florida
Duval County School Board adds Schools of Hope to legislative agenda amid parent concerns ▶ 0:50
Duval County School Board adds Schools of Hope to legislative agenda amid parent concerns
‘He’ll be missed’: Family of bicyclist killed in hit-and-run pleads for witnesses to come forward ▶ 0:51
‘He’ll be missed’: Family of bicyclist killed in hit-and-run pleads for witnesses to come forward
Raines Vikings celebrated at DCPS school board meeting ▶ 0:58
Raines Vikings celebrated at DCPS school board meeting
Westside apartment complex again under scrutiny as residents report squatters, safety concerns ▶ 0:36
Westside apartment complex again under scrutiny as residents report squatters, safety concerns
2 separate police-involved shootings leave one man dead, one injured ▶ 0:57
2 separate police-involved shootings leave one man dead, one injured
Start your new year off right with these events from Jan. 9 - 11 ▶ 1:04
Start your new year off right with these events from Jan. 9 - 11
Start 2026 with purpose: Volunteer for United Way Northeast Florida’s MLK Day of Service ▶ 0:30
Start 2026 with purpose: Volunteer for United Way Northeast Florida’s MLK Day of Service
Man killed in officer-involved shooting in Bartram Park area ▶ 1:24
Man killed in officer-involved shooting in Bartram Park area
Community rallies behind Middleburg teacher after she lost a decade of work in a fire ▶ 1:04
Community rallies behind Middleburg teacher after she lost a decade of work in a fire
Meet the man behind Trevor Lawrence’s viral gifted grillz after game win ▶ 1:17
Meet the man behind Trevor Lawrence’s viral gifted grillz after game win
Light Weight: Jaguars fan goes viral after squatting Trevor Lawrence at local bar ▶ 1:01
Light Weight: Jaguars fan goes viral after squatting Trevor Lawrence at local bar
Richard's Swing Makeover: Final assembly & first swing test! ▶ 1:29
Richard's Swing Makeover: Final assembly & first swing test!
Northeast Florida agencies, advocates, survivors work to expose, stop human trafficking ▶ 1:17
Northeast Florida agencies, advocates, survivors work to expose, stop human trafficking
DeSantis on Maduro's capture ▶ 0:46
DeSantis on Maduro's capture
President Donald Trump says the US will 'run' Venezuela, announces capture of Maduro and his wife ▶ 0:52
President Donald Trump says the US will 'run' Venezuela, announces capture of Maduro and his wife
Navy sailors accused of getting paid thousands to marry Chinese nationals who wanted legal status ▶ 1:05
Navy sailors accused of getting paid thousands to marry Chinese nationals who wanted legal status
Friends march from Jacksonville to D.C to advocate for social welfare programs, address homelessness ▶ 0:43
Friends march from Jacksonville to D.C to advocate for social welfare programs, address homelessness
Start 2026 With Purpose: Volunteer on MLK Day of Service With United Way Northeast Florida ▶ 0:30
Start 2026 With Purpose: Volunteer on MLK Day of Service With United Way Northeast Florida
Bracing for weekend storms ▶ 0:40
Bracing for weekend storms
Jacksonville residents share their 2026 New Year's resolutions ▶ 1:15
Jacksonville residents share their 2026 New Year's resolutions
Owner of stolen Jacksonville food trailer says he's working to get it operational ▶ 0:32
Owner of stolen Jacksonville food trailer says he's working to get it operational
6-week-old baby dips her toes in water for Polar Plunge at Jacksonville Beach ▶ 0:15
6-week-old baby dips her toes in water for Polar Plunge at Jacksonville Beach
Meteorologist Katie Garner tracks rain through the weekend ▶ 0:55
Meteorologist Katie Garner tracks rain through the weekend
3 separate shootings in Jacksonville during New Year's celebrations in Jacksonville ▶ 0:57
3 separate shootings in Jacksonville during New Year's celebrations in Jacksonville
Fernandina Beach drops the shrimp to celebrate New Year's ▶ 1:54
Fernandina Beach drops the shrimp to celebrate New Year's
Previous photo Next photo 