Letter from the CEO, January 2018
Health care, education, innovation and research are not just what we do — they are our passions.
Happy New Year! What a difference a year makes. Last January, I was new to UF Health. I was still living out of boxes when you all graciously welcomed me into your intensive care units, departments and practices. You took the time to answer my questions and helped me see all of the great work happening at Jacksonville’s premier academic health center. Today, I am not only excited to continue to lead as dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville and vice president of Health Affairs, but also now as CEO of UF Health Jacksonville.
Last year, we grew our footprint and expanded our services when we opened the UF Health North inpatient tower, UF Health Family Medicine – Amelia Island and grew several practices in the UF Health North medical office building. I am excited that we were selected as the health and wellness provider for the Wildlight community, which will ultimately grow to 24,000 housing units on 25,000 square acres in Nassau County. The University of Florida and its academic health center, UF Health, is partnering with Raydient Places + Properties to construct health and fitness facilities for the new community. In addition, we will spearhead programs and services aimed at promoting healthier living throughout Wildlight and Northeast Florida.
UF Health serves a unique and essential role in our community, state and region. We educate and prepare the next generation of health professionals through the UF colleges of Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. Together, we are discovering new treatments and cures through collaborative innovation and research. We care for some of the sickest and most critically injured patients through the region’s only Level I trauma center. As a safety-net hospital, we provide advanced medical care for all patients, regardless of age, race, sex or socioeconomic status. We also desire to be a top place to work for through our efforts with employee and physician engagement.
Not only do all of these actions accomplish our mission and vision, but they are also our passions. As dean, vice president and your new CEO, I will do everything I can to provide you with the resources and support you need, so together, we can continue to move medicine forward.
Sincerely,
Leon L. Haley Jr., MD, MHSA, CPE, FACEP