Edwards reflects on 45 years of service to the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville and a historic tenure as dean
By Kristian Thomas
Individuals who make history rarely set out to. For Linda Edwards, MD, becoming the first woman dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville beginning in 2021 was not the vision she had for herself. The goal was to grow where she was planted, and medicine was not the garden she had initially chosen.
In fact, as a biology major at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, she was charting a path to earn a masters and eventually a doctoral degree in microbiology or virology. Excelling in her advanced courses, Edwards had no intention to change direction until an advisor noticed something more in her.
“My advisor at the time, Dr. Cannon, asked if I ever thought about going to medical school. I had not,” Edwards, who retired as dean on July 31, said with a chuckle. “I think he recognized I was a relational person and said to me ‘you don’t belong behind a microscope,’ then suggested I was better suited for medicine.”
As it turns out, medicine was the right choice. That unexpected redirection prompted Edwards to apply to medical school at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, where she was part of the institution’s first class of medical students.
A Perfect Match
With Edwards having completed medical school, it was time for residency.
“This was my first choice and I was theirs,” Edwards said. “I was so blessed to have matched here.”
In 1981, the North Carolina girl moved to Jacksonville, Florida, as an internal medicine resident at what was then called the Jacksonville Health Education Programs, or JHEP, currently the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville.
As one might expect, things looked a bit different. The campus and its programs had not yet grown to its present-day scale.
“The internal medicine residency was much smaller. We only had eight residents per year,” Edwards said. “Orthopaedics had two residents a year. There were only a couple of fellowships, cardiology and gastrointestinal. There were core residencies like OBGYN, emergency medicine and pathology, but we did not have psychiatry or anesthesiology.”
Reflecting on her experience as a resident, “I was focused on learning, serving patients and finding my place and having fun from time to time,” Edwards said.
A Commitment to the Mission
Edwards found her place and, post-residency, planted roots in Jacksonville with her husband Fred Edwards, MD, who is currently an emeritus professor in the department of surgery.
Committed to the mission of UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville, to heal, to comfort, to educate and to discover, she stayed on as faculty in the College of Medicine-Jacksonville, in addition to practicing as an internal medicine physician at UF Health Jacksonville.
From there, she steadily ascended the tiers of leadership, serving as chief of the division of internal medicine (1993-2021); associate chair of the department of medicine (2008-2021); co-medical director of the Jacksonville Health and Transition Services (2013-2014); senior associate dean for educational affairs (2013-2021); medical director of the Program for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2014-2021); and dean of the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville (2021-2026).
Answering the Call to Serve
In what was a season of uncertainty and grief, with the loss of a dear friend and colleague, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of the College of Medicine – Jacksonville, Leon L. Haley Jr., MD, Edwards was asked to serve as dean of the institution.
“When Dr. David Nelson met with me to ask me to serve, I was looking behind me to see if he was asking someone else because I had not anticipated that I was going to be asked to step in,” Edwards recounted. “Dr. Haley was a remarkable leader and even better person, so his loss left enormous shoes that needed to be filled. I was humbled and honored to be asked to help carry forward his vision and commitment to this institution.”
Effective leadership: Forging relationships that matter
“Academic medicine is built on relationships,” Edwards said.
She credits mutual trust fostered by prioritizing relationships with leaders, faculty, staff, residents, fellows and medical students for the success of the college during her time as dean.
“No one accomplishes anything alone,” Edwards said. “We build on the work, wisdom and sacrifices of those who came before us. The accomplishments of our campus belong to each individual at the college.”
A defining moment of her tenure was the designation of the Jacksonville campus as a regional medical campus of the UF College of Medicine. A desire of the late Dr. Haley and a major effort led by Frank Genuardi, MD, MPH; Elizabeth DeVos, MD, MPH; Elisa Sottile, MD, and the Office of Educational Affairs team.
Her work with the Program for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is one that brings great joy and pride.
“Patients and families in the PAIDD program have taught me more about resilience, patience and compassionate care than any book has ever taught me,” Edwards said.
The research infrastructure continues to grow and is sound under the leadership of Alexander Parker, PhD.
“He’s diversified our research, and we are an institution that can really support not only research here, but we can provide support to our Gainesville colleagues and their research efforts because of the clinical footprint that we have in Jacksonville that can allow expansion of research opportunities both in Jacksonville and Gainesville,” Edwards said.
The college was also able to strengthen relationships between faculty and trainees with initiatives like Teach, Learn, Care Together, an effort led by Elisa Zenni, MD and Colleen Kalyncyh, EdD.
“Medical education is evolving and we must evolve with it. Initiatives like this make sure we have the culture that produces the next generation of healthcare professionals,” Edwards said.
The Journey Ahead
Moving away from the role of dean, Edwards encourages others to stay focused on their ‘why.’
Why they chose medicine, medical education, research, administration or healthcare?
“It’s all about patient care, Edwards said. “We must remain faithful to our mission. It’s our guiding star.”
As she sets sail on a new chapter, Edwards is far from finished in her career. After a sabbatical, she looks forward to getting back to the work she loves.
“There is more work to do,” Edwards said. “This time it won’t be in the dean’s office, but I will still be doing the important work of caring for our community, teaching the hungry minds of resident and fellow physicians and moving medicine forward at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville. Thank you for your support, partnership and the privilege to serve you as dean.”