Linda R. Edwards, M.D., F.A.C.P., associate professor and associate chair of the department of medicine, said she always noticed when Dr. Karl B. Hanson would come to University Medical Center for weekly medical grand rounds to hear the latest advances in medicine.
Hanson had already retired after a career that established him as one of the legendary names in Jacksonville medicine, but continued to stay involved in his field.
"He might not have remembered me," Edwards said, "but I certainly remember him."
Now, after nearly three decades at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, a variety of leadership roles and a stack of awards, Edwards’ name is a little closer to his. Last month, she was named the Karl B. Hanson Sr., M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Edwards is the second faculty member to hold the endowed professorship, created in 1997 by Hanson’s family. The fund supports a position in internal medicine on the Jacksonville campus.
Edwards assumes the role from Dr. Malcolm T. Foster Jr., who has held the professorship since its inception.
"She's a star," Foster said of Edwards.
Foster is now part time and the endowment is designed for full-time faculty.
Edwards said she's honored and humbled by the recognition and considers Dr. Foster one of her mentors.
Edwards completed her internal medicine training at Jacksonville Health Education Programs after graduating from the East Carolina University School of Medicine. She joined the division of general internal medicine in 1985 and was named division chief in 1998.
She has been awarded the Exemplary Teacher Award for the College of Medicine and the Louis S. Russo Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Medicine. In 2005, Edwards received the Internist of the Year Award from the Florida chapter of the American College of Physicians.
Edwards was chief of staff of University Medical Center from 1995-99. She is a past president of the college’s Faculty Council, serves on several UF administrative committees and this year began a term on Shands Jacksonville board of directors.
Her clinical interests include domestic violence and health care transition for youth with special medical needs. Edwards and Dr. David L. Wood, a UF pediatrician, are co-directors of Jacksonville Health and Transitional Services (JaxHATS), which provides primary care services for youth and young adults with long-term health care issues.
Dr. Edwards was recommended for the Hanson professorship by Arshag D. Mooradian, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Medicine.
The Hanson position is one of six professorships at the UF College of Medicine–Jacksonville paid with an endowment funded by families or organizations in honor of a person or a particular cause.
Hanson was president of the UF College of Medicine from 1966-72 after serving as college governor from 1955-61.
Hanson began his medical practice in Jacksonville after serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Army from 1942-46. He was chairman of internal medicine at Duval Medical Center and then chairman of the departments of medicine at St. Luke's Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital. Hanson was president of the Jacksonville Hospital Educational Program and became a professor of medicine at the UF College of Medicine.
"I'm following in two great men's footsteps," Edwards said. "I'm not sure I can necessarily fill them, but I'm going to give it a shot."
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