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Harwood-Nuss Recognized as Iowa Distinguished Alumnus

Former University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville Professor of Emergency Medicine, Ann Harwood-Nuss, M.D., was named one of seven recipients of the 2013 University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Retiring two years ago after 30 years serving in various leadership positions with the UF Department of Emergency Medicine and Office of Educational Affairs in Jacksonville, Dr. Harwood-Nuss was recognized by her alma mater as "an academic luminary and founding light of emergency medicine as a discipline."

An early pioneer in the specialty of emergency medicine and instrumental in enhancing the UF Department of Emergency Medicine residency program, Dr. Harwood-Nuss is credited for accomplishing many standards of practice throughout her tenure at UF Health, including publishing a textbook, The Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine, now in its fifth edition and still widely regarded as a resource for clinicians, residents and students. In 1992, she became the first woman to become a full professor of surgery at the UF College of Medicine.

A longtime advocate for academic excellence, Dr. Harwood-Nuss received the prestigious University of Florida College of Medicine Society of Teaching Scholars Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. Also that year, the UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville honored her with the Ann Harwood-Nuss Resident Advocacy Award, a lasting tribute to her tremendous work with residents at UF.

When asked by a writer with the UF Health Science Center’s Post, what was the best part of her position as associate dean for educational affairs, Dr. Harwood-Nuss said, "having the opportunity to work with dedicated, intelligent physicians, residents and staff that helped stimulate me to find solutions to problems, overcome barriers to conduct the educational mission, and on occasion, have the chance to be innovative and bring new ideas or solutions to the Jacksonville campus."

And, the best part of it all? "It [her job] placed me in a position to make a difference," said Dr. Harwood-Nuss.