Pittsburgh Native And CEO Of University Of Florida Health Dr. Leon Haley Dies Unexpectedly
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
JACKSONVILLE (KDKA) - A beloved son of Pittsburgh, Dr. Leon Haley Jr. has died in a jetski accident at Palm Beach Inlet, Florida.
According to the Florida Wildlife Commission, first responders got to the 10-foot jetski yesterday morning and found the 57-year-old Haley in the water wearing a lifejacket but unconscious.
He was badly injured and transported to the hospital while medics performed CPR.
Dr. Haley was confirmed dead on arrival at St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach.
There's no word on what caused the accident.
His colleagues at the University of Florida Health, where he was the CEO since 2018, say he was an extraordinary man.
"He had a very calming spirit," said A. Zachary Faison Jr. "Over the last 18 months as we've all been grappling through the pandemic to hear his updates and his insights on how we're navigating he was always a calming voice to know we had someone of his caliber in our city at the forefront helping to fight this pandemic."
Dr. Leon Haley Jr. grew up in Point Breeze, graduated from Shady Side Academy, Brown University, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and then his master's degree from the University of Michigan.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
