The GIFT. In honor of my colleague and friend Dr. Leon Haley Jr.

A GIFT......Good Afternoon family, friends, colleagues..It is my honor and privilege to bear witness to the naming of the Executive Associate Dean at Emory School of Medicine position to the Leon L. Haley, JR – Endowed Chair.

Many of you know that I have known Dr. Haley for close to 25 years, beginning our work together in Emergency Medicine at Emory. My heart is indeed full to have the opportunity to reflect on this esteemed honor.

A GIFT – Giving, Insightful, Fierce, Tenacious –A G.I.F.T.

Simply put, Leon, if I may, is a GIFT and personifies these attributes. In his tenure at Emory, he galvanized and led our department in clinical operations as the longest-standing medical director of the Emergency Care Center at the Grady Health System; the busiest Level 1 Trauma center in the SouthEast.

From his leadership as medical director, Leon helped transform emergency care at Grady and quickly became the Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Grady for 12 years prior to assuming the role as Executive Associate Dean of Clinical Services for Emory at Grady.

His commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, palpable, by his presence and his clear commitment to excellence and to treat ALL people with respect has been demonstrated by his thoughtful engagement and “can do” attitude. Time and time and time again.

A GIFT....to see those who will bear the name of this prestigious position will undoubtedly be as Giving, Insightful, Fierce and Tenacious; as relentless as Leon was to get it done and to do it right. Dr. Del Rio, as the inaugural recipient of this naming honor, indeed this GIFT has already been bestowed and executed.

A GIFT....to Emory, Grady, Atlanta, our country, the world....Thank you Leon. My brother, my friend. God has truly blessed us. You live on and will be an indelible part of our collective history.

Thank you.