Ann Harwood-Nuss

Jacksonville - Ann Harwood-Nuss, M.D., a distinguished academic physician and dedicated community volunteer whose commitment helped guide the University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville and the field of emergency medicine for more than three decades, died in Jacksonville, Florida. She was 75 years old.

Ann is survived by her husband of 39 years, Robert C. Nuss, M.D. of Jacksonville, Florida; step-daughters Jennifer Nuss of Tampa, Florida and Robin (Ed) Gefen of Jacksonville, Florida; brothers George (Rita) Harwood of Athens, Georgia, John Harwood (Kathryn Grossman) of State College, Pennsylvania, David (Cindy) Harwood of Dallas, Texas, and Donald (Marco) Harwood of Tampa, Florida; beloved nieces Elizabeth Golembiewski (Greg Pelc) of Minneapolis, and Eleanor Golembiewski (Alex Buchholz) of San Diego. She is also survived by her special cousins, Bobby and Jean, and numerous nieces and nephews (Emily, Arthur, George, Lucia). Ann is preceded in death by her mother and father, Nyta, Arthur Harwood of Athens, Georgia; sisters Laura Phelps of Durango, Colorado and Katherine Harwood of Athens, Georgia; and step-daughter, Pam Nuss of Tampa.

Born in Sigourney, Iowa on July 22, 1948, Ann was one of seven children of Nyta Latimer Harwood and Arthur Manning Harwood. Her father was a physician and her mother a homemaker. Ann grew up in Waverly, Iowa and graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 1966.

Ann attended college and medical school at the University of Iowa, graduating from the College of Medicine in 1973. She was appointed an intern and resident at the Butterworth Hospital/Michigan State University and ultimately chose the new specialty of emergency medicine. After residency, Ann moved to Chicago and then relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in 1981. In 1984, she married Robert C. Nuss, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville. It was a union of love, mutual respect, and boundless support.

Over the course of twenty-five years at the University of Florida, she served as Division Chief, Emergency Medicine, Director of Graduate Medical Education and Associate Dean for Educational Affairs. Ann was the editor in chief for three editions of the highly regarded J.B. Lippincott's Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine textbook. She retired in 2011 and was appointed Emeritus Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Florida. She was well honored for her work, receiving the University of Florida Medallion, the Emergency Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2013, she was given the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award. Audubon Florida honored her with the Volunteer of the Year and Philanthropist of the Year.

Upon retirement, Ann found opportunities to become deeply engaged in meaningful volunteer activities. She was dedicated and passionate about her activities with the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation Board, the Learn to Read Program, Community Hospice of NE Florida Board of Directors, Audubon Florida Board of Directors, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey Advisory Committee and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Board of Directors. Through these activities, she had the opportunity to meet many new and cherished friends. Her friendships were broad and deeply meaningful to her. Ann loved to travel with her family, was an avid reader and was passionate about birds and their habitat.

The family would like to thank her loving husband, Bob, and Community Hospice & Palliative Care for their efforts, care and dedication.

Services and reception will be held at Hardage-Giddens Mandarin Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, September 30th at 11:00 am. Ann's ministry was to family and friends, so in lieu of flowers please spend some extra time in her honor with those closest to you.

Dr. Harwood-Nuss will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. alongside her husband, Admiral Robert C. Nuss, upon his passing.