She has been actively involved in the ambitious FSU Health initiative and its goal of improving health care throughout the state , with a focus on the Northwest Florida region . The college ’ s partnership with Tallahassee Memorial Health- Care and the construction of an academic health center on the TMH campus , which will offer advanced medical training and translational research , has been at the forefront of Littles ’ attention .
“ I can think of no one better suited to guiding FSU ’ s role in developing the health care research and delivery ecosystem in our region than Dr . Littles ,” FSU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark wrote in a message announcing Littles ’ July 1 appointment .
Her ability to not only simultaneously balance a multitude of responsibilities , but also excel across all areas , is equal parts inspirational and astonishing . Her dawn-to-dusk , color-coded daily calendar of meetings and activities resembles a rainbow . On most days , her vehicle is the first one in the staff parking lot – often before 6:30 a . m . – and the last to leave . Late-night email responses from her address are common .
Her husband , Gentle Littles III , remains a constant presence and source of support . He ’ s remained active in retirement , shuttling her between regional campuses and various other meetings throughout the state and enabling the dean to keep up with her many responsibilities from the passenger seat while on the road .
“ I have known Dr . Littles for more than a decade during my tenure at the University of Florida as department chair of Emergency Medicine and interim dean ,” said Joseph Tyndall , M . D ., dean and executive vice president of the Morehouse School of Medicine . “ She is one of the distinguished alumnae from the University of Florida and over the years has demonstrated extraordinary effectiveness as a leader with incomparable equanimity .”
Littles ’ emotional calmness under what many would consider a stressful set of responsibilities serves her , and those who count on her , well .
“ I cannot imagine what her every day is like ,” Woodward said . “ It ’ s got to be complex for most people , but I ’ ve never known her to be out of sorts or incapable of managing what she was doing .”
Dean Alma Littles , M . D ., and her husband , Gentle Littles III
“ I have been able to witness Dr . Littles ’ leadership skills at the state level in our specialty organization ,” said George Bernardo , M . D ., president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and dean of the College of Medicine ’ s Daytona Beach Regional Campus . “ She is a tireless advocate for family medicine and her consistent dedication is obvious to anyone that knows her .
“ As a regional campus dean , I have to look to her for guidance and wisdom , as I know many others do .”
More than 250 people attended the September “ Meet the Dean ” celebration of Littles — including Gadsden County family and friends ; students , faculty and staff from the college and university ; and community leaders in medicine and beyond . Many in attendance could be overheard sharing stories about their personal connections to her .
The turnout and those shared stories are testimony to the impact Littles has on so many levels , which is rooted in both her compassion and her passion for serving others .
“ Ultimately , it is the joy of graduations and the successes of our graduates as they care for patients all over the globe , fulfilling our mission of providing patient-centered care to individuals who otherwise might not receive it , that let me know I ’ m in the right place ,” she said .
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