Dr. Paul McLeod poses with students from the FSU College of Medicine M. D. Class of 2030 after delivering his Professionalism in Medicine lecture on June 2, 2026. It marks the final time that he will deliver the message as the Pensacola Regional Campus Dean.
“ I’ ve always had a place in my heart for people in the military and the students of mine that serve in the military afterwards,” McLeod said.“ The military students we’ ve had, and I’ ve had a number of them over the years, are really good students... If you fit in the military, you’ re going to have a lot going for you in that regard.”
McLeod’ s leadership style is like that of a military officer.
Littles said some would describe him as“ stern,” but quickly adds:
“ He also leads with compassion. People don’ t always see and realize that, because he tends to come across very matter-of-factly. He’ s one of those people who’ s always able to just go straight to the matter at hand. He’ ll listen, but at some point, he’ ll kind of call timeout and say,‘ This is the issue. This is where we should be looking to go.’ He’ s fair with everybody. I think people respect him for that, because in the end, he’ s not trying to play any games.”
Mayeaux has had a unique vantage point to assess McLeod’ s leadership of his students.
“ You could sum that up in his opening statement every spring when looking at the incoming classes,” Mayeaux said.“ He’ d say,‘ Now I’ ve got good news and bad news about coming to Pensacola. The good news is I will treat you like family. The bad news is I will treat you like family.’ He did not lie when he said that.
“ He would nurture you, praise you, beg you to come in and talk … and at the same time, he would call you out if you messed up, and he would not hold his tongue. He just wanted every student to be able to graduate and function at the highest level of their capabilities. He wanted you to be the best person you could be. Very military-like.”
McLeod’ s move to the next phase of life is already underway. He and his wife Melissa have sold their
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