The Legacy of Eddie Lee Haugabrook
April 13, 2026
By: Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
Categories: Healthy Living
As the first Black administrator at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Eddie Lee Haugabrook was more than a pioneer in name; he was an architect of the culture of inclusion, trust and support that defines the organization today.
If you walked the halls of TMH in the 1980s or 90s, you likely encountered a man who believed leadership wasn’t found behind a mahogany desk. You would have seen Eddie engaging in what his longtime colleague and friend Bob Lovell called “management by walking around.”
“At least two times a week, I’d look up from my desk, and he’d be standing in my doorway saying, ‘Let’s go, Lovell. It’s time,’” Bob recalled. For Eddie, this meant it was time to make his rounds and connect with colleagues whom he often described as “the heart and soul of the hospital.”
Eddie’s leadership left an enduring legacy on TMH. He anchored TMH in the belief that our people are at the heart of everything we do. He didn’t just occupy a seat at the table; he built a bigger table.
Pictured is several members of the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Administration team during the early 1980s. Seated left to right: (bottom row) Eddie Haugabrook (VP Materials Management), Dianne Stimson, RN (VP Clinical Services), Bill Pope (Director, Plant & Maintenance), (top row) Bob Lovell (VP Patient Financial Services), Rob Brafford (VP Public Relations), and Gary Singleton (CFO & VP Finance).
"We were a very tight group," says Bob Lovell, long-time colleague and friend of Eddie Lee Haugabrook.
Leading Through Change
Eddie’s journey at TMH began at a turning point in Tallahassee’s history. In 1971, following the closure of Florida A&M University Hospital (FAMUH) amid the changes brought by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the community faced deep uncertainty. Eddie, the final administrator of FAMUH, became the bridge.
Working closely with TMH President and CEO, M.T. Mustian, Eddie was the vital liaison who ensured that African American physicians, staff and patients were not just integrated but welcomed.
His daughter, Avah Haugabrook, recalls that her father never viewed his status as a mere badge of honor. "He did not describe it as a title, but a responsibility," she said. "He believed that when you are the first, your role is to make sure you are not the last. He worked to ensure the door remained open."
Investing in Others
With Mustian’s mentorship, Eddie earned his master’s degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Florida. He went on to serve as Business Office Director, then Director of Purchasing, and later as Vice President of Materials Management, overseeing Supply Chain, Food Services, Housekeeping, Security and the Print Shop. He also played a key role in the growth of the TMH Credit Union.
In the mid-1990s, the role of Senior Vice President of Human Resources opened. Eddie’s unwavering fairness and deep-rooted advocacy for others made him the perfect choice for the job.
But for all who knew him, the title on his door mattered far less than the man behind it. Carey Brown, who worked at TMH for over three decades, remembers Eddie as a “pioneer” and a “father figure.” Eddie pushed Carey to return to college, echoing the same encouragement Mr. Mustian had once given him. “He said, ‘I’m doing the same thing for you because you have potential.’”
Eddie’s leadership was thoughtful, patient and grounded. He wasn’t quick to act, often saying, “Let’s think about it,” ensuring decisions were fair and voices were heard. He had a gift for seeing potential in others and helping them grow into it.
Beyond the Role
Eddie’s character was forged in service. He was devoted to his family, his community and his country: a veteran, a man of deep faith at First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, and an active member of the NAACP and Urban League. He loved Florida A&M University and was a longtime leader in the Rattler Booster Club. He also had a passion for gardening, a reflection of the way he tended to TMH colleagues.
At home, the Vice President’s title was swapped for the role he cherished most: "Daddy." Avah remembers him as a comedian who told the best jokes and an anchor who led with empathy. "He was firm, but gentle. He listened more than he spoke. When we made mistakes, he didn’t make a fuss; he guided us in the right direction instead of judging."
He taught his children that leadership is not about authority but responsibility: to be honest, fair and unwavering in one’s values. Those lessons, Avah said, continue to guide their family today.
The Lasting Impact of Eddie Lee Haugabrook
Eddie Haugabrook passed away in October 2024, but his influence is woven into the fabric of TMH. His legacy lives on in the people-first culture that defines the organization today.
Before he passed, Eddie visited the expanded hospital and smiled at the portraits of people of all backgrounds now hanging on the walls.
“He wanted to make the institution a better place than when he got there,” Avah says. “Knowing that the values he stood for continue to guide the organization today, he would feel deeply grateful and proud.”
As we look toward the future of healthcare in Tallahassee, Eddie’s example remains a guidepost: lead with integrity, invest in people and create space for others to succeed.
The heart of TMH today reflects the legacy of Eddie Lee Haugabrook – one of belonging, opportunity and care that continues to grow with every life it touches.
