Following the recent announcement of the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and Florida State University, Florida A&M University is working to solidify its own position within the partnership, hoping to accumulate more opportunities.
On Oct. 1, FAMU President Marva Johnson confirmed her backing of the TMH – FSU partnership but emphasized that the deal shouldn’t exclude key voices. Her efforts focus on keeping FAMU involved in shaping health care training and access in Tallahassee.
Johnson recently appointed Donald Palm III as the new executive vice president for health sciences enterprise. When asked about the partnership, Palm said the university is engaged in discussions with the merger.
“We’re actively in conversation as we’ve talked through this opportunity to impact health care in Tallahassee, but also in the northern region of Florida, as well as the full state of Florida,” Palm said.
For FAMU, this would enhance the impact the university already has in improving health care outcomes. Palm said that this partnership would add to those efforts.
The university’s programs in pharmacy, nursing, allied health sciences and public health are designed to provide students with hands-on opportunities in local health care settings while addressing longstanding disparities. Many students, like Alyssa Price, a fourth-year nursing major, shared what she hopes to gain from the merger as a student.
“I would say that it’s important for us to have those opportunities,” Price said. “It allows us to be more hands-on, and to actually gain in-person experience versus just what we’re learning through the textbooks.”
FAMU isn’t alone in its desire to be involved in the merger. The university hasn’t allocated any funds to the proposed collaboration, but IT has a history of working with TMH. In the past, the hospital has offered opportunities to FAMU students, giving them hands-on skills and experience on-site.
Administrators of TMH acknowledge FAMU’s contributions and emphasize the value of having a health care workforce that reflects the diversity of Tallahassee. TMH chief communication officer Stephanie Derzypolski said that although the formal agreement is with FSU, collaboration with FAMU remains an ongoing priority.
“FAMU remains an essential partner in advancing shared goals for education, research and workforce development,” Derzypolski said. “We are committed to continuing to collaboratively grow our partnership with FAMU to benefit our patients, their students and the broader North Florida community.”
As the merger moves forward, FAMU continues to endeavor in shaping the future of health care in Tallahassee and Florida. The merger could mean expanded opportunities for students, stronger support for faculty in their mission, and more community-centered care at TMH.
“We’re going to continue our excellence with caring,” Palm said. “What’s more important is that caring takes place within a health care setting.”