Florida State University and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an academic health center in Tallahassee and expand FSU’s Health initiative with a medical campus in Panama City Beach.

Florida State University (FSU) and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish an academic health center in Tallahassee and a medical campus in Panama City Beach, the entities announced on Monday.

The MOU sets the framework for a jointly governed not-for-profit corporation to oversee strategic, research, and educational collaborations. This is part of the FSU Health initiative aimed at enhancing healthcare services and education in the region.

“Since arriving at Florida State University, my leadership team and I have been working diligently to lay the groundwork for FSU Health, a bold initiative that promises to transform the health care ecosystem in North Florida,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “The MOU is an important step in solidifying our relationship with TMH and establishing the basic operating and governance structure for our partnership as part of the FSU Health initiative.”

The initiative is supported by a $125 million grant from the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis, designated for the construction of the academic health center on the TMH campus in Tallahassee. Additionally, the FSU Health initiative in Panama City Beach is planned to include a range of healthcare facilities, with the opening of various services starting in July 2024 and a 100-bed hospital to follow by the end of 2027.

“TMH has been working toward this goal of partnering with FSU to create an academic health center for almost 15 years,” said TMH President & CEO Mark O’Bryant. “This is a monumental step forward in our relationship, and I’m incredibly excited and proud of the work our teams have done.”