News Summary
Florida State University (FSU) President Richard McCullough has named Jeremy Slaga as the university’s inaugural Vice President and Chief Clinical Operations Officer, starting January 5, 2026. Slaga, an FSU alumnus, will lead FSU Health and enhance healthcare collaborations across Florida. This appointment aligns with ongoing initiatives to establish an academic health center at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, supported by significant funding from the state and the development of a new hospital in Panama City Beach. Community engagement and collaboration are central to FSU’s mission as these healthcare advancements unfold.
Tallahassee – Florida State University (FSU) President Richard McCullough has announced the appointment of Jeremy Slaga as the university’s first Vice President and Chief Clinical Operations Officer. This new role, which begins on January 5, 2026, will primarily focus on leading and developing FSU Health, expanding clinical opportunities, and boosting community engagement throughout the state of Florida.
Jeremy Slaga, an FSU alumnus, brings extensive experience in the healthcare sector, currently serving as the Chief Integration Officer for the Temple Health system. With this new appointment, he is expected to enhance FSU’s healthcare initiatives and foster collaborations with significant healthcare partners in the region. Slaga will report directly to President McCullough and work closely with university administrators to elevate the university’s healthcare mission.
To support healthcare advancements in the community, President McCullough highlighted Slaga’s visionary leadership as a pivotal asset. Slaga’s role will be integral to FSU’s ongoing efforts to create an academic health center at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH). Discussions about developing this academic center have spanned over a decade, originating from the TMH Board of Trustees’ 2008 strategic plan.
In 2022, the Florida Legislature and Governor allocated $125 million to construct a new academic health research center on the TMH campus, with a projected opening date set for 2026. This new facility will encompass 140,000 square feet dedicated to clinical research, a family residency practice, laboratory facilities, and resources that bridge academic research with patient care.
In addition to the TMH initiative, FSU is planning to build a new hospital in Panama City Beach, enhancing healthcare services in that region. FSU has also collaborated with various healthcare organizations, including the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic and the Andrews Institute, to create joint hiring opportunities, reflecting a commitment to comprehensive healthcare delivery.
Moreover, FSU has instituted the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases and the Institute for Connecting Nutrition and Health (ICON-Health) to address critical healthcare needs within Florida. Slaga holds 18 years of experience in substantial academic healthcare institutions, previously serving organizations such as Emory Healthcare and UPMC, where he focused on strategic planning and value-based care administration.
His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in political science from FSU, earned in 2002, followed by a law degree from Suffolk University Law School. The recent appointment comes at a crucial time when city officials are evaluating the future partnership between TMH and FSU, especially regarding the proposed academic medical center.
A special city commission meeting recently discussed this partnership. Some commission members expressed excitement about the potential benefits, while others voiced concerns regarding community input and the implications for locally focused care. It highlighted a need for transparency and fair appraisal in negotiations surrounding the potential merger.
The commission’s views were mixed, with some members encouraging support for an academic medical center while stressing the importance of community involvement. The next public hearing is scheduled for October 22 at 6 p.m., where further discussions regarding the partnership will take place. President McCullough has committed to ensuring that major decisions will require a supermajority consensus, signaling an openness to community suggestions and input.
TMH CEO Mark O’Bryant has reiterated the importance of maintaining collaborative and thoughtful relationships with local governing bodies as the discussions progress. In contrast, community leaders and hospital board chairs have shown support for the establishment of a locally controlled academic health center, emphasizing the need for improved services tailored to residents’ requirements.
Overall, the appointment of Jeremy Slaga and the prospective initiatives signify a strategic move by FSU to enhance its healthcare offerings while fostering academic partnerships that benefit the broader community. As discussions unfold, many are keenly watching the impact of these developments on healthcare accessibility and quality in the region.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Reports: FSU’s Inaugural VP Appointment
- Wikipedia: Florida State University
- Tallahassee.com: City Hall Talks on TMH-FSU Sale
- Google Search: Florida State University health initiatives
- Tallahassee.com: FSU’s New Chief Clinical Operations Officer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Care
- Tallahassee.com: Opinion on FSU-TMH Plan
- Google News: FSU Tallahassee health partnership
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
