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Capital Health Plan Invests $200,000 in FSU Medical Program

Diverse students in a classroom at FSU College of Medicine

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News Summary

Capital Health Plan announced a $200,000 investment in the Florida State University College of Medicine’s Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program. This initiative aims to prepare students from underserved communities for medical school, addressing Florida’s physician shortage. The funding will be split into two payments over two years. In addition to this program, FSU is developing a new acute care hospital in Panama City Beach to further enhance local healthcare resources.

TALLAHASSEE – Capital Health Plan (CHP) has announced a significant investment of $200,000 in the Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine’s Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program, aimed at combating Florida’s increasing physician shortage. The presentation of the donation occurred on May 13th and will be executed in two equal installments of $100,000 over the next two years.

The Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program is designed to prepare students from underserved communities to enter medical school, culminating in a master’s degree in biomedical sciences after one year of study. This initiative specifically targets students who have limited access to health care and aims to cultivate a new generation of medical professionals that will return to serve their home communities.

With a focus on primary care, the program seeks to increase the number of qualified physicians practicing in Florida. More than half of the graduates from the FSU College of Medicine choose to remain in the state to provide essential health care services, which is crucial for addressing the physician shortage affecting many regions.

The FSU College of Medicine has recently been recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, achieving a Tier 2 placement in the “Best Medical Schools: Primary Care” category and Tier 3 in the “Best Medical Schools: Research” category. The achievements highlight the college’s commitment to enhancing the quality of medical education and the health care workforce.

Dr. Alma Littles, the Dean of the FSU College of Medicine, emphasized the necessity of improving access to primary care for community health, echoing the sentiments of many in the medical community about the dire need for health care services in underserved populations.

In addition to the bridge program, the FSU College of Medicine is also exploring the creation of an academic medical center in collaboration with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH). This initiative aims to further enhance the quality of care provided within the community, although a proposal concerning the potential sale of TMH has raised concerns among local residents.

FSU President Richard McCullough has advocated for the development of an academic medical center, arguing that it could elevate the standard of care and offer additional resources to the region’s health care system. With various graduate programs ranked highly in recent assessments, including the College of Law and the College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice, the university is positioned as a leader in medical education in Florida.

As part of its broader health care initiatives, FSU is preparing to construct a new acute care hospital under FSU Health located in Panama City Beach. This project, requiring state approval, is estimated to cost approximately $414 million. Recently, the Florida Board of Governors approved bond financing for the project, which aims to address the medical needs of residents in Bay and Walton counties.

The new hospital is designed to accommodate up to 180 beds and will initially provide emergency medicine, general surgery, and diagnostic services, with plans to expand to specialized services as the facility develops. The construction site, a generous 16.5 acres, was donated by the St. Joe Company, setting the stage for a significant investment in regional health care infrastructure.

Construction of the Panama City Beach hospital is set to commence shortly, with plans targeting a completion date and opening by 2028. This development represents a dual commitment to enhancing educational opportunities through the FSU College of Medicine and increasing access to critical health resources for the community.