This opinion piece was published on April 8, 2025, in the Tallahassee Democrat.

As conversations persist regarding the prospects of health care in Tallahassee, it’s essential to comprehend what constitutes an academic medical center (AMC) and the implications it holds for patients, healthcare providers, and the larger medical community.

An academic medical center is an institution that is closely affiliated with a medical school at a prominent research university. It merges patient treatment, medical training, and pioneering research endeavors. It serves as a hub where physicians, researchers, and educators collaborate to heal patients, uncover fresh therapies, and train the next generation of healthcare professionals. Academic medical centers have been instrumental in driving some of the most significant breakthroughs in contemporary medicine.

This is what an academic medical center would signify for Tallahassee.

Your current healthcare:

Physicians wishing to fully concentrate on direct patient care would be able to do so without modifications. There would be no expectation for the current doctors to engage in research activities. The hospital would continue to be dedicated to serving the local populace and providing care for those who are uninsured.

Prospects for healthcare in Tallahassee with an AMC:

Patients would gain access to enhanced superior medical care without needing to leave Tallahassee. The city would see an increase in both physicians and healthcare workers offering specialized treatments as well as those delivering outstanding general care. Furthermore, an academic medical center would incorporate physicians who conduct research aimed at bringing innovative, state-of-the-art treatments to Tallahassee. The objective is to recruit additional doctors who both see patients and engage in research. This integrated strategy significantly aids in saving patients’ lives. A report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that patients treated at hospitals with AMCs have up to 20% higher chances of survival compared to those receiving treatment at non-AMC hospitals.

Innovative treatments:

Academic medical centers are recognized for their role in formulating new therapies and conducting clinical trials that provide patients access to the forefront of medical innovations. I have personally observed how medical breakthroughs at academic medical centers have effectively treated certain cancers, transformed the lives of individuals with genetic conditions, and greatly enhanced patient results. Innovations in healthcare encompass technologies such as advanced imaging, genetic therapies, artificial intelligence, and sophisticated diagnostics.

Economic development:

Investments in healthcare, medical education, and research will lure top talent, create new employment opportunities in Tallahassee, and fortify our local economy. AMCs support over 6 million jobs across the nation and infuse hundreds of billions of dollars into the United States economy each year.

A community collaboration:

TMH and FSU are dedicated to ensuring that the hospital remains a community asset. Despite FSU being a state university, our presence in Tallahassee has always involved a strong commitment to the welfare of the city. It is important to clarify that FSU’s aim is to establish an academic medical center with TMH to enhance and advance healthcare in our community. There will be no state takeover and existing staff members would not be transformed into state employees.

Florida State University is already strongly invested in improving healthcare in our area. We take pride in our faculty from the College of Medicine who are engaged in leading research and our students who have been receiving clinical training from healthcare professionals in this community for many years. Our residents and fellowship students have been active in the community, and many of our graduates are now practicing here in Tallahassee. Our ambition is to broaden these commitments and enhance their impact. With a $134 million allocation from the State of Florida to FSU, we are in the process of building a health research facility in Tallahassee on TMH’s campus. Additionally, we are securing $419 million in funding to develop a 180-bed hospital in Panama City Beach, named FSU Health.

Academic medical centers save and enhance lives, train future healthcare professionals, ensure that communities benefit from the highest caliber of care, and expand resources and expertise for our community.

As this discussion evolves, we encourage an open dialogue with local leaders, healthcare executives, hospital personnel, and community members.

The opportunity is at hand. Together, we can realize it.

Richard McCullough is the president of Florida State University, one of the leading public universities in the nation.

The article Richard McCullough: What does an academic medical center truly mean? World-class healthcare for Tallahassee first appeared on Florida State University News.