FSU College of Medicine celebrates 10 years of accomplishments

From an initial group of 30 students and borrowed classroom space to a current enrollment of 451 students and a $60 million, state-of-the-art main campus, the Florida State University College of Medicine has come a long way in 10 years.

The college celebrated its 10th anniversary April 9-10 at the Program In Medical Sciences (PIMS) and College of Medicine Alumni Reunion Weekend. Special guests included members of the inaugural Class of 2005 and Florida State President Emeritus Talbot "Sandy " D'Alemberte, who presented "The History of the College of Medicine: From Ideas to Outcomes.

D’Alemberte helped guide the medical school through a tumultuous accreditation process. The success of that effort led to changes that paved the way for more new medical schools in the United States. The creation of a medical school at Florida State was a contentious political battle during the spring 2000 legislative session. Backed by research highlighting the need for more U.S. physicians — especially those who would practice primary care — the College of Medicine at Florida State was approved and signed into law by then-Gov. Jeb Bush.

With administrative offices housed in trailers and using the nursing school’s classroom space, the first new medical school in the United States in nearly a quarter-century opened its doors in May 2001. During Friday’s anniversary celebration, the College of Medicine highlighted many of its accomplishments during the first 10 years, including:

• Nearly 60 percent of graduates to date have entered primary care residency programs, consistent with the medical school’s mission.
• Two-thirds of graduates to complete residency training are practicing in Florida, with most of those working in primary care.
• The research program, begun in 2002, has experienced a more than 600 percent increase in grant funding despite a difficult economic climate.
• Through planned growth, the college will reach full enrollment of 480 in May.
• Regional campuses have been opened in six Florida cities, allowing for the one-on-one clinical training in community settings that sets the Florida State College of Medicine apart from other medical schools.
• More than 1,500 community physicians across the state are teaching third-and fourth-year students.