Florida State University graduate programs continue to shine in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report’s edition of Best Graduate Schools, highlighting the university’s excellence across multiple disciplines.  

In the disciplines included in this year’s publication, 16 FSU graduate programs and specialties ranked in the Top 25 among public universities, with six graduate programs placing No. 1 in Florida. 

University leaders said the rankings reflect strength across a range of academic fields. 

“These rankings show the strength of Florida State across the board,” said President Richard McCullough. “From healthcare to law to the arts and public policy, our programs are delivering real results for students and communities. That kind of depth comes from sustained investment in faculty, research and student success.” 

The results also point to the range of opportunities available to graduate students across FSU, leaders said. 

“These results speak to both the quality and range of our graduate education,” said Provost Jim Clark. “Students can pursue top programs in areas as different as engineering, education, nursing and the arts, and they’re gaining the skills and experience to move directly into impactful careers. Achieving a graduate degree opens up advanced leadership and high-paying positions across Florida, the nation and the globe.” 

Programs in law, education, business, nursing and engineering are ranked annually by U.S. News, using data on enrollment, job attainment, faculty and other quality indicators. Other programs are ranked based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions.   

FSU graduate programs ranked best in Florida by U.S. News & World Report 

• FSU’s College of Law is tied for No. 1 in Florida. 

• The College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice is ranked No. 1 in Florida. 

• The College of Medicine’s primary care program holds the highest designation among public medical schools in Florida. 

• The College of Communication and Information’s speech-language pathology program is the best in Florida. 

• The clinical psychology graduate program in the College of Arts and Sciences is tied for No. 1 in Florida. 

• The College of Fine Arts’ graduate programs in visual arts are recognized as the best in Florida.

College of Law 

The College of Law climbed four spots to No. 34 overall and is No. 14 among public universities and No. 1 in Florida, tied with University of Florida. FSU also ranks in the Top 25 among public universities in five law specialties: environmental law (No. 13); contracts/commercial law (No. 16); tax law (No. 20); constitutional law (No. 18); and international law (No. 23).  

Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences 

The Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences graduate program in education ranks No. 8 among public universities and No. 16 overall. FSU programs ranked among the Top 20 public universities in specialties ranked by the publication: special education (No. 11) and secondary teacher education (No. 13). 

College of Nursing 

The College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice climbed seven spots to No. 21 overall and No. 12 among public colleges. The DNP program ranks No. 1 among public and private institutions in Florida.  

College of Medicine 

The College of Medicine’s primary care program once again earned the highest designation in Florida among public medical schools. FSU earned a Tier 2 ranking in the publication’s four-tier ranking system for medical schools.  

Herbert Wertheim College of Business 

The Herbert Wertheim College of Business’ MBA specialty in real estate secured the No. 8 ranking among public universities nationwide, No. 14 overall. 

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering 

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering maintained its No. 56 ranking among public engineering graduate programs with doctoral degrees. The college’s graduate engineering specialty program rankings in mechanical engineering soared 16 places to No. 50 among public universities. The college’s biomedical, civil, and materials engineering programs also moved up.   

College of Communication and Information 

This year, U.S. News ranked the discipline of speech-language pathology, based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions. The speech-language pathology graduate program in the School of Communication Science and Disorders, housed within the College of Communication and Information, ranked No. 13 among publics and No. 17 overall. The program is also the best in Florida.  

College of Social Sciences and Public Policy 

Graduate programs within the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy also received recognition, based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions. The college’s specialty in leadership ranked No. 16 overall and No. 10 among public universities, while the specialty in local government management ranked No. 21 overall and No. 18 among public universities.  

College of Arts and Sciences 

Clinical psychology and statistics, both housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, earned Top 25 rankings among public universities, based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions. 

The graduate program in clinical psychology, in the Department of Psychology, ranked No. 21 among public universities and No. 32 overall. The program, a five- to seven-year doctoral program accredited by the American Psychological Association and based on a clinical science model, is tied with the University of Florida for No. 1 in Florida. 

The college’s graduate programs in statistics, in the Department of Statistics, ranked No. 24 among publics. FSU offers master’s and doctoral degrees in biostatistics and statistics and a master’s degree in statistics with a major in statistical data science. 

College of Fine Arts  

The Department of Art’s MFA Studio Art program, housing in the College of Fine Arts, placed No. 33 among public universities and No. 1 in Florida based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions. This three-year residential program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design.  

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The Florida Book Awards, coordinated by Florida State University Libraries, have announced the 2025 award winners, recognizing outstanding literature by Florida authors and books that celebrate the state’s culture, history and creativity.

This year’s competition received more than 160 submissions across 11 categories. A panel of jurors honored 29 books with awards and selected two additional titles for honorable mention.

“As we approach the 20th anniversary of the Florida Book Awards, we are once again honored to recognize this year’s winning authors and titles,” said Keith Simmons, executive director of the Florida Book Awards. “Florida is a place I’m extremely proud to call home, and celebrating the creativity of Floridians never stops being special. I hope that anyone who has the chance will take the time to read these remarkable books.”

Among this year’s award recipients are “Once Upon A You” by Ryan G. Van Cleave, winner of the Gwen P. Reichert Gold Medal for Young Children’s Literature; “Art: An Interactive Guide” by Mifflin Lowe, winner of the Jean E. Lowrie Gold Medal for Older Children’s Literature; and “Just Freedom: Inside Florida’s Decades‑Long Voting Rights Battle” by Daniel Rivero, winner of the Phillip and Dana Zimmerman Gold Medal for Florida Nonfiction.

“Florida is a place I’m extremely proud to call home, and celebrating the creativity of Floridians never stops being special. I hope that anyone who has the chance will take the time to read these remarkable books.”

— Keith Simmons, executive director of the Florida Book Awards

In addition, River Selby, a Tallahassee‑based writer and graduate student, received the Gerald Ensley Developing Writer Award. Established in 2019, the award recognizes an emerging writer who demonstrates exceptional promise and the potential for continued literary achievement. Selby’s first book, “Hotshot: A Life on Fire,” is a memoir chronicling their experiences as a wildland firefighter.

The Ensley Award includes a $1,000 prize and a copy of Gerald Ensley’s books “We Found Paradise: Gerald Ensley on the History and Eccentricities of His Beloved Tallahassee” and “Write the Way You Would Talk,” a guide to interviewing and writing.

“Florida’s literary influence long predates the Florida Book Awards,” said Carrie Cooper, dean of University Libraries at FSU. “From trailblazers like Zora Neale Hurston to the contemporary writers shaping our future, Florida’s stories have always been vivid, essential and deeply rooted in our state’s culture. FSU Libraries is proud to celebrate and recognize these authors.”

Award recipients will be recognized at the Abitz Family Dinner on April 23 at Cascades Park in Tallahassee. The event will kick off a year‑long lead‑up to the program’s 20th anniversary, culminating with the celebration of the 2026 award winners at the 2027 Florida Book Awards Dinner.

The Abitz Family Dinner is open to the public, and attendees may reserve seats online.

Award‑winning titles are available through the Florida Book Awards’ partner, Midtown Reader. Several winning authors will also participate in book signings, conversations and presentations during the 2026 Word of South Festival.

For the full list of 2025 Florida Book Awards winners, visit floridabookawards.org. 

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Florida State University’s Faculty Senate recognized distinguished alumni, leaders and the university’s police department during the annual Torch Awards ceremony held March 31 at the Heritage Museum. 

The awards honor individuals and groups who have made sustained contributions to the university’s academic mission and community. Established in 1996, the Torch Awards reflect the three values represented on the university seal: Vires (strength), Artes (aesthetics) and Mores (character and tradition). 

This year’s honorees included former Board of Trustees Chair Ed Burr, alumna and education leader Liz Cohen and longtime broadcaster and Florida State alumnus Lee Corso. The Faculty Senate also presented a special commendation to the Florida State University Police Department. 

“This is a special evening because of who we are here to honor,” Provost Jim Clark said in opening remarks. “Each of our honorees has contributed to the academic excellence and well-being of FSU in significant and lasting ways. They believe in our mission and care about our faculty, staff, students and community.” 

Burr received the Vires Torch Award for his decades of leadership and service to Florida State. A business leader and founder of GreenPointe Holdings, Burr has remained engaged with the university through roles on the Board of Trustees, the FSU Foundation Board and other key advisory groups. His philanthropic work includes founding the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, which focuses on preventing child abuse and protecting vulnerable youth. 

Cohen was honored with the Artes Torch Award for her lifelong commitment to education and service. A former school principal and national education consultant, she has supported school systems across the country and contributed to initiatives backed by organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Cohen has also remained active at Florida State through volunteer leadership, alumni engagement and the creation of multiple endowed scholarships. 

Corso received the Mores Torch Award for his enduring impact as a Florida State alumnus and ambassador. A former Seminole football player and longtime ESPN analyst, Corso spent nearly four decades in broadcasting, promoting college athletics and higher education nationwide. Though unable to attend, he was recognized for a lifetime of service reflecting strong character and commitment to tradition. 

The ceremony also included a special recognition of the Florida State University Police Department for its response during the April 17 campus tragedy. Faculty Senate leaders praised the department’s professionalism, courage and dedication to protecting the university community. 

“Their actions that day, and every day, reflect the very best of public service,” said Jayne Standley, co-chair of the Torch Awards committee. 

The Torch Awards are presented annually by the Faculty Senate on behalf of Florida State faculty. 

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Five outstanding Florida State University faculty members have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, one of the world’s largest organizations dedicated to the promotion of science, engineering and innovation.

This year’s class includes FSU professors Stephen Hill, Michael Roper, Theo Siegrist, Nora Underwood and Dragana Popović.

“We are incredibly proud to see our faculty recognized as AAAS Fellows,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “This distinction speaks to their commitment to discovery and to the meaningful impact of their work across the scientific community. Their accomplishments strengthen Florida State University and inspire our students, peers and partners.”

Election as an AAAS fellow is a lifetime honor and a tradition dating back to 1874. Past distinguished honorees from across the nation include Ellen Ochoa, Steven Chu, Grace Hopper, Alan Alda, Mae Jemison and Ayanna Howard.

For more on this year’s FSU Honorees:

Stephen Hill
Department of Physics/National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Hill is a professor of physics and chief scientist for quantum information science at the National MagLab. His research primarily explores the properties of molecular nanomagnets, focusing on quantum information processing and the behavior of single-molecule magnets. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and was recently selected to serve on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Identifying Opportunities at the Interface of Chemistry and Quantum Information Science.

Michael Roper
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Roper is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Florida State. His work sits at the intersection of chemistry and biology, specifically focusing on microfluidics and bioanalysis. His team develops “lab-on-a-chip” technologies to study cell clusters in the pancreas known as islets of Langerhans. By measuring how these cell clusters secrete hormones like insulin in real-time, his research provides critical insights into the underlying mechanisms of diabetes. Roper has received multiple awards for his research and teaching including the American Chemical Society Young Investigator Award in Separation Science, Developing Scholar Award from FSU, and the Mid-Career Award from the American Electrophoresis Society.

Theo Siegrist
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering/National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Siegrist, a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering, is a leading expert in materials science and crystallography. His research focuses on the structure-property relationships of complex materials, including organic semiconductors and superconductors. By understanding how atoms are arranged within a crystal, his work helps pave the way for the next generation of electronic devices and energy-efficient materials. Siegrist is a fellow of the American Physical Society. Prior to working at FSU, Siegrist served as a researcher at the famed Bell Laboratories.

Nora Underwood
Department of Biological Science

Underwood is a population biologist who investigates the ecology and evolution of plant-insect interactions and the relationship between climate and the timing of biological events. Her research examines topics such as how plant diversity influences insect damage on plants, and how temperature has influenced the timing of spring growth over decades and centuries. Her work helps us understand biodiversity, how ecosystems change, and the natural management of agricultural pests and pollinators. Underwood received the 2021-22 Distinguished Teacher Award from FSU and was named a U.S. Fulbright Scholar for the 2024-2025 year.

Dragana Popović
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory/Department of Physics

Popović is a condensed matter physicist known for her experimental studies on electronic transport and magnetic properties in disordered systems. She focuses on phenomena such as the metal-insulator transition, high-temperature superconductivity, and charge dynamics. Her research often involves cooling materials to temperatures near absolute zero to observe how electrons behave under extreme conditions.  She was named a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2012 and a Distinguished University Scholar in 2013. She is being honored for outstanding experimental contributions to the physics of strongly correlated electron systems, and especially for seminal work on out-of-equilibrium behavior of two-dimensional electronic systems near quantum phase transitions.

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The Florida Board of Governors approved a three-year contract extension for Florida State University President Richard McCullough Thursday, expressing support and confidence in his leadership. 

In February, FSU’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to extend McCullough’s contract. With the BOG’s approval, McCullough’s contractual term as president will be extended from its current end date of August 31, 2026, to August 31, 2029.  

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to have (McCullough) as our president and how proud our board is to have him as our president,” FSU Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins told the Board of Governors. “He brings excellence and humility every day to Florida State University.” 

McCullough, FSU’s 16th president, has served in the role since August 2021.  

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime, and I’m humbled to be the leader of Florida State University,” McCullough said. “We have a lot of momentum. We’re doing things at a very high level, and we won’t rest until we improve every single day.” 

Under McCullough’s leadership, Florida State achieved its highest-ever national ranking, rising to No. 51 among all universities, according to U.S. News & World Report. FSU also ranks No. 21 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report, No. 11 in Niche’s 2026 America’s Top Public Universities, and No. 2 for student experience by The Princeton Review. 

FSU has also set records in student retention and graduation rates, increased research expenditures, and launched transformative initiatives such as FSU Health and major efforts in aerospace, quantum science, and entrepreneurship. 

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Florida State University hosted the Honors in the Major (HITM) Faculty Appreciation Reception on March 5 at the Beth Moor Lounge to celebrate the faculty mentoring HITM student researchers. 

“This celebration was a time to gather a number of inspiring faculty members together and acknowledge them as instructors and researchers who embody the best of FSU by sharing their unique insight and perspectives with our students,” said Michael David Franklin, associate director of Honors in the Major. “Faculty mentorship is integral to the Honors in the Major experience, and we’re so grateful to the dedicated professors who help our students shape their work.” 

Approximately 50 professors attended the event, which included research mentors across disciplines, from linguistics and history to chemistry and environmental science. 

“Our faculty care so deeply about their students and their academic development,” said DeOnte Brown, dean of Undergraduate Studies. “The Honors in the Major program shows how FSU professors nurture students’ intellectual growth, connect them to opportunities, and equip them with the research tools they need to explore the subjects that spark their curiosity.” 

Part of the broader FSU Honors Program, the HITM program helps students in their junior and senior years to engage in graduate-level research by completing an original thesis or creative research project produced under the direction of a faculty mentor. Currently, 220 students are active in HITM. 

HITM faculty mentors guide undergraduate students in the program to develop their topic, produce their project and complete their final thesis. Although HITM students do not have to be enrolled in the University Honors Program, they will still be conferred with a “with honors” designation upon graduation. 

This year’s HITM students are exploring a wide range of topics of their choosing, including analysis of resolutions from the historic influence of the game Dungeons & Dragons to the work of French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir to the venom variations in the Florida bark scorpion. 

Linguistics professor Antje Muntendam said one of her students developed an interest in European linguistics during her participation in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and then continued to explore her interest with an HITM project studying the Italian linguistic influences in Uruguayan Spanish.  

“Watching that transition between projects and it being fulfilling for her was nice to see,” Muntendam said. “I watched her excitement grow, and now she is applying for her master’s degree.”  

More information about HITM can be found at the University Honors Program’s website at honors.fsu.edu/honors-major. 

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For more than 75 years, Florida State University has been proudly connected to the Seminole name. The relationship has evolved far beyond athletics into a decades-long collaborative partnership with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, built on consultation and mutual respect.

“Florida State University’s most cherished relationship is with the Seminole Tribe of Florida,” said President Richard McCullough. “Built on friendship, mutual respect and support for one another, this partnership has grown stronger and deeper over the years as we continue to explore new ways to work together for the benefit of the university and Tribe, as well as our state and nation.”

“Built on friendship, mutual respect and support for one another, this partnership has grown stronger and deeper over the years as we continue to explore new ways to work together for the benefit of the university and Tribe, as well as our state and nation.”

— President Richard McCullough

As Florida State University celebrates its 175th anniversary, this relationship remains central to the university’s identity and responsibilities.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our longstanding relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida,” said FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar, who is leading the yearlong anniversary celebration. “We are honored to call ourselves Florida State Seminoles, a responsibility that is shared by our entire university community to represent the name with dignity and respect. This revered tradition is an important part of our history.”

Origins

After FSU became coeducational in 1947, students selected the name “Seminoles.” At the time, the decision was made without consultation or permission from the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Over the past 80 years, however, the relationship has developed into one of the university’s most significant partnerships.

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Florida State University has been named one of the top 100 universities in the nation for securing U.S. utility patents, according to the latest rankings released by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).

Coming in at No. 60 on the list, FSU continues to solidify its reputation as a powerhouse of research and commercialization, successfully translating academic discovery into real-world solutions. The rankings reflect the 2025 calendar year.

The Top 100 U.S. Universities ranking celebrates academic institutions that play a pivotal role in advancing national competitiveness. By securing intellectual property through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, FSU enables the transition of faculty-led inventions from the lab to the marketplace, driving both economic growth and societal impact.

“This ranking is more than just a number; it represents the relentless ingenuity of our faculty and their commitment to solving the most pressing challenges of our time,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “A patent is often the bridge between an idea or breakthrough and a commercial product or service that improves lives, creates jobs, and drives our economy forward. This achievement is a credit to our world-class researchers and a signal to our partners that FSU is a premier destination for high-impact discovery and innovation.”

FSU’s climb in the rankings is driven by a diverse portfolio of breakthroughs across engineering, medicine, and materials science. This year’s ranking reflects the university’s commitment to high-impact research and includes a wide range of patents, including:

• A neutron detector developed by Associate Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Zhibin Yu
• A water-air drone hybrid by Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Christian Hubicki

• An antifibrotic drug by Professor of Medicine Branko Stefanovic

• A photo-plastic that can move in different ways with different wavelengths by Professor of Chemistry Ken Hanson

“What makes Florida State’s patent portfolio truly remarkable is its incredible diversity,” said Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Innovation Valerie McDevitt. “Our ranking isn’t just a win for one department. It’s a reflection of a campus-wide culture of discovery. From groundbreaking advancements in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory to innovative tools in education and the health sciences, we are proving that FSU’s expertise spans the entire spectrum of human inquiry.”

The NAI has published a worldwide ranking since 2013 but introduced the focused U.S. Universities list in 2023 to better highlight the specific contributions of the American academic landscape. Collectively, the universities on the 2025 Top 100 U.S. list secured over 6,700 patents during the previous calendar year.

This recognition follows a banner year for FSU’s research enterprise, which recently surpassed $488 million in annual research expenditures. The university was also ranked the No. 1 university in Florida for innovation and economic impact in TIME’S inaugural World’s Top Universities 2026 rankings.

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Interdisciplinary program prepares students for civic leadership and
data-driven decision making through the Institute for Governance and Civics at FSU 

Florida State University’s Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) announced the launch of a new undergraduate degree in Civics and Liberty Studies (CLS), an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students to be thoughtful, data-informed and ethically-grounded civic leaders. Students may enroll now for the Fall semester.    

Built at the intersection of the liberal arts and social science, the CLS degree helps students study constitutional thought, free speech, political philosophy and foundational texts on liberty and governance, alongside statistics, survey research, public opinion and public policy. 

“Civic knowledge is collapsing at the very moment our public discourse feels most fragile,” said Ryan Owens, director of the Institute for Governance and Civics. “The Civics and Liberty Studies degree is one way Florida State University is rebuilding civic literacy and preparing the next generation of thoughtful, effective citizens and responsible leaders. It is designed to marry the big ideas of American liberty with the technical and analytical skills today’s leaders need.” 

The CLS curriculum consists of 27 credits of core coursework and 18 credits in one of four concentrations: constitutional liberty, economic liberty, conscience liberty and educational liberty. Coursework spans civil discourse, constitutional law, political philosophy, public policy, economics and applied statistics, culminating in an American civics research seminar. 

“Students shouldn’t have to choose between studying great ideas and gaining real‑world skills,” Owens said. “The Civics and Liberty Studies program brings those together by pairing the intellectual grounding of the liberal arts with the data and analytical tools students need to lead in today’s civic and professional environments.”  

Visit the Civics and Liberty Studies degree website for more information, including curriculum and admission details.

About the Institute for Governance and Civics: The Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) at Florida State University is dedicated to creating the next generation of effective citizens and responsible leaders. Established in 2023, the IGC supports a variety of initiatives that promote constitutional liberty, economic liberty, conscience liberty and educational liberty through data-driven research, excellence in teaching and intellectually diverse exchange. To learn more about the IGC, visit igc.fsu.edu or follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

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A Florida State University scholar has been named the 2026 National Postdoc of the Year by the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) for significantly advancing the postdoctoral community through exceptional service and leadership beyond her primary research duties.

Olivia K. Cook, a College of Arts and Sciences’ Dean’s Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychology and the Learning Systems Institute, received the award March 13 at the NPA’s annual conference in San Francisco. The award recognizes a postdoc who has advanced the postdoctoral community in an exceptional manner beyond their work duties and in alignment with the NPA mission and core values.

FSU Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Debra Ann Fadool, in her nomination letter, described Cook as “tireless” in her efforts to improve the academic training environment and noted her extensive service role with the FSU Postdoctoral Association, including serving as president.

Fadool shared Cook’s support of her fellow postdocs through launching initiatives like the “Postdoc of the Month” feature in the Postdoctoral Monthly Newsletter and by creating Postdoctoral “Office Hours” to provide informal guidance for new postdocs at FSU. These efforts helped newcomers adjust to life in Tallahassee, transition into their roles, and get answers to questions about healthcare and benefits.

As one of the leaders in the FSU Postdoctoral Association, Cook developed a survey of postdoctoral scholar health and well-being and used the results to provide policy recommendations to the university, and she was a staunch advocate of instituting paid parental leave for postdocs at FSU.

“This award speaks to the collective efforts of concurrent and former leaders of FSU’s Postdoctoral Association,” Cook said. “I am hopeful that this platform can bring attention to causes in need of additional advocacy, such as postdocs’ access to healthcare, childcare, and paid parental leave.”

Brad Schmidt, chair of the Department of Psychology, said Cook exemplifies what the prestigious national award is about.

“Through her work with the FSU Postdoctoral Association, she has made contributions way above the norm that will have long term impacts on current and future postdoctoral scholars at FSU and beyond,” Schmidt said. “She is a great leader to her peers and mentor to graduate and undergraduate students, and also a careful and skilled researcher doing meaningful research to help teachers and parents support children’s learning.”

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The Tallahassee City Commission voted Wednesday to approve the transfer of city-owned Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare assets from the City of Tallahassee to Florida State University, a historic step that clears the way for the creation of an integrated academic health center in the state’s capital city. 

Under the City’s action, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare will continue operating the hospital, and FSU and TMH will continue collaborating as they work toward expanded educational, research and clinical opportunities in Tallahassee and North Florida. 

University leaders thanked the Tallahassee City Commission for its leadership and expressed appreciation to the City of Tallahassee for its decades of stewardship of the hospital and its vision in supporting the next chapter of healthcare in the community. FSU also recognized Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s decades of service to the community and the longstanding relationship between the two institutions. 

“This is an important moment for our community and for the future of healthcare in our region,” said Florida State University President Richard McCullough, noting the opportunities created by the City’s decision. “We are grateful to the City Commission for its leadership and vision for Tallahassee. Working together with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, we can strengthen care for patients while expanding medical education and research here in our capital city.” 

“This is an important moment for our community and for the future of healthcare in our region. We are grateful to the City Commission for its leadership and vision for Tallahassee. Working together with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, we can strengthen care for patients while expanding medical education and research here in our capital city.” —  FSU President Richard McCullough

This step supports the ongoing work between FSU and TMH that envisions Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare serving as the clinical anchor of FSU Health, Florida State’s academic health ecosystem that integrates clinical care, medical education and research. 

“TMH and Florida State University are continuing to work together to reach consensus as we carefully finalize the agreements that will guide our long-term partnership. These negotiations are being approached with a shared commitment to the future of healthcare in our community,” said Mark O’Bryant, CEO of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. “Once the agreements are complete, we look forward to working alongside FSU to build on our strong foundation of care and further improve healthcare for the people of North Florida.”  

The collaboration builds on years of work between the two institutions. As an example, construction is underway on the FSU Health Research Center on the Tallahassee Memorial campus, a 140,000-square-foot facility designed to bring clinicians, researchers and students together to advance medical research and patient care.  

Once the closing occurs, Florida State University would own the hospital property, while Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare would continue to operate the hospital under a long-term lease and maintain responsibility for hospital operations, employees and patient care. 

University and hospital leaders emphasized that Tallahassee Memorial’s longstanding mission of serving all members of the community will remain unchanged. 

The City’s deed restrictions will ensure the continuation of TMH’s longstanding charity-care commitments. FSU also must maintain the property as a hospital in perpetuity. 

Officials from both organizations said the partnership represents an important step toward building a fully integrated academic health center that will enhance clinical care, expand medical training and advance research for patients across Tallahassee and the Florida Panhandle. 

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