The Florida State University Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors on Thursday approved the transfer of City of Tallahassee-owned hospital assets to Florida State University.
The votes follow a March 11 decision by the Tallahassee City Commission to transfer ownership of the city-owned hospital assets to the university.
“This is the first major step in building FSU Health and taking a big step toward improving healthcare, but also building clinical, biological and biomedical research for Florida State University,” FSU President Richard McCullough said during the Board of Trustees meeting. “It’s a big deal, and we appreciate all the help we’ve gotten from everybody in the leadership of Florida State University as well as support from the board.”
With approvals now in place from the city, university trustees and the state system’s governing board, the transfer is fully authorized.
The agreement clears the way for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to serve as the clinical anchor of FSU Health, the university’s academic health system. Under the plan, FSU will own the hospital property, while TMH will continue to operate the hospital under a long-term lease and remain responsible for patient care, employees and daily operations.
University and hospital leaders have said the partnership will expand medical education, strengthen clinical care and grow research in Tallahassee and across North Florida.
The move builds upon years of collaboration between the two institutions, including construction of the FSU Health Research Center on the TMH campus, a facility designed to bring together clinicians, researchers and students. The facility is expected to open later this year.
University and hospital leaders have also emphasized that TMH’s longstanding mission will remain unchanged, including its commitment to serve all patients. Deed restrictions approved by the city require the continuation of charity care and ensure the property remains a hospital.