As North Florida faces a growing shortage of healthcare providers, Florida State University is helping address the challenge through FSU Health, the university’s academic health system. By bringing together education, clinical care and research, FSU Health is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals while expanding access to care across the region.

The need is expected to grow in the coming years. Florida’s population is expanding and aging, increasing demand for healthcare just as many physicians and nurses approach retirement.

According to the Florida Department of Health, more than one-third of Florida’s practicing physicians are age 60 or older. At the same time, Florida’s population age 65 and older is projected to reach 6.7 million by 2036, or more than a quarter of the state’s population. A workforce analysis commissioned by the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida projects the state could face a shortage of about 18,000 physicians and nearly 60,000 nurses by 2035.

Those challenges are especially pronounced in rural North Florida, where many communities have limited access to primary and specialty care. The Florida Department of Health’s annual Physician Workforce Report shows many Panhandle counties have among the state’s lowest physician-to-population ratios, underscoring the need to recruit and retain more healthcare professionals.

Unlike a traditional health system centered on a single hospital, FSU Health brings together the university’s colleges, research enterprise and clinical partners to educate healthcare professionals, advance research and improve patient care. Supported by investments from the Florida Legislature, the universitywide initiative spans disciplines across FSU and works with healthcare providers throughout North Florida.

“The healthcare workforce shortage isn’t something any one hospital, university or health system can solve alone,” said Jeremy Slaga, vice president and chief clinical operations officer of FSU Health. “FSU Health was created to align education, research and patient care with the strengths of our clinical partners so we can prepare more healthcare professionals, expand access to care and create lasting health benefits for communities across North Florida.”

Responding to the need

Preparing the healthcare workforce Florida will need for decades to come is central to FSU Health’s mission.

Since its founding in 2000, the FSU College of Medicine has focused on preparing physicians, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals to serve rural, medically underserved and aging populations.

“As someone who grew up in rural Gadsden County, I understand how important it is for families to have access to quality healthcare close to home,” said Alma Littles, M.D., dean of the FSU College of Medicine and president of the Florida Medical Association. “That mission has guided our college from the beginning. We’re preparing physicians and other healthcare professionals who understand the needs of these communities and are committed to serving them.”

That approach is producing results.

This year, all 120 FSU College of Medicine graduates who participated in the National Resident Matching Program matched into residency programs. Nearly half matched in Florida, while another 31% matched in neighboring Southeastern states, meaning nearly four out of five remained in the region.

Many entered specialties facing some of Florida’s greatest workforce needs, including the primary care specialties of family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.

Graduate medical education is another critical part of addressing Florida’s physician shortage. Because physicians are more likely to establish their practices near where they complete residency training, expanding residency opportunities can help Florida retain more doctors.

FSU’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs graduated a record 116 physicians this year, with 66% completing residencies or fellowships in primary care specialties. In 2026, the College of Medicine assumed sponsorship of nine additional GME programs in Tallahassee, Sarasota, Cape Coral, Pensacola and Jacksonville. The college now sponsors 32 programs training 516 physicians statewide, with more growth planned.

The university is applying the same long-term approach to nursing.

The College of Nursing recently expanded enrollment, admitting students three times each year and creating a year-round pipeline of graduates entering the workforce. More than 800 students are enrolled annually across the college’s undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college also is expanding its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to FSU Panama City, supported by a $10 million gift from Bruce and Tracey Berkowitz and the Fairholme Foundation. The historic gift will strengthen Northwest Florida’s nursing workforce by providing scholarship support to students from Bay, Walton and Gulf counties who plan to practice in the region.

“Florida’s nursing shortage demands innovative solutions,” said Jing Wang, dean of the FSU College of Nursing. “By expanding enrollment, creating new educational pathways and strengthening partnerships across the state, we’re preparing more nurses to provide high-quality, patient-centered care where they’re needed most. Our undergraduate expansion is just one element of our investment in the region; through pioneering efforts like our Smart Home Health Initiative, we are deepening our commitment to advance the health, well-being and future of these communities.”

Preparing the healthcare workforce requires more than educating physicians and nurses. It also depends on professionals working across disciplines to meet patients’ physical, mental and behavioral health needs.

Across the university, FSU is preparing future physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, dietitians, exercise scientists, rehabilitation specialists, public health professionals, health informatics specialists and healthcare administrators. These disciplines help meet growing needs in primary care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, chronic disease prevention and community health.

“Today’s healthcare challenges require teams of professionals with different expertise working together to improve the health of Florida’s communities,” said Damon Andrew, dean of the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. “Across FSU, we’re preparing graduates who understand how nutrition, exercise, behavioral health, human development, education and other factors intersect to shape lifelong health and well-being. Whether in schools, clinics, or community settings, our graduates play essential roles in improving health and quality of life for individuals and families.”

Together, these programs reflect FSU Health’s team-based approach to healthcare, recognizing that improving health outcomes depends on professionals across disciplines working together to care for patients and communities.

FSU also is expanding its work directly in rural communities. The College of Medicine recently was awarded more than $19 million through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program to launch six projects addressing rural health challenges including workforce development, behavioral health, preventive care, food insecurity, telehealth and at-home care. Two projects will focus on Northwest Florida, a central hub for FSU Health, while four will serve Southwest Florida.

Building the future of FSU Health

Preparing the healthcare workforce of the future is supported by major investments in clinical partnerships, research and patient care.

The FSU Health Research and Collaboration Building under construction on the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare campus will provide space for clinical research, laboratories and a family medicine residency clinic, creating new opportunities for education, patient care and scientific discovery.

FSU also is expanding its partnership with Tallahassee Memorial while continuing development of FSU Health Panama City Beach, where an outpatient medical office building is already serving patients and construction is underway on a new hospital.

“At the end of the day, success is about people,” Slaga said. “If more Floridians can receive the care they need closer to home because we educated the physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals who chose to build their careers here, then we’ve accomplished what FSU Health was created to do.”

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The FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic is now accepting registrations for a 12-week program beginning Aug. 26 designed to help individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes improve their health through sustainable lifestyle changes.

Developed by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), the Lifestyle Empowerment Approach for Diabetes Remission (LEADR) is a structured, group-based program that gives participants the knowledge, skills and support to improve blood sugar control and, for some individuals, achieve diabetes remission.

The curriculum focuses on addressing the root causes of type 2 diabetes through the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: a healthy eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connections and avoidance of risky substances. Rather than managing symptoms, the program empowers participants to make sustainable lifestyle changes that can improve blood sugar control and, for some individuals, support diabetes remission.

The program is offered at the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, a clinical practice of the Florida State University College of Nursing, and the nation’s first college-based, nurse practitioner-led, lifestyle medicine clinic.

“One of the things I love most about the LEADR program is that it truly puts the patient in the driver’s seat of their own health,” said Kathleen P. Wilson, assistant dean of graduate programs for the FSU College of Nursing and provider at the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic. “Lifestyle medicine is built on shared decision making. We work alongside each participant to understand their goals and develop strategies using the six pillars of lifestyle medicine. Our role is to educate, encourage and guide, while empowering individuals to make choices that create meaningful, lasting improvements in their health.”

The principles of lifestyle medicine can benefit everyone, regardless of where they are in their health journey, Wilson said.

“While anyone can benefit from learning the foundations of healthy living, we’ve seen individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes experience remarkable long-term improvements through this program,” she said. “LEADR gives people the education, accountability and community support they need to make changes that can positively impact their health for years to come.”

As one of the few providers in the region offering the ACLM-developed LEADR curriculum, the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic is helping expand access to evidence-based lifestyle medicine for residents of Tallahassee, Leon County and surrounding communities. The program reflects the clinic’s ongoing commitment to empowering individuals to prevent, manage and even reverse chronic disease through education, wellness and sustainable behavior change.

To help community members learn more before enrolling in the program, the clinic will host a free LEADR program preview on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. The informational session will provide an overview of the program, what participants can expect and how lifestyle medicine can help improve long-term health. There is no cost to attend the preview, but registration is required as space is limited.

The new LEADR cohort begins Wednesday, Aug. 26, and will meet Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. for 12 consecutive weeks at the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, 1630 Riggins Rd., Tallahassee.

Individuals interested in attending the free preview event or registering for the August cohort are encouraged to complete the program interest form available on the clinic’s website.

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FSU Health is Florida State University’s integrated academic health system, bringing together hospitals, physicians, clinics, research, education, and innovation under a unified vision to improve the health of the communities we serve.

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Florida State University has been awarded more than $19 million in grants through the Rural Health Transformation Program to launch six new projects and provide resources to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities throughout the state. 

The five-year, $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, administered through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025. The program is designed to help states transform and update healthcare delivery by improving access, quality and outcomes, thereby strengthening rural communities.  

Florida received nearly $210 million this year and, through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), awarded more than $180 million to fund proposals across the state.  

“FSU received the largest award among Florida’s higher education institutions and was the state’s second-largest recipient overall,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This remarkable investment reflects the strength of our partnerships, the expertise of our faculty, and the important work being done through FSU Health and the College of Medicine to address healthcare challenges in communities across our state. These projects will expand access to care, strengthen local healthcare resources, and help deliver better outcomes for rural Floridians.” 

The FSU College of Medicine was uniquely positioned to apply for these grants, as its community-based, collaborative structure is focused on developing partnerships with a special emphasis on providing care to underserved patients throughout Florida.  Additionally, the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation, part of the FSU College of Nursing and led by Professor Lisa Hightow-Weidman, had a long track record of working with patients in a variety of locations by pioneering digital health tools and systems that could help improve individual health outcomes. 

AHCA made collaboration a key requirement for the grant proposals, noting that partnerships should help expand reach, close gaps and make the most of shared resources. 

“Community partnerships are essential to building a healthier Florida,” said Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the FSU College of Medicine and president of the Florida Medical Association. “We know how important it is to bring healthcare directly into the communities that need it most. I saw that firsthand as a family physician in rural Gadsden County in Florida’s Panhandle, and in my work across the state, I continue to see gaps in care that we can help close. Rural Floridians deserve access to high-quality, compassionate care. Meaningful progress will take collaboration, innovation and a sustained commitment to the people we serve.”  

“FSU received the largest award among Florida’s higher education institutions and was the state’s second-largest recipient overall,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This remarkable investment reflects the strength of our partnerships, the expertise of our faculty, and the important work being done through FSU Health and the College of Medicine to address healthcare challenges in communities across our state.” 

FSU’s grant proposals focus on key rural health challenges, including food insecurity, behavioral health, preventive care, workforce development and telehealth. To guide planning and funding, AHCA identified Florida’s rural counties, as defined by state law, and grouped them into four regions: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast. The FSU College of Medicine, in collaboration with the FSU College of Nursing and IDHI, developed proposals for the Northwest and Southwest regions, where it already has established programs and partnerships.  

The Northwest Region is a central hub for FSU Health, with a new FSU Health Hospital under construction in Panama City Beach and the FSU Health Research and Collaboration Building scheduled to open this fall on the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare campus. In Southwest Florida, the college operates its Immokalee Health Education Site and sponsors residency and fellowship programs at several hospitals. 

The two projects in Northwest Florida receiving funds will tackle food insecurity, preventive care and at-home care. Four new projects to launch in Southwest Florida will focus on workforce development, behavioral health, telehealth, food insecurity, preventive care and at-home care.  

“These projects reflect exactly why FSU Health was created: to bring together research, clinical expertise and community partnerships to address some of the most pressing health challenges facing Floridians,” said FSU Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “By focusing on rural communities, we can help turn discovery and innovation into practical solutions that expand access, improve outcomes and strengthen the health of people across the state.” 

Heather Flynn, professor and chair of the FSU College of Medicine’s Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, played a key role in shepherding the grant process along and assembling teams of researchers, healthcare providers and community organizations to develop solid plans that will have a direct impact on the health and lives of Floridians. No stranger to collaborative work, Flynn is also director of the FSU Center for Behavioral Health Integration.  

“One of the main things I learned through this process is that there are a lot of extremely dedicated, high-quality clinicians, staff and administrators in the rural areas that are doing everything they can to help the patients and families in their communities with a system that is not connected and one that needs a lot of improvement and innovation,” Flynn said. “You’ve got all of these different healthcare centers, sites, organizations — all doing the best they can with the resources they have — to provide access and quality care to patients and families — and they know they don’t have what they need to do that adequately. So, it’s very frustrating.  

“I learned people are very eager to partner,” Flynn added. “Of course, there are always business considerations that may pose some barriers to those partnerships, but what I learned is people are willing to look past that and work together to fill those gaps in rural areas.” 

Flynn said the work must move quickly: Sept. 30 is the federal deadline for demonstrating significant progress in launching the projects. 

“We could not make this happen without the support of the university as well as the faculty and staff who are working diligently to ensure we meet this deadline and begin to make a positive impact on the health of people across the state,” she said.  

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Returning to work before breastfeeding is fully established presents an enormous challenge for mothers, according to Florida State University researcher and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Mirine Richey. As National Breastfeeding Month highlights the benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers, Richey says workplace policies can play a critical role in whether mothers are able to meet their breastfeeding goals.

Richey, a faculty member at the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy, has presented at state and national conferences and served as an international delegate to the World Health Organization, where she discussed infant formula market regulations and breastfeeding protection. She says many U.S. workplace and parental leave policies can make it harder for mothers to continue breastfeeding by disrupting pumping schedules, reducing milk supply and increasing stress.

“We spend a lot of time telling women that breastfeeding is important,” Richey said. “What we don’t do is provide enough support to help them reach their goals.”

While public health campaigns consistently promote the benefits of breastfeeding, many mothers return to work within weeks of giving birth. The early postpartum period is critical for establishing and maintaining milk supply, which depends on frequent breastfeeding or pumping. When mothers face demanding schedules, inadequate break time, limited privacy or insufficient workplace accommodations, maintaining that supply can become increasingly difficult.

“Milk-supply hormones can take six to eight weeks to reach their optimal levels, and this is done by feeding the baby every two to three hours,” Richey said. “Women who return to work during this time may not be able to pump this often due to workplace policy or just career concerns.”

The challenges are not only physical. Richey says workplace policies can affect maternal mental health. Many women feel pressure to provide breast milk because of its well-documented benefits. When work responsibilities interfere with breastfeeding goals, mothers often experience guilt, stress and feelings of failure. Mothers who work in extremely demanding fields, such as emergency workers and first responders, are often faced with an even greater burden.

Richey says healthcare providers need more training to help mothers navigate workplace challenges related to breastfeeding.

“Healthcare providers need more training to help care plan for women with unique workplace challenges, especially when returning to work in the first six months when baby is recommended to have only breast milk,” she added.

Richey can discuss how early return-to-work policies affect breastfeeding outcomes, the relationship between stress and milk supply, maternal mental health challenges during the postpartum period, and the workplace policies that can better support mothers and babies. She can be reached via email at m.richey@fsu.edu.

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FSU Health leader to serve as president of Florida Medical Association

Alma Littles, M.D., dean of the FSU College of Medicine, will be installed Aug. 1 as the 150^th president of the Florida Medical Association at the FMA’s annual conference in Orlando. Littles is the first medical school dean to serve as president in the association’s history.

Founded in 1874, the FMA represents more than 20,000 physicians on legislative, economic, educational and ethical issues. As president, Littles will chair the FMA Board of Governors, which initiates policy for the organization, and   serve as its chief ambassador.

“While assuming this role is one of the greatest honors of my professional career, I am humbled by the opportunity and mindful of the responsibility,” Littles said. “I see this role as an opportunity to serve — not only physicians — but also the patients and communities who depend on us.”

Littles’ election further elevates the statewide leadership role of FSU Health, Florida State University’s integrated academic health system. Through its growing network of clinical, educational and research partnerships, FSU Health is helping address Florida’s most pressing health care challenges, including physician workforce development, access to care and medical innovation.

A board-certified family medicine physician, Littles said her priorities as FMA’s president  include helping physicians practice medicine effectively while advancing policies that support safe, high-quality, compassionate patient care. As the first sitting dean to serve as FMA president, Littles also plans to advocate for the strengthening of Florida’s physician workforce by supporting medical education, residency training, physician retention, physician well-being and leadership development.

“This advocacy will include supporting physicians, residents and students as we all navigate the very necessary implementation of AI and other emerging technologies, while maintaining the human connection at the heart of the patient-physician relationship,” Littles said.

During their one-year term, FMA presidents appoint two members to the FMA Board of Governors. Littles has chosen Jeremy Slaga, FSU’s vice president and chief clinical operations officer overseeing FSU Health, and Andrea Friall, M.D., who practices obstetrics and gynecology and is the chief medical officer of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare in Tallahassee.

“Anyone who has worked with Dr. Littles knows that the superlatives are well-deserved,” said FMA Chief Executive Officer Chris Clark. “She’s a remarkable person and a consistently remarkable physician leader. The FMA has always valued having close relationships with Florida’s medical schools. So, the fact that Dr. Littles is the first medical school dean to serve as FMA President in our organization’s 151-year history is especially meaningful.”

Before becoming president, Littles served as FMA president-elect, vice president and secretary. She has been a member of FMA since she was a medical student.

Littles is a leader in organized medicine at both the state and national levels. She continues to advocate for access to quality healthcare, inspiring doctors and other clinicians to practice in areas where people are most in need, particularly in rural areas and in the areas of primary care and preventive medicine.

Littles is a former president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians (FAFP) and was Florida Family Physician of the Year in 1993. She is also a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, where she was named a Fellow in 1998; the American Medical Association; and the Florida Alliance for Health Professions Diversity. In 2016-17 Littles served as chair of the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Board of Directors.

Littles was named one of the 25 Women You Need to Know in Tallahassee in 2010 and in 2014 was identified by Black Health Magazine as one of the country’s Top 15 Most Influential African American Medical Educators. She also received the 2014 Outstanding Physician of the Year Award from Capital Medical Society (CMS). In 2019, she was honored with the American Medical Women’s Association’s Elizabeth Blackwell Award. She also received the Director’s Award for Outstanding Faculty from AMWA.

A longtime patient advocate, Littles has always recognized the importance of being a part of and giving back to the community. She has an interest in promoting student and physician wellness and addressing ways to prevent burnout. She serves on the Wellness Committees of the CMS and FAFP and chaired the FMA’s Wellness Committee in 2019-20. She also served as vice chair of Florida’s Physicians Workforce Advisory Council (chaired by Florida’s surgeon general) for eight years and is a contributing author of the textbook Contemporary Challenges in Medical Education, published in 2019.

She served previously as chair of the American Medical Association’s Academic Physicians Section and as delegate to the AMA from the Academic Physicians Section. She is also the vice chair of the Council of Florida Medical School Deans.

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FSU Health is Florida State University’s integrated academic health system, bringing together hospitals, physicians, clinics, research, education, and innovation under a unified vision to improve the health of the communities we serve.

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The number of children identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise, underscoring the need for educators who are prepared to support autistic learners in a range of classroom settings. Recent data shows that 1 in 31 children age 8 — about 3.2% of that population — has been diagnosed with ASD, making autism-focused training an increasingly important part of professional development for today’s educators.

Led by the special education program at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne’s College), the inaugural Florida State University Autism Teaching and Learning Institute was created to help close that training gap. It brought together professionals who support autistic learners across early childhood, K-12 and postsecondary settings for a professional development experience focused on instruction, collaboration and practical classroom application.

Featuring a wide range of professionals in attendance, the institute helped strengthen how schools are supporting autistic learners.

“We knew there was a need for this type of professional learning based on our longstanding partnerships with school districts, conversations with educators across the state, and our own experiences working alongside teachers and families,” said Jenny Root, the Anne & John Daves Endowed Professor who led the event. “Having a wide range of participants was especially meaningful because supporting autistic learners is truly a team effort. Seeing professionals from so many different disciplines learning together reinforced our vision for the institute: improving outcomes for autistic learners across the lifespan requires collaboration across professions.”

The mission aligns with FSU Health — the university’s collaborative initiative uniting researchers, educators and clinical partners to improve health care delivery across Florida. Root believes supporting autistic learners means supporting the variety of educators who teach and serve them.

“Effective preparation for supporting autistic learners is no longer a specialized need — it’s an essential component of professional learning across the educational workforce,” Root added. “That’s why we intentionally designed the FSU Autism Teaching and Learning Institute with multiple learning strands and encouraged participation from professionals across disciplines and settings.”

“Effective preparation for supporting autistic learners is no longer a specialized need — it’s an essential component of professional learning across the educational workforce.”

– Jenny Root, Anne & John Daves Endowed Professor

The event’s multidisciplinary approach benefited the 200-plus attendees, with eight different strands offering a variety of topics. Emphasizing high-leverage practices and evidence-based interventions, the one-day experience covered all the critical aspects of professional development that proved to be more advantageous than a one-size-fits-all model.

“One of the core principles of the institute is that there is no single pathway to supporting autistic learners because there is no single type of educator who supports them,” Root said. “A preschool teacher, a middle school mathematics teacher, a speech-language pathologist and a university professor all have different roles, responsibilities and professional learning needs. Rather than asking everyone to sit through the same sessions, we designed targeted strands that allowed participants to choose learning experiences most relevant to their work and their current level of knowledge.”

The collaborative effort included staff members from FSU’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (FSU CARD) and members from the Board of Directors of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD). A mix of professionals — including school teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, behavior specialists, administrators, paraprofessionals, transition specialists and higher education faculty and staff — converged at Stone Building to learn and share their experiences with others.

Addie McConomy, an assistant clinical professor and program leader at Anne’s College, was one of several special education staff members who led interactive workshops, roundtables and learning sessions. In the afternoon, she led a “Create Supportive Learning Environments” session that focused on teachers applying some of their own concepts to their autistic learners.

“Classroom environment establishes the foundation for all learning,” McConomy said. “Many classrooms have great routines and strategies in place to support learning.  However, some students may need the classroom routines and strategies explicitly taught, and this is a step that is often overlooked in busy classrooms. I hope that teachers invest the same time into teaching their routines as they do building their routines.”

McConomy’s goal for each of her sessions was to ensure educators leave equipped with best practices that fulfill both themselves and their learners.

“The institute was implementation-focused and each session emphasized practical applications that we hope educators can put into practice right away,” McConomy added. “These professional development experiences bridge the gap between research and practice and should prepare teachers to support all student learning.”

The institute looks to carry its momentum forward after a successful debut. Growth and evolution will include listening to participants and community partners on feedback from the event, whether that means expanding capacity, offering additional learning strands or bringing together a broader range of professionals.

The early response shows demand will be high for next year.

“This was always envisioned as more than a one-time event,” Root added. “Our goal is to build a community of educators who are committed to improving educational outcomes for autistic learners and who continue learning from one another long after the institute ends. The response to this inaugural institute certainly suggests there is an appetite for that kind of professional learning.”

By combining research-based instruction, practical training and collaboration across professions, the FSU Autism Teaching and Learning Institute reflects FSU’s growing role in preparing the next generation of educators to support autistic learners and improve outcomes across the lifespan.

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The rise of pickleball has been rapid, growing in popularity since the pandemic. While the game is mostly promoted for its physical benefits in older adults, its greatest effect is shown in the social connections it builds.

According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by the University of Michigan and the AARP, 1 in 3 adults aged 50 to 80 reported feeling lonely or lacking companionship some of the time or often. Now known as a public health risk, loneliness is defined as the feeling that results from a perceived gap between a person’s desired social connections and their actual relationships.

Distinct from loneliness is the other public health risk of social isolation — an objective lack of social connections, encompassing few social roles, infrequent interactions and minimal participation in community activities. Further examinations on social connection point to both loneliness and social isolation in older adults presenting a major risk for premature mortality.

Florida State University’s Amy Chan Hyung Kim is an associate professor in the Department of Sport Management whose research focuses on promoting sport for health from a social epidemiological perspective. Of her many research projects, Kim has worked exclusively with the United States of America Pickleball Association and has produced research on pickleball’s benefits for retirees in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.

While noting all the physical benefits of pickleball, from improved strength to cardiovascular health, Kim believes the less obvious one comes from a cognitive angle.

“Research has shown that playing pickleball strengthens older adults’ social connections and sense of community while reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation,” Kim said. “Part of this comes down to the court itself, which is considerably smaller than a tennis court and keeps players close enough to talk easily with partners and opponents throughout a match/rallies. This sets pickleball apart from activities such as running or walking alone, which improve fitness but rarely bring people together in the same way.”

An advocate for expanding the sport’s growth, Kim believes the solution to continued momentum is accessibility.

“The more durable path is a network of accessible courts and welcoming local programs that make it easy for anyone to pick up a paddle and stay with it,” Kim added. “Court access remains the single largest barrier, as many communities still rely on tennis courts marked with temporary lines or a handful of public courts that fill up before most people arrive. Dedicated courts, whether built from scratch or converted from underused facilities, would do more than any advertising campaign to sustain growth. Beyond facilities, the next step is to make the game welcoming to people who assume it is not for them, including younger adults, families and those who have never considered themselves athletic.”

To learn more about how pickleball bridges much-needed social connections in older adults, as well as how the sport has grown in popularity, media may reach associate professor Amy Chan Hyung Kim via email at kamy@fsu.edu.

Amy Chan Hyung Kim, associate professor, Department of Sport Management

How does the setup of a pickleball court help in building social connections?

The format of the game reinforces a sense of closeness, since players can rotate partners, share courts and often stay to talk long after the last point. These social connections, in turn, are closely tied to better mental health and psychological well-being, with studies reporting lower levels of depression, stress and anxiety among regular players, along with greater happiness and life satisfaction. For older adults, the combination of movement and companionship may be the most valuable aspect of playing pickleball.

While it’s clear that the benefits outweigh the negatives, what are some things older adults should be weary of when playing pickleball?

Injuries are the most common concern, particularly strains and sprains of the ankle, knee, shoulder and Achilles tendon, which often occur when players lunge or backpedal for the ball rather than letting it go. Falls deserve special attention as well, since a single fall can lead to a fracture that takes months to recover from. Footwear helps guard against both, and proper court shoes are worth the investment because running shoes are built for forward motion and offer little support during the side-to-side movement the game demands. Heat is another factor, especially in Florida, where playing in the middle of the day can lead to dehydration or heat exhaustion. Sunscreen matters just as much for anyone playing outdoors, since regular sun exposure over time raises the risk of skin damage and skin cancer. Finally, older adults managing heart conditions, joint replacements or balance problems should talk with their physician before starting, not to be discouraged from playing, but to set sensible limits. With a warm-up, appropriate footwear, sensible pacing and attention to the body’s signals, most of these concerns can be managed rather than avoided.

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The Florida State University College of Nursing and College of Medicine have been awarded a more than $1.6 million Institutional National Research Service Award (T32) from the National Institutes of Health to prepare the next generation of nurse scientists to harness technology and artificial intelligence in improving health outcomes for a variety of populations.

The five-year training program, NURTURe: Nurse Scientists Using Research, Technology and AI to Uplift Resilient eHealth Outcomes, prepares nurse-trained postdoctoral fellows for careers as researchers in digital health. Fellows within the program will develop, test and apply digital health and AI tools for preventing disease and managing chronic conditions, with a focus on rural communities where access to care can be limited.

The program will be based within the college’s Institute on Digital Health and Innovation (IDHI) and supported by the FSU College of Medicine’s Center for Translational Behavioral Science (CTBScience).

“This award reflects a belief we have championed at the FSU College of Nursing, that nurses must help lead the future of artificial intelligence in healthcare,” said Jing Wang, dean of the FSU College of Nursing. “NURTURe joins a growing list of investments we have made to prepare nurses for an AI-enabled world. By training nurses to develop and test these technologies, we ensure that innovation is guided by the professionals who understand patients best.”

Preparing the next generation of health and healthcare professionals is central to FSU Health, the university’s integrated academic health system. The College of Medicine and College of Nursing are foundational to that mission, working alongside IDHI and CTBScience to advance education, research and innovation across FSU Health.

“The promise of this work is ultimately measured in the care this will bring into people’s lives,” said Lisa Hightow-Weidman, distinguished and endowed McKenzie professor, associate dean for research, founding director of the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation, and co-principal investigator. “Digital health and AI can extend high-quality care to communities that need additional resources, but only if these tools are built and tested with real patients in mind. There is no better place to do that than IDHI, where we bring together the technology, the science and the deep clinical understanding needed to turn innovation into healthier communities.”

The program is led by three multiple principal investigators — Hightow-Weidman, Wang and CTBScience founding director Sylvie Naar — whose combined expertise spans nursing science, digital health technology, health promotion, community engagement, translational behavioral science and implementation science.

“The FSU College of Medicine and the Center for Translational Behavioral Science are thrilled to help train the next generation of nurse researchers in AI and digital health, grounded in community-engaged dissemination and implementation science,” said Naar, also a distinguished endowed professor in the College of Medicine. “By placing fellows across IDHI and CTBScience, NURTURe reinforces the close collaboration between our two colleges.”

NURTURe draws its mentorship team from across the FSU College of Nursing and the FSU College of Medicine.

Primary Mentors

• Lisa Hightow-Weidman, FSU College of Nursing
• Jing Wang, FSU College of Nursing
• Sylvie Naar, FSU College of Medicine
• Henna Budhwani, FSU College of Nursing
• Eugenia Millender, FSU College of Nursing
• Kathryn Muessig, FSU College of Nursing
• Bonnie Spring, FSU College of Medicine

Secondary Mentors

• Jie Chen, FSU College of Nursing
• Lucinda Graven, FSU College of Nursing
• Adam Hanley, FSU College of Nursing
• Zhe He, FSU College of Communication and Information
• Karen MacDonell, FSU College of Medicine
• Geraldine Martorella, FSU College of Nursing
• Norman B. Schmidt, Department of Psychology, FSU College of Arts and Sciences
• Laura Widman, FSU College of Nursing

The T32 award is the latest milestone in the FSU College of Nursing’s broader push to lead in digital health and AI, part of its Boldly Rising strategic plan. In recent years, the college launched the nation’s first Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in AI Applications in Healthcare, established the Nursing and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Consortium, and partnered with the Coalition for Health AI to create the nation’s first micro-credential series on responsible AI for nursing.

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FSU Health is Florida State University’s integrated academic health system, bringing together hospitals, physicians, clinics, research, education, and innovation under a unified vision to improve the health of the communities we serve. For more information, visit fsuhealth.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson this summer was officially inducted into the National Academy of Inventors, the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors.

“Being named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors is an incredible honor,” Patterson said when she learned the news this past spring. “I firmly believe that our responsibility as academic innovators extends beyond discovery — we must actively translate the knowledge and breakthroughs developed within our universities into real-world solutions to help improve lives. This part of our mission inspires me daily, driving my passion to ensure that our researchers and ideas create meaningful, lasting benefits for society.”

Patterson, who has served as FSU’s vice president for Research since 2022, has a long record of translating academic research into commercial applications. She holds several U.S. patents that focus on novel detection platforms and engineered cell lines used to accelerate drug discovery and toxicity testing. Her work also led to 490 BioTech, a Knoxville-based startup company, where she was one of four co-founders. 490 BioTech was highlighted as one of the top ten innovations in 2013 by The Scientist Magazine.

Since arriving at FSU, Patterson has led the launch of several initiatives aimed at accelerating research translation, entrepreneurship and innovation. Here are three ways Patterson and the Division of Research are championing a culture of innovation at FSU.

• Expanding research translation through IGNITE-FSU Program: Patterson secured $6M from the National Science Foundation’s Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program to kickstart FSU’s efforts. Known as IGNITE-FSU, this program provides faculty with targeted funding, institutional infrastructure and coordinated support across research, commercialization and entrepreneurial support teams to take discoveries from university labs and fast-track them into tangible societal and economic solutions.
• Opening the IGNITE Tallahassee incubator facility: The IGNITE Tallahassee facility provides space and resources for technology-based start-ups. Its regional focus enables the support of university spinouts as well as the recruitment to the Tallahassee region of deep technology companies seeking to partner with the unique assets and faculty at FSU, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and Tallahassee State College. Located in Innovation Park, the 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art hard science incubator bridges the gap between campus labs and commercial markets. It is purpose-built for deep-tech and life-science startups, featuring wet and dry labs, tissue and bio-culture facilities and prototyping space. Backed by the IGNITE Entrepreneurial Support team, founders work closely with experts to grow their venture.
• Moving technologies forward: Through FSU Health, FSU awarded $250,000 to five teams comprising research and local health providers pursuing healthcare innovations. Patterson launched the Clinical Catalyst program last year to bring together teams to address health challenges affecting patients in the community. Through IGNITE-FSU, eight researchers spearheaded seed translational research projects to move targeted projects toward practical application. These include a web-based tool for photo-based chemical analysis, a digital ADHD treatment for children, a test for colorectal cancer and others.

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Think of the biggest medical challenges of our time and you’ll find researchers tackling them at the FSU-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The MagLab harnesses some of the most powerful magnets on Earth to unlock the secrets of human biology, peering deeper into molecular structures than ever before. Cutting-edge research on cancer, migraines, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and many other conditions is helping pave the way for next-generation treatments, faster diagnoses, and life-changing cures. As part of FSU Health, the MagLab brings together world-class scientists and clinical partners to improve the future of medicine in Florida.

Here are seven ways the MagLab is pushing the frontiers of medicine and advancing human health.

 Targeting a Key Cancer Driver

MagLab researchers have uncovered an important clue about how the KRAS gene drives cancer. KRAS is a gene that helps control when cells grow, divide and die. When KRAS mutates, those signals can get stuck in the “on” position, causing cells to multiply uncontrollably. Mutated KRAS is strongly associated with several major cancers, including pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Using Ion Cyclotron Resonance mass spectrometry, researchers mapped the structures of intact KRAS proteins in colon cancer tumors. In the process, they discovered a previously unknown, shortened version of the KRAS protein that moves differently inside cells and sends growth signals to the cell’s DNA. The finding gives scientists new insight into how KRAS-related cancers develop and could help guide the design of more precise and effective cancer therapies.

Promoting Stroke Recovery

Scientists using the world’s strongest MRI have identified a promising approach for stroke treatment using human stem cells. They reconfigured the cells to promote healing and growth, so the stem cells would survive the hostile environment of a stroke lesion. Tested in pre-clinical models, these aggregated stem cells improved survival, reduced brain lesion sizes and stimulated noticeable motor function recovery, offering a promising strategy to boost the effectiveness of future stroke therapies.

Seeking New Drugs to Fight Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

An interdisciplinary team of researchers has launched an ambitious effort to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria. The team plans to screen a billion soil microbes from around the world in search of natural compounds that could become new antibiotics. The project will leverage the MagLab’s Ion Cyclotron Resonance mass spectrometers to analyze and identify these novel bioactive molecules for drug development. Drug-resistant bacterial infections are one of the world’s leading causes of death, with cases expected to rise dramatically in the next 25 years.

Characterizing Cartilage to Improve Treatments for Joint Disease

Using advanced, solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and a technique called Dynamic Nuclear Polarization, researchers successfully observed the microscopic interactions of sugars and proteins in cartilage for the first time. They discovered that the sugars and proteins bind directly to one another at an atomic level, forming tiny “bridges” that hold the structure together. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments for joint diseases like osteoarthritis and improve the development of synthetic cartilage materials.

Mapping the Protein that Powers Tuberculosis

Harnessing the National MagLab’s high-powered Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectrometer, chemists mapped a unique protein linked to deadly, virulent strains of tuberculosis. Unlike similar proteins, this rule-breaking variant has an unoccupied atomic site. Researchers believe this open site acts like a plug-in for molecules that help the bacteria function. It’s also believed the protein may help build TB’s thick, waxy cell walls, which make it less susceptible to treatment. The finding represents a critical first step toward understanding how the protein may help tuberculosis bacteria survive and could potentially lead to the design and development of new TB treatments.

Pinpointing the Precursors of Migraines

MagLab researchers have discovered a link between migraines and sodium distribution in the brain. The team scanned rats and found a spike in sodium levels within the brainstem before any migraine symptoms appeared. This new finding helps pinpoint exactly where migraine symptoms may start. Moving forward, the scientists plan to study whether existing treatments impact this sodium buildup, paving the way for more effective future therapies for millions of migraine sufferers.

Delving into a Deadly Fungus

Using a powerful Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technique, MagLab scientists mapped the complex cell wall of Cryptococcus, a drug-resistant fungus that kills tens of thousands of people globally every year. They discovered that five distinct large sugar molecules act as an internal scaffold to protect the fungal cell. This sturdy framework explains why the fungus survives so well inside the human body and resists many modern antifungal drugs. By learning how this molecular shield is built, the research opens new opportunities to design more effective targeted antifungal therapies.

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Every day, millions of young women use social media to learn about health and wellness, yet few know that alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer.

To help close this awareness gap, Russell Clayton, the Distinguished and Endowed Provost McKenzie Professor, professor in FSU’s School of Communication and director of the Cognition and Emotion Lab, is collaborating on a five-year study with researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James, and UMass Chan Medical School.

Funded by a $3.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute (NIH/NCI), the team is working to identify the most effective social media message strategies for raising awareness about the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk among women ages 18 to 25.

“Drinking alcohol during young adulthood is associated with benign breast disease, which increases the risk of future breast cancer, as well as a higher risk of developing breast cancer before menopause,” Clayton said. “Despite these risks, fewer than one-third of young adult women are aware that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for breast cancer.”

Although alcohol is an established risk factor for breast cancer, public awareness of that link remains low. Compared with other modifiable cancer risk factors, such as tobacco use, alcohol has historically received less attention in cancer prevention messaging.

Because young adulthood is both a biologically vulnerable period for breast development and a time when alcohol use is common, researchers and public health agencies are increasingly focused on improving awareness of alcohol-related breast cancer risk.

“Social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, provide a unique opportunity to reach young women with evidence-based health information at scale. Through this project, we will identify which social media message characteristics are most effective at increasing awareness of alcohol-related breast cancer risk and encouraging informed health decisions.”

The project will begin with a national online study examining how different social media messages about alcohol-related breast cancer risk influence young women’s responses. Clayton will then lead the laboratory phase at FSU’s Cognition and Emotion Lab, where researchers will combine self-report assessments and psychophysiological measures to better understand young women’s cognitive and emotional responses.

During the multi-site laboratory phase of the project, participants will view a simulated social media feed while researchers assess their responses to breast cancer prevention messages. Using eye-tracking technology, Clayton will examine which message features capture and hold participants’ visual attention, while measures of heart rate and skin conductance will provide objective indicators of participants’ emotional and cognitive responses to the messages.

Clayton and collaborators will then determine whether participants’ psychophysiological and self-reported responses differ by baseline alcohol use, informing whether digital health messages should be tailored to different drinking patterns.

“Social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, provide a unique opportunity to reach young women with evidence-based health information at scale. Through this project, we will identify which social media message characteristics are most effective at increasing awareness of alcohol-related breast cancer risk and encouraging informed health decisions.”

— Russell Clayton, School of Communication professor and Cognition and Emotion Lab director

The study will generate evidence to help public health agencies design more effective digital communication strategies for reducing alcohol-related breast cancer risk among young women.

“This project will advance cancer communication science by identifying the social media message strategies that most effectively communicate the link between alcohol use and breast cancer risk,” Clayton said. “The findings will help public health agencies, breast cancer prevention organizations and policymakers strengthen future public health campaigns and ultimately reduce alcohol-related breast cancer risk.”

The five-year project brings together researchers from Florida State University, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James, and UMass Chan Medical School with expertise in health communication, cancer prevention, biostatistics and behavioral science to develop more effective strategies for reducing alcohol-related breast cancer risk among young women.

The collaborative research team is led by multiple principal investigators — Russell Clayton at FSU, Darren Mays at Ohio State and Elise Stevens at UMass Chan, alongside Ohio State co-investigators Abigail Shoben and Margaret Gatti-Mays.

Clayton also acknowledges the support of Florida State’s College of Communication and Information, including Dean Michelle Kazmer, School of Communication Director Patrick Merle and grant specialist Cherie Pagan, whose leadership and administrative support were instrumental in securing the award.

To learn more about the FSU Cognition and Emotion Lab, visit the FSU Cognition and Emotion Lab webpage.

Optimizing Social Media Messages Targeting Young Adult Women About the Risks of Breast Cancer from Alcohol Consumption:

This multi-institutional project, is funded by a five-year Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute (NIH/NCI), expected to total $3,113,767.

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As wildfire smoke spreads across parts of Canada and the United States, Florida State University experts are available to discuss the conditions fueling the fires, the risks to communities and the science behind wildfire response.

Extreme heat, below-average rainfall and dry vegetation have accelerated wildfire activity in Canada, sending intense smoke south across the border and into the Northeastern and Upper Midwestern United States. While wildfires are common in Canada, a heat dome in late June has increased the number of outbreaks. Nearly 950 active wildfires are burning according to the Government of Canada’s National wildland fire summary.

Simultaneously, an active wildfire season has taken place in the U.S. Close to 40,000 fires have burned through more than 3.6 million acres in 2026 — above-average activity for mid-July. A USA Today analysis of Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS) data shows that by the early 2020s, the average annual acres burned in the U.S. had nearly tripled compared to the 1990s.

Reporters seeking expert insight may contact the FSU faculty members listed below. Their expertise is organized by topic to help media quickly identify sources on fire modeling, disaster response, firefighter safety and catastrophic risk financing.

Fire modeling

Kevin Speer, former Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute (GFDI) director and professor of scientific computing

• Email: kspeer@fsu.edu
• Speer is an expert in climate change, from global ocean circulation to the dynamics of hydrothermal plumes. Recently retired, he served as director of the GFDI from 2011 to 2026 and was a leading expert on the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.

Disaster response

Yushun Dong, assistant professor of computer science

• Email: yushun.dong@fsu.edu
• Dong is part of FSU’s Resilient Infrastructure & Disaster Response Center (RIDER). As head of the Responsible AI Lab, Dong is leading a team working on a publicly available data-driven platform of U.S. nationwide wildfires empowered by AI technologies. 

Firefighter safety

Meredith McQuerry, director of the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab

• Email: mmcquerry@jmc.fsu.edu
• McQuerry’s research uses the functional design process to engineer better performing protective clothing for first responders, military personnel, healthcare workers, and athletes. She tackles personal protective equipment (PPE) issues that many firefighters face, ranging from improper fit, reduced mobility, overexertion/heat strain, poor material durability, and gear maintenance. Her work published the first study on wildland firefighter PPE cleaning habits, informing the first edition of NFPA 1877. 

Catastrophic risk financing

Charles Nyce, professor and Florida Surplus Lines Insurance director, Risk Management & Insurance Center

• Email: cnyce@wertheim.fsu.edu
• Nyce has authored numerous articles on risk management and insurance topics, including title insurance, IPOs, enterprise risk management, predictive analytics and natural hazards. He is a leading insurance expert on catastrophic risk financing and one of the nation’s top voices when it comes to insurance topics related to natural disasters.

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