As Suicide Prevention Month brings renewed national attention to mental health, Florida State University Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology Thomas Joiner stands among the nation’s most influential researchers, dedicating his career to understanding why people die by suicide and how communities can help prevent it.

Suicide remains a leading public health challenge in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 48,824 deaths by suicide in 2024. Each September, organizations including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline use Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help before a crisis becomes fatal.

The post Faculty Spotlight: FSU suicide prevention expert Thomas Joiner explains why connection, conversation and research can save lives appeared first on Florida State University News.

Moving quickly to implement a top strategic priority, the Herbert Wertheim College of Business at Florida State University has announced the official launch of its Business of Healthcare Initiative.

In alignment with FSU Health, the initiative applies the college’s world-class strengths in research, teaching and industry engagement to address the Florida healthcare sector’s complex operational challenges arising from an aging population, rising costs and escalating prevalence of long-term chronic conditions, among other factors.

Michael D. Hartline, dean of the college, emphasized the initiative’s three prongs, which he said aim to bolster healthcare knowledge, business partnerships and, importantly, student employment and success:

• Scholarly research, led by Patricia H. Born, Ph.D., the college’s new Herbert Wertheim Chair in Health Systems Operations.
• Industry engagement, led by Patricia Kenney, Doctor of Nursing Practice, the college’s new Herbert Wertheim Chair in Healthcare Workforce Leadership.
• Industry programming, led by Caroline Poole, MPA, the college’s director of business development and strategic partnerships.

“The Herbert Wertheim College of Business is uniquely prepared to address the growing demands of healthcare, and these three individuals are exceptionally equipped to lead this pivotal initiative,” Hartline said. “We embrace this extraordinary opportunity to elevate our scholarly impact, strengthen our regional industry footprint and shape the future of healthcare in Northwest Florida and beyond.”

The Business of Healthcare Initiative continues the Wertheim College’s growing emphasis on including healthcare in its programming and curriculum. That includes the Business of Healthcare Summit, launched in 2024, and a recently launched Online Master of Business Administration with a Major in Healthcare Administration, plus several graduate specializations in healthcare.

The new initiative stems from a commitment by Dr. Herbert Wertheim, whose recent $65 million philanthropic investment named the college and the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence and, among other things, earmarked endowed funds for the new faculty posts, including those of Born and Kenney. Dr. Wertheim, a billionaire optometrist, inventor, businessman, philanthropist and the founder and president of Brain Power Inc., said he made the extraordinary investment in part to advance innovation in healthcare.

“Dr. Wertheim’s vision is exactly what the healthcare industry and our communities need, and I think training FSU business students to fill the gaps in the healthcare business workforce is essential,” Kenney said.

“Dr. Wertheim’s vision is exactly what the healthcare industry and our communities need, and I think training FSU business students to fill the gaps in the healthcare business workforce is essential.” 

– Patricia Kenney, Herbert Wertheim Chair in Healthcare Workforce Leadership.

Underscoring expertise from across the college, Born added that the initiative “gives us an opportunity to move beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, tackle some of the most consequential questions facing healthcare and generate research that can improve both the performance of the healthcare system and the lives of the people it serves.”

The project aligns with FSU Health, an integrated system that now includes Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and brings together hospitals, physicians, clinics, research, education and innovation to improve the health of the communities the university serves, including rural and other underserved areas. The university-wide effort comes amid healthcare workforce shortages, a rapidly aging population and proliferation of AI. The university’s initiative includes establishing an academic health system and, in partnership with TMH, constructing new facilities in Tallahassee and Panama City Beach.

Here are details on the three prongs of the initiative:

Scholarly research

This segment, led by Born, focuses on academic collaboration among the Wertheim College, other FSU colleges, and health-focused schools and colleges Dr. Wertheim has named in Florida and California.

Hartline emphasized Born’s background as “a high-impact” scholar whose “profound expertise in health economics and managed-care finance aligns with the chair’s mission to drive continuous improvement within healthcare systems.”

Born said the Wertheim College has identified about two dozen faculty members across all business disciplines who conduct empirical research, publish peer-reviewed studies or maintain advanced educational specializations in health or healthcare-related fields. She said she’s embarking on conversations with those faculty members about their plans for additional health-related research and “how they’d like to participate in this initiative.”

Born said the college’s research examines how business decisions, market forces, technology, regulation and organizational practices shape the cost, access, quality, sustainability and delivery of healthcare “while also addressing the financial and human challenges facing healthcare organizations and their workforces.”

She added: “I am excited to learn from one another, identify new opportunities for collaboration, and build on our collective strengths to realize our full potential.”

Industry engagement

This segment, led by Kenney, who has spent 12 years as executive director at TMH, builds connections with the regional healthcare industry and cultivates partnerships to support faculty research and secure sponsorships, grants and philanthropic investments. Also, it will establish career pathways for Wertheim College students, particularly those in its various graduate healthcare majors and specializations. This includes internships, project collaborations and job placements.

Hartline hailed Kenney, whose academic background includes an MBA in Healthcare Administration and a master’s degree in nursing/family nurse practitioner, for her “extensive blend of executive healthcare experience, academic engagement and specialized leadership training.”

At TMH, she has overseen the Office of Nursing Engagement and the Office of Patient Experience.

Kenney said she embraces her role as a “strategic liaison and regional healthcare representative” who will “help to identify, develop and coordinate any avenues that we can use for collaboration among the Wertheim College, FSU Health and other organizations to support the mission of the Business of Healthcare Initiative.”

Ultimately, she added, “we want to create mutually beneficial connections to serve and provide for the healthcare needs of our communities.”

Industry programming

This component, led by Poole, emphasizes industry conferences, forums and summits to build “a dynamic bridge,” as Hartline calls it, connecting the college to senior executives, policymakers, pioneering researchers and students.

Hartline credited Poole for her work to help elevate the annual Business of Healthcare Summit as “the marquee event to position the college as a premier intellectual hub and a catalyst for industry-wide solutions.”

Poole said she aims to establish additional events that attract physicians and other healthcare providers who increasingly seek to embrace the business side of the industry.

“It’s important for healthcare professionals to understand the operations and the pitfalls, including the organizational challenges, of running a healthcare institution and making everything run smoothly,” she said.

She noted that healthcare innovation stood as a focus of the recent Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Community Conference at Amelia Island, Florida. FSU Health served as the presenting sponsor.

Poole added, referring to Hartline’s emphasis on the Business of Healthcare Initiative: “I’m excited that the college has jumped in with both feet to lead this effort for the betterment of our faculty, staff, students and communities in North Florida and beyond.”

The post Florida State University Wertheim College of Business launches Business of Healthcare Initiative appeared first on Florida State University News.

The phenomenon of transforming a college dorm room into a personalized living space has flooded social media, creating a flourishing market driven by fervent online communities. Behind the viral #DormTok trend lies masked benefits and consequences that go beyond remaking an Instagram-worthy room.

In a 2023 study published in “Anxiety, Stress, & Coping,” research showed students whose dorm rooms were less aligned with their ideal vision of a living space reported more depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower overall well-being. The closer a student’s living space matches their desired environment, the better their mental health outcomes tended to be.

Florida State University’s Stephanie Sickler, an associate professor at the FSU School of Design, centers her work on student success in design education and beyond. According to Sickler, personalizing living spaces on campus have both positive and negative consequences for mental and emotional health.

“Personalization of space creates a supportive environment that can be restorative in times of need and activating in times of growth,” Sickler said. “Students benefit when their private spaces are enhanced even in small ways. However, elaborate decorative dorm room appointments can quickly become weaponized as a delineator of perceived worth and value among campus housing residents when the disparity between individual spaces is as vast as the examples being promoted in the media.”

Sickler adds that students may take great pride in portraying a strong personal self-image in how they appoint their space. However, social media can contribute to them feeling like they cannot keep up with the aesthetics required for perceived acceptance, creating a lack of self-esteem.

Sickler, a recent inductee into the Council of Fellows of the Interior Design Educators Council, says research shows that redesigned living spaces can still be correlated to student success because of important predictors like having a campus community to identify with and living at least one year in campus housing.

“Students electing to live on campus are already ahead of their peers as it pertains to their chance for student success,” Sickler added. “Possessions are an important component to protecting one’s sense of self — an aspect students are building afresh with their start to college. Studies have shown that students’ well-being is positively influenced by their ability to personalize their private spaces with possessions that have value to them.”

Media interested in understanding how dorm room redesigns affect student mental health may reach out to FSU School of Design Associate Professor Stephanie Sickler via email at ssickler@fsu.edu.

Stephanie Sickler, associate professor, Florida State University School of Design

What are some of the most impactful design shifts — from a standard university dorm room to a customized living space — that you notice often in these dorm room makeovers? How can these redesigns benefit students?

“Standard campus housing provides furniture for students and a standard window covering such as mini blinds. Students only need to bring bedding, clothing and personal belongings to be able to move into their room. Highly customized spaces now include features such as upholstered headboards, window treatments, custom bedding, rugs and specialized furniture items such as upholstered ottomans and convertible chairs. These items, while beautiful, are luxury items used in private residences. Including them in a dorm room may make certain students feel more at home, if they have such features in their family home, but at the same time creates a false sense of what the world may be like when they graduate.”

“Custom soft goods vary greatly in cost, and since many are only used in the dorm for one year before students move to off campus housing or another residence hall, the expense is high for such a temporary housing scenario. That said, the soft headboard may make it more comfortable for a user to sit and study or watch tv in bed. Window treatments may offer better light control and sound insulation. Soft furniture may make it more comfortable to gather with friends in the room.”

“Some proponents of the trend have posited that students will no longer be using their dorm rooms for the live-work-sleep scenario as before, which seems a waste of the curated features. If the goal is to personalize the space to the point that the student feels they are back at home, it doesn’t make sense to never spend any time in the luxury space that was curated.”

The post FSU design expert explains how viral dorm room makeovers can affect student mental health appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University researchers at the College of Medicine and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering will study how physical changes in cells contribute to the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common type of pancreatic cancer and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

The research, which is supported by a $2.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, will help scientists understand how the shape and organization of pancreatic cells change as the disease develops and whether these physical changes help tumors grow and spread to other parts of the body.

Pancreatic cancer progression

Changes in cell structure and organization are a hallmark of pancreatic cancer progression and are routinely used by pathologists to assess disease stage and progression. Using human-derived pancreatic organoids — miniature 3D models of pancreatic tissue grown in the lab — the researchers will recreate key structural features seen in real patient tumors, from normal pancreatic tissue to advanced cancer.

Normal organoids have a central hollow space, called a lumen, surrounded by a thin layer of cells, similar to the structure of a normal pancreatic duct in the body. In pancreatic cells with primary tumors or metastatic tumors, the lumen is different.

“Primary tumor organoids still have a lumen, but the surrounding cell layer becomes much thicker,” said grant co-investigator Jerome Irianto, assistant professor at the College of Medicine. “In metastatic organoids, the central lumen collapses and is replaced by multiple small lumen-like structures, resembling the disorganized architecture seen in advanced pancreatic tumors. This led us to ask two important questions: What drives these structural changes, and what are the consequences for cancer progression?”

How it works: Cellular physics

The lumen depends on the movement of ions and water to maintain its shape and fluid balance. As ions are transported into the lumen, water follows. The surrounding layer of epithelial cells contains this fluid, creating physical forces that help shape the organoid.

When fewer ion and water channels are present, this delicate balance is disrupted. 

“A major factor driving the collapse of the lumen is the loss of ion transport that normally helps build pressure inside it, almost like filling a balloon,” said mechanobiologist Tristan Driscoll, assistant professor at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and a co-investigator on the grant. “When that pressure changes, it also changes the mechanical forces experienced by the surrounding cells and how those cells sense and respond to those forces.”

These physical changes may have important consequences for tumor progression. Previous research by the Irianto Lab has identified ion and water channels as potential drivers of changes in lumen structure. In pancreatic tumor organoids, genes responsible for these channels are expressed at lower levels than in normal pancreatic cells. Their expression decreases even further as tumors progress and spread, suggesting a connection between these channels, changes in lumen structure and cancer progression. 

The research team will measure forces between neighboring epithelial cells and the forces transmitted to the nuclear envelope surrounding the cell’s DNA to examine how changes in lumen pressure may ultimately affect cell behavior. 

Yes-associated protein

The Irianto Lab will investigate whether these changes affect a force-sensitive protein called yes-associated protein, or YAP.

Using gene-editing techniques, Irianto and his team will test how changes in ion and water transport, lumen structure and YAP activity work together to influence pancreatic cancer progression.

Under normal cellular conditions, YAP remains outside of the nucleus in an inactive state. When physical forces change or the cell is compressed, YAP moves into the nucleus in its active state to turn on genes that control cell growth, survival and other behaviors important in cancer.

Why it matters: Improving pancreatic cancer survival rates

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a particularly deadly and prevalent form of pancreatic cancer. The disease accounts for more than 80% of pancreatic cancer cases, and the five-year survival rate is around 13%.

Most patients have tumors that cannot be removed with surgery or that have grown larger or spread into nearby tissues. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation have not been shown to significantly improve survival.

“Our goal is to reveal new vulnerabilities in pancreatic cancer that could shape future treatment strategies,” Irianto said. “Despite advancements in care, this continues to be an especially deadly disease that kills tens of thousands of people every year. The better we understand how this works within cells, the better we will be at stopping it.”

Multidisciplinary research to drive impact

Irianto and Driscoll will work with mathematical modeler Katarzyna Rejniak from the Moffitt Cancer Center, pancreatic cancer biologist Chang-il Hwang from UC Davis, and pathologist Jose I. Diaz from the FSU College of Medicine. By combining engineering, cell biology, cancer biology, mathematical modeling and pathology, the team hopes to uncover aspects of pancreatic cancer that cannot be fully understood by studying genes or biochemical pathways alone.

The post Florida State University researchers will lead $2.8M study into how cell changes affect pancreatic cancer appeared first on Florida State University News.

For 175 years, generations of students have come to Florida State University and its predecessor institutions for an education and the opportunities that come with it.

Those generations include the first students to pursue public higher education in Florida, young women attending Florida State College for Women when access to higher education was limited, veterans returning from World War II and first-generation students charting a new path for themselves and their families.

Today, FSU is one of the nation’s top public universities, drawing record numbers of highly accomplished students while continuing a long tradition of expanding opportunity.

The post FSU 175: How the university built its legacy of student success appeared first on Florida State University News.

After six years of raising their family in California, the next chapter for Prince Harry and Meghan includes returning to the U.K. for an extended period at a non-royal residence. Their six-year estrangement from the Royal Family — and the possibility of reconciliation — reflect dynamics that are relatable to many non-royal families.

Family estrangement is becoming common in American families. Last year, a YouGov poll found that 38% of Americans adults say they are currently estranged from either a sibling, a parent, a child, a grandparent or a grandchild. Included in that poll, which surveyed 4,395 U.S. adult citizens, 16% of respondents said they are currently estranged from a parent.

Florida State University’s Nari Jeter is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an associate teaching professor in human development and family science. She has become a nationally recognized relationship expert who has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, SELF Magazine, HuffPost, Fox News and more.

In 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ estrangement from the Royal Family began due to several factors, including lack of palace support and constraints within the family that led to their decision to leave for the United States. According to Jeter, family dynamics where there is disagreement are relatable to families outside the spotlight.

“What’s especially familiar is the in-law dynamic,” Jeter said. “When a family doesn’t fully welcome a new partner, the person in the middle feels torn — to protect their spouse and translate actions on both sides. Often, that person feels like they can never win and keep both sides content, so they give up. This is where estrangement follows; it’s a way of reducing the immediate conflict within them and their family.”

Within the same YouGov Poll, individuals estranged from a child (70%) or grandchild (66%) were more likely to say they would consider reconciling with their family member. For Prince Harry, he remains estranged from his brother, William — The Prince of Wales. The Sussexes are expected to remain private citizens while in the U.K. However, there is a possibility of healing the family rift with his father, King Charles III.

The pathway to reconciliation, according to Jeter, often begins with humility and acceptance.

“Most reconciliation that I’ve seen starts with someone recognizing that wanting to be ‘right’ isn’t working,” Jeter said. “There is humility in recognizing that they could have done some things wrong or hurtful, even unintentionally. They don’t completely give up their views, but they accept that the other person can see things differently and it doesn’t have to be a threat to the relationship.”

Media interested in understanding family estrangement and reconciliation through the lens of the Royal Family may reach out to Nari Jeter via email at nari.jeter@fsu.edu.

Nari Jeter, licensed marriage and family therapist, Florida State University

Family estrangements involving notable figures can be quite different from everyday situations because they play out in front of the public. But in a situation like the Royal Family, what are some relatable concepts?

“It’s a common story that one person decides to step away from the family they come from to protect the family they made. That’s a pattern I see in my office every week. This kind of estrangement typically doesn’t come from one single blow-up, but from many moments where someone doesn’t feel seen, heard, or respected when it comes to their new family boundaries. This is especially true when that family member feels pressure to choose between being loyal to themselves (and their new family) or the family they come from.”

“Contrary to popular belief, estrangement isn’t about an absence of love. Many people who are cut off from their families feel grief, sadness and longing long after estrangement happened. Estrangement happens when love doesn’t feel safe, protected and respected.”

The pathway to reconciliation can be a long process. When you see families reconcile, what are some of the things that often lead to that final step?

“Another step usually comes with an apology or acknowledgement without justification or excuses. This is where emotional validation goes a long way. “I’m sorry I hurt you” or “I can tell I really disappointed you” isn’t an agreement on how they saw it, but it’s recognizing impact. People feel seen and heard when we accept their feelings. Most estranged family members aren’t looking for grand acts in reconciliation. One good apology or acknowledgement can really push the door open to reconnection.”

“Lastly, it’s common to see a significant life event cracking the door open: family sickness, a wedding, a birth, a death. Time and separation won’t heal estrangement, but an event that brings shared purpose or meaning to the family can motivate families to try. It’s important to not jump back into old roles and routines. Family members need to clearly communicate what wasn’t working before and talk about new expectations and boundaries. Small, sustainable, successful changes are the target. Short visits and weekly phone chats are a good starting point to rebuilding trust and connection. Reconciliation takes effort on both sides. It requires grace and humility, and the ability to see past our own hurts to the landscape of someone else’s life.”

The post FSU licensed therapist discusses family estrangement, reconciliation and the Royal Family appeared first on Florida State University News.

Dawn C. Carr, director of Florida State University’s Claude Pepper Center and Mildred and Claude Pepper Professor of Sociology in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, has been elected to the board of directors of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), one of the world’s largest interdisciplinary organizations devoted to the study of aging.

Carr will begin her term Jan. 1. GSA’s more than 6,000 members include researchers, educators, clinicians and policy professionals working across disciplines to advance research, education, practice and policy related to aging.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve GSA and contribute to an organization that has played such an important role in advancing the study of aging,” Carr said. “As our population ages, it is increasingly important that we bring together researchers and professionals across disciplines to better understand what helps people remain healthy, active and engaged throughout their lives.”

Carr’s research focuses on identifying factors that help older adults remain healthy and active as long as possible. Over the past decade, she has studied the connections between health and active engagement in the second half of life, including how employment, retirement, volunteering, caregiving, social relationships and major health events affect health and well-being.

Her recent research also examines how early-life experiences and exposures can affect outcomes later in life and how psychological resources can help people remain resilient as they age.

As director of the Claude Pepper Center, Carr leads a center dedicated to advancing research and policy aimed at improving the lives of older adults. The center focuses on issues affecting older people and their families and works with policymakers, agencies and researchers to promote evidence-based policymaking.

Founded in 1945, GSA brings together experts from a range of disciplines involved in the study of aging. The organization’s work spans biological, medical, behavioral and social research as well as education, practice and public policy.

Carr joined FSU in 2016. Before coming to Florida State, she was a researcher at the Stanford Center on Longevity, a postdoctoral fellow in the Carolina Program for Health and Aging Research at the Institute on Aging at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a researcher at the Scripps Gerontology Center.

The post Director of FSU’s Claude Pepper Center elected to Gerontological Society of America board appeared first on Florida State University News.

As GLP-1 drugs become increasingly common for weight loss, researchers are beginning to examine what these medications may reveal about eating behavior beyond the scale, including why some people experience persistent urges to binge.

Florida State University’s Pamela Keel, the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology, has developed emerging research suggesting GLP-1 drugs may help reduce binge-eating symptoms in some patients by addressing a biological factor rather than simply targeting willpower or behavior.

Keel led the research team whose work last summer established that overlooked biological components in bulimia could be targeted by FDA-approved treatments for Type 2 diabetes. Their research concluded that in addition to targeting psychological factors in treatment, screening patients for biological conditions like high weight suppression — the difference between highest and current body weight — can help clinicians identify who might benefit most from GLP-1s.

The finding could help explain why certain patients experience improvements in bingeing when treated with GLP-1 drugs, and why binge eating should not be framed simply as a lack of self-control.

“Most treatments for eating disorders focus on psychological factors,” Keel said. “Our much-needed research allows clinicians to better understand what biological factors to target when treating patients with eating disorders.”

Keel’s study recently gained attention in the Wall Street Journal for a feature on how GLP-1s assisted one person who was battling bulimia — an illness marked by uncontrolled episodes of bingeing and purging. The article highlighted the research team’s finding that some people with bulimia experience a reduced release of the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone after eating — the same hormone these drugs are designed to mimic. The finding suggests that the persistent urge to binge may stem not from psychological weakness, but from a measurable hormonal deficit that medication could help address.

Keel, who conducts translational research in eating disorders, confirmed that her research provides a possible pathway for bingeing improvements for some individuals targeted with GLP-1s.

“These findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs might help some women stop bingeing by correcting problems with lower GLP-1 release while eating,” Keel said.

“These findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs might help some women stop bingeing by correcting problems with lower GLP-1 release while eating.”

– Pamela Keel, Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology

A recent Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index shows the percentage of U.S. adults currently taking GLP-1s for weight loss has risen to 11% in 2026. Keel’s emerging research supports studies testing GLP-1s for their potential efficacy in individuals with bulimia and related syndromes.

Media interested in learning more about Keel’s research and its importance in navigating treatments for eating disorders may reach out to her via email at keel@psy.fsu.edu.

The post Florida State University expert explores potential GLP-1 link to binge-eating improvements appeared first on Florida State University News.

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.”

The post As North Florida’s need for healthcare providers grows, FSU Health is responding appeared first on Florida State University News.

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.

###

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.

The post FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic opens registration for LEADR diabetes remission program appeared first on Florida State University News.

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.  

The post FSU College of Medicine awarded $19 million in federal grants to strengthen healthcare in rural Florida appeared first on Florida State University News.

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.

The post FSU lactation consultant discusses how workplace policies shape breastfeeding success appeared first on Florida State University News.