Revolutionizing Healthcare: Florida State University Partners with Ascension Sacred Heart Hospitals to Elevate Physician Training

Starting July 1, four residency programs at Ascension Sacred Heart hospitals in Northwest Florida will be sponsored by Florida State University’s College of Medicine. The programs include internal medicine and obstetrics and gynecology at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, pediatrics at Studer Family Children’s Hospital, and family medicine at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach. Together, they will offer 90 slots for training new physicians, with plans to increase this number to help tackle Florida’s physician shortage.

Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the College of Medicine, highlighted the importance of these programs. “With our latest graduating class, we will have more than 600 physicians in Florida,” she said. “We aim to expand both our Graduate Medical Education (GME) program and FSU Health’s impact through partnerships with healthcare providers.” This collaborative approach could provide a crucial boost to the state’s healthcare system.

The physician shortage in Florida has caught the attention of lawmakers. In March 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed four bills under the “Live Healthy” initiative. One of the key features is expanding medical residency slots. Since Florida has a federal designation for a shortage of primary care physicians, Ascension Sacred Heart is receiving federal funds to develop its residency programs further.

Bill Boyer, associate dean of GME, emphasized the role of collaboration in this effort: “Building a medical school and graduate medical education pipeline is vital for the health of our communities.” There are already plans for new residencies in emergency medicine and general surgery, aiming to add seven to ten more positions.

With these recent changes, FSU now sponsors 13 residencies and five fellowships, including a Forensic Pathology Fellowship linked with the District One Medical Examiner’s Office in Pensacola. Dr. Peter Jennings, Chief Medical Officer at Sacred Heart, said, “This partnership helps us meet the growing healthcare needs in this region.” He also noted that many trainees from these programs stay and practice in their communities.

Indeed, a recent study revealed a remarkable 75% retention rate for physicians who train in Florida. The Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida reported that FSU-sponsored residency programs are some of the most sought after in the state. From 2020 to 2024, FSU’s programs achieved a 100% match rate for residency slots, a feat matched by only a few others in Florida.

These developments represent exciting changes for healthcare in Florida. They promise not just an increase in training opportunities but a deeper commitment to improving community health. As FSU and Ascension Sacred Heart continue to expand, they are set to play a critical role in shaping the future of healthcare in the state.

For more information on healthcare developments in Florida, visit the [Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ouZMgCuAI8lIkC_hRWMjc4N5o31fS6Su/view).

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