The Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine has welcomed a new class of 131 physician residents and fellows as part of its Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs. This expansion aims to address the increasing physician shortage in Florida and enhance healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the College of Medicine, emphasized the importance of expanding these programs. “We continue to expand our GME programs to directly address Florida’s growing physician shortage and to improve access to outstanding health care,” she stated. The FSU GME initiative now collaborates with nine healthcare partners to offer a total of 26 residencies and fellowships, joining over 264 physicians already enrolled in the programs.
Rapid Growth to Combat Physician Shortage
The FSU GME program has experienced significant growth in recent months. Since July 2023, it has taken on sponsorship of two fellowships through the Andrews Research & Education Foundation, which supports the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze. Additionally, it has added four residency programs at Ascension Sacred Heart hospitals in Northwest Florida, as well as a family medicine residency and OB/GYN fellowship at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.
Bill Boyer, associate dean for Graduate Medical Education, highlighted the program’s broader mission beyond merely training residents and fellows. “Our GME program not only addresses workforce development, but we also focus on recruiting high-quality academic physicians into the community who want to teach and take care of patients,” he said. He noted that studies show a preference among patients for treatment in academic medical centers, further underscoring the importance of these initiatives.
The escalating physician shortage in Florida has garnered attention from state legislators. In March 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a series of bills known as Live Healthy, which includes provisions to expand medical residency slots. This legislative support is crucial as statistics reveal a 75% retention rate for physicians who complete their medical education and residency training in Florida.
High Demand and Community Impact
A recent study by the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida confirmed the high demand for FSU-sponsored residency programs. The analysis reviewed the percentage of residency slots filled by medical school graduates in 75 hospitals and healthcare providers across Florida between 2020 and 2024. Remarkably, FSU-sponsored residency and fellowship programs achieved a 100% match rate in each of the five years examined—an accomplishment matched by only nine other programs.
Boyer expressed pride in the program’s success, stating, “Our program, along with our health care partners, fills all available slots each year.” He added that FSU Health, an initiative aimed at enhancing health services in North Florida, anticipates further growth in GME programs as it continues to expand partnerships with clinical care providers.
Each year, the College of Medicine graduates around 120 new physicians, most of whom enter residency programs within Florida. With this latest class, the college now boasts over 2,000 physician alumni, with more than 600 currently practicing or completing residencies throughout the state, significantly contributing to healthcare services.
Completing a residency is a required step for all practicing physicians in the United States, lasting between three to seven years depending on the specialty. Residents gain invaluable hands-on experience under the supervision of experienced physicians. Fellowship programs offer additional specialized training for those wishing to further their expertise after residency, reinforcing the commitment of institutions like FSU College of Medicine to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals.
