UPDATED:
- In a 3-2 vote, the City of Tallahassee Commission advanced the sale of TMH to FSU.
- Almost 30 public speakers shared their thoughts at the second public hearing.
- Next steps will include another public hearing with finalized documents and information, including the price tag of the hospital, when a final vote on the transfer could take place.
UPDATED BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Almost 30 speakers sharing thoughts at the second public hearing regarding the proposed partnership between TMH and FSU and a change of ownership for the hospital.
Neighbors spoke from the podium saying things like:
"We have the opportunity to transform healthcare, but there are still a lot of things to work on."
"People spend more time vetting the purchase of their next car than you have spent on vetting this issue."
"I think we're going too fast."
"Please put the brakes on it, slow it down, give us more understanding, answer our questions."
The majority of speakers brought up questions and concerns about the memorandum of understanding, including how fast the decision was made, potential state control, and the accessibility of indigent care.
Commissioners were divided.
Mayor Pro Tem Dianne Williams-Cox raised the motion to push the agreement forward, arguing the information in the MOU is available and addresses concerns from neighbors.
"We need good healthcare, an academic medical center in the capital in the 3rd largest state in the nation," said Mayor Pro Tem Williams-Cox. "We need that here."
Commissioner Curtis Richardson and Mayor John Dailey also supported the motion, arguing the decision needed to move forward without delay.
However, Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter said they still have questions and concerns, including an additional appraisal of the assets.
"I appreciate people saying they want to see better healthcare. I think we all want to see better healthcare, but I don't see it in writing about what's going to be better in our community," said Commissioner Matlow.
"I would at the very least say we need two public hearings once we have the definite agreements," said Commissioner Porter.
Representatives from FAMU and TSC were also present at the meeting endorsing their support of the deal.
FSU President Ricahrd McCullough said a separate MOU would give FAMU one seat on the TMH Board.
McCullough said an additoinal MOU is being discussed with TSC to give them representation too.
Next steps now include another public hearing where a final vote on the sale could take place.
Original:
Tallahassee City Commissioners are holding a public hearing to further discuss the potential FSU-TMH merger. Earlier today, they announced FAMU will have representation at the table, while TSC will not be represented at this time.
WATCH LIVE COVERAGE BELOW:
Faith leaders met to discuss the pending partnership with Florida State University and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare.
At Bethel Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday morning, Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes led a coalition of pastors, university officials, and community leaders that included FSU President Richard McCullough, FAMU CEO Kevin Lawson, Provost Dr. Calandra Stringer from TSC and TMH CRO Mark O’Brien, all present to publicly endorse the FSU–TMH partnership.
All touted their excitement about the proposed agreement, adding that this will be good to improve the quality of live and health of the community.
The announcement comes before Tallahassee Commissioners meet to give the final yay or nay on the deal.
An unsigned Memorandum of Understanding outlines the framework for the agreement, pending a final vote from the Tallahassee City Commission.
According to the MOU, TMH Board of Directors will contain 17 members.
- 9 seats for TMH.
- 8 for FSU.
According to FSU, FAMU will get one seat out of the 8 FSU seats available. FAMU's board seat will come out of FSU's allotment of board seats.
FAMU Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Kelvin Lawson says the university is satisfied with the MOU and sees it as a model for collaboration and opportunity in medical training.
TSC will not hold a seat at this time. According to TCS officials,
TMH offered a statement on TSC being left out of the deal:
We welcome engagement by FAMU and TSC in the Academic Medical Center, but have not committed to place an academic seat in the TMH dedicated community seats.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare has always supported collaboration among our higher education partners, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to a governance structure with a majority of board seats under local, non-academic, community control.
TSC has been, and will continue to be, a vital part of our healthcare team, and we look forward to continue engagement with them to advance education, workforce development, and high-quality care for our community.
TMH told ABC 27, at this time, they have not commited a seat to TSC, despite earlier dicsussion from TSC outlining the college would "expect equal treatment."
The MOU also requires that at least 75 percent of the non-FSU board members be residents of Leon County or surrounding counties — ensuring local oversight remains part of the governance structure.
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