UPDATED BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Changes could be coming to that Florida State and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Memorandum of Understanding. FAMU's Board of Trustees are pushing for Rattler representation in that agreement. During a special Board meeting Friday, President Marva Johnson indicated discussions are underway to include FAMU as a partner.
FAMU Trustees and President Johnson want their school to have a seat at the table, as FSU and TMH look to move forward with their proposed partnership.
The Board organized a special meeting on Friday to discuss where they might fit in the deal and how it could help their students.
"We have a willing partner interested in making sure we are together in advancing healthcare programs for the region," said President Johnson.
President Johnson said they are still in the middle of negotiations and waiting for a draft of the MOU.
However, all trustees said they are in favor of FAMU's proposal.
During a presentation, Executive VP for Health Science Dr. Donald Palm said FAMU would request seats on the Governing Board. Right now, the current Memorandum stipulates 17 seats, 8 for FSU and 9 for TMH.
"Our students, our faculty, our community deserve a voice in the decision that will shape their healthcare and workforce future," said BOT Chair Deveron Gibbons.
FAMU said their proposal puts representation and inclusion at the center as well as a workforce pipline.
"Our students should not just train in these facilities, they should be hired into them, leading the next generation of healthcare professionals in the state," said Chair Gibbons.
Many board members referenced FAMU's history in healthcare in Tallahassee. That includes its hospital that closed in 1971 due to a lack of funding.
"We were the only ones who had a hospital. FSU did not have a hospital," said Chair Gibbons.
FAMU's proposal also calls for guaranteed clinical placements for FAMU students.
The meeting ended with the board voting unanimously to ask the City to delay a vote on the MOU until next month. The City has to approve the MOU for the agreement to move forward. Right now, the next public meeting is set for October 22 at 6 p.m.
UPDATE:
FAMU has uploaded new documents ahead of the special meeting on Friday titled "FAMU’s Proposed Collaboration/Partnership With FSU Health/TMH Academic Health Center."
The 4-page document includes Guiding Principles and Structural Recommendations, including a proposal for 3 seats on the governing board.
You can read the document by clicking here.
Original:
Community members share what they hope FAMU Board of Trustee members will discuss at Friday's special meeting.
- The only item on the agenda for the FAMU Special Board meeting is the FSU-TMH Memorandum of Understanding.
- Community members said they hope the board structure will be discussed at the meeting, that currently does not include FAMU or TSC representation.
- Watch the video for a breakdown of the MOU and to hear from community members.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
FAMU Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Friday. The only items on the agenda: the Florida State University-Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare memorandum.
FAMU said they are not commenting ahead of the meeting. ABC 27 spoke with community members about issues they hoped will be raised.
Florida State and TMH's new memorandum wil be back in the spotlight, that's at a FAMU Board of Trustees meeting Friday.
FAMU said they are not doing interviews prior to the meeting so the reason why they are discussing this item is still unknown.
However, one concern raised a previous special meeting has been the board structure.
Per the new deal, the board would consist of 17 members, 8 of those FSU recommended, and 9 of those from TMH. No representation from FAMU or Tallahassee State College.
Yet, FAMU was the table during that latest meeting, sharing their support for continued collaboration among FAMU, FSU, TSC, and TMH.
"Through expanded partnerships, we can create clear clinical pathways," said Donald Palm, Executive Director for Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation. "This partnership is a collective commitment to the future of healthcare in our state."
The current agreement does also include: "it is the intent of the parties to work to expand the hospital's relationship with FAMU and TSC."
Reverend R.B. Holmes at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church said while he supports the agreement, he hopes leaders will consider a seat on the Board for FAMU, TSC, and the Apalachee Center.
"If the big picture does not include FAMU at the table, it will minimize the dream," said Holmes. "If the big picture does not include Tallahassee State College, Apalachee Health Center at the table, then I think they will miss a golden opportunity.
The Reverend said a diverse range of heads is needed at the table to ensure lasting success from this new agreement.
"When you talk about health care, it has to be quality, equity, diversity, and compassion," said Holmes. "I think we can have all those ingredients built into this memorandum of understanding."
The current memorandum reads as "non-binding" and "intended to guide further discussion."
The next public meeting about the agreement will be on October 22 at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting will take place over Zoom on Friday, starting at 5:00 p.m.
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