TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) \u2014 The Tallahassee City Commission voted to advance a sale of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
The TMH-FSU merger has been a topic of conversation for the capital city since the pair announced the agreement to create an academic health center. <\/a><\/p>\n A Memorandum of Understanding<\/a> between the two said TMH would always retain a majority of the board seats, though FSU would gain seats over time. <\/p>\n A press conference on Wednesday revealed FAMU and Tallahassee State College also got board seats. <\/a><\/p>\n Representatives from FSU, FAMU and TSC all support the merger. Mayor John Dailey called it \u201cfull academic support.\u201d Clergy members also spoke out on Wednesday in support of the merger. <\/p>\n Critics of the deal say the commission shouldn\u2019t give up ownership to the state for fear of political interference or a drop off in charity care.<\/p>\n The commission heard a second round of public comments at its hearing Wednesday night.<\/p>\n Delaitre Hollinger, president of the National Association for the Preservation of African American History and Culture, wants a memorandum of understanding that FSU will not consume FAMU programs. <\/p>\n \u201cThe African American community has lost the FAMU hospital, and I think there\u2019s a lot of trepidation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Hollinger said the NAACP wants three FAMU seats, not just one, and the FSU president shouldn\u2019t have veto power.<\/p>\n More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n FSU President Richard McCullough explained that, starting in year three, FAMU would offer three names for their board seat, and then FSU-FAMU would pick someone. <\/p>\n \u201cWe could refuse to appoint whoever FAMU recommends, but that\u2019s not the spirit of the agreement. There\u2019s no funny business,\u201d McCullough said.<\/p>\n Another speaker said Gov. Ron DeSantis has already harmed Florida universities. <\/p>\n \u201cWill a state-owned hospital limit care to women?\u201d the speaker asked.<\/p>\n One speaker expressed concerns about privatization, saying Republicans at the statehouse want to privatize schools, so they will try to privatize Tallahassee\u2019s hospital.<\/p>\n Mayor Pro Tem Dianne Williams-Cox said the city can\u2019t be scared of the governor. <\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t say we\u2019re fearful of what the governor might do,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re unhealthy people. We need to bring in the right specialists.\u201d<\/p>\n Williams-Cox gave a passionate speech saying she hears the concerns, but the city needs to take the next steps.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m from Quincy,\u201d she said. \u201cI want this to happen in the surrounding counties. Rural healthcare is important.\u201d<\/p>\n Previous coverage about proposed FSU-TMH merger<\/p>\n Commissioner Curtis Richardson agreed, adding that FSU started an indigent clinic in Sabal Palm.<\/p>\n \u201cThey haven\u2019t been the boogyman,\u201d Richardson said. \u201cTheir football team brings $100 million in revenue.\u201d<\/p>\n As for questions raised by Tallahassee citizens, Richardson said it\u2019s about getting the community access to information. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m supporting where we\u2019re going, and I think we all need to find out how you can get questions answered,\u201d he said. \u201cWe just have to make sure the community has access to information. It will be up to you to do the homework.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayor John Dailey said he would support the motion to move the sale forward and set another public hearing once the \u201cdefinitive agreements\u201d are signed.<\/p>\n The price will also need to be negotiated before the final sale.<\/p>\n Ultimately, the motion passed 3-2. This vote is not final, but a critical one in the future of the TMH-FSU merger.<\/p>\n They will schedule another final vote once a price and board seats are agreed upon. <\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n