![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FSUHealthworkforce.jpg\")
FSU College of Medicine students receive hands-on clinical training as part of the university\u2019s mission to prepare physicians to serve Florida\u2019s communities, including rural and medically underserved areas.<\/p>\n\t\tFSU College of Medicine students receive hands-on clinical training as part of the university\u2019s mission to prepare physicians to serve Florida\u2019s communities, including rural and medically underserved areas.<\/p>\n
As North Florida faces a growing shortage of healthcare providers, Florida State University is helping address the challenge through FSU Health<\/a>, the university\u2019s academic health system. By bringing together education, clinical care and research, FSU Health is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals while expanding access to care across the region.<\/p>\n The need is expected to grow in the coming years. Florida\u2019s population is expanding and aging, increasing demand for healthcare just as many physicians and nurses approach retirement.<\/p>\n According to the Florida Department of Health, more than one-third of Florida\u2019s practicing physicians are age 60 or older<\/a>. At the same time, Florida\u2019s population age 65 and older is projected to reach 6.7 million by 2036, or more than a quarter of the state\u2019s population. A workforce analysis <\/a>commissioned by the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida projects the state could face a shortage of about 18,000 physicians and nearly 60,000 nurses by 2035.<\/p>\n Those challenges are especially pronounced in rural North Florida, where many communities have limited access to primary and specialty care. The Florida Department of Health\u2019s annual Physician Workforce Report<\/a> shows many Panhandle counties have among the state\u2019s lowest physician-to-population ratios, underscoring the need to recruit and retain more healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n Unlike a traditional health system centered on a single hospital, FSU Health brings together the university\u2019s colleges, research enterprise and clinical partners to educate healthcare professionals, advance research and improve patient care. Supported by investments from the Florida Legislature, the universitywide initiative spans disciplines across FSU and works with healthcare providers throughout North Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cThe healthcare workforce shortage isn\u2019t something any one hospital, university or health system can solve alone,\u201d said Jeremy Slaga, vice president and chief clinical operations officer of FSU Health. \u201cFSU Health was created to align education, research and patient care with the strengths of our clinical partners so we can prepare more healthcare professionals, expand access to care and create lasting health benefits for communities across North Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n Responding to the need<\/p>\n Preparing the healthcare workforce Florida will need for decades to come is central to FSU Health\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n Since its founding in 2000, the FSU College of Medicine has focused on preparing physicians, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals to serve rural, medically underserved and aging populations.<\/p>\n \u201cAs someone who grew up in rural Gadsden County, I understand how important it is for families to have access to quality healthcare close to home,\u201dsaid Alma Littles, M.D., dean of the FSU College of Medicine and president of the Florida Medical Association. \u201cThat mission has guided our college from the beginning. We\u2019re preparing physicians and other healthcare professionals who understand the needs of these communities and are committed to serving them.\u201d<\/p>\n That approach is producing results.<\/p>\n This year, all 120 FSU College of Medicine graduates who participated in the National Resident Matching Program matched into residency programs.Nearly half matched in Florida, while another 31% matched in neighboring Southeastern states, meaning nearly four out of five remained in the region.<\/p>\n Many entered specialties facing some of Florida\u2019s greatest workforce needs, including the primary care specialties of family medicine, internal medicineand pediatrics.<\/p>\n Graduate medical education is another critical part of addressing Florida\u2019s physician shortage. Because physicians are more likely to establish their practices near where they complete residency training, expanding residency opportunities can help Florida retain more doctors.<\/p>\n FSU\u2019s Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs graduated a record 116 physicians this year, with 66% completing residencies or fellowships in primary care specialties. In 2026, the College of Medicine assumed sponsorship of nine additional GME programs in Tallahassee, Sarasota, Cape Coral, Pensacola and Jacksonville. The college now sponsors 32 programs training 516 physicians statewide, with more growth planned.<\/p>\n The university is applying the same long-term approach to nursing.<\/p>\n The College of Nursing<\/a> recently expanded enrollment, admitting students three times each year and creating a year-round pipeline of graduates entering the workforce. More than 800 students are enrolled annually across the college\u2019s undergraduate and graduate programs.<\/p>\n The college also is expanding its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to FSU Panama City, supported by a $10 million gift<\/a> from Bruce and Tracey Berkowitz and the Fairholme Foundation. The historic gift will strengthen Northwest Florida\u2019s nursing workforce by providing scholarship support to students from Bay, Walton and Gulf counties who plan to practice in the region.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida\u2019s nursing shortage demands innovative solutions,\u201d said Jing Wang, dean of the FSU College of Nursing. \u201cBy expanding enrollment, creating new educational pathways and strengthening partnerships across the state, we\u2019re preparing more nurses to provide high-quality, patient-centered care where they\u2019re needed most. Our undergraduate expansion is just one element of our investment in the region; through pioneering efforts like our Smart Home Health Initiative<\/a>, we are deepening our commitment to advance the health, well-being and future of these communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Preparing the healthcare workforce requires more than educating physicians and nurses. It also depends on professionals working across disciplines to meet patients\u2019 physical, mental and behavioral health needs.<\/p>\n Across the university, FSU is preparing future physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, dietitians, exercise scientists, rehabilitation specialists, public health professionals, health informatics specialists and healthcare administrators. These disciplines help meet growing needs in primary care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, chronic disease prevention and community health.<\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s healthcare challenges require teams of professionals with different expertise working together to improve the health of Florida\u2019s communities,\u201d said Damon Andrew, dean of the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. \u201cAcross FSU, we\u2019re preparing graduates who understand how nutrition, exercise, behavioral health, human development, education and other factors intersect to shape lifelong health and well-being. Whether in schools, clinics, or community settings, our graduates play essential roles in improving health and quality of life for individuals and families.\u201d<\/p>\n Together, these programs reflect FSU Health\u2019s team-based approach to healthcare, recognizing that improving health outcomes depends on professionals across disciplines working together to care for patients and communities.<\/p>\n FSU also is expanding its work directly in rural communities. The College of Medicine recently was awarded more than $19 million through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program<\/a> to launch six projects addressing rural health challenges including workforce development, behavioral health, preventive care, food insecurity, telehealth and at-home care. Two projects will focus on Northwest Florida, a central hub for FSU Health, while four will serve Southwest Florida.<\/p>\n Building the future of FSU Health<\/p>\n Preparing the healthcare workforce of the future is supported by major investments in clinical partnerships, research and patient care.<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FSUHealthworkforce3.jpg\")
FSU students build clinical skills through hands-on training that prepares them to work as part of healthcare teams serving patients across Florida.<\/p>\n