The Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine has welcomed a new cohort of 131 physician residents and fellows into its Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs, addressing the growing physician shortage in Florida. Collaborating with nine healthcare partners, FSU GME now offers a total of 26 residency and fellowship options across the state, building on a foundation of over 264 current physicians in training.
Dr. Alma Littles, Dean of the College of Medicine, emphasized the importance of 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, particularly in rural and underserved communities.” This initiative is backed by strong partnerships with hospitals and clinics statewide, as well as support from the Florida Legislature and the dedication of 325 faculty members.
Growth and Development of GME Programs
The FSU GME program has seen rapid expansion recently. Since July, it has assumed sponsorship of two fellowships through the Andrews Research & Education Foundation, which supports the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze. It has also added four physician residency programs at Ascension Sacred Heart hospitals in Northwest Florida, along with a family medicine residency program and a family medicine OB/GYN fellowship at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.
Bill Boyer, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official for all sponsored GME programs, outlined the broader mission of the initiative: “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 highlighted the demand for care in academic medical centers and the program’s role in expanding service lines for the benefit of Floridians.
The urgency of Florida’s physician shortage has caught the attention of state lawmakers. In March 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a set of bills known as “Live Healthy,” which includes a key provision to expand medical residency slots. Statistics show a significant retention rate of 75% for physicians who complete their education and training in Florida.
High Demand for Residency Programs
A recent study by the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida revealed that FSU-sponsored residency programs rank among the most sought-after in the state. The analysis tracked the filling of residency slots across 75 Florida hospitals and other healthcare providers from 2020 to 2024. Remarkably, FSU-sponsored programs achieved a 100% match rate in each of those five years, a milestone accomplished by only nine other institutions.
Boyer noted that the program consistently fills all available slots each year, with expectations for further GME growth as FSU Health continues expanding its reach across Florida. This initiative aims to improve health outcomes in North Florida by leveraging FSU’s research capabilities and educational programs to establish new partnerships with clinical care providers.
Each year, the College of Medicine graduates approximately 120 new physicians, many of whom pursue residency programs within Florida. With the latest class, the college has produced over 2,000 physician alumni, more than 600 of whom are currently practicing or completing residencies throughout the state, contributing essential healthcare services.
Residency programs, which last between three to seven years depending on the specialty, represent a critical phase in physician training, providing hands-on experience under the supervision of experienced doctors. Fellowships offer optional advanced training opportunities following residency.
Through these initiatives, the Florida State University College of Medicine is making significant strides in addressing the state’s healthcare needs and fostering the next generation of medical professionals.