 |
|
Jeffrey Horstmyer, M.D. |
Last month, I had the privelege of traveling
to Gainesville, Florida, with other community leaders in support
of FIU’s
presentation before the Florida Board of Governors regarding
a proposed FIU School of Medicine. The presentation was an
opportunity for us to discuss in a public forum with the individuals
whose decisions will have repercussions for generations to
come the critical health care needs that exist in our community.
This decision will not be made lightly, nor will it be made
quickly. In fact, our presentation was a continuation of what
is sure to be a lengthy dialogue about how best to serve the
citizens of this state. At the conclusion of the FIU presentation, members
of the Board of Governors posed several follow-up questions.
The university
is already responding to thoise questions as well as supplying
additional information in support of our proposal.
The creation of new residency positions in Miami
is the central issue addressed by the creation of a new medical
school.
Our proposal to create the residency positions in tandem
with the
medical school and with a close affiliation to the school
ensures that we will attract the most qualified individuals
to practice
in our area. The economic benefits to our local economy,
university, and local biomedical community can only be
realized through
the development of both the medical school and residency
programs together.
Given that there currently exist more residency
positions than medical school positions in the US, we need
to develop
new
medical school positions to fill the newly developed
residency positions, to ensure that the physicians trained
are of
the highest caliber.
As the dialogue continues in the coming months,
the support of FIU alumni will become increasingly important.
Through
my column, I will be sure to keep you advised of any
developments in this initiative that is so important
to our community,
our
university and FIU students. |
Febuary 2005 Issue | Browse
Archives | Send
to a Friend | More
News | Alumni
Relations | FIU 
