'A seat at every table': FAMU makes forceful case for inclusion in FSU-TMH hospital deal

Florida A&M University's trustees are all on board with a plan to insist on a belated seat – or seats – at the table for FAMU when it comes to the academic medical center agreement between Florida State University and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare . 

At the special Board of Trustees meeting Oct. 10 it was revealed that FAMU and FSU officials recently met – exclusively – to hammer out a vital role for FAMU in the future of Tallahassee healthcare, which could include having a total of three FAMU representatives added to the future hospital's governing and advisory boards. 

TMH officials were not made aware of the talks between FAMU and FSU and were only made aware of a possible three-way Memorandum of Understanding shortly before the meeting, sources close to the hospital told the Democrat. 

"To sustain meaningful collaboration, FAMU must have a seat at every table where decisions are made," FAMU Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation Donald Palm said during the virtual board meeting while giving a presentation. "That includes formal representation on the governing, advisory and strategic committees that guide the academic health center's operations." 

When the city commission met Oct. 1 to discuss the MOU between FSU and TMH, some commissioners and community members pointed out the lack of Rattler representation in the tentative agreement. The city is set to take up the matter again during a public hearing on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. in City Hall.

FAMU's Friday meeting ended with a unanimous vote to ask the city for an extension of up to 30 days after that date before taking a formal vote to sell to FSU the hospital's city-owned assets estimated to be worth more than a billion dollars.

The extra time will allow FAMU to negotiate and have a formalized agreement with FSU ahead of a possible final vote at the city's Nov. 19 meeting. 

"The bigger conversation is not just about how FAMU will preserve its legacy and continue to build its programs," FAMU board vice chair Michael White said, "but how do we provide the best care to the citizens of Tallahassee? I believe that us having a seat at the table does provide those opportunities."

FAMU president calls FSU 'a willing partner'

At the board's virtual meeting Friday, trustees reviewed and commented on a strategy document in which the university proposed a long list of recommendations that would add FAMU representation to all aspects of the hospital deal with suggestions on governance, branding, research and more. 

The current MOU only mentions FAMU once as it notes its intent to grow partnerships with the city's other higher education institutions. The plan also calls for a 17-member hospital board with TMH ultimately holding a single member majority over FSU.

The lack of FAMU representation quickly became a friction point with some community leaders calling for the hospital board to include spots for FAMU, Tallahassee State College and the Apalachee Center, the largest provider of mental health care in the region.

FAMU President Marva Johnson told trustees she recently joined Trustee White, FSU Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins and FSU Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Kyle Clark to discuss the HBCU's role in the existing agreement.

"I do believe there is a path forward, and we want to move forward," White said. "We're not trying to stop any momentum that's happening, but we want to make sure that we do have a seat at the table. I think that's more than fair." 

Ahead of the meeting, FAMU expected to be sent a first draft of a new MOU from FSU with the inclusion of its proposed recommendations. But Johnson said her team has not yet received it. 

Given the months of delicate and tense negotiations, FSU and TMH leaders expressed hesitation about adding FAMU and TSC representatives to the governing board during the city's Oct. 1 meeting. But they also acknowledged that city commissioners hold the final authority.

Any substantial changes to the arrangement could send TMH and FSU negotiators back to the drawing board.

"The good news for our team is that we have a willing partner," Johnson said during the special trustees meeting, referring to FSU. "They are really interested in making sure that we are together in advancing our health care programs for the region." 

Board chair: 'FAMU's role is not optional – it is essential' 

During the city's Oct. 1 meeting, Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox  made it clear that she thought FAMU should have a dedicated board member included on the hospital board. While she has been outspoken about the need for Rattler representation, she also says she isn't giving an ultimatum to FSU and TMH. 

The  Rev. R.B. Holmes , pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, shares the same sentiments as Williams-Cox. He has also been calling on the city, hospital and university to include FAMU and TSC at the table. He has referred to the city selling off TMH's assets to FSU as "premature" and "dangerous."

More: A quick TMH turnover to FSU is 'premature' and 'dangerous' | Rev. R.B. Holmes, Jr.

The community concern mainly stems from a distrust in the community following the loss of FAMU Hospital in the early 1970s. It was one of two hospitals in Tallahassee along with TMH because of segregation in public facilities at the time.

When TMH integrated it took over the hospital, ultimately closing it down after the state cut off funding. Those who lived through the FAMU Hospital's loss say its closure was  "real and painful."

Referencing the historic position of FAMU Hospital as effectively representing the first academic medical center in Tallahassee, FAMU board chair Deveron Gibbons said the university stands as a national model for medical excellence.

"When we talk about shaping the next era of the North Florida region, FAMU's role is not optional – it is essential," he said. "Our legacy is deeply tied to the health, wellness and dignity of this community. We view the FSU/TMH partnership as an opportunity to build a model of collaboration among our regions, universities and health systems."

FAMU's independence and safeguarding its programs are key trustee concerns 

In his prepared comments, Gibbons said FAMU should not be viewed "as an afterthought, but as a valued partner." At the same time, he said the partnership between the universities does not mean dependency. 

"Today, I affirm FSU and FAMU's commitment to the collaboration, but I also reaffirm our duty to our mission and history," Gibbons said. "We will champion a partnership that honors our legacy, protects our independence and secures real opportunity for our students, our faculty and the people of this community. This isn't just about health care − it's about integrity, access and the promise of shared prosperity." 

Gibbons also said any plan must safeguard FAMU's pharmacy, nursing and other medical program from being subsumed.

Agreeing with Gibbons, FAMU trustee Belvin Perry noted the cautiousness that comes with getting involved in a partnership. He also suggested officials look into what the university was promised at the closing of its hospital decades ago. Johnson assured that FAMU's Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Avery McKnight is currently collecting information on that front.

"While I'm a firm believer in partnerships, we have to make sure there's no way that we can be subdued and our independence taken away from us," Perry said. "We just need to be aware of that."

While additional trustees spoke in support of the university's proposal to FSU – including trustees Kristin Harper, Faculty Senate President Jamal Brown and Student Body President Zayla Bryant – Harper said she appreciated the university's "forward thinking." She also asked what FAMU's deal breakers are and suggested they be added to the strategy document. Gibbons said Johnson would discuss that with her offline. 

Johnson and her team will continue discussions with FSU and TMH leadership in the weeks ahead to finalize the partnership framework in the MOU that will hopefully bring FAMU's vision into action, according to Palm.

Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at  tjean@tallahassee.com . Follow her on X:  @tarahjean_ .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU calls for 'seat at every table' in FSU-TMH hospital deal