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NAACP Town Hall Raises Concerns Over FSU-TMH $150M Academic Health Center

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 15:59 GMT by Tallahassee Democrat

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NAACP Town Hall on FSU‑TMH Hospital Deal Draws Concerned Crowd

On Tuesday evening, the NAACP of Tallahassee convened a town‑hall meeting that quickly filled the community‑centered space in downtown Tallahassee. The purpose: to discuss the newly announced partnership between Florida State University (FSU) and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) that would bring a state‑of‑the‑art medical‑education hub to the region. The gathering attracted more than 200 residents, many of them African‑American community leaders, healthcare workers, and concerned families eager to weigh in on a deal that could shape the future of health services in Leon County.

What the Deal Actually Is

According to a joint press release issued last month by TMH and FSU, the partnership will create a $150‑million “academic health center” that will combine TMH’s existing clinical infrastructure with FSU’s College of Medicine. The facility will house a new residency program, a primary‑care research lab, and a community outreach clinic. TMH’s president, Dr. Karen L. Mitchell, emphasized that the collaboration would expand access to care for underserved populations and increase the number of physicians practicing in Tallahassee—especially in specialties that the area currently lacks.

FSU’s Vice‑President for Research, Dr. Samuel K. Johnson, outlined the academic side: “This center will allow our medical students and residents to train in a real‑world setting right here in Tallahassee, giving them exposure to diverse patient populations and the unique health challenges of our region.” He also noted that the partnership would be fully funded by a mix of private investment, state grants, and a federal health‑care initiative earmarked for rural medical education.

Why the NAACP Is Concerned

While the partnership’s intentions appear promising, NAACP officials expressed caution. Dr. James D. Smith, the organization’s local president, voiced a “profound concern” about how the deal will be implemented. “We are seeing a historic opportunity to strengthen health equity in our community, but we must insist that this plan be inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs of the people it’s meant to serve,” he told the crowd.

Key points raised during the town hall included:

1. Staffing and Representation
   The NAACP fears that the new residency program may not proportionally recruit Black physicians or other under‑represented minorities. Dr. Smith highlighted FSU’s past successes in enrolling a high percentage of Black medical students and urged the university to adopt a similar strategy for the new residency.

2. Community‑Based Care
   Residents worried that the new center would become a “fee‑for‑service” model that would limit access for low‑income patients. The NAACP called for guaranteed sliding‑scale fees, free preventive care clinics, and a community advisory board to oversee patient services.

3. Impact on Current TMH Operations
   Some participants pointed out that the partnership might divert resources away from TMH’s existing programs. “We cannot allow our flagship hospitals to become neglected while a new wing is built elsewhere,” one long‑time patient advocate warned.

4. Economic Displacement
   A few attendees raised the possibility that the development could drive up rents and real‑estate prices in surrounding neighborhoods, potentially displacing long‑time residents. “Growth is good, but it must not come at the expense of our own people,” said local business owner Marcia Rivera.

5. Transparent Funding
   The NAACP demanded full disclosure of all financial commitments. While the press release mentioned private and federal sources, critics pointed out that no detailed budget was shared publicly.

Voices from the Community

During the Q&A segment, several community members spoke out. A 68‑year‑old veteran, John “Johnny” Mitchell, shared how his mother had struggled to get timely cardiac care. “I want this new center to actually help families like mine, not just add more paperwork,” he said. Another participant, Dr. Maya Thompson, an African‑American family physician, emphasized the need for cultural competence training: “If the new physicians come in without training on our community’s specific health behaviors, the partnership risks becoming just another corporate endeavor.”

On the other side of the spectrum, a representative from TMH—Dr. Liza Ramirez—assured the crowd that the hospital had a history of community engagement. She cited the hospital’s existing free clinics and outreach programs and pledged that the new center would build on these efforts. “This partnership is about more than bricks and mortar,” she said. “It’s about strengthening the trust between our patients and providers.”

FSU’s Dr. Johnson added that the university would collaborate with local churches and community centers to recruit residents. “We’re committed to creating a pipeline of physicians who are not only skilled but also deeply connected to the people they serve,” he said.

The Road Ahead

The NAACP has called for a formal, community‑driven review of the FSU‑TMH agreement. A working group will meet next month to draft a set of “equity guidelines” that the partnership must adopt. The group will include NAACP representatives, TMH administrators, FSU faculty, patient advocates, and local elected officials.

Mayor Lisa Johnson also announced that the city council would hold a separate public forum next Friday to evaluate the proposed project’s zoning and economic impact. “We owe it to our constituents to make sure this is a win‑win for Tallahassee and its residents,” she said.

Bottom Line

The NAACP town hall revealed a clear divide between excitement over a potential health‑care upgrade and apprehension about maintaining equity, representation, and community control. While the FSU‑TMH partnership offers the promise of modern facilities, expanded services, and new educational opportunities, it also underscores the need for a transparent, inclusive planning process that prioritizes the needs of Tallahassee’s most vulnerable populations.

As Tallahassee moves forward, the city’s future in health equity will hinge on whether the partnership can successfully integrate community voices into every stage—from budgeting to clinical delivery—to ensure that the promise of progress translates into tangible benefits for all residents.