College of Medicine

I am writing today to let you know that after 13 + years here at the Florida State University College of Medicine, I have decided that it is time to retire and enjoy more time with my wife, children and grandchildren as of next summer. This has been an amazing experience for me here at FSU, and I am blessed to have worked with so many wonderful staff, faculty, students and community members who made this job a joy.    

When I arrived here in 2008, our medical school had graduated only 4 classes and was still increasing enrollment and the number of students at our regional campuses each year. With the help of so many of you, we grew to 120 students/year, expanded our faculty, increased our graduate program and our research portfolio, revamped our curriculum for the 21 ^st century, developed residency programs throughout the state, and launched a successful PA program in 2017 and an Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences degree program (IMS) in 2016. Our award-winning pipeline programs (SSTRIDE, celebrating over 25 years of success) and Bridge have made the dream of medical careers a reality for a generation of students. We now have thriving practices in the community in primary care, senior care, and behavioral care that are living our missions and serving others.

I recognize that there are many transitions happening here at FSU at this time, but I had planned to do this in 2021 in concert with my 50 ^th anniversary of graduation from college, West Point. I looked forward to my 50 ^th reunion this year, but like many things, it was interrupted by COVID. The COVID pandemic, lockdowns, remote meetings, online learning, and a disrupted special COM community here, along with some lingering LCME issues, kept me here for another year. I am confident in the leadership of our new President and his team, and I am excited about all the new and exciting initiatives underway that will make the COM even stronger going forward. Diane and I plan to continue to live in Tallahassee, so I will be looking for ways to continue to be involved in a very part time way in the future, only if I can be helpful. I know this is a very attractive medical school dean position and I am confident that there will be many highly qualified internal and external candidates who would love to take on this incredible role. The Provost has already reached out to identify a national search firm to lead a national search.

I thank each of you for your loyal and dedicated service to the FSU College of Medicine and for all of your amazing support to me over these past 13 years that I’ve spent here. Diane and I have been so very blessed to call you colleagues and friends. You have been an amazing family to us since 2008. I have informed the President and Provost that I will serve until my replacement is named and plan to be here at least through next July. 

With sincere appreciation and gratitude.    

J.

John P. Fogarty, MD Dean