Conversations with community board members about the quality of medical care often started with, “I don’t know how to define quality, but I know it when I see it.” With that disclaimer, board members went on to express their strong belief that the College of Medicine’s presence in their area was having a positive impact on the quality of care. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
We looked forward to its arrival, but our relationship with the College of Medicine has exceeded all expectations. I am absolutely convinced that quality of care has increased in our community since the FSU regional medical campus was established. The quality of medical care in the community has improved, since students bring accountability. Quality of care is hard to measure, but clearly the College of Medicine’s impact is positive. The new doctors being attracted to our community due to the FSU campus are of the highest caliber – this is more than a work force issue, it is being able to recruit the best of the best. We have been able to attract the top candidate to join our staff due to the potential of an FSU College of Medicine faculty appointment. The quality of care in our hospital went way up after the College of Medicine came; it was similar to what happened in one of our departments when it opened a residency program. Serving on the College of Medicine faculty keeps our physicians sharp – it provides another set of eyes, ears, and theories on how to care for the patient. College of Medicine students have stimulated and improved the medical staff. Affiliation with FSU is becoming a big factor in physician recruiting; e.g., we just signed a kidney transplant surgeon from USC. The College of Medicine’s presence energizes the doctors and the staff to become cutting-edge. Students bring a fresh eye into the clinic and propose valuable changes. FSU affiliation has brought very positive change to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, including more pride in being chosen to train new physicians. The presence of students raises the level of knowledge of everyone in the hospital. The College of Medicine has elevated the level of care in our hospital.
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