Letters Of Support
To the Honorable Florida Board of Governors:
AdventHealth is excited to collaborate with UNF to bring a platform for expanding the healthcare workforce in Palm Coast and Flagler County. We have been experiencing a critical workforce shortage in nursing and physical therapy. That trend is expected to continue. The importance of expanding the pipeline of healthcare workforce for the future cannot be underestimated.
The UNF MedNEX concept represents an innovative approach to addressing the needs of our own healthcare system, as well as the healthcare community in our region. We believe UNF is the final piece of the pipeline that takes area students from high school to gainful employment in the healthcare community close to home. This model brings together hospitals with multiple levels of education, government and other local entities in a way we have not seen elsewhere.
To show our commitment as a UNF MedNEX partner, we plan to provide a nursing simulation lab in Palm Coast that will be used by UNF nursing students. Conveniently, AdventHealth has a hospital within walking distance of potential sites being considered for UNF nursing and physical therapy classes.
AdventHealth appreciates your consideration for inclusion of UNF’s MedNEX in the Board of Governors 2020-2021 legislative budget request.
Thank you,
Ron Jimenez, MD
CEO, AdventHealth Palm Coast
To whom it may concern:
ALLETE Properties reaffirms its commitment to UNF’s establishment of a Medical Education & Training complex anchored by the University of North Florida’s Palm Coast Campus. Located between a high school, City Hall & AdventHealth, ALLETE Properties has fully developed the core of Town Center to accommodate up to 250,000 sq ft of office, classroom, and research space within walking distance of restaurants, galleries, theaters and parks. In concert with AdventHealth and other medical stakeholders, the City of Palm Coast is uniquely positioned to coordinate a near term public-private partnership that solves a major shortage of educated medical personal at a fraction of the cost associated with starting a new campus. ALLETE Properties has a site cleared with utilities in place and construction could begin upon receipt of a City of Palm Coast building permit.
Sincerely,
Patrick L. Cutshall
CFO
ALLETE Properties, LLC
To the Honorable Florida State University System Board of Governors:
One of the most thrilling parts of my job as Mayor of the city of Palm Coast, is seeing major stakeholders of our community come together to benefit all of our citizens. I am proud to lead the charge and stand with AdventHealth, ALLETE Energy, Daytona State College, Flagler County Schools and surrounding counties and cities in becoming a MedNEX partner.
From its inception, UNF’s entry into Palm Coast was truly a collaborative effort to bring a seamless path of education to the current and prospective students in our region. Our partnership, however, is not solely about education. It is ultimately about providing the highest quality healthcare and access to all those who call Florida home.
This hub and spoke concept reaches well beyond Duval and Flagler Counties. Given our geography and the support of the partners mentioned above, UNF’s presence here also advanced medical employment opportunities in Volusia, St. Johns, Putnam and Brevard Counties. Our counties all align in support of the UNF MedNEX plan.
I strongly encourage this esteemed Board of Governors to include UNF’s MedNEX proposal in you 2020-2021 legislative budget request.
Sincerely,
Milissa Holland
Mayor, City of Palm Coast
To the Honorable Florida Board of Governors:
Brooks Rehabilitation has been a long-time partner of the University of North Florida (Brooks College of Health) and helped to establish UNF’s physical therapy program at its inception. Over the years, Brooks has continued to support UNF through this and other programs, and in collaboration with other area hospitals.
The UNF MedNEX proposal to expand physical therapy and nursing programs is great news for Brooks Rehabilitation, as both are in high demand now and even more so in the future. We anticipate the proposed med-tech innovation lab on campus will allow the Brooks team to test ground-breaking devices while engaging UNF students.
It is exciting to see UNF take a regional leadership role in supporting the specific workforce needs of the healthcare community and I want to lend my support to the UNF MedNEX concept. Your inclusion of the MedNEX proposal in the 2020-21 Board of Governors Legislative Budget Proposal would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Douglas M. Baer
Chief Executive Officer
To the Honorable Florida State University System Board of Governors:
UNF’s President Szymanski recently met with me to share the University’s plan to create a medical nexus on campus that would benefit our region. As you may be aware, Jacksonville’s role and reputation as a home for exceptional healthcare continues to grow, with citizens from around the world coming here for treatment. Leading edge providers and med tech companies are choosing Jacksonville to r
elocate or start services. This results in a need for rapid expansion of the healthcare workforce and opportunities for partnerships in innovation.This year, UNF expanded its presence downtown with the opening of its Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation where several healthcare companies are now incubating. Now I am excited to see UNF step into a larger leadership role in supporting this growth in state of the art healthcare. I look forward to working with UNF to capitalize on the larger concept of the MedNEX plan.
I support UNF’s efforts and inclusion of the MedNEX proposal in the 2020-21 Board of Governors Legislative Budget Proposal.
Respectfully,
Lenny Curry
Mayor
To the Honorable Florida State University System Board of Governors:
Daytona State College has long been recognized for excellence, competency, and professionalism in its nursing and healthcare programs. Our college is a committed community partner, working with area healthcare providers and local governments across our rapidly growing region to meet increasing hiring demands. We now have a unique opportunity to further collaborate with UNF in developing a MedNEX partnership aimed at growing the pool of exceptional nursing graduates.
Daytona State College has a successful 2+2 articulation agreement in place with the University of North Florida which we are excited to expand. The MedNEX proposal UNF’s president Szymanski and I discussed provides intriguing opportunities, not only to keep more students in the area, but to explore cutting-edge program pathways unique to our partnership. I support inclusion of the MedNEX proposal in the 2020-21 Board of Governors legislative budget request.
Sincerely,
Thomas LoBasso, ED.D.
President
Daytona State College
To the Honorable Florida State University System Board of Governors:
As the new Florida State College at Jacksonville President, I have had the pleasure of meeting with UNF’s President David Szymanski regarding the MedNEX proposal before you.
FSCJ and UNF have a long history of collaboration and we both look forward to continuing that tradition, specifically as it related to serving our student and our community. In our discussion, it quickly became apparent this collaborative approach can elevate both institutions, as well as the healthcare community in our region. It is incumbent upon all of us to work together in seeking solutions to the growing shortage of nurses in Florida. The MedNEX is a great step in the right direction. It is equally critical we maintain the high quality and exceptional professional reputation of our graduates. This plan incorporates a unique, integrated approach and the latest advances in technology and experiential teaching methodology. I look forward to creating a MedNEX partnership with President Szymanski and ask for your support of the UNF legislative budget request.
John Avendano, Ph.D.
College President
To the Honorable SUS Florida Board of Governors:
On behalf of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, I am writing to support UNF’s MedNEX proposal. We strongly support this proposal for its inclusion of the latest MALDI TOF MS imaging and diagnostic equipment. This equipment defines the cutting edge for research in detection of biomarkers for cancer and neurological disorders, and will aid in the early detection and treatment of these diseases.
In my capacity as Associate Dean for Research at Johns Hopkins all children’s Hospital, I feel that this instrumentation will allow us to extend our research capabilities by performing high-resolution imaging of disease markers by our Tissue Research and Diagnostic Core Director, Dr. Hector Montforte. Our Tissue Core and Molecular Determinants Center and Core, the latter under the Direction of Dr. David Graham, has all of the necessary instrumentation for preparation of samples that will reciprocally benefit UNF and foster bi-coastal collaboration.
Through collaboration, not only will UNF students be able to receive exposure, access and training in its operation, but also our scientists will benefit by collaboration on data analysis in research that aims to improve health and future disease treatment. We also see this opportunity as aligned with our mission, to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals and health scientists. I strongly support this 2020-21 legislative budget request. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Neil A. Goldenberg, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine- Hematology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
To the Honorable SUS Florida Board of Governors:
On behalf of Mayo Clinic in Florida, I am writing in strong support of UNF’s MedNEX proposal that includes the latest MALDI TOF MS imaging and diagnostic equipment.
This equipment defines the cutting edge for research in detection of proteins. It will allow discovery of new biomarkers for cancer, neurological disorders, and other diseases. These efforts will aid in the early detection of treatment of these diseases.
We envision that there will be great benefit for on-going research for the biomedical research community to share access to this type of equipment and for UNF students to receive exposure, access and training in its operation. For students working with our researchers, we see an extensive opportunity for experiential learning, to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals as well. We are very enthusiastic about these opportunities to both train and expand the workforce of the future, as well as to impact on health care in the future through new discoveries.
There is a significant opportunity for Mayo Clinic to partner with UNF faculty and students in research in Jacksonville. I strongly encourage and support inclusion of the UNF MedNEX proposal in your 2020-21 legislative budget request.
Yours sincerely,
Tushar Patel, M.B., Ch.B.
James C. and Sarah K. Kennedy dean for Research
Professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology
Pately.Tushar@mayo.edu
To the Honorable Florida Board of Governors:
I am writing to you on behalf of Mayo Clinic in Florida in support of the University of North Florida’s proposed MedNEX concept. As you are aware, we are facing increased demand for healthcare professionals in Northeast Florida, as well as the rest of the state, particularly in nursing and physical therapy. We are excited that UNF is taking the lead in addressing these concerns for our region and the healthcare community in an innovative way.
Mayo clinic in Florida looks forward to continued exploration of synergies and the creation of a unique partnership with UNF and the proposed MedNEX. Mayo Clinic in Florida is heavily invested in, and is known around the world for exceptional patient care and research. Specifically, we see potential for collaboration in the area of nursing, physical therapy, mental health counselling, advance diagnostics and health informatics as it relates to patient care and support functions.
Mayo Clinic in Florida is hopeful you will include UNF’s MedNEX in the Board of Governors 2020-2021 legislative budget request.
Sincerely,
Kent R. Thielen, M.D.
Vice President, Mayo Clinic
Chief Executive Officer, Mayo Clinic in Florida
To the Honorable Board of Governors:
On behalf of the Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL I am writing to support the University of North Florida (UNF), Jacksonville, FL MedNEX proposal.
The Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center in Jacksonville, Florida is the third partner member of the MD Anderson Cancer Network, the institution’s international program to elevate the quality of cancer care in communities throughout the United States and the world. Our commitment is to replicate the model of cancer care at MDACC (Houston) which has consistently been recognized as the leading cancer center in the United States by US News and World Report. We provide state-of-the-art care for the cancer patient including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and subspecialty care, research and education.
We strongly support this proposal for its inclusion of the latest MALDI TOF mass spectrometry imaging and diagnostic equipment. This equipment defines the cutting edge for detection of biomarkers for cancer and neurological disorders, and will aid in the early detection and treatment of these diseases. I anticipate a significant advantage to our clinical and translational research program and envision even greater collaboration in the future with Dr. Paul Eason. Dr. Eason received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Engineering and Materials Science. He is a full Professor at UNF, Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, and Director of the Materials Science and Engineering Research Facility.
The program will create benefits for our ongoing research and healthcare efforts: the medical community will have the opportunity to access to this type of equipment, and UNF students will receive exposure, experience, and training in its operation. For students working with our clinical and basic science faculty, we see an extensive opportunity for discovery, additional scholarly activity, experiential learning, and the ability to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals. I envision even greater opportunity for research collaboration between Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center in partnership with the UNF faculty and students right on its Jacksonville campus. I strongly encourage you and your Board to support inclusion of the UNF MedNEX proposal in you 2020-21 legislative budget request process.
Very sincerely yours,
Joe B. Putnam, Jr. MD, FACS
Medical Director
To the Honorable Florida Board of Governors:
This letter is to express my support of the University of North Florida’s MedNEX concept on behalf of Memorial Hospital Jacksonville. I appreciate that President Szymanski took time to delve into the specific needs of the local medical community and then responds with a bold concept to address them.
At Memorial Hospital, we have a serious need for not only graduates with bachelor of nursing degrees, but also an increase of conversion from RNs to BSNs. Both physical therapists and occupational therapists are in high demand. The University of North Florida continues to provide highly-qualified, exceptional graduates. We need more of them and have a strong tuition program in place for our employees to support that effort.
We look forward to working with the University of North Florida as the MedNEX concept takes shape, seeking ways to partner in a significant and mutually beneficial way. I hope that you will support the proposal in you 2020-2021 legislative budget request to the Florida Legislature.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Talbert, FACHE
Chief Executive Office