Post by Xpedition on Jul 8, 2004 19:58:43 GMT -5
www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/9110198.htm
Trustee makes $10 million donation to FIU's hoped-for medical school
BY ROBERT L. STEINBACK
rsteinback@herald.com
Florida International University's bid to establish South Florida's first public medical school received a $10 million shot in the arm Thursday from a member of its board of trustees.
Optometrist and philanthropist Herbert A. Wertheim said he hopes his gift -- the single largest donation in FIU's history -- will create a groundswell of community support that will help persuade state authorities and lawmakers to endorse the medical school, still only a proposal.
''We believe Miami is a big enough community that we really need to have two medical schools,'' Wertheim said by phone from California, where he is vacationing. ``Our empahsis is going to be on prevention of disease and the public health aspect of disease. Miami-Dade County and Miami are really hurting for better medical care.''
Also on Thursday, university officials unveiled the school's planned partnership with four local hospitals -- Baptist Health, Mercy Hospital, Miami Children's Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center -- which together would provide clinical residencies for FIU's future medical students.
FIU's hoped-for medical school still has a long road to travel before becoming reality, however.
The twin announcements coincided with delivery of the school's formal proposal to the state's Board of Governors, which oversees Florida's public universities and colleges.
The board is in the midst of a comprehensive evaluation of the state's medical education needs. It hasn't yet determined if a new medical school should be part of the state's strategy to address a projected shortage of doctors.
The board isn't expected to make a decision on the proposal before next year at the earliest.
Trustee makes $10 million donation to FIU's hoped-for medical school
BY ROBERT L. STEINBACK
rsteinback@herald.com
Florida International University's bid to establish South Florida's first public medical school received a $10 million shot in the arm Thursday from a member of its board of trustees.
Optometrist and philanthropist Herbert A. Wertheim said he hopes his gift -- the single largest donation in FIU's history -- will create a groundswell of community support that will help persuade state authorities and lawmakers to endorse the medical school, still only a proposal.
''We believe Miami is a big enough community that we really need to have two medical schools,'' Wertheim said by phone from California, where he is vacationing. ``Our empahsis is going to be on prevention of disease and the public health aspect of disease. Miami-Dade County and Miami are really hurting for better medical care.''
Also on Thursday, university officials unveiled the school's planned partnership with four local hospitals -- Baptist Health, Mercy Hospital, Miami Children's Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center -- which together would provide clinical residencies for FIU's future medical students.
FIU's hoped-for medical school still has a long road to travel before becoming reality, however.
The twin announcements coincided with delivery of the school's formal proposal to the state's Board of Governors, which oversees Florida's public universities and colleges.
The board is in the midst of a comprehensive evaluation of the state's medical education needs. It hasn't yet determined if a new medical school should be part of the state's strategy to address a projected shortage of doctors.
The board isn't expected to make a decision on the proposal before next year at the earliest.
I hope this makes the medical school a reality. 
BLUE & GOLD
