Post by FIUFanatic on Feb 7, 2008 19:37:01 GMT -5
www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/sfl-flpfiu0207sbfeb07,0,7423049.story
Nice story by Scott Travis, where I find of particular interest how the headline includes Mr. Wertheim's reconciliation with Maidique...I'm having a feeling Weirtheim will still donate a large chunk of $$$$$...Don't you think? Good job by Maidique!! ;D
Nice story by Scott Travis, where I find of particular interest how the headline includes Mr. Wertheim's reconciliation with Maidique...I'm having a feeling Weirtheim will still donate a large chunk of $$$$$...Don't you think? Good job by Maidique!! ;D
FIU receives medical accreditation; makes up with donor
University receives early accreditation
By Scott Travis | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
February 7, 2008
Florida International University in Miami received preliminary accreditation Wednesday for its upcoming medical school, a crucial step to ensuring the school remains on track to admit its first students in the fall of 2009.
The university had been eagerly awaiting word for two months from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which made a site visit in November.
"It's a huge milestone for our university and a huge milestone for South Florida," FIU President Modesto "Mitch" Maidique said. "I have an overwhelming feeling of joy."
Maidique had another reason to feel happy Wednesday. He reconciled with Miami entrepreneur Herbert Wertheim, a former member of the FIU board of trustees. Wertheim, who has given about $18 million to the university, originally pledged $20 million to the College of Medicine, and there were plans to name the college after him.
But he withdrew the pledge in November 2006 after a fight with Maidique over how the donation should be paid out. He said Maidique told him he was getting naming rights "on the cheap," which Wertheim found offensive.
He also gave up his post on the board of trustees and dropped all association with the university for 15 months.
"My feelings were hurt, and I probably acted in a way that was more emotional than logical," he said. "I apologized for any inconvenience or problems I had caused the president."
Maidique said he and Wertheim are now friends again, but both stopped short of saying whether the pledge would be reinstated. Maidique said he's talking to several major donors. Wertheim said he hasn't been asked to reconsider.
"If you're asking if the $20 million is still available, the answer is yes," Wertheim told a reporter.
FIU officials first discussed the idea of a medical school in the mid-1990s when the Association of American Medical Colleges recommended that the number of medical school seats be expanded because a large number of physicians would be retiring. The Board of Governors approved a medical school for FIU and the University of Central Florida in Orlando in March 2006. UCF also received preliminary accreditation Wednesday.
The FIU program plans to admit 40 doctors during its first year and eventually graduate 120 a year. Applications will be accepted in June 2008.
Scott Travis can be reached at stravis@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6637.
University receives early accreditation
By Scott Travis | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
February 7, 2008
Florida International University in Miami received preliminary accreditation Wednesday for its upcoming medical school, a crucial step to ensuring the school remains on track to admit its first students in the fall of 2009.
The university had been eagerly awaiting word for two months from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which made a site visit in November.
"It's a huge milestone for our university and a huge milestone for South Florida," FIU President Modesto "Mitch" Maidique said. "I have an overwhelming feeling of joy."
Maidique had another reason to feel happy Wednesday. He reconciled with Miami entrepreneur Herbert Wertheim, a former member of the FIU board of trustees. Wertheim, who has given about $18 million to the university, originally pledged $20 million to the College of Medicine, and there were plans to name the college after him.
But he withdrew the pledge in November 2006 after a fight with Maidique over how the donation should be paid out. He said Maidique told him he was getting naming rights "on the cheap," which Wertheim found offensive.
He also gave up his post on the board of trustees and dropped all association with the university for 15 months.
"My feelings were hurt, and I probably acted in a way that was more emotional than logical," he said. "I apologized for any inconvenience or problems I had caused the president."
Maidique said he and Wertheim are now friends again, but both stopped short of saying whether the pledge would be reinstated. Maidique said he's talking to several major donors. Wertheim said he hasn't been asked to reconsider.
"If you're asking if the $20 million is still available, the answer is yes," Wertheim told a reporter.
FIU officials first discussed the idea of a medical school in the mid-1990s when the Association of American Medical Colleges recommended that the number of medical school seats be expanded because a large number of physicians would be retiring. The Board of Governors approved a medical school for FIU and the University of Central Florida in Orlando in March 2006. UCF also received preliminary accreditation Wednesday.
The FIU program plans to admit 40 doctors during its first year and eventually graduate 120 a year. Applications will be accepted in June 2008.
Scott Travis can be reached at stravis@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6637.
