The South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum, the independent chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives, recently held an educational program entitled “How Will FIU’s New Medical School Affect the South Florida Healthcare Industry?” at Florida International Universitys University Park Campus.
Over 100 healthcare executives, students and guests attended the event to hear guest speakers, Dr. Fernando Valverde and Dr. Pedro Jose ”Joe” Greer, Jr., assistant deans at the College of Medicine, discuss the health, economic and social impacts of FIU’s new medical school to the residents and healthcare industry of South Florida.
Dr. Fernando Valverde, assistant dean for community and clinical affairs and Dr. Joe Greer, assistant dean of academic affairs, explained to the audience how FIUs College of Medicine will transform the future of public health and educational opportunity by “developing a curriculum that reflects an innovative, 21st century approach to health care and medical education.” Dr. Greer briefly discussed how medical students will first learn the ethical foundations of medicine, as well as the foundations of public health, nursing and case work. Thereafter, the medical students will be members of interdisciplinary teams that will be responsible for the health of South Florida neighborhoods. According to Dr. Greer, this innovative curriculum will allow medical students to better understand the causes of illness, as well as learning “about preventing disease, educating patients and their families and coming up with the solutions the medical students will implement.” Dr. Valverde related that in addition, to providing quality, affordable medical education, it is estimated that FIUs College of Medicine will have an annual economic impact of more than $1 billion.
