JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ―John Thrasher, president of Florida State University (FSU), and Mayo Clinic representatives signed a multifaceted agreement on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Jacksonville to attract and retain top talent in the biomedical field.

The collaborative education efforts will focus on medical innovation and promote a market-driven approach to create a highly trained workforce focused on taking medical technology from the research space to clinical practice.

"The relationship between Florida State University and Mayo Clinic represents an incredible opportunity for our students to benefit from the combined capabilities of these venerable institutions," Thrasher says. "We are thrilled that our students will be able to take advantage of the internship and research opportunities available through Mayo so they can progress in their biomedical education and add to the talent pool we have here in Florida."

Florida State University has appointed Emily Pritchard as director of the Florida State University-Mayo collaboration to bring together various colleges at Florida State University that will benefit from the new collaborative initiatives. In addition to the opportunities for existing Florida State University students, Mayo Clinic staff will be able to access training and educational opportunities through the university's Office of Distance Learning.

"We are pleased to announce this partnership, which will combine the incredible capabilities of our two institutions to accelerate innovative ideas to benefit patients through the development and commercialization of biotechnology; a robust entrepreneurship program; and an enhanced workforce to meet the health care, research and development needs of Florida, the region and beyond," says Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. "We feel fortunate to have this opportunity to collaborate with such an exceptional university."

The agreement creates new opportunities for Florida State University students to participate in internships at Mayo Clinic in Florida, working with physician mentors in clinical research and health care startups in the Life Sciences Incubator. Internship placements will begin in the summer. In addition, Florida State University students in Tallahassee, Florida, will be able to work on Mayo Clinic projects with contributions in data science, biostatistics and engineering. Faculty and students from Mayo Clinic will be able to train at Florida State University with world-renowned researchers and the latest equipment at the main campus and National High Field Magnetic Laboratory.

As part of the collaboration, Florida State University will create an interdisciplinary biomedical entrepreneurship certificate program, combining the expertise of the university's Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship. The graduate certificate will be open to Florida State University students and Mayo staff.

Sally McRorie, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Florida State University, called the agreement a win for both institutions.

"This is an unparalleled opportunity for FSU students whether they are interested in research, clinical work or biomedical entrepreneurship," says Dr. McRorie. "We are also happy to be able to provide Mayo staff additional educational and training opportunities through our Office of Distance Learning as they progress in their careers. We are so proud to work with Mayo on this wonderful collaboration."

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news and An Inside Look at Mayo Clinic for more information about Mayo.

Media contacts:

• Kathleen Haughney, University Communications, 850-644-1489, khaughney@fsu.edu
• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-1419, ford.tia@mayo.edu

Related Articles