FSU receives historic ten million dollar gift to transform nursing education and improve health care in Northwest Florida
Florida – Florida State University is poised to reshape nursing education and health care innovation in Northwest Florida thanks to a historic $10 million gift from The Fairholme Foundation. This landmark donation, the largest in the history of the FSU College of Nursing, will expand the university’s undergraduate nursing program to its Panama City campus while driving innovations aimed at improving the quality of care across the region. The initiative is designed not only to train the next generation of nurses but also to address critical workforce shortages in the area, ensuring that local communities receive the care they need today and in the years ahead.
The generous contribution comes from Bruce and Tracey Berkowitz, co-chairs of The Fairholme Foundation, an organization known for its philanthropic work in the arts, sciences, medicine, entrepreneurship, and education. Bruce Berkowitz is the founder and chief investment officer of Fairholme Capital Management and serves as president and director of Fairholme Funds, Inc. The couple’s donation is expected to have a lasting impact on the Panama City region by providing opportunities for students, funding faculty research, and introducing innovative technologies in nursing education.
“We are so grateful for this gift from Bruce and Tracey Berkowitz and the Fairholme Foundation,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This transformative gift represents an extraordinary commitment to the future of health care in Panama City and Northwest Florida. By supporting the education and innovation of the next generation of nurses, this investment will strengthen our local communities, improve access to care, and ensure that residents receive the highest quality of health services for years to come.”
The new funding will directly target health care workforce challenges in Panama City and surrounding counties. By creating scholarship opportunities for undergraduate nursing students from Bay, Walton, and Gulf counties, FSU hopes to encourage graduates to remain in the region and contribute to local health care systems. Beyond scholarships, the donation will enable the college to acquire advanced equipment, invest in faculty research, and support programs focused on improving care for aging populations, which represent a growing demographic in Northwest Florida.
“This transformative gift represents an extraordinary commitment to the future of health care in Panama City and Northwest Florida. By supporting the education and innovation of the next generation of nurses, this investment will strengthen our local communities, improve access to care, and ensure that residents receive the highest quality of health services for years to come.” — FSU President Richard McCullough
The urgency of expanding nursing education in Northwest Florida is underscored by alarming projections for the state. Florida is expected to face a shortage of 60,000 nurses by 2035, a gap that threatens access to quality care if left unaddressed. Research by the RN Work Project shows that nearly 53% of newly licensed registered nurses work within 40 miles of their high school, while 76.8% of bachelor’s-prepared nurses practice in the same state where they attended high school. These statistics highlight the importance of local training programs that can retain nursing talent in communities that need it most.
“At the FSU College of Nursing, we are boldly rising to lead the future of health care — from pioneering digital health and smart home innovations to expanding access to high-quality nursing education across Florida,” said Jing Wang, dean of the FSU College of Nursing. “This historic gift empowers us to bring that vision to Northwest Florida, preparing exceptional nurses while advancing innovative care models that will shape the health of our communities for generations to come. With the Berkowitz family’s extraordinary generosity, we can provide the care needed today while positioning Florida State as a national and global leader in transforming health care through nursing.”
The FSU Panama City campus will play a central role in this expansion. As a comprehensive regional campus of Florida State University, it provides students in Northwest Florida with access to degree programs from a leading public university. The nursing program’s relocation to Panama City will allow students to study close to home, gain hands-on experience, and ultimately contribute to local health care systems. The university plans to invest additional resources to renovate facilities, acquire modern equipment, and recruit qualified faculty and staff to support the new program.
“This extraordinary gift is a true investment in the future of Panama City,” said Randy Hanna, dean of FSU Panama City. “It opens doors for our students, empowering them to pursue nursing careers right here at home and equipping them with the skills and support to serve and strengthen health care in our community.”
Northwest Florida has seen significant momentum in health care in recent years. The creation of the FSU Health medical campus in Panama City Beach and plans for an acute care hospital under the FSU Health name are key steps in enhancing access to care in the region. Jorge Gonzalez, president and CEO of The St. Joe Company and a member of the FSU Board of Trustees, highlighted how the Berkowitz gift complements these ongoing initiatives.
“This gift builds on that progress by ensuring that talented students from our region can train, stay and serve right here at home, expanding access to care and strengthening the health of our communities for generations to come,” Gonzalez said.
Innovation is another critical focus of the initiative. The FSU College of Nursing recently launched the Smart Health Home Initiative at Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, which explores technologies designed to improve the independence and well-being of active adults. This program, along with other research funded by the Berkowitz gift, will allow the college to pioneer digital health solutions, improve patient outcomes, and train nurses in state-of-the-art care models.
The gift also positions Florida State University to address one of the most pressing challenges in American health care: ensuring that an adequate number of highly trained nurses are available to meet the needs of aging populations. By supporting scholarship programs and practical training in Northwest Florida, the university is creating a pipeline of qualified nurses who are not only educated to the highest standards but also invested in serving their local communities.
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The impact of this investment will be felt for generations. By preparing nurses to stay and work in the region, FSU ensures that residents of Bay, Walton, and Gulf counties have access to highly skilled professionals who can provide advanced care close to home. The program will also offer opportunities for faculty-led research, technological innovation, and community partnerships that will enhance the overall health care ecosystem in Northwest Florida.
“This historic gift represents an extraordinary commitment to the future of health care in Panama City and Northwest Florida,” said President McCullough. “By supporting the education and innovation of the next generation of nurses, this investment will strengthen our local communities, improve access to care, and ensure that residents receive the highest quality of health services for years to come.”
With this $10 million donation, FSU is not only addressing immediate workforce needs but also setting the stage for long-term leadership in health care education. The university’s investment in Panama City is a signal that the future of nursing in Florida is being reshaped through thoughtful planning, innovation, and strategic philanthropy. From scholarships to cutting-edge research, the gift promises to transform the way nursing is taught and practiced in Northwest Florida.
As the program launches in Panama City, students, faculty, and the broader community can expect a renewed focus on local health care delivery, technological advancement, and practical training. The initiative demonstrates how private philanthropy, when aligned with educational institutions, can have a transformative effect on communities while addressing systemic challenges in health care.
Florida State University’s College of Nursing is taking bold steps to lead the future of health care, ensuring that residents of Northwest Florida have access to highly trained nurses, innovative care solutions, and improved health outcomes. The Berkowitz family’s generosity is more than a donation; it is an investment in the health, education, and well-being of an entire region.
In the years ahead, the effects of this historic gift will be seen not only in the lives of students and faculty but also in the hospitals, clinics, and homes of Northwest Florida. By combining advanced nursing education, research, and community-focused care, FSU is helping to create a healthier, more resilient region ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
