Florida State University and Andrews Foundation partner for new physician fellowship program in Northwest Florida
Florida – Florida State University is expanding its efforts to improve medical education and health care in Northwest Florida by teaming up with one of the region’s most respected medical institutions. In a new partnership that officially took effect on August 1, the FSU College of Medicine and the Andrews Research & Education Foundation (AREF) have joined forces to bring two physician fellowship programs under FSU’s sponsorship.
The agreement covers both the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Fellowship and the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, both of which are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This move marks a significant step in growing the university’s role in shaping the future of specialized medical training while addressing the region’s evolving health care needs.
“This partnership reflects the strong collaborations we are building that expand educational opportunity, support world-class research and improve the health of communities across our state,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “We’re excited to team up with Andrews and continue growing FSU’s impact in Northwest Florida.”
Fellowship programs offer advanced training to physicians who have already completed medical school and residency. This additional experience prepares doctors to manage complex cases, refine their expertise in specific areas, and ultimately deliver better care to patients. The partnership between FSU and AREF aims to do just that—provide the highest level of hands-on training in orthopedic and sports medicine while also fostering innovation through research and clinical excellence.
The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Fellowship will accept four fellows each year, while the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship offers one highly competitive slot. These new additions bring the total number of FSU-sponsored residency and fellowship programs to 26, supporting over 330 residents and fellows across Florida.
“For nearly two decades, the Andrews Institute has provided unparalleled care to the residents of Northwest Florida and beyond,” said Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the FSU College of Medicine. “At Florida State, we continually seek to partner with the best-of-the-best and we are delighted to enter this partnership with Andrews. This agreement strengthens our commitment to advancing medical education and improving community health throughout North Florida.”
The fellowship programs also tie into FSU Health, a university-led initiative to enhance public health in North Florida through collaboration with clinical partners, research institutions, and community leaders. Through FSU Health, the university aims to expand access to care while leveraging its expertise in medical education and research.
Ashton Hayward, president of the Andrews Research & Education Foundation, emphasized the power of the partnership to drive progress in health care research and training.
“This partnership unites two respected institutions with a shared mission to elevate clinical research, academic excellence and innovative patient care,” Hayward said. “By leveraging Florida-based talent, the collaboration will foster groundbreaking work in musculoskeletal science, regenerative medicine, biomechanics and surgical innovation. Together, AREF and FSU will create new opportunities for trainees, researchers and health care professionals to contribute to the growth of medical knowledge and improve outcomes for patients throughout Florida and beyond.”
The move also strengthens the credibility and competitiveness of the fellowships, both in terms of national recognition and applicant interest. According to Bill Boyer, associate dean for Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official at FSU’s College of Medicine, accreditation status and university sponsorship play a major role in how applicants evaluate programs.
“People look to see if a program is university-sponsored,” Boyer said. “They look to see if it is accredited. All of our programs have either initial accreditation or full accreditation and, of course, FSU is continually accredited. Reputation also helps and FSU’s GME programs are known as some of the best — and we fill every slot each year. This, coupled with the outstanding reputation of Andrews will attract the best talent to these programs and to Northwest Florida.”
With this partnership, FSU and the Andrews Foundation are not only expanding the opportunities available to future physicians—they are also helping to build a stronger, more resilient health care system in Florida. By blending world-class clinical training with cutting-edge research, the institutions are creating a model that could serve as a blueprint for other academic-medical partnerships across the country.
The collaboration represents a powerful investment in both education and community health, with the potential to make a lasting impact far beyond the walls of the fellowship programs.
