MEDICAL NEX offers Palm Coas
The healthcare landscape in Palm Coast is poised to change , figuratively and literally , thanks to an initiative underway from the University of North Florida .
The Jacksonville school , in partnership with the city of Palm Coast , AdventHealth , Flagler County Schools and Daytona State College , is moving forward with plans to build a “ medical nexus ” in Palm Coast ’ s Town Center area to be called UNF MedNexus .
“ The plan is for UNF MedNexus to be the nation ’ s first comprehensive , university-based medical and healthcare nexus , partnering with local medical centers and connecting healthcare providers with university students , faculty and researchers ,” according to Curt Lox , dean of the Brooks College of Health at UNF . “ UNF
Curt Lox
MedNexus will become the hub of collaboration for area hospitals , medical schools , rehabilitation centers and technology companies , as well as for local universities , colleges and high schools .”
Lox said the idea was fueled by a “ serious and growing shortage ” of trained healthcare professionals in the region and throughout the Sunshine State .
“ UNF has long been recognized for graduating exceptional students in the healthcare field and UNF MedNexus will have a significant impact in addressing needs in staffing and innovation for its partners , while placing university graduates into high-paying jobs ,” he said .
The university intends to combine its own strengths in its Brooks College of Health in nursing , physical therapy and healthcare support programs with input from care providers across
the region on their specific needs for staffing and research to meet those needs , Lox said .
“ UNF MedNexus partnership goals are to develop unique experiential learning opportunities through immersion in existing health facilities , classes taught by experienced healthcare professionals and research that is problem-specific and company sponsored ,” according to Lox .
The success of the venture begins with the partnerships forged by the university , especially with the city of Palm Coast .
“ This is the way economic development should happen in every community ,” said Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland . “ You start with the foundation of higher learning .”
Holland said the city ’ s creation of an innovation district in the Town Center area , which focuses on a particular zone where public and private entities partner to encourage a diverse business landscape that includes entrepreneurs , start-ups , business incubators and the like , was the driving force behind working with UNF on the MedNexus project .
“ Looking at innovation districts across the country , the key component we lacked was a higher learning institution based in the district ,” Holland said . “ A couple of years back we were looking at different institutions that would make sense to have in our innovation district .”
Holland said bringing the MedNexus to Town Center not only provides a central location for the project but also will serve as an economic driver for the region .
“ Town Center sat vacant for close to 10 years and during that time , Amazon changed the reality of brick and mortar business ,” she said , referring to the original concept for Town Center of a
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