FSU College of Medicine 2018 annual report 2018 Annual Report - FSU College of Medicine | Page 15

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AFTER THE HURRICANE: ‘RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS’
Long before there was a medical school at Florida State, plans
With
were being debated to address the critical shortage of health-care
providers in t e lorid
n ndle
e first in dept
sol tion
-mph winds and waves powerful enough to slice
Cape San Blas in half, the storm began its march through the
s Panhandle by attening much of Port St. Joe and next-door
to start FSU’s Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS), increasing the Mexico Beach. It knocked out St. Joe s power, water, sewer
opportunity for more students from underserved communities in the and pharmacies it knocked over trees, homes and steeples.
Panhandle to make their way into medical school. Ignoring the weather rulebook, it refused to weaken as it
Later, the Florida Legislature (led by the late Durell Peaden, a crossed over land. The winds howling through Blountstown,
physician from Crestview, and Speaker of the House – and current Marianna and even as far north as Bainbridge knocked over
Florida State President – John Thrasher) approved the FSU College thousands of trees and did heartbreaking damage.
of Medicine as a way to further address needs of medically underserved
But these and other alumni were living out a phrase in our
communities throughout Florida.
mission statement to be responsive to community needs.
Today, more than 100 FSU medical alumni are practicing in the
Their banged-up communities suddenly had a boatload
Panhandle. Most days, they are providing ordinary health care in
of needs and only a handful of resources. Our alumni had
places where recruiting new physicians has always been a challenge.
And then there are the extraordinary days.
When Rachel Bixler and Josh James earned their M.D.
degrees at Florida State, there was no course called What
to Do if a Ferocious Storm Devastates the Town Where You
Josh James and Rachel Bixler
They were among the College of Medicine and PIMS
Practice. Now, practicing in direct-hit Port St. Joe and alumni who helped Panhandle communities bounce
Panama City, they could teach such a class. back from the wrath of Hurricane Michael, which has
So could Mary Watson, practicing in Blountstown. And
been blamed for at least
deaths in Florida. The storm
Kim Landry, practicing in Gulf Breeze. And Robin Albritton, developed so fast. Sunday, it had been a tropical depression.
practicing in Marianna. And Matthew Buck, practicing in Monday, coastal communities were told they had
Bainbridge, Georgia. evacuate. Tuesday, they were told this storm was a monster.
Wednesday, Oct.
hours to
, the monster arrived.
Matthew Buck