Myra Hurt , Ph . D . plans are underway to recognize the honorees during the May 17 , 2025 , M . D . Commencement Ceremonies .
Five Selected to FSU Medical Hall of Fame
By Bob Thomas , FSU College of Medicine
Two iconic leaders in the College of Medicine ’ s history and a trio of distinguished physicians entrenched in their respective communities make up the five-member FSU Medical Alumni 2024 Hall of Fame class . While its September induction ceremony was canceled because of Hurricane Helene ,
Myra Hurt , Ph . D . plans are underway to recognize the honorees during the May 17 , 2025 , M . D . Commencement Ceremonies .
Myra Hurt , Ph . D ., and Daniel Van Durme , M . D ., both of whom died in 2023 , are the first non-alumni selected for Hall of Fame inclusion by vote of the Alumni Board . They exceeded the board ’ s selection criteria of service to the community , profession and the College of Medicine in ways that shaped its future .
“ Dr . Hurt is literally referred to as the ‘ Mother of the College of Medicine ,’” said Dean Alma Littles , M . D .
Hurt was named director of PIMS in 1992 and a year later authored a white paper that would provide the foundation for her nearly decade-long fight to create a four-year medical school at Florida State . Her dogged persistence eventually won over the Florida Board of Regents , the Florida Legislature and eventually , the Association of American Medical Colleges ( AAMC ) and its accrediting body , the Liaison Committee on Medical Education ( LCME ).
“ Often , Dr . Hurt said that creating the medical school was harder than giving birth ,” wrote her husband , Julian Hurt , M . D . “ She called the medical students her babies , but the medical school itself was her baby , too . She gave it life and nurtured it carefully . It was a true labor of love and Dr . Hurt put everything she was into ensuring its success .”
Hurt served as first acting dean in 2000 when the college was signed into law by Gov . Jeb Bush , and later she became dean of student affairs and oversaw admissions . She also conceived the pathway SSTRIDE and Bridge to Clinical Medicine .
Van Durme came to the college in 2004 as chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health and in 2018 became senior associate dean for Clinical and Community Affairs . In addition to his skills as an administrator and educator , he embodied the college ’ s mission of service to the underserved .
Daniel Van Durme , M . D .
“ Dan considered himself a servant leader , and I truly believe he was ,” wrote his wife , Pat Van Durme . “ His belief was simply this : if we take care of everybody , regardless of race or financial status or sex or any of the other ways to define people , we can make the world a better place .”
He led mission trips to developing countries , mentored students , advised numerous student groups and was the founding advisor of the Chapman Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society .
As the college ’ s chief medical officer , he led the university ’ s response to the COVID pandemic . He was most proud of his role in making FSU PrimaryHealth™ , the clinic serving Southwest Tallahassee ’ s underserved population , a reality .
The facility now carries his name .
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