FSU College of Medicine dean leads statewide organization
By Patrick Crowley FSU College of Medicine
Alma Littles, M. D., dean of the FSU College of Medicine, was installed Aug. 1 as the 150th president of the Florida Medical Association at the FMA’ s annual conference in Orlando— the first medical school dean to hold this post.
Founded in 1874, the FMA represents more than 20,000 physicians on legislative, economic, educational and ethical issues. As president, Littles will serve as chair of the FMA Board of Governors, which initiates policy for the organization. She will also serve as the primary ambassador for the FMA and its members.
“ While assuming this role is one of the greatest honors of my professional career, I am humbled by the opportunity and mindful of the responsibility,” Littles said.“ I see this role as an opportunity to serve— not only physicians— but also the patients and communities who depend on us.”
Littles, a board-certified family medicine physician, said her priorities will be to continue carrying out FMA’ s mission of helping physicians practice medicine, and ensuring that policies strengthen the ability of physicians to provide safe, high-quality, compassionate care to patients. As the first sitting dean to serve as FMA president, Littles said she will continue to advocate for the strengthening of Florida’ s physician workforce by supporting medical education, residency training, physician retention, physician well-being and leadership development.
“ This advocacy will include supporting physicians, residents and students as we all navigate the very necessary implementation of AI and other emerging technologies, while maintaining the human connection at the heart of the patient-physician relationship,” Littles said.
During their one-year term, FMA presidents appoint two members to the FMA Board of Governors. Littles has chosen Jeremy Slaga, J. D., FSU’ s vice president and chief clinical operations officer overseeing FSU Health, and Andrea Friall, M. D., who practices obstetrics and gynecology and is the chief medical officer of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare in Tallahassee.
“ Anyone who has worked with Dr. Littles knows that the superlatives are well-deserved,” said FMA Chief Executive Officer Chris Clark.“ She’ s a remarkable person and a consistently remarkable physician leader. The FMA has always valued having close relationships with Florida’ s medical schools. So, the fact that Dr. Littles is the first medical school dean to serve as FMA President in our organization’ s 151-year history is especially meaningful.”
Prior to serving as president and president-elect last year, Littles also served as the board’ s secretary and vice president. She has been a member of FMA since she was a medical student.
Littles is a leader in organized medicine at both the state and national levels. She is a former president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians( FAFP) and was Florida Family Physician of the Year in
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