Inaugural M. D. Class of 2005 laid the groundwork for future success
By Bob Thomas FSU College of Medicine
Thirteen months.
That’ s all the time Florida State University College of Medicine administrators had between the day Gov. Jeb Bush signed the bill creating the college and the May 7, 2001, arrival of the 30-member inaugural class of future physicians.
Myra Hurt, the college’ s founding dean and universally recognized as the“ mother” of the college, appointed Helen Livingston, Ed. D., assistant dean for admissions and outreach. It was a logical move for the former director of admissions for the Program in Medical Sciences( PIMS). Livingston would ensure the transfer of the last PIMS class to the University of Florida and turn her full attention to building the foundational College of Medicine class.
“ My philosophy had always been, as had Myra’ s, that you looked for the right kind of student,” Livingston said in a recent interview.“ You looked for the service-oriented students interested in people, able to interact with people. You admit those students and they will fulfill the mission. It’ s always about admissions, who you let in the door.”
Getting that first class enrolled had its challenges. The program did not have a permanent facility, was not fully staffed and lacked accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education( LCME). It did have 30 years of experience educating first-year medical students through PIMS, before sending them off to Gainesville for the final three years.
What it didn’ t have was time.
( From left to right) John Thrasher, former Speaker of the House and later FSU president, and state legislator Durell Peaden, M. D., played key roles in the establishment of the FSU College of Medicine. Seated in the front row at the inaugural commencement ceremony, they salute the M. D. Class of 2005( center) with the ubiquitous " Chop." Thrasher and Peaden, along with Myra Hurt and Sandy D ' Alemberte, are recognized as the college ' s four founding figures.
“ The law had been passed, and we had no choice,” Livingston said.“ It stated that we had to admit a class. We couldn’ t wait three years. We had to admit a class that year. It was either break Florida’ s law or beg for forgiveness from the LCME.”
In addition to looking for service-minded candidates, Livingston and the selection committee would take other factors into account, all the while knowing that the class would be closely scrutinized by the LCME.
“ They had to be adventuresome in their outlook and they had to have the academic prowess to make it through,” she said.“ The bond that they formed with each other was just as important as what we were trying to offer here, because it was a rough road for them. The LCME was bound and determined this was not going to get off the ground.”
The inaugural class – which celebrates the 20th anniversary of its graduation at the Alumni Reunion in Tallahassee Nov. 7-9 – brought a wide range of strengths and experiences into that first day of class in the School of Nursing’ s Duxbury Building. They ranged in age from 19 to 32, came from a wide array of backgrounds, but also possessed the qualities Livingston deemed essential for success.
Christie Alexander, whose initial application to the PIMS program had been denied, ended up with a seat in that
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