Baptist Health and Florida International University to begin exclusive negotiations on comprehensive alliance

Baptist Health and Florida International University, through its Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, today announced they have entered into exclusive negotiations to develop a comprehensive alliance, which will drive clinical, research and education advancements for the benefit of the South Florida community. Together, Baptist Health – South Florida’s largest not-for-profit healthcare system – and FIU – South Florida’s public research university – will work to enhance access to specialized care, novel therapies and physician training.

The two organizations intend to join forces to expand undergraduate and graduate medical education programs, develop clinical and teaching facilities, grow faculty-physician practices, and deepen capabilities around pioneering research.

“FIU and Baptist share a common mission to educate and provide high quality, evidence-based and cost-effective care that leads to excellent patient outcomes,” said FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell. “Beyond our college of medicine – led by Dean Juan Cendan whose vision made this possible – FIU brings to the table all the assets of our Academic Health Center. These include highly ranked programs and brilliant researchers in the basic sciences and in our Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work. By locking arms, FIU and Baptist are creating a new health care system for South Florida with global impact.”

“This relationship with FIU, a fast-rising leader in medical education and research, promises to transform the future of medicine in South Florida,” said Bo Boulenger, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “We look forward to working with our partners at the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine to train the next generation of physicians, recruit world-class experts, engage in cutting-edge research and improve care for our community, together.”

For a decade, Baptist Health and Florida International University have partnered to offer an accredited medical residency program at Baptist Health West Kendall Baptist Hospital.

“Both of our great institutions — working together — will improve health care in South Florida and will transform our communities,” said FIU Board of Trustees Chairman Dean C. Colson. “Great cities have great universities and great cities have great health care. Miami – along with all of South Florida – is on the cusp of being included in the list of world-class research cities. This affiliation with Baptist will ensure that occurs in the very near future.”

“All of us at Baptist Health are honored and excited to expand our relationship with FIU,” said Jay Hershoff, board chair of the Baptist Health Board of Trustees. “Establishing this academic affiliation with the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine is an exciting step for Baptist Health as we expand our services and strengthen our research to provide exceptional healthcare for our community.”

A consolidated research collaborative will be established, enabling and advancing research by leveraging both organizations’ resources, expertise and structures.

The terms of this relationship between the two organizations are expected to be finalized this summer.

Videos and images related to today’s announcement are available in this Dropbox folder.