Introduction to the Partnership
A highly touted partnership between Broward Health and Florida Atlantic University to collaborate for clinical training and research has ended abruptly, as has the hands-on experience medical students were getting at Broward County hospitals.
Only two years into the 30-year partnership, the collaboration between the university and the health system fell apart because of proposed changes to the original agreement. The effect is that as many as 200 medical and nursing students are scrambling to find clinical experience at other local hospitals.
The Collapse of the Partnership
On Thursday, FAU President Adam Hasner informed his trustees that the university’s medical and nursing students will no longer receive clinical education at the Broward Health or Memorial Healthcare System, the public health districts that are now both under the leadership of the same CEO, Shane Strum. These two public health systems combined represent 11 hospitals in Broward County, more than any other company that operates health facilities in the county.
Impact on Students
FAU’s president said the university has been scrambling to secure other opportunities for its students who need experience through direct patient care. “Dean Lewis Nelson and his team at the College of Medicine, and I participated in a meeting yesterday with hundreds of medical students to assure them they are our highest priority, and that we are dedicated to preserving their medical education without disruption,” Hasner wrote in his letter to the trustees. “To honor that commitment to our students, we have been able to locate alternative rotations for our students at our health care partners in the region.” Many hospitals in South Florida offer limited hands-on learning opportunities for future doctors; FAU, which is based in Boca Raton but has campuses in both Palm Beach and Broward counties, looks around the entire region to place its medical students.
Background of the Partnership
In early 2023, FAU entered a 30-year partnership agreement with Broward Health, providing its health sciences students with access to physicians and clinical facilities within its public health system. The partnership, intended to include joint research and fundraising opportunities, was announced and highly touted by Strum, president and CEO of Broward Health, during his State of the System address that year. Strum positioned the collaboration as a way to improve patient care for the region. “This collaboration makes us part of a vital network in Broward County that connects us with a partner that will enable us to care for our community,” Strum said in his announcement at the time.
Dispute Over the Partnership
On Thursday, Broward Health spokeswoman Jennifer Smith said Broward Health did not want to end the relationship. “Broward Health received notice this morning that FAU intended to sever the contract. Broward Health has no intention of walking away from this agreement; we are simply looking for FAU to be an equal partner and live up to their contractual obligations to support clinical operations, which they have failed to do thus far,” she said. The partnership became strained in spring 2024, only a year into the collaboration. According to a letter sent to Strum by FAU’s Hasner on Wednesday, the partnership agreement between the university and the health system was restructured in early 2024 because of “regulatory concerns.” In the restructuring, Broward Health gained control, and FAU became a minority partner.
Financial Disputes
The dispute also involves financial terms, with FAU claiming that Broward Health owes the university $7.4 million for unpaid invoices that have been outstanding for over a year. “College of Medicine faculty physicians work at their hospitals treating their patients, and FAU pays those physicians. The hospital is contractually obligated to reimburse FAU for their salaries and ongoing operational expenses. The amount owed now exceeds $7.4 million,” FAU spokesman Joshua Glanzer told the Sun Sentinel on Thursday. However, Broward Health disputes this claim, stating that they have already paid over $7 million and are waiting for FAU to reconcile the invoices.
Effect on Students and the Community
The collapse of the partnership has significant implications for the students and the community. Nearly 200 medical and nursing students are affected, and FAU is working to reassign them to other clinical partners. “All College of Medicine students have been reassigned thanks to our other long-standing clinical partners, and we are diligently taking steps to reassign the other (nursing and social work) students removed by Broward Health today,” said FAU spokesperson Joshua Glanzer. The dispute also has repercussions for the community, as it may impact the quality of care provided by the hospitals involved.
Conclusion
The collapse of the partnership between FAU and Broward Health has significant implications for the students, the university, and the community. The dispute highlights the challenges of collaboration between academic institutions and healthcare providers, and the need for clear communication and mutually beneficial agreements. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential for all parties involved to prioritize the needs of the students and the community, and to work towards a resolution that benefits everyone.
FAQs
- Q: What was the partnership between FAU and Broward Health?
A: The partnership was a 30-year agreement for clinical training and research between Florida Atlantic University and Broward Health. - Q: Why did the partnership collapse?
A: The partnership collapsed due to proposed changes to the original agreement and disputes over financial terms. - Q: How many students are affected by the collapse of the partnership?
A: Nearly 200 medical and nursing students are affected by the collapse of the partnership. - Q: What is FAU doing to support the affected students?
A: FAU is working to reassign the affected students to other clinical partners and is prioritizing their needs and education. - Q: What are the implications of the collapse of the partnership for the community?
A: The collapse of the partnership may impact the quality of care provided by the hospitals involved and highlights the challenges of collaboration between academic institutions and healthcare providers.
