By Nancy Kinnally
March 2, 2002

First-Year Med Students Tour Orlando Medical Facilities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Dr. Anthony Costa, the newly appointed assistant dean for the FSU College of Medicine’s Regional Medical School Campus – Orlando, joined the college’s 30 first-year students for a tour of Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional Medical Center March 2.

Costa will lead the development of the third- and fourth-year clinical training program for those FSU medical students who are assigned to Orlando beginning in July 2003. Costa, who currently serves as associate dean for clinical education at the Barberton campus of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, will officially begin his new duties July 1.

Dr. Joseph E. Scherger, dean of the FSU College of Medicine, said Costa brings 16 years of experience running medical education programs to his new position.

“At the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Dr. Costa has assumed numerous leadership and management positions in medical education,” Scherger said. “He has a national reputation in medical education, and will use this expertise to foster a high-quality and collaborative learning environment for Florida State’s medical students.”
Costa said he was drawn to the FSU College of Medicine in part by Scherger’s “infectious” enthusiasm for the medical school and its mission.

“I believe in the mission of the school,” Costa said. “The school's mission is to produce the kind of doctors Florida, and indeed every state, needs.

I've worked on a similar mission for the past 15 years. I think I know what it will take to make the school succeed.”
Costa met some of the initial members of the board of directors for the Regional Medical School Campus – Orlando, as well as some of the medical school faculty, when he interviewed for the assistant dean position in January.

“I was very impressed by their talent and dedication to the school's mission,” Costa said. “I'm very excited about working at Florida State, and especially excited about working at the Orlando campus. It's a great medical community and has the potential to be a truly outstanding regional campus.”

Two Orlando hospitals – Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional Medical Center – will be involved in the education of FSU medical students, as will many local physician practices.