College of Medicine Dean, Alma Littles, M.D. and IMS Associate Dean, Elizabeth Foster, Ph.D. participated in Tuesday's press conference on the FSU Panama City campus, announcing the launch of the IMS program next fall. (Photo by Andrew Wardlow)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. — A new biomedical sciences program at Florida State University Panama City was officially announced Tuesday, offering a major step forward in health care education for Northwest Florida. The Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) program, launching fall 2026, is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in health care — from clinical practice and medicine to health care management and policy.
The program, offered in partnership with the FSU College of Medicine, aims to improve access to high-quality education in the clinical aspects of health care and support workforce development in the region.
“This new program will serve to improve access to a high-quality education in the clinical aspects of health care — it will be an investment in future health care providers for Bay County and surrounding areas,” said FSU Panama City Dean Randy Hanna.
The IMS program will be open to first-time-in-college students as well as transfer students from state and community colleges.
“We are constantly finding ways to address the shortage of health care professionals throughout the state of Florida,” said Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the FSU College of Medicine. “FSU Panama City is a tremendous resource for the people of Northwest Florida and a great springboard for students wishing to enter the health care professions. I am delighted the College of Medicine has expanded its IMS program, which will help students achieve their goals of preparing for a rewarding career.”
Students in the IMS program will earn a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, combining a rigorous science core with service learning, developmental seminars and a capstone experience. The program is structured to help students discover their most suitable health care career path, build professional skills and mindset and develop a deep understanding of community health needs.
“We have been working on establishing this program for around one year,” said FSU PC Associate Dean Amy Polick. “A great deal of work was undertaken to ensure this program maintained the same quality experienced in Tallahassee, while being highly specialized and effective for Panama City students.”
Courses will be taught in-person in Panama City by a mix of current and newly recruited faculty. The degree prepares students for further study or careers in fields such as:
• Medicine (MD/DO), Dentistry (DMD/DDS), Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Veterinary Medicine
• Child welfare, Disability and elder care services, Health policy, Non-profit and research sectors
“The options are endless,” said Tory Peek, who will serve as the program coordinator. “This degree could lead to careers in the non-profit sector, research field, community care or health policy and informatics.”
Tuesday’s press conference featured remarks from leadership at FSU PC and the FSU College of Medicine, alongside representatives from local hospitals, Bay District Schools, Gulf Coast State College and area high schools. Students from across the region, including those interested in pursuing the new degree, attended the press conference.
“We have a solid track record of student success, and I am happy we can extend the reach of the IMS program to serve even more students and improve the health care environment in Northwest Florida,” said Dr. Anthony Speights, senior associate dean for IMS. “Of the program’s 688 graduates, 54 have matriculated into the College of Medicine’s M.D. program and 30 into its School of Physician Assistant Practice, and many others are successfully working in other health care professions.”
Hanna expressed his appreciation to the various faculty and staff, including Tyler Towne and Liz Foster, for their roles in developing the curriculum and forging cross-campus collaboration.
“This was a team effort, and students will see that commitment when they enroll,” Hanna said.
Prospective students can find program prerequisites and additional information on the FSU College of Medicine IMS website or by visiting the FSU Panama City IMS page.
