Florida State University Appoints Jeremy Slaga as First VP of Health

Florida State University (FSU) has appointed Jeremy Slaga as its inaugural Vice President and Chief Clinical Operations Officer to lead FSU Health. President Richard McCullough announced the decision, highlighting Slaga’s extensive experience in the healthcare sector. Slaga will begin his new role on January 5, 2026.

In this position, Slaga will play a pivotal role in developing FSU’s health enterprise. His responsibilities will include expanding clinical opportunities and fostering community engagement across Florida. Currently, he serves as Chief Integration Officer for the Temple Health system, encompassing six hospital campuses and over 1,550 physicians and scientists.

“Florida State University is committed to advancing healthcare in our community and throughout our state,” McCullough stated. “Jeremy is a visionary healthcare leader with a tremendous amount of experience who will be an extraordinary partner in this endeavor, and we are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”

Slaga will report directly to McCullough and collaborate closely with senior administrators at the university and key healthcare partners in the region. “FSU Health offers an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact by collaborating with clinical, research and educational partners throughout the region,” Slaga remarked. “I am thrilled to join FSU and work alongside our colleagues across Florida as we develop a transformative network dedicated to enhancing health and healthcare for our communities.”

Strategic Developments in Healthcare at FSU

For over a decade, discussions about establishing an academic health center at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH) have been ongoing. The TMH Board of Trustees first identified this vision in its strategic plan from 2008. Since then, TMH has introduced several residency programs in fields such as internal medicine, general surgery, and psychiatry.

In 2022, the Florida Legislature and Governor allocated $125 million to assist FSU in constructing an academic health research center on the TMH campus. This new facility, covering 140,000 square feet, is expected to open in 2026. It will house clinical research spaces, a family residency practice, laboratory facilities, and additional resources aimed at bridging the gap between academic research and patient care.

Furthermore, FSU announced plans earlier this year to develop a hospital in Panama City Beach. The university has also successfully recruited new talent through joint ventures with the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, TMH, and the Andrews Institute. In addition, FSU launched the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases and the Institute for Connecting Nutrition and Health (ICON-Health), both designed to address urgent healthcare challenges in the state.

Slaga’s Background and Vision

With 18 years of experience in prominent academic healthcare organizations, Slaga has held various roles that include strategic planning, IT optimization, procurement, and value-based care administration. His career spans institutions such as Emory Healthcare, UPMC, and the Temple University Health System.

Slaga earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from FSU in 2002, followed by a law degree from Suffolk University Law School. His unique background combines healthcare expertise with legal knowledge, positioning him well to navigate the complexities of healthcare operations.

As FSU embarks on this significant chapter in its healthcare journey, the appointment of Jeremy Slaga signals a commitment to enhancing health services and establishing a robust academic health network in Florida.