College of Medicine names assistant dean for community and clinical affairs

FIU’s College of Medicine has named Dr. Fernando J. Valverde its assistant dean for community and clinical affairs. A South Florida managed care systems pioneer, Valverde has focused on patient access for primary care, prevention and educational services in the local community for the past 20 years. His appointment became effective May 1.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity – to be involved in the formation of a medical school,” Valverde said. “It’s an educational, intellectual and social challenge for FIU’s College of Medicine and one of my responsibilities will be to help integrate the College with the local medical community.”

Dr. John Rock, the College’s dean and senior vice president for medical affairs, says Valverde “is vital for our program’s development. His impressive credentials in efficient delivery of care make him invaluable to our mission.”

Valverde, an internist, has led several physician practice management organizations, both locally and nationally, responsible for more than 100 employed physicians, 70 primary care centers and 500,000 primary care patient visits a year in South Florida. In his role as CEO and medical director of South Florida Prepaid Health Clinics, LLC, he has brought together approximately 30 primary care centers and 300 medical specialists to provide guaranteed care to South Florida’s uninsured.

The FIU College of Medicine expects to admit its first class in the fall of 2009.

FIU breaks ground on new stadium

On May 25, FIU and Coral Gables-based Odebrecht Construction, Inc., broke ground on the school’s new on-site football stadium in a ceremony at the Golden Panthers’ old home, FIU Stadium at University Park.

“It’s a great day to be a Golden Panther,” Athletic Director Pete Garcia said. “This is an exciting day and there will be only one day more exciting than this – when we kick off the home season playing the University of South Florida in September of 2008 in our brand new stadium.”

Nearly 200 invited guests listened to comments from a platform party consisting of Garcia, FIU President Modesto A. Maidique, FIU Trustee and Administrative and Athletic Committee Chairman Al Dotson Sr., head football coach Mario Cristobal and Odebrecht Construction CEO Gilberto Nieves, before the group grabbed blue-and-gold shovels and adorned hard hats for the ceremonial ground breaking.

When the stadium is completed, it will be the only Division I on-campus football stadium south of Orlando in Florida. It will be a “focal point, a destination for all,” Maidique said.

“FIU is committed to being a big-time program,” Cristobal said. “We are based on accountability, trust and on belief. Every single brick that goes into this stadium will have that motto in it. It’s not going to be long before it’s a packed house.”

You can view renderings of the new stadium by clicking here.