Florida A&M University Acquires Historic Facility Previously Used By Pioneering Black Doctors – AfroTech
Florida A&M University (FAMU) has acquired a historic property that was home to many Black physicians.
According to a press release, the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) acquired about 0.94 acres of a site owned by Black physicians Dr. Russell L. Anderson and his son-in-law, Dr. Alexander D “AD” Brickler. Brickler is credited with integrating Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and the old FAMU Hospital, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
The building, located at 1619, 1705 and 1747 S. Adams St., was reportedly acquired for $950,000, according to the outlet.
FAMU intends for the building to be a health and wellness clinic, notes the press release. It will be a dedicated space for health sciences education, experiential learning, research, and community engagement, aligning with its goals in health care and the objectives of the Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation division, which includes a cardiometabolic center addressing diabetes, kidney disease, and obesity.
“This is a very special opportunity to bring this historic property into the FAMUly while honoring those whose scholarship, medical practice and impact helped shape our University and this community,” said President Marva B. Johnson, J.D, in the release. “The era of Dr. Russell Anderson, Dr. Alexander Brickler and Foote-Hilyer remind us that education and health care have always been deeply connected to FAMU’s mission. We accept the responsibility of carrying that history forward and being good stewards of the Brickler and Foote-Hilyer legacy. We are committed to preserving its significance while creating new opportunities for our students, faculty and community to advance health and knowledge for generations to come.”
Dr. Celeste Brickler Hart, Anderson’s granddaughter, described the acquisition as “my dream,” per the news release. Hart has followed in her grandfather’s footsteps and has been practicing medicine in Tallahassee for 36 years, including for decades in the Adams Street building.
“They would be elated to see that their legacy has persisted. I’d like to think that they would be elated to see that this is going to continue to serve the Tallahassee community that they loved so much,” she explained.
