Thagard Student Health Center began delivering basic health care on the third floor of Murphree Hall under the Florida State College for Women prior to the 1920s. Ill students went home or to the closest hospital in Bainbridge, Georgia.

In 1921, a new three-floor health center was built next to Murphree Hall. It was a walk-in clinic as well as an overnight facility. As fresh air was considered a curative, many infirmary rooms had sleep porches with beds on each porch. Dr. Anne Young was the full-time physician caring for female students and was replaced by Dr. Anne Sharpe in 1928. That same year, the influenza epidemic closed down Florida State College for Women in an effort to stop the spread of disease.

By 1930 the student population grew, generating a need for a larger infirmary. Construction of a new health center was completed in 1939 and was headed by Dr. June Fletcher.

The post-WWII era saw the return of soldiers and the transformation of Florida State College for Women to Florida State University and a coed population in 1946. The 3rd floor was assigned to female students while the 4th floor was designated for male students. Students needing round-the-clock care could stay for weeks in the infirmary. A bad case of the flu was considered a serious illness before the medicines available today were developed. Female students had to wear dresses or skirts to see a physician or visit a patient in the infirmary because of the dress code. Male nurses did not provide healthcare until after 1966.

Construction of the current building began on April 27, 1965 and was completed on July 1, 1966. The project architect, Forrest M. Kelley, later became the Director of Capital Programs for the Florida Board of Regents. The project was contracted to Winchester Construction Company, a Tallahassee firm. As community hospitals developed in Tallahassee, the need for 24-hour care decreased. By the early 1980s, the FSU Health Center was operating as an outpatient, ambulatory center. Medical Records, now located on the lower level of the building, was once a fully equipped kitchen with three cooks on staff who prepared all the food from scratch. FSU staff could purchase lunches of soup, salads and sandwiches for only $.75. The delicious homemade desserts are remembered fondly as the culinary highlight of each day.

Thagard Student Health Center was officially named for Dr. Norman E. Thagard, an FSU alumnus, astronaut and physician, on September 19, 1986. The dedication ceremony was presided by Dr. Bernard Slinger, President of FSU.